After my recent two eventful runs – bug attacks and lost keys – I determinedly set out for an uneventful run this morning. For my seven mile long run of the week I visited the running trail (to avoid the bugs - which is ironic, huh?), wore my Spibelt (to avoid key fiascos), and had my music all charged up. Talk about a feat for me!

I even stopped my belly aching and got myself up earlier in the morning to eat my standard pre-run fuel so I could be out the door by 7:30 am.

Is there anything quite as delicious as the peanut butter and jelly combo? Wait. Hold that thought. There is. Peanut butter and chocolate. What were we talking about again? Oh! My run! Although peanut butter and chocolate would certainly a great conversation make.

With all the components aligned properly, I did in fact manage to have an uneventful, calming, and good long run for the week.

7 miles. Average 9:20 pace. Check week # 3 off the training plan! 

I celebrated with my still cold drink awaiting me for when I got back to my car!

Under Armour has joined forces with Thermos for a stainless steel water bottle (they call it hydration bottle, but I’m not quite so fancy). Friends joke that I always have a water bottle attached to my hip because its true. I love having water with me. But my water has to be cold. I can’t do lukewarm water. Blech. Apparently that’s a good thing, because according to some studies cold water helps keep core temperature down so athletes (or fitness freaks like myself) can keep up performance.

I don’t know if cold water really affected my performance this past week, but I will say I love the bottle.

It does keep my water really cold for a long time. It also lives up to another important standard of mine – large enough to hold a decent amount so I’m not constantly refilling the thing but still fits into cup holders in my car and in my strollers.

Don’t laugh. That is quite important and the biggest issue I have had with most quality water bottles I find that actually hold more than 2 cups of water without leaking. It’s a big deal to me. So, thanks Kristin and Thermos and Under Armour for a great product!

• What item do you always have on you?
• Any features you look for in a water bottle?

** I received the Under Armour hydration bottle from Thermos free for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Alternate titles for this post?

• Should Have Done The Speed Work
• Wear The Dang Spibelt
• I Need To Learn To Charge My Music
• But It’s All Okay In The End

This morning I woke up with a speed work session on the half marathon training calendar. I also woke up to Peter informing me the iPhone died and I would have no music for my run. What is this? The third time in less than two weeks? Sheesh!

Anyways…I headed to the track intending to make the best of my run and somehow power through the dreaded speed work without musical inspiration. Then not even halfway around the first lap of the track I said “to heck with this madness!” and opted to run a quicker paced four miler on the running trail instead.

Since I had planned to simply run around the track, where I can leave my stuff on the sideline, I didn’t have my Spibelt carrier with me. So, I stashed my water bottle back in the car and tucked my key inside the handy little pocket inside my running shorts to stay nice and cozy.

I got going on my run and instantly knew I made the right decision. For my run, at least. I was on fire!

• Mile 1 = 9:12
• Mile 2 = 8:43
• Mile 3 = 8:41
• Mile 4 = 8:14 (!!!)

Just as I patted myself on the back and slowed to finish my run, I realized something. I didn’t feel a particular something poking into my hip anymore. You know where I’m going with this, don’t you?

The key. Gone!!!! And I knew exactly where it happened. The full two miles out where I had turned around. Where something came out of nowhere and hit my foot. That something I originally thought was a random rock was actually my key I saw flying into the thick, tall brush off the greenway’s boardwalk area.

Oh---cean! Right when I realized my predicament, I came across this extremely kind woman who happened to have a phone on her to borrow. I called Peter right up to see if he could come save me. Problem numero uno? He has the kids. I have the car seats. So, I let him see if he can reach my sister-in-law in the neighborhood to watch them for a few minutes. I hang up and walk with the kind woman, Carolyn, and her dogs waiting to hear back. Problem numero dos? He can’t reach her.

Oh-cean! Don’t worry he says. He will go down the street with the kids to see if anyone is home. I stroll along for another long while with Carolyn waiting to find out whether or not Peter can come. He calls and says he doesn’t know if anyone is home because no one came to the door but their cars are there. So I stroll along with Carolyn more again, holding this poor woman’s phone captive, until I finally get a call from Peter saying he is on his way.

I race back to my car to meet Peter. And you better believe I added that to my workout. I want credit for that hectic .58 miles and achieving an 8:40 average pace! I think I got my speed work in for the week, don’t you? 😉

After Peter picks me up we drive out to the area where I know my key fell out to attempt finding it. Too bad there is no easy entrance to this area of the running trail. So what do we do? He pulls up alongside the road and I have to dash out on a busy road with no sidewalks, a bridge, and cars going past me to eventually climb through grass and get to the path. Only to search and search and search but no dice. Adios, key!

Finally, I get home three hours later. So much for heading out early to get things done sooner. It bothered me at first, probably because I had not eaten and was past the point of angry hungry, but then I just had to laugh it off. Plus, I can’t help think that God had a hand in it. Carolyn doesn’t normally walk with her phone but had it today. I don’t normally change my planned workout like that but did today. Carolyn’s husband recently passed and she normally walks with a friend – so maybe God just wanted me to keep her company. And maybe He just wanted to remind me that little “annoyances” don’t make up life. Love does. I felt love from Carolyn’s, Peter’s, and Marie’s (sister-in-law) graciousness in helping me out today. So, yea. It’s all okay in the end.

• Have you ever lost your key? Locked yourself out? Or something similar?
• What is the last act of kindness you received from someone?
• Of Possible Interest: Check out the panel discussion and my awesome fellow bloggers on the Healthy Living Summit site!

One Final Note – If you can visit the blog tomorrow morning to help support my Fitfluential Ambassador post, I will be eternally grateful! 🙂