2012 Review & S-NO-W Fun Run Recap

13 Jan

Welcome to 2013! I haven’t made any resolutions yet, but I have taken a little time to reflect on 2012.

RunSistersRun.com 2012 Review

I’ve been planning to post our blog’s 2012 stats – I love numbers! Luckily, WordPress.com prepared a 2012 annual report for Run Sisters Run. Here’s an excerpt:

This blog got about 8,400 views with 59 new posts in 2012, not bad for the first year! There were 186 pictures uploaded. That’s about 4 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was January 27th with626 views. The most popular post that day was Conquering the Lululemon Warehouse Sale.

2012 Running Recap with Nike+

If you haven’t noticed, I love Nike+. I was never great at logging my runs in a notebook, so having an app that does the work for me is ideal! After running with Nike+ for the last few years, it’s awesome to be able to compare past performance with this year’s performance. This year, I logged 853 miles! In 2011, I did about 400, and a little over 100 in 2010. It’s a great increase, and I can’t believe how much more I’ve run this year. I also set a 2012 resolution to run my first marathon. I actually ran 2, and even got my second one in under 4 hours. :) If you’ve got a Nike+ account, you can add me here.

2013 Run Recap

S-NO-W Fun Run 2013

The S-NO-W Fun Run is… crazy… in a good way! It’s a 5 mile race run at 2:30 pm, with an after party held at the former Playboy Mansion in Lake Geneva, WI. Given the race location, you get quite a few people dressing up like bunnies or Hugh Hefner, so there’s a lot of entertainment during the race. It’s an out and back course, with a big hill at the end and an add-on area where you don’t see the finish until about 400 meters out. Luckily, I knew what to expect this time!

I ran the race last year in 41:13 (8:12 pace). I’m training for a half marathon, and with the holidays, I wasn’t quite sure where I was at and how I’d do in a 5 mile race. I was hoping to break 40, but I had no idea if it was actually possible.

My goal was to keep an 8:00 pace. I went out fast the first mile: 7:23; faster than my 5K pace, but it was downhill, so I figured I was OK. I slowed down miles 2-4, but still ran under my goal pace: 7:50-7:57. The last mile goes back up that first hill. I’ll admit it… I stopped to walk at the top of the hill to catch my breath. I figured I had banked some time so I’d still get under my goal time. I ran a 7:54 and came in at 39:21 – 7:52 pace!

I was happy with the race, but the post-race party is what it’s all about. If you live in Southeast WI or Northeast IL, you should definitely make this race a weekend trip. The race gives awards for each age, Lake Geneva is awesome, and there are plenty or beers, brats, and dancing to go around.

I had a great start to 2013 – how about you? Do you have any resolutions?

Gift Ideas for Runners

14 Dec

My inbox is flooded with desperate emails from merchants: “Time is running out!” “Last chance for free shipping” “Last minute gift ideas!”

I refuse to allude to this being a “last minute” gift guide for runners. This is a Purposefully Procrastinated Gift Guide for Runners.

For the Overused Runner

hey runner girl, you need new shoes

Ryan Gosling pictures always make a good present, too.

Unless your runner friend religiously tracks how many miles they’ve put on a pair of shoes, they probably are overdue for a new pair. This is a tricky gift because you can’t really go out and buy someone a pair of shoes without knowing the exact make/model/color they want. Think homemade coupon or gift card to a retailer that carries a variety of shoes (or Brooks/Nike/Asics if you know for a fact which brand they use). To runners, new shoe smell = new car smell.

For the Unmotivated Runner

If you’re running partner has been talking about needing to sign up for a race, here’s your chance to cross off a present and guarantee a race buddy. Register yourself and a friend for a race and make sure your friend knows this race is for their goal – whether it’s to PR, run a course they’ve always wanted to try, or just to get to the finish line. Just be sure to stick to your word and not turn the race into your race!

For the Upcoming Racer

il_570xN.317824364

My sister found this exact shirt at a local Goodwill!

