Race Recap #2: Race Day

After having a few days to reflect on the race, I think this post might actually be shorter than I originally imagined it might be (hah)! Well, as short as I can keep it, that is. But after a few days of recovery, I think it has all settled in and "normal" life has resumed.

After the expo Saturday, we went to a naval base in VB and climbed a lighthouse, strolled the beach and then went out to Plaza Azteca for dinner. We didn't really know where to go/what to do for our carb-loading dinner, so we figured we'd had luck eating at Plaza before weekly long runs before, so we knew it wouldn't hurt. We chowed down on guac and fajitas and then returned to our hotel room and were in bed by 8 PM. 8 PM! But we were both pretty tired from getting up early, roaming the expo, and hanging out in the heat most of the day. So true to our old-person ways, 8 PM bedtime didn't seem so bad. It also made it easy to get up at 4 AM on Sunday to prep for the race! We wanted to be up early enough to drink a full cup of coffee, a few cups of water, and to be completely awake before heading to the shuttles. We left the hotel around 5 and caught the shuttles from the ampitheater to the race start with no problems. Our bus driver was a little nuts, racing down the roads and yelling/honking at people in our way (at 5:30 AM....think about that...there weren't many people to honk at but she did it anyways), but we got there in one piece.

While we waited to line up in our corral, we chugged water and constantly had to keep going to the porter potty's from all the water! However, we were lucky enough that a lot of people didn't show up until closer to 6:30, so we didn't have bad lines to wait in. Once the corrals opened up, we went and hung out in ours, listening to all the pre-race hype and MC-ing. Oddly enough, we weren't really that nervous at any point that morning, like we anticipated we would be. We were just ready to get running! The race started at 7 and after the first 11 corrals took off, it was finally our turn to start! And off we went! No more than a few blocks away from the convention center,  did the humidity set in and we knew it was going to be a challenging run. The bands were great and really rocking during the first few miles (I paid less attention as we ran), so that helped keep us motivated.

As we kept running, we were keeping a better-than-anticipated pace around 10:00/mile, yet we weren't overdoing. Somewhere around mile 6, we saw the elite runners/winners crossing their mile 11 and it was really fun to cheer them on with all the other runners around us! We had been in the shade for awhile and the humidity wasn't super stifling--all was going pretty smoothly and it was shaping up to be a good first half-marathon!

But then, as we kept going, we were in a more humid and sun-exposed area and things started to turn downhill for me. I began feeling really dehydrated, even though we only skipped one water station at mile 3 because it was so overcrowded, and we had been eating energy chews about every 1.5 miles. So I started taking 2 cups of water at every station--I don't like Gatorade, so I don't take it at races, which I actually think might have been working against me on Sunday. After drinking a lot of water (and being hosed down by spectators), I was still feeling parched, but I had to pee really badly. Like, really badly. Not like, "oh I think I gotta go" but like "OMG IT'S GOING TO RUN DOWN MY LEGS ANY MOMENT NOW" kind of bad. Sorry to be so graphic, but I just need to emphasize that it was almost painful to run because I had to go! Somewhere between miles 9 and 10, there was a water station with porter pottys and I bolted over to them. Will got annoyed because we'd been making good time and might be able to finish somewhere between 2:10 and 2:15 if we kept pace, and he knew if we stopped, it'd be hard to get going again. I knew this too and even though I was starting to feel fatigued, I probably could've pushed through if it wasn't for my damn bladder. As I waited, I was pee-dancing like crazy (ladies, you know what I mean) and Will was grabbing some more water/Gatorade and trying to keep moving. When a potty finally opened up, it was extremely relieving. After, I grabbed some water and tried to get going again. But I immediately felt dehydrated and weak! Argh!

I knew something wasn't right and I let the yogi in me overcome the runner in me and listened very closely to what my body was saying. I convinced Will that something really was not right and I wasn't just being lazy/giving up/etc, and we stopped to walk for a bit. We had both really hoped to make it through the first race without walking, so I knew I was letting him down. But I was really not feeling well and had started to get dizzy while running. So we walked for a bit, occasionally interspersing in running (although that was starting to cause cramping for me, so I could only do it in short spurts), and at every water station, I just chugged and chugged. I was glad we had decided to walk because right around mile 11, we started to see more and more runners on the side of the road being attended to by medical personnel--I knew I would have been one of them if I hadn't stopped. As we approached the 13 mile mark, I walked through the last water station and Will kept going. His knees bother him a lot to alternate running/walking, so he just had to keep going to the end if he was going to run across the finish. So I mustered up what energy I had left and ran the last leg of the race by myself, and managed to run across the finish. Amazingly enough, I still finished in 2:29:something, which was right at our predicted race finish time. If only I could've kept running--what a great finish we would've had!

