Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Change is good
Holy cow...my last post on this blog was over ONE MONTH ago? Where does the time go??!! I guess I'll blame it all on the holidays, which were wonderful at Casa Magnan...here's hoping yours were as well...
So it's almost the end of 2010 and time for some introspection about this year. Outside of giving birth twice, sending my husband off to war and moving our family to the heart of the Middle East, for me personally, this year has seen some of the biggest changes of my adult life.
Everyone is bored to tears hearing my Biggest Loser story, but I simply cannot overstate the gratitude I have to my friends/co-workers for starting the competition in mid-January. It was absolutely mind altering to go through that, lose 20+ pounds, get fit and learn to love running again. 12 months ago, I would never have believed that I was capable of running 6 5Ks and one 5 miler. In mid-January I could barely run one mile without nearly passing out. How glad I am that my life has changed for the better! This week alone I've run 2 10Ks (at 9:15 pace) and a 4.5 mile workout today (at 8:57 pace). I'm running my last 5K on Friday which seems a very appropriate way to end this year.
And I'm already thinking ahead to 2011 and races to run. I'm about 98% sure I'll run the Flower City 1/2 Marathon on May 1 and plan on the Lilac 10K later that month. The great thing about the Rochester area is that there are literally 5Ks and 10Ks every weekend from May - November. If you're in this area, here are some links to local running pages that already have some events on the calendar for next year: YellowJacket Racing, the Greater Rochester Track Club and the Rochester Running Page. The calendars are not filled up yet, but check back over the next few months and you'll find races all over the area. I look at it like this: a 5K or two every month or so is a cheap and fun hobby...throw in a cool tee shirt and what more can you ask for?!
Here's hoping 2011 is a great year for all of you! I'm a big Fab Four fan and keep singing this post-Beatles John Lennon song...whatever gets you through the night - or your next race or date with the treadmill - is all right! It's a great song to run too...
So it's almost the end of 2010 and time for some introspection about this year. Outside of giving birth twice, sending my husband off to war and moving our family to the heart of the Middle East, for me personally, this year has seen some of the biggest changes of my adult life.
Everyone is bored to tears hearing my Biggest Loser story, but I simply cannot overstate the gratitude I have to my friends/co-workers for starting the competition in mid-January. It was absolutely mind altering to go through that, lose 20+ pounds, get fit and learn to love running again. 12 months ago, I would never have believed that I was capable of running 6 5Ks and one 5 miler. In mid-January I could barely run one mile without nearly passing out. How glad I am that my life has changed for the better! This week alone I've run 2 10Ks (at 9:15 pace) and a 4.5 mile workout today (at 8:57 pace). I'm running my last 5K on Friday which seems a very appropriate way to end this year.
And I'm already thinking ahead to 2011 and races to run. I'm about 98% sure I'll run the Flower City 1/2 Marathon on May 1 and plan on the Lilac 10K later that month. The great thing about the Rochester area is that there are literally 5Ks and 10Ks every weekend from May - November. If you're in this area, here are some links to local running pages that already have some events on the calendar for next year: YellowJacket Racing, the Greater Rochester Track Club and the Rochester Running Page. The calendars are not filled up yet, but check back over the next few months and you'll find races all over the area. I look at it like this: a 5K or two every month or so is a cheap and fun hobby...throw in a cool tee shirt and what more can you ask for?!
Here's hoping 2011 is a great year for all of you! I'm a big Fab Four fan and keep singing this post-Beatles John Lennon song...whatever gets you through the night - or your next race or date with the treadmill - is all right! It's a great song to run too...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanksgiving Day races
Can you believe it's Thanksgiving already? Where has the year gone? Before we know it, Christmas will be here...it seems to sneak up on us every year... :)
There are some fantastic local races coming up which I wanted to blog about. Many towns and cities around the country have annual "Turkey Trots" on Thanksgiving morning - we're lucky to have a few around here. The first is the Webster Turkey Trot, featuring both a 2.5 and a 4.4 mile run. Last I heard, there were nearly 3,000 runners signed up to brave the 32* temps predicted for tomorrow morning. That's a huge race. If you're looking for something smaller - but definitely more challenging - check out my hometown's Newark Turkey Day 5-miler. It's got two wicked hills - on Rte. 88 and again on Church Street - and plenty of long stretches throughout Newark. There won't be 3,000 runners, but they do promise to hand out turkeys as door prizes!