If you have a runner friend who has been training for his or her first 5K/half marathon/marathon, consider combining a bunch of training “essentials” into a gym bag. Think socks, energy gels, body glide, nipple guards, a book, a Road ID… you get the idea.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, go find a ridiculous shirt at Goodwill to give as a throwaway shirt (an old shirt runners wear to keep warm at the beginning of a race with the intention of throwing it away once they warm up). Throwing in a gift card for a post-race massage never offended anyone either.

For the Accomplished Runner

If your runner friend hoards keeps all their old race bibs and medals, maybe it’s time they have a place to display them properly! A quick search on Etsy for “race bib holder” will find you plenty of options for cool homemade ways to show off race swag.

For the All Seasons Runner

If you have a runner friend who hates the treadmill and runs outside despite rain, sleet, wind or snow, Yaktrax could be a great option to help keep them safe on slick or snow-covered surfaces. If you want to learn more about Yaktrax, Brandi wrote a great review on them earlier this year!

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To make this as stress-free as possible, I’m also including some gift guides I’ve come across so that this one post can be your one-stop shop for holiday gifts for all the runners in your life! Here are a few favorites to get you thinking:

Good luck and happy shopping!

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December Running Inspiration: #InspiredFit 201.2

3 Dec Running Inspiration

We all know what’s coming in January: new health resolutions, too many people in the gym in their brand-new workout gear, and working off all those holiday indulgences. So why not end 2012 with a goal instead?

After my run yesterday morning, I realized I was starting the month with a solid run. Last week, we signed up for a January half marathon sister runcation (more on that later), and I’ve been trying to get my butt in gear for training. I have two more weeks of grad school, then the holidays, and imminent cold weather… I wasn’t sure how I was going to dig out the motivation.

Lucky for me, Sarah Stanley (aka my running buddy from my first marathon) tweeted me about a December Fitness Challenge: 201.2 miles via running, walking, biking, elliptical, or swimming. Basically, it’s 6.5 miles or a little over an hour of working out per day. Now, when I first read it, I thought, YEAH RIGHT! No way I can run 45 miles/week. But then, I thought about it: if I cross-train more, then I can definitely do this. PLUS it makes me work out almost every day. :)

So here I am, taking the #InspiredFit challenge. Care to join me?  Check out the details here, then join the conversation on Twitter for more motivation. Use the hashtag #InspiredFit. My Twitter handle is @brandiheinz. Good luck!

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How I Accidentally Ran in an Ultramarathon

19 Nov

What did you do on Saturday night? I ran in an ultramarathon.

This was not at all how I expected my evening to turn out.

As I explained yesterday, I was helping as a crew member for the JFK 50 Mile ultramarathon. I was posted at two different aid stations – mile 17 and then 38 – and I was scheduled to be done at around 4pm. I had every intention of leaving after my duties to go drink heavily at my friend’s going away party.

And then first-time ultramarathon runner Amy sat down at mile 38 and pleaded, “Is there anyone who can run with me? I’m not going to make it.”

Looking around, I was the youngest crew member by a solid 30 years and no one else was jumping at the opportunity. I had worn running clothes that day because I planned on going for a run during my down time but had never gotten around to it. In retrospect, I guess that was for a reason.

So there I was at mile 38, lacing my shoes up tight and getting ready to run 12 miles with someone I had just met who was moments away from breaking down completely. I’m used to running against the clock to meet my goal time, but Amy was racing the clock in a completely different way: she was only 15 minutes ahead of the cutoff time (when they start pulling runners off the course and say better luck next year) and had to keep up her pace if she was going to cross the finish line before the 7PM cutoff.

I just couldn’t imagine coming this far and actually being told that you are not allowed to run anymore.

So we started running. Amy told me she doesn’t talk much when she runs, but somehow we struck up a pretty consistent conversation getting to know one another. With a mix of running and walking, we made it to the next cutoff point at the end of the C&O Canal with 15 minutes to spare. Even though technically I wasn’t supposed to be on the course, the volunteers gave me a reflective vest to wear on the road for safety (rule-bending when it helps a runner finish = okay in ultras).

