The ABCs of Running

Just my thoughts on running...this week was National Running Day and even though I don't love running, I do consider myself a runner.  Here are my ABCs of running.


A is for attitude.  Running really is all in your head.  If you believe you can do it, you can.  If you think you can't, you are right too.  Change your attitude and voila, a better runner.

B is for breathing.  Three beats in, three beats out.  Breath from your belly.  It works, trust me.

C is for chaffing. Yep, I said it. It happens in the most unlikely and likely of places. Investing in the gel, roll on, or any sort of anti chaffing stick and slather it on. Nothing like thinking you didn't chaff and getting into the shower after a run finding out you missed a spot - ouchewawa!

D is for www.dailymile.com my favourite running tracking site that allows you to post workouts, talk to other athletes, and celebrate successes.

E is for Epsom salts. Love, love, love, my Epsom salt baths after all my runs.

F is for Fuzzy Peaches. My running buds Lish and Lindsay got me on these. Instead of buying those sports chews, hit the Bulk Barn and load up on these awesome treats that are sweet but covered with salt. Delicious and something to look forward to on long runs
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G is for Garmin. I love my Garmin watch. It tracks distance, time, pace, etc. and it only helps keep you learning and improving.

H is for hungry.  Running makes me NOT hungry right after but REALLY hungry a couple of hours later - be careful that your intake and outtake are balanced.

I is for ice.  I ice my knees and it really helps with pain, swelling and soreness.

J is for jumping.  It is vital to helping building your quads.  Here is me working the quads with some box jumps with my trainer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHVY64dU1HU

K is for Kleenex.  Bring them everywhere because so some strange reason you nose will run and your sleeve is not a good option.

L is for long runs. They are a must when training because it shows your mind that you can go the distance.

M is for marathon. Not the traditional one that we all think of but any run that to you is a long one. Whether you want to run for 20 minutes none stop or 20 miles GO FOR IT. But, I continue to say that if I can run a marathon ANYONE can.

N is for NUUN. Nuun are tablets you put in your water, they are magical and help with hydration and loss of electrolytes.

O is for orthotics. After my first marathon I spent some time with a podiatrist to make sure my feet were healthy and not letting me down when the kilometers get high.

P is for training plans, it is imperative that you use one to plan for your next race. There are so many free ones online or through your local running store.  P is also for pace, partner, and plank.  Knowing your pace, having a running partner and doing so planks to keep your core strong will all lead to running success. 

Q is for quick step.  I learned that a quick turnover of your feet gives you a couple of seconds off each km/mile and having some great music to push you along helps too.

R is for rest. Ever since I read an article about people over 44 shouldn't run back to back days, I have had much better success, recovery and no injuries.

S is for Saucony. I only wear Saucony shoes and love their Guide series.

T is for training on hills.  You must build hill training into whatever plan you have.  They work your cardio, quads, and help with your posture. 

U is for Under Armor. Even though I am a "Clydesdale" "Athena" runner, Under Armor is one of the few clothing companies that makes a lot of 2x stuff that fits well, lasts, and looks good.

V is for vest. I love running in a vest as it helps regulate your temperature and wear less bulk.

W is for water. Really is there any other beverage pre, during and post run? Well, maybe NUUN with water but hydration is key.  Practice drinking from a cup before you enter a race as running while trying to drink from a tiny cup is near impossible - fold the cup in half to make a channel and you will not miss your mouth or choke like I have a million times.

X is for x-rays.  Make sure that if you are in pain that you ask for help from a doctor in the form of a x-ray so that you know if you have done some damage or if the pain is normal wear and tear.

Y is for YASSO. Bart Yasso is a hero to many as the originator of RUNNERS WORLD and its empire. Plus, his Yasso 800s are amazing predictors for your marathon time.

Z is for zany. When picking a race, the zanier the better. The Flying Pig marathon in Cincinnati is our favourite because of the costumes and fans. The crazier the better!!!!

10 Things I Think I Love About Running

While checking out one of my favorite iPad apps; ZITE tonight I found a terrific blog post at www.irunnerblog.com. He is a marathon runner and has a terrific blog that I now follow. He was posting his top 10 list about his love of running to keep himself inspired.

Last week Lennie and I started a new 10k running clinic with the Running Room. Lennie has never run before but he thought as a Christmas gift it would be great to do one together. Turns out that he is fantastic at running, unfortunately has a bad knee, and didn't realize how hard it was to run. As a great, frequent hockey player, he thought that his physical strength from hockey would carry over into running. After he ran his first 6k he said, "I respect you even more now for running 42 of those." It was hilarious to see him struggle to get up the stairs for the first couple of days. He then commented "I have never relied on handrails so much in my life." Too funny to hear him moaning and groaning about sore muscles.

www.irunnerblog.com asked his Twitter followers to help him stay motivated and he got a response from @TriMeOn who suggested that he "list ten things you love about running……..”. I decided that to keep myself moving forward and excited about running that I would do the same thing. 

