T Minus 5 days...

...until my first race of the season!  This Sunday, May 1, I will run the Lincoln (NE) National Guard Marathon and (in my case) Half Marathon and I can't wait!  I was feeling a little burnt out on the training for a few days (thanks primarily to the nonstop rainy weather we've been having and my loathing of the treadmill.  Have a mentioned I hate the treadmill???) and was experiencing some tightness in my ankle, so I took a few days off, and it seems to be just what I needed.  I am so geared up to run that I'm dreaming about it!  (Seriously.  Two nights ago when my mind was racing and I couldn't fall asleep thinking about work and wedding planning, I pictured myself running, immediately calmed down, and fell asleep.  What a trick!)  I'm hoping to get in a short run or two before I take off for the great state of Nebraska on Friday - mostly because I don't know if I can go a whole week without a run and then, the race is on!

This is a special race for me for many reasons. First and foremost, Lincoln is home - no matter how long I've been away - and there is something great about coming home to run a race.  The support from fans along the course is phenomenal - families and friends get together and sit in their lawn chairs all morning eating, drinking, and cheering on the marathoners and half-marathoners.  (Almost like a 4th of July parade, and I love a good parade almost as much as a fresh baked brownie!  Trust me - that's a lot of love.)  In addition to "home court advantage", I will be running this race with two of my dear friends and bridesmaids in my upcoming wedding.  How does it get any better than that?  I totally love these ladies and am looking forward to a weekend full of running and festivities with them.  (Saturday, the day before the race, they are throwing me a wedding shower.  Are these great friends, or what???  Here's hoping the mimosas don't get the best of me...) Another reason I'm looking forward to running the Lincoln Half this weekend is because it represents to me how far I've come in my health and wellness journey.  Four or five years ago I walked this race with my maid of honor - a sort of celebratory journey for us after she lost a significant amount of weight over the course of the year prior.  We "trained" for the walk by taking long walks (hours long - I'm pretty sure her husband thought we were going to have drinks somewhere.  Which wouldn't be unheard of...) on the weekend, enjoying each others' company and getting caught up on all things gossip worthy.  At that time, I didn't even want to entertain the thought of actually running a race...ugh, yuck!  On race day, we ran approximately the first mile, then jogged on and off throughout the race.  (Some on, but definitely more off.  And only for a minute or two at a time in my case.)  I ran the last 1/4 of a mile and then was pretty sure I was going to die.  Finishing breathless, sweaty, and sore, I couldn't figure out why anybody would do that to themselves for more than a few minutes at a time.  This weekend, however, I will be taking on this race with a whole new perspective.  Not only do I know I can run 13.1 miles, I enjoy doing it! I have really trained, and I'm hoping to finish in a personal best time of 2 hours and 15 minutes.  (Hey I never said I was fast, just that I like to run!) 

So, until we meet again, I'm off to the races!  Happy running!

Happy Anniversary to ME!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 marked my one year "runner-versary".  And what did I do to celebrate?  I drank beer. Seriously, no running.  But only because I was on a 30th birthday northern California beer tour with my mister. (And let me clarify - HIS 30th birthday, not mine.  Not yet.)  And then, the next day, I went for a run. 4.5 luxurious, sunny, riverfront California miles, far away from the dreariness that has been Chicago spring so far.  And I loved every minute of it.

I began my running journey in a very different place - both physically and mentally - than I am today.  A year ago, my first 3 mile half-marathon training run was daunting, to say the least.  Prior to that run, I hadn't run more than a mile (maybe) since my freshman year in high school almost 15 years ago.  Sure, I worked out.  Inconsistently, maybe, but the gym was at least on my radar and a semi-regular part of my routine.  Running, however, was a different beast.  I really didn't even like running.  What was the point?  I was running to nowhere, out of breath and, quite frankly, bored.  And what else is there to do when bored but think about how awful running is?  Out of breath, sweaty, a little achy...why put myself through that?  "Well," you might be asking, "why, indeed?"  In a word (or three): The Biggest Loser.  Yep.  I figured if the Biggest Losers could run a marathon at the end of their time on the ranch, then surely I could run a half-marathon.  That was my logic.  So, on April 5, fresh off the heels of a week long trip to Jamaica, indulging in rum-heavy drinks topped with little umbrellas and lazing on the beach all day and armed with Hal Higdon's half-marathon training program, I put on a brand new pair of running shoes and hit the pavement.  I'm not going to lie, that first run was a little brutal.  In fact, many - maybe most - of the runs while training for that first half-marathon were brutal.  But I'm nothing if not determined, and I had already committed to running my first half on July 3, so there was no stopping me once I got started.  And over time, I came to appreciate those brutal runs.  They became a part of my regular routine - an "event" I added to my Google calendar - and I found that not running was more brutal than actually going out and doing it.  If I skipped a run, I felt like a slug, like a let myself down.  I missed the freedom that comes with throwing on my shoes and a baseball cap, grabbing my iPod, and just running.

