Morning Runner???

I am not a morning runner.  I do not enjoy anything about rolling out of a nice comfy bed any earlier than I need to.  I do not enjoy scouring for workout clothes while still half asleep without my contacts on (it's a small miracle I made it out the door with reasonably respectable attire on).

However ... somehow, the last two mornings I have done all of the above and ran 5K each day, finishing well before 7AM..  And I've enjoyed it!  What's up with that????????

I can't honestly even say what sparked this idea.  I rarely ever entertain the idea of exercising that early in the morning.

I do know from experience that this feeling will not last, so I must enjoy it while I can.  There will come a day, likely soon, that I will smash that alarm when it goes off and I will not roll out of bed.  I will question my sanity and realize that there really is no logical reason WHY I need to get up that early to exercise.  I don't have a young family, I don't have a crazy hectic schedule that backlogs my day, temperature isn't an issue.  For the most part I can fit exercise into most days without having to adjust my sleep schedule, and I prefer it that way.  This is an anomaly.

Both these runs have been incredible for different reasons.  Wednesday morning marked my first run in I don't know how long that I did not stop for a walk.  Yes, it was only 5K, but I haven't been able to run that without stopping for a while.

This mornings run though was absolute heaven!  I got a new pair of shoes yesterday (I think they are the prettiest thing on the planet so if you disagree then ZIP it!! hahaha).  These are the Mizuno Wave Riders that I used to wear, before getting a more supportive shoe in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS.  The Wave Riders are not as supportive a shoe as I require when doing longer distances and more mileage, but they will be my "alternative" shoe.  To be used for shorter runs and "other" sports (i.e. bootcamp).  That way I can save my "distance" shoes and not wear them down so quickly.  It's always a good idea to have multiple shoes when you are active daily.

While these shoes are not a 100% match for me, they are 10,000 times better than the worn out shoes I've been running in and BOY did I feel the difference.  Or maybe it was just that they are so darn cute!  My pace was much faster today, but even better than that, my legs felt AMAZING!  My legs have been feeling heavy lately, and I've been able to feel the lack of support in my heels and shins from wearing old shoes. Today felt like flying.  I almost wish I had more time to have run longer.  Felt so good!  My "distance" shoes should be here in a few days .... I'm so excited!

Today is a super active day.  Started with the 5K run, then bike to/from work 14 miles total, then tonight is my Abs Only & Bootcamp classes.  I think tomorrow will be an easy day, though I'll still do something to keep the body moving.

Have a great day!

Heidi

♥♥♥♥♥

Shoe Fitting and an Owie

Yesterday I mentioned that I did something kind of exciting recently.  Pretty sad when this equals excitement in my life.

I finally went for another shoe fitting!  While I've been happy with my shoes, I also find myself currently suffering for the third time this year of a similar injury (January 2010, April 2010).  My left leg has been S-O-R-E since (and during) my long run this past Saturday.  The trigger areas are behind my left knee and in the arch of my left foot.  I can only assume that it's the same extremely tight calf muscle that caused similar pains before. 

Each time I've had my feet assessed, I've been told that I should probably be wearing a neutral shoe, however my left foot could possibly use some support. 

For this shoe fitting, the young male was very knowledgeable and thorough.  I could tell he was young-ish, but I was quite impressed when I learned that he was just 17.  This kid knew his stuff!

He told me the current shoe I'm wearing IS a very good fit for average running.  However, when pushing into higher mileage & frequent training as I've been doing, it's not enough support - especially as the shoes near the end of their life cycle (currently at 440 miles).

His #1 suggestion for me is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS.  I've never considered a Brooks shoe, but let me tell you ... they felt GOOD!  I have loved my Mizuno's (neutral), but when I tried their version of a support shoe it felt very awkward.  I will be getting a pair of these shoes.

I also tried on the Mizuno Wave Rider's.  These are very similar to my current Mizuno's (which they no longer make that model).  I still love these shoes.  I'm seriously considering getting a pair of these as well, and then alternating shoes.  Currently I wear the same shoes on EVERY run, which really isn't the greatest idea when you're running frequently.  Certainly it can't be good to pound them that often, many times in the rain, and then wear them again the next day.  If I get both pairs I should be able to get through most of the next year without needing another pair ... I hope!

 

I also got myself one more item.  We went to another store, where I had won a gift certificate at a race earlier this year.  A nifty little running hat came home with me, complete with a pony tail hole.  So cool!

Here is some more info on it.  DRYLINE PONYTAIL TOQUE

It was a welcome addition to Saturday's long run when it began to snow during the last 9 miles of the run.

