I find it interesting that as I get closer to a warm-up in the weather and time to actually start thinking about a training schedule, that I get much advice on every facet of running. Most of it is solicited since I know absolutely NOTHING about distance running and how my body will react to it so I'm constantly inquiring of those who do know these things. There is also some very random advice and tidbits that come my way through conversations with people, who sometimes know what they're talking about and sometimes they don't. Let me say here, that I am a willing listener and appreciative of ALL advice that people give...though I may not take the advice.
For good measure, I'll start with some advice that I've gotten that seems good, reasonable, helpful, etc.
1. On race day, dress in layers, and make sure the layers are pieces of clothing you do not want back. Throw the clothing off as you warm up and go on! - I like this one. Those that have done the St. Jude's 1/2 say that clothing gets taken to a local shelter and donated. Great idea...not sure what happens at my 1/2, but either way it seems like a burden to have to try to carry extra clothing with me or tie it on me as I go
2. Carb load the night before and have a light but protein packed breakfast the morning of. All I really think about when I read this or someone tells me this is Michael Scott scarfing fettuccine Alfredo minutes before his big "race" and it makes me LOL. I plan to carb it up the night before but not sure I'll model my scarfing after Michael Scott.
3. Since I've never actually run a 1/2 marathon or even seen one, someone suggested that I just go watch one so I know what to expect and I will be less nervous the morning of race day. I think this is a great piece of advice since everyone that's running is a newbie to this too. Not sure where I'll find time to watch people run for 13.1 miles, but I will try.
Okay, there are many more good bits of advice, but on to the uh...less helpful, more interesting advice. Again, most of this was given by well meaning individuals whom most (or all) of I happen to be related to and may or may not be running with. :)
1. Skittle-up! This piece of advice came out something like this... "I'm going to just carry Skittles with me during the race to eat." Me (confused look), "Uh...why?" "Well, you always see professional football players sitting on the sidelines eating Skittles...to give them energy." I have no idea why professional athletes would be eating Skittles on the sidelines, or if they even do since I've never witnessed it, but I would say it has more to do with promoting Skittles ($$) than energy. If someone knows different or has actually Skittled-up mid-race and felt more energetic, please share.
2. The 8 mile marker trots. I've been told that around mile 8, I will feel a sudden and urgent need to quit running and find a bathroom. I was also informed this feeling will subside around mile 10 and I'll just "trot" on in to the finish line, no pun intended. Not sure about this one either, but if it's true, I will not be blogging about it more later and I hope that no one else ever mentions this phenomenon again. Enough said...
3. "If you can run 10 miles, you can run 13." I would actually file this under good advice, except, personally, I don't believe it for myself because I'm a mental case. Once I get to 10 miles in my training program, I will keep on going just to make sure. I would really hate to prove this point wrong the only time I attempted 13 miles. So, I may train a few weeks longer than most, but for me, it's probably worth it.
I hope that people continue to offer me advice and tidbits as they see fit. I love them all. They make me feel like I'm part of a really elite club. Although I know many people have managed to successfully complete a 1/2 marathon, I would have once considered it laughable for me. I now feel that it's completely within my reach.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Get back on the horse!
It's inevitable. I set some totally awesome goals for my health: never eat sugar again, ban carbs from my cabinets, run every single day for the rest of my life, adopt a raw food diet, and so on. Then, my company has an amazing party where they serve 12 different appetizers, 8 desserts and 4 themed cocktails and I find myself chowing down on all of it! It happens to all of us, right? What? Your company doesn't have super parties like thati in the middle of the day? Hmm, well, you know that I mean. We all fall off the "health horse" at one time or another. Whether it's a quick happy hour with friends where you skip a workout and down one too many beers or a stressful week that ends with a big bowl of brownie mix, we all have set backs on the road to health and fitness. When that happens, I have two choices. I can fill the tub up with brownie mix, speed dial Pizza Hut and let my running shoes rot. Or, I can remind myself that as much fun as being slothful is, I feel a lot better when I eat a bit healthier and do something physical. In other words, I get back up on that dang horse.
