Frederick Half Marathon 2013

This morning I woke at 4 for what has become an annual tradition - a pre-dawn drive to Frederick, watching the sun rise at the fairgrounds, and running the Frederick Half Marathon.

I try to learn from my mistakes, so unlike last year I put plenty of bottles of Gatorade and water in my car last night.  I arrived at the Frederick Fairgrounds at 5:30am, quickly parked, and breezed through picking up my bib.  This year the first 200 runners to pre-register were given the option to pick up their bibs on-site on race day. Given my crazy hours at work this week, I was super-thankful for that option. I caught the end of the pre-race law enforcement orientation meeting while putting on my bib and was blown away by how many officers were working the race.  They, along with volunteers, are who make races like this possible and I am extremely grateful for their hard work and enthusiasm.

I had plenty of time to kill and it was chilly out, so I retreated to my car and played with my phone until it was time to go.  I got to the start line just in time for the national anthem and "Sweet Caroline" (their tribute to Boston) before we took off.  One thing I love about Frederick is how small the field is - the entire staging area was less than a block long!  The photo below was taken standing around people planning on finishing in 2:15 - I've yet to run another race where this pace group is so close to the start line.

At 7am sharp we were off.  Within a mile and a half the road opened up and I had plenty of space to run in.

It stayed like that the rest of the race.  Unfortunately, I don't have any more photos.

I decided to run this race listening to my legs and they were speaking pretty quickly.  At multiple points in the race my brain tried to take over, telling my legs to slow down, but they never listened for long.  As I blew by mile markers (all of which had clocks - a huge plus), I had to double-check the times on my Garmin.  My split at mile 8 was 1:12:37 - 9:05 minute miles.  I had my doubts about whether or not I could maintain that pace for the entire race, but I was feeling great and figured I'd try my best.

I forgot how hilly the last 5 miles of this course are, but tried to push through without slowing down too much.  I started getting tired around mile 11 and talked myself in to running one more mile before re-evaluating my strategy.  With 12 miles down I realized that, if I kept running, a PR was almost definite and a sub-2:00:00 race (a long-term goal of mine) was a very strong possibility.  With that knowledge I pushed my tired legs up the last hill and around the race track.  I usually sprint the final stretch of every race, but I just didn't have it in me this morning.  I finished in 2:00:26 - tauntingly close to my 2:00:00 goal.

Running Frederick means a very early wake-up call; I wouldn't get up this early for just any race.  The Frederick Half walks the thin line between being run like large race, but having a smaller, manageable field.  Per the official results, there were shy of 3,600 finishers - thousands less than the other 10+ mile races I've completed.  It really is the best of both worlds - I had as much (or more) space as I would running a local 5k, but the amenities and spectators of a race 3x this size.  Despite this course being hilly, it's fast, and the Frederick Fairgrounds are a great place to start and finish a race.  If anyone is debating this race next year, I highly recommend it.  I'll definitely be there.

Getting My Confidence Back

A week ago I had a terrible run.  I set out to run 12 miles and was only able to cover 6 before I ran out of both water and energy.

Statistically, it was bound to happen, but a week before a half marathon I bonked at last year, it couldn't have come at a worse time.  I didn't want to write about it because I was so disappointed in myself.  I'd had a beer the night before, I dressed too warmly, I ate something I wasn't used to before I set out, and I brought water with me instead of Gatorade.  In short, I set myself up for failure.

I didn't have a chance to run again until Wednesday, spending three days dwelling on my failure and worrying about the Frederick Half this weekend.  That evening I hesitantly laced up my running shoes and hoped for the best.  Despite stopping at multiple traffic lights and being held up by a motorcade (only in DC...), I average sub-9:00 miles for a 5.2 mile run.  When I finished, I felt great.

Despite the 4am wake-up call and hilly finish, I'm ready for Frederick tomorrow.  My plan is to start slow and try for a negative split.  Maybe this time I can PR and finish strong.

A Monumental Run

Saturday I went for my first non-race long run of 2013.  I ran through Rock Creek Park to the waterfront, crossed the Potomac to pass Arlington National Cemetery, then back in to DC around the monuments.  It was a beautiful day, sunny and cool, but not cold, with a light breeze.  My feet and heart, felt light; instead of pushing myself, I glided along.  It was the kind of run I can always appreciate, but never get used to.