Since that first run a year ago, running is definitely a part of my regular routine.  The 3 mile dreaded run that seemed almost impossible then is an "easy" run now.  A year ago, I never would have dreamed of taking running shoes anywhere with me; now I can't imagine going somewhere without them.  I've lost (and never found again!) 10 pounds and several inches, become a healthier eater, and made exercise a priority in my life. I've run two half-marathons, have two more on the calendar for this spring, and am looking forward to beginning marathon training in June.  I'm more confident, not just in my running abilities or physical appearance, but in my ability to take on and conquer any challenges that come my way. 

Today, I'm celebrating my one year "runner-versary".  What accomplishments are you taking steps to celebrating?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Rain and Sleet and Snow...Good Bye!

I am writing this at the end of March in 30 degree temperatures in the hopes that it will serve as a final farewell to the cold winter weather and a warm hello to the sunshine and warmth that is supposed to come with spring.

Everybody always says that running is the best way to exercise because all you need is a good pair of shoes.  Well, I beg to differ.  Running is a great way to exercise, but ask anybody who tries to run outside in the winter, and the idea of only needing a good pair of shoes will get you a good laugh in the face.

This post is a tribute to all of those great layers upon layers of clothes and gear that have kept me warm, safe, and happy through the winter running months.  It's been fun, guys, but it's time to say goodbye until next year.  (Do you hear that, Mother Nature???)

WARNING: If you scroll down much further, you will see undergarments...

Last chance to back out...

Okay, here it is... (Don't say I didn't warn you!)

Moving Comfort Women's Fiona Bra

 

 

 

 

 

This little beauty below, my friends, is the key to my running success.  Okay, one of the keys to my running success.  As a...*ahem*...well-endowed...woman, finding the right sports bra has been a challenge for me.  I used to wear two at once, just to ensure there wasn't too much moving and shaking.  Eventually, those two gems wore out and I had to find something else to hold the girls somewhat in place while pounding the pavement.  After doing much research on Amazon.com (my go-to source for all things consumer reviewed!), I came across the Moving Comfort Women's Fiona Bra.  After reading the glowing reviews, I decided to give it a shot, and - low and behold! - a winner!  Here is what I love about this bra: the fabric is such that it is supportive but not uber constricting and uncomfortable.  There are no wires to speak of, which means no wires eventually breaking through the fabric and poking me while I run.  The straps are velcro, which makes for easy adjusting, and it has a three hook back closure, which is much easier to deal with than trying to pull a bra over the aforementioned girls, adjust properly, then reach around and try to hook.  I also appreciate that this isn't a racer-back bra.  I'm sure they have their place, but in my DD lifetime experience, racerbacks just create more pressure on my shoulders - not what I need while trying to pull myself and my not-so-little friends through a double-digit race.  The only downfall I've found it that occasionally the adjustable strap will rub against my skin, creating mini "raw" spots on the front part of my shoulders.  Irritating, yes, but not so much that I am willing to brave the daunting big-girl-sports-bra-world in order to find something better.  If you want to check this beauty out, just click on the link.

Smartwool PhD Running Lite Mini

Before discovering these Smartwool socks, I tried in vain to figure out a way to run outside without freezing my already-cold-all-the-time toes off.  I wore two pairs of socks, but it just didn't do me much good.  Five minutes in to my run, all I could think about was how cold my toes were and whether or not I was going to lose an appendage before it was all over.  Enter Smartwool.  Never did I imagine that my feet could be warm and toasty during a winter run without being too warm and toasty and making me feel claustrophobic (did I mention that I have a major issue with socks and hate my feet being hot?  Yes, I know...it's hard to be me!)  And, to top it all off, they are super comfortable!

I found these running tights at Target (where I find just about everything, as you will soon see...) in October.  I was planning on running a few late fall races and wasn't sure what to plan for in terms of apparel, as this was my first foray into cooler weather running. I don't have any experience with other running tights, but I can tell you that I love these because they have a light fleece lining on the inside that keeps me just the perfect amount of warm.  They can be worn alone, as a base layer under pants, or under running shorts. My only complaint is that the zippers at the ankles sometimes press into my skin if I don't remember to flip them upward to keep them out of my shoe.

These are my Champion C9 yoga pants, also from Target.  I love them because they are somewhat fitted.  Not so fitted that I can't put something on underneath, but snug enough that I don't feel like I am swimming in them or working even harder during my run to support the extra weight of them.  If there's one thing I don't want, it's to work harder than I have to during a run!

Also from the Target Champion collection, the two photos above are of my base and mid layers.  It's always important to have plenty of layers to stay plenty warm in the depths of winter running! 

