Upcoming runs

Hello! TGIF, right?!

My friend and I have been searching for a half marathon to run for a couple months now and finally decided on one: the Temecula half marathon.  While the half marathon course is mentioned to be a bit challenging because of the hills, the scenic back country course is sure to provide a beautiful distraction.  Plus, pay an extra $10 at registration and not only will your $10 be going to Temecula Valley Slow Food’s School Garden Project, but you get to enjoy some wine tasting after your run! 🙂

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Details:

• Available races: half marathon and 5k
• Date: Sunday, October 20th
• Price: Half marathon: $60-75; 5k: $35-45 (price depends on date of registration)
• Bonuses: beautiful views and after-race wine tasting! 🙂

While looking at upcoming races, I found this!

Run 10 Feed 10

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Did you know one out of every six American children wonder when their next meal will be?  This 10k race benefits the Feed Foundation, whose mission is to end hunger- “one child at a time.”  Here’s how the race works.  Visit  www.run10feed10.com and click “run registration” and ten meals will instantly be provided to children in your event community.   Next, spread the word!  Tell your friends about the cause and raise as much as you can.  The goal is for each participant to raise $100…that’s only $10 per friend you pester! 🙂  Lastly, go to CROWDRISE.COM/WOMENSHEALTHRUN10FEED10 and donate or fundraise for additional money.

So there’s not a Run 10 Feed 10 event near you?  No worries, you can still participate! Sign up to run your own 10K and the money from your registration and fundraising will go to metropolitan areas near you!

So…what races/events will you be doing this fall/winter? 🙂

My favorite running things

In light of yesterday’s post, I thought I would share a few of my favorite running things.

My Garmin GPS watch:

I ran for years without a GPS watch.  I just figured my average mile pace was around 9 minutes, so I would run for a given time, divide that time by 9, and that number would be my estimated mileage for the day.  That was until I discovered the magic of GPS watches!  GPS watches are great because they allow you to track your average pace, pace for each mile, and distance.  You can upload your runs on your computer and track your progress.  Most GPS watches also include a heart rate monitor, which allows you to track how many calories you burn during a run.  Having a GPS watch has allowed me to run smarter and faster.  Mine’s a little over three years old (can you believe it?) and it still works perfectly!

Running shoes:

I’ve worn so many different brands and types of running shoes it’s hard to keep track.  I am currently running in the Saucony Grid Fastswitch 6s.  They fall under the “barefoot running” category while still providing some support.  I have also noticed that they have held up much longer than other minimalist shoes I have worn.  Another shoe I really like is the Brooks Ghost.  They are super light, comfortable, and very durable.

Running shorts:

Good running shorts can be really hard to find.  From problems like chafing to riding up as you run, the perfect running short can be a rarity.  I really like Nike’s running shorts and Lululemon’s running speed shorts.  Both are light and airy, don’t ride up, and rarely cause chafing.  Plus, they come in fun colors!

Sports bras:

I’m not super picky about my running tops (as long as they’re dri-fit), but a good sports bra is important.  You need one that will provide good support but isn’t so tight that it makes it hard to breathe.  I really like Nike’s “medium support” sports bras.  Again, they come in awesome colors!

Running hat:

I usually wear the same running hat until it’s so shredded and worn it no longer serves its purpose.  I cannot stress enough the importance of protecting your face.  I never run without a hat; it’s just part of my outfit.  Nearly any regular hat will do, but I suggest a running hat that’s light, airy, and helps keep the sweat from getting in your eyes.

My last two favorite running things are my sunglasses and sunscreen.  Make sure to choose a pair of sunglasses that provide UV protection.  While these can be more expensive, they last a long time and the protection they provide outweighs the cost.  I picked up a pair of Oakley sunglasses three years ago and am still wearing them.  And then there’s sunscreen.  Whether you’re going on a mile run or a 15 mile run, you need sunscreen.  No excuses!

Hooked on Running

Simply put, I like to run.  Maybe I’m addicted to the euphoric feeling of a runner’s high after a long run?  Perhaps it’s the cathartic effect running has on both the body and mind?  Or is it the sense of accomplishment experienced after running farther and faster than I thought possible?  Whatever it is, I’m hooked and have been for as long as I can remember.

Physically speaking, running has numerous health benefits.  Like any cardiovascular activity, running helps lower blood pressure and strengthen the heart, which in turn reduces the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.  Running also burns more calories compared to most cardiovascular activities, making it a great method of weight loss.   And these are just a few of the many benefits running has to offer.

Despite these health benefits, running can be painful…very painful.  So let’s put all that health mumbo jumbo aside and get real.  There’s a reason avid runners continue to subject their body to the sometimes excruciating sport.  Ask any runner and they’ll tell you their experience with joint pain, shin splints, side aches, and the infamous “wall.”  (And the list goes on!)  I know it’s hard for the nonrunner to imagine that running 10 miles can give someone an intense high.  Some might even believe a runner’s high is a myth created by runner’s in order to justify this strange obsession with running and the pain that sometimes comes with it.  Listen carefully.  It’s no myth.