Once I crossed that finish line, though, I hit a physical wall. Without even thinking, when the staff handed me a water bottle, I chugged half of it. And then I suddenly felt extremely ill and it occurred to me for the first time all morning that I wasn't DEhydrated, but that I was OVERhydrated. When I found Will, he immediately knew I was not well from looking at me, and he sat me down and fetched a banana to try to get some protein in me. I felt like I was going to be sick, and all my body kept saying was that it wanted water, but I knew it wouldn't help! It was such a weird dilemma to be dealing with and I know it's my own fault because I can't stand Gatorade or chocolate milk, the other two options at the finish line. But for the first time in my life, water (basically the only drink I drink) was not my friend. After letting me sit for awhile, Will saw that I wasn't improving much and decided we should get on the shuttle and get back to the hotel ASAP so I could cool down, lie down, and un-hydrate myself. Well then our bus was freezing, so I was shivering from being soaking wet and cold, which didn't help either. But eventually, after changing out of wet clothes, crawling under the covers, and taking a shower, I finally started to feel better. It was such a shame because I had definitely been hoping for a more glorious race finish, where I'd be overcome with joy from completing a half-marathon, but instead, I felt like I was going to hurl. It also meant no post-race pictures with our new bling and our proud accomplishment :(

Reflecting on the end, I think I should just be happy I made it relatively in one piece--there were apparently many people who went to the hospital and were treated for heat-related illnesses on Sunday, so I'm mostly thankful that my first half-marathon didn't end that way! In some ways, I feel like I cheated myself out of my first half-marathon experience by giving up and walking, but then I remind myself that my body wasn't asking me to stop--it was telling me. And when you're body tells you to stop running, sometimes you have to go against your mind and listen to your body, no matter how much you don't want to. All I can say is, it's definitely not my last half-marathon, so I will get that glorious race finish and post-run photos next time! And whether I ran the whole thing, or ran most of it and walked the rest, I still finished 13.1 miles and earned the sticker that I'm going to put on my car!

Lessons learned:
1. Um, overhydration is a thing that I need to be aware of, apparently.
2. Pick a cooler race--next up will be in November!
3. We need to work on more long run distances. But now we have a couple months more to train, so yay!
4. We apparently can keep a slightly faster pace than I realized-also yay!
5. As much as I love the taste of Honey Stinger Organic Chews, we probably need to switch back to Jellybeans, since they have caffiene and other things in them.
6. Grapes are awesome around mile 11-thanks to whoever was serving them! New favorite run snack.

Race Recap #1: Expo Day

We officially completed our first half-marathon yesterday! It's hard to believe that after only about 9-10 months of running, that we did 13.1. I still can't believe that we accomplished it, but more on that in my next post.

First, I'd like to share our experience at the race expo, which we attended on Saturday. What an overwhelming experience! For two people who still don't consider themselves runners, being surrounded by that many products, tips and people, was almost too much. We got there right around 9:30, so the expo had only opened about 30 minutes before. Once we checked in, picked up our race bibs and swag bags, we didn't really know which direction to head. So we started wandering around, kind of setting out on a zig-zagging path for ourselves to check out the booths. Now I don't know about the rest of you, but there is something so uncomfortable about being one of the only people wandering around an expo! The poor vendors either look sad that no one's at their booth, or they're jumping out at you because you're the only ones in sight! In these situations I either feel really guilty that no one's at a booth and feel obligated to go over, or I feel obligated to talk to the person who's leaping on me to show me their product. Either way, it's not my favorite experience. After wandering around for about half an hour, Will and I had done our best to avoid talking to people and more people were starting to show up--phew!

Once more people were around and it got crowded, we felt a little safer checking out things we were interested in. Since we didn't have any other plans for the day, I figured we might as well loop around and take advantage of reading about/talking to vendors about products that we may want to research further in the future, try on shoes, and get a few little things. We only had about $20 to spend at the expo--in a way, that was nice because it helped prevent any impulse buys. So what did we get/explore?

Well, for the most part, I did all of the getting and exploring, since Will is mostly along for the ride. But I got:

2 Hippie Runner headbands
1 new Bondiband for yoga
1 13.1 bumper sticker (the whole reason I wanted to run a half was to get one of these!)

What did I explore? Now that my friends, is a different question. I so badly wanted to check out the kineso tape for my ankles and Will's knees, but that was an opportunity we didn't jump on early enough, because the line got really long. However, Will made the excellent point that we didn't want to get all taped up before race day and to have to deal with that new aspect. But I still wish we had gotten samples or at least gotten to talk to someone about the aches and pains we experience, just to get a little advice. C'est la vie! Instead, I checked out some compression socks that are specific to ankle issues, which is something I definitely want to explore in the future, particularly since my most sore body part today is my left ankle. I also poked around through some gear, but for the most part wasn't super interested. And then I figured, since there were a ton of shoes around from all the major brands, plus some local stores trying to sell some stock, I might as well try some on. My shoes are still good to go for many more miles, but as they're starting to wear down, they're not offering the same support they used to, especially in the arches which is really starting to bother my right foot.