Sometimes I feel spoiled.  My runs take me by and through places many people only hope to see.  On Saturday I savored every moment of it, stopping to take photos like a tourist.  Below are a sampling, because a picture is worth 1,000 words.

A Good Morning

This morning I...

• Said "good morning" to a tiger
• Waved at an orangutan
• Blew a kiss to a panda

...all while breaking in a new pair of running shoes.

I can run through the zoo any time of year, but it's a real treat to run through on a nice spring morning when the animals are out.

Happy Thursday!!

"The Terror is Over. And Justice Has Won."

Tonight I'm:

• Proud to be an American
• In awe of the tireless efforts of law enforcement that led to the identification and apprehension of the bombing suspects
• Thankful my friends in Boston can safely leave their homes and begin to move on with their lives

I think the best way to celebrate is a long run by the monuments tomorrow morning and donating to an organization that will benefit the victims of Monday's attack.  If you're wondering where to donate, One Fund Boston is the most popular, but many funds have been set up to benefit individual victims and families, and the Red Cross and Salvation Army continue to provide their support.

#runforBoston

Most days I run for me.  Today I ran for Boston.

For the first mile, I ran in sadness.  I ran for the three people that lost their lives.  I ran for the hundreds of others who were injured.  I ran for those who escaped uninjured, but with haunting memories they will never escape.

I ran to the top of Deal Hill, took in the view, and had a private moment of silence.

Then I continued on.

As my legs loosened up and my thoughts began to flow more freely, I changed my focus.  I ran for the first responders, the brave individuals who disregarded their personal safety and ran toward the blasts to help others.  I ran for the blood donors, whose generosity more than met the demand for blood in the hours after the bombs went off.  I ran for the ordinary people who did extraordinary things to help others.  I ran for these individuals who, after an act intended to cause fear, created hope, and whose actions warmed my heart.

I finished my run feeling lighter than I have in days.

On the Boston Bombings

This afternoon 27,000 registered Boston Marathon runners, thousands of spectators, and the international running community lost their innocence.  Two people lost their lives.  Many others were injured.  While we do not yet know who was responsible for the blasts or why this was done, we do know that these horrific acts will not soon escape our collective conscience.

To many people, running a marathon is a significant life event.  What should have been a celebration became a nightmare come to life.

My thoughts and prayers are with the runners, spectators, and their families.  I know I'm lucky - everyone I know who was at or near the race is safe.  I can't imagine the unease and uncertainty those who have not yet heard from their loved ones are experiencing and, worse, the loss and devastation that those whose loved ones were lost or seriously injured today must feel.  My heart goes out to each and every one of them.

In the days, weeks, and months to come we will see how today's events shape the future of road racing.  What precautions will the USATF and IAAF decide are necessary to keep runners safe?  How will we honor the bombing victims?

There are so many questions outstanding and so few answers to them.  Running used to be my escape, my chance to leave behind the worries of everyday life.  Today, my catharsis is a reminder of the nation's trauma.  Tomorrow, I will go for a run.  I know I can't leave today's events behind, but I also know that the only way to move forward is to put one foot in front of the other.

Counting the Blooms: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Miler Recap

I woke up early Sunday morning ready to run.  The sun was out, the temperature was in the low 40s, and there was a healthy breeze.  In short, it was perfect running weather.  I met Emily on the metro and we headed down to the mall.

We got to the start area of the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler, next to the Washington Monument, 20 minutes before the start.  Since neither of us were checking bags it was perfect timing.  We milled about, said hi to people we knew, and lined up in our start corral... or so we thought.  As it turns out, we (along with many other runners) were outside the fence from the start corrals, so we ended up starting with a bunch of runners pacing about a minute per mile slower than we intended to run.  Oops.  At least we had a chance to take a pre-race photo while we waited to get inside the fence.

