The Unfortunate Demise of the Boost.

      Bad news on the new shoe front-- on Friday afternoon I had to swap the shoes out for a different shoe.  I hated to do it, but under the circumstances, I didn't have much choice in the matter.

      After several attempts at "breaking in" the new shoes (and after consulting with Fleet Feet again, as well as several running friends) the shoes I was so excited about, the shoes that I loved with so much, did not love me back unfortunately.  Though they were fine in short distances, the shape of the heel pushed me up onto my toes a bit, and changed the mechanics of my running enough that it caused me pain and cramps about 2 miles in. I didn't notice at first/ short distances, but the longer I ran, the more intense the problem became.

   This is as far as we got-- this is the Hare's GPS app, that's why his shoe and the happy face are tagged.  My experience was much different.  His shoes are great, but the further I went the slower I got, because my calves and ankles simply refused to release.  They got tighter with every step(and the next day I was barely walking)!  By the end of our run, this was the best "happy" face I could muster:

Sexy.  And no, the brace was for the calf pull/ weak knee, not the pain from that run.

    

     The issue was NOT that the Adidas Boost is a bad shoe.  In fact, I think for the right person, these shoes can really make a huge difference in their performance.  The issue was simply that my feet, and the rest of my body were not made for them.  My mechanics are apparently used to a certain type of shoe, and a specific fit, because the shoe I ended up with is similar (not the exact same shoe).  Tilting onto my toes (and not as much cushion on them) was a recipe for disaster, and I found just that.

      In more positive news, the shoes that I have now (Mizuno Elixir 8's) have proven to be the right fit for me.  Today we did a 3.3 mile trail run (so many hills, and on small gravel paths!) and actually did better than we have in a really long while (we both could have gone much further, but we were in a time crunch!).  The Elixirs are just what I was looking for (and coincidentally, my second choice from our shopping trip-- remember this photo of them in the store?):

     So, here's to hoping these will be great new running partners, and that our training can continue on the upswing it has been lately!  Apparently I am a full fledged Mizuno convert (my old Wave Rider 16's are relishing the victory!) now!

Have you ever made a shoe (or gear of any kind) mistake?  What did you do to correct the issue?  Do you run in Mizunos or Adidas? Do you "switch" shoes, or are you a "stick to it if it works" type?  Tell me about it!

     

Nutrition 101: Date Energy Bars recipe

    The past couple of days we've gone over some basic ideas and concepts about nutrition and some ideas for snacks and good food choices.  I wanted to share one of my all time favorite recipes (thanks to Pinterest for finding it!) that's wonderful for running (or any kind of activity) and taste absolutely delicious to boot!  We've had some on hand at all times since we found the recipe, and we just have a bar (it's a few bites at most, but packed with good stuff!) before a run, or after, or whenever we need a boost!

    These bars are so easy to make (food processor freaks, rejoice!  That's all you need!), don't require baking at all, and keep for months in the freezer.  They took me literally 10 minutes to make, start to finish (not including impatiently waiting for them to chill in the fridge for a while!).  Plus, they are another great running snack (the creator called them a sort of homemade Lara Bar) thanks to the yummy and nutrition packed dates, almonds, and cranberries (I used raisins and cranberries, 'cause I'm a rebel like that I guess!).  You can add in chocolate chips, substitute things and just try out different recipes until you find one you like.  I even used pre packed, pre chopped, dried dates and added a small amount of water and olive oil (50-50) in as they mixed in the processor. 

     Thanks a ton to The Kitchn for the recipe!!  Click here for the full recipe and other tips!

     Do you have a favorite healthy recipe? Is there any food you always have on hand to keep you running (literally and figuratively)?  Share them below!

Nutrition 101 part Deux: Pre/Post Run Food

  Yep, it's time for the second part in the nutrition 101 posts-- this time we'll cover the basics of pre and post run food.   A big part of this too is what works best for you, but there are a few guidelines and ideas to help you get started in the right direction.  Let's start with pre- run food first (since that makes the most sense I suppose!)

Pre- Run

      I am not an advocate of running on an empty stomach-- I feel like crap the whole time, and experts say (so says the great and powerful Runner's World) that fueling up properly before a run is actually much more effective in terms of your workout than going out on empty.

