Unconvential races -- TIART.

It's time for another Take it and Run Thursday! Today, we have a question from Kate at 00Kate:

What's the most unconventional race you've ever run? Have you run a race like North Carolina's "Take Pride in your Hide" naked race? Does your local running group have "prediction runs" where everyone guesses their finish time, and the winner is the person who has the closest guess? How about a Mud Run? If you could make up a wacky race, what would the twist be?

When I sat down to think about my most unconventional race, I was disappointed. It seems that I only run conventional races. I had a tough time thinking of anything unconventional and then I remembered my team triathlon.

A few years ago, I participated in The Great Josh Billings Run Aground in Great Barrington, MA. It's a strange event. It's the second oldest bike, canoe/kayak, run triathlon in the world (according to their web site). That doesn't make it strange. I think the strange part was that I was used to running regular road races and then I signed up for this thing and didn't know what to expect.

I joined a team consisting of my mom's good friend, Barb, paddling the kayak and Barb's friend, Tom, riding the bike. I was to run the 10K. Since I had never participated in a team event, I didn't really know how to prepare and make sure I was ready for my leg. I also didn't know how long it was going to take the others to paddle/ride their legs. So, I stood around. When it was time to run, it took quite a while to warm up. But, I finished and I think we ended up doing OK.

It was tough to judge our overall performance because the event had three person teams (like us), two person teams and "Iron" teams. Also, there were teams who canoed and those who kayaked.

Other than the Josh, my races have mostly been road races. I've enjoyed the few trail races that I've done and certainly hope to do more of those in the future. And I wouldn't mind shaking it up with some unconventional races now and then. Not a naked race like Kate mentions in her question -- but maybe a mud run. I could probably handle a little mud!

Happy Thursday, everyone!

~ Felice

PS: Today is the last day to enter my greeting card giveaway over here. Enter before midnight EST!!!

Favorite races.

Today's Take it and Run Thursday is a question from a favorite blogger, J (Joanna at Morning Runner)! She asks:

What is your favorite race? Do you live for the marathons or crave a 5k? Would you rather race in the morning, afternoon, or at night? Do you like big races with tons of people and encouraging crowds or do you prefer the smaller hometown races?

I'm not the raciest (har, har) runner. I only run a handful of races each year -- about five or so. But, I have some preferences, for sure. I'm more of a short distance runner; I enjoy the 5K.

My ideal race would be a well-organized 5K with a few hundred people in it, that begins at 10am in the late spring or early fall. And that has a fast course, with not too many twists and turns but enough easy hills to make it interesting. Oh, and one that has some decent crowd support along the way. And oranges at the finish line.

But I'm not picky.

Some of my favorite races haven't fit that mold at all. One favorite will always be the first race I ran even though I almost passed out after running it. (I wrote all about it waaaaay back before I even had this blog here.) I hated the actual race because I did think I would die but I love that it gave me desire to run and race. Plus, it was my first race and I learned what not to do in it. That counts for something!

Other favorite races include my fastest 5K, my first 15K and, of course, my first (and so far only) marathon.

All this talk of racing makes me want to run one! Hmm . . .

Now, what about you? Do you have a favorite race? Check out J or Take it and Run Thursday or, heck, leave me a comment!

* * *

Another great shorts run mid-day yesterday! I'm feeling a little bit spoiled.

Have a great day, everyone!

~ Felice


PS: I posted a NYC Marathon slideshow here if like to look at race pics.

Helloooooo, Genie!

Do you ever wish you could have your own genie to grant all of your running wishes? Maybe à la Barbara Eden?


Well, that's the theme over at Runners' Lounge today for Take it and Run Thursday. So let's get wishing!

This week's sponsor is Julia, author of her blog, Chocolate Shoestrings. Julia knows all runners have dreams and wishes, so she invites us to share ours. Julia asks:

If a genie were to appear and grant you any three running wishes in the world, what would you choose? It can be anything from superhuman powers, new running inventions, race entries, shoes, you name it!

What would be your three wishes?

I've often found myself mumbling the words, "I wish . . . " about something related to my running. I wish I had more time to run, I wish I had more endurance, I wish I was faster, I wish my foot didn't hurt so much, I wish, I wish, I wish.

If I could be granted three wishes, though, I know exactly what I would ask for:

1. First, and most important, I'd wish for my toe problems to completely disappear. I'm afraid of the surgery. I mean, surgery is just so, blech. And then there's the three months without running during the recovery period. The alternative, though, is to continue to run (and walk, stand, sit, lie around) with the pain. Doesn't seem right. So, toe problems -- gone. Yes, that would be my first wish.
2. My second wish would be to have as much time as I'd like to run, whenever I feel like running, for as long as I feel like running. What often happens is that I feel like running but can't because of any number of things. Or, I get going on a run and would like to keep it going for a few more miles than planned, but can't because I need to get back.
   
