Boston you’re my home

April 16, 2013 by 7 Comments

Hope

I’ve started this post several times…trying to find the right words…but I don’t know what those words should be.

I’m heartbroken…

I’m pissed off…

This was a day meant for celebration…a day for dreams realized…for memories made to last a lifetime. And it was such a day until 2:50 p.m.

I had expected to be writing today about the amazing experience that is volunteering at the Boston Marathon. Instead I’m left thinking about all of those runners I greeted as they got off the buses in Hopkinton, united in the common goal to run the granddaddy of all races – this day was to be their moment – and now they are forever united for a very different reason.

I selfishly think of my own family who stood on Boylston Street and sat in those grandstands on Sunday to cheer me in the B.A.A. 5k as I crossed that famous finish line. I look at my own sweet boys and cannot imagine that an 8 year old was among the victims. I’m sick to my stomach and….I’m royally pissed off that some low-life pathetic coward(s) would choose to do this to innocent people in the name of some cause?! There are no words.

And yet there are so many questions and so many emotions – more than I can sort through right now. For now I will be grateful that friends and family are safe, that I can hug my boys and that I can run.

I will run today for those who can’t,

I will run today to find some peace in this chaos,

I will run today for Boston.

(Thanks to Jess for the image)
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Filed Under: Boston Marathon, running community

Thursday thoughts: ZOOMA, More ZOOMA & New Shoes

April 11, 2013 by 15 Comments
  1. ZOOMA logo_capecod                              ZOOMA Cape Cod will once again be held in September in Falmouth — I love the Cape in the fall and am very psyched to be a race ambassador again. So grab your BRFs and join me for a great girls’ getaway race weekend. Use code CCAMB2 to save 10% off the registration fee for the half marathon or the 10K. My friend E and I had a great time last year – can’t wait to go back!

  2. And speaking of ZOOMA, I’m happy to announce that for the next 4 months (between now and the Cape race), I’ll be working as their Social Media Coordinator! I love ZOOMA’s mission to inspire women to lead happy, healthy and active lifestyles and I’m very happy to be part of this great team!

  3. Newtons These lovelies showed up at my door recently. The great folks at Newton Running contacted me a couple of weeks ago to invite me to attend one of their Natural Form Running Clinics being held during Marathon Weekend.  I  was invited to attend one of their clinics last year as well – you can read about it HERE. While I couldn’t work my schedule out to go this time around, I was sent this pair of Distance Neutral Performance Trainers to try out! I may take them out on the track today – full review to come.

 If you’re in the Boston area on Friday or Saturday, head to the Charles River at the corner of Memorial Drive and Massachusetts Ave and look for the green Newton Running tent. Clinics begin at 8 a.m

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Filed Under: Natural Form Running, Newton Running, opportunities, ZOOMA, ZOOMA Cape Cod

Gearing up for Week 9

April 8, 2013 by 6 Comments

Week 8 of half marathon training was another solid week — the runs felt good, I felt strong on the hills and my ITB is under control. The one downside of the week was missing my weekly yoga class. I haven’t been able to get to this class with any consistency lately because the collective family schedules have been all over the place! We’re facing another busy week in the RWA household with lots of fun stuff going on, but I’m determined to get back to that class this week.

Training for Week 9 includes:

Monday – 6 miles (with negative split on the back 3)

Tuesday – Cross-training

Wednesday – 4 mile Fartlek

Thursday – 1000 meter repeats & Yoga

Friday – Rest

Saturday –  Shakeout Run with Bart Yasso

Sunday – BAA 5K

Yes – did you catch that? A run with Bart Yasso!  Last week, I was invited by Runner’s World to join a group run with Bart Yasso as part of all the great activities Runner’s World has going on during Marathon weekend. Very excited – hope I can keep up with him 🙂

What have you got planned for this week?

 

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Filed Under: Bart Yasso, Boston Marathon, half marathon training, week ahead

Nutrition Update: Fueling Options

April 5, 2013 by 13 Comments

Back at the end of February, I mentioned (HERE) that I wasn’t loving the way I was feeling on my runs and that it was time to take a much closer look at what I’m eating – both on run and rest days. So for the past couple of weeks I’ve been running my own little pre-fueling/fueling test lab, experimenting with different options on my long run days.