We all know that I do not love running but am trying it for a couple of years to see if it is something I can see myself doing for many more years to come.  Being "big" and the thyroid thing do not help provide success in this sport.  Runners are fit, lean, fast and a tad crazy and I am only a few of those things :) Making this list helps me realize that running is great and I love the people and success of it but not necessarily the work involved.

10 Things I Think I Love About Running...

...being able to drink lots of chocolate milk
...talking about running with Lish and Lindsay
...being in Springbank Park for hours on end
...tracking my mileage on www.dailymile.com
...pushing myself during tempo runs
...wearing capri tights
...finish line photos
...the Port Stanley Sunday summer runs
...the look on people's faces when they find out I am a marathoner
...my Garmin watch

I could go on and on and will continue to focus on how fun races are, the wonderful friends I have made, and that it has added years to my life.

What would be on your love of running list?

"Road to Chicago"

Yesterday was the start of week 1 of 19 weeks to the Chicago marathon.  I could not be any happier with my thoughts surrounding my journey to another marathon.

Thursday I got a tattoo I have wanted to get for a long time and will add red hearts every time I do a marathon so that it links up with my ankle one.

Saturday I got all my clothes, water belts, gel stock, hair bands, watch and music ready to go.  I love preparing all my stuff and laying it out in the spare room.  You never realize how much stuff you need in order to be successful and I am a bit of a freak when it comes to being organized. 

Lish, Lindsay and the rest of the BA crew have chatted about our schedule so I made up the 19 week training plan and put it on the fridge.  It is based on the Running Room schedule with some modifications.  First of all, we are starting out doing 14k and add 1k each week instead of the suggested 10 10 13 13 16 16.  We knew we could start out longer but move up more slowly.  We have also built in a race in August - Midsummer's Nights race http://www.amidsummernightsrun.ca/.  It is a 30km in Toronto and fits perfectly into our schedule.  The other ladies ran it last year and loved it so I am looking forward to it helping with our preparation.  Also, we are all on the MS Rona bike team with a 2 day bike race in July.  The cross training on Thursdays and Saturdays will be a huge benefit too. 

Remember my blog post setting my goals for the 2011 marathon? 

Below is the list I made so I could take 43 minutes off my time in order to run a 5:45 marathon (I am going to be 43 years old too on race day).  I am happy to say that many are underway to being accomplished or done already including buying a new Garmin (I lost my first one in July on a plane to Seattle :( expensive lesson learned)

• don't freak out about the hot weather - "suck it up sweetheart"
• drop 14 pounds - don't know what I weigh but it is less than last year
• see a podiatrist about my foot pain - done and have the orthotics
• learn to run faster - done already have taken 7 minutes off my 10ks and my average pace is way faster
• don't high-five so many people  - race day plan
• run in the middle of the road - race day plan  - worked well in last races
• run more to practice no more 10:1s - done only 10:1ing on Sundays during long runs
• only walk the water stations - race day plan
• less sightseeing - race day plan
• take Cold FX so I don't get sick the week of the race - race week plan
• carry 2 more gels for energy - race day plan

Having the Garmin, more race experience and a positive attitude is really going to give me more success. 

What I also am so happy about is my goal race pace.  I ran a 7:22 at the last race and my Sunday long runs are about 8:15, I was faster than that yesterday for our 14k.  Running long distance is so mental and knowing that having great friends, experience and a solid training regime will get me my goal time. 

Screw the cancer!!!!!

1/2 marathon DONE!

Yeah me!  I ran 21.1 km yesterday and completed it!  It wasn't easy let me tell you. 
First of all I started too fast, then my Garmin watch got all screwed up and my bud Sylvia was feeling great and we separated so I ended running it mostly by myself :(. 
I was totally feeling great until about 10 km when my feet and knees started killing me so today my knee feels sore.  I was last to finish but Sylvia, her friend Mike and the group leader Steve were there to see me finish - it was nice as Steve had water and Gatorade ready for me. (he had his wife and son have a water station 1/2 way through the course too).
I now know what it feels like and will be more prepared for April 11th at Run for Retina - the race we are all doing. 
I now can say to anyone that asks, if I can do a 1/2 marathon you can too - trust me!!!!