3. And then, since I'm working with a genie here, I have to have the shallow wish. I wish that I could have an endless supply of extremely flattering running clothes. You know, a huge closet full of shorts that don't ever bunch up but make my legs look lean and long. Tops that slim my torso and show my arms to their best advantage. Lots and lots of flattering gear. That would rock. Rock!

And then I'd be perfectly happy. A perfectly happy Happy Runner!

What about you? What are your running wishes?

~ Felice

Why race?

Today's Take it and Run Thursday at Runners' Lounge is sponsored by MCM Mama who asks:

We've all discussed why we run, but why do you RACE and how do you choose which races to run?

Do you look for certain distances, swag, location, start time, or something else? Tell me how you decide where and when to race. Also, I'm currently on a quest to run a race in every state. Please tell me--and others about a particular race you've run that is not to be missed.

That's a good question. Why do we runners race? Why do we do we push ourselves so hard? Why does someone, like me, who has no chance of winning, race?

I wondered that a lot a few weeks ago when I ran that rotten 5K race. I felt like crud. I just wanted to be done. I did not like racing one bit on that day. Not one bit.

But that passed. Because, truthfully, I enjoy racing. Although I don't race all that often (just a few races a year; so far I've run 5), I like it. I like the build up to the race, the goal setting, the anticipation, the hard effort that a race takes in order to be successful. I like the purpose and focus it gives to my running.

I also like the feeling of community that comes with the shared experience of racing. When you line up at the start of a race, whether that race has 35 entrants or 3500, you can't help but feel part of a pretty awesome group. Now, I may be biased but I think runners kinda rule. And to get out on a Saturday morning or whenever and try to run your best, knowing that all the runners around you are doing the same, can be very empowering. All those runners, running hard. I like that community!

The other thing that I like about racing is that it gives me a glimpse of what I'm capable of doing. Because I race, I know I can push myself fairly hard. I also know that sometimes my mind gets in my way and trips me up, but other times it helps me reach what I may have otherwise thought were unreachable goals. Racing sharpens the body and the mind.

There are so many other reasons to race, more than I could mention here. I can't wait to read about why others race!

Have a great day, everyone! It's going to be 70 degrees here today!! You better believe I'll be out running :-)

~ Felice

Spectating and speed.

It's been ages since I wrote a Take it and Run Thursday post. I guess I was just out of my routine with the whole summer business that was going on.

Well, today is a crisp sunny day that feels solidly like fall so if I'm ever going to get back to a routine, today would be the day to do it.

So. Take it and Run Thursday. The topic this week is spectator tips:

Now that we're heading into the fall and winter marathon seasons, and we've talked a lot about how to prepare for races, let's talk about spectators. What do you like and dislike from spectators out on a course? Are cowbells good or bad? Do you prefer to have someone waiting with food or Gatorade? What tips can you give for people who are just out to watch the race and not participate?

I haven't run a marathon since 2004 so I have to really dig back in the ol' memory box for this one! Hmm . . . what did I like? Well, I was lucky and had some great spectators, namely my husband who mapped out several places to meet me and cheer me on along the course. He also met up with some other friends and family members along the way. To me, just having people out there for me was the best. They didn't need to do anything other than smile, wave and give me a little cheer to bouy my spirit.

But if it is specifics you want, it is specifics you will get:

• In any race (marathon or not), having people cheer you on by name rocks!
  
• So does being told that you are running strong.
• Reminders, like "relax your shoulders" and things like that can work, too. A spectator said that to the runner just ahead of me in my 5K on Monday and I immediately relaxed my shoulders and felt looser.
• Telling runners that there is a specific distance left or something useful about the upcoming part of the race is helpful. For example, saying, "half mile to the finish" or "there's a sharp left after this hill" is good. Saying, "you're almost there!" when you still have a way to go is not.
• Music can be fun. In a 15K that I've run a few times, there is a tough hill just past the 10K mark. Runners are fading by that point. But there is always a couple who park their car half-way up the hill and play motivational music (theme from Rocky, maybe?), dance like maniacs and cheer people on. It's terrific!
  
• Cowbells? Oh, I don't know. Yes, they show that the spectator is exuberant. But they are also loud and sharp and jarring.
  

So, there you have it. My thoughts for spectators.

And now for the speed. I switched my workouts again. I was supposed to do the speed work yesterday but I felt sluggish and didn't want a repeat of last week. So, I ran easy instead and pushed the speed work to today. Nothing like a little mid-week procrastination . . .