Here’s some of what I’ve learned so far:

  • Before runs, I’m finding that either a whole wheat English muffin with almond butter and a little honey or Honey Stringer Waffles with half a banana seems to be sitting well with my stomach.
  • The Stringer Waffles and banana don’t seem to have as much “staying power” so with this combo I need to start fueling sooner than the 5 mile mark.
  • I read that coffee can help pre-race — I’ve tried a half a cup a couple of times and the jury’s still out on that one.
  • While in the past I’ve been using GU Chomps during my runs, I do not enjoy how stiff and difficult they are to chew when the temps drop, and they require a lot more water to get them down – which leads to the dreaded sloshing feeling…not pretty!
  • Huma GelI recently discovered Huma Gels and so far this is a win as a fueling option – no stomach issues, they’re all natural, they taste good and my energy levels were good – win!
  • Still trying to work out the best timing on when to take a gel. Usually I take one at 5, 8 and 11 during a half marathon, but in my last race I started getting light-headed at mile 12 and I was forced to walk for a minute or two. So I’m still working on whether I need to fuel more often in those later miles.
  • For now I’ve gone back to just plain water during my runs – I kinda wanted to get the gel thing resolved before introducing anything else.

I’m feeling pretty good where I am so far – especially since I still have weeks to go before my next half marathon at the end of May.

So tell me – how often do you fuel on a long run? What’s your favorite fueling option?

*The opinions expressed here are from my own experience. I am in no way affiliated with the products mentioned.

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Filed Under: fueling a run, half marathon training, lessons learned, Nutrition

Quick Wednesday Shout-out

April 3, 2013 by 2 Comments

If you’ve been around here for a while then you’ve heard me sing the praises of my running coach Bennett Cohen. With Bennett’s guidance I have gotten “comfortable with being uncomfortable,” become a better runner, and hit some PRs, all while keeping my sometimes cranky ITB from becoming downright uncooperative.

When Bennett told me that he was putting together an eBook titled “Injury-free Running for Women over 40” (did I mention that he specializes in coaching “boomers”) I was happy to sign on as an affiliate and spread the word. I knew the advice – it has worked for me.

So I wanted to give him a quick shout-out and mention that the introductory price special he’s been running ends on Thursday, April 4th. You can check it out HERE or click on the book image on my sidebar.

 

 

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Filed Under: ITB, running coach

Where did March go?

April 1, 2013 by 16 Comments
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! I got to start my day with a run with my oldest son (he wants to run a 5k!), there was egg-dying and hunting and a great family brunch.

 

Cannot believe today is April 1st. For as slow as the days of February seemed to move, March just flew by!

 

Good things for March:
  • After giving my ITB some extra attention and extra rest days, I feel like I’m settling into a nice running groove!
  • Mileage is back on the right track
  • Finished the 30-day ab/core challenge and started round 2
  • Selected again as a ZOOMA Cape Cod Ambassador!
  • Returning to hill work 😉
  • Running with my son
Things I could do without: 
  • Taking a DNS for the New Bedford Half  (I know it was the right choice though)
What’s up for April:
  • 1st race of the BAA Distance Medley – the BAA 5K is the Sunday of Marathon Weekend
  • And speaking of the Boston Marathon, I’ll be volunteering at the race this year!! I’ll be working in the Athlete’s Village greeting the buses and helping to direct runners to where they need to be. Very excited!
  • Running the Newport 10 Miler with my friend E Newport 10 Miler

How was your March? Any big plans for April?

 

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Filed Under: BAA, Boston Marathon, DNS, month in review, Newport 10 Miler

Returning to Hills

March 28, 2013 by 6 Comments

Today marks the return to hill work on my training plan.

I’ve been looking forward to today with an odd mixture of dread and glee.

Yes I said it…glee! Because while I know in the moment of running repeats, my quads will be burning and I’ll be cursing like a sailor  that there’s the other side – there’s the strength training and confidence building that only running hills can bring.

And I’ve seen the results – last summer Coach Bennett introduced me to hill work and I truly thought the man was trying to kill me 🙂 Then I faced ZOOMA’s hilly Cape Cod course and the Newton hills of the Chilly half! While both courses were definitely challenging, the hill work Bennett had put me through prepared me both mentally and physically and I PR’d both courses! That’s where the glee comes in, from knowing the potential payoff.

So for the next few weeks, Thursdays are Hill Days and I say “Bring it on!”

Do you do specific hill training? Or do hills make you want to run screaming in the other direction?

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Filed Under: half marathon training, hill work, lessons learned, PR

What’s in my fitness closet?