There are some races you run for time.  The Cherry Blossom Ten Miler is not and never will be one of those races.  It's a crowded race along a course that narrows at points, making it a nightmare for people who a) want to PR, b) don't like crowds and c) start in the wrong corral.  Emily and I decided before the race to take it easy and enjoy ourselves - if some space opened up later in the race we would take advantage of it and pick up the pace.  For the first six miles or so, the course was this crowded:

Somewhere around mile 3, we started counting cherry blossom trees in bloom.  There weren't very many.  Emily started counting in the Count von Count voice, laugh and all, which really amused me but probably annoyed other runners around us.  The stretch on Hains Point is pretty but boring, so this provided us with some entertainment.

When Emily and I split up around mile 8.5 I picked up the pace and headed to the finish. The course had opened up and I was able to weave in and out of other runners pretty easily. I was prepared for the hill at mile 9.5 and kicked it in to high gear.  I crossed the finish line sprinting, feeling great, and completely unaware of my time.

After the race, Emily and I met up with some friends at Brunchnic.  Brunchnic is one of the best ideas I cannot even remotely claim credit for - everyone brought a dish and we had a brunch picnic on the grounds of the Washington Memorial.  Some non-runners staked out a spot and got the party going while the rest of us were racing.  It was a short walk from the finish line and a wonderful way to unwind and relax after the run.

Apparently a Sesame Street reference, a long run, brunch, and being outdoors on a beautiful early spring morning are all I need for a perfect Sunday.

Bunny Running

For the past few years, my friend Damon has organized a bunny run to raise awareness and funds for Easter Seals. I participated last year and, despite the fact that I landed in the states less than 24 hours prior, I knew I needed to run this year.

So what's a bunny run?

It involves running around town dressed like this:

We started off at Stoney's, giving everyone a chance to change and circle up before heading toward the monuments.  From there, we went to the White House, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, then the Lincoln Memorial.  I had to split from the group after the Lincoln, but I hear they made quite a few more stops.

While running around DC's busiest tourist attractions dressed in adult bunny costumes is a blast, it also garners a lot of attention.  Last year we handed out flyers, while this year Damon created an easily searchable fundraising website through Easter Seals.  If you're interested in donating, you can do so here.

Wanderlust

Once again, I've gone MIA; this time I absconded to Turkey for a week.

I needed a break after spending the past two and a half months living in my office.  It was also a nice post-RnR Half treat.

I spent four days in Istanbul, walking somewhere between 8-12 miles a day and taking in sights like these:

I then moved on to Cappadocia for two days to do some hiking and see the cave homes and churches, underground cities, and Uchisar Castle.

The flight home was tough on my IT bands - sitting for 10.5 hours after being so active caused them to tighten up - but I tried my best to get up every couple of hours, walk around, and stretch.  I had to be ready to run the morning after I landed!

Runners are Awesome

Every now and then I hear a story that makes me smile.  Most of these stories are running-centric, as that's most of the news I read.  Last Saturday's race generated a few such stories.

First I saw this story, which made me tear up.  How lucky that the runner in green, Michael Stefanon, appeared as the runner in yellow, Ryan Gregg, collapsed.  And how selfless to continue to support him across the finish line after race volunteers stepped in to help.  While a large part of racing is personal, focusing on negative splits or PRs, this is a reminder that there are other people on the course and at times we need to put our personal goals aside to help someone else.  Runner's World posted a follow-up story on Tuesday interviewing the two runners, which only heightened my respect for Stefanon.

The second story is nowhere near as moving, but is more personal.  Somewhere in the post-race shuffle of changing in to dry clothes and finding her parents, a friend of mine lost her keys, ID, and credit card.  A few days later, she received all of her lost items in the mail.  Someone had found them and used the address from her driver's license to mail them to her.  How great is that?

Rock 'n Rolling With the Punches

I wasn't sure I wanted to write this post because my race experience at the Rock 'n Roll USA Half Marathon was so bittersweet.  What I've decided to do is address the shortcomings of the race first, then follow up with my run, so that I hopefully end on a positive note.

I'm also sorry there are no photos - blogger won't recognize the photos I took, so I'm unable to upload them.  Is anyone else having a similar issue?