So tonight at Target, instead of buying junk, I bought some easy, healthy foods like frozen edamame, spicy black bean burgers, containers of grapefruit, and Amy's vegetarian burritos. They're not the best choices, since it's all pretty heavily processed, but it's a step in the right direction. Now to get back onto the road in those running shoes that have been sitting in my closet!
So tonight at Target, instead of buying junk, I bought some easy, healthy foods like frozen edamame, spicy black bean burgers, containers of grapefruit, and Amy's vegetarian burritos. They're not the best choices, since it's all pretty heavily processed, but it's a step in the right direction. Now to get back onto the road in those running shoes that have been sitting in my closet!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
It was a run in the park...
Central Park, that is. Well, I have officially run in 2 different states so far this year. One is obviously Missouri and the other, well New York baby! I made the trek to NYC last week to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and my new (uber-cute) nephew Thomas. It was a very relaxing trip to say the least. I caught up on much needed sleep and got much needed cuddle time with a cute baby.
It seems that every trip I have ever taken to NYC in the past has been filled with sight seeing, food-filled adventures, and lots of other typical things that New Yorkers can do every day that us rural Missourians find exciting and out of the ordinary. This trip was different in many ways. I mean, obviously, the entire point of my trip was to spend as much QT as I could with the fam and get to know Thomas.
Now, don't get me wrong, we still managed to fit in some dining out and I also Stumbled Inn to the biggest stuffed burger I have ever eaten (and I ate it all!) as well as filling myself with Yellow-fin tuna tacos with hearts of palm and the most delicious margarita that I've ever come across. That margarita has set in motion another goal for 2012...and that is to be able to re-create the wonderfulness that was the Watermelon & Basil margarita. That's a whole different adventure and I've already enlisted the help of my sister-in-law Priscilla who agrees with me that we should try to create as many delicious margarita recipes as we can...you know, for the good of man kind. So, while the rest of you are out doing this and that this summer, know that Cil and I will be sacrificing ourselves to create, taste, re-create, taste again, repeat, repeat, repeat, etc. so that we may pass along these concoctions.
Okay, back to NYC. The other completely new adventure on this trip, and probably most obvious from the title of the post, is that my brother and I actually took a jog on Friday afternoon (before the taco/margarita adventure) in Central Park. It was a bit chilly and the walk to the park was cold and windy but we made it there and off we took. I would like to give a shout out to my brother at this point who not only ran at my pace, but took the time to point out the different sights that we ran by as I was too out of breath to respond very much. My brother is much more of an athlete than me and in fact, is going to run a 1/2 marathon in April AND the NYC marathon in November. The marathon is a first for him so that's very exciting as well!
Anyway, we made two 1.7 mile laps around the park - not all of the park, because that's much longer and this was a pretty easy trek. But it was great - LOTS of runners all around, bikers everywhere, and some other interesting hobbies that required people to be on skates and holding sticks. I'm still pondering those athletes....or whatever they were. It was a great feeling to get in a run and do something good for myself while on vacation. And it was fun...yes, running was fun. I said it...it was a nice way to spend time with my brother and see some sights.
All in all a great trip and a run in another state. And, I hope to run in at least one more state this summer while on vacation because at that point I will be in the thick of my 1/2 training schedule and I will have to. So a beach run to look forward to in the Summer of 2012 too!
It seems that every trip I have ever taken to NYC in the past has been filled with sight seeing, food-filled adventures, and lots of other typical things that New Yorkers can do every day that us rural Missourians find exciting and out of the ordinary. This trip was different in many ways. I mean, obviously, the entire point of my trip was to spend as much QT as I could with the fam and get to know Thomas.