So I tried on some shoes. One of the most dangerous things a female, especially a runner, can say! Needless to say, I think I found the next pair I would like to purchase. I tried on a bunch of different brands (some other Brooks, Saucony, Asics, and some natural running shoes, just for fun) and finally settled on a pair of Asics that I was not anticipating liking! I mean, I knew I'd love the crazy colors, but I had tried on a similar pair of Asics before and thought it was pretty stiff and narrow. But this pair that I tried on at the expo, slid right on, felt completely cushy, and seemed to support my arch in just the right way (not too much, not too little). It also helped that I tried them on with some really nice Asic socks (that I definitely need to get ASAP and didn't get at the expo because the line was really long), that offered more cushion than the New Balance socks I use now. But I kept them on for awhile, walked around, jogged in place, etc. and really felt 100% wonderfully comfortable. I was a good girl and didn't buy them at the expo, but did write down the shoe and have already researched it online to see what people think of it.

What shoe, you may ask? The Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 8. I've read conflicting reviews that they aren't good for training, or on the flip side, that they're the most amazing running shoe ever. Amazon has mostly positive reviews (over 500), while other sites have more of a mixed bag. So if you or anyone you know has these shoes, can you share some thoughts with me? I am a neutral plus (neutral on my left, teeniest hint of overpronation in my right) and need a tad bit of arch support in my right foot (flat shoes don't work, but I don't like something with a pronounced arch). These felt great on, but I'd like to know about their longevity!

Anyways, the expo was fun and the next time we go to an expo, I'd like to have a little bit more $$ in my pocket. However, it prevented us from getting anything we don't need, so that was good! My wish list of running gear just got significantly longer though :)

There will be a separate post for the actual race day experience, later!

10 Days

We are officially 10 days out from our first half marathon. How do I know? The prediction for September 1st showed up on my 10-day forecast today. Which is kind of scary. And nerve-wracking. And intimidating. Not the weather, but the race. I know I'm ready and I know I can run the distance, but I feel so unprepared. I have all the race information, where we're staying, how to get everywhere, etc. But I still feel completely unready. A 5K is one thing, but a half marathon? It's a much bigger deal. My running seems to have been suffering recently, both mentally and physically, I think because I'm afraid of messing up anything physically, before the big day. But every time, I also feel a mental anguish that I'm not doing enough/doing it right/training hard enough/etc.

As excited as I am for this race, I'm looking forward to being able to run and run whatever distance I want, for the fun of it again. I've enjoyed the challenge of training for this race, but man has it messed with my head! It's bad enough that I'm stressed about my (un)employment situation, but the pressure I'm putting on myself for training (or occasionally the lack thereof) is just getting to be too much. I stymied myself this morning and only ran two miles-argh! However, I have a long 9-10 mile to look forward to this weekend with Will, so hopefully that will help me land back in the correct mental state before the race next weekend. And I think I'll load up on lots of yoga this week too, just to help even more!

Fitness Funnies

Folks, yesterday the internet provided lots of funnies related to fitness. I'm sure many of you saw The Oatmeal's running contribution, but I also wanted to make sure you saw Buzzfeed's Ludicrous Things Yoga Teachers Say. That's all I've got, so enjoy!

Excerpt from The Oatmeal

Excerpt from Buzzfeed

New Products!

It's always fun to get new toys. I don't care how old you are, it's always exciting to get something new, especially if it's stuff you haven't gotten before. I felt that way when I came home to two packages sitting in my mailbox--my first Runnerbox and Bondi Bands! I had already received a new outfit that I ordered from Lucy last week, that I plan to use for the half-marathon, so to get the rest of my new running gear made it even better. The reason I had ordered these products is because Mitzi had recently blogged about a bunch of fun new stuff she had snagged at an expo of a race she ran. She raved about these Bondi Bands, so I wanted to give them a shot--with my short haircut, it's hard to find products that hold my hair back without looking atrocious, so I'm always game for something new.

Well, I took some of my new gear out for a test this past Sunday when I tackled my furthest running distance yet--7 miles! I wore my new Lucy outfit, a Bondi Band, and took some Pro Bar Bolt Organic Energy Chews to help keep my energy up on the long distance. The result was great! I loved my new outfit, which has a lot of pockets in the top, equipped for stashing things over the course of a long run. And the Bondi Band worked great-I'm definitely going to keep using them (I ordered two) because they hold the hair back, don't shift while you're working out, and soak up the sweat really well. Plus, they have cute sayings on them :) And I LOVED the Pro Bar organic energy chews. I had asked in a previous blogpost about energy gels and received pretty negative reviews of them, so I feel like these little energy chews might be a good alternative. However, I got lots of fun goodies/snacks/energy supplements in my Runnerbox, so I might find something I like even more!

If you have any favorite products that you like to use, let me know! Clothing, sunglasses, shoes, food, water boosters, supplements, etc.--I want to know it all!