I'm going into today's workout with a MUCH better attitude than I had last week. I can do it!!!

One last thing before I sign off: Mel -- Tall Mom on the Run is having a v. cool giveaway on her site. Check it out! And have a good day, everyone!

~ Felice

Embracing the Long Run Dragon.

Today's topic at Runners' Lounge for Take it and Run Thursday is slaying the long run dragon: "What are your best tips for getting through the long, hard, hot, hilly, sweaty, torturous but enjoyable runs?" You'll notice I changed the topic a bit in my post title and you'll see why below. And you'll probably think I've really gone and shown my Super Running Dork side this time and I'm OK with that.

Now, before I share my tips I have to say that I cannot wait to read what others have written because I'm not great with the long runs. I tend to psyche myself out and then not do them. It's something I'm working on and one thing that I've done actually works so I guess I'll make that my first tip:

Draw on past long runs when you feel your confidence wavering. When I don't think I'm up for the challenge of a long run, I remind myself that I've run 9.5 miles on the treadmill in my boring basement, 12 in 19-degree weather, 18 in the hot, hot heat of August and, most important, a marathon. I can handle whatever long run is on my schedule -- I've done it before.

But getting out the door only gets you, well, out the door. The miles are still ahead and can be tough. So my next tip is to find an interesting route to run. I can't handle laps for long runs, I have to look at fresh landscape (unless I'm stuck on a treadmill). So I plan my long runs to take me over routes that are as interesting as possible. It makes the miles go faster.

My last tip is one that I try really hard to use (but don't always succeed) for every tough run, long or not: Embrace the run. Hills? Embrace them; they are your friends. Heat? Embrace it; at least it's not cold. Longest run yet? Embrace it; you're building endurance. You know what I mean. Going into a tough run with a positive attitude will take you far. My failed runs are the ones that I told myself would be too tough -- too cold, too long, too whatever. I'm working on this tough run embrace. Sometimes I only manage a little pat on the shoulder, but I'm getting there!

Run long and happy, folks!

~ Felice

TiaRT: Running Fireworks.

Today's Take it and Run Thursday topic at Runners' Lounge is running fireworks: "In honor of the 4th of July, let's talk conflict, controversy, and commotion. What are some of the topics that you and your running friends discuss and have different opinions on? What are some topics that your family members take up with you?"

Hmm . . . well, I'm not one to write about controversy. I just don't like to get into stuff like that. But, there is one topic that comes up now and then that is somewhat controversial, that causes a little conflict in my life. And it is running-related so I feel like I can tackle it here.

OK. Here it is: It really bugs me when people dismiss my running. Or, running in general.

Whew, what a load off!

What I mean is that it bugs me when people say things like, "You can run because you're tall/short/dedicated/built for running -- I could never run because I'm too short/too tall/get bored when I run/have flat feet/bad knees/weak ankles/large breasts/a delicate constitution, etc., etc.."

Let's get one thing straight: I'm built for running the way Garrett Gomez is built for basketball. As in, I'm not.

I don't have the slim build of a long-distance runner. I have hips that carry a little extra baggage. I have crummy feet with annoying and painful bunions. I have tight hamstrings.

But none of that matters because I work at it.

Was it easy when I started? No way! Did I start and stop several times? Oh, yeah. But did I stick with it? Yes! And that's the difference. I decided I wanted to run and so I did. And I do.

I get that not everyone wants or likes to run. That's no big deal.

But what I don't get is why people feel compelled to make excuses for why they can't run. It's enough to not want to run. That's honest and I get it. I, for example, have no interest in downhill skiing. I don't like it. It's not that my knees are bad or that I think I'll look like a goof in the gear. No, I just don't want to ski. I don't want to do it and so I don't. If you like to ski, that's cool. I won't think you are weird because of that.

When people tell me that I can run because of X but they can't because they are not X, or that they don't know how I can run because running is so boring, it makes me feel like I'm some kind of whack-o. Which may be true, but not in this case!

You see (and I guess this is the controversial part of this whole thing) I believe -- firmly -- that everyone can run. Everyone. Sure, it is easier for some than for others but running is natural. It is what our bodies were meant to do! Baby, we were born to run!

(Check out that shirt -- do people still wear shirts with the sleeves cut off?)

Everyone can run if they go about it in a sensible way. When I run in a non-sensible way, I usually get hurt and have to take some time off. When I'm sensible, I succeed. For new runners, being sensible means taking it slow, not running too much or too often. But it also means wanting to. If you want to run, you'll run. You can do it. If you don't want to run, you won't. And that's cool.

So, there you have it. Some Happy Runner fireworks.

And and update: Thus far, July has not come through. Rain yesterday. Rain today. Bring on the sun!!!