We started up a very secluded, very hilly back road. We came across some interesting sights, including everything from cows to goats to sheep (I swear the sheep sounded like they were cheering, they were so noisy!). The 2-legged locals were also very supportive with free beer and hugs (though we didn’t have time to stop for either).

I think it was around this point when the temperature started dropping. In my rush I didn’t have the foresight to bring a sweatshirt or gloves, but I didn’t dare to say anything to Amy. We were walking more than we were running (like I said, this part was hilly!) and I was a little nervous about meeting the next cutoff. Unfortunately, Amy had ditched her GPS watch because it wasn’t working and all I had on me was a nearly-dead cell phone, so we didn’t really have a way to track our pace.

We walked through the next aid station at mile 44 (dubbed the “Oasis” and complete with Jimmy Buffett music) when someone driving by yelled out, “30 minutes to the next cutoff!” Normally running two 15-minute miles wouldn’t be an issue, but with 44 miles under Amy’s belt already this was going to be far from easy.

I can’t put into words how much Amy impressed me at this point. Talk about digging deep! As soon as we did the math and realized she wasn’t going to make it if we walked anymore, she was a woman on a mission. We made it to mile 46 – and the last cutoff point before the finish – with a few minutes to spare. My fellow crew member and carpool buddy Will (poor guy! He was supposed to be done at 4 too but had to wait for me!) met us here so I could put on some warmer clothes, but Amy kept trucking along and I caught back up with her. This time when she said she probably wasn’t going to want to talk much, I believed her.

The next couple miles were a blur. I was constantly doing math in my head trying to make sure we would be on pace, but mile markers were few and far between and I doubted their accuracy at some points so I was never exactly sure how much farther we had to run. Finally, we had one mile to go and I was pretty sure we were going to make it unless Amy’s body completely shut down.

Coming up the final stretch, we could hear the announcer calling out the names of finishers. He then told the crowd, “These are the final finishers everyone! They’re going to start pulling runners off the course.” I started swearing in my head, thinking I had messed up the math but apparently the announcer was referring to the runners a little farther down the stretch. Someone else at the finish must have realized the panic the announcement would cause, because the announcer quickly corrected himself: “If you’re coming up the final stretch and can see the finish, you’ve beat the cutoff and are going to make it!”

Even with the end in sight, I could tell Amy was still struggling but she kept moving forward (at one point she tried to walk and I said, “You don’t want to cross the finish line walking! Let’s go!”). Since I technically wasn’t in the race, I didn’t want to cross the finish line so when we were close enough, I peeled off to the side and started cheering like crazy for this woman I had just met 3 hours ago. Watching her cross the line was such a thrill for me… I cannot even imagine what she was feeling after running for nearly 14 hours!

Even though my afternoon (and evening – I never made it to the going away party) went slightly different than planned, I wouldn’t have changed it for anything. It was such a great experience helping Amy achieve her goal, and is just another testament to the camaraderie among runners that I love so much. Congratulations to all the JFK 50 Mile finishers!

[I found out the next morning that Amy was running the JFK 50 to raise money in honor of World Prematurity Day, making her finish even that much more important! Read her blog post to learn more about her cause.]

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Supporting Ultramarathon Runners

18 Nov I got stuck on the road because of the 7AM starters, so I pulled off to the side and blared my music to help send them off right! Just a glimpse of all the crazy people heading out to run 50 miles.

This is the second year in a row that I’ve participated in the JFK 50 Mile ultramarathon – as a crew member.

The Reston Runners is a local running club that I run with, and they always put up a good showing at the JFK 50. There were over 40 runners this year and nearly as many crew members to support them. I’m a bit of an anomaly among the crew members because I a) have never run an ultra, and b) am not supporting a friend/relative/significant other who is running. Last year, they made an announcement at one of the weekend races that they were looking for crew members for this ultramarathon and I just thought it sounded pretty cool.

I got stuck on the road because of the 7AM starters, so I pulled off to the side and blared my music to help send them off right! Just a glimpse of all the crazy people heading out to run 50 miles.

