Post-Vacation Randomness

October 4, 2011 by 5 Comments
  • Thanks to everyone who offered advice about whether to run during my vacation or give my irritable ITB a rest. The overwhelming response was to rest – which I did, as much as walking around Disney with two energetic boys can be called rest! 
  • This was our family’s first trip to Disney and we had an absolute blast! Just watching my boys’ faces as they took it all in is something I’ll never forget!
  • And yes…as a couple of you predicted, now I do want to do a Disney race at some point 🙂
  • Just gotta say I found it really disheartening the number of overweight children I saw at the parks – made me just want to shake the parents and ask “Do you see what you’re doing to your children?!?” (OK I’m climbing down off my soapbox)
  • Took my first run in a week this morning – nice and easy 3…my left leg felt ok so we’ll how this week goes. I’ve got the Tufts 10k on Monday and at this point I have no expectations, except to go and have fun!
  • It was really great to be so unplugged for these last few days….I’ve got a lot of blogs to catch up on…so I’m off to do some reading….and mounds of laundry!
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Filed Under: Disney, general musings, Tufts 10k

"My Run" movie review & giveaway

September 26, 2011 by 8 Comments

This weekend I got a chance to watch the movie “My Run,” which just came out on DVD last week.

It’s the true story of Terry Hitchcock – who ran the equivalent of 75 marathons in 75 consecutive days, as he ran from St. Paul to Atlanta in time for the start of the Summer Olympic Games in 1996. Given that he was 57, not in great health, on blood pressure medication and not a runner – makes the fact that he decided to take this on quite remarkable in itself. 

But, his goal was not a spectacular personal accomplishment – instead, Terry’s goal in running so far was to bring attention to the many challenges facing single-parent families. Hitchcock found himself a single parent to his three young children after losing his wife to breast cancer. After 10 years of dealing with his grief and raising his children on his own, Terry want to spread awareness of the difficulties single-parent families face.

Throughout his journey, Hitchcock deals with logistical challenges, a range of weather conditions, bone fractures and chest pains. You see him endure not only the physical, but the mental challenges as well — can you imagine the mental toughness and heart it would take to run a marathon every day?!

The movie is both inspiring and entertaining (though I must admit I found the use of the late 70’s/early 80’s tunes for the run sequences distracting). And his message to use your life – your talents and gifts – to help others really resonated with me.

Interested in seeing “My Run” for yourself? The nice folks behind the DVD release have two copies to share with Running with Attitude readers! Just be a follower of my blog and leave me a comment saying so – easy peasy! Blog or Tweet about this giveaway for additional entries – again leave me a comment for each. I’ll use Random.org to select the winners on  Friday, October 7 (by the way, they can only ship to US residents).

If you want to order a copy of the DVD now, just use the code “INSPIRES” on the My Run Movie website (http://www.MyRunMovie.com) and receive a 10% discount. A portion of the DVD sale proceeds go to two great charities – Livestrong and Soles4Souls!

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Filed Under: giveaways, product reviews

Irritable ITB, Step-back wk and Vacation runs – WWYD?

September 25, 2011 by 7 Comments

I was really looking forward to my 11 miler this morning…but my ITB clearly was not!

I was feeling pretty sore and tight yesterday and no amount of foam rolling or icing seemed to make too much of a difference. I kept hoping if I just took it slow that I could get the long run done. Well, when I got up this morning nothing along my outer left leg felt okay…and so the internal bargaining began. OK so maybe I can’t get 11, but surely I can at least get 8, right? Hmm…yeah…not so much.

It was a struggle almost from the beginning  – I stopped just before 2 to stretch and to decide whether or not to keep going. I kept going, but as I reached the 4 mile point and turned to head back I started to think that there was a very good chance that I would either have to walk to whole way or call J to come pick me up. Luckily, J and the boys did come by – they decided to check on me cause they knew the leg wasn’t feeling great – and without hesitation I hopped in the car and called it a day. I was really bummed to not finish the run, but pressing on just seemed like a really bad idea!

So Week 7 starts tomorrow and it’s a step back week. It also happens to be the week were heading to Disney. Originally, I had planned on running on Tuesday and then a couple of times while we’re away – the resort has a great mile and a quarter loop around the lagoon that sounded perfect for some short runs. But now given my cranky ITB I’m wondering if I should run at all or just rest it (aside from all the walking we’ll be doing) and take the 5 days off.

And when I get back I’ll have a week before the Tufts 10k – so what would you do?

Would you rest or would you run?