As we get into December, I feel like it will be the hardest time to keep motivated to get up early and on the treadmill, which is why I signed up for two local races next month. The first is the 2nd Annual "It's a Wonderful Run" 5K in beautiful Seneca Falls, NY, long rumored to be the inspiration for the Jimmy Stewart classic "It's a Wonderful Life." There is a weekend of activities planned (including an opportunity to meet Karolyn Grimes, aka "Zuzu"), with the race going off at 4:40 on Saturday, December 11th.
The second race is the Canandaigua Braves Cross-Country and Track team's annual "Post-Christmas Blues 5K", scheduled for Friday, December 31st at 8:45 am (which is news to me because when I filled out the entry form, it said the race was on December 24th. Perhaps it became too difficult to have the run on Christmas Eve morning?) Anyways, it's a fundraiser for the track and XC teams, and although I don't know the course yet, it's bound to be something through downtown Canandaigua, perhaps similar to either the Riesling 5K or the St. Mary's 5K.
So...if you're running tomorrow, GOOD LUCK!! Just think of the extra slice of pumpkin pie you'll be able to eat with all those calories you've burned!! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!
Update: The Webster 2.5 and 4.4 mile races had 3,500 runners this year!! That's unbelievable! The Newark Turkey Day 5-Miler had slightly fewer runners...around 150 or so. The day was absolutely perfect for a 5 mile run - cold, but without rain, snow, sleet or any other type of winter precipitation us hearty upstate New Yorkers are used to from, oh, late October through early May. Anyways, it was a great way to start Thanksgiving...I took home a legitimately earned 2nd place medal for my age group (see my previous post "E"thical Quandaries about my various awards, both earned and unearned) and finished 98th in an unofficial 45:02. My goals were: have fun, finish the race and try and hit consistent 9:00 miles. So in the words of George Bush - and not the crew of the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) - "Mission Accomplished"!
There are some fantastic local races coming up which I wanted to blog about. Many towns and cities around the country have annual "Turkey Trots" on Thanksgiving morning - we're lucky to have a few around here. The first is the Webster Turkey Trot, featuring both a 2.5 and a 4.4 mile run. Last I heard, there were nearly 3,000 runners signed up to brave the 32* temps predicted for tomorrow morning. That's a huge race. If you're looking for something smaller - but definitely more challenging - check out my hometown's Newark Turkey Day 5-miler. It's got two wicked hills - on Rte. 88 and again on Church Street - and plenty of long stretches throughout Newark. There won't be 3,000 runners, but they do promise to hand out turkeys as door prizes!
As we get into December, I feel like it will be the hardest time to keep motivated to get up early and on the treadmill, which is why I signed up for two local races next month. The first is the 2nd Annual "It's a Wonderful Run" 5K in beautiful Seneca Falls, NY, long rumored to be the inspiration for the Jimmy Stewart classic "It's a Wonderful Life." There is a weekend of activities planned (including an opportunity to meet Karolyn Grimes, aka "Zuzu"), with the race going off at 4:40 on Saturday, December 11th.
The second race is the Canandaigua Braves Cross-Country and Track team's annual "Post-Christmas Blues 5K", scheduled for Friday, December 31st at 8:45 am (which is news to me because when I filled out the entry form, it said the race was on December 24th. Perhaps it became too difficult to have the run on Christmas Eve morning?) Anyways, it's a fundraiser for the track and XC teams, and although I don't know the course yet, it's bound to be something through downtown Canandaigua, perhaps similar to either the Riesling 5K or the St. Mary's 5K.
So...if you're running tomorrow, GOOD LUCK!! Just think of the extra slice of pumpkin pie you'll be able to eat with all those calories you've burned!! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!
Update: The Webster 2.5 and 4.4 mile races had 3,500 runners this year!! That's unbelievable! The Newark Turkey Day 5-Miler had slightly fewer runners...around 150 or so. The day was absolutely perfect for a 5 mile run - cold, but without rain, snow, sleet or any other type of winter precipitation us hearty upstate New Yorkers are used to from, oh, late October through early May. Anyways, it was a great way to start Thanksgiving...I took home a legitimately earned 2nd place medal for my age group (see my previous post "E"thical Quandaries about my various awards, both earned and unearned) and finished 98th in an unofficial 45:02. My goals were: have fun, finish the race and try and hit consistent 9:00 miles. So in the words of George Bush - and not the crew of the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) - "Mission Accomplished"!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
"How the Hell Do You Get Faster?"
