Category Archives: Let the Sunshine In

April 4th and 5th: Bike Rides, Gators and Cocktails!

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e21

This weekend has been filled with some great adventures and beautiful weather.  The bonus is that I’ve gotten some practice in with my new bike as well!!!

Saturday we visited Everglades National park and took our bikes on a nice 13 mile ride along side a very gator-saturated canal.  We lost count but are pretty sure we saw upwards of 40+ gators that day.  The park was filled with families and tourists but it was well worth the amazing ride and beautiful weather.  Check out some of the amazing wild-life we saw:

We were also privileged to see a two Kites (the birds not the toys) fly over head.  All in all, a beautiful trip.

We ended our evening with a dinner out on the town.  Time outdoors, nature, a little sun and cocktails to top it all off… Pretty much describes a perfect day if you ask me. 🙂

I Kept Going…

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puke

I don’t know if I have a cramp or a pulled muscle in my left calf but it HURRRRTTSS…

It started hurting the minute I started running this evening.  I stretched and pulled through the pain to keep running because I was doing well and was feeling great otherwise.  Although I was happy to have kept going, I’m wondering if it was kind of a stupid move because, to be honest, it now hurts me more.  I better not be in too much pain to enjoy my long run this Sunday!  Either way, I’ll still keep going during that run too… I’ll rest from running until then.

This evening I drank coconut water for the potassium and took Magnesium in case its a cramp and have massaged it and put on some Biofreeze and took a Turmeric for the inflammation…  Wish me luck :-/

April 1st: Well on my way…

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good run

Today was hectic both during and after work… by the time it was 5pm I was so hungry and tired, all I could think to do was eat dinner.  I had nothing prepared so when my mom asked me to join her for some lentil soup at her place, I agreed.  After a bowl of that fiber- protein-iron-rich-goodness, I felt like a sluggish bump on a log.

As I sat with mom on the patio after dinner, though, all I could think of was going for a run.  I was so restless that my mind was going 100 miles an hour thinking about lacing up and hitting the pavement….  I wouldn’t feel right until I did it.

I gave myself a couple hours to digest and headed out just before it got dark.  Fastest run in a few months and well under 9 minute miles which is one of the goals I shared being committed to achieving!  I’m well on my way 🙂

Goals I’m Committed To!

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race goals
Goals I’m Committed to Achieving Next Season (in order of importance and obtainability to me):
  1. Sub-two-hour half marathon
  2. Do a triathlon
  3. Do most of my training runs under 9 minute miles
  4. Paris Marathon in April 2015… I’m not quite sure if I’m committed to doing a full…  Have I forgotten how much a full marathon hurts?  Do I have the commitment to train for that many miles?  Do I have the money to do this?  Lol… all of this remains to be seen.
Steps I’m Taking Now:
  1. Good bye Galloway:  Although I started running using the Galloway method 5 years ago and still using it loosely during races, I have stopped doing this during my training runs.  For any of you that may not be familiar with Jeff Galloway’s run/ walk method, it’s a great way to ease yourself into running.  Running and walking at timed intervals gives you the ability to run faster and recover more quickly.  I may not be able to run a full 13 miles without taking a few walk breaks to lower my heart rate but, doing all of my training runs without walking has helped me build a lot more endurance.  As the saying goes “I run ‘till it hurts so that tomorrow, it’ll hurt less.”
  2. Biker Chick: So, I may not know how to ride it very well but, I have the most important tool necessary if I’m going to attempt to do a triathlon… my awesome new road bike.  I’m taking it out for short 7 mile rides until I can coordinate to go a little further with a friend for support (yeah, I’m a chicken, so what?!) I’m pretty psyched.
  3. Flying (running) Solo:  Although being part of a group has been a huge contributing factor to getting me active and involved in athletics, it is only now that I’m doing most of my runs alone that I am truly coming into my own.  It’s fun socializing with others but if you really want to get faster, you’ve got to be able to push yourself… and only YOU can feel how far you want to be pushed.  You can’t push someone else and no one can push you.
Steps I’m taking Soon:
  1. Sink or Swim: I’m signing up for swimming classes this summer.  I can do a mean froggy and doggy paddle but, I’ll admit, that my swimming form is pretty pathetic.  If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it right!
  2. High tech: Although I’ve been kinda “winging it” with calculating my pace during races up until now, I got a taste of what it’s like to use a Garmin watch during my last half and got hooked.  My sister let me borrow hers at the “Best Damn Race” we did together and it was pretty amazing.  Not only did it tell me what my current average pace was at all times during the race but, I was able to print out my pace per mile afterwards.  I couldn’t believe that mile 12 was my fastest at an average 8:32 a mile!  (did I want to get it over with or what?!)  I’ll be asking my family to get me one for my b-day this summer!!!
  3. Extra Income:  I need more mullah to support my racing habits.  Rather than sit under the laurels (or the palm trees at the beach) this summer, I’m going to have to get myself a little part time job to fill in my spare time and make some extra cash for these entry fees and possible travel expenses.

When Race Season is Over…

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ing 2

Since my epic race-season finale, I have no other scheduled half marathons in the near future.   And, to be honest, there aren’t many (if any at all) to register for in my neck of the woods anyway.   They probably won’t start up again until September or October.

Although its been cool and overcast lately, in about a month or so, Florida’s summer weather will kick in and it’ll be unbearably hot and humid by 8am every morning.  Rather than start running indoors on a treadmill (the equivalent of Chinese water torture for me) I keep doing my thing outdoors but adjust times to avoid the dangerous conditions.