I hate to complain about things.  It's one thing to complain to someone who can fix an issue and quite another to constantly moan about things on the internet.  For that reason, I try to overlook the negative aspects of races in my recap posts and tend to write about only products I view positively.  The thing is, I can't overlook the negative aspects of the RnR USA half.  They were pervasive throughout the race and all aspects of my experience and, having run other races put on by the Competitor Group, I know they have the experience and resources to plan better and prevent things like this from happening.

There were 3 places things went wrong:

Gear check:

Emily and I rendezvoused on the Metro and made our way over the the start area around 6:45 on race day.  The forecast called for a chilly, rainy morning and we prepared accordingly.  I wore a jacket and hat and put all essential items I'd have on me in ziplock bags.  I also lined the bag I was going to check with a trash bag, just in case.  The gear check area was chaos - all of the lines were intermingled and many people ended up standing in the wrong lines.  I found the appropriate line and was stunned by how long it was.  I walked past over 200 people to get to the end and waited 45 minutes to check my gear.  By the time we got to the start area, the official race clock had been running for 15 minutes.  While this wasn't a big deal - it took about an hour to get all participants across the start - it wasn't a great way to start the day.

The race:

When we made our way to the first water station and discovered it was out of cups, we knew we were in for a rough ride.  The cup issue (and general lack of volunteers on the course) persisted for the first 8 or so miles.  I'd debated bringing a water belt to the race, ultimately deciding that RnR races are usually well-organized and I wouldn't need it.  I was kicking myself, hard, for that decision.  Things got better during the last 5 miles of the race and continued to improve... until I went to pick up my gear post-race.

Gear pick up:

The lines were, once again, chaotic and unnecessarily long.  As I neared the front of my gear check line (after 30 minutes of standing around in wet, stinky clothes) I saw a lot of bags on the ground between my truck and another truck.  I asked around as to which truck these bags came off of - no one knew.  This was extremely concerning as it's really easy to lose things when you move them around and the ground was damp - some runners looking forward to changing in to dry clothes were going to be pretty disappointed.  I mentally high-fived myself for the foresight to use a trash bag and began digging in to the pile.  I managed to find my bag with the help of some other runners (there were no volunteers helping with this pile, which begs the question of who moved all of these bags to begin with), and went on my way.

Phew.  Now that I've gotten that out of the way....

RnR USA was the first half marathon for my friends Emily and Caroline and I was lucky enough to be able to spend time with both of them.  After checking our gear, Emily and I circled up with Caroline in the start area and we all ran the first couple of miles together.  Caroline stopped to tie her shoe and urged Emily and I to continue on without her.  Emily claimed she wouldn't be able to run faster than an 11:00/mile pace, but was constantly running around 10:00/miles, a comfortable pace for me after taking so much time off.  We ran together for the first 11 miles, gossiping, commenting on other people's outfits, and running into people Emily knows (a special talent of hers).  Since I usually race solo it was a real treat to have company on the course and made the miles seem much shorter than they actually were.  We trucked along at a pretty consistent pace, adjusting only for hills and water stops.  We did stop at one point early on during the race to rock out with a band and get our photo taken by a RnR photographer who couldn't seem to take enough.  I now live in fear that those photos will end up plastered on the website or promotional materials for the race.

The course was different from last year - no doubt in response to Washingtonians' complaints about street closures - and I think the change was for the better.  While it added a steep hill at Calvert street, it eliminated a very long hill on 18th street.  I'll take a short and steep climb over a long, moderately pitched one any day.  The new start line allowed us to run past the White House and various monuments within the first few miles of the race and made it accessible from every metro line.  If RnR can address the gear check snafus they encountered this year I think this start line will be an improved experience over the old one at the DC Armory.

There were a lot less volunteers and spectators on the course this year.  I can't help but to attribute this to the dismal weather forecast.  It was their loss as the morning turned out to be mild and somewhat sunny.  It was perfect running weather and a real treat for everyone.

Right before Emily and I split ways, we ran in to some folks from run club.  One lady, Michelle, ran the race 8 months pregnant.  Don't act like you're not impressed.

I kicked things in to gear for the last couple of miles.  After taking a few months off, running 9:00-ish miles was a LOT harder than I thought it would be.  I managed to finish strong, smile for the cameras, and feel good.  While I was nowhere near a PR (in fact, it was my 2nd slowest race time ever), I feel good about finishing the race and am thankful for the experience I had.  I was lucky enough to participate in two of my friends' first half-marathons, which made for a memorable and special morning.