     However, you can't just cram something down and head straight out, or you will likely experience some really nasty effects: side stitches, or gastrointestinal distress (which we'll cover in more depth in another post..whoo hoo?) can be a real pain (literally).  So, as a general rule, try to eat a small amount (that's a good snack to a light meal-- 200-300 calories or so) 2 hours before you go.  For those of you who run super early, I have actually heard of folks setting an alarm to get up, eat, and sleep for another 2 hours.  If you are that dedicated, again, more power to you!

You do not want to find out the hard way!

      Now, there are a few "safe" foods that are a good start if you are just trying out fueling before a run (or you've had trouble with those digestive issues mentioned before).  This is the ONE time I will say to STEP AWAY FROM THE WHOLE GRAINS!  You want to avoid whole grain food/ high fiber foods before hitting the pavement, or it could spell trouble for your tummy.  Avoid really fatty foods too (obviously) because that too will cause some unpleasant results.  Easily broken down foods are best and safest, like:

1. Refined Carbs-- that's regular pasta, white breads/ bagels, basic cereals** and white rice.  These are all broken down much easier (read: faster) than whole grains.

2. Low fiber fruits-- Tomatoes, grapes, bananas, and grapefruit are all pretty safe bets before a run.

**Dairy-- this one is iffy for some people, but soy or almond milk is supposedly the safest for most folks.

     My personal favorites? Especially pre- race day, I love a bagel with peanut butter (for some protien, and flavor!) and half a banana (the Hare and I split one usually) and coffee.  Why coffee?  Warm liquids (hot tea applies here too) tend to, uh, get things moving, so having a cuppa a couple of hours before going out gives you time to clear your system, especially in the mornings.

that's the ticket!  Though I suggest adding as little to your coffee as possible-- black coffee is safest!

Post Run

    Now, we've gotten back from our run, and had no problems since we didn't eat a gut bomb on the way out the door.  Fantastic!  Now, what about post run snacks?  Those are important too-- in fact, there is a 30 minute "window" after exercise that your body is really receptive to restoring the energy you used.  Getting a snack (the right kind!) into your system during that window can actually help with soreness and recovery time.  Well, here are a few of the tried and true post run recovery snacks:

1. Dried fruits and nuts-- carbs from the fruits, and protein from the nuts, plus it's fast and portable.

2.  Chocolate milk--  Again, protein and carbs in one punch, and an ice cold drink is the best feeling after a hard run!

3. Smoothie-- add protein powder for an extra boost-- alternative to chocolate milk.

4.  Apples and PB-- seeing a pattern yet?  Carbs from the apples, protein from the peanut butter.

5.  Whole wheat crackers and cheese-- not cheese from a can-- good cheddar or swiss.

      Essentially, you are providing protein to help your muscles recover from the micro tears and hard work they've just done, and the carbs are to re-stock your body's glycogen stores (the energy your body pulls from during a workout).  My favorite option is chocolate milk-- we keep it around all the time, and drink it as soon as we get back in the door!  (an 8 oz glass is plenty, you aren't eating a full meal here remember!)

      These are pretty basic guides, and a lot of the foods will depend on how your system handles them (trial and error, like a lot of running tends to be!).  Just try them out a little at a time, and what works for you, stick to it!  Don't try something entirely different on race day because it works for your running buddy!

***Off topic Update***

     I promised I would update after our inaugural run with new shoes was a smashing success!  So far the Boosts have done well-- I was actually in front of the Hare for most of the time we ran!  We'll see how the test of time holds up, but for now I give them 2 big thumbs up!

What pre and post run foods work for you? Any I should add?  Have you ever had one NOT work?  Let us know!

Nutrition 101: Fuel for the Best You

   Food-- it's a basic human need that we all have had experience with for our whole lives.  Some of our strongest memories are tied to things surrounding food, but when we start doing physical activity like running, food becomes so much more than just one of those things you do every day!  Your body runs on all of the things you put into it, so the more you use that fuel, the more attention you need to pay to what kinds of things you fuel with.

Note: I have not spoken (nor will I) about counting calories when discussing food-- we need those, they are energy for our runs (and our lives)!  That's no excuse to eat everything, but if you eat well there isn't much need to count every one.

      This is a topic that is as diverse as human fingerprints-- everyone has a different idea of what the "perfect" runner (or any athletes) diet should look like.  There are so many options and diets and plans out there, it will make your head spin!  I am by  no means a diet expert, nor do I always follow the "perfect" diet (says the girl who loves her dark beer, pizza and ice cream!) but I wanted to share the tips that I have found useful for me and the Hare.