Here are 5 of my humble off-season tips to help you hit the ground running (pun is completely intended, of course) when you’re able to race again:

  1. You may not have to run as far but don’t stop doing your long-runs.  I honestly don’t significantly lower my weekly mileage during off season.  Maybe my long-runs will be 8-11 miles while I’m training but only 7-9 when I’m not.  No biggie…
  2. Increase your cross-training to strengthen hips, legs and core.  (something you can do indoors and in the air conditioning is always a plus.)  You want to protect those knees and hips by staying strong!
  3. Sign up for shorter races.  They usually organize these year-round.  I’ll be doing a 10K in a couple weeks with one of my girlfriends just for fun.  It may not be a half but, it keeps you motivated and honest about your conditioning.
  4. Start thinking about your goals.  Do you have a specific time goal?  Do you want to do a full?  Do you need to save money to support your addiction to racing out of town?  Start preparing as of now.
  5. Get social.  Join a group through your local running store or meetup.com.  Knowing that you have people waiting on you to run will keep you honest about getting out there even when its really, REALLY hot out…

I’m doing 7 or 8 tomorrow… 🙂

 

 

March 26th: From Sore to Lumpy

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bike 2

So, I’ve been trying out my new bike this week… luckily, my sore butt issue is being resolved through my use of padded bike shorts.  But, now I have a new dilemma… They make my already large booty look bigger through the addition of a big ol’ lump where the padding is, LOL… whatever.

More importantly, I’m learning to ride it slowly but surely.  I didn’t realize how different it would feel from riding a regular cruiser.  I’m taking short 6-7 mile rides around my neighborhood until I get comfortable riding it then plan on going further along the same ocean-side route as my Saturday long runs.

I already have several friends ready and waiting to ride with me!!  🙂  Can’t wait!

 

March 25th: Harmonium

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harmonium

Today, I am grateful for a lovely new experience I had.  I decided to take a yoga class this morning to fully take advantage of my time off.  I had never taken a class with this specific instructor so I was a little scared when she came into the studio carrying what looked to me like a wooden brief case.   For all I knew, was full of all sorts of torture devices intended to push my already tight hip flexers to their snapping point….  Despite this, however, she appeared to be very sweet and was actually very encouraging and supportive throughout the class.

At the end of the lesson, as is traditionally done, she led us through a very peaceful guided meditation.  As I laid with my eyes closed and breathed deeply, I became aware of the sound of her unclasping the wooden brief case open… then suddenly, the music began.

It was a deep reverberating accordion type of sound.  It played loudly, at first, then softened as she began to sing softly yet powerfully.   Such an unexpected surprise.  I felt so peaceful and privileged to have listened to that.

I looked up the instrument and come to find out its called a harmonium.  For your listening pleasure, here is an example of what it sounded like.  Its the little things…

 

March 23rd: La Vie en Rose

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Today was just an all around awesome day!…  It began with a long-run by the ocean with this view:

sunrise

Then moved on to brunch and a walk through an art festival with this view:

delray

Then ended with me getting a kick-ass bicycle thats very, very PINK!!!

bike

I TOLD you that I was going to attempt triathlons this season…  getting this bike is the first step.

I’m sooooooo excited that I’m seeing life through pink-colored glasses as the French chanteuse Edith Piaf once sang…. but my bike is so kick-ass that I’m channelling more Steven Tyler than Edith 😉

Edith:

Steven:

Bicycles and Sore Butts

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sore butt

I am proud to say that I have been hard at work running and riding my rinky-dink bicycle lately.  I have not missed a work-out except for Tuesday.  I was just too tired after coming back so late Monday night from my trip out of town and wanted to give my body a rest.

My daily routine has included either a fast 3 mile run and a short cool-down bike ride OR a 6 mile bike ride and my favorite butt exercise video.  I’m feeling good and am SOOO glad that I have begun to do a secondary form of cardio for various reasons:

  1. If I run every day, my knees and hips just don’t feel right.  I ache and feel uncomfortable.  Cycling has given me something to do in between my running days.  Extra cardio and no knee pain? What a concept!
  2. Its helping me strengthen a different set of leg muscles which, i’m sure, will ultimately make me a stronger runner.
  3. Its fun!
  4. Its getting me super psyched about getting a REAL bike and doing a tri!

Despite my excitement, I have one small complaint… MY BUTT HURTS!

You would think that with my Cuban-sized booty, it wouldn’t be a sore as it is but, I’m downright uncomfortable, people.  I either need to get a better seat for my bike, wear padded riding shorts or just suck it up and get used to it if I’m going to be making this a new habit!

I will be getting a more efficient bike sooner than later and will hopefully be able to try it out during my spring break!  I can’t wait to share THOSE new adventures with you.  Until then, I gotta keep movin’!

March 12th: Like riding a bicycle

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mom on bike

My mother has got to be just about the cutest thing ever…. And its heartwarming to know that she is inspired to get on her bike and do exercise because she sees me doing something almost every day after work.

When I shared that I had ridden my bike earlier, she decided she wanted in on the action.  She asked is she could come by my house and do my go-to butt workout video with me.:

http://walkruninspired.com/2014/01/22/new-favorite-exercises-for-butt-and-thighs/

When I saw her riding her bike down the street towards my house through the living room window, my heart just about melted.  She’s the best 🙂