First off, I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since I last posted here. I'm sure my 4 readers have been waiting with bated breath to read my thoughts about sneakers, treadmills and running. :)
I hope to do a posting soon about the Marine Corps Marathon, which I got to see up close and personal over Halloween weekend. It was truly awesome - and unbelievably inspiring. My only regret is that I didn't get any pictures of the wounded warriors in action. Seeing Americans who have who have borne the cost of our freedom keeps me going when I think I can't possibly run another half-mile...
But first, I want to write about a comment that a friend left on my facebook page. I sometimes share my workout as a FB status update, and on this particular day I wrote "3.5 9:40s to start hump day". She added her comment: "I'm still can't break a 14 minute mile...how the hell do you get faster?" That comment has been percolating around in my mind since Wednesday (thanks Toral!!) and it really got me thinking about how I've gotten to where I am - and where I hope to go in the future.
As most of you know, I started 2010 about 30 pounds overweight, with a treadmill that had become a dust collector, and with some desire to change the situation, but not enough to get off my fat ass. Then came Biggest Loser. I ponied up my $25 bucks, started watching my diet and got back to running again. In mid-January, I could barely run one mile. It's not a stretch to say I started off slow. Very slow. And I'd argue that I'm still "not fast", but I have managed to get faster as the months went along.
How? Well, every week to 10 days, I added something to my workout - either an increase in distance or speed - a habit I keep to this day. Here's an example: at the very beginning of my workouts, the most I could do was 3/4 miles at 12 minute miles (5.0 on my treadmill). The next week, I moved up to doing 1.5 miles at a time, still at 5.0. Then the next week I started doing 2 miles at 5.0. The week after that I did 2 miles @5.1. By the end of April I was running 3.25 miles at 5.4 (11 something miles). So, my $.02 (for what it's worth), is to gradually increase distance and speed. Add something new every week - if you run 2 miles @ 14:00 this week, make it 2 miles @ 13:45 next week. 15 seconds doesn't sound like much, but trust me, you'll feel it. Stay at that speed for a week, then add another 1/4 - 1/2 mile. Keep doing that for a month and see where you're at. Also, I would absolutely recommend keeping track of your workouts - make an excel spreadsheet and record your time/distance/miles/laps/calories burned, etc. I've been doing that since January, and it is amazing to look back and see what I could do then versus what I can do today. I can't recommend keeping track of your workouts highly enough.
Since August, I've really started working on my speed. I started out doing shorter distances (2.5-3.5 miles) but at faster speeds (5.8 in early August, between 6.3 - 6.5 now). Beginning in October, I've also added mile repeats to my weekly workouts - they totally suck while doing them, but are immensely helpful. On days I do repeats, I run a mile at 6.5 (9:13), then walk 1/4 mile around 4.0 (12:00). It's probably too much walking, but it works for me. I repeat that 3 times (but will probably increase that to four next month). The biggest issue for me is just pushing myself. Generally speaking, I'm wimpy, so it takes some mental encouragement to get through those workouts. Here's why I think the speed workouts have helped: I ran a 5K in mid-August in 29:06. Admittedly, I'd taken most of July off and was just starting to get back into my running routine. It was a fairly flat course for the most part. I ran another one at the end of August in 27:56 on a hillier course and a hotter day. Then I ran two 5Ks in October: the first was a flat 5K which I ran in 26:43 and the second was a hillier run that I finished in 25:46. I am absolutely certain the mile repeats have helped me increase my speed. Since that first 5K in mid-August, I've dropped my mile splits from 9:24 to 8:17.
So long story short, here's my advice on "getting faster, slowly." First of all, make sure you keep track of your workouts. The psychological boost you will get from seeing your progress is incalculable. Second, add distance and/or speed increments every week. You don't have to go from running a 14:00 mile this week to an 11:00 mile next week, but gradually increase your speed and distance. Third, add speed workouts. If mile repeats are too much, make it 1/2 mile repeats. Do them as fast as you feel you can. But push yourself - they should hurt. They'll absolutely increase your speed, I guarantee it.
I know there are some more seasoned runners - including an award winning Cross Country coach (Hi John!!) - who are reading this, so please, add your $.02!!! I want this to be a place where we can share tips, advice, encouragement, etc. So please feel free to add any and all positive and supportive comments!!
I hope to do a posting soon about the Marine Corps Marathon, which I got to see up close and personal over Halloween weekend. It was truly awesome - and unbelievably inspiring. My only regret is that I didn't get any pictures of the wounded warriors in action. Seeing Americans who have who have borne the cost of our freedom keeps me going when I think I can't possibly run another half-mile...
