Eclectic...

I've never been a real music nut. I don't know all the words. I don't stick to one genre of music. I've never been a concert goer. So to say that my iPod has an eclectic mix of music on it is maybe not an understatement, but close. I've been relegated to riding the bike until my shins are pain free so I found myself skipping through my iPod and finding some music I hadn't heard in quite a while. Like Tracy, my days are all about the girls. We listen to kid music or occasionally country in the car and home is puzzles on the floor or play dough with some Barbies thrown in to liven things up. So, when I run I get to listen to whatever I want. It's liberating.

Here were my favorites today...

“This One’s for the Girls” by Martina McBride (I’m a country girl at heart and the song reminds me why I’m doing this)
“Let’s get it Started” by Black Eyed Peas (well let’s shall we - maybe I can get Fergie’s 6-pack)
“Start Me Up” by Rolling Stones (classic get it goin’ music)
“RockStar” by Nickelback (mile high club – need I say more)
“Sabotage” by Beastie Boys (time to pick up the tempo and burn some calories)
“American Idiot” by Green Day (I love the tempo – still burnin’)
“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” by Judas Priest (another classic)
“SexyBack” by Justin Timberlake (I’d like my sexy back)
“U + Ur hand” by Pink (defiantly a little dirty but I run well to it)
“Kerosene” by Miranda Lambert (don’t mess with me music)
“Promiscuous Girl” by Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland (almost to cool down)
“Love is in Control” by Donna Summer (ahhhhh finally)

Seriously, Don't Bother!

I pushed myself through this book much like the author Dawn Dais got through her marathon. I purchased this book off of Amazon because of the awesome reviews. Well, I need to add my two cents and it ain't pretty.

This review is going to be short because I hated this book from start to finish. I found the author to be whiny and really not funny. Ms. Dais did not inspire me in fact she scared the crap out of me. The back cover claims that this book is inspirational. I say not so much.

I have now read four books on marathon training. In no way do I claim to be an expert. I'm barely scratching the surface as a runner. As Ms. Dais relates her marathon training experience she makes everything out to be absolute torture. I believe that a more apt title would have been "How Not To Train For A Marathon aka Don't Do Anything I did".

There is no reason for someone to start at zero and expect to be completing six miles within seven weeks. The author is spelling out an absolute recipe for disaster. I didn't find her pain and nasty observations of other runners funny. In fact I found her humor rather adolescent.

There are many other wonderful and entertaining books to read on marathon training. Please don't follow a book that has the potential to hurt you because it claims to be a light-hearted take on running. I really intend to complete my marathon with a smile not sobbing from pain because I was to stubborn to train properly and give my body time to adjust. There is a better way and there are many ways to complete a marathon with grace.

Pick your route wisely...

Just as you would spend time mapping out driving routes through wine country or through Europe so too should you spend time considering and planning a running route. I've never been to Europe or wine country so I clearly did not know what I was doing. All I wanted to accomplish was a simple 2 mile run. It was the worst 2 miles ever!

First, safety is key. If running alone safety must be considered. Either run with someone or run where you're easily visible to motorists and houses. Our area of the NW has many, many trails. They all are great for running, however, some are very secluded. My husband and I have a deal that I'll never run alone on a trail.

Second, traffic. When road running consider the volume of traffic that will be whizzing by you at 35-50 mph. This was part of my 2 mile run problem. Also, the shoulder of the road - where I ended up running - is not a very even surface. I had overgrown grass tripping me, pot holes, low branches, and wildlife.

So, next time I venture into running outside - most of my miles are logged on a treadmill while the kids are in the gym play pen - I will spend a little more time considering where/when I'm running.

Protect That Skin...

I'm a bit sun phobic these days. Being super pale and freckle-y the sun cannot be the best friend I thought it was as a teenager. As the PNW is finally heating up my thoughts are seriously focused on not getting burnt. I actually wear SPF 15 for 365 days of the year. But with my new found sweat glands I've got to find some good coverage for the long runs I've got ahead of me.

Yesterday was actually my annual skin check visit with my Dermatologist. We had a very good common sense discussion regarding running and the summer sun. The following are some rules that he laid out for me while running.

Always wear a hat.
Be done with running before 9am, avoid the mid day sun.
Find trails with shade.
Try to wear a light colored long-sleeved dri-fit shirt.
Always wear sunscreen after 9am.

We also discussed proper use of sunscreen.

In order for sunscreen to be effective it must be reapplied every 2-3 hours.
Wear an SPF of 25 or higher.
Ingredients to look for: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Oxide, and Mexoryl.
Make sure that the coverage is for UVA in addition to UVB protection.

Right now I am rotating between Burt's Bees Natural Sun Care Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 30 and Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50. I actually hate the Burt's Bees because it cakes and wipes off with sweat. I like the Coppertone Water Babies but it is super high on toxicity and chemicals. I'm going to order a couple of different types and when I find the perfect sunscreen I will let you know.

Now, I personally don't want to look like a football in a few years. I already know that I've caused a lot of damage to my skin. But if I make a concerted effort to be smart about the sun I can at least slow down the aging I've already started. I really don't want people cheering for me when I run the marathon because they mistake me for an 85 year old.

A little bit intimidated...

I have to say the help at specialty running stores still intimidates me a little. But now that I’ve been doing this a little while I am so glad that I’ve embraced the experience and just gone for it. I’ve been struggling with shin splints for a couple of months now. I gave up my old worn out Nike shoes in favor of Saucony shoes that were recommended for me by the owner of one of the running stores. He watched me walk, run, stand, fight with the kids, etc. and evaluated my arches, pronation, and parenting skills. The shoes have been a dream! I love them and him for helping me out. My shin splints are no longer debilitating.