Now, don't get me wrong, we still managed to fit in some dining out and I also Stumbled Inn to the biggest stuffed burger I have ever eaten (and I ate it all!) as well as filling myself with Yellow-fin tuna tacos with hearts of palm and the most delicious margarita that I've ever come across. That margarita has set in motion another goal for 2012...and that is to be able to re-create the wonderfulness that was the Watermelon & Basil margarita. That's a whole different adventure and I've already enlisted the help of my sister-in-law Priscilla who agrees with me that we should try to create as many delicious margarita recipes as we can...you know, for the good of man kind. So, while the rest of you are out doing this and that this summer, know that Cil and I will be sacrificing ourselves to create, taste, re-create, taste again, repeat, repeat, repeat, etc. so that we may pass along these concoctions.
Okay, back to NYC. The other completely new adventure on this trip, and probably most obvious from the title of the post, is that my brother and I actually took a jog on Friday afternoon (before the taco/margarita adventure) in Central Park. It was a bit chilly and the walk to the park was cold and windy but we made it there and off we took. I would like to give a shout out to my brother at this point who not only ran at my pace, but took the time to point out the different sights that we ran by as I was too out of breath to respond very much. My brother is much more of an athlete than me and in fact, is going to run a 1/2 marathon in April AND the NYC marathon in November. The marathon is a first for him so that's very exciting as well!
Anyway, we made two 1.7 mile laps around the park - not all of the park, because that's much longer and this was a pretty easy trek. But it was great - LOTS of runners all around, bikers everywhere, and some other interesting hobbies that required people to be on skates and holding sticks. I'm still pondering those athletes....or whatever they were. It was a great feeling to get in a run and do something good for myself while on vacation. And it was fun...yes, running was fun. I said it...it was a nice way to spend time with my brother and see some sights.
All in all a great trip and a run in another state. And, I hope to run in at least one more state this summer while on vacation because at that point I will be in the thick of my 1/2 training schedule and I will have to. So a beach run to look forward to in the Summer of 2012 too!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Criss Cross It UP!
No, we are not suggesting you wear over-size workout clothes backwards. That would be awkward and people would stare. But, we are suggesting you mix up your workouts and cross train! Obviously we're here because we want to run a half-marathon. Does that mean we're spending all of our workout time running? NOPE! Honestly, that would bore me to death. I'm not someone who can spend a lot of time running. It's just not that interesting. (Sorry running, hate to insult you.) But, I know I'm going to need to spend a lot of my time on the road or the treadmill. So, to keep my workouts interesting and to build some sweet muscles, I do a lot of different things.
I love yoga and am lucky the gym at my work offers a class almost every day. On Wednesdays they offer Power Yoga! Not only am I getting stronger I'm also getting an hour's worth of "reflective" time. Win!
I hate lunges (they are the devil) but if I want superfly legs, I gotta do them. While I'm doing the hated lunges, I figure I might as well work out the rest of my body with weights or machines. Hate working out with weights or think you are going to get bulky from them? Well, ladies, I've got news for you. Weights are awesome! Cardio can help you lose weight but weights will tone your muscle and make you look HAWT. Win-win!
Finally, there are days when I can't run outside and just can't handle an extended amount of time on the treadmill. On those days, I hit the elliptical and crank up the "random" program. It works my heart and my legs and booty get a great workout. And everytime I'm doing a run and am able to power up a hill with no problems, I know it's because I spent the time challenging myself at the gym on the elliptical. Or with those stinking lunges. Win-win-WIN!
If you love running, congrats! Keep it up. I'll see you out there 2-3 times a week. But, if you want to get a little more from your workouts, have fun doing it and get toned, remember to criss CROSS it up! The Mac Daddy and Daddy Mac would completely approve.
I love yoga and am lucky the gym at my work offers a class almost every day. On Wednesdays they offer Power Yoga! Not only am I getting stronger I'm also getting an hour's worth of "reflective" time. Win!
I hate lunges (they are the devil) but if I want superfly legs, I gotta do them. While I'm doing the hated lunges, I figure I might as well work out the rest of my body with weights or machines. Hate working out with weights or think you are going to get bulky from them? Well, ladies, I've got news for you. Weights are awesome! Cardio can help you lose weight but weights will tone your muscle and make you look HAWT. Win-win!