But first, I want to write about a comment that a friend left on my facebook page. I sometimes share my workout as a FB status update, and on this particular day I wrote "3.5 9:40s to start hump day". She added her comment: "I'm still can't break a 14 minute mile...how the hell do you get faster?" That comment has been percolating around in my mind since Wednesday (thanks Toral!!) and it really got me thinking about how I've gotten to where I am - and where I hope to go in the future.
As most of you know, I started 2010 about 30 pounds overweight, with a treadmill that had become a dust collector, and with some desire to change the situation, but not enough to get off my fat ass. Then came Biggest Loser. I ponied up my $25 bucks, started watching my diet and got back to running again. In mid-January, I could barely run one mile. It's not a stretch to say I started off slow. Very slow. And I'd argue that I'm still "not fast", but I have managed to get faster as the months went along.
How? Well, every week to 10 days, I added something to my workout - either an increase in distance or speed - a habit I keep to this day. Here's an example: at the very beginning of my workouts, the most I could do was 3/4 miles at 12 minute miles (5.0 on my treadmill). The next week, I moved up to doing 1.5 miles at a time, still at 5.0. Then the next week I started doing 2 miles at 5.0. The week after that I did 2 miles @5.1. By the end of April I was running 3.25 miles at 5.4 (11 something miles). So, my $.02 (for what it's worth), is to gradually increase distance and speed. Add something new every week - if you run 2 miles @ 14:00 this week, make it 2 miles @ 13:45 next week. 15 seconds doesn't sound like much, but trust me, you'll feel it. Stay at that speed for a week, then add another 1/4 - 1/2 mile. Keep doing that for a month and see where you're at. Also, I would absolutely recommend keeping track of your workouts - make an excel spreadsheet and record your time/distance/miles/laps/calories burned, etc. I've been doing that since January, and it is amazing to look back and see what I could do then versus what I can do today. I can't recommend keeping track of your workouts highly enough.
Since August, I've really started working on my speed. I started out doing shorter distances (2.5-3.5 miles) but at faster speeds (5.8 in early August, between 6.3 - 6.5 now). Beginning in October, I've also added mile repeats to my weekly workouts - they totally suck while doing them, but are immensely helpful. On days I do repeats, I run a mile at 6.5 (9:13), then walk 1/4 mile around 4.0 (12:00). It's probably too much walking, but it works for me. I repeat that 3 times (but will probably increase that to four next month). The biggest issue for me is just pushing myself. Generally speaking, I'm wimpy, so it takes some mental encouragement to get through those workouts. Here's why I think the speed workouts have helped: I ran a 5K in mid-August in 29:06. Admittedly, I'd taken most of July off and was just starting to get back into my running routine. It was a fairly flat course for the most part. I ran another one at the end of August in 27:56 on a hillier course and a hotter day. Then I ran two 5Ks in October: the first was a flat 5K which I ran in 26:43 and the second was a hillier run that I finished in 25:46. I am absolutely certain the mile repeats have helped me increase my speed. Since that first 5K in mid-August, I've dropped my mile splits from 9:24 to 8:17.
So long story short, here's my advice on "getting faster, slowly." First of all, make sure you keep track of your workouts. The psychological boost you will get from seeing your progress is incalculable. Second, add distance and/or speed increments every week. You don't have to go from running a 14:00 mile this week to an 11:00 mile next week, but gradually increase your speed and distance. Third, add speed workouts. If mile repeats are too much, make it 1/2 mile repeats. Do them as fast as you feel you can. But push yourself - they should hurt. They'll absolutely increase your speed, I guarantee it.
I know there are some more seasoned runners - including an award winning Cross Country coach (Hi John!!) - who are reading this, so please, add your $.02!!! I want this to be a place where we can share tips, advice, encouragement, etc. So please feel free to add any and all positive and supportive comments!!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Yo Adrian, we did it!
So....anyone doing anything exciting this weekend? Like, I don't know....running races???!!!
Of course you are!! From the Pumpkins in the Park 5K...to the Marine Corps 10K...to the big enchilada, the Marine Corps Marathon, it's gonna be a fantastic weekend for running! And I'm not just saying that because I get to be a spectator this weekend, not a participant... :)
I'm always fiddling around with my playlist, adding kick-ass tunes and taking songs off the list that have passed their expiration date, but the one song that remains is "Gonna Fly Now". It's the last song I run to, and usually in my fatigued deliriousness I picture Rocky Balboa running up those steps in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum. So if you need inspiration this weekend to get you through the last mile, the last 3 miles, or from start to finish....think of the Italian Stallion, lift your arms up over your head and get to the finish line!!!