If you don't have access to a specialty running store in your area I would strongly recommend visiting http://www.runnersworld.com/ They have a whole section on evaluating your own feet and what type of shoe would work best.

Git 'er Done...

Some day's running is a lot like a beautiful Walt Whitman poem. Other days are more like a Maya Angelou leaving you tired but empowered. And then there are days like today... best stated by Larry The Cable Guy, "git 'er done."

I had a rotten run this morning. I woke up and just didn't want to do it. I started an hour late and proceeded to drag my way through it. Maybe it had something to do with the Panda Express for dinner last night or my three year-old interrupting my run swinging my favorite necklace around the room, the Little Einsteins on TV that I've watched a thousand times before. Really it's hard to say what caused my crappy run.

This run certainly wasn't pretty but I simply got 'er done this morning and for that I am proud.

Let's Talk About Socks, Bay-Bee!

I have recently come to the realization that getting good socks can make or break a relationship. Personally I've always been a no-frills cotton kind-of-girl. But then the sales staff at my local Lady Foot Locker talked me into my first pair of CoolMax socks! There is no going back to the old way now.

Honestly, I thought I was being sold up. I had no idea that the hype on performance athletic wear was real. My feet are super soft so I am always getting blisters. I thought that I just had to deal with it. Along came the socks and I have not had one blister since. These socks are made out of a blend of cotton, Lycra, nylon, polyester and the trademarked CoolMax fibers. The CoolMax fibers work in a way that wicks the sweat away from your skin and does not create hot spots.

These awesome socks are sold in three different styles. My personal favorites are the ankle socks. After a quick Internet search I found that you can buy lots of different socks with CoolMax in them. This particular Lady Foot Locker branded package were modestly priced at 3 pairs for $10.

Now that I have socks that are rocking my world I can't imagine what it will be like when I buy a proper watch and real running clothes. I'll keep you up to date as I test things out.

Burn the bra...

So seriously, what is the deal with sports bras? I get them on and then can not for the life of me get them off! I've finally - I think - found one that works. Now, as a disclaimer my ladies are not on the large side, quite the contrary. After two children who loved to nurse they are seriously deflated. But still in need of support! I've tried several expensive brands and have finally settled for now on Champion bought at Target for $12. Who would have thought that a basic item would be so difficult to shop for. I like Champion because they are very stretchy but still fit snugly enough to be supportive. The stretch allows me to actually remove the bra after my run when I'm too exhausted to fight with an undergarment. And so far I haven't had any issues with chaffing! We'll see how long that lasts...

Have You Heard?

After downloading my run to Nike+, I was finally curious enough about this whole "join the Human Race" thing to read about it. The concept is actually super cool. I should have know coming from Nike it would be. I signed right up and ordered my T-shirt tonight. The race will be August 31, 2008.

The Nike+ Human Race is a 10k which translates to 6.25 miles. The neat thing is that it will be done at your own pace wherever you are on race day. There are races in 24 different cities around the world that day but none where I am. For me to participate all I had to do was sign-up and choose a charity. On race day everyone will run and log their miles on Nike+. If you choose to run on your own, the only money to spend is on the T-shirt and only if you want it. I happen to want an entire closet full of race T-shirts so I spent the $35.

I am really looking forward to my first race in years. I love that it will be done on my own and the distance doesn't scare me. I'm going to run a 10k! How rad is that? Now I need to map my course.

The Best $7 Ever!

One big motivation for me to run is the chance to listen to grown-up music. I get so excited when I spend a couple of bucks on music for my Ipod. I could barely sleep last night with my new music loaded and ready to go.

This is the play list that made me move this morning:

"Beautiful Day" by U2 (it helps to give thanks and get in the right mindset.)
"Maggie's Farm" by Bob Dylan (so I'm 33 years late to the party. It was still fun to listen to while I warmed up.)
"Piece of Me" by Britney Spears (celebrity gossip is a dirty habit of mine that I'm trying to break.)
"Buttons" by Pussycat Dolls (they are so dirty.)
"Elevation" by U2 (just think of Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.)
"Don't Stop The Music" by Rihanna (she makes me feel young.)
"Feel Good Inc" by the Gorillaz (makes me want to dance wherever I am.)
"Gotta Get Through This" by Daniel Bedingfield (getting near the end.)
"Once In A Lifetime" by Keith Urban (seriously, if I quit now would I ever start again?)
"My Next Thirty Years" by Tim McGraw (a reminder that thirty-three years and ten months are gone.)

My life during daylight hours involves lots of children's music and country. But I really like music that makes me feel like a bad ass when I work out. I'll just keep the headphones on!

gotta have a little crazy...

You have to have a little crazy in you to want to run long distances. I’ve just registered for my first ½ marathon and have started my training. I’m a research freak, so I’ve bought 5 books on running, marathoning, women’s running, etc. I’ve gone to the running specialty store and bought the appropriate shoes – however I’m still suffering from shin splints. Somehow I think if I read enough I’ll get better at this running stuff. Since it’s not something I come by naturally I feel I have some catching up to do. What kind of nut am I to be jazzed by having Lance Armstrong tell me at the end of my run that I’ve set a new personal best!

That's Us!

We did it!

We went for our first outdoor run.

I wrote that first exciting bit over two weeks ago. It was such fun and so awesome to be out for a real run. Yikes, who would have thought that life would get in the way so quickly of those fancy new shoes? This certainly all started with the best of intentions to blog frequently and run often. Well, I guess this blog needs to become as much of a habit as the running part.

Here's to blogging often and running even more!