Let me briefly explain the ultramarathon experience because it’s kind of hard to wrap your head around it. So pictures this: it’s 7am. You’re starting the JFK 50 Mile ultramarthon, which you estimate will take you between 10-14 hours. For this particular ultra, the first 17 miles are on the very rocky, extremely challenging Appalachian Trail, followed by about a marathon on a flat dirt trail and then the last few miles are on paved roads – and probably in the dark, by the time you get there.

Sounds crazy, right?

To help runners prepare for all these changes throughout the day, enter the Crew. The Reston Runners participating in the race packed different bags for each designated stop (mile 17, 27, 38, etc.) with things they will need for each one (clothes to layer, fresh shoes or socks, headlamps, nutrition and – of course – body glide). The Crew takes the bags to each station and waits for the runners to come. When they arrive, we find their bag and basically act as their personal assistant to help them get what they need so they can keep moving.

My first station was at mile 17. At this point, runners coming through were just happy to be done with “that damn trail” and were thrilled to see us. Some didn’t need anything at this point, and those that did need their bags were pretty self sufficient.

The aid station at mile 38 was ready to support runners with water, gatorade, soup, red velvet cake and more!

This is not the case (in my 2 years of crewing) at mile 38. At this point, runners are either moody or delirious.

  • Moody Runner knows that they still have 12 miles to go and are not thrilled about it. They are focused on finishing, and the few extra seconds it takes you to sort through their bag to find their headlamp drives them crazy because they just want to be done. The Moody Runner may snap at your or grab their bag from your hands because they want to do it themselves, and that’s fine. We crew members pat ourselves on the back knowing that deep down, they appreciate us.
  • Delirious Runner is happy to see you and utterly useless. They are thrilled that they’ve made it this far and don’t seem to be focusing on the next 12 miles – or anything, really. These runners are my favorite because it turns into a game of charades: the Delirious Runner grunts “shirt” so you sort through their bag to find not only a t-shirt but also a long sleeve, under-armour and a jacket. You hold them all up, the runner points at the correct one, and you help them figure out how to put their arms into it. It’s sort of like taking care of a toddler. A sweaty, spandex-wearing, 150-pound toddler.

It’s a really rewarding experience to help these runners during their journey. I especially like being at the later stops because you are not just their supporter; you become an extension of them at that point. They can no longer tie or untie shoes, so you become their fingers. They’re feeling good and forget that the temperature is going to start dropping, so you become their voice of reason and remind them that they may want another layer and gloves.

This guy was part of the “official” mile 38 aid station to help motivate runners but there was also a group with a gong as well as a man in a superhero outfit on a bike with a radio strapped to it.

If you ever have a chance to be help a runner during an ultramarathon, please do it. It’s amazing to see the runners and how supportive everyone is to one another – including the runners, crew, family and aid station support! While the marathoner is distinctly different from the casual 5K runner, ultramarathoners are in a league of their own. There is a camaraderie like I have never seen at any other distance, and the crew and fans can be just as crazy as the runners. Not to mention it’s extremely inspiring if you need an extra push to get motivated!

Now, will I ever do an ultramarathon? That’s still to be decided, but I actually did end up running about 12 miles of this ultra… more on that story to come tomorrow!

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Why You Should be Friends with a Runner during an Emergency

29 Oct

Growing up in Ohio, I never had to worry about hurricanes. But living in Virginia as Hurricane Sandy makes its way onto land, I had to take the necessary precautions to prepare myself for impending power outages, blocked roadways and general madness in the area over the next couple of days.

As I started making a list of things I would need and potential trouble I may run into, I couldn’t help but realize how prepared I already am — just because I’m a runner! Maybe the cabin fever is already getting to me, but let me explain…

Water
Step number one in an emergency: have plenty of water on hand. By the time I got to the store yesterday, there was no water to be found. But after filling my small arsenal of Nalgene and other sports bottles with water and throwing them in the freezer, I’m ready for days and days without water!

Food
Step number two: non-perishable food items. I challenge you to find me a runner without a full jar of peanut butter in their cupboard (runners with peanut allergies don’t count!). Add protein bars, granola bars, gels and supplements, and runners could easily survive a zombie apocalypse.

