Hello December!

Today is the first day of December and I must say, as far as weather goes, it sure looks like the first day of October. There's a chill in the air but the sky is blue and the sun is shining! I began writing an blog entry on Saturday and didn't get a chance to finish it, but this is how it started:

"It is officially cold today - and yesterday was our first snow of the season. Nothing stuck and it wasn't much to look at, but I think the days of running in shorts and a light jacket are officially over."

Fast forward to Sunday when I went for a run in shorts and a jacket! Yesterday it wasn't quite warm enough for shorts, but I did manage to be perfectly comfy in some running tights, a short sleeve shirt, and a light jacket. I have a feeling today will be more of the same... and I'm loving it! We decided since the weather was going to make a turn for the worse very soon - or at least I'm assuming it will - it would be a good idea to invest in a treadmill. Paul gets a discount through work, so in the end it will cost about the same as a one year gym membership (for myself). Now I can run indoors the privacy of my basement, without having to get myself over to the gym. Plus, Paul can use it too! Sweet!

I don't really like the treadmill (I swear it is designed for people with much longer strides than mine) but with freezing temperatures, icy conditions, and hills, running outside is not really a safe option. We are ordering it this week - I've never been so excited about a treadmill in my life!

What I Eat

The title of this post is a bit misleading. I eat a whole lot of stuff, and there are some food items that I absolutely will not eat (peas, I'm looking at you). However, there are some things I eat and avoid eating when it comes to running. Most running websites and magazines have devoted hundreds of articles regarding what runners should eat for optimal performance. I tend to agree with a lot of the items but as much as I love a banana, I don't consider it the miracle drug that most runners do. Below is a list of the foods and beverages I can't live without for pre/post run.

Water - I was an H20 fan before running, but now I love it more than ever. Staying hydrated is essential to having productive, fun, and all around enjoyable runs! I try to get anywhere between 60-80 ounces a day.

Bread - This includes items closely related such as bagels and English muffins. I love it moist or toasted, whole wheat or white, breakfast, noon, and night. I am a big fan of carbs (never could understand that Atkins nonsense) so for me, bread is the mother ship. 95% of the time I stick to whole wheat but I have never passed up a fresh baguette! Plus, as a runner you get a chance to use up all that carb energy before it turns into glucose.

Chocolate Milk - I never really needed a reason to love chocolate milk. Despite my moderate intolerance for lactose, I have always loved a nice cold glass of the brown stuff. It brings me back to my childhood - I remember my dad making a glass for me and for himself as a treat. Now I know that chocolate milk is a great postrun snack! The calcium, protein, and carbs help your body recover faster and stronger. I mix up some syrup with 8 ounces of fat free organic milk after a long run. I especially like the choc milk option because I usually do not have an appetite after working out.

Pretzels - This is another item that I've always been a fan of. My mom always made sure we had pretzels in the house. I think part of it was pretzels were a healthier alternative to potato chips, plus she really loved some salty pretzels! I have inherited her love for salt as well as her surprisingly low blood pressure (YES!). Since I'm a very salty sweater (my dogs love licking my legs after a workout) this salty snack curbs my salt cravings. Plus they're low in fat, inexpensive, and travel well.

Peanut Butter - I have recently switched to natural peanut butter and although it took some getting used to, I am so glad I made the change. PB is a great source of protein but without the grease or preservatives that accompany a lot of meat.

Pasta - Although a huge pasta carb load before a race is a running urban legend, pasta still ranks among my favorite running meals. However, I never eat it with tomato sauce before running - the acid in the tomatoes gives me heartburn if I run.

Some foods that I avoid within an hour before running include:

Yogurt - Great any other item, but the dairy kills my belly during a run, and I end up with the trots :(

Meat/Eggs - I try to avoid meat and eggs right before lacing up and leaving. The protein makes me feel heavy and lethargic.

Fruit - Again, more GI problems.

All this food talk is making me hungry - time for dinner!

Run For Your Life

I just finished watching the film, Run For Your Life, about Fred Lebow, the creator and long-time director of the NYC Marathon. Not only is the film full of familiar running faces and interesting stories about the creation of the marathon and its many runners, it also tells Lebow's personal story of coming to America for a better life. Lebow's achievements in the running world are not measured by the money he made but by his passion for the sport and the success of the NYC Marathon. It is a wonderful story and it made me want to run the NY marathon!