~ Felice

Running injuries and treatment.

Take it and Run Thursday topic: Running injuries and treatment. OK, Runners' Lounge, I'll give you what I've got!

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you probably know that I have a nagging, painful injury: a bunion on the big toe of my right foot. That one is chronic. Chronic, annoying and, after stopping the yoga, not getting much worse. But not getting better, either. There is little I can do (aside from avoiding high heels and using my yoga toes) while waiting for my appointment with the podiatrist but when I finally do get in to see that Magic Foot Doctor, and he magically takes away all my pain, I'll be sure to share whatever I learn.

Until then, what do I have for you? Well, you may recall that I've had several other minor running injuries that, unlike the bunion, have come and gone in a flash. If, that is, you consider a day or two a flash, which, when referring to running injuries, I do. Yes, aside from a twisted ankle last fall (which was a shopping, not running, injury) none of the injuries have kept me from running for long.

I believe that I owe my (mostly) injury-free running to the following:

• Rolling -- not stretching -- before a run. This may make some people cringe but, for me, stretching before running just wasn't working. My muscles need to be warmed up before I can stretch so I use The Stickto roll out my out my legs pre-run and save my stretches for afterward.
• Sitting on a tennis ball. OK, the humble tennis ball may just be my favorite running gadget of all. For real. At the first sign of a tight ITB, hip, or hamstring, I'm on the ball. Nothing works better (well, maybe weekly massages would but that's not in the cards . . .)!
• Resting when necessary. What I have found is that rest is often necessary. I rarely run more than three days in a row and never more than four. That's what works for me. My body operates best when I balance quality runs with rest. And when I feel an injury coming on, I'm not afraid to take an extra day (or more) off. I would much rather skip a run or two than a month of running.
• Taking on the hills. Maybe it isn't normal to love hills as much as I do but I swear by them. Hilly routes, hill repeats, hill fartleks -- I love them all. I believe that hills helps improve your form and strength and when you run them for speed, there is much less impact on your legs so the workouts are less taxing on your body. Hills are your friends!

That's what works for me right now. I hope some of it can work for you, too!

~ Felice

Eating to run.

I haven't read the book Eat This, Not That! yet but that's the theme of this week's Take it and Run Thursday at Runners' Lounge.

I'm not the best eater in the world but I do try. I want to be healthy and I want my family to be healthy so I make every attempt to prepare healthy foods. But they have to taste good. And we have to want to eat them. I mean, what's the sense of eating food that you don't enjoy or don't want to eat?

Exactly!

So, here's my food thing. I try to keep my overall diet fairly clean -- minimally-processed foods, mostly plants. I'm not a vegetarian; my diet is probably 80% vegetarian and 20% not. It might also be characterized as 80% healthy and 20% not. I like jelly beans (clearly neither minimally processed nor plant). And ice cream. And I do believe I've mentioned that I enjoy a good vodka & tonic as much as the next guy. Or gal.

But, overall healthy.

Specific to running, though, is this: The better I eat, the better I perform. I've been modifying recipes lately, to make them healthier -- using fewer refined and otherwise processed ingredients, etc. -- and I've started to put them together here. I'll be adding more recipes soon, so stay tuned!

Also specific to running is this tip: After a run, I eat a carb/protein combo right away. My choice is about 10 raw almonds mixed with a handful or so of dried cranberries. Best post-run treat! Or anytime treat, really. In fact, I could go for a handful now . . .

That's the thing with eating. You need to find the things that work for you. I believe you need to enjoy your food and, hopefully, those foods will also be good for you and performance-enhancing. Don't be afraid to tweak your diet! Don't be afraid to try new things before runs (but not races!) to find out what works for you.

* * *

Busy day today, ending with Owen's race this evening. Conal and I will be cheering hard!

Have a great day!

~ Felice

Gearing up for summer running.

It's Take it and Run Thursday! Today's topic is: Gearing up for summer.

I feel like I don't even have to write a post today; I should just send you over to yesterday's great guest post by Dr. Susan Kleiner on hydration. Proper hydration, after all, is especially important as the weather gets warmer (did you miss the post? Check it out here! Or, just scroll down, since it's my previous post.)

I'm making improved hydration my focus right now. Last year, I struggled with post-run headaches (of the debilitating sort) when it was really hot out. I got better about hydration throughout the summer but I still have lots of room for improvement.

Like in the area of all this coffee consumption. At the end of my last post, Dr. Kleiner read that I've been drinking a lot of black coffee before my runs. I know, I know! She suggested I switch things up and maybe replace some of my coffee with the orange mate Solixir that she developed. It will be gentler on my system than coffee, plus it is hydrating where coffee really isn't. I'm going to try it out. I liked the orange mate a lot when I reviewed the beverages so I just ordered a 12-pack. I'll let you know how it works out!