Bondi Bands

Runnerbox Goodies

(Sorry for the terrible photo quality)

True Confessions of An "Athlete"

I am starting to feel so pumped for this half-marathon! I know I blab about it a lot on here (point of the blog...duh), but at the moment, it's my only real fitness "goal." I'm keeping up strength training and toning as best I can without a gym (for the moment) and am trying to be better about practicing yoga on my own. And I'm trying to be harder on myself about truly making sure I'm doing something beneficial every day because well, we're getting married in less than six months and there's a dress that I want to look good in!

But anyways, this post is not for that. This post is to share a little bit (okay, a lot bit) about my journey to becoming the "athlete" I may be considered today. I struggle with the term "athlete" because I think of true athletes as people who play sports and win medals and things. However, the more I read about fitness and running, the more I recognize that "athlete" is a much broader term for people who are part of this healthy, active way of living. In Merriam-Webster, "athlete" is defined as:

"a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina"

And while I struggle with the label of the word itself (it's the academic in me), I guess I can be considered someone who is trained in something that requires physical strength because of running. Or something like that.*

It occurred to me recently that I find this whole fitness regimen (particularly running) thing still shocking, even though I've been really good about keeping things up for the last year. I find it interesting how much easier it is for me to convince myself to go for a run, do some strength/toning exercises, go for a bike ride, or go to a yoga class, than it is for me to practice my instruments. I struggle with a little guilt because I feel like I'm replacing time I should be spending practicing, with exercising instead. And even now, when I'm unemployed and have lots of free time, I find it's so much easier to tell myself "oh, spend an hour working out" than it is to pick up my clarinet for the same amount of time. I almost feel, in a sense, that I'm making up for some sort of "lost time" over the years. And I've talked about some of this before, but I wanted to share a full recap of my "athletic" life over the years, here.

As a kid, I was fairly active, doing dance 3-4 days a week and soccer 2-3 days (two practice, one game usually). And even though I was never a star athlete (although I believe in 6th grade I finally got the coveted presidential physical fitness award...or maybe I imagined that), I was what we would consider "fit." I wasn't a skinny or muscular kid, but I was active at least five days a week and my parents fed me mostly healthy foods, which I consider pretty darn good. And then somewhere around middle school, choices had to be made to prioritize time. Soccer got cut first because most girls on my team left to join more elite travel teams, and even though I could have qualified for that, I preferred dance. So then I mainly balanced dance and music. But then dance got really competitive, and again, I could have pushed myself to become Clara in the Nutcracker, or I could focus on the whole music thing, which I was really really good at. (This is also the time I started clogging, which is where I discovered my heart for dance truly lies, so that is what I began to pursue and still continue, when possible, these days).

By the time I reached college, I had been so focused on music, that I didn't recognize that there were other "extracurriculars" or "hobbies" beyond that. So in a weird kind of way, I judged people who "worked out." Not out of jealousy, but just wondered why they would waste the time, I guess? I understood and appreciated organized sports, and would occasionally participate in IM Wind Symphony soccer, but other than that, I mostly was happy to consider walking around campus my "exercise." During college, I did discover yoga and began to practice regularly, but then the Rec changed it's schedule and I never managed to get a yoga class to work with my 5-day a week evening rehearsal schedule, so it fell by the wayside. There was one summer where I joined a gym and was pretty proactive about going--I managed to shed a few pounds and gain some muscle definition, but looking back, I'm not sure how well I was working out.

When I moved to Tallahassee, the thought never crossed my mind to pick up a fitness regimen. But I was hearing more and more in my performance classes that keeping the body healthy will make you a better player. But I looked around and didn't see many people who did that, because as musicians, we are always keeping weird hours and never have enough time to fit it all in. But after hearing my friend Julia start talking about going to the gym every day after work, and seeing her boss, Mitzi (who is a total fitness and running CHAMP), up at 4:30 AM most days to go to her bootcamps/regular workout/whatever crazy class she's doing, I started to think maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. Then I started to work for Jeff, who is a triathlete, and that's when I decided to join the Gold's up the street (talk about motivation). I took advantage of my free personal training session which turned into a few months worth of personal training sessions, and between that and the results I was seeing, I happily stuck to a workout routine. I also bought a bike and relearned how to ride, from Will.

Even though it meant early morning hours (getting up at 5 or 5:30 some weeks) to fit in practicing daily and working out a few days a week, I stuck with it because I was enjoying the results. And then sometime in December, after seeing Mitzi always bombarding my Saturday mornings with fun race photos on FB, and having several piano students who ran races, I decided it was time to give running a shot. I had always avoided it because a) really, it's no fun when you first start and you feel like a lazy ass no matter how "fit" you may think you are and b) I had previously been diagnosed with patella femoral pain syndrome (a knee problem) and was advised not to run. But I figured, why not give it a shot?

After a few weeks of giving it a good effort, it started to get easier. So I started actually tracking this improvement on the Nike+ app. Then I got some true "running" shoes. Then I signed up for a 5K and made Will do it with me. And here I am now, about 7 1/2-8 months later, and I'm enjoying training for a half-marathon. I have a full fitness wardrobe involving clothes for all the seasons and all the activities (running, yoga, regular working out, strength training at home, biking). I subscribe to Runner's World and Self magazines. I just made my first order of RunnerBox. I actually do the workouts I pin on Pinterest. And I do some kind of workout every day. WHAT THE WHAT.

