Let me begin by telling you that I hate stretching. I don't do it before I run, I occasionally do it after a long run, but I'm not a stretcher. I also don't believe in warming up. It's all a waste of time to me.
I read an article about a research study that found athletes that stretch before running were no less likely to sustain an injury than those that didn't stretch. I stopped stretching after this revelation. Other research ha suggested that athletes should warm up for 5-10 minutes, stretch, then start their activity.
But as someone that works long hours, is a single mother to a very needy Chiweenie (6 months out of the year), has a husband that I enjoy spending time with, I don't have a second more to waste at the gym if I'm going to be in bed by 9pm every night.
Stretching and warming up? No thank you!
While I despise both activities since they are a waste of time, it surprised me that I recently discovered a stretch that makes everything better. I call it the Indo Squat, named affectionately after the men in Indonesia that have perfected this pose. In order to perform the Indo Squat, place your feet flat on the ground, a little wider than shoulder width apart. Then squat down and let your butt hang down between your ankles, barely off the floor. You'll feel a stretch through every tight muscle in your legs.
It feels great after a long race and I have snuck into the ladies room at work to do it to ease some of my post half marathon soreness!
Miles logged: 3
Monday, November 7, 2011
I'm Going for It!
I'm doing it!
I'm officially attempting to become a member of the Half Fanatics (www.halffanatics.com). Today I signed up for my 4th half of the year AND it is only one week away! If I am able to finish, and I will, I will be eligible to become a level one, Neptune, Half Fanatic!
Who would have thought that one year ago I wasn't even running?!
Miles logged: 0
I'm officially attempting to become a member of the Half Fanatics (www.halffanatics.com). Today I signed up for my 4th half of the year AND it is only one week away! If I am able to finish, and I will, I will be eligible to become a level one, Neptune, Half Fanatic!
Who would have thought that one year ago I wasn't even running?!
Miles logged: 0
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Half #3 is in the Bag!
I finished half marathon #3 today and it was an amazing feeling crossing the finish line again. It wasn't without pain, hard work, and a couple of conversations with myself not to stop!
The course around White Rock Lake was beautiful. There were some challenging hills, but I had prepared well for hills in my training, so I rocked them! The water stations were perfectly placed, at every 2 miles or so. I carried Cytomax in my water bottle and grabbed water at the stations. It was nice to not be sticky from spilling the electrolytes, and I didn't have any horrible stomach issues like after SFO.
There weren't may cheering stations, but I was able to get in a few high-5's. We were not able to manage negative splits this race-and if you've never run a race this way, you should. We finished the first half in 1:13, on perfect pace to finish under my PR of 2:26, but we ran the second half slower than the first.
The worst part of the entire race was a bridge at about mile 8. I don't know if there was an earthquake at the moment we were running across, or if it was about to collapse, but the damn bridge was moving. A lot. Felt like I was running across the bridge in that old video of the suspension bridge in Washington State that moves in waves during an earthquake. It was super difficult to run across, as at each step, you had no idea where the bridge would be under your foot. My hip started screaming at this point, as you can imagine, but I powered through to half marathon victory!!!
Miles Logged: 13.1!!
The course around White Rock Lake was beautiful. There were some challenging hills, but I had prepared well for hills in my training, so I rocked them! The water stations were perfectly placed, at every 2 miles or so. I carried Cytomax in my water bottle and grabbed water at the stations. It was nice to not be sticky from spilling the electrolytes, and I didn't have any horrible stomach issues like after SFO.
There weren't may cheering stations, but I was able to get in a few high-5's. We were not able to manage negative splits this race-and if you've never run a race this way, you should. We finished the first half in 1:13, on perfect pace to finish under my PR of 2:26, but we ran the second half slower than the first.
The worst part of the entire race was a bridge at about mile 8. I don't know if there was an earthquake at the moment we were running across, or if it was about to collapse, but the damn bridge was moving. A lot. Felt like I was running across the bridge in that old video of the suspension bridge in Washington State that moves in waves during an earthquake. It was super difficult to run across, as at each step, you had no idea where the bridge would be under your foot. My hip started screaming at this point, as you can imagine, but I powered through to half marathon victory!!!