Click here to check out the current Target Champion C9 activewear collection

This jacket is my winter running dream come true.  Again, from the Target Champion collection (I'm sure there is other great stuff out there, but the Target gear is relatively inexpensive and gives me one more excuse to make my weekly trip to my mecca...), and like my tights, this jacket is lightly fleece lined for extra warmth.  It has thumb holes to hold the sleeves in place while running, and a hood for an extra layer of cold and wind protection.  And, as an added bonus, it has reflective detailing to make sure you're noticed on those late night or early morning runs (neither of which I do, but hey, just in case...)

My hat and gloves may be my favorite part of my running gear.  Okay, second and third favorite, only behind my shoes.  Anyways...my hat was part of the goody bag from the Team Ortho Foundation Chicago Monster Dash 1/2 Marathon and 5K.  If you didn't have the pleasure of checking out their inaugural Chicago race last year, I highly recommend you do so this year.  A Halloween themed race, it is relatively small as far as Chicago races go.  Runners dress up in costumes and run along the lakefront, stopping occasionally for treats at the trick-or-treat stations set up along the route.  And, as an added bonus, finishers don't just get a medal, they get a medal that doubles as a belt buckle!  How can you beat that???

The gloves are great because they are fleece lined (are we seeing a theme here?) and because the fingers and thumb fold back.  This is great for operating the iPod, and just to serve as some venting for that claustrophobia issue I mentioned before... :)

Brooks Ravenna 2

And now to my favorite - and most important - piece of running gear...my shoes!!!  These are my second pair of running shoes since I started running.  I promised myself that after I finished my second half marathon in October I would reward myself with a new pair of running shoes.  It took awhile, but one cold and snowy night in February after a grueling run on the dreaded treadmill, I trudged my way into Fleet Feet Sports in search of a new pair of shoes.  After digging my sweaty, smelly shoes out of my gym bag and all but shoving them in the sales woman's face, trying on several pairs, and running on the treadmill to test drive them, I ended up with a pair of Brooks Ravenna 2 shoes.  Compared to my previous Asics Gel-Kayano shoes, the Brooks shoes are much more lightweight and comfortable for me.  I can't stress enough how important it is to be properly fitted for the correct shoes.  Go to a shoe store and ask a professional to fit you for the right shoe for you, don't just go out and buy a pair of shoes that some nut on the internet said were great!  Towards the end of my affair with my Asics, I began having many problems with my feet and ankles.  My amateur guess is that my problems were because one of the (bonus!) side-effects of my running was weight loss, which caused my gait to change and my feet to not be properly supported.  Since switching to the Brooks shoes, I have had far fewer problems with soreness.  And that's all I'm going to say about shoes.  I don't know a lot - I let the professionals at the shoe store make recommendations, and you should too, unless you're going to do some reading by an expert, not some nutty lady blogging about running gear with little information to base her opinions on!

 

YakTrax Pro

Um, hello..Everybody, meet YakTrax.  YakTrax, this is everybody.  I know you are going to get along just fine.  These fine little gems slip on your running shoes to create traction while running on ice and slush.  They are amazing, but do not work miracles, as the box plainly states that they cannot take away the inherent risks associated with the conditions they are made to support.  In other words, "don't sue us if you fall on your backside while using our product!"  And, don't wear them inside.  You'll slip and fall.  I promise I haven't done it, but almost.  Another warning to heed from the box.

iPod and armband

I couldn't run without my iPod.  Here it is with the arm band that holds it.  I love love love it. You can find arm bands at just about any store that carries sporting equipment or iPods.  I would recommend running headphones instead of ear buds - mine keep falling out of my ears and I can't stand wasting so much effort trying to readjust them!  And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor

 Okay, so I may have lied earlier (sorry!) when I said that my running shoes, hat, and gloves were my favorite parts of my running gear.  I think this beats my hat and gloves.  I bought my Polar heart rate monitor shortly before I started training for my first 1/2 marathon.  This F11 model has a load of amazing features, most of which I don't know how to use, such as creating a personalized workout program and setting your personalized heart rate limits.  What I love most are the features you can get from just about any heart rate monitor: a timer, a heart rate monitor, and a calorie counter.  From my experience, you don't need much more than that, so if you're just getting started I recommend looking for something basic.  When I first started running and wasn't confident in my ability to run long distances, I used the heart rate monitor to assess my level of exertion.  If my heart rate was high, I backed off a little.  If it was low, I stepped it up.  Now I just appreciate the fact that it helps me monitor my pace and keeps track of the calories I burn while I'm running.  There's nothing better than walking in the house after a long run and knowing that I can now go eat just about anything I want without feeling too guilty about it!

  

And there it is folks.  My tribute to running - the sport that is so great because you only need a good pair of shoes...

Happy running, and here's to some good running weather in the near future!

Oh, and P.S?  Go Cubs!