March 25, 2013 by 11 Comments

fitness_closet

I’m joining Pavement Runner and some other bloggers and peeling back the curtain to reveal madness that’s taking over my closet – my ever-growing running gear collection.

I took some time this weekend to pack up the winter gear (I don’t care what Mother Nature throws at us next, I’m done with running tights and my heavier layers!)

So what’s in my fitness closet now?

4 pairs of capri pants (2 Nike, 1 Lululemon and 1 Lucy)

5 running skirts from Brooks, Sport Skirts and Running Skirts

Love a good running skirt!

Love a good running skirt!

2 Compression shorts (Aspaeris & CW-X)

7 race shirts (these are the tech ones – I have no idea what’s become of the cotton ones!)

Too many tech shirts & Singlets from Brooks, Nike, Bia,  Tough Chik, Pearl Izumi, & C9  FitCloset_tops

4 sports bras (Champions & Handful)

5 Saucony shoes  (including the retired pair of Mirages I just use for kicking around in)

#FindYourStrong   #FindYourStrong

Hmmm I’m starting to feel like I’ve got a little bit of an addiction going here – especially when you take into account that this doesn’t include compression sleeves, arm warmers, hats/visors, jackets, etc!  🙂

What about you – do you find your fitness clothes are taking over your closet?

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Filed Under: fave things, Fitness closet, Saucony

Omega Infusion Review

March 20, 2013 by 4 Comments

One thing I really struggle with is my hydration – unless it is the dog-days of summer, I have to really make a conscious effort to drink enough water. And I’ll admit, sometimes I just get bored with plain old H2O. Often you’ll find me putting either lemon, cucumber or mint in my water to give it a little umph and keep me drinking.

I was recently introduced to Omega Infusion – a zero-calorie enhanced water that not only provides you with hydration, but also with natural energy from B vitamins and antioxidant vitamin C, and much needed Omega-3s.  Once I heard the description I had to give them a try.

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Omega Infusion comes in berry, fruit punch, citrus, and orange. I thought they all had a good flavor – offering more taste than most “flavored” waters I’ve tried, without being too strong. My favorite was berry. My oldest son got in on the act too – trying all of them with me and declaring them “delicious!” Fruit punch was his favorite, with the citrus a close second. In fact, since they’ve appeared in our fridge, he’s been grabbing a bottle after school, instead of making his usual pitch for lemonade – win!

Each bottle contains 80mg of Omega-3s EPA/DHA. Did you know that the FDA qualified health benefit of Omega-3 fatty acids is a reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD)?  It is a fact that our bodies cannot naturally produce the nutrients found in Omega-3 so we must get them from outside sources.  Recent studies have shown several potential benefits of Omega-3’s, including:

  • Improvement of cognitive function in both children and adults
  • Help with psychiatric disorders such as depression
  • Increased mental focus and motivation
  • Reduced stress levels and mental fatigue
  • Reduced macular degeneration
  • Strengthened red blood cells which may improve blood pressure, heart rate and vascular function
  • Possible anticancer benefits
  • Potential to counter inflammation
  • Higher level of satiety and appetite reduction

Omega Infusion provides nice variety when you get tired of drinking plain H2O – with some added vitamin benefits! You can find Omega Infusion in Giant Stores, Stop & Shop and HEB stores – check out their website http://www.omegainfusion.com/ for details. You can also follow them on Facebook (here) or Twitter (here).

This post was sponsored by Omega Infusion. As always, all opinions expressed here are my own.

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Filed Under: hydration, Omega Infusion, product reviews

Embracing the Challenge

March 18, 2013 by 3 Comments

Today begins week 6 of half marathon training.

Recently Coach Bennett sent me the next two phases of my training plan. Since I was struggling with my runs due to my cranky ITB, I’d held off reviewing the rest of the plan – until yesterday.  I got a good look at the target paces, hill work, weekly mileage – and took a deep breath.  Time to get out of my comfort zone again 🙂

But I’m looking forward to moving into this next phase of training.  I did the things I needed to do to calm my ITB and am back to pain-free miles. So I’ll continue to do the strength work and exercises necessary to hopefully avoid any hiccups moving forward. And it is time to move forward – I’m ready to embrace the challenge.

“Embrace the challenge”  has really become my mantra for this training cycle – I’m going after each workout with enthusiasm and confidence…maybe it’s time to create a new comfort zone!

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Filed Under: comfort zone, half marathon training, mantras, no excuses, running coach Tagged With: ,