I found Emily in the finish area, and discovered she met her goal of finishing the race in under an 11:00/mile pace.  Congrats, lady!!  I met up with Caroline at gear check and found out she'd met her goal of running the entire race (no walk breaks) and felt great.  We stuck around to see Cowboy Mouth perform, then grabbed brunch before parting ways to go home and nap.  Is there anything better than a post-race beer and brunch?  If so, I have yet to discover it...

Reformer Pilates

A few weeks ago I decided I needed to shake things up and try something different.  The long hours at work and my volunteer commitments on weekends were leaving me too tired for constant intense cardio (my go-to) - I needed something a little less sweaty on my "off" days.  Because my wrist problems prevent me from doing a lot of yoga, pilates seemed like a reasonable option, except...

...I've always been terrified of pilates.  I'm well-aware that I have a weak core; my abs are the underachieving muscle group in my body.  Pilates scared me because it would force me to address that issue.  On top of that, reformer classes are expensive and I knew would be "that" newbie slowing down the class and taking all of the instructor's attention as they corrected my bad form.

Then I read DC Fit Crasher's review of Reformation Fitness's reformer pilates class.  Not only are they offering an affordable option to try the studio ($20.13 for two classes), but the small class size meant I would embarrass myself in front of a limited amount of people and the instructor would be able to give me a lot of personalized attention without detracting from my classmates' experience.

I signed up for a class at 10am this morning.

I volunteered at a charity event from 5pm-1am last night, so getting out of bed today was pretty difficult.  If I'd had an intense, sweaty workout planned for this morning, I probably would have bagged it.  Pilates seemed like a perfect idea.

And it was.

I won't go in to a lot of details because I think DC Fit Crasher's review nailed all of the major points.  The studio was intimate and felt high-end but not pretentious.  The small class size (there were only three of us this morning) meant everyone was friendly and we were all able to get personalized attention throughout the class.  I felt really spoiled.

As for how hard I worked, I was feeling the burn in my core 5 minutes in.  I hope no one tells me any jokes over the next few days, because laughing is going to hurt.  Pilates was much easier on my arms and legs than BodyPump, but there were some muscle groups I tend to ignore that will definitely be sore tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to my second class, but I don't think I'll be working pilates in to my permanent routine - it's just too expensive.

Multitasking

I'm pretty far behind on posts thanks to the excessive amount of time I've been spending in the office. All of these dinners in conference rooms and hours spent sitting at a desk aren't conducive to staying in shape, but I've found a sneaky way to work out while working. I brought in a stability ball and I've been using it instead of my desk chair a few hours a day. I thought my coworkers would make fun of me, but a lot of them are now thinking about doing the same thing!

Holy HIIT

Determined to turn things around and get back in to shape but short on time, I decided to give high intensity interval training a try.  Most of the HIIT workouts I saw seemed, well, impossible, but I saw a couple of workouts on DC Fit Crasher's blog that seemed somewhat do-able.  I combined a couple of them, subbed out some items I wasn't familiar with for some I knew how to do, and came up with this:

• 30 burpees with calf raises instead of jumps
• 30 spiderman push-ups
• 30 switch jump lunges
• 30 V pushups
• 30 squats with alternating single-leg front kick
• 30 tricep dips
• 30 side to side lunges
• 30 V-ups
• 30 mountain climbers
• 30 toe touches
• jump rope 100 reps in between each item above

I spent 8 minutes on the rowing machine to warm up before starting this routine, which ended up being totally unnecessary.  Halfway through the burpees my heart rate was up and I knew I'd bitten off more than I could chew.  I decided to adjust each item to 20 reps and cut down the jump rope to 50 reps.  By the time I got through the squats, my heart rate was through the roof and I was feeling a bit nauseous, so I decided to ditch the jump rope entirely.  Needless to say, it was an excellent workout.

I'll definitely be trying this again until I'm able to complete it as it's written.  It only took 20 minutes (granted, I cut it down a bit), required minimal equipment, and moved quickly enough to keep me entertained.  If you find yourself running low on time for workouts and/or looking for something new to do, I highly recommend it.