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Filed Under: injuries, ITB, running dilemnas, step-back

Friday Five

September 23, 2011 by 5 Comments

  1.  I’m wondering what happened to the lovely fall-like temps we had here in New England just a week ago. Oppressive humidity has returned and it is sucking the life out of my “speedwork.”
  2. I’m in the final days of trying to get ready for the family’s first trip to Disney World – my head is spinning from the daily emails from the lovely Disney folks reminding us of all the activities/shows/etc. we have to choose from, advice from friends on the “must dos,” and thinking of all that needs to get done before we get on the plane!
  3. My last two long runs have been 10-milers and I’ve got 11 on tap for Sunday. I’ve really been enjoying my long runs and lovin’ how I’m feeling when I’m done. A turning point? 
  4. I’ve started using my Kinvaras for more than just track work and am amazed at how different the foot feel is vs. the Mirages. I think this slow and steady transition to a minimalist shoe has been the best approach for me – eventually I’d like to be running in the Kinvaras for long runs as well, but I think I’m going to wait until after Philly’s done.
  5. Looking forward to a fairly quiet weekend – just the usual kids sports and family running around. After another crazy busy week, I’m craving some down time.
 Have a Great Weekend!
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    Filed Under: Disney, general musings, Kinvara, Minimalism, Saucony

    Sony W Series Walkman Review

    September 21, 2011 by 8 Comments

    As some of you may remember, this summer I signed on to be part of Team Sony Walkman. Of course, the biggest perk of being on this team is the opportunity to try out Sony’s new wireless Walkman. I received my first Walkman headset back in July and have been running with it ever since.

    The new W Series Walkman

    What I have loved:

    • It’s wireless! I love that I can just put in the earbuds and go, without any cords to worry about knocking out mid-run (as I’ve been known to do)
    • It is lightweight — when I first read about and saw the design I was a little concerned about the unit being heavy or awkward, but once I picked up the package I realized that wasn’t going to be a problem. It’s very light! 
    • It’s water-proof – and let me tell you running in the downpour that was the Providence Rock n Roll put that waterproof promise to the ultimate test! And I can say it never faltered – it was great to just run and never worry about it.
    • It gives you Sony-quality sound – in my book, ‘nuf said!

    The initial set up on my laptop was fairly straight forward (you do need a Windows operating system) and you can drag and drop songs and playlists from iTunes in just a few minutes. Having all of the controls right on the headset did take a little getting use to – I hit the wrong button more then once on my first couple of runs.

    I do miss that, because of the design, I can’t run with just one ear bud in when I want- something I like to do in races. Also, I can’t plug into the treadmill TV if I want to catch up on ESPN while I’m logging time at the gym (still bringing traditional earphones for that).

    Overall, I’ve been really pleased with my Sony Walkman and just as I was going to post this review, I got a great surprise in the mail — the newly redesigned W Series Walkman! The new design is even lighter and smaller, and I think it has a much sleeker look. The control buttons are now split between the two earbuds (instead of all being on the right side as in the earlier version) — I’m finding it easier to manage. It’s also nice that it comes in white as well as black. All-in-all a nice upgrade!

    (I was provided with the Walkman but the reviews expressed here are completely my own.)

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    Filed Under: product reviews, Sony

    The simple joy of a run

    September 16, 2011 by 5 Comments

    Earlier this week I had talked about making choices, and that first on my list for the week was to hit the target pace for each workout. A worthwhile goal right?

    So I went to the track on Tuesday to face the intervals I dread the most…1600’s. As I ticked off each lap, pace math was making my head swim – I was obsessed with the numbers…but I did it, each interval was in fact below my target. I left the track, sweat-drenched and satisfied. Wednesday was a good strength training session and then came Thursday’s tempo run. I admit I can get a little psyched out over tempo runs, but I kept telling myself that the 1600 intervals I had run called for a faster pace than this run did…and besides the goal was to hit each target pace right? Wrong!

    From the beginning I struggled through the run and, as the numbers on my Garmin didn’t come down, the level of my negative self-talk went up. Now yes, it was 75 degrees out and crazy humid but there was more going wrong here than just Mother Nature not cooperating. I slogged through and in the end only hit 1 mile where I wanted to, and as soon as the Garmin chimed for the 5th mile I did something I’ve never done before. I stopped my watch and walked the last quarter mile home. I was miserable and just wanted to be done! It wasn’t until I was whining about it to J last night that it hit me….I was so caught up in hitting the pace that I had completely sucked the joy out of the run. I had kept using phrases like “I have to…” that morning, like it was some chore I needed to check off my to do list. Not a good recipe for success.

    This morning I was eager to get back out on the road – not necessarily for “redemption” but just to cut loose and enjoy a run. I debated wearing my Garmin, but did throw it on promising myself that no matter what number flashed at me that this was to be a run purely on feel. I just let go – I didn’t think about “have tos” or “must dos” I just ran for the simple joy of being out for a run on a perfect fall morning. Yes, I did glance at my Garmin once or twice, but I stuck to my promise to just go by feel. And, when I was done I felt recharged…and the nice bonus was I’d run a faster 4 miles then I have in awhile.