     First of all, the most important thing I ever learned about eating came from my wonderful grandfather.  His thoughts were simple: "Eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full, not miserable..and eat the best food you can afford, and always eat something that came from the ground."  I grew up going to farmer's markets with him, and it was true-- they never ate a meal without a fruit and vegetable on the table.  Their diet may not have been fancy low carb, low fat, and pricey, but they both lived very healthy lives well into their 80's.  They ate the best food they could afford, and they ate things that were fresh as much as possible (so they didn't eat out of a box, can, or package very much).

I learned that lesson early from my grandparents-- I'd be the one in the high chair!

      Second, cutting out an entire group of foods is not healthy (think fad diets here-- anyone who tells you that you can't have a particular group like sugar, carbs, or proteins is not helping you eat healthy for life).  The key to good fueling is a balance of these things.  Below is a useful re-designed food pyramid (found on Runner's World), specifically tuned to athletes.  Check out the differences, and similarities too.

    A few important things to note about this handy graphic are:

1.  Carbs are there, but specifically whole grains.  Sorry, but we all knew that white breads aren't the best! Remember, your body runs on carbs for endurance (glycogen stores are fed by carbohydrates) so they are needed so you don't crash out in the middle of a long run/ race!

2.  Beverages are KEY!  And not soda (that one appears at the top!)-- water, tea, coffee (yes, it's great runner fuel, if you drink it black!) and broths (a little extra sodium is alright occasionally, since you sweat so much) are the largest part of the pyramid.  There are tons of formulas, but I just follow "if I'm thirsty, I drink" mantra to stay adequately hydrated.

3.  Oils and fats are not at the very top.  Healthy fats (like the ones found in nuts or healthy amounts of real butter) are important factors in keeping your body balanced and running well.  Nuts make great portable snacks too, so you don't get ravenous while you are out and about day to day.

4.  There is no one group missing (including sweets!) from this basic, balanced diet.  You need all of them in some way or another to keep healthy and properly fueled.  Trust me, your runs will improve, and you will feel generally better in your day to day life too!

     Having snacks on hand (good ones, sorry but Cheetos don't count!) is another good tip for keeping yourself running (in the literal and figurative sense!). Americans (especially in the South) are strict about "3 squares a day"-- or 3 big meals.  If you feel yourself getting hungry, have a glass of something to drink first (our brains can't tell the difference, the transmitters released are the same for both hunger and thirst), and if you are still hungry after 10 minutes, then have a piece of fruit with some peanut butter, or hummus and pita or veggies!  Here's a TON of ideas to start off your healthy snacking habit (or more ideas if you are in a snack "rut"):

    Don't sit down to a meal, just eat a little something "to tide you over" until your next meal.  I typically eat a snack mid morning (between breakfast and lunch) and sometimes in the afternoon (especially if we are running before dinner).  Lately my snack has just been a nectarine-- no muss or fuss, just pick it up out of the bowl, wash it, and chow down.  

     Most importantly, have things on hand (crock pot meals pre cut up in the freezer, or healthy options that don't take long) and as ready to go as possible so you don't have to worry so much about making that choice when you are tired, hungry, and want something quickly.  We keep easy things like soups, and supplement with a healthier grilled cheese or salad and good pastas.

     Whatever you do, make it fit you, don't try to make something work for you if it just doesn't.  In my case, that was coconut water. I tried it, I truly did, but no matter how much I forced it, I just could not make myself drink the stuff! I just don't handle it well-- and since I don't like it (unless you mix orange juice and coconut rum with it, but that defeats the point doesn't it?) and I can hydrate with good old water!  Don't be afraid to try something if you feel like it's a legitimate suggestion, but don't be afraid to say no either!  You know the old saying about your friends jumping off bridges? It applies here. :)

     Well, this about covers part one of the nutrition 101 posts!  Next nutrition post is going to cover pre and post run food suggestions, as well as wise race week/ day food choices!

       Now that you have the basics, how do your current eating habits measure up?  Is there anything you'd like to improve on?  Is there anything you'd like to see included in the next post?  Tell me about it!

Running and Vacations

      It's summer, and for the lucky ones among us, that means setting off on at least a short vacation. (Yes, even weekends in your hometown or someplace close by count!)  However, if you are trying to keep up a consistent running schedule, balancing the busy summer months of travel and keeping up your routine can be a challenge.  After all, on vacation you're supposed to be doing this right?