Good luck to all of you running races and training for upcoming events!!!!
Of course you are!! From the Pumpkins in the Park 5K...to the Marine Corps 10K...to the big enchilada, the Marine Corps Marathon, it's gonna be a fantastic weekend for running! And I'm not just saying that because I get to be a spectator this weekend, not a participant... :)
I'm always fiddling around with my playlist, adding kick-ass tunes and taking songs off the list that have passed their expiration date, but the one song that remains is "Gonna Fly Now". It's the last song I run to, and usually in my fatigued deliriousness I picture Rocky Balboa running up those steps in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum. So if you need inspiration this weekend to get you through the last mile, the last 3 miles, or from start to finish....think of the Italian Stallion, lift your arms up over your head and get to the finish line!!!
Good luck to all of you running races and training for upcoming events!!!!
Monday, October 25, 2010
New running plan
I love the Wood Library. It's the local public library here in my adopted hometown. It's been around since 1859 as an incorporated library. One of the great things about this library is the number of magazines they have to borrow. So I've been reading back issues of Runner's World to get info on training, gear, goals, etc. It's a great magazine, check it out online if you haven't already.
I was at Wegmans today and picked up a copy of a new running magazine I hadn't seen before, one which seems written especially for me and those of you 30 and 40 something moms reading this blog! Anyways, there was a section in there about treadmill training. Now, I have miles and miles of wide open roads to run on around here, but I just can't seem to break my addiction to my treadmill, pictured below in all it's state-of-the-art awesomeness, circa 2000.
Unfortunately, the article is not online yet...but here's the gist if you're a beginner:
Week 1: Monday - Crosstrain (XT) 20 mins; Tues - 3 miles; Weds - 1 mile warmup, 2 miles @ tempo pace, 1 mile cooldown; Thursday - rest or 40 mins XT; Friday - 3 miles; Saturday - rest; Sunday - 5 miles.
Week 2: Monday - same; Tuesday same; Weds - Uphill repeats: 1 mile warmup, 4 x 3 min @95% max heart rate w/3 minute jog recovery; 1 mile cooldown; Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - all same.
Week 3: Monday - same; Tuesday - 2 miles; Weds - Downhill repeats: 1 mile warmup, 5-6 x 20 seconds fast at -2 to -3 % grade w/2 minute jog recovery at 0% grade, 1 mile cooldown; Thursday, Friday, Saturday - same; Sunday - 6 miles
Week 4: Monday XT 15 minutes; Tuesday - rest; Weds - 1 mile warmup, 2 miles @tempo pace, 1 mile cooldown; Thurs - rest or XT 25 mins; Friday - 2 miles; Saturday - rest; Sunday - 4 miles.
I think I'm a little farther ahead than the beginner, but not yet at the advanced program, which has more tempo runs, uphill and downhill repeats. Unfortunately my treadmill doesn't do downhills, so I am going to substitute that for an uphill repeat. And I'm going to do longer runs - all at least3 miles, if not more. My biggest struggle right now is getting through 4 9:50 miles. So my goal by the end of next month is to be doing 4 9:31 miles, and being able to do a 5, 6 or 7 mile run at around 10:10 per mile.
I know some of you have upcoming races - feel free to share your thoughts, ideas and tips! Let's make this a place where we can all motivate each other!!!
My steady-eddy treadmill, which has been to 5 different duty stations with us. Maybe staring at this army green wall for an hour has something to do with my inability to run more than 4.5 miles?
I was at Wegmans today and picked up a copy of a new running magazine I hadn't seen before, one which seems written especially for me and those of you 30 and 40 something moms reading this blog! Anyways, there was a section in there about treadmill training. Now, I have miles and miles of wide open roads to run on around here, but I just can't seem to break my addiction to my treadmill, pictured below in all it's state-of-the-art awesomeness, circa 2000.
Unfortunately, the article is not online yet...but here's the gist if you're a beginner:
Week 1: Monday - Crosstrain (XT) 20 mins; Tues - 3 miles; Weds - 1 mile warmup, 2 miles @ tempo pace, 1 mile cooldown; Thursday - rest or 40 mins XT; Friday - 3 miles; Saturday - rest; Sunday - 5 miles.