So, other than hydration, what tips do I have? Well, the usual, I'm sure. You know, sunscreen, run in the morning and evening, layers, sunglasses, etc., etc.

My big tip, though, is to look out for little ticks. Huh?!?! Yep, ticks. Even if your area isn't a high risk for Lyme disease now, it may be soon. Check out this risk map to find out your area's status. Not long ago, my region wasn't even a moderate risk area and now we're fully in the black. Both of my parents have had Lyme disease (they recovered fully) and a friend has chronic Lyme disease from which he has never fully recovered. Here's some more Lyme disease information, if you are interested.

So, check yourself out when you get back from your runs. You never know when a tick could get you and finding and removing the tick early, before it has had a chance to embed itself and potentially spread its Lyme disease ickiness, will reduce your risk of contracting the disease.

And, oh yeah, enjoy the warm weather and all the sunny fun it brings!

~ Felice

Hello, Mama.

Back before I became a mom, I would show up at races and see all of these moms there, all fit and happy, their kids hanging around with their dad or older sibling. Many of the moms were older than me, but some were younger. Many of them were faster than me, but a few were slower.

I used to wonder about them. Wonder about the moms who not only ran, but ran races, and ran them well. "Who does that?" I would think, imagining that if what everyone said was true about having kids -- that, you know, you never sleep again after they are born* -- then it didn't make sense for these women to run in their spare time. Why wouldn't they just nap?

The joke's on me, right?

I guess so. Because here I am now: A running mom. A mother runner. Or, muthah runnah, if you prefer.

Now I get it. I understand why those women ran and ran races and ran well. Because now I am one of them. I want to run more than ever now that I have a child. And not because I want to get away from my son or because I need time alone or any of that (although some days . . . ). No, running is my thing and I think that once you have a kid, your thing (whatever it is -- and it might be many things) sorta crystallizes and tends to become more important to you. It becomes something that you have to be either completely into or it becomes not worth doing. For me, running is very worth doing. Some other things? Not so much. They've been dropped but running remains.

The point of this post, though, was to be a salute to running moms. It's Take it and Run Thursday at Runners' Lounge and that's their theme this week: Salute to running moms. I do that. I salute you, running moms. We rock.

But we're not much different than other non-running moms. Sure, we run. But the non-running moms have their own things and that's cool. So, I salute them, too. And -- since I'm on a saluting roll -- I salute all the non-mom runners, too! C'mon, Internet, how 'bout a big group hug?

Gosh, I'm corny.

Luckily, I hear my toddler calling, which means nap time and today's blog time is over. No more corniness from me! Enjoy the rest of the day!

~ Felice

*Which isn't, by the way, true.

Time, time, time.

Today's Take it and Run Thursday topic is time and balance. Tom and Amy at Runners' Lounge have asked how runners find "the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives."

Good question. I can't wait to read others' posts so I can pick up some tips.

But you're here now and probably expecting a tip or two from me. Luckily, I've racked my brain and come up with a few!

1. Communicate. Make sure that those who need to (spouses, parents, friends, partners, kids, etc.), know that running is one of your priorities.

I'm fortunate to have a husband who understands that I like to run and knows that being able to run is a priority for me. He encourages my running and gladly stays with Conal when he gets home from work so I can get my runs in. And, we're both fortunate that he gets to run at work, so our running schedule doesn't conflict.

2.Be flexible.

There are days when I feel stretched by too many commitments to go for a real run. On those days, I can usually sneak in a short loop around my neighborhood, cut my stretching to the bare minimum, speed shower, and forgo the hair dryer. It works.

The opposite is true, too. When I have a wide open schedule and I'm feeling it, my runs tend to be longer or faster or maybe both. Well, rarely both but a girl can dream, right?

3. Keep your running clothes clean.

OK, this is probably something that you all figured out long ago and I'm the only one that has to work on it. But, jeez. Laundry sure can pile up quickly and it really rots when you want to go for a run and all of your sports bras are in the hamper. That, my friends, is a drag. So, make sure you are always prepared with some clean running clothes. I'm working on this one.

4. Remember that you are in control.

Tell that to a toddler, huh? Yeah, I know. They like to be charge, those little ones. So does work. And TV shows, magazines and facebook. They all want to be in charge of your time. They want you to spend your time on them.

Remember this: Ultimately, you are in charge. Sure, you have responsibilities that take up your time. But your free time is yours. If running is something that is important to you, then you'll find time for it. Maybe you watch a little less TV so you can fit in more running, or maybe you stop worrying about having the cleanest house on the block and settle for clean enough. Maybe you switch your runs to the morning if the evening is too hectic, or vice versa. Or maybe, just maybe, you say no to those things that you really, truly don't want to do -- even though you feel obligated to say yes. It's hard to do, I know. But it works.

