Tag Archives: half marathon

Race Day Gear

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Before I get into it, there were a few things I forgot to mention in yesterday’s recap post.

1. I just have to say that the city of Ardmore did a great job organizing the race – there were plenty of water stops with water and gatorade and everything flowed extremely smoothly from the expo to the shuttle service to the post-race activities. It was an awesome event and it’s only the second year. I have a feeling to A2A is going to be a long-lasting tradition on Oklahoma!

2. It was a very small race with only 1,400 participants. Compared to my previous two halves it seemed so tiny! However, I really enjoyed the smaller crowd. It was really intimate and made it feel more unique. If you’ve only participated in big city races, I’d highly recommend checking out a smaller race for a change of pace!

3. I used a lot more gear for this race than usual. Wanna hear about it? Well, too bad because you’re going to ;)

Amphipod AirFlow Microstretch Belt

amphipod airflow microstretch belt

I bought this belt for the Route 66 Half last November, but never ended up using it. I decided I wanted to give it a try for the A2A and really enjoyed it.

It fit perfectly and never moved or bounced while I was running. I was able to carry my point-and-shoot camera, a gel, chapstick and my car key (which is kind of large) with room to spare.

If you’re looking for a small gear belt, I’d highly recommend this one.

Garmin Forerunner 305

By now, everyone knows what a Garmin sports watch is, and this one is an old model that you can only buy on Amazon now, but I wanted to talk about my experience running a race with a GPS device.

I liked having the ability to track my pace, but I kind of hated constantly knowing how much further I had to run before the race was over.

I usually run races without any time-keeping device and it’s great because I can zone out more and focus on how my body feels and not constantly worry about how much further I have to run.

I also checked the damn thing obsessively. Like once every 10 seconds or more. I couldn’t stop. I felt like an addict.

I don’t know if I’ll continue to wear it during races. It made the experience feel sort of unnatural – like I was trying to control it too much. I don’t know if that makes sense, but roll with it.

Brooks Ravenna Running Shoes

Brooks Ravenna running shoesI’ve already mentioned these shoes, and they technically don’t count as “gear” but since the race was the first time I really ran in them, it was a pretty risky decision.

Like I said, these shoes have a lot less stability than I’m used to and I was worried that would cause pain in my lower legs and knees. However, they were great!

I did get a blister on my right big toe (my bigger foot), but I’m really impressed with how my legs felt after the race. I had some muscle fatigue and soreness but my joints felt great.

The shoes were light and provided nice cushion throughout the 13 miles.

I’m a fan!

I also ran with a cheap pair of sunglasses I bought at the expo.

I look hawt in that picture, right?

Anyways – the sunglasses were great. They stayed in place and didn’t squeeze my head.

I’ve been meaning to buy some for awhile now but didn’t want anything expensive. I lose sunglasses within an average of three days if they’re expensive. Cheap ones somehow manage to stay in my possession for years. Funny how that works out.

Any other time I’ve tried to wear sunglasses while running in the past, I’ve ended up tossing them on the side of the road in frustration. The fact that these made it to the finish line made them worth the $10 (which is a huge expenditure for me right now. I’ve become insanely cheap since deciding to move).

Also, as you can see in that highly unflattering photograph – I was wearing my iPhone on my arm and listened to Pandora for musical entertainment during the race.

This was not by choice, but because my shuffle remote adapter is broken and I’m too frugal right now to replace it.

Running with Pandora wasn’t as enjoyable as having a set running playlist, but the variety was nice.

Overall, I think my experience and choices of what to take for the race worked out pretty well. I usually just run with my shoes. clothes and my iPod shuffle so having the extra stuff could have been annoying.

Each run and race calls for a different set of gear choices, but I foresee the belt and sunglasses getting a lot of use in the future.

What gear do you rely on for running? Are you a gear minimalist or a gadget hoarder?

Coming Up…

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Now that the half marathon is over and done with, I of course had to make more future running/fitness plans and goals. It’s just what I do.