Finally, there are days when I can't run outside and just can't handle an extended amount of time on the treadmill. On those days, I hit the elliptical and crank up the "random" program. It works my heart and my legs and booty get a great workout. And everytime I'm doing a run and am able to power up a hill with no problems, I know it's because I spent the time challenging myself at the gym on the elliptical. Or with those stinking lunges. Win-win-WIN!
If you love running, congrats! Keep it up. I'll see you out there 2-3 times a week. But, if you want to get a little more from your workouts, have fun doing it and get toned, remember to criss CROSS it up! The Mac Daddy and Daddy Mac would completely approve.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Myth Busters!
There are three things that are on my mind today in relation to running. And...since it is Friday the 13th, I thought it fitting to write about those myths that are freaking me out right now. So, can these be confirmed or busted by anyone?
#1. I read an article today about the effect of music on your run. Now, if you're like me, you like to run to music. I love keeping pace with the beat and I can convince myself, especially at the end of a run, to keep going if a good song comes on. So...the article talked about how music could help improve your time, make your workouts more enjoyable, blah, blah, blah. Here's the shocker. A particular song has been shown in studies only to positively effect your mind during a workout for the first 3 times you hear it. Huh?
Okay, begin rant. If I can only listen to a song 3 times before it loses its effectiveness - I'm screwed. Here's how I figure. I have approximately 40 songs on my "Workout" play list that get randomly shuffled. At about 3-4 minutes each, I have no more than 160 minutes or two hours and 40 minutes worth of music to listen to. After I begin (seriously) training to run this thing, I can make it about 3-4 weeks before my melodic motivation is gone. It also seems that I hear the crappier ones more than the super-motivating mind erasing, kick ass songs that really keep me going. I hit skip as quickly as possible and hope for the next song to be better.
So...I am less than convinced that there will be enough super fun, run worthy songs that I either discover or that are released in the next 9 month to cover a 13.1 mile run and all the training time that entails. And, now I find myself scared to listen to Yahoo music at work and I can't get to the Skip button quick enough when a really good song comes on - I don't want to waste one of my 3 listens on work. I think I'll tune into some classic jazz from now on during work time. End rant...for now. I cannot CONFIRM or BUST this myth, but I will be able to soon.
#2. I also read another article for beginner runners that a good sports bra is as or more important as your running shoes when training for and running long distances. Okay - there are so many things concerning about this that I don't have time to address them all, and I don't run long distances (yet) so I'm no expert, but I have a hard time believing that the shoes that cover and protect my feet that will be pounding the pavement/gravel/grass/etc. for hours on end is MORE important than the small cotton contraption that covers the barely "B"s. So for now, I'm calling this myth "BUST"ED!
#3. I also read on this blog I follow, sometimes that there may not be ipods or other devices designed to play music allowed at the Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 and Marathon. Really? Someone BUST this myth please. I can't find anything on the website but if this is the truth, please disregard all of my rant on #1 and lend some suggestions on what one might do to pass several hours worth of time while trying to distract oneself from running.
#1. I read an article today about the effect of music on your run. Now, if you're like me, you like to run to music. I love keeping pace with the beat and I can convince myself, especially at the end of a run, to keep going if a good song comes on. So...the article talked about how music could help improve your time, make your workouts more enjoyable, blah, blah, blah. Here's the shocker. A particular song has been shown in studies only to positively effect your mind during a workout for the first 3 times you hear it. Huh?
Okay, begin rant. If I can only listen to a song 3 times before it loses its effectiveness - I'm screwed. Here's how I figure. I have approximately 40 songs on my "Workout" play list that get randomly shuffled. At about 3-4 minutes each, I have no more than 160 minutes or two hours and 40 minutes worth of music to listen to. After I begin (seriously) training to run this thing, I can make it about 3-4 weeks before my melodic motivation is gone. It also seems that I hear the crappier ones more than the super-motivating mind erasing, kick ass songs that really keep me going. I hit skip as quickly as possible and hope for the next song to be better.
