Triumphant Return to Running!

Hi guys, guess what!  I've been running like a normal person again.  Can you believe it?  Angela and I ran at Sunset Cliffs on Saturday and at Torrey Pines on Sunday.  There is really nothing better than running on trails overlooking the ocean.  I will never tire of San Diego.

Sunday's Run:

Sunset Cliffs



Can you see me?  That's how far ahead Ang was. 





Monday's Run:

Torrey Pines

I ran a whole 10 miles on Monday including the horrendously long Torrey Pines hill.  I felt fantastic, just a bit tired by the end.  It's been so long since I've covered that distance because of tendinitis issues, and I was thrilled to be out there for more than 60 minutes.  That's when it  just starts to get good!

Post-Run Delicious Bliss

Today, in more running  news, I printed off my Long Beach Marathon training plan.  According to Runner's World Smart Coach, I am on par to run a 3:21.  I am not as confident as RW seems to be, but who knows.  I was also completely distrustful of my goal pace for Surf City and ended up blowing my goal out of the water, so anything is possible!  I also followed a RW Smart Coach plan for Surf City and was very pleased with the results.  I highly recommend it.  The best part is, it only has me running 4 days a week, which kept me injury-free in the past.  5 days of running each week proves to be too much for this old body of mine.

I am just coming back from a four day weekend.  It's rough transitioning back to real life after four whole fabulous days off.  We spent the first half of our weekend in LA with some friends and the latter half running around San Diego and doing the typical Memorial Day BBQ-related stuff.



Holding my friend's baby at one of the many BBQs we've gone to lately



I head to St. Louis next week for my best friend's wedding (remember that movie?) and as the Maid of Honor, it is my duty to give a toast.  Any suggestions?  This is my first wedding speech and I don't want it to go like this:

"Keep smilin', keep shinin'..."

Scott Jurek: My Soon-to-Be BFF

If you've ever read my blog, you've probably noticed that I am slightly obsessed with Scott Jurek.  He is my vegan running inspiration.  His incredible athleticism paired with his integrity make him a great role model and someone I deeply admire.  He is one of the most modest athletes out there, in my opinion, and one of the greatest.  I loved him even before I went vegan and he was one of the many factors that helped me flip the switch.  Scott is even the reason I started wearing Brooks!

You might remember Angela getting this poster signed for me back in Chicago before the Chicago Marathon.  I was thrilled to receive this and it now resides over my treadmill as inspiration during those tough speed sessions.

He wrote, "run long and always with heart."

That is why I was beyond thrilled to receive an unexpected package yesterday from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers.  Inside was an advance copy of Scott Jurek's new book (on sale June 5th) Eat & Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness and a letter from Christina, the Publicity Manager.  In the letter Christina offered me the chance to interview Scott for this very blog on June 16th when he is in San Diego. Are you kidding me?  Dream come true! 

In 'Eat and Run', Scott Jurek opens up about his life and career—as an elite athlete and a vegan—and inspires runners at every level. From his Midwestern childhood hunting, fishing, and cooking for his meat-and-potatoes family, to his early beginnings in running (he hated it), to his slow transition to ultrarunning and veganism, to his world-spanning, record-breaking races—Scott’s story shows the power of an iron will and blows apart all the stereotypes of what athletes should eat to fuel optimal performance. Chock full of incredible, on-the-brink stories of endurance and competition as well as fascinating science and accessible practical advice—including his own favorite plant-based recipes—'Eat and Run' will motivate everyone to “go the distance,” whether that means getting out for that first run, expanding their food horizons, or simply exploring the limits of their own potential.

I am dying to crack this book open when I get home tonight!

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Running Update:  I had my second visit with Dr. Todd and he performed some more ART on my foot, calf and peroneal tendon. I felt like a million bucks when I walked out of his office.  I have been gradually increasing mileage and starting to feel like myself again!  Last night, I did 6x800s for a total of 6 miles and today I feel fantastic!  I am such a big believer in ART now.  

Next on my racing agenda is a 5k on June 16th.  Several of my colleagues will be there because our organization is a beneficiary of the event, so I want to do well.  It's a funny little thing called pride.  Two years ago I was the second overall female at this race, and let's be honest, there is no way that will happen this year.  But wouldn't it be awesome if it did?  I would look so cool in front of my co-workers!  Eh, oh well.

I've been enjoying some great trail runs with Angela and loving the hills.  Those words sound strange coming out of my mouth, but I've been embracing the hills and dare I say, enjoying them. 

I received the Brooks Ghost 5 in the mail the other day and did my 800s in them.  Putting on a new pair of shoes quickly made me realize how badly I needed to toss my old ones.  My old Ghosts were completely worn out.  

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 If you had the opportunity to meet any athlete, who would you meet?

What questions should I ask Scott Jurek? 

Nike Traning Club Kicked My Butt!

I am so incredibly sore.  So sore that I can hardly walk.  It takes me about 45 seconds to go from a seated position to standing and vice versa.  Why am I walking around like a 90 year old woman, you ask?

Because of the darn Nike Training Club app!  It kicked my butt.

