And so it begins...

I have registered for the 1/2 marathon in Philadelphia, and got in the lottery for Houston for the full - so thus the training has officially started. On that note, a note to self, avoid listening to Brittney Spears songs lest you actually stop running to break out into dance.

Toning

I requested a BOSU for Christmas - and you might think that is completely crazy but I have to say it is probably more used that my yoga mat that is the same price. I have found that especially since I ditched my gym membership for more pavement time.

Now whether you own a BOSU or have access to one check out these exercises, a large medicine ball could be substituted for many of these.
One that isn't demonstrated on the above series of videos is actually one of my favorites seen below:

Note that I prefer to use to BOSU flipped over when I do this version as I find the softer surface when it is positioned as below strains my wrist.

But hell why stop the challenges there just Google or YouTube BOSU and you'll have enough to keep you crazy for months and months..

Hello There!

So I am back at it, SLOWLY, but surely and here is my new goal - the Seattle Marathon, while I would love to run dozens of races before this one, and maybe how about not running in the Pacific Northwest in November but alas, such is life. I know that I need to give myself the full 16 weeks, if not longer but at this point I am slowly getting up to the base miles for the 16 week training schedule which means if we all do some of our GRE required math I will have until the beginning of August to really get the base miles under my belt. What am I getting at? Well I would like to know that come August that 6 miles is a comfortable aka easier run for me, and that maybe I will have already tried out a 10 miler by then too... You might say well doesn't that defeat the point of a training schedule. Maybe it might, this time I am going to be doing a different schedule - the one in Bart Yasso's book to be exact and I'm going to be running a really hilly course, so much so that the Vegas Marathon a week later looks REALLY appealing and that might just happen instead. My goal is to do it in 4:30. A big challenge, but I might just be able to twist a few arms to join me so we'll see.

All that being said I believe that I should leave you with some music to run to:



This song came on the radio this week at work and I was surprised that I hadn't put up any of their songs - thankfully that issue has been rectified

Finding Grace in Running

Starting to run after months of being on my ass or back feeling horrible, is like starting running as an obese adult with no history of cardiovascular activity - it's hard. It might even be harder because I know what it used to feel like. I am starting over from the beginning.

In starting over, I've decided to make changes. I am becoming devoted to my runs rather than their mileage or times. I personally feel that this is the best way for me to make baby steps towards building up my mileage without the stress of not succeeding or feeling I need to push, push, push. I am aware that I can easily get back to where I was if I am determined to run myself into the ground.

As such I have started to cherish the small victories, small changes - I can run up the last hill in my run without feeling like I'm going to die half way up. I run more these days and walk less. The mileage is exactly the same - 3 miles. That is it, no less and some days a little more. I have decided to follow the Marathon training guide which is Run - TWTh Sat and Sun, off on Mondays and Fridays - but since my Tuesday's are not free my schedule is WTh, SatSunMon. The benefits right now of only doing 3 miles are:

1. It's short - not overly taxing
2. Because it's short I can cross train
3. It's about the process not about the speed - I measure my runs now on how I feel.

3 miles might seem small but 26.2 isn't really a whole lot longer... in that when you start the race it's about chipping away at that total - I just have to chip away at it 8.5ish times over.

But in the end that's not the point - grace for myself is - I get out there and I feel what my body is doing - good or bad, it's a run and it's a step back towards health.

So What's Been Happening?

Well this blog has been neglected because quite simply I can't run.

I love running, I get weepy at the sight of my Runner's World.

Running also makes me cry because I'm sick. I'm not deathly sick, but I am fatigued out of my gourd for lack of a better word - covered in hives, eczema and in general failing apart. So the running is on hold until I am better - in the meantime you are free to join the food and life journey to wellness at www.recipesfromtheadventure.blogspot.com

Website Wednesday

So this sort of fits in with Food Friday, but since I plan on actually posting a recipe on Friday, I am offering you this lovely website, the PPK blog aka The Post Punk Kitchen. The PPK is a vegan blog which offers a wide variety of vegan/children/non-vegan/gluten free friendly recipes. I really encourage you to have a look at the recipes:

The Post Punk Kitchen

I'm Back I Promise

Sorry for my delinquency, but we are back on schedule I promise, I really promise. Note I am aware IMEEM took away all our beautiful music when it was co-oped by Myspace - so we'll have to fix that too in time.

So now that we are back on schedule, let me inform you of the schedule.

Running Group Schedule is as follows:

Date:Wednesday's - starting Feb 3/10
Time: 6:30-6:40 (depart at 6:40 sharp) - 7:40 (approx)
Where: Main Street/Chinatown Skytrain
During the weeks of Feb 17-March 3 - we will meet at Broadway and Victoria - one block East from Commercial.

Date: Saturday's - starting Feb 6/10
Time: 8:30am (8:35 sharp we leave)
Where: Meet at Burrard Station on the corner across from the Bank of Montreal.
The Olympics shouldn't affect this group - but if it does we'll figure something else out. I know the time seems early but the routes downtown get clogged if you aren't out there early

Helpful Hints/Guidelines:

1. Avoid cotton - while it's great for mitts and in blends for your socks, cotton loves moisture and so between your sweat and the inevitably moist weather you're going to end up wet, cold, chaffing and well really really not happy.

2. You do not need to spend $$$. I qualify this with #3, see below. Basic technically/workout/gym/Lululemon esque clothing works - as long as you feel comfortable in it and layer. Example for a run in our current very balmy temperature I would wear a tank and a long sleeve technical shirt with gloves - you may wear more or less. Don't have the gear - check out Value Village (all discarded race day gear is donated to here), Walmart/Zellers/Costco - they carry your very basic gear - good place to start, or if you are sure you're going to do this a while check out the cheap online gear in the Website Wednesday link - it's a great place for cheap shoes too.

3. Buy/wear good quality footwear - this is where you need to fork out about $100 and buy a pair of shoes that works for you. Don't know what that is - well when you step out of the shower tomorrow look at your foot print, is it one blob - no visible arch? You're flat footed, and so on - Runner's World has shoe guides to help you out - the best option in the end is to check out a Running Room/Penninsula Runners or New Balance store and get assessed - they'll be able to look at your old shoes and your gait and figure out what would be best for you.

4. Hydration - water is about all you need - drink as much of it through the day and you'll be fine for most of your short work outs, long runs will require that you consider carrying water with you - Gatorade or other electrolyte drinks aren't really necessary for you right now - talk to me if you have questions about that.

5. HAVE FUN - if you hurt, if this isn't fun or any other non-fun related issue let me know ASAP so we can address it.