Run... Fall... Run

This is my first fall in Pittsburgh. If I have learned anything so far, it is this: you cannot predict the weather. In September, we were enjoying an Indian Summer of sorts (by the by, why is it called an "Indian Summer"? I fear the reason is something terribly racist and I will feel bad for ever using the term). Then, it was suddenly winter-like, with dropping temperatures and threats of snow. Several days later, things were looking brighter and warmer. This was followed by approximately one solid week of rain. The current condition is something similar to what many people consider fall: sunny skies and temperatures in the low 50s. Fall is my favorite season, even if does seem to come and go without stopping in for a drink. I'm not much of a hot weather gal and therefore summer is not my thing (nor my skin's - I am pale, pale, pale), spring wreaks havoc on my allergies, and winter with all of its ice brings out my inner klutz (last year I slipped on a particularly slick patch of sidewalk). I don't just love fall for what it is not, but what it is: leaves changing color, pumpkin recipes, back to school gear, Halloween and Thanksgiving... fall is just where it's at! Plus, fall is the runner's best friend.

Gone are the days of over-heating, severe sunburns, dehydration, and monitoring the daily temperature highs to determine when the coolest time to run is. For a runner, especially me, fall provides the freedom to run when you want without worrying that the sun will interfere. I can also easily get away without strapping a water bottle of ice to my hand for runs that are less than an hour. Fall really reminds me why I enjoy running. In the summer, I have a hard time convincing myself that I actually enjoy this running thing. The summer heat becomes unbearable, and I am forced to try and think about anything else besides running as I run. This lack of consciousness usually results in poor posture, confusion regarding my location, running into pedestrians, and a general discombobulation. In the fall, I return to a state of awareness. I know where I am, what I'm doing, and I love it.

Welcome Fall! Won't you stay for a drink or two?

Sunny Sunday!

I was having some serious motivation issues today. Today was the 4th day in a row that I woke up to rain/clouds threatening rain. However, the sun came out this afternoon! After I took the dags out for a walk I was motivated to get out and go run. It was still a bit chilly at the start, but I eventually warmed up. Not a great run (standard 40 minutes), but it was better than no run at all!

I decided to switch up my route so I could finish at the library and pick up 2 books I had on hold, and then take the train home. I ended up getting an additional book (the rather large, Joy of Cooking) as well as 2 CDs. I figured the train would be empty since it's Sunday and I head outbound. I was wrong. There was a Steelers home game. Packed train. So, there I stood in my running tights and lime green jacket, holding a stack of library materials in one hand and holding onto the top rail with the other. For the sake of those sitting near me, I hope I didn't smell too bad!

First Blog in 7 Months

I haven't blogged in 7 months. I don't know if I'm cut out for this kind of thing, but I'll give it another go...

Side note: This resurgence was inspired by my friend and former roommate, Kate. If you are a random person and have stumbled upon this blog, check out Kate's website: www.kateklim.com. She's an amazing musician.

Back to running - I finished my half marathon way back in April and did a lot better than I thought/worried I would - 2:05ish (yes, all official race times end in "ish"). Since then I've moved from the flatlands of Indiana to the hills of Pittsburgh, PA. It's been quite an adjustment to my running schedule and the hills triggered my runner's knee. However, I have managed to find some less hilly routes to run, and got a brace for the ole knee. I also live close to a park that has an excellent running trail, which is nice to mix things up.

A few weeks ago I got a horrible cold (I think I contracted it on a flight from Chicago to Pittsburgh) which slowed me down a bit, but before that I was running about 240 minutes a week spread over 6 days. I was finally getting into a rhythm when I started feeling like a sac of poo, but now that I'm feeling better, I'm planning on working my way back up from this week's 175 minute total.

The Pittsburgh Marathon is in May and I'm thinking of training for the half marathon portion. I'll have to see how the winter goes. I'm too poor to get a gym membership, which was fine for Southern Indiana because even in the dead of winter, there was almost zero snow and ice. Unfortunately, living in Pittsburgh means dealing with winter, and running on the ice is not an option. I'm thinking of buying a used treadmill... at least that way I could run in my basement while watching Arrested Development on DVD!