You choose your goal, Nike gives you a killer workout.

 

I chose the GET LEAN option and spent 30 minutes sweating and grunting in my living room.  I was slightly embarrassed as neighbors walked by the window but I couldn't stop in the middle of an interval.  Working out for only 30 minutes probably makes me sound like a total wuss, but these workouts are super challenging!  They give you so much bang for your buck.  And the best part:  they don't even cost a buck!  They're FREE. 

I did a series of exercises including tuck jumps, burpees with an overhead press, plank rows, etc.  Included are a lot of functional exercises, which I appreciate.  I was able to get through the whole workout and felt fine.  I was sweating and my heart rate was definitely pretty high, but I felt OK. 

Cut to the next morning, which was yesterday.  I could hardly get out of bed.  I had to walk up and down the stairs at work and nearly cried each time.  It must've looked like I had a wild night in bed or something.  Cut to today.  Good old delayed onset muscle soreness.  I am going to force myself to run although all I really want to do is remain stationary for as long as possible.  I know it will help and sometimes running with sore muscles feels similar to a massage.  Does anyone else agree?

This workout was a great reminder of how much I need to incorporate functional strength training exercises into my routine.  I should not be in this much pain, but all I do is run and cross train on the elliptical or bike.  I completely skip out on everything else.  No more!  I now have free workouts at my fingertips and no excuse not to do them.   Besides, I would love to look like these fit ladies....

Ow! Ow!

Obama and My Birthday Fiesta!

First and foremost, a huge shout-out to President Obama for finally declaring his support for same-sex marriage.  Civil unions are not good enough, Mr. President, and thank you for finally recognizing that separate is not equal.  Like I once chanted during a demonstration, "Obama! Obama! Let mama marry mama!"  (That was one of my faves.)
  

After reading the terrible news about the same-sex marriage ban in North Carolina, I was deflated and saddened that religion can't seem to stay out of our politics.  It left me frustrated.  So when I heard the news today that Obama has finally come forward and has shown his support for marriage equality, I was jumping for joy.  Literally.  Some say it's just a political move, but I don't believe it.  It would have been safer for him not to endorse gay marriage, especially with an election coming up.  So Bravo, Mr. President! 

*****

In unrelated news, I celebrated my birthday this weekend.  My fabulous friend, Susan, threw me a mexican fiesta-inspired birthday party.  We had a blast!  There was even a pinata!  That made my whole day.  Here are just a few of the gazillion photos I took.  Angela bought me a super fancy camera that will require me to take a class in order to use it properly.

good friends

live music courtesy of Renee on the mexican accordian

showing off our mad skills singing 90s pop music

beating things

piggy back rides

pyramids - why not?

Go Team!

 

 That pretty much sums up my fabulous birthday. 

A Fabulously Fit Party!

So last week I hosted a little party/shopping night for my fit friends at Road Runner Sports.  There were about 17 girls in all, and we drank some champagne and ate delicious, healthy snacks (courtesy of the fabulous Kirsten, who is not pictured but should be because she's gorgeous and awesome).  All of the girls who attended were given goodie bags full of all sorts of fantastic swag, including socks, kinesio tape, muscle rub, Gu Brew and more.  Everyone also received a VIP membership for an entire year.  Needless to say, it was a super fun evening with my incredibly awesome friends.  I think I enjoy shopping for workout clothes more than shopping for regular clothes.  Am I weird?  It may have something to do with the fact that I spend every single weekend in workout capris and nothing else.  But that is beside the point...

I think Renee and I convinced her to buy those Brooks.  Once you go Brooks, you never go back!
P.S.  I got that awesome bright orange top and love it!

Running Shopping Fuel



Trying on shoes in perfect unison.  Sole-mates?



Champagne in a can -- greatest invention since sliced bread

I enjoy shopping at Road Runner Sports because of the free services they offer, like the Shoe Dog video gait analysis.  They analyze your feet as well as your gait and give you a handy dandy little print-out with your results.  This helps you to choose the appropriate footwear.  I'm not saying it's a guarantee against injury, but one of the girls at the party had expressed that she has always had pain in every pair of shoes she's worn.  She then went to RRS and had her gait analyzed and had the appropriate shoe picked out for her.  She hasn't had a problem since.  People into the barefoot movement might not agree with this approach but I think it can be insightful.  The more you know, the better.  For instance, I have extremely high arches and I supinate way too much.  That tells me that I shouldn't be wearing a shoe with arch support and ankle support because this will futher inhibit me from rolling inward, which I need to do more of.  Good to know, right?

Road Runner also offers free bra fittings in their "Bra-llywood" section.  It  turns out most girls are not wearing the correct bra size, even when it comes to sports bras.  I don't have very much boobage so I find it pretty easy to get the support I need; but some girls with more robust chests could use a little help in that department.  A couple of my well endowed friends were able to find incredibly supportive bras; which will be a nice break from having to double up on the sports bras. 

Do you have more fun shopping for

workout wear or regular clothing?

 

Have you ever had your gait analyzed or your boobies sized?