The first one is the most exciting thing for me like…. ever!

I’ll be participating in the Oklahoma City Memorial 5K with my dad and stepmom!

Red Coyote shirts

Aren’t they cute?

After I finished the half yesterday, my stepmom said “guess what we’re going to do??”

I could see that familiar fire in their eyes, so I guessed “a 5K?!”

I was right. This is awesome because I’ve been asking them to do a race with me ever since I finished my first half last April.

They’ve finally caught the running bug :) We’re all three registered for the 5K already, so there’s no turning back.

I’m extra pumped that they’re going to do the Memorial 5K because it has such special meaning to me (it was the first 5K I ever ran and my first half marathon) and because it’s just so meaningful to Oklahoma City in general.

I had been toying with the idea of running the half again, but after yesterday I think a nice relaxing 5K sounds like a much better idea. I’ll be staying with them the entire time and cheering them on through their first race. It’s going to be a blast!

I plan to run as many races as I can afford this year – once I get my moving schedule figured out. Yesterday was a wakeup call to me and it lit a fire under my ass – I will overcome my stomach issues!

In non-running related news, I also decided to join Life After Bagels in her Pipes Challenge (the SIL is doing it too – holla for family fitness involvment!).

I did my initial test on Friday and I was able to do 16 real push-ups.

Week 1 begins today, but I think I’ll wait until tomorrow to get started. I’m feeling like some yoga this afternoon to work out the post-race soreness.

I’m really excited about these plans and challenges – they’re really outside of the box for me and will allow me to spend time with my family before I head to D.C. (I want to say something about winning here, but I shall refrain as I think that whole thing is majorly overplayed.)

Do you workout or participate in fitness events/challenges with family members?

Anyone else doing the Pipes Challenge?

My A2A Half Mary Training Plan

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Well it looks like I may be off for a snow/sick day. I went to bed last night with a pain in my right ear and a sore throat but didn’t think anything of it. Today I woke up feeling straight up sick. Ugh. I thought I had finally gotten past all the illness. I’m beyond annoyed about it.

However, it’s icing and snowing outside and I just saw that the FAA is closed today, which is supposed to mean our office is closed too. We’ll see.

So, I’ve been promising a post about my half marathon training schedule, but I’ve been so wrapped up in all of life’s other goings on that it keeps slipping to the back burner.

The plan is nothing exciting, I assure you. I just pulled it off the Internet, because I’ve been too busy to create my own. I’m using Marathon Rookie instead of Hal Higdon this time, for no real reason. I love Hal Higdon, but I guesss I just wanted to mix it up a bit.

A2A Half Marathon Training Schedule

Pretty basic, right? Some things I want to note:

  • Even though this plan calls for 4 runs per week (and I’ve actually followed it so far, I’m in Week 2 right now) – I’m more of a 3 times a week kind of running gal. I’ll try to loosely maintain this schedule but a mid-week run may get cut due to time constraints or because my body needs the rest. No injuries this time!
  • Because this schedule doesn’t account for cross training, the PLAN is to do yoga 1-2 times per week and strength training 2-3 times per week. However, with my life being as hectic as it is right now I’m not anticipating that to happen all that often. I can only do the best I can, but I want to try to get in as much cross-training as possible to cut back on risk of injury.
  • Although I would like to beat my best time of 2:30:06, I have no time goals for this race (when do I ever, really?) It will most likely be my last race in Oklahoma before I move and I want to just enjoy it and support Lisa as she runs her first half!

That’s it! I’m hoping the training will serve as a sort of stress relief as I make plans for my future move and get everything lined out.

While I may be making lots of plans for the future, my meals are all based in the past. Leftovers galore. I’ve got to say I’m rocking the leftover recreations though. Last night’s was terrific.

eggy southwest quinoa

Quinoa: the gift that keeps on giving. :) This time I cooked it up with two (whole) eggs on the stove to bulk it up a bit. Of course, I also melted some cheese on top.

eggy southwest quinoa

I don’t know if it’s just because I’m such a cheap wad lately, but this was just spectacular. I have an even deeper lover for leftovers these days.