    While training plans and target paces are all valuable to help reach whatever goal you’ve set, it is so important to not forget to just run for the simple joy of a run!

    Happy Running!
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    Filed Under: choices, gift of running, goals

    Monday Motivation – Week 5

    September 12, 2011 by 7 Comments
    “Choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”
    — Aristotle
    Week 4 was the first solid week of training for me and it was capped off with a fantastic 10 miler yesterday morning. I finished each workout feeling strong…instead of the “What the heck was that?!?” feeling of weeks 1 & 2.

    So, it’s on the week 5 and I choose to …..

    ….hit all my target paces for each workout
    ….re-introduce my ITB to the foam roller
    ….do daily core work
    ….pay better attention to what I’m eating
    ….get more sleep so I’m not dragging my tail outta bed in the morning
    ….in addition to my runs, commit to doing yoga and strength training
    So what choices will you make today?
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    Filed Under: choices, Monday Motivation, training

    Thursday Thoughts (aka 3 Things)

    September 8, 2011 by 6 Comments

    This morning marks Day 2 of watching the big yellow bus whisk my “baby” off to Kindergarten. Why is it that they never look smaller or more vulnerable then when they’re climbing up those bus stairs?

    With both boys now on the same school schedule (cue the angels singing!), I’ve now got a big block of time for client projects, house projects…and to up the ante on my running. Following the Providence RnR, there was major mileage shrinkage in August. But let’s be honest, it wasn’t only the mileage that went down, my enthusiasm for yoga and strength training was non-existant. I was tired and I was getting my tail kicked by ragweed. I was happier just hanging out and enjoying the last weeks of the summer – cocktails were enjoyed and I pretty much ate what I wanted. But, I did jumpstart my training last week and am feel pretty good about the effort I put in. And now, I have more flexibility in getting my workouts in, so I’m expecting big things for this month!

    With the weather faucet in what seems like the permanent “on” position, I’m fully embracing the treadmill. I have been known to whine in the past about the ‘mill, but I’ve decided I need to change my attitude. So when I hit the gym now I remind myself to be grateful that I have an alternative to pounding the pavement in sloshy running shoes. The attitude adjustment helps – the runs haven’t felt like such a chore, and I actually like doing my hill work on the ‘mill. Besides, it all gives me a chance to get my fill of ESPN and all things football!

    Season kicks off tonight – Go Saints!

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    Filed Under: 3 things, back to school, football, mileage shrinkage, treadmill run

    Are you listening?

    September 1, 2011 by 6 Comments

    Some days your body is trying to tell you something…the question is…are you listening?

    Do you ever have those mornings where body parts are in revolt before you ever roll out of bed and touch one foot to floor? But you shake it off and think…wow I’m stiff this morning – (or, as was the case for me this morning….getting old sucks!)

    Then as you move around going through whatever your routine is before heading out the door, those same body parts continue to voice their displeasure with what you’ve got planned – but you wave it off and think I’ll be fine once I get moving.

    Now you’re out the door and moving…it’s not pretty at first, but at least your moving. By a mile in, you’ve found a rhythm and you feel like you’ve shown those body parts who’s the boss. But as you start mile 4, the revolt has returned in earnest and you can’t ignore the message that you might have gotten a little carried away with yesterday’s strength training, and that if you don’t want to be walking funny the rest of the day that it’s best to back off the pace…right now!

    So you wrap-up your run, much slower than you want, but the rebels are for the moment pacified, content that they got their point across.

    Yeah…well that’s pretty much how my run went this morning. Clearly my legs were still feeling the effects of yesterday’s workout and continuing to push today just might not have ended well, and I didn’t want to do anything to risk missing this weekend’s long run.

    But it’s always an interesting question for runners – when do you push through and when do you back off?

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    Filed Under: general musings, listening to your body, to push or not to push

    Training reboot

    August 30, 2011 by 7 Comments

    While I don’t want to call week 2 a failure it was definitely nothing special and makes me happy there are still 12 weeks to go!

    There were good points — hill repeats on the mill and a great strength and core workout; but there was much that was just so-so or worst…non-existent (no yoga, and thanks to Hurricane Irene I missed my 8-miler).

    So I’m coming at this week with renewed energy and focus! This morning was a beautiful morning to be at the track – on the plan was 3 sets of 200/200/400 with jogs, plus warm-up and cool-down. There were a lot of us on the track, but despite a little weaving I nailed my target pace for each interval!

    For the rest of the week – there’s daily core work, plus:

    Wednesday:    Easy run plus strength work
    Thursday:        Tempo run
    Friday:             Rest
    Saturday:         Weekly Pilates Reformer group
    Sunday:           Long run (9)

    Hopefully this morning’s workout means I’ll get much better results this week.

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    Filed Under: refocusing, track work, training