Yep, that looks like a good vacation!

    But, in reality, you can (and should) have a blast fitting in a little of this too:

Just channel your inner Baywatch and get to it!

    How is it possible to fit a run in during an already jam packed vacation?  Well, the how is pretty simple:  you make a little time, just for you (just like any other self care routine, you find the time to take care of yourself!) to go out for a 30 minute easy run!  The why is what I wanted to address here, for some extra oomph for your motivation on vacation runs!

I hope there are running shoes in there!

      First of all, taking just a 30 minute, easy paced run a couple of times (for a week vacation, a total of an hour isn't too much!) will give you some relaxation and peace (and a little time away from little ones and other family if that's how you roll).  It works when you're at home, right?  So why wouldn't you want to give yourself a little extra zen on your vacation?  So, just set aside time (before you even leave if you can, just make it part of the itinerary) and tell everyone you are traveling with that you intend to take a couple of short runs, and make them hold you to it!

     Another big perk of running on vacation-- you never know what you might see!  You're on a vacation to see someplace new (or your favorite place, either way, a location you want to see a lot of) so what better way to get a close, personal tour than on foot?  If you can find a park or well used trail, try going there (especially if you vacation in the mountains-- there are always park rangers and other folks to guide you and marked trails to keep you safe) or just around your resort area if it's not too heavily trafficked. You may find a cute shop or eatery, or some place you'd like to visit but may not have noticed in a car.

     Beach goers-- just take a short run down the beach and back! (I recommend staying close to the surf where the sand is packed and wet, but feel free to challenge yourself on the dry sand too!)  There are always people around, and the natural beauty of the shore.  With all the picturesque scenery, how could you resist? Plus, it's a perfect location to try a barefoot run if you know there's no glass or sharp shells in the surf.

Just run knowing this is what awaits you at the end!

    From a purely technical point of view, running some place other than your normal routes and climates is great for your training-- it's a totally new environment for your body to adjust to, and a fresh route to keep your mind guessing and alert.  We all know it's best to switch up our routes at home, so take this opportunity to try out a new climate, and a new route!  You will appreciate both the newness of the route, and not taking time off and getting out of your routine too much.  I advise running by effort, and not watching your pace and distance too terribly much either.  Take a break from the timing and data, and just appreciate what your body can do for you (it is a vacation after all-- don't be too serious!).

Just leave this gizmo at home, and run to enjoy it, not to exhaust yourself or train hard

    Running on vacation can be a wonderful addition to any trip-- and some extra "me" time for you!  After all that time sitting down to get to your destination, a good stretch feels amazing!  Just throw your shoes in your suitcase next time you pack up, and try to get yourself out there at least one time during your travels-- who knows?  You might find some places you never knew existed while you're out.

Do you run on vacations?  What's your favorite experience from a vacation run?  Let me know!

 









   

Christmas in (almost) July!

   This weekend we were a bit out of pocket, visiting the Hare's family, going to a benefit, and getting new shoes!  It was about time for it, so on Friday afternoon we went over to Fleet Feet and went in, old shoes in tow, to see what we could find.  We were really pleased with everything, and took a good amount of time trying on several brands (I know, you should stick to one shoe some say, but we are new runners and thought we could branch out a little).

The Hare taking a moment for his old friends... his Lunar Eclipses

Our current shoes looking on in horror, wondering what will happen next

The new version of his old shoes, and his every day slogging around shoes in the foreground.

     The shoes are his birthday gift, so I just told him to go for it-- whatever ended up working best for him was what he needed anyway.  Little did I know what would happen!  He'd been interested in the Adidas Boost, but after finding out that they are not support shoes, he was hesitant to try them out (he's an overpronator, and needs the ankle support).  After trying out the newer version of his Nikes, some Mizunos (my favorite so far-- I love mine, and the narrower foot options that they offer), and a couple of others, he wound up with these:

    These are the Asics GT-2000, a supportive shoe with gel and it even has GORE-TEX uppers, so they are well weather proofed (and look at the spiffy bright colors!).  He said this feels comfortable and keeps him from wanting to roll his ankles out, so we will test this further on our inaugural run with them this evening!

      It was my turn next.  I am the injury prone one, and the one with knee concerns, but a neutral, so the saleswoman pulled several shoes for me, including one that had arrived just a couple of hours before we came in.  I loved my Mizunos, so I tried a couple of pairs of those, and a pair of Brooks first.