So this is where I think "making up for lost time" is coming into play. I think because for the last 10+ years I thought it was silly to do physical activity purposely, I'm now doing it every day because I feel guilty for neglecting my body all that time. And while the clarinet is really nice and deserves to be played, it's finally time for me to figure out what I enjoy doing in life, not necessarily what I'm good at. Running and workouts are a gateway to determining who I am beyond the musical talents that have defined "me" for the last 10 years. The increasingly more toned arms and race bib collection (plus some finishers medals) are just bonuses ;-)

*If you wouldn't consider me an "athlete," tell me! What is your definition of an athlete?

Feeling the Heat

Welp, it's July now. It kind of snuck up on me thanks to the move and everything. I'm 8 weeks out from my half-marathon and really struggling with training. See, it's hard to convince myself I need to wake up at 6 AM to get out and run, because I'm unemployed and usually only have a few things to accomplish each day. Plus, my cats are so darn tempting to stay in bed and cuddle with, that the idea of pushing myself to go outside, sweat, struggle, and run for an hour just don't line up. But I think I learned my lesson today. I got lucky the other morning because I waited until around 11 AM to run, but managed to sneak in 3 miles before I really started to feel the heat of the day setting in. So today, I thought that if I got up a little earlier and was out the door by 9 AM to complete my long run (6 miles on my new, mileage-based training plan), I should be just fine.

Not the case. I opened the door and immediately was swallowed up in humidity. So I stepped back inside and ran to weather.com to see what I was up against for running today. My odds were either going out the door at that moment into 80-something % humidity and lows 80s (feeling like mid-80s), or waiting around until tonight when it would drop to just below 60% humidity, but still feel like it was in the 90s. No good either way. I told myself "this is July....this is what I've got to deal with," took a huge slug of water, and out the door I went. I only made it 2 miles before I started to feel dizzy from lack of air. I find it way harder to breath in humidity than in heat, because if it's hot, at least the air is still consumable. However, with humidity, I'm hypersensitive to it thanks to living in Williamsburg and Tallahassee, so it always feels like I'm trying to cut through it with a knife when I am breathing. Not exactly the ideal situation for running.

I stopped myself at 2 miles because I was genuinely afraid I might  pass out if I kept going (and I'm typing this a half hour later, with a lot of rehydration and still feel dizzy each time I stand up). Which in a twisted way, pissed me off that I didn't feel well enough to keep going. I know that's not how you're supposed to react when your body says "no more," but it doesn't stop you from thinking it. After walking the last mile home (luckily my plan had only been to do a 3-mile loop twice, today), I was truly feeling upset at myself and ready to give up on training for this half-marathon. "You're not a runner...you're not good at this...you'll never be able to run that far...you should not have signed up for a half-marathon" were the thoughts running through my mind. Albeit, they may be true--especially the last one--in the air conditioned house, with ice water from my supportive fiance, a purring kitty, and the goal to drag myself out of bed at 6 AM tomorrow to try again, those thoughts melt away. The even weirder part about it is, I'm even looking forward to seeing if I can make tomorrow's run better. How cliched is that?!?! From things I've read and how I interact with the running experience, it seems about on par. We're all a little twisted in that we keep putting ourselves out there for more pain and struggle, but I know from experience, that the feeling you get when you cross a finish line at a race is so satisfying that it's what keeps me coming back for more. I can't wait to tackle the VA Beach Rock n' Roll Half on September 1st. Now if only I could order some perfect weather to help me get there!

Running/Yoga in Williamsburg

W&M and local Williamsburg friends! Where are your favorite places to run in the 'burg? The area around where I live is great for short runs (2-3 miles, tops), but I need somewhere where I can log longer distances without going in circles, while I train for my half. I know the colonial part is always pretty, but it's peak tourist season, so I'm not anticipating running there everyday. Are there good parks with nice trails to run on, or are there routes that you recommend? I also enjoy running on bike paths and I think there's one near our apartment, down at Jamestown-has anyone ever explored this?

Also, what are some good races to do in this area? Right now, I'm only registered for the Rock 'n Roll half in September and Will and I are registered for the Busch Gardens Christmastown 8K. Otherwise, our race schedule is open. Any suggestions?

And lastly, does anyone have a recommendation of where to practice yoga around here? I've found one studio that I'm interested in, but it offers a little more hot yoga and a little less variety for flow classes, than I'm accustomed to.

Thanks in advance friends!

Race Highlights

A lot of Saturday mornings over the last few weeks, I've been feeling a bit of race nostalgia. I had gotten so accustomed to having a race or run to complete, that my Saturday's feel a little emptier without them. So for this Saturday morning, as I pack up to move out of Tallahassee, I will share a little bit of race nostalgia with you guys in my appreciation to the people and environment in Tallahassee that inspired me to run.