This is good, because it seems that I’m going to be hanging out at home all day and I’ve barely got any food to my name. Good thing I’m creative!

I actually think I’m going to go back to sleep until 8 and then try to get some work done if I feel better.

Have a good day everyone!

Is it icy/snowy where you are? This is first storm of the year really, and Oklahomans tend to freak out about it. I’m kind of sad I don’t feel well enough to check it out.

A New Training Season

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I just ran 3.0 miles. The furthest I’ve ran in a month and a half. Why, you ask? Because I’m training for another half marathon!

This race will be a lot different than the other two I have participated in. It’s a lot smaller. It’s a fast, downhill course. And… I’m running it with a friend!

Lisa had the idea to run a half mary together, and I was ecstatic. We’re great running partners since we pace pretty close and I love hanging out with her so I think it’s going to be a blast!

I had a really great training plan put together that had plenty of time for yoga, Body Pump and cross training. I’m hoping to keep that up, but the truth is that the next few months are likely going to be insane. I’m taking some big risks and if all goes according to plan, my life is about to turn completely upside down. That’s okay though, because I’m super excited about it and the race will help me keep my workouts up in the meantime.

Are you planning to participate in any races this Spring?

Missing

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My appetite is missing. Last night I had to skip dinner because absolutely nothing sounded good to eat and I had nothing at home to cook.

This is not good since I need to be fueling up for the half marathon this weekend.

I also haven’t been sleeping (again).

These are not signs that the race is going to go well, but what can you do.

This morning I even tried to entice my appetite back into existence with chocolate.

chocolate oats

My oats contained all the things I love – peanut butter, whipped cream cheese, banana and even a chocolate dragon egg (just happened to find that in the break room).

Yet with all that goodness, I could only manage about half the bowl.

I have no idea what’s going on, but I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit.

Q: What foods do you reach for when you’ve lost your appetite?

I think I’m going to hit up Panera for lunch. Surely something there will make my mouth water.

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Marathon Dreaming: Detour

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Well friends, here comes the announcement I did not want to have to make.

I’m not going to run the Route 66 Marathon anymore.

I am, however, going to run the Route 66 Half Marathon.

When I started the process of training for a marathon, my hopes were high and I was unbelievably excited for the journey.

Then, life got in the way.

It’s a busy time of year for us all, and I commend those of you who have the time to commit to training for marathons. It’s proven to be too touch for me.

After my longest training run of 15 miles, I sustained an injury that has only gotten worse over time.

To top it all off, this weekend I had some sort of stomach bug and could barely move the morning of my scheduled 18.0-mile training run.

Have I mentioned that the race is less than a month away?

Laying in bed that morning – sick, hurt and exhausted – I started to beat myself up for failing at my goal.

Then I realized how ridiculous that was.

If anyone else I knew was having this predicament, I would tell them that not running the marathon was no big deal.

That there would be other marathons.

That their health was the most important thing.

So, I gave myself that little speech and it worked.

I realized that not only was it not safe for me to continue training for this marathon, I just really didn’t want to anymore.

A week ago, I would have considered changing races to be the ultimate failure, but now I realize it’s just another step in my marathon journey.

I know that I’ll run 26.2 someday. I am a runner. I love to run. I love to set goals and accomplish them.

I’m really looking forward to this half. I know I can run the distance and even though my leg isn’t healed I think I can make it through safely.

Then, I can continue looking forward and figure out what my next goal is.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me during this process.

I know I’ve been a little bit distant from the blog lately. This decision, and some other things, have been weighing heavily on my mind over the past month and I’ve been distracted.

Also, my personal computer is at the doctor, so it makes it harder to prepare good content.

I do hope you’ll stick around because I still majorly heart this little blog and plan to get back to the good stuff soon!