Mizunos-- loved the narrow width, and they felt close to my "old" pair.  These were my first choice until...

    After several pairs and jogs around the room, I decided to go out on a limb and try the brand new ones-- the Adidas Boost for women. (if you check the link, it isn't even available through their site yet it's so new!)  I figured it wouldn't hurt to try them-- though they were very different from any shoe I'd ever tried before.  The saleswoman asked if I wanted to run in them a little, since she hadn't even tried them on herself and couldn't wait to see them either.  I hopped on the treadmill, then they let me run through the parking lot a few times (I left the Hare as collateral in case I never came back!)

Trying them on-- they are even brighter than my old shoes!  

Testing the merchandise, and feeling like a hamster since I don't run on treadmills (I barely got it to turn on!)

      I ran a little loop on the brick path out there, came back in and announced "I am getting these shoes!"  The major technological breakthrough for the Adidas Boost is the material the soles are made of-- an interesting foam type of material (that is used in luxury cars, oddly enough) that gives you more rebound or "boost" with each step. (They also claim to absorb shock a lot more than typical shoes, so that helps my poor knees!)  The upper is a very high stretch mesh, so it fits my small foot snugly, and doesn't jostle around like a lot of the shoes I tried do.  They just felt right, and I hope our run tonight will solidify that choice!

      So, shopping trip was successful!  I will be sure to report back about our first run breaking in the new kicks next time-- but I wanted to add in a photo of the rest of our weekend as well (and the reason I couldn't blog this weekend.).  The benefit concert was a costumed affair, so we got to drive the Hare's first love, the dune buggy!  It always makes an impression (and yes, it is street legal!)

For size reference...that's a Ford f-250 behind me... the buggy is appropriate for a shoe post, because it is practically a shoe compared to other cars!

      That's pre- getting dolled up for the concert-- and no, I did not drive it, I did pose in the driver's seat though (I just let him drive the baby-- much less stressful that way!)  Here's the result of our hard work getting ready.  We did pretty well, and got a lot of compliments!

     So, that was our shoe buying adventure-- and it did feel like Christmas walking out of the store!  I hope we chose well, and these shoes will treat us as well as our old friends have!

Do you have one shoe you love?  Have you ever made a bad choice in a shoe?  Tell us about it!

Cross Training-- is it *Really* that Important?

    Cross training:  this is a vocabulary word new to many folks who start running, but it essentially means doing any other exercise activity that is not related to your particular sport.  For instance, swimmers and football players lifting weights a few days a week on top of their normal practices.  In our case, runners can do just about anything as a cross training activity-- weight training, swimming, biking, yoga/ pilates-- you decide what you like best.  Its purpose is to keep your entire body toned and in shape, and not to *over* work any one part of your body too much-- you don't want to end up like this after all:

      So, cross training is really important, not just for physical appearance's sake either-- having a core that's in shape will help you keep your posture and balance more efficiently, so it's easier for your muscles to keep you upright on mile 14, and you can breathe a little easier (literally) while you cuss yourself for signing up for a marathon (joking..mostly!).  Burning fuel more efficiently is a big deal too, for those of you who are concerned with your weight at all-- more muscle equals more calorie burning (they use up lots more than the fat that stores it!).

     In short, cross training helps your running performance (anything to help that I will try!), helps keep you injury free thanks to stronger muscles and ligaments/ tendons (that keeps you out there running too!), helps you burn fuel more effectively (so, more beer right?), and is an added bonus to your already healthy body.

  

 Before we go any further, I have a confession to make... I cannot *stand* cross training days!  I know, if I enjoy running, why would doing any other exercise be any worse (how could it??) or difficult?  Well, in short, this is about how I feel about doing cross training of any kind:

   My sweet Hare is different-- he is naturally good at cross training (he was doing p90x for a while, and results show near instantly on his thin frame! I know...not fair is it?).  He can just get through it easily, and see results quickly.  He claims not to like it any more than I do, but at any rate, we both push the other to get it done, for our PR's sake!

    We have several DVD's, as well as a fitness game (sounds lame, but it has actually been really helpful!) for our PS3 called Fit in Six.  For folks like me, who loathe cross training time (in fact, I might be blogging this right this minute in a futile attempt at procrastinating my workout...) this is a helpful tool that isn't a DVD.  I have several yoga DVD's as well, and I recommend that to anyone starting out running as well-- it loosens you up, but tones very small and sometimes not thought about muscles (says one of my good running friends Iantha!), so this is especially important for injury prone runners too.  