Run for the Cookies, Feb. 2013 (first 5K!)

KD Color Run with Kensley (her first 5K)

Shamrock Scurry 5K with Mitzi (my inspiration!)

Lucky Leprechaun 5K (where Will and I 

both placed 3rd in our age category)

Springtime 10K (our first 10K)

Palace Saloon 5K (where we both set PR's, 

thus my excitement in this picture)

5.2 at 5 for Boston with Patty and Michelle

Tails & Trails 5K with our moms 

for graduation weekend

Trail vs. Street

What's your running preference? Most days, I prefer trail running to street running because it's easier for me to get lost in the time and distance I'm running when I have beautiful surroundings. However, for making better times and getting further in less time, street running (or park running or paved trail running) help me achieve some of those goals quicker. I read recently in Runner's World that it's good to mix up what kinds of surfaces you run on, not only to give your body a break from pounding pavement, but also as a way to build strength. I'm assuming this is a good idea to do, even when training for a flat event, but would appreciate some input on it!

Now, I have to share about the entertaining trail run I did the other night, while Will was playing soccer. I was supposed to run 55 minutes according to my training plan, and I figured the perfect way to do it would be on the trails at Maclay Gardens. Well, my idea was pretty good but in practice, it had a few mishaps! First of all, it was a bit cloudy on Sunday and right at the point where I was going to turn around, the wind picked up and it got suddenly dark in the woods! Even though I had my phone with me, I have to admit how utterly terrifying it was to think I would be trapped in a thunderstorm in the woods with no one around. Reflecting on that panic though, I realize it was a bit silly because 1) I had just passed a boat dock, so I had a place to wait it out 2) I had my phone, to call Will to come rescue me 3) I was no more than 30 minutes walk back to the soccer fields and 4) I was in a state park, which is a pretty safe place to be. Either way, I immediately pulled a 180 and took off. I had been going pretty "slow" to enjoy being out and about (plus we had ridden 32 miles on our bikes the day before, so I wasn't feeling super energetic), so when I say "took off," it's kind of relative. However, I felt like a speed demon. I'm also pretty sure I've never sprinted up hills quite like that before! In the long run, it never rained, I got chased by a very aggressive horsefly, and by the time I got back to the soccer fields, it was only partially cloudy, so it was all for naught.

Or so I thought! My "take off" actually made me realize I could run at a faster pace for a longer distance than I realized. Fancy that! So this morning on my run, I messed around with my speed and realized I'm actually more comfortable running at the slightly faster speed, and have a hard time slowing down. Is this normal?!?! I always read about "pace" when I read running blogs and Runner's World, but I've never paid very much attention to it. However, this morning, around mile 3, I hit a groove and I think I discovered what a good pace felt like. I'm hoping it was as much of an epiphany moment as it seems like it was at the time.

In sum, my two major questions are:

1. Do you prefer trail or street running? Why or why not?

2. Can you discover that you have a faster pace that is preferable to where you thought you were comfortable?

Leave me some love in the comments section!

When Is It Injury vs. When Is It Slight Pain

Playing off of the title, "Pain Now, Wine Later" I am curious about what makes a difference between a slight annoyance when running and other pains felt while in your shoes (and out). I have been battling what I believe is a tendinitis issue in my left ankle for the last couple months. It typically makes me aware of its presence when I'm running, but some days it's worse than others, usually the day after a longer run. For example, this morning it's beautiful out post-storm, another low 70's morning, so perfect for a run! According to my half-marathon training plan, I was supposed to run 30 minutes today. However, I only made it a mile before my left ankle made me decide to stop. I'm sure I could have kept running and managed the pain that I was feeling, but I also thought it would be better to stop since I have my longest "long-run" planned for Sunday. I also figured I've still got 12 weeks until the half-marathon, so I probably shouldn't screw myself over now. So like a good little girl, I came home to ice it and blog about it.

I guess my question becomes, am I experiencing something that I should classify as an injury, or am I only dealing with a slightly annoying pain? I know only a doctor can truly tell me that, but I imagine lots of runners (and other fitness buffs) out there deal with slight pains that they can manage through, instead of stopping everything for something seemingly minor. I mean, it's my own fault that I didn't ice it yesterday, so I guess I paid the price today by having to cut my run short. But in the next breath, I feel like I shouldn't have to be icing after every run to manage my ankle. Or should I?

On another note, beyond the pain that occur in my ankle, does anyone else get shoulder pain? I hold tension in my shoulders no matter what, from being a musician, but I notice on runs, I tend to keep my shoulders tense like I do when I'm playing clarinet! What gives? I consciously try to tell myself to relax, but the more I'm "out there" the more it seems to happen. Sometimes after I run, the part of me that is the most sore later that day are my shoulders, which is just hilarious to me. Is it a me problem or do others experience this too?

Anywho, as always, advice or suggestions are always appreciated, especially in regard to this ankle issue! I just want to wish it away!