So, About That Running...

I haven't run in a month and a half.  Since December 19th, to be exact.

Not only is this awkward because I have a running blog, it's a bit stupid because I have a half marathon in a month and a half.

I have excuses for days - I've been working around the clock, I've been sick, I have a broken finger, I've been attending a lot of parties which have required me to wear shoes that destroy my feet and leave me feeling more than a bit dehydrated the next day - but the bottom line is that none of them matter.  My health should come first, and lately it's been coming last.  Over the past few weeks I've spent plenty of time in the office and at cocktail parties, but barely any sleeping or working out.  This stops now.  I still have plenty of social obligations and work isn't calming down anytime soon, but I need to stop making excuses and start training.  Whether it means hitting the gym instead of the snooze button in the morning or banging out a quick workout at lunch, I need to make time to do healthy, good things for myself.

I know it's easier said than done, but saying it isn't enough.  At this point I need to do something.

TRX Fail

I apologize for the dearth of posts - between my computer not working and being injured I've been offline in more ways than one.

Three of my college friends stayed with me in my tiny condo over the weekend.  It wasn't an environment conducive to making healthy choices (hello champagne and baked brie), but my friend Katie and I managed to sneak in a workout on Saturday morning.  She had tried a TRX workout a few weeks ago and loved it, so she searched the DC area for a class we could attend.

Crunch gym in Chevy Chase offers a Saturday morning TRX class and a free one-day guest pass to anyone who signs up on their website.  With literally nothing to lose, we decided to check it out.

Within hours of signing up on the website we were contacted by a membership representative at the gym.  He sent multiple emails, which had us worried that we would be pressured to purchase memberships when we showed up.  We decided to get to the gym early, as we'd been told they would give us a tour.

Um, not so much.

We arrived at the gym about 40 minutes before the TRX class, and without the gym tour (or accompanying hard sell) we were told about, we had a chance to get some cardio and gossip in.  I usually work out alone, so it was a treat to have someone to talk to as I pedaled along.

We made our way to the group fitness room 5 minutes before the class began and most spots were already taken.  I hadn't looked up anything beforehand about TRX, so I had no idea what to expect.  I wish I could have seen the look on my face when Katie brought over straps to clip to a hook on the ceiling.  She had to do it for me!

TRX is a suspension-based workout that uses your body's weight and resistance to build strength.  In most gyms you clip a set of straps to a ceiling and use them to do a wide range of different exercises.  There's a large margin for error and incorrect form with these exercises, so it's important to have someone show you what to do.  A crowded class isn't the best environment to try this equipment for the first time, especially with an instructor that isn't paying much attention to people's form.  Unfortunately, that's what we had on Saturday.

Luckily, I was able to self-correct by looking at the instructor and other people's forms and using the mirror.  Katie was working out next to me and gave me some good feedback.  Unfortunately, it wasn't much of a workout.  I left with more energy than I came with, and wasn't sore at all on Sunday.  Katie told me it wasn't as good as the first class she took - the exercises we did weren't as challenging and the music and instructor weren't as good.  I'll take her word for it, but I'm not sold.  I would try the equipment on my own or with a trainer, but I don't think I'll be trying a TRX class again.

That "D'oh" Moment

I've long hated the elliptical*.  Regardless of how high I increase the resistance and incline, or what interval workouts I try, it still feels like a long monotonous series of pedal strokes.  While I ellipt, time creeps by more slowly than it did during Thursday night lectures in college.  Luckily, the only time I need to use the elliptical is when I'm injured.

Unluckily, I injured my foot on Saturday night.  I'm still not sure what I did to it - there could be a small fracture on one of my toes or it could be really bad bruising - but after three days without any cardio (I did some weightlifting on Tuesday) I knew I needed to get my heart rate up and my foot wouldn't be able to handle running.  Like it or not, I was relegated to the elliptical.

As I grabbed my keys and gym pass out of my purse, my hand brushed against my iPad.  I immediately thought about how I'd downloaded a movie and how frustrated I was that I couldn't get it to play on my TV from my iPad.  When was I ever going to watch it?

