February 2012
3 posts
7 tags
9 Tips to Running the Race of Your Life
“Suck it up buttercup”
This was the racing mantra I used for the 2011 Oxnard Santa-to-the-Sea half marathon. I wrote it on my hand on the drive down to Oxnard for the race. Every time I felt tired, or wanting to slow down, I would think to myself, “Suck it up buttercup.” And push forward.
This race was particularly special because it was the first time I ran...
“When you’re hurting in the middle of a workout or race, it’s easy to hold back...”
– Kara Goucher (via runningtoescapethetruth)
January 2012
5 posts
WatchWise words from Kara Goucher, describing how she decided to leave the Oregon Project, and start training with Shalane Flanagan in the Oregan Track Club Elite. Her words are honest, authentic, and genuine.
“I just had to make a choice: I can continue being a good runner, or if I really want to achieve the things I really want to achieve, I have to face the fact that I’m not doing...
8 tags
Jabs fly as races draw near
Something I have noticed about myself and other runners is that sometimes we take races too seriously. We are so afraid of failing, hurting, getting injured, and not getting a PR, that we forget about finding fulfillment in the many other areas of our lives.
This week I ran a PR in the 5k… my best time ever. It was hard, I wasn’t relaxed, and started dry heaving at the end. Even...
December 2011
1 post
“Never ask when you’re at somebody’s house if you can pitch in and help. You just...”
– Mindy Kaling (via charstar)
This is great social courtesy advice, but I also see it as great life advice. Nobody is ever going to tell you to open a school, or to put up your own art gallery, or to start your own web series. Don’t ask anyone - just do it.
(via tuesdayswithigor)
November 2011
2 posts
2011 Santa Barbara International Marathon Recap
The 2011 Santa Barbara International Marathon was an absolute BLAST! The day before was STORMING weather, but we were very fortunate that it cleared up by morning.
We arrived at the start, at Dos Pueblos High School at about 6:30am. I planned to lead the 4 hour pace group, which meant I’d hold a sign, wear a GPS watch, and run about a 9-minutes-per-mile the entire way. At 6:45am, co-race...
A marathon taper poem
Tomorrow starts my taper
with a 10 mile run
getting through the miles
it should be a lot of fun
One mile warm up
Then an 8 mile loop
Practicing my pace
to lead the 4:00 hour group
The past few months of running
have been a lot of fun
getting ready to lead
and in 12 days I’ll be done
I’m much more relaxed
So much more prepared
Previous ones were stressful
I’ll...
October 2011
1 post
7 tags
September 2011
3 posts
"Well Blog: How Exercise Can Strengthen the Brain"... →
“This is the first report to show that, in mice at least, two months of exercise training ‘is sufficient stimulus to increase mitochondrial biogenesis,’ Dr. Davis and his co-authors write in the study.”
“The finding is an important ‘piece in the puzzle implying that exercise can lead to mitochondrial biogenesis in tissues other than muscle,’ says Dr....
Meeting another marathoner
Today I walked into the cafeteria at work, and saw a couple girls eating together. I grabbed my food, and sat down next to them.
“Hi Jill? I don’t think we’ve met… I’m Sue.”
“Oh hi, nice to meet you Sue.” I was all smiles, thinking, wow, it’s so cool to work somewhere where people know you by name.
“You ran the Boston Marathon,...
August 2011
9 posts
Night-time routine for morning workouts by... →
1 tag
5 tags
6 tags
2 tags
July 2011
1 post
2 tags
2011 Boston Marathon Recap
The Full Story…of the 26.2
I really had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started the Boston Marathon. I knew I trained harder than I had ever trained before, tapered, and carbo-loaded better than before, and hydrated well (drank my traditional gallon of water the day before the race). I packed warm running clothes, chemical hand warmers, thought I was prepared. I figured that...
April 2011
1 post
March 2011
3 posts
Don't let the treadmill pull you forward
For months I have been trying to figure out how to enjoy treadmill running. It used to feel so mundane, and I would do anything to run outside. What I’ve found is that running on a treadmill is stressful for me because I’m not really in control. I mean, sure, I have the power to push the buttons, make it go faster or slower, etc., however, I’m really just on a conveyor belt -...
February 2011
2 posts
If you find yourself stuck, try music
Do you ever start a run, but can’t get into it? Try listening to music. Running without music is like dancing without music. Here are the top ten songs that always get me going:
“Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlink
“Fergulicious” by Fergie
“1, 2 Step” by Clara
“Get Busy” by Sean Paul
“Yeah” by Usher
“Calibria” by Enur
...
January 2011
5 posts
How do you run 15 miles? Part One: Lactate...
A friend recently asked,
“How do you run 15 miles? I can run 1 mile… but can’t imagine runing 15.”
My friend seemed genuinely interested in improving his running fitness, and very curious how it all works. After studying Pete Pfitzinger and Steve Douglas’s method for training, I’ve learned that there are basically four things to focus on to improve...
December 2010
4 posts
Running on "auto pilot"
A few months ago, I was at a conference for work. Everyone knows how conferences go, you are busy THE ENTIRE TIME, networking, attending workshops, sessions, dinners, cocktail hours, etc. Activities start at 8:30am, and run the whole day. If you go for a run at night, you will miss out on some prime networking time. But still, you gotta get a run in - even though your colleagues call you...
November 2010
7 posts
“I have to exercise early in the morning, before my brain figures out what...”
– Unknown
WatchPhenomenal race by Shalane Flanagan! This was her debut marathon at the 2010 New York City Marathon! She had never run a marathon before, and finished second. Great job Shalane!
“The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.”
– Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon winner
WatchThis year I watched the 2010 New York City Marathon, and was so incredibly inspired by Shalane Flanagan’s performance. She ran a phenomenal race, and describes her mentality really well. This is an amazing video about what she was thinking going into this race - she has a great attitude!
4 tags
2010 Santa Barbara International Marathon
It was a pretty amazing race. The weather conditions were perfect, and I was as prepared as I could possibly be. I broke my time from last year, but still finished thinking of what to do differently next time. I ran hard, and pushed myself all the way to the end.
JILL’s STORY of her 2010 MARATHON:
We woke up really early (4:30am) to get dressed, and put the final touches on our race...
February 2010
2 posts
4 tags
Becoming more efficient
Many of us want to be more efficient with our work. We want to cover more ground in less time, use less energy, etc. Runners seem to have this down to a science. They aim to accomplish more in less time, cover more ground, and use less energy. They prepare well, and push themselves beyond their limits.
What’s even more special is:
“After completing the training and the marathon,...
6 tags
Keep on Moving
Marathon Runners learn to be efficient. They try to cover more ground in less time. When they can’t shave off time, they try to cover more ground, with less energy. It is all about becoming more and more efficient - the most efficient runner wins.
“The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.”~Juma Ikangaa, NYC Marathon Champion
Preparing to win a marathon means...