While the debate is still out on what exactly causes the psychological effects of a runner’s high-whether it’s endorphins, a combination of other chemicals released in the body, or even an increase in body temperature (there are other theories as well)-the euphoric feeling known as the runner’s high is real.  It’s like a drug that keeps you coming back for more.  Pretty soon you start to build a tolerance and must run farther and harder in order to reach a high.  You find yourself running eight miles because five miles no longer cuts it.  Next thing you know you’re waking up at 6am on a Saturday to run for two hours while the rest of the world is sleeping in.  You ignore the throbbing knees, the aching feet, and the nagging side ache because you know it’s all worth the feeling that awaits you at the finish line.  The euphoric rush, the sense of accomplishment, and the willingness to do it all over again next week.  If you’re a runner, this rings true; if you’re not, you’re missing out.

Get outside and run!

Hello and happy Friday!  I started off my day with one of my new favorites-wheat toast topped with natural peanut butter and unsweetened, shredded coconut.

Then I took my little man, LeRoy, for a walk.  Despite it only being 75 degrees outside, LeRoy decided it was too hot so he sat down and refused to budge half way through our walk.  He thinks if he sits down long enough I will pick him up and carry him (high maintenance much?), which is usually the case.  Let’s be real, who can say no to those blue eyes and floppy ears?  All that cuteness was no match for me today!  I gave him a gentle tug each time he sat down until he tired of putting up any resistance.

For snack I had some tomato and avocado slices topped with black pepper.  I eat tomatoes and avocado almost every day.  For lunch, I eat a lot of sandwiches and only use half a tomato, so it works out perfectly because I can eat the other half as a snack.

Tomato and avocado slices with black pepper.

Today my friend Karleen and I ran six miles at a nature preserve in Newport Beach.  There’s a ten mile loop and the trail is always busy with walkers, runners, and bikers.  It’s a great environment for running because mostly everyone is super friendly and most runners give you a friendly wave as you cross paths.  I always get an extra boost in my run from something as simple and easy as a “hello” from a fellow runner.  It’s sort of like a mutual respect and understanding between runners that is communicated through that “hello.”

The loop also branches off in several directions so there’s always several options for running paths.  I think it’s important to vary up your runs.  Running the same path over and over can quickly become monotonous and discouraging.  I often find myself excited and even picking up the pace when exploring new paths.  Sometimes it’s liberating to step outside and run with no path or plan in mind.  There have been times when I start running only to realize my iPod or watch has no life left and think to myself, “How am I going to know how far I’ve gone?  How am I going to keep myself motivated without music?”  These can be the best kinds of runs!  You find yourself completely in sync with your body as you run to your breathing rather than music and you pace yourself based on how your body feels rather than what a watch tells you.  Often having a watch tell you how fast you’re going or how far you’ve gone can be limiting.  Forget the iPod, the watch, and the goal distance every once in a while and just run! 🙂

A run to the park

Hello! So today I had originally planned to get up before work and get in an early gym workout.  Can you guess how that turned out?  I found myself continually pressing the snooze button until it was absolutely time to get up and get ready for work.  Plan B?  Go to the gym during my two hour break between tutor sites.  Lunch packed, iPod charged, gym bag ready (shower flip flops included)-seamless plan, right?  Only as I’m leaving my first site I received a seemingly urgent work email requiring me to return home for lunch in order to respond.  At least I was able to eat lunch at home with my boys.  I had a turkey sandwich with tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and alfalfa sprouts.

Alright, two workout plans down the drain…do I go to the gym or run to a nearby park after my last site?  A run to the park it is!  This option was especially appealing because Rob and LeRoy decided to meet me at the park for some play time.

Typical man…not smiling for the camera!

I don’t know what it is, but whenever I run to the park I run faster than usual.  Maybe because it’s a shorter run?  Or perhaps it’s because Rob and LeRoy usually either bike along side me or meet me there?  Both possibilities seem feasible.  Anyways, it’s a two mile run to the park.  Knowing this, I ran my first two miles hard…I mean huffing and puffing, side-ache-gripping, dripping sweat hard.  When I made it to the park, Rob wasn’t there yet (Maybe he didn’t expect me to run so fast!?), so I ran around the park to make it a total of three miles.

Average mile time: 7:55, Fastest mile: 7:28

Once at the park it was play time!  LeRoy was in a running mood today so we chased him around until he decided it was time to eat some grass.  The life of a dog…so simple!

For dinner I made chicken pasta with spinach, green beans, broccoli, and pine nuts.  I’ll post the recipe later, but for now a picture will have to do!

My plan is to go to the gym tomorrow morning before work, but we’ll see how that goes!  Good night!