Light
Power outages are a high possibility with this storm, and my runnerd-iness has me ready. One word: headlamp. How many non-runners can say they have one of those laying around?! 

Travel
Everyone (rightfully) advised me to fill my car with gas so I can get around in case of power outages or gas shortages. But with all the wind and rain, who knows what condition the roads will be in? Out come my handy-dandy running shoes and moisture-wicking running jacket, and I can go just about anywhere within a 10 mile radius in a fraction of the time it would take non-runners to walk there.

Maybe I’m not giving enough credit to non-runners, but I think I’m on to something here. Our non-runner friends are so lucky to have us (and all our weird running paraphernalia) around! Is there anything in your running arsenal that would come in handy during an emergency?

[But seriously, be safe out there everyone!]

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Skeleton Skamper 5K

28 Oct 4_prerace

I don’t think there is a more entertaining running race than a Halloween themed run: Costumes, hot cocoa, and great race temps—oh my! You really can’t beat it.

On Saturday, October 27, I ran the Real Racine Skeleton Skamper 5K in Mount Pleasant, WI. There was also a half-marathon, but my mileage hasn’t been very high lately (re: Motivation MIA) so I opted for the much shorter 5K race. I hadn’t run a 5K in several years, so I had no real expectations in mind. I didn’t feel the nervousness I normally do before races, which I have to admit was a really nice change of pace.

The race was easy to get to, and though there wasn’t a ton of parking right near the starting line, I only had to park a little over ¼ mile away on a side road. The costumes were fun and made me smile as soon as I made my way to the sign-up. There were so many outfits, ranging from people in pumpkin shirts and orange striped socks, to someone in a full banana suit, a unicorn, and a PacMan with ghost balloons that followed hauntingly behind him.

Kenosha Running Club

I met up with a lot of people from my Kenosha Running Club (“best running club in the USA!”) before I went to register. Registration was quick & painless, as was the bag drop. The race shirts were pretty cute, and glow-in-the-dark, which is fun and definitely different than any other race tee I have.

The only downside was waiting to start.

Start of the Skeleton Skamper 2012

There were about 550 5K runners, and it seemed like we stood there in the starting corral forever—in fact, we stood there for a good 20 minutes past our starting time. The Jedi man costumed with a Yoda on his back must have been getting worn out. And, I could tell the Legends of the Hidden Temple (Blue Barracudas) couple were itching to run the temple, er, course. We never did get an announcement of why we were starting so late, but all of the sudden, we were off!

I started off at a good clip, and tried not to push myself too crazy hard for the first mile. 5Ks are not my favorite races, because I really don’t like running so fast & hard—it’s just so tough! I would honestly rather run an evenly paced 13 miles. But, my first mile was still pretty fast at a 9:02 pace (my normal running pace is ~10min/mile), and I was feeling good as I passed up some super heroes and zombies, so I kept chugging along.

Between mile 1 and 2, I got passed by a lot of the quicker people who had been stuck in the back of the crowd, and wished I had been able to fulfill my costume dream. (I was going to dress as a cop and hand out speeding tickets to anyone who passed me. Alas, time wasn’t on my side to get that get-up together. Next year!)

The course was an out-and-back loop, so I was happy when I started seeing some fellow Kenosha Running Club buddies coming back already in the lead for the 5K pack. I got to the turn-around, passed a pirate, and then kept running by the water station. With 40 degree temperatures, I didn’t really need any hydration, so I used the opportunity to pass some others who had stopped or slowed down.

Chugging along.

At mile 2, I clocked a 9:22 mile split. I had slowed down a little, which I kind of expected once the adrenaline of mile 1 wore down, but I was still pretty surprised at how strong I felt. At this point, mentally it was easy for me to get focused and determined to take down the last mile of the race. Breathing was starting to get a little difficult, so this mile is all a bit hazy to me…all I knew was—breathe in, breathe out, keep your head up, don’t slow down.