     If you are the type who needs more stimulation than just "working out", why not dance?  I am a bellydancer in another life (seriously, I've been in love with it for 11 years now!) and it makes great cross training!  Zumba, ballroom dance, dance video games, anything of that sort works great!

This is usually more accurate of my cross training workouts...

     Now that we've covered the importance, and a few ideas, how much are you supposed to be doing all this anyway?  This seems to be one of the great debates-- everyone has formulas and ideas about what works best.  I am no guru, but I will say that the most important factor in working cross training into your schedule is what fits your life!  Don't bust your butt trying to do too much (always the advice on working out, or running!), but try to find time to squeeze in a 20-30 minute cross training session if you can.  That doesn't sound like much, but if you are doing that twice a week, and running 3 or 4, you are doing pretty good for yourself, don't you think?  Don't freak out or beat yourself up if you miss-- it's just like your runs, you just make the next one. 

      Speaking of that, cross training is always great if you can't get out and run one day (for example, we are on a weird schedule this week, so we are just doing boot camp/ yoga stuff this week, to keep it simple) and still need to do something.  Just do some circuits, some aerobics, Zumba, whatever you have time for!    

     All I'm getting at is this: You've got to cross train, so your whole body is at the same level.  So, go to it! On that note, I still have to do mine, so here I go...

What types of things do you to for cross training?  Do you feel like it is essential, or do you skimp on it sometimes?  Tell me about it!

My Running Bucket List

     I have to admit, I am a sucker for awesome race bling.  I am fairly artistic, and something that small with so much visual impact (not to mention meaning) for the runners is just fantastic to me-- I applaud the people who have to re-create these things every year, along with the coordinators and volunteers who help the runs (often themed) go smoothly.  I have several that I would LOVE to eventually earn for myself, I thought for fun I would list them here and show off some of their bling!

Run for Your Lives 5k

     I have always had a soft spot for zombies...and now that running is part of my life too, how could I resist both at once?! This is an obstacle style race, where you have the option of either being a zombie (out to get the runners) or an escaping human-- everyone gets shirts, medals, and beer at the end, so it's just a party! My only problem would be deciding to run with the living or be with the living...dead!  This one doesn't come too close to my area either, so it would be a big weekend trip.

Disney Princess Half Marathon

      This race appeals to my inner kid, and my ability to run a race *through* Disney World, dressed up in a costume! :)  The medals are always beautiful, and it's just an easy (ha, 13 miles...easy...) one for beginners to the half marathon world (so "they" say, whoever they is!).  It's one of the more expensive ones though (it's Disney though, what do you expect) and a little far for us, but it would be a fun short vacation!

Warrior Dash

        In stark contrast to the last race, the Warrior Dash 5k is a rough and tumble, muddy obstacle course race! You have to jump over fire, go through mud pits, barbed wire, and all kinds of crazy obstacles on your 3.1 mile course-- but at the end awaits an awesome medal (that last year included a bottle opener!), shirt, free beer and turkey leg (for the barbarian in you), and that stylish hat there!

       Plus, getting to say you rolled around in mud all morning, and had fun!  This one is actually in my area, so we have it on our radar for next year (it's in early May here-- perfect!)  There is a similar one (albeit longer) that I am NOT brave enough for yet (live electric wires shock you for the end-- it's called the Tough Mudder) ...but maybe one day we'll be ready!

Route 66 Half Marathon

      My sweet hubby is a HUGE car nut-- in fact, he owns (and loves, a lot) a rebuilt 1968 dune buggy, and his dream is to drive it down Route 66 someday.  This half marathon is totally for both of us!  Car themed, and hey, we could take the car, right? (Not on the course, just on the trip!)  It has been voted one of the top marathons in the U.S., so even though it's pretty far from us, it would be well worth seeing that part of the country, and some history!

New Orleans Rock n' Roll Half Marathon

      We went on our honeymoon to New Orleans...heck, my parents found my name in the Big Easy!  New Orleans is close to us, and just one of my favorite places to be.  Add Rock and Roll to that?  Well, I am a happy tortoise! I love the beads for the ribbon on the medals too.  The Hare has a collegue who ran this one the past year, she said it was fantastic, and a great one to try!  This one is for sure one the list someday soon!