Miles Logged: 13.1!!
Pre race--in our Twinkie shirts!
The starting line!
Post race shenanigans!
A little post race carbo loading
Great medal!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Supporting All Racers
Tomorrow is the big day, so today is a day of rest for me. Instead I went out to support another race-the Susan G Komen 3-Day Race for the Cure. I went out, dressed in pink, to support my girls, Alli and Marti, in their 60 mile journey. And it was an amazing experience! I spent almost 2 hours cheering on complete strangers, giving out high-5's and having a great time!
From personal experience, there is nothing more motivational than someone yelling your name and words of encouragement during a race! I was so happy to be there to provide support to others who were walking for a great cause.
You ladies are doing a fantastic thing! I'm so proud of you!!
From personal experience, there is nothing more motivational than someone yelling your name and words of encouragement during a race! I was so happy to be there to provide support to others who were walking for a great cause.
You ladies are doing a fantastic thing! I'm so proud of you!!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
I'm ready for the half!
I completed the final run of my training for the DRC half marathon on Sunday and I feel great! I sprinted the last 0.1 to prepare myself for the race. I ran that last 0.1 at a 6.5 mph pace... I've never run that fast on a treadmill before!
Carbo loading begins tomorrow!
Miles logged: 3.0
Carbo loading begins tomorrow!
Miles logged: 3.0
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Let the Tapering Begin (or End)
Less than a week until my 3rd half marathon ever and I'm super excited for it! Today was packet pickup and now that i have my shirt and my bib, I can't wait for race day to arrive. One more run and lots of carbo loading in my near future!
Since I will be eating Twinkies on my run, I also made this shirt to wear during the race! Iron-on transfer on a dri-fit shirt. The font is "Hurry Up"!
Miles Logged: 0
Since I will be eating Twinkies on my run, I also made this shirt to wear during the race! Iron-on transfer on a dri-fit shirt. The font is "Hurry Up"!
Miles Logged: 0
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Damn it is cold
As I near my 1 year anniversary of running, the temperatures are starting to drop. I dreamed fondly of this while I trained throughout the hottest summer in history. I would now like to retract these stupid dreams in favor of running in the heat again.
This morning I ran at about 8:15, a little later than usual since I stayed up late watching game 7 of the World Series. I'm one week away from the DRC Half Marathon, so this run was a shorter on, at only 8 miles. The temperature outside was a cold 44 degrees. So cold, that there was frost on the roofs of the houses in my neighborhood.
Dressed in running tights and a long sleeve shirt, I was ill equipped to handle the cold. I needed another shirt and gloves. I have forgotten how to dress for the cold! The trail that I run on is well shaded and is around a creek. This provides for cooler temps and relief from the oppressive summer sun. This provides for even colder temps when it is already chilly.
I guess it is time to dig my winter running garb out of the closet and get ready for a cold race next Sunday!
I already miss the days of putting on a pair of shorts and a tank top and going on my way!
Miles logged: 8
This morning I ran at about 8:15, a little later than usual since I stayed up late watching game 7 of the World Series. I'm one week away from the DRC Half Marathon, so this run was a shorter on, at only 8 miles. The temperature outside was a cold 44 degrees. So cold, that there was frost on the roofs of the houses in my neighborhood.
Dressed in running tights and a long sleeve shirt, I was ill equipped to handle the cold. I needed another shirt and gloves. I have forgotten how to dress for the cold! The trail that I run on is well shaded and is around a creek. This provides for cooler temps and relief from the oppressive summer sun. This provides for even colder temps when it is already chilly.
I guess it is time to dig my winter running garb out of the closet and get ready for a cold race next Sunday!
I already miss the days of putting on a pair of shorts and a tank top and going on my way!
Miles logged: 8
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