Training can't be over soon enough

I keep neglecting to write which is ridiculous since I'm bored at work 95% of the time. You would think I'd be happy to have some kind of outlet to exercise my brain but instead I spend my time calculating wedding costs and looking at houses on realtor.com. I guess those things count as intellectual stimulation. I don't think I ever made my half marathon official. Yes, that's right, I finally signed up for a half marathon! It's right here in Bloomington and it's in less than 2 weeks (April 4th). It even supports a good cause. The proceeds go toward a scholarship fund for students who are cancer survivors! I have been training for about 9 weeks now and I am ready to just run the damn thing and be done with it. Training just adds extra pressure to life in general. I know I'd be running even if I wasn't training, but knowing that I MUST go run makes it hard.

The weather has been excellent lately, which makes it easier to get out there and run. Unfortunately, the arrival of spring means allergies. My throat has been terribly scratchy and yesterday and I had to use my shirt as a hankerchief to blow my nose.

Lessons learned: 1. Take allergy medicine before the big race, 2. Bring a bandana to help a runny nose.

Half Marathon... FINALLY!

I finally signed up for my first half marathon. This is kind of old news because I signed up about a month ago but haven't blogged. Between training and taking care of the new puppy we got around the same time, I'm totally exhausted.

The training is going very well. I am following a plan from RunnersWorld.com in which you tell the program what your fastest race time is and how hard you want to train. The system then develops a program based on your time frame and goals. My basic schedule is: long run on Sunday, rest on Monday, medium length run on Tuesday, cross train on Wednesday (I usually do an hour of power yoga for this), speed work on Thursday, easy run on Friday, and cross train on Saturday (usually the bike or elliptical for 45 minutes and then light lifting or core strenthening for 20 minutes). It's been almost 5 weeks and the only day I've "skipped" was yesterday. I didn't go to yoga and planned to do pilates at home but the aforementioned new puppy made that impossible. I did walk for an hour at lunch so at least I got some sort of physical activity in!

Tonight my speedwork run is 7 miles. I'm not looking forward to it since the temperature has dropped from a chilly 45 to a cold 25 overnight :( Hopefully I can power through it. I'm having brinner tonight (pancakes!) so that should be a good source of motivation! My long run this Sunday is going to be 10 miles, which will also be the longest I have ever run. I feel like if I can accomplish it, then some of my anxiety about finishing the half marathon will go away.

I should start pumping myself up for my run tonight: ONLY 7 MORE HOURS UNTIL I CAN GO HOME AND RUN!!!

Bad News. Good News.

The bad news is that I fell off the blogging bandwagon for a while. I blame a combination of feeling creatively empty and holiday hustle and bustle. However, the good news is that I did NOT fall off the running bandwagon. I certainly had to make some changes to my routine given our holiday travels and changing weather, but I stayed fairly consistent. When we got to my parents' house in Northern Illinois, we were greeted by 2 feet of snow. Since my parents live in a new development, most of the streets do not have sidewalks so I had to do some creative running. I basically ran on the street and did figure 8s around the neighborhood because many of the streets were too slippery to test my luck. On the second to last day of our visit, it got really warm and rained. While this created an "ice free" zone, it also made for a very, very wet run!

By far, the best place I ran was in Durham, North Carolina. We stayed with Paul's family and there was a trail nearby so I decided to give a shot. The hills were just difficult enough to force me to really push myself but not so difficult that I gave up. There was also a segment of the trail called the "Fit Trail." It was about 3/4 of a mile and every few yards there was a post with different exercises to perform. Most of them also had different apparatus in which to perform the various tasks - i.e. monkey bars, mini-balance beam, horizontal bars, etc. I just stuck to the running but I thought it was pretty clever. It had the aura of a Jane Fonda Workout video.

This week I've had to run indoors on the treadmill - BOO! I hate running inside, it's so boring and the treadmill doesn't really record my distance accurately. However, I did go to yoga last night. I really like my teacher so I think it is something I can definitely stick with - YEA!