Happy Monday!

Marathon Dreaming: LSD on the treadmill

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No, I wasn’t popping hallucinogins on the treadmill – I completed my Long Slow Distance run on one yesterday.

An LSD run is the safest and most effective way for beginners to train for long distances, according to an article I recently read in Runner’s World.

This is good, because I’m really good at going slow for long periods of time.

Going fast for short periods of time? Not so much.

So, yesterday I ran a half marathon on the treadmill.

The reason for this was two-fold.

1) I didn’t wake up on time to run with my running group. This running thing is hopefully something I’m going to do for a really long time and that means doing it in a way I can enjoy and maintain. Forcing myself to give up my only sleep-in days (where I actually get more than 5 hours of sleep) is not doable and if I force myself to do it, I’ll start to hate running – which would be bad.

2) It was raining cats and dogs pretty much all day long. I’m cool with a little drizzle, but full-on downpours and 13.1 miles aren’t really a good mix in my opinion.

So… the treadmill it was.

It was boring.

It was long.

It was pretty awesome.

As with every run, I made some pretty critical mistakes. The major one being that I forgot to take any nutrition with me and had to run the entire thing fueled only by my kiwi waffle breakfast.

kiwi waffles

While delicious, that’s just not enough food to get me through a 2+ hour workout. I’m usually nauseated during my runs, but I was starving during the entire last half this one. It was unpleasant.

Also, as with every run, I learned some valuable lessons:

  • At some point, technology will fail you. Both my iPod and my iPhone, which I sometimes use to listen to Pandora while running, decided to malfunction at around mile 8. Awesome. I got really irritated, but I pressed on and didn’t let the lack of tunes keep me from finishing.
  • At some point, pain will become irrelevant. I’m pretty sure that my right leg is longer than my left leg because I come down on my left foot with much stronger force than my right. The result is that after about 4.0 miles, I usually have pretty significant pain in my right knee and the ball of my right foot. (This is why I try to keep my runs down to only 3 or 4 times per week, so as to avoid major injury.) However, after pushing past the pain for 3.0 or so miles, it kind of ceases to matter. NOTE: After dealing with this pain for about a year now, I can tell when it’s normal wear and tear and when it’s edging toward full-on injury. If you have any pain while running, stop until you know how serious it is.
  • Chocolate milk really is best recovery drink around. I’ve tried several different post-run snacks and chocolate milk does just as well as pricey recovery drinks and settles fairly well on my queasy post-run tummy. I think I’m just going to keep some organic 1% chocolate milk around from now on and call it good.

Even though running on the treadmill isn’t the best preparation for a road race, I still feel good about getting my mileage in for the week. Hopefully next weekend I’ll be able to take it back to the streets.

Have you ever successfully incorporated treadmill running into your road race training?

What do you sacrifice first – schedule or sleep?

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Marathon Dreaming: Training to Train

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I’m a bit hesitant to talk about this on the blog, because I don’t want to set myself up for failure, but I’m so dang excited about it that I just can’t contain myself.

I’m going to run a marathon on November 21, 2010.

Route 66 Marathon

I spent an hour and a half on Sunday researching training plans and got my calendar all filled out with my short runs, long runs, cross training and all that jazz.

My half marathon experience taught me several things, but most importantly it taught me that I love racing.

I don’t necessarily love training, but I love the atmosphere of races and the feeling of being surrounded by hundreds of people who love running and are challenging themselves to the same goal.

I also love the fear and adrendaline surrounding a big race. When I took my first step at the half I had no idea how the race was going to go, but I just had to keep pounding away and find out. It was so humbling and liberating!

Of course, not every race is going to be as amazing as my half marathon was. It would almost make sense, in the name of cosmic balance, if my next big race was a disaster. But, I won’t let myself entertain those negative thoughts.

I will just maintain my excitement and enthusiasm and do everything I can to prepare for the big day.