So...I am less than convinced that there will be enough super fun, run worthy songs that I either discover or that are released in the next 9 month to cover a 13.1 mile run and all the training time that entails. And, now I find myself scared to listen to Yahoo music at work and I can't get to the Skip button quick enough when a really good song comes on - I don't want to waste one of my 3 listens on work. I think I'll tune into some classic jazz from now on during work time. End rant...for now. I cannot CONFIRM or BUST this myth, but I will be able to soon.
#2. I also read another article for beginner runners that a good sports bra is as or more important as your running shoes when training for and running long distances. Okay - there are so many things concerning about this that I don't have time to address them all, and I don't run long distances (yet) so I'm no expert, but I have a hard time believing that the shoes that cover and protect my feet that will be pounding the pavement/gravel/grass/etc. for hours on end is MORE important than the small cotton contraption that covers the barely "B"s. So for now, I'm calling this myth "BUST"ED!
#3. I also read on this blog I follow, sometimes that there may not be ipods or other devices designed to play music allowed at the Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 and Marathon. Really? Someone BUST this myth please. I can't find anything on the website but if this is the truth, please disregard all of my rant on #1 and lend some suggestions on what one might do to pass several hours worth of time while trying to distract oneself from running.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Actually Three Girls, My Brother, and a Half. Anyone else?
After I decided to go ahead and sign up for a 1/2, I of course wanted to tell the world. As I was telling the world, I also recruited a couple more runners. So, I figure this is a good time to introduce everyone (er...the 3 people that follow this blog and my loving husband who insists I need to make more posts than I have been) to our other running partners.
So...also running with us will be my brother, AJ and a new friend of mine Natalie. From time to time, I plan to get their take on the training process and any other thoughts they may have and use them to contribute to the blog. Who knows...maybe a periodic guest blogger or two is in order?
The great part about this all is the new recruits are 1/2 newbies too. So, this makes it more exciting and also more intimidating because none of us know what to expect - well, other than the running 13.1 miles part. I'm pretty sure that's the one thing I can count on happening that day. And beer. There will be beer Erin!
It will also be nice to have people around Salem to run with, at least some of the time. I'm also hoping they provide some extra motivation and incentive to make longer runs during the hot and painstakingly humid Missouri summer.
So, lastly I will use this post to invite anyone else who is interested in running a really long way in October to join us. Whoever you are - St. Louis is going to rock that day and you can be a part of it too!
So...also running with us will be my brother, AJ and a new friend of mine Natalie. From time to time, I plan to get their take on the training process and any other thoughts they may have and use them to contribute to the blog. Who knows...maybe a periodic guest blogger or two is in order?
The great part about this all is the new recruits are 1/2 newbies too. So, this makes it more exciting and also more intimidating because none of us know what to expect - well, other than the running 13.1 miles part. I'm pretty sure that's the one thing I can count on happening that day. And beer. There will be beer Erin!
It will also be nice to have people around Salem to run with, at least some of the time. I'm also hoping they provide some extra motivation and incentive to make longer runs during the hot and painstakingly humid Missouri summer.
So, lastly I will use this post to invite anyone else who is interested in running a really long way in October to join us. Whoever you are - St. Louis is going to rock that day and you can be a part of it too!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
This is My Jam - The Constellations
Today’s run was brought to you by the band The Constellations. Usually I try to have a good mix playing when I exercise and I thought I’d set mine up to play this evening as I started my run. It was 20 minutes into the run until I realized I’d been listening to The Constellations’ album “Southern Gothic” the whole time! (Not completely my fault…I was focused on running the 3 miles without stopping!) When I finally caught onto what was happening on my phone, I realized that “Southern Gothic” is not only a great album, it’s full of great songs to run to! So, if you haven’t heard The Constellations yet, Spotify them now! What’s that? You don’t Spotify? You are missing out! I just built an all-new running playlist without having to spend a fortune. On Spotify? Find me and let’s share our playlists!
I'm curious - do people like running while listening to music or not? I usually do when I'm training or running for fun (haha, just kidding, I never run for fun!) but I don't have to have it during a race. I wonder if the 1/2 will even let us use iPods. Hmmm, that will be good info to have before the big day.
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