Coddling the Calf

 

March 24 - Last weekend I ran a half marathon that wasn't planned. I did it because I've been feeling amazing. I did it because I want to maintain my fitness level for the next one that is on my schedule - the Cox Rhode Races Half Marathon. I did it because it was insanely fun to sign up at the last minute, and KNOW that I COULD do it.  

Feeling great at mile 2

The week prior my left calf muscles were a bit tight and spasming a little, so I took all the typical precautionary measures: ice, KT Tape, the stick, and foam rolling.

After the race I sported my compression shorts, compression socks, and decided to take a little rest. My legs were tired, but overall I was feeling pretty good. I was thinking I can do half marathons all the time!

On Monday, my calf was feeling very, very cranky = tight and tender. Uh oh. So I continued all of the above, took some ibuprofen and went to see the chiropractor.

Mr. Chiropractor adjusted my lower back, my hips, my ankle and my foot. Then he told me You have very little arch in that foot. WHHATT?  He explained that my calf muscles were working extra hard because of the lack of support in my foot. So I ordered myself a pair of made-just-for-me orthotics to go with my new pair of Nikes.

I skipped my scheduled run on Tuesday because the calf was still feeling ouchy. I continued to coddle the calf, even working it out using my wobble board; it's great for stretching and strengthening.

On Thursday it was feeling a lot better so I did a short trail run before another visit to Mr. Chiropractor. In addition to a full adjustment, I was told to get a sports massage.

So this morning before my appointment I went for a four mile run. I took the dog with me hoping he would prevent me from going too fast. My calf was still feeling a little stiff and I even had to stop to stretch it, but by the end it had loosened up considerably. Luckily my massage therapist is also a runner. She worked all the tight muscles in my legs, used hot rocks on my calves, and stretched out my quads and hips. She also suggested that I use heat before stretching and rolling my tense calf muscles with a tennis ball.

I am hoping to pick up the made-just-for-me orthotics next week and then put an end to this tight calf business. I am looking forward to another season of good running, fun experiences, and another pain-free half marathon!

How do you deal with a nagging pain/injury?

Do you think custom orthotics work?

Blogiversary

 
March 16 -

I can't believe I have been blogging for a WHOLE year! 

Amazing things have happened since I wrote my very first post. 

My blog has experienced a huge transformation since then...

now I have pictures and Twitter and Facebook!

I did reach 211 miles in 2011 (on May 3rd)...

plus about 440 more!

 I became a New England runner...

facing snow storms, pouring rain, BIG hills and more!

I was also asked to be part of a little adventure and became a 2012 Blogging Ambassador for the Cox Rhode Races. Being one of the voices that runners hear as we train for our races has been an honor and I'm looking forward to race weekend in Providence. The fifth annual race series will be held May 5-6 and will feature a full marathon, half marathon, 5K, and kids fun run. You can hear from all Ambassadors on the Rhode Scholar Blog here. 

I joined an amazing community of fitness fanatics at FitFluential. This online community is supportive and spreads a positive healthy message. It is open to anyone who is passionate about fitness (not just bloggers either). By joining you will find yourself interacting with people who are sharing, talking, living, and breathing fitness. You will hear about great opportunities and get more support than you ever imagined possible. I'm now a FitFluential Ambassador which means I'll also be sharing information about great fitness products, events, and opportunities here on my blog.

My blog was nominated for a 2012 Fitterati Blog Award on FitnessMagazine.com! To think that someone out there considers my running blog a source of motivation and inspiration is the biggest compliment I could ever receive. It is pretty cool just to be nominated along with so many AMAZING blogs and know that someone likes reading about my adventures in running.  

Needless to say, there has been a lot of happy dancing this year. I am excited to continue blogging about my experiences and sharing my passion for running.

THANK YOU 

so much for reading about my escapades!

St. Paddy's 5 Miler

 

March 12 - Yesterday I ran my first five mile race at the St. Paddy's 5 Miler in Portsmouth, NH. I was lucky enough to have hubs running with me, but even better was that my home-from-college-on-spring-break stepdaughter came to cheer us on. I signed up for this race to use it as another run to maintain my current endurance and stay prepared for my upcoming half marathon.

To get into the spirit of the race, we sported the only green shirts we could find. Clearly hubs and I are not very festive when it comes to clothes. Needless to say, we did not win the best spirit awards for the day.