It's up to you. You're the ruler when it comes to your time. For real.

I'm no pro: I struggle with time management like the rest of the world. I like to think that since I had a child, I've become better at managing my time. It's been out of necessity. The only way that I can care for my son full time, take on freelance jobs, be on the board of a non-profit, run, have a clean-ish house and not lose my mind is to prioritize, say no when I have to, and try to make the most of the time that I do have.

And that's it. That's all I've got. The laundry beckons. I must wash it because I believe I am out of running socks.

~ Felice

I feel very meta.

That's not a typo. I didn't mean to write metal as much as you might think that would be the case after my last post, for which I was, by the way, mocked by a friend for my inclusion of the "worst song ever" by the lame Scorpions. But, no worries, I can take it.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand. It's Take it and Run Thursday at Runners' Lounge and the topic this week is Running Blogs: How and Why? Tom and Amy have asked bloggers to "Talk about how/why you started, what keeps you blogging and how you use it to keep you running."

Blogging about blogging. Meta-blogging, in other words. I feel like I'm back in college, with all that metaphysical discussion about being and reality. But I'll roll with it. So . . . here goes . . .

I started this blog last June because I, er, I wanted to? I don't know, it seemed like a good idea at the time and now, 10 months later, I'm still at it. Running. Writing about running. Whining about injuries. Learning how to avoid and heal them. Setting goals. Achieving them, injuries be damned!

And, most of all, enjoying the experience. I don't have much to say about why I blog. I gave you a little in my 200th post so I'll just add that I enjoy it. Very much. My blog has helped me become a better runner and person in ways I never expected. I credit my readers/commenters (or comment enters, as my spell check always wants me to write). So, thank you. Thank you all.

I'll add this, too: If you don't have a blog, start one! You'll love it. I mean, if you're into that sort of thing. Otherwise, don't. No pressure.

But please keep visiting me. I'm nothing without you!

* * *

It's a perfect spring day. I spent the morning with Conal at the playground and he's now sleeping the sleep of a worn out toddler. I have an easy run on the schedule for this evening, even though my hamstring is, yes, again, acting up. Wasn't I just complaining about my toe the other day? Yup. I told you I whine about injuries. I wasn't lying.

Enjoy the day!

~ Felice

Running gadgets.

I've been looking forward to today's Take it and Run Thursday at Runners' Lounge, thinking that writing about a specific topic is just what I need to shake the blogger's block.

So, off I went to the RL site this morning and the topic is running technology tips -- how to select, buy and use your favorite gadgets.

Sigh.

I am not a gadget girl. I have no Garmin. No heart rate monitor. No Nike plus, no ipod, no iphone, no ianything. I do have a Nike sport watch that my brother and his (now) wife gave me in 2004. It has tons of features! I can't tell you about them, of course, because I only use the basic timer. But I can tell you that it is slick. Slick like 2004, but slick nevertheless!

So you may wonder how I know the length of my runs. Do I kick it totally old-school with paper maps and a ruler? Well, no. I'm not that out of touch. I visit that gmaps site to compute the distance of my routes and I actually really like it.

And I keep track my runs using the most awesome website: Running Ahead. Back in the day, I tracked my runs on CoolRunning but then they were purchased by some other company and everything changed for the worse so I moved all of my data over to Running Ahead. It is the best. And, since it is a website, it counts as technology. Running technology that has helped improve my running. So that's my tip: Go to Running Ahead. The service rocks!

Speaking of running, I had a speedy workout last night. I tried something a little different this time: Warmed up and ran at a moderate pace for 2 miles, then ran 1 x 800 @ 7:30 pace, 2 x 400 @ 7:24 pace, 4 x 200 @ 7:00, 6:54, 6:48, 6:42 pace. I cooled down for a half mile. Since I tend to start out too fast when I race, I'm trying to start my speedwork slower and increase my speed so I'm running the fastest at the end.

I'm all about yoga tonight.

Have a great day, everyone!

~ Felice

Running with Brooks.

(This week's TiaRT theme at Runners' Lounge is an ode to running shoes, written "in the same number of words as the dollars* it took to buy them." OK . . . I'll give it a go!)

I'm addicted to the Addiction, Brooks' appropriately named motion control shoes. Yes, they’re heavy. Yes, they’re clunky and big. But they contain my feet, forcing my body into a less injury-prone gait.