I don't know what the next few days hold out for me.  I need to run 60 miles in the next 10 days to reach my running goal for this year.  Under normal circumstances I could totally do this, but with this injury I'm not sure.  I'm stretching as often as I can, and tonight will do a short trial run on the treadmill to see how I feel.  I've already scrapped the prospect of another 20+ mile run this year, but I'm not yet giving up on the goal. 

Keep Active!

Heidi

♥♥♥♥♥

WANTED: Shoe Fairy

Thanks for the snow vibes.  We did get some snow, but unfortunately not quite enough for us to go to work clearing it.  GRRRR!!!!  Momma needs a new pair of shoes, bring on the snow!

The only way to describe my run this weekend .... &%#@*&^ cold!!!!!!!!

16 miles in minus 3°C.  Yes, I know it's colder in many parts of the world.  But on the BC Coast this is bitter cold.  The kind of cold that goes deep in your bones and grips them in ice.  You have to be here to understand that -3 here is colder than -8 in say Edmonton.  It's a damp cold.

Now, to be honest, the worst part was the first mile and then any time we stopped.  Of course, at least half the route was running into a strong, cold head wind and that wasn't all that pleasant either.

Certainly not the most enjoyable run I've ever done (by far) but it's done and over with.

It was too cold to drink very much, but I don't think I lost much through sweat anyway.

NOTES

Consumed prior to run: toasted english muffin, 2 sl. ham, 1 boiled egg, 1 c black tea, 1 c. peppermint tea
Consumed during run: 1 water bottle filled with Gatorade
Immediately after run:  copious amounts of tea, 1 sugar cookie, 3 gingerbread cookies
Approx 2 hours later: turkey sausage and pasta & broccoli alfredo.  Not a huge amount of hunger.

Stomach issues: 1 pit stop at the halfway mark.  Stomach was a little "off", but no emergencies.

Energy level during run: Pretty low. I could have been talked out of going on this run quite easily and could have bailed at any time with just a slight push.  I'm proud that I didn't actually bail and that I went.  But honestly it was cold, I was sore, and it was tough to push through.  Definitely a mentally challenging run.

Muscles: VERY tight.  Had to stop for a stretch in the first mile because my shins felt so tight.  I don't know if the cold made it worse, but my legs felt like bricks for most of the run.  My dear husband gave them a good rubdown last night and it really seemed to help. 

Aftermath:  No headache again or complete energy drain.  Other than my tight muscles and tenderness I feel good.

Things to try on next long run:  In a perfect world I'd get some massage therapy and a new pair of runners.  I desperately need both.  I think I'm going to have to find a way to make that happen, somehow. 

Ideally I'd have a few pairs of runners and then I could switch them for each run, making them last longer and have more recovery time.  What I wouldn't give to have a few different styles (and colors).  It's no fun trying to pick out shoes when you are on such a limited budget that you can barely afford the one pair of shoes and you know that it's do or die.  Whatever shoes you get HAVE to work, there are no options to just get another pair.

These are the one's I have my eye on:

Mizuno Wave Rider 13 (Dark Shadow/Pansy Blazing Orange)

this is last year's model which is still available ... love the colors:

Mizuno Wave Rider 12

I also would be interested in trying these:

Mizuno Wave Creation 10

I know the Wave Rider 13's are $154.99 at my local running room.  That's just insane!  Unfortunately ebay isn't offering them as low as the last time I bought shoes off of there.  Prices seem to be higher now, though still well under the Running Room. 

I bought my current shoes a year ago (bought two pairs at that time, so no, I'm not still running on those shoes) and they were $55 shipped (about $150 in the local stores).  I need another deal like that!  ... or a shoe fairy.

 

Keep Active!

   

Heidi

♥♥♥♥♥

7.7 Km Cross Country Race Recap

Yesterday my husband and I participated in a 7.7Km Cross Country Race.  It was one of an 8 part series put on through local running clubs. 

This was us at home after the race.  Soaking wet, clod to the bone, muddy - but very proud of ourselves!

To say it was gross is an understatement.  Apparently this is what cross country running is all about.

It had been raining non-stop for the previous 36 hours (and alot in the 2 weeks prior).  We've been experiencing a Pineapple Express here and the amount of rain has been unbelievable.

All morning it POURED, and it was cold.  I had NO desire to go out in it, but I couldn't yak on here about doing this run and then just not do it. 