I swear to you, if I was a cartoon I would have had a lightbulb flash above my head at that moment.

I got an iPad mini because it was small, light, and convenient to carry around.  I sometimes see people reading Kindles at the gym, which are around the same size, but it's pretty much impossible to read on a treadmill - I have a hard time focusing on the gym TVs while running.  My iPad is the perfect size to prop up on the elliptical like a magazine and, unlike reading, I don't have to focus too much to watch a movie.

It was perfect.  I got through the first half of the movie (Pitch Perfect - don't judge) and could have kept going if I didn't have to get back to the office.  I'm saving the second half for Friday morning's workout.

Awards season is starting up and I'm desperately behind in watching nominated films.  Something tells me rehabbing my foot is going to be productive in more ways than one...

*I also dislike the stationary bike outside of spin class - sitting down during my workout makes me feel like I'm working less, and those seats start to hurt after a while!

Exciting News!

Click here.

Scroll down until you see "Kristin R."

Yup, that's right, my favorite race director made me an ambassador!!

I've loved running the American Odyssey Relay the past two years and am so excited to have an opportunity to promote and give back to such an amazing race!

Oof

There are 5 times in my life I've taken Advil because I know I'm going to be extremely sore the next day, when:

• I ran Marine Corps Marathon in 2010
• I dared my trainer to "do your worst"
• I ran 20in24
• I ran Marine Corps Marathon in 2012
• Tonight

As I said yesterday, one of my New Years' resolutions is to lift weights more often, so I went to a weights class at the gym this evening.  The description from the club's website says:

BODYPUMP™ is the original barbell class that strengthens your entire body. This 60-minute workout challenges all your major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls. You'll get the results you came for – and fast!

I'd never used a barbell before and thought I'd taken it easy using light weights.  Ten minutes in to class, I knew that wasn't the case.  By the end of the squat series, my legs were shaking.  As we cooled down, my triceps were already sore.

The class is broken in to segments, each of which concentrates on a different muscle group or exercise.  I started each segment thinking I might want to increase the weight I was using, and ended it out of breath with tired muscles.  One by one, my legs, triceps, back, and shoulders were worked hard.  By the end of class, I was ready to go home and curl up on the couch.  I stopped by the grocery store on my way home and could barely carry my groceries - it probably didn't help that I bought cartons of milk and orange juice.

I know I'm going to be really sore tomorrow, but it's totally worth it.  I'll be back to that class once my muscles recover - it's a fun way to keep one of my resolutions.

A Belated Start to 2013

I'm a little late on a New Year's resolution post, but I have an excuse...

I started 2013 off in poor form.  Like many 20-somethings, I spent the first half of January 1st in bed, nursing a painful reminder of the prior night's over-indulgence.  When I finally got out of bed and got myself together, I realized I had a lot of work to do.  I'd barely finished unpacking from my ski trip and I was leaving for the airport again at 5am the next day.

I spent four days lying on the beach, eating delicious (not-so-healthy) food, and relaxing in tropical paradise.  It was amazing.  I took that opportunity to unplug and escape, truly leaving behind the stressors associated with my day-to-day life.  And my running shoes.  Which means...

Today was my first workout of 2013.  I may have started the year slowly, but it's time for me to kick things in to gear.  While I was sleeping in and sipping pina coladas, my calendar crept closer to numerous occasions on which I'll need to squeeze myself in to little cocktail dresses and sultry evening gowns.  These dresses fit snugly before my holiday season indulgences and vacation laziness - now the pressure is on to get myself back in to shape.

After my first day back in the office the last thing I wanted to do was go to the gym, but I knew the longer I waited, the harder it would be to get up and start moving.  I dragged myself to spin class and sure enough, the harder I pedaled and the sweatier I got, the better I felt.  I'd forgotten how good a workout feels.

Since it's not a New Year's resolution post without a list of resolutions, here is what I resolve to do in 2013:

• Complete 22 workouts a month (inspired by the Move Your Booty Challenge I completed last month)
• Eat healthier
• Get more sleep
• Lift more weights

My goals for 2013 include:

• A half marathon PR
• A marathon PR
• Completing a trail race

Happy belated new year!!