Well folks, it's that time of the year...
I had 1.5 gobs from our local market, one cupcake, and some french fries today. For a low-carb-er like me, that's a once-in-a-great while splurge. I have my rainbow 2013 Lilly Pulitzer planner all marked up with training plan highlights and race dates. My RoadID is nestled safely in the wonderful little tin it arrived in. My Altra's (all 3 running pairs) and fivefingers (2) are nestled safely in their respective places. It's that time of the year where being bad is kindof... well... okay. Once upon a time I would have had horrible guilt for not staying "on task" constantly, which may have also been the reason that my interest in true "training plans" would fizzle out pretty quickly. It seemed as if I was always shifting Tuesday to Friday, but had more time on Friday, so let's do Monday on Friday too, but then I was sore, and so Saturday wasn't really an ideal "long" run day. Before long, I was tired and comfortable with running 10 miles prior to a half, and was not overly thrilled with a sub 2:30 finish, however, I was still happy to finish. It's time for a new approach- rest when you need it, and walking is a great adjunct. If you feel like running 5 when you have conditioning class later on, that's okay too. Sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves, and sometimes we get flat out lazy. Until that little book tells me what to do every day, I think I'll keep doing what I please.... and probably stay away from the market.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Natural love...
The things you do for love....
My soon-to-be husband looked at me one day a few months ago and asked, "soooo you think maybe I could run with you?" A short time later we were at the track, me in my Altra "Instinct" runners, and he in his high top basketball shoes. We did 5 miles of walk/jog intervals, at a pretty decent pace. I asked him what he thought, and his reply was simple "I need new shoes." He was a foot slammer and could not understand how I was so much lighter on my feet. I referred back to a presentation last spring that we went to at our local running store. It outlined the biomechanics of natural running, forefoot strike, and injury prevention. I had been into natural running for a couple months prior, and had wanted for him to get some more perspective on it. Luckily, he has an awesome memory to go with his charm and gorgeous smile. I digress...
It was time to introduce my sweetheart to the "zero-drop" philosophy.
We showed up at Foxtrot Runners (the coolest local running store), where Foxtrot Adam got my Adam hooked up with a pair of Altra "Provision". He took those and a couple other pairs for a spin in the parking lot, but could not get over how "perfect" the Altra's felt. We left with them and he was all smiles. Before long, he was enjoying natural running. I haven't heard him complain about being sore after exercise, and he is much lighter on his feet. It has been so much fun helping him transition. It's a good laugh seeing our shoes next to each other, too. This is my size 8.5 "Delilah" next to his size 14 "Provision". Maybe opposites really do attract?
My soon-to-be husband looked at me one day a few months ago and asked, "soooo you think maybe I could run with you?" A short time later we were at the track, me in my Altra "Instinct" runners, and he in his high top basketball shoes. We did 5 miles of walk/jog intervals, at a pretty decent pace. I asked him what he thought, and his reply was simple "I need new shoes." He was a foot slammer and could not understand how I was so much lighter on my feet. I referred back to a presentation last spring that we went to at our local running store. It outlined the biomechanics of natural running, forefoot strike, and injury prevention. I had been into natural running for a couple months prior, and had wanted for him to get some more perspective on it. Luckily, he has an awesome memory to go with his charm and gorgeous smile. I digress...
It was time to introduce my sweetheart to the "zero-drop" philosophy.
We showed up at Foxtrot Runners (the coolest local running store), where Foxtrot Adam got my Adam hooked up with a pair of Altra "Provision". He took those and a couple other pairs for a spin in the parking lot, but could not get over how "perfect" the Altra's felt. We left with them and he was all smiles. Before long, he was enjoying natural running. I haven't heard him complain about being sore after exercise, and he is much lighter on his feet. It has been so much fun helping him transition. It's a good laugh seeing our shoes next to each other, too. This is my size 8.5 "Delilah" next to his size 14 "Provision". Maybe opposites really do attract?
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Time
It still amazes me how many people assume that distance runners have to run for an hour or two every single day. I wish I had an hour or two to run every day, and I'm sure you do too! Let's face it: most of us are lucky to get 5 solid workouts in each week. I like the burn associated with mixing intensities, and using that as a warmup for core work and free weights. Having a long sloooow run once or twice a week makes for nice base reinforcement. Cross training once a week is nice for feeling the burn, while avoiding overuse injuries.
As much as I hate to run slow in base training (I like 6-6.2 mph for this), it has bailed me out on a number of occasions. This past fall, I was a few days out from food poisoning-- just getting over that rubber leg feeling-- and I knew that even though I felt lousy, I was so accustomed to maintaining that slower base pace, that sure enough, I was able to squeak out a 30 minute 5K (and continued to vomit into the evening... Disclaimer: I don't recommend this). The point is, I believe in base training. You develop a sort of "autopilot" to work off of. I've used this as part of my interval training too, which has helped with my shorter distance times too- that base pace 6 mph acts as my interval base pace. After a good warm up, I work up from 6 mph, going as high as 7.8 mph. Working with different speeds and mixing both the interval duration and sequence, you constantly change things up. This helped me unleash some speed- finishing my last 5K in 24:51-- a far cry from last season's best- 27:??.