We got there and there were more people than I'd expected would show up.  Apparently these people are die-hards.  I knew beforehand that most people who run this race are associated with clubs and are accumulating points towards the whole series. 

Knowing this, when we lined up to start, I just positioned myself near the back to let the faster people go ahead without me in their way. 

This was a 4 loops course of 1.9Km per loop. 

We started off across this field and within seconds were drenched!  The water in the field was up over our ankles and I'll I could do is shake my head and question my sanity in even entering this race.

Through the water logged field (about 400M), then around a bend that was muddy and boggy in many spots.  The "the hill" ... it was fairly long and quite steep at the top.  On it's own it wasn't so bad, but as we were doing 4 loops, I knew I'd face this thing time and time again.

Once at the top we followed a gravel trail that was pretty good, except the one area where there was a deep puddle over the whole trail and we all resorted to running through the muddy grass (which just got worse loop after loop).  On my 3rd loop I went into a mud hole over the top of my shoe - it was gross!

After that was the gradual descent which consisted of a number of up and down hills - you never really did feel like you were going downhill because every time you went down you'd just recovered from going up.  Along this route was numerous puddles to jump (or run through) and a downed tree to jump over.

My goal going into this race was an un-optimistic 44 minutes.  I had hopes of finishing in that time, but in my heart I really didn't actually think I would.  And once I got a taste of the course I pretty much erased that thought from my head. 

At the 1Km mark my time was 5:32.  I knew to finish in 44 minutes I had to do each loop in 11 minutes or less.  Considering that was my first Km and it was nearly halfway through the loop I figured there was no way I'd reach my goal.  So I was shocked to see my time at the end of the first loop was 10:29.

But, even knowing that I still thought ... no way I'll keep it up for the whole thing. 

End of the 2nd loop my time was 21:20 ... hmmm I'm still on target.  On the 3rd loop this woman came running up beside me and the two of us ran neck and neck for most of the lap, until just near the end she passed me.  Funny how that gives the passer a boost and the passee a feeling of defeat - which I tried to swallow.  At the end of that loop my time was about 33:30, so I was still on target - but quickly running out of gas.

Going up that big hill for the last loop took alot of grit.  But that woman who passed me seemed to be slowing down so I gave it all I could.  I knew I had just over 1 Km to go and I could push hard through that.  With about 1/2 a Km to go I was right on her tail but I couldn't quite manage to catch her. 

At the finish my husband came back and met up with me.  He said he was surprised at how fast I was running and when I took off for my final sprint he couldn't believe how fast I was going.  At the finish line I almost caught that woman again.  She ended up finishing 3 seconds in front of me.

The final result .... I finished in 43:10!  Almost a minute faster than I didn't think I could finish it in.  WAHOO!  My husband finished in 37:10.  In February we both ran an 8Km trail race (though not nearly as grueling) and my time was 49:04 (or :54 - I'm not sure which) and my husband's time was 42:40.  So we both made huge improvements in the last 9 months.

I was suprised how even each of my loops were.  I guess I've learned how to pace well.  My loops were 10:29, 10:51, 11:00, and 10:50.  I'm pretty happy with that.

After talking to some seasoned cross country runners they said this was comparable to (at minimum) 8.5Km, or maybe even 9Km road race, given the conditions.  I can't wait to test that theory on my next 10Km race!

Here's an idea of what we endured through all that mud & water....

And my lovely brand new socks .....

these ended up going straight into the woodstove!

And ..... as a pure bonus .......

I won my age category and got a $25 gift certificate to a local running store!!!!! 

I was surprised to say the least.  I even asked the presenter if I was the only one in the category - hhahaha.  Though, as it turns out there were only 4 women age 20-39, so it's not exactly a huge field. 

Honestly I'm more proud of my personal achievement and the gift certificate was just an unexpected bonus.  If I'd been over 40 I would have been almost last in my group - hahhaa.  Guess I shouldn't admit to that ;)

 .

New Shoes (finally!) and a shoe and skirt review

Got myself into town today to finally get some new shoes. I was determined that one way or another I would come home with something.

A few weeks ago I tried out some shoes and was pretty sure I wanted the Asics Gel Nimbus 10. But ... they're $180 plus taxes and I wasn't quite sure I could swallow that. The Running Room does have a great return policy, but still. I tried looking for them online and across the border, but couldn't find them much cheaper.

So, I went into Sportsmart and decided to try one model down from that shoe.... the Asics Gel Cumulus 10. It was almost as comfortable in the toe as the Nimbus, and quite a bit cheaper at $139. I was pretty sure this was the shoe I was going home with. But as I walked around the store in them, my toes felt good, the cushion was nice .... but the back of them seemed awfully high and the more I walked the more it irritated me. So that choice went out the window.