Summer Training

Maybe not my best idea. But I found some advice from this blogger for Brooks who helps to account for all the changes you need to acclimate to when the weather changes. Running this morning in the mist before Tropical Storm Angela hit, made me realize how hot the weather has gotten!! I have been choosing to run more in the evenings with Will, which can be cool around 7:30 as the sun starts setting. However, I forgot how good it felt to run in temperatures that are in the low 70's and not sunny, like this morning! I realized that my pace and enjoyment of running have been suffering more than I have been admitting, which kind of makes me happy because it's not just me beating myself up mentally, but rather that I really am struggling! On the other hand, it makes me a little more intimidated about training for my first half over the summer--how come nobody stopped me from doing that?!?! Here's hoping I get a "big-girl" job soon that will force me to wake up early and run before it gets hot. While I enjoy running in the evenings with Will, I also enjoy not suffocating with each step.

Anyways, this post wasn't meant to complain. Instead, I was hoping to gain some insight on how other people have been dealing with the rapid approach of summer and how that affects their running. I have seen some struggles being admitted on Facebook, which helps me feel less alone about it, however, how are we supposed to battle it? What are your recommendations to keep yourself going, hydrated, and safe as we combat the ever-rising temperatures? Should I be dragging my tush out of bed in the wee morning hours to catch the best temperature? Should I be swapping in some treadmill days to balance out the outdoor temperatures?

I'm dreading our move to Williamsburg because I already know that the summer temperatures and humidity are worse than Tallahassee, so I'm thinking this training will be a potentially regrettable decision. However, come race day, I know I will be motivated, happy, and thrilled to reach the finish line and will not care about all the struggles I'm having now and will be facing over the next 12 weeks!

Keeping my goal in mind!

Debated Topic: Stretching

I have read so many conflicting things about stretching before running. I've gotten the point very clearly that it's more crucial to do some good stretching after running, but it seems to be a topic of debate about how to warm up muscles before going out for a run. I know for me, the spots that get me the worst if I haven't stretched at all are my ankles and my calves. The ankles get a little stiff and the calves tighten up, usually after  my first incline. So I try to do just a teeny bit of stretching before taking off, to try to prevent these, but even then it doesn't always work.

As far as my post-run stretching goes, I like to use a simple post-run yoga sequence that gets into some of the tighter spots. However, I would definitely like some suggestions of other ways to stretch post-run because sometimes this is kind of like "yeah, okay, sure...I think I'm stretching" because I use these stretches frequently enough in my normal yoga practice.

So leave me some thoughts-what do you do pre-run to prep your body? What do  you do post-run to help it recover? Do you do the same stretching routine every time or mix it up? In particular, what do you do to curb calf and ankle issues?

Motivation

Motivation. It's a big scary word that I've discovered while working to become more fit and active. It is SO easy to just sit on your butt and not feel an ounce guilty that you aren't super physically active. But then when you get into a workout routine, it becomes a little easier to convince yourself that it's worth it. However, even just a couple days off from that routine may make it harder to bounce right back in because it's never easy that first day back. 

For me, I find it fairly easy to motivate myself to do something at least six days out of the week (Monday is usually my "skip" day). And it's especially easy if it's something that Will and I have planned to do together, like our scheduled morning gym trips or a Saturday bike ride. However, it's a little harder sometimes to keep myself motivated when I'm out running by myself. Even if I feel great physically, with no pain or sense of restraint in my legs, usually my mind does not want to complete the task. Granted, the kick of endorphins after I finish always reminds me that sticking with it is worth it; it's just a matter of getting to that finishing point.

What do you all do to stay motivated, particularly when running? I find that now, especially with training for this half, I know what amount of time I'm scheduled to run and until I reach the halfway point, I struggle with wanting to keep going. I have a lot of self-doubt and constantly am telling myself I'm never going to achieve my goal: how do you avoid that or counteract it while you run? I don't listen to music while I run for safety reasons, but I have to wonder if popping at least one earbud in would help.

I also find that now that I'm regularly running at least 30 minutes/about 3 miles as my "shorter" distances, I find my mind trying to convince me to stop after a mile, because really, "that's enough and is more than most people do." I mean seriously-why would my brain say that? Physically I enjoy the benefits of running and am finding that I can accomplish the time/distance just fine, but the lack of motivation and support from my brain is surprising. Any tips on how to overcome this struggle would be appreciated!

Distance/Time Dilemma

When training for a half marathon, is it more important to focus on your distance or your time? I'm finding I keep pretty close to a 10" mile when I'm going for longer time runs (as opposed to closer to 9" for shorter distances/races), especially in preparation for this half marathon. But when preparing for a distance event, is it better to focus on the amount of time you're out running or the distance itself? I find myself getting hung up on both, although the training plan I'm using puts more emphasis on time as opposed to distance. However, I have looked at other training plans and discovered that distance is the priority.