It has been really interesting to think about how I've grown as an athlete over the years. Making the decision to do more than just the ordinary is a huge step. On the flip side, knowing when to back off is just as important. The benefits to walking are greatly underestimated. Aside from the obvious benefit from time spent in the "fat burn zone", spending time walking brings you back to basics. Sometimes you can catch your bad habits while walking and take the time to correct them. Sometimes it's just nice to give your joints a little break and enjoy the scenery.
Treadmill jam of the night: "Domino" -Jesse J (outstanding interval song)
As much as I hate to run slow in base training (I like 6-6.2 mph for this), it has bailed me out on a number of occasions. This past fall, I was a few days out from food poisoning-- just getting over that rubber leg feeling-- and I knew that even though I felt lousy, I was so accustomed to maintaining that slower base pace, that sure enough, I was able to squeak out a 30 minute 5K (and continued to vomit into the evening... Disclaimer: I don't recommend this). The point is, I believe in base training. You develop a sort of "autopilot" to work off of. I've used this as part of my interval training too, which has helped with my shorter distance times too- that base pace 6 mph acts as my interval base pace. After a good warm up, I work up from 6 mph, going as high as 7.8 mph. Working with different speeds and mixing both the interval duration and sequence, you constantly change things up. This helped me unleash some speed- finishing my last 5K in 24:51-- a far cry from last season's best- 27:??.
It has been really interesting to think about how I've grown as an athlete over the years. Making the decision to do more than just the ordinary is a huge step. On the flip side, knowing when to back off is just as important. The benefits to walking are greatly underestimated. Aside from the obvious benefit from time spent in the "fat burn zone", spending time walking brings you back to basics. Sometimes you can catch your bad habits while walking and take the time to correct them. Sometimes it's just nice to give your joints a little break and enjoy the scenery.
Treadmill jam of the night: "Domino" -Jesse J (outstanding interval song)
Monday, January 14, 2013
R&R
If there are a million things to get done in a day, I'll add 3, carry the 1, and work a little harder to cram "just one extra thing... or two," in. Sound like you?
If you're the type of person who enjoys run-on sentences and distance running, and have the coordination to combine the two, you're in luck. It sure is nice when you can keep yourself entertained while logging some serious distance.
I had an interesting experience this weekend. It was late, and I was tired (It didn't hurt that my low-carb body was just introduced to a slab of lasagna with a nice caramel covered piece of cheesecake...). Instead of watching football on the couch, I figured It would be perfect timing for some base training. What a great idea- I was too tired to run fast, so running slow for a long time was spot on! Five+ miles later, as the gym was nearing closing time, I felt pretty darn good.
Running was not in the cards for me today. After work, two late meetings and a drive thru dinner, sometimes it's just nice to relish in the joy of making it through a particularly stressful day unscathed. Sometimes, days like these warrant a run to relax. Today, not so much.
What do you like to do on your rest days?
If you're the type of person who enjoys run-on sentences and distance running, and have the coordination to combine the two, you're in luck. It sure is nice when you can keep yourself entertained while logging some serious distance.
I had an interesting experience this weekend. It was late, and I was tired (It didn't hurt that my low-carb body was just introduced to a slab of lasagna with a nice caramel covered piece of cheesecake...). Instead of watching football on the couch, I figured It would be perfect timing for some base training. What a great idea- I was too tired to run fast, so running slow for a long time was spot on! Five+ miles later, as the gym was nearing closing time, I felt pretty darn good.
Running was not in the cards for me today. After work, two late meetings and a drive thru dinner, sometimes it's just nice to relish in the joy of making it through a particularly stressful day unscathed. Sometimes, days like these warrant a run to relax. Today, not so much.
What do you like to do on your rest days?
Saturday, January 12, 2013
New kid on the block...
Everyone needs a mantra. You know, that phrase that triggers something in your soul. It makes you dig a little deeper, focus. That's what "chin up, shoulders back, breathe" is to me. You know that moment when you need to cool your jets...a reminder to pace yourself...a little peace of mind?
Chin up- you got this, shoulders back- you know you got this, breathe- you're going to need it...
As a new blogger, I'm hoping to inspire thought and dialogue about running, training, gear, and all of the other "stuff" that comes with being an athlete. I like to read about other people's experiences and opinions, and I'd love to hear from you!
Until next time friends...
Treadmill jam of the day: "Country Girl (Shake it for me)"- Luke Bryan
Chin up- you got this, shoulders back- you know you got this, breathe- you're going to need it...
As a new blogger, I'm hoping to inspire thought and dialogue about running, training, gear, and all of the other "stuff" that comes with being an athlete. I like to read about other people's experiences and opinions, and I'd love to hear from you!
Until next time friends...
Treadmill jam of the day: "Country Girl (Shake it for me)"- Luke Bryan
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