Eventually I guessed I was near the last 800 meters (I wished there were a bit more signage in that regard), so I tried to keep my pace even and evaluate how I felt so I knew when to kick it in. I got caught up in some people who would walk, then run as I neared them, and eventually sped up so I could just leave them in my dust! All of the sudden, I could see the 3-mile marker up ahead—I felt a surge of energy and speed come on.

There was a 10-year-old girl ahead of me (come onnnn) so I made it a petty goal to at least pass her up. There was also a portly chef who had kept stopping to walk, and I kept him in my sights ‘til I could run by him. At this point, I was keeping a consistently fast pace, and admittedly felt a bit queasy—but I was almost there!

Sprinting in the end of the Real Racine Skeleton Skamper 5K

I kicked it into gear and glided past a man in a full penguin suit (those big flipper feet surely must slow one down) and crossed the FINISH line. At 28:55 (~9:18 pace), I couldn’t call this an all-time PR, but because this was the first 5K I have run in almost 3 years, I am going to call it my “new adult” PR. Looking back at the 5Ks I ran in 2007-2009, I actually did run this one faster than those, so I’m proud of that.

The post-race beer with my running buddies was a good “treat” after running this 5K race. There was also hot cocoa available…but who can pass up a free beer?

Post-race beer...yum!

This 5K race really was a lot of fun, and I would certainly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of doing the Real Racine Skeleton Skamper 5K in 2013. And, if you aren’t from the area, you should find a Halloween themed race near you…they are so much fun!

P.S. Bummer, but somehow I got left off of the actual race results—maybe because I signed up the morning of the race? Next year I will make sure to sign up early!

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Tracking Marine Corps Marathon Runners

24 Oct MCM Locator

I’m looking forward to cheering on one of my old college teammates this weekend as she runs in her very first marathon: the Marine Corps Marathon! With 30,000 runners, I’m a little anxious about being able to actually find her in the crowd, so I’ve been researching different ways to track Marine Corps Marathon runners.

Runner Broadcast Service / Track a Runner [FREE]
Good for: Runners and Spectators

This free service lets you broadcast your times or track your runner friends via Facebook, Twitter, text message or email. Your 10K, 20K, 30K, 40K and finish-line splits will be sent, though it’s not clear whether it will also provide your pace or estimated finish time (like the Chicago Marathon’s Runner Tracking did).

Although the MCM site advertises RBS and TaR as separate services, they both do exactly the same thing; it just depends whose Facebook/Twitter account you want to use to post the updates. If you’re running in the race, register and search by your last name. Once you’ve found yourself in the list, you can quickly link your social media accounts and add the cell phone numbers and email addresses of your friends and family who want to track you.

A fair warning: the registration process isn’t very intuitive. When I entered my phone number and clicked “Track,” the screen didn’t change to confirm that a text message had been sent. Once I received and responded to the text a few minutes later, the screen then changed to a “success” page. Also, I couldn’t find a way to log back into my account and review which runners I had signed up to track.

MCM Locator [FREE]
Good for: Spectators

Another free service! They describe it as an “app” but really this is just a website formatted for your phone. This is really a glorified course map, with locations of mile markers, water/aid/food stops, transportation and important MCM spots (bag drop-off/pick-up, finish line festival, etc.).

The nice thing about accessing this on your phone rather than the old-fashioned paper way is that you can search for locations nearest your location and open a detailed map and directions. The mile marker section is slightly more robust in that it will give you the mile marker locations along with the estimated time your runner should be coming by it. Unfortunately you can only adjust the pace by one minute intervals (i.e. 7 minute pace, 8 minute pace, 9 minute…), but it’s better than nothing!

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Neither tracking method seems perfect, but I think the combination of the two will help me to see my friend several times throughout the course — and more importantly, she’ll be able to see ME cheering like crazy all along the way! Good luck runners!!!

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7 Steps to Recover from a Marathon

23 Oct

“Proof” I finished:)

A little over two weeks ago, I ran the Chicago Marathon. I got the time I wanted, felt great, and couldn’t have asked for a better race. Where do I go from here?