I used to wear whatever was on sale: Nike, Saucony, Adidas. Then the injuries started. I had my gait analyzed at a running specialty store (something I recommend to every runner) and “the guy” suggested the Brooks Addiction. Six years later, I’m still a fan.

My front hall closet.

Have a great Thursday, everyone!

~ Felice

PS: Barney Butter is giving away free samples! Check it out here. Yum!
PPS: Amanda at Run to Finish is having a goodie bag giveaway here. Double yum!

* My last pair cost me a grand total of $77.50.

Running faster.

This post is my contribution to this week's Take it and Run Thursday over at Runners' Lounge. The theme for this week is getting faster: tips, tricks and techniques.

Here's the big news . . . Get ready . . .

To run faster, you have to run faster.

I know! Crazy, right? Exactly. I mean, who would ever think such a thing? For ages, I sure didn't. I just ran and expected to get better. Meaning, to me, faster. For a while, that plan worked. I guess I probably increased the speed of my regular old runs little by little so maybe technically I was getting faster by running faster.

But not really.

At some point, I decided that I would like to improve. I would like to run faster in races than I was. Not fast fast. Just faster. So I decided I needed to train myself to run faster. To do that, I turned to hills. I started with short hill repeats. Then I found a longer hill and I did repeats there. My speed increased and I've loved hills ever since.

(OK, that's not the whole truth: I always kinda had a thing for hills. They're everywhere in my area of upstate NY so I had no choice. Plus, passing guys in their running prime on the tough hills would make a hill lover out of anyone!)

I believe in hills for increasing speed. I find running fast up them easier on my legs than flat speed work and they are very satisfying. You get to the top of a hill and, hi there! How cool do you feel? Very!

As I've, ahem, matured in my running I've added other speed work into my routine, like 800s and tempo runs, but I always come back to hills. I have two main hill workouts that I enjoy. My favorite is the hill/fartlek combo. I run up the hills in a particularly hilly route very hard and then run easier on the flat and downhill portions. That's an easy, sane workout. Hill repeats are my other one and they always make me feel a bit self-conscious because I know that anyone watching me is thinking that I am just one big weirdo. They're right, of course, but I don't always love feeling their vibes.

But, I do the repeats anyway. I have a quarter mile hill that isn't too steep and I run up it about 6-8 times after a warmup run. I jog (or walk, when I'm feeling lazy) back down.

Now, as I strive to run under 23 minutes for the 5k, I'm hoping my hill work carries me there!

~ Felice

It's a mistake. It's a MIStake!

Have you ever noticed that you can find cheesy, 80s lyrics and/or video to support almost any blog topic? Really! No kidding.



Check out those shorts! Whoa!

Anyway . . . today's Take it and Run Thursday topic at Runners' Lounge is "common mistakes and cardinal sins of running." You're probably thinking, "Her biggest mistake has to be her overuse of the word awesome and ending too many sentences with an exclamation point! Or, perhaps, that silly italicizing thing she has going on." Oh, readers. Readers, readers, readers. No. Those might be mistakes -- might be -- but they are not the type of mistakes I want to write about today.

Today, I'm writing about my running mistakes. Yes, I make mistakes. Often, in fact! So just for fun and giggles or however you want to think about it, here is my . . .

Happy Runner Top 10 Running Mistakes

1. Tight hamstrings. Ugh. I just can't ever seem to loosen up the hamstrings. They are tight. It's a problem.
2. Not crosstraining. Runners need to cross train. As much as I love to run, I've learned that only running can lead to problems. I'm pleased to report that over the winter I added a lot of cross training to my schedule. I'm hoping it becomes a habit.
3. Wearing high heels the night before a long run or, really, any run. Let's just say the feet hurt the next day. A lot. Not good for a run.
4. Wearing high heels, period.
5. Avoiding morning runs. Oh, I wish I could get up in the morning and go for a run. I just can't. I'm not that person. My running would improve with morning runs. I know this.
6. Being inconsistent. I've been known to go through periods when I rarely run and periods when I run a lot. In recent years, I've become more consistent with my running and this dedication has paid off. But I've still been known to slip into the old, bad habits now and then.
7. Not hydrating properly. You would think that by this point in my running life I would be able to keep myself well hydrated. Oh, ha ha! I have to remember to drink enough water every day. Heading out for a run slightly dehydrated is a mistake I've made more often than I care to admit.
8. Starting out too fast. Whether in a race or returning from an injury or heading out for a long run, starting out too fast is a big mistake. I've paid for that mistake by burning out, getting re-injured, and having to cut a long run short. Nothing that I enjoy.
9. Giving up and giving in. OK, everyone knows that I am a cold weather wimp. I wish I wasn't! But, I am. I make the mistake of giving up my outdoor runs in the winter every year. I occasionally tough it out and I'm always proud of myself when I do. Overall, though, I wimp out. I'm trying to fix this . . .
10. Forgetting how much I love to run. There are days when the last thing I feel like doing is changing into my running gear and going for a run. Maybe I'm too tired. Maybe Conal has been cranky and I haven't even been able to get the breakfast dishes into the sink, let alone think about what to make for dinner, move the laundry from the washer to the dryer, or even make the bed. Those are the days when I need to remember how much I love to run and how good I will feel after a run. I sometimes make the mistake of being lazy. And laziness, unfortunately, doesn't make a crappy day any better.