So what am I going to do for the next 2.5 months prior to training?

Well one answer is, ironically, that I’m not going to run a whole lot. I will run probably once or twice a week, but nothing too crazy. I want to spend this window of time doing things I don’t have much time to do while training.

I do have at least one race planned before training starts (I’ll do a separate post about that, it’s going to be a fun one!), so I’ll still have to keep myself in check, but running isn’t going to be my main focus right now.

What I really want to accomplish before July 20th is getting into better overall physical shape.

Before I started training for the half, I wasn’t really doing anything too challenging for my physical health. The half was actually an attempt to jumpstart my workout routine.

And truthfully, I kind of sucked at training.

I hated running by myself.

I was pretty much sick the entire time.

I didn’t push myself as hard as I should have.

I really didn’t take training very seriously.

Luckily, I still did well at my race, but this time around I want to work harder and more efficiently at accomplishing my goal of a full marathon.

I think it would be highly beneficial to gain some lean muscle mass. I’m a petite person, but if I had my body fat measured I’d be willing to bet that I wouldn’t like the results.

More muscle will mean more power for long runs.

Less fat will mean less dead weight I have to carry for 26.2 miles. I know muscle weighs more than fat, but it’s also more functional. I don’t think my stomach pooch really aides me much in running. Strong ab and legs muscles will.

So that’s why I’ve been hitting up Body Pump regularly. I love the class (Hi Emily!), and since I don’t really like lifting in the weight room (especially not by myself) it’s working out really well.

BODY PUMP

[source]

I also plan to do a lot of yoga. I have no scientific proof to back it up (I’m not that kind of blogger, sorry) but I think yoga helps prevent injury because it works the teeny tiny muscles that we rarely use. It also creates balance and keeps muscles limber, which is good for running also, right?

I have to decide how I’m going to manage taking all this yoga without spending too much money on it. I might revisit Yoga Download and see if I can find any downloads I enjoy. I want to practice three to four times per week.

I have a lot of ideas for how I’m going to improve the actual training experience this go around also, but posting that now would be getting ahead of myself.

Right now the way I see it, I’m training to train. But before I know it, I’ll be at the starting line… and I’ll be READY.

What’s your favorite form of strength training?

Totally random, but I need a good meat-free potluck recipe. Got Any?

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8-5 advantages

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Ah, how quickly we forget. I’ll be the first to admit that I was being a tad silly last night. Indeed, a mandatory summer break for all would be nice, but college had its downfalls also.

Back then, I woke up stressed out every single morning, for so many different reasons. Now, I still stress, but a lot less frequently.

Then, I had such an unpredictable schedule that I didn’t eat incredibly well. Now, I eat gorgeous salads and other homemade foods in the evenings.feta, avocado and clementine saladI did not prepare myself feta, avocado and clementine salads tossed in a homemade Asian-inspired dressing while attending university. feta, avocado and clementine saladInstead, I ate mass quantities of Sonic hamburgers and Lean Cuisines. Not that I’m knocking either of those things, but you know…

I’m honestly amazed at some of the college bloggers I follow who actually eat healthfully on the regular. I did not.

I tried, but it didn’t go very well. And all I really knew how to cook was spaghetti, grilled cheese, and eggs. Oh, and sloppy joes. I make a mean sloppy joe. Not the kind from a can either.

Another advantage to the whole 8-5 thing? You can afford to buy yourself pretty things.Or, you can at least pretend you can afford it and buy it anyways. This was my “congratulations for running a half marathon” gift to myself. I love it.

So, even though my legs are as pasty white as all get out and a wild night these days means staying up past 10 p.m., I’m glad to have moved on to the post-graduate life.

It’s hard to believe that I only graduated a year ago. Sometimes it feels like I’ve been living this life forever.

I think it’s good to reflect on the past, and not forget who you were at each stage of your life. And then, when you’re done reflecting, be thankful for the present. And respectful of the future. Each day will be what it’s supposed to be.