Space Coast Half Marathon

      This is another one that might be more up the Hare's alley, but I think it's pretty awesome too.  He wanted to be an astronaut, and these are just fantastic medals!  It's a 5 year series of races, and the bottom two are bonus medals if you complete either 3 or all 5 years!  These might be doable, since we have friends and family that *might* be fantastic and let two vagabonds crash on their couch for a weekend. 

The Glo Run

   This is another theme race, a 5k similar to the Color Run, but this one is run after dark, complete with blacklights, DJ's playing techno, and glow bracelets (and this totally funky GLOW IN THE DARK medal!) to keep it interesting.  I actually didn't hear about this one until it had already passed in my area, but there is always next year!

     What races are on your running bucket list?  Are there any that you have run already that were (or weren't) all that you imagined?

Recovering from a "Bad" Race

    When you started running, it was so tough to get through the "transition" phase when every time you go out it feels like a struggle, and the soreness lasts a while after-- if you are anything like we were, you wonder if all this is really going to get any easier.

     Then something awesome happens!  One day you are out, chugging along, and when you least expect it, you realize that you've gotten further than you ever have, without feeling the screaming or protesting from your body (not so much anyway), and you just feel great!  It doesn't matter if it's a race, or just a run out someplace, you just feel like this:

Trust me, I have made that exact face before, and my legs are about that length! :)

      However,  I let that feeling get the best of me once... don't let that awesome feeling give you an excuse (though totally legitimate in your mind!) to relax on your training!  Here's why:

      After a really great time for our first 5k, we slacked off a little when preparing for a race just a few weeks ago, and the Hare's work schedule was long and grueling night shifts the week before (I'm blaming that-- that's my story and I'm sticking to it!).  We ran a little, but not nearly as much as we needed to get used to the heat (our first race was a crisp early spring morning, the second was a late May evening race), so  on race night we were hot, tired, unprepared, and we arrived to the race later than we planned.  

      We were determined to run, but from start to finish we (ok, mostly me) were struggling and miserable. We ended up walking (slowly) for most of the course...the powerwalker beat us by 2 whole minutes, and we weren't even in the same category (though he did have some serious determination)! I dumped more water over myself than I drank at water stations, I felt light headed and had to grab ice from a cooler after we finished to rapidly cool off so I didn't lose my lunch or pass out (both of which I really had to focus on not doing for a while).  Basically this is what I did afterward:

      I was angry at myself, mostly for not preparing myself better.  I had done this distance before, so why had I done so badly this time?  I know that answer now-- we hadn't prepared well, we hadn't slept well in a week (so our bodies weren't rested or ready for all the activity we demanded of them), we rushed ourselves getting there and were frazzled and stressed (ie, not having fun!), and we were dehydrated and unaccustomed to the heat.  We realized our mistakes, and promised ourselves not to do that again-- for our health and safety's sake! 

      From that moment on, we knew that keeping up the training (and to add more cross training activities too-- we had not focused on that until that point) consistently, keep our schedules around our races a little less hectic and sleep as best we can, eating as well as we could, and most importantly, we knew we had to LEARN from the experience.  If running was to be a long term commitment (and it is!), we had to keep those things in mind, and remember that there are going to be bad days sometimes, and moving on was the only way to overcome them-- just like running itself, you have to keep moving forward, one foot at a time! 

Gimli's advice on running-- especially after a "bad" run!

      For us, taking a slow, easy pace run, and going by effort, (not by time or gps) helped us get out of the "funk".  Knowing that your body is still just the same, in the same shape, and able to do whatever you set yourself to, without freaking out over the data, is key to breaking the cycle in your own mind.

  At some point, everyone has a "bad" run, or even a bad race.  It happens to even the elites, so if you take nothing away from this post, please remember not to beat yourself up over it!  I will type that as many times as you need--  and I know this from experience, it is hard not to be upset or discouraged after it happens.  Hopefully sharing my story, and giving you the advice that worked for me will help you guys too!

Have you had a bad run?  What did you do to help you get over the "blues" about it?  Let us know!

The obligatory music post!

      

      Runners all have an opinion about music-- most seem to run with it, some don't (and it is nice to "run naked" once in a while to sort out your thoughts).  I am a music must have runner, because I catch myself focusing too much on my breathing (ie-- trying to control it, and I end up breathless and having to stop) or how much my body is struggling sometimes.  The music helps my mind relax, and I am able to let my body find its own stride, and its own rhythms.