There you have it. My running mistakes. Got any to add? Feel free to share!

~ Felice

Show me those hips!

I remember exactly where I was when it happened: Approaching the school building in the second mile of the 15k. I stepped in a small (very small, only someone as clumsy as me would have made such a misstep) hole and my body contorted. My knee and hip immediately started to hurt. I stepped to the side and stretched, while other runners passed me by, some of them trying to be helpful with their perky comments like, "Don't stop now!" and "You can do it!"

I wondered what I should do. My options were to a) walk the two or so miles back to the start, with my head hung low and my spirits lower or b) suck it up and finish the race.

I sucked it up. I finished the race. I did not run a step for three months after that.

During those three months, I went to an orthopedist, then physical therapy and, finally, a chiropractor. I vowed that I would not let an injury force me to the sidelines again. So, I started to stretch.

My injury may have been acute, but there was an underlying ITB issue that I had ignored and that was made much, much worse by my clumsy step. Lesson learned: Take care of your injuries, stretch the muscles that get tight and are prone to injuries.

Today's theme for Take it and Run Thursday over at Runners' Lounge is "share your favorite stretch." Well, based on my history, my favorite stretch is the ITB stretch. You know, the one where you stand up, cross one leg in front of the other and push the stretch through the hip of the back leg. Yeah, that one. I love that stretch. If I could do only one stretch, that would be it.

I'm not, however, an A+ stretcher. I don't stretch as well or as often as I should. I have tight hamstrings and my quads get only half-hearted, occasional stretches. But I'm fairly consistent with the ITB stretch (and with my little strengthening routing that the pt prescribed 7 years ago after that fateful race). I also believe in warming up with The Stick before running and certainly before stretching. My pre-run routine includes rolling my legs with The Stick, doing some quick ITB stretches and maybe a hamstring stretch (if I remember) and heading out. Weak, I know. I'm working on it. Since I started to do a little more cross training, I've become more flexible. I'm doing a little yoga now and my other workouts include cooldown stretches. Baby steps. Or, should I say, baby stretches.

2008 in 52*.

It was the year of the wiser runner.

I made running a priority: Ran longer, ran consistently, achieved some goals.

I started this blog, connected with super RBFs, learned from other runners.

I struggled with some injuries, but patiently let them heal.

I cross-trained, I stretched.

I ran happy.

Bring on 2009!

*The theme of this week's Take it and Run Thursday is A year in review in 52 words or less. I've summed up my year in exactly 52.

Dreamer, you're nothing but a dreamer.

Yes, now I will have that song in my head all day, too. You're welcome.

Dreamer. I am one. And thanks to the theme at Runners' Lounge Take it and Run Thursday today, I will unveil some of my running dreams. You already know I like to daydream while I run and I have to admit that many of those dreams involve running. Running while daydreaming about running . . . almost as geeky as doing long division.

My running dreams are not lofty: I don't think I'll be competing in London in 2012 or heading to Kona any time soon. But they are my dreams. I sometimes picture myself with all the free time in the world, training for a big marathon that I will finish in a time that gets me in to Boston. With minutes to spare. And then running Boston and finishing in an even better time. (That would be huge for me. I ran my first and only marathon in 4:12.) Or I'll imagine myself completing a triathlon. (Again, huge for me. I neither swim nor bike.) Some days, when I'm feeling particularly dreamy, I'll see a fitter (and, as it would happen, older) me running across the finish line of 5ks, 10ks, marathons setting PR after PR.

OK, I guess those dreams are pretty lofty. But I have a few others that are a bit more realistic, too.

So here they are, my running dreams:

• Running, injury-free, well into my healthy 80s (or, if I am lucky, 90s).
• Inspiring my son to enjoy running as much as I do.
• Emerging as an awesome masters runner (when the time comes).
• Running a marathon in under 4 hours.
• Coaching a running group for women who've been released from incarceration and are living in transition.
  
• Running a 5K in under 23 minutes.
  
• Continuing to fall in love with running, year after year.

Those are my dreams. Some may soon become goals. And then, I hope, reality.

Happy dreaming, everyone!