I decided to suck it up and head back to the Running Room and try something else. I was going to find something in there regardless of cost. If the only shoe that happened to feel good was the most expensive, then so it would be.

I had the saleslady assess my feet again. Nice to know that she came to the same conclusion as the previous saleslady. Maybe they do know their stuff :). I told her right up front which shoe I liked, but that I really couldn't afford it and was looking for another option. We tried on a few and I settled on ....

The Mizuno Wave Nexus 3. They are the ugliest bright yellow. I'm not a fan of yellow in pretty much any shade, and certainly not bright. Thankfully when they are on they are not so bad. But they're comfy, and so far feel supportive. They come up ever so slightly higher on the sides just below the ankle ... but not in the back. I'm wearing them around the house right now to get the feel of them. I'd wanted to take them for a test run on the treadmill but I did some yard work today and it's just been a long day and I'm out of energy. They said I could try them 3 or 4 times on the treadmill (as long as I only wear them indoors) and if they aren't working I can bring them back.

While I was there I also decided to try on some running skirts. They intrigue me, what can I say. I had looked at the one's at runningskirt.com but having never worn one, I wasn't ready to order. Theirs is more like an actually skirt with a panty lining. Neat idea, but honestly I've got some pretty good sized thighs and I'm very concerned about rubbing & chafing.

At the running room I tried on two skirts that I liked. I put them on and off 4 times EACH. I could not decide which I liked.

This one is the Running Room's Pink Ribbon Skirt. It is SO pretty. I could totally see myself wearing it for many places other than running. It was quite long too - just above the knee. As a "skirt" this is a great length, but I wasn't sure how I'd feel about running in it. I almost bought it just to wear as a casual skirt - I liked it that much. And SUPER comfy. There are thin shorts built in underneath and they are almost as long as the skirt. This skirt is $54.99

The other one I liked was Mondetta Performance Gear's Hurdle

Jersey Skirt. It was quite a bit shorter - mid thigh, maybe even shorter. This is more the length that I imagined a running skirt to be. Definitely more just a skirt for running ... but I suppose that IS what I'm looking for. I actually loved the way my legs looked in this skirt. But, the one thing I didn't love was that because the skirt was shorter, so too were the shorts underneath. I think the shorts could have been just an inch or so longer and they still would have been shorter than the skirt, but they would have been long enough to cover the thigh bulge. This skirt is also $54.99

In the end I could not decide between the two so I didn't buy either. If I had more money at my disposal I would have bought both and given them a trial run. I'm still determined to get a running skirt, but may have to check out the other running store in town. I'm also going to look for some reviews online. Maybe the shorter skirt would be OK if I had some Glide to prevent chafing. If anyone reading this has any experience with running skirts I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Cooking with ESBM

A while ago my friend lent me her copy of Eat, Shrink & Be Merry. I plan to buy my own copy one of these days, but in the meantime I've gone through the book and picked out about 2 dozen recipes that I consider "must tries". I can't wait to give some of them a shot. Once tried I'll report on how I like them.

I have the first 2 books from those authors and plan to go through them as well.

What a lazy weekend we had, the whole family. Went for my Sunday run yesterday but was absolutely exhausted afterwards. Had a headache and a couple of naps and was still tired before I went to bed. Must have needed the extra sleep, though we've been going to be at about 9:00 all week so I shouldn't be overtired.

Friday I went into the Running Room to look at shoes and get my feet assessed. Apparently the shoes I have are a pretty good fit for me and I can keep with them if I want. This is good because I was concerned that I might need something a bit more specialized. I have a slightly high arch and my ankles turn in (not sure how you fix that) but otherwise I have a neutral foot that only pronates slightly. I'm currently wearing Adidas Response Cusion 16, but I think for my next shoe I want the Ascics Gel Nimbus 10. They felt really snug on my foot and when comparing the 2 shoes (well the newer version of the Adidas) I felt the Ascics fit my ankle better. Now I just have to decide where to buy them from. They're $180 at the Running Room and $190 at Sportchek (but that may be buy on get one half off, I'm not sure). I think I found them online for $95, but that's US $. I'll have to decide pretty soon though.

Looking forward to Gossip Girl & One Tree Hill tonight. I don't watch a ton of regular TV, but I do like those shows. Now ... to decide what's for dinner and get in a workout before TV time ....