      Just to be clear, make sure you are safe when you use headphones on a run.  I only run with one side of my headphones in my ear (so you can hear things around you like cars, or someone approaching), and just let the other side clip to my shirt.  There are also special models made just for runners that only have one earbud.  Either way, you should never have music loud enough/ headphones in that block sounds out entirely.    You being aware of your surroundings is essential to being safe (and courteous too) in any running situation.

      As for racing with headphones, always check with coordinators or look on the race's website for rules about gear restrictions.  Understandably, some races don't allow headphones, because they need to give runners instructions verbally during the course.  Just check ahead, and be prepared either way.

      If you are allowed, and you feel comfortable with them, then go for it!  Use the same courtesy as if you are running on the road-- keep one ear open in case you need to hear something from another runner, a volunteer, and of course so you can hear the cheers as you pass spectators!

*Image courtesy run2r.com*

      Here is a great little visual reminder for when you are making music choices-- finding your comfortable pace, then matching your music makes it so much more enjoyable (plus, the feeling of being totally awesome when you match your footfalls to your music-- don't deprive yourself of that!!) is really key.  Just choose music you really like, and won't mind listening to multiple times (because it will eventually repeat!). 

      I have a few of my favorites listed below, but any genre will work, just take an hour and really set it up the way you want, or even do several for different types of workouts/ runs (like the above suggests)!  Most importantly, find and use music that gets you pumped, excited and inspired to get out there!

Sample of my Running Playlist!

1. Bad Girls-- M.I.A.

2. Sunburn-- Owl City

3. The Beautiful People-- Marilyn Manson

4. Call Me Maybe-- Carly Rae Jepson 

5. Kryptonite-- 3 Doors Down

6. Die Young-- Ke$ha

7. Sexy and I know it-- LMFAO

8. Don't You Worry Child-- Swedish House Mafia

9.Thrift Shop-- Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

10.Rescue-- Eve 6

Bonus:

Here are a few I am hoping to add to my list soon!

* Ceiling Can't Hold Us-- Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

* Somebody Told Me-- The Killers

* Teenage Dirtbag-- Wheatus

      I know, the list is pretty diverse, but that keeps things interesting for me, and I like a *lot* of different music anyway.  So, what's on the top of your running or workout playlist?  Is there one particular song that really inspires or gets you pumped up??

   

Jedi Challenge completed!

     Sorry for the delay in posting, but this weekend was really busy!  In fact, on Saturday the Hare and I (with some amazing friends and fellow Color Run teammates) completed our first "virtual" 5k!  The race was the Jedi Challenge, a race to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's team in training.

     For 20 dollars (not expensive at all when you consider race costs and travel!) you sign up, race the length of your choice (we did a 5k to be easy on my knee!) and you post results, and in the mail you get your medal!  My sweet guy is a Star Wars fan (bigger one than me!) so this was perfect for us! (You should check out their other races too-- there is a Wizard of Oz themed one coming up soon!!)

All ready to go-- printed out bibs and everything!  It was so lovely out!

      Now, I do need to explain why we are running a 5k in a cemetery!  Our original plan was to utilize our local park (Bonita Lakes, an amazing place for all kinds of outdoor activities and relaxing) but the State Games of Mississippi is going on currently, and the park was overflowing with people (yes, even at 7 am)!  So, we borrowed my mom's favorite spot for the morning-- this cemetery is very large and hilly, with beautiful trees, and a lake in the back with a fountain and no traffic.  The owners actually encourage people to walk their pets there, run, or anything active to spend some time there and make it peaceful and comfortable for others.  They host things for holidays and just try to make it a place that people want to come to, instead of feeling uncomfortable in.

Madame Iantha, Akasha and The Hare celebrating after our run!

One more shot of the 3 of us (me gimpy legged and all!) post run!

      We actually did pretty well-- my friend Madame Iantha and the Hare both did the entire thing without walking (and with a spring in their step that gives him his name!), I had to walk a bit, and our friend Akasha joined us for her first EVER run outside (she's been treadmill bound for her couch to 5k adventure so far-- and she did GREAT!).  It was quiet and peaceful-- a good time was had by all!

Screenshot from our Nike+ Running app-- we did pretty well and felt great!

      Now we're only 3 weeks away from our Color Run debut, and with another race under our belt (though it was a little different!) and knowing I can get through one without my leg acting up, we are pumped!  So, what races do you have planned for the summer/ fall?  Who knows, we may see you there!