No matter how excited (or disappointed) you are with your marathon performance, your body needs some recovery time. I did some research and read Hal Higdon’s marathon book (that I had autographed at the expo ;) ). Here’s how I’ve been recovering:

  1. Celebrate. The day of the marathon, sure, that’s obvious. But don’t stop there! I even wore my medal to work one day. :) We also had a post-marathon party, where our running club/training program got together to eat, drink, and share stories. Celebrating your own race is great, but it’s so much more fun to celebrate everyone else’s races, too!
  2. Indulge. I have been eating. And drinking. A lot. After waking up early every weekend for the past 4 months, eating healthy so I’d have energy for my run, and staying hydrated, it’s time to let loose! I’m definitely more of a ‘run to eat’ than ‘eat to run’ type of gal, so I’m enjoying having a glass of beer or wine at night, having a late Saturday or Sunday night out, and making less than nutritious lunch decisions. If food isn’t the way you indulge, then find other ways to reward yourself for a great effort!
  3. Rest. I took about 10 days off from running. The research I did varies, and I think it depends on how long you’ve been running and how much experience you have. However, your body is recovering from the damage you caused it during the marathon, so rest is essential! And, if you don’t rest now, you’re body will break down in the future.
  4. Cross-train. If #1 is tough for you, find a different way to get your workout in. For me, I’m trying out Yoga. I took a sculpt/weights class on Sunday, and a Ryder class this morning. I am SORE in places I didn’t know I could be sore. am definitely no yogi or biker, but I’m trying something new to work out different areas of my body and incorporate some variety in my life. I can honestly say the Ruder class this morning made me reply appreciate why I’m a runner. :)
  5. Try out your legs. Eventually, you need to get out there and see how your legs feel. My first run was last Wednesday. I ran 3 at a pretty good pace, but my legs felt lethargic and I had a few tweaks in the ankles and hips. Saturday, I ran 4 at a slightly slower pace, but felt pretty great. I’m still not jumping right back into it, but I am planning on running shorter distances (3-5 miles) 2x/week, and I’m going to try to start my weekend long runs this weekend with 6.
  6. Listen to your body. Do all the research and reading you want about what the ‘best’ recovery method is. When it comes down to it, you need to listen to your body. Joints still feeling sore? Take a few more days off or cross-train. Muscles screaming? Stop. You’re going to feel tired and lethargic; your body is still repairing your muscles. After my last marathon, I took off 3 weeks. I also tried to run after 10 days, and my legs immediately hurt. See #3! But if you feel pain, stop. It’s better to rest now than pay for it later.
  7. Plan your next race. What’s your next goal? Start planning for it. I’m planning to do some of the fun Fall/holiday races, but I haven’t signed up for a specific race yet. My goal is to do a 5K the last week of October/first week of November, then look for additional 5Ks and 10ks throughout the rest of November and December. Amanda, Lara and I will be planning our next ‘runcation’ half marathon for January/February (we went to Austin last year); once we determine the race, then I’ll start a more formal training program.

I’m no expert, but this approach seems to be working for me. Any other suggestions? How are you recovering from your fall marathon?

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Thoughts of a Saturday Morning Runner

20 Oct

Alarm goes off at 6:45am—seems wrong. It’s Saturday.

7:00. Okay, I’m up.

7:15. Out the door.

Yawn.

Whew, brisk 40 degree wind sure wakes you up.

Early morning running.

Epiphany: A few stiff drinks + burger for dinner Friday night = Not the best pre-Saturday morning run fuel.

Thank god my running bud is here to keep me going.

But, wow, nothing beats the view of an early morning runner.

Best View in the Morning on a Run

What a perfect way to start the day.

If you thought chocolate milk was SO good after a summer run, try hot chocolate (and some whipped cream, because, you just ran) after your brisk fall run. Mmm.

Words of wisdom from runner friend: “What do you mean you ‘only’ ran 3 miles? This isn’t a long or short distance running club, it’s a running club. You RAN! While everyone else is still at home sleeping.”

Psst: I so wanted to sleep in, too. But I didn’t.

Getting up early to run Saturday mornings… So. Worth. It.

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