Also, when picking plans, I steered away from those that wanted you to do different types of running, i.e. "tempo training" or "circuit training." I'm not sure if that was a good or bad move on my part, because I feel like on race day, I'll have pretty good energy and will be encouraged by those around me in my pace group (is that what it's called?), to keep up a good pace. When you are out on a run, do you try to mix up your speeds, to test yourself at faster tempos and then have more moderate tempos to catch your breath? Or do you just kind of chug along with only a slight variance in tempo?

If you have a favorite plan, please leave me a link in the comments section!

How to Half

Here is my first "help, I need advice!" post of this blog. I just began training to run my first half marathon and I want to know all the little details of how one of these shindigs goes down. I'm following this 12-week training plan to prepare myself, which should end up being just the right amount of time. However, besides the running part, I don't really know what else to expect/do. So here are my questions and please help me out in the comments!

1. Do you actually run the whole thing? Please be honest.

2. What are gels and should I try them?

3. Are one of those waist water bottle thingies a good investment? How much water do they really hold? (And what are they really called?)

4. What do you think about for 13.1 miles?

5. Am I trying to do this too soon after jumping into running?

Admittedly, before I started running, I used to think the 13.1 and 26.2 stickers on cars were bible verses! Little did I know they were actually part of a fitness culture that I have found myself wanting to be a part of. The reason I'm training for this is because I want a tie-dye 13.1 sticker, let's be real.

Oh, by the way, the race I'm planning to run is the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon: VA Beach :)

Why Another Blog?

You might be thinking, "Megan's food blog is cute, but why does she think we want to hear more babblings from her?" Here's my answer: "not everything I do involves cooking!" And while Cooking With Willis is absolutely fantastic and I appreciate the support from my readers, there are other things I want to talk about besides food (and it doesn't mean you have to listen)! Mostly, I would like to have some sort of blog forum to discuss with other fitness junkies, especially runners, how to stay motivated, share tips and advice, and help achieve (running) goals. I am in no way a great runner or perfect yogi, much less certified in anything, so what I offer here may not be of much help to anyone! However, I am hoping to gain some insight from others as to how to improve my training so I can be a better runner and more fit overall.

Now, the really ironic part about this is, I imagined this blog up while on a long run Sunday and when I got back to my car, realized my favorite bumper sticker would make the perfect name. Then on Monday, I woke up with sore ankles (an underlying bout of tendonitis, I believe, that I am f-i-g-h-t-i-n-g) and then I wrenched my back at the gym doing ab twists and now can't turn fully to my right. That was after a little IT band scare in my left leg on Saturday night, that calmed down after some icing. So the name "Pain Now, Wine Later" really rings true today and when I get home tonight I'll be pouring myself a nice glass of Cab Sauv to recuperate and figure out why the hell my body is freaking out at me. Again, I hope this blog can offer an avenue for others to share advice about how to combat problems like these when all we're really trying to do is keep ourselves healthy. I mean seriously. Body, get with it.

Anyways, you may also be wondering why I would want to blog about running/yoga/working out at all. Those of you who have known me for years know that for a long time I was all "ughhh running who would want to do that? Seems stupid" or "working out is ridiculous" blah blah blah. I admit: I said all of those things. I still sometimes believe those things. But as in many other aspects of my life, and most people's, I have grown up and come to recognize that things I have written off in the past deserve a chance. So last May, I joined a gym (not the first time) and was diligent about going 3-4 times a week (I had done this over a summer before). I even had a personal trainer because there was some sort of special going on. Will and I bought a bike for me and I would do flat paths with him. I learned to kayak. I started practicing yoga more religiously and found a studio I liked and shelled out the $$ for classes. Life was grand. Then school started and I realized that for once, I would not let the school/practice/work schedule take over and I would manage to fit these things in. Because guess what? I was looking better and feeling better and why wouldn't I want to keep doing that?

Flash forward to December, where I had been pretty good about waking up at the crack of dawn to drag myself to the gym and Will and I had squeezed in biking on busy weekends, as well as scrambling to yoga classes a few nights a week and on weekends. I have some piano students who run, one who does kid triathlons, a former boss who is a triathlete, and a coworker who runs, blogs, and Facebooks about her fitness all the time, usually before most of us are even awake! Between all of them, I realized I should attempt to tackle the elusive idea of running, one that had never made sense to me (why run around for no particular reason, unlike soccer where you can chase a ball to score a goal) and that I had avoided because of my patella femoral pain syndrome in my knees. However, not having experienced many knee problems down here in Tallahassee, I figured I'd give it a shot.

All I can say for the first couple weeks is "ow." Then I went and got fitted for shoes at Capital City Runners, bought a pair online (eventually went back and got fitted and bought shoes there-a worthwhile investment) and immediately things were better. Then I started running more because it didn't hurt my ankles as much, and after a frustrating dress rehearsal for my masters recital, Will and I went out and ran a 5K distance with no problem. We signed up for Run for the Cookies the following week and never looked back.

I hope you'll join me in exploring the various means of fitness that are out there, but more particularly in my running. In the following blog posts, I will be posing questions and asking for advice, so I hope you will help me out along the way!