Week 2: Monday - same; Tuesday same; Weds - Uphill repeats: 1 mile warmup, 4 x 3 min @95% max heart rate w/3 minute jog recovery; 1 mile cooldown; Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - all same.
Week 3: Monday - same; Tuesday - 2 miles; Weds - Downhill repeats: 1 mile warmup, 5-6 x 20 seconds fast at -2 to -3 % grade w/2 minute jog recovery at 0% grade, 1 mile cooldown; Thursday, Friday, Saturday - same; Sunday - 6 miles
Week 4: Monday XT 15 minutes; Tuesday - rest; Weds - 1 mile warmup, 2 miles @tempo pace, 1 mile cooldown; Thurs - rest or XT 25 mins; Friday - 2 miles; Saturday - rest; Sunday - 4 miles.
I think I'm a little farther ahead than the beginner, but not yet at the advanced program, which has more tempo runs, uphill and downhill repeats. Unfortunately my treadmill doesn't do downhills, so I am going to substitute that for an uphill repeat. And I'm going to do longer runs - all at least3 miles, if not more. My biggest struggle right now is getting through 4 9:50 miles. So my goal by the end of next month is to be doing 4 9:31 miles, and being able to do a 5, 6 or 7 mile run at around 10:10 per mile.
I know some of you have upcoming races - feel free to share your thoughts, ideas and tips! Let's make this a place where we can all motivate each other!!!
My steady-eddy treadmill, which has been to 5 different duty stations with us. Maybe staring at this army green wall for an hour has something to do with my inability to run more than 4.5 miles?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Running Hodgepodge
Ahhh...Sunday mornings. We have a tradition in our house that Sunday is "Pancake Day", which was started about 8 years ago when my husband was last on sea duty. Sunday was the only day he was home in the morning, so we always had a big family breakfast together - pancakes, eggs, bacon, potatoes... yuuuummmmmm. It's a tradition we've kept through war, new duty stations, overseas assignments...and it's no wonder that 8 years after it started, I had some serious poundage to take off! But we continue on with the tradition, although today was "French Toast Day", and my portions were much, much smaller. :)
It's been a fairly busy week, and I've been working hard at keeping up with my training. I did 8 miles of walking and 17 running; all of my treadmill miles were at 9:50 pace, and the 5K miles were at 8:17 pace. I still feel like I am struggling to get beyond 4 miles on the treadmill. I am just completely out of breath and fatigued by the time I reach 3.5 miles. So I heard this story on NPR this morning and thought....hmmmm....maybe getting on the treadmill first thing in the morning on a virtually empty stomach is not such a good idea! Carbo loading may help alleviate this ongoing issue.
Then I read this story in the NY Times about running sneakers. I'm partial to Asics myself. They feel so good on my feet, like they were specially made for me. And they're definitely at the low end of the price scale - I usually get them at Kohl's when they're on sale so they run about $49. As the article says, more often than not, the less expensive shoes are as good for your feet as the pricey pairs - or better! I know I get my money's worth out of my sneaks...I figure in a given month I'm putting between 75-125 miles on them, including wearing them around town. I'm just in love with my sneakers and I'm not afraid to say it!!
Lastly, I kept thinking of this song as I was finishing my 4 9:50 miles this morning. Maybe it was the runner's high or something, but it made me smile....hope it does for you as well...
It's been a fairly busy week, and I've been working hard at keeping up with my training. I did 8 miles of walking and 17 running; all of my treadmill miles were at 9:50 pace, and the 5K miles were at 8:17 pace. I still feel like I am struggling to get beyond 4 miles on the treadmill. I am just completely out of breath and fatigued by the time I reach 3.5 miles. So I heard this story on NPR this morning and thought....hmmmm....maybe getting on the treadmill first thing in the morning on a virtually empty stomach is not such a good idea! Carbo loading may help alleviate this ongoing issue.
Then I read this story in the NY Times about running sneakers. I'm partial to Asics myself. They feel so good on my feet, like they were specially made for me. And they're definitely at the low end of the price scale - I usually get them at Kohl's when they're on sale so they run about $49. As the article says, more often than not, the less expensive shoes are as good for your feet as the pricey pairs - or better! I know I get my money's worth out of my sneaks...I figure in a given month I'm putting between 75-125 miles on them, including wearing them around town. I'm just in love with my sneakers and I'm not afraid to say it!!
Lastly, I kept thinking of this song as I was finishing my 4 9:50 miles this morning. Maybe it was the runner's high or something, but it made me smile....hope it does for you as well...
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