We arrived with plenty of time to pick up our bibs, grab our race t-shirts and use the restrooms. Even though it was a bright sunny morning, the temps were still pretty chilly and the wind was downright cold. We opted to wait in the car before heading over to the start where we were surrounded by people dressed in all kinds of crazy green costumes, bagpipe players, and cheering spectators.

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The race started with the typical cluster-chaos of mixed up running paces. Since I run these things for fun I don't try to get to the front, but it does get somewhat frustrating when you are a half mile in and you are dodging people who are walking. I stayed with hubs for about a half mile, but then moved off on my own.

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About two miles in I came up behind a group of women who were running a nice comfortable pace and decided to stalk trail them. They became my unofficial pacers for the day. For the next three miles I ran behind this group as they chatted about people they knew, trips they were taking, and long runs they had on schedule. The next thing I knew we were approaching the finish. At the corner I saw my stepdaughter waving which gave me a big burst of energy and I ended up passing my unofficial pacers.

Official finish time - 44:34 

After crossing the finish line, I was handed a cute green beaded necklace and a beer ticket. I quickly made my way to the post race fuel tent, grabbed two waters and then made my way over to my stepdaughter to watch for hubs.

There he is!

After grabbing some of the amazing post race refueling food (hot vegetable soup, subs, and chips) from the tent, we walked over to the beer garden at Paddy's American Grille to grab our post run beers and official Paddy's Five Miler race glasses.

We had a blast at this event. What made it even better was knowing that all proceeds from the race go to New Heights, a non-profit organization that promotes healthy lifestyles and activities through after school and summer programs for Seacoast youths age 11-18.  

Black Cat 10 Miler

 

March 5 - Sunday morning I left my house at 5:30 to meet Daisy for a ride to The Black Cat 10 - 20 Miler in Salem, MA. This race offered runners the option of running 10 miles, 20 miles or participating in a 20 mile relay. The course, touted as mostly fast & flat, started at Salem Willows, wound through downtown Salem into Marblehead and turned-around at Devereux Beach. The race was created in 2010 to attract runners training for the Boston Marathon and others ready to lace up their sneakers from the winter. For me, it was a great distance for maintaining my endurance for my next half marathon.

Salem is a town most widely known for the witch trials of 1692. You may have read about them in The Crucible by Arthur Miller when you were in high school. It is also the birthplace of Nathaniel Hawthorne, another famous New England novelist you may have read who wrote The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables. 

Salem is also rich in its maritime heritage, offers a splendid array of historic architecture, and is popular for its quirky Halloween themed attractions. Popular points of interest include the Friendship of Salem (a replica sailing vessel), Derby Wharf and Light Station, Custom House, House of Seven Gables, New England Pirate Museum, and Salem Witch Trial Museum.

The race route connected the town of Salem to Marblehead. What many people may not know about Marblehead, a small historic coastal town, is that it is the hometown to one of our very favorite runners, Shalane Flanagan. You may recognize her as the 2012 Olympic Trials Marathon winner. She will be representing the United States at the 2012 Olympics in London. It was pretty cool to run past the "Welcome to Marblehead, Hometown to Shalane Flanagan" sign. I wish I'd taken a picture...

The 10 mile race was challenging. The course was much hillier than I anticipated, but because Salem State is nearby many sororities and fraternities set up water and Gatorade stations as part of their community service projects. There were times when the runners and traffic were crowded together on the road, but in other places the local police and volunteers were present to give direction. At the finish line runners were handed finishers medals and directed to water, Gatorade, post race snacks, as well as stretching and massages in the school gym. This was a fun race and I would do it again.  

10 Miler - 1:29:13.8

This new and locally organized event was a success. The 10 Miler had 664 finishers, the 20 Miler had 327 finishers, and the Relay had 18 teams finish. And although we didn't attend, there was a post race party at FINZ Seafood & Waterfront Restaurant where for $10 runners were treated to a variety of post race food, cash bar, free samples of Barefoot Wines, raffles and entertainment.

This race also supported a worthy cause called the Allie Castner Scholarship Fund. Allie was hit by a car and killed in 2009 when she was only 15 years old. The scholarship in her memory provides other young high school students the opportunity to benefit. Take a moment to read her story and the many ways you can contribute to the fund.

February Follow Up

 
March 3 - Already another month of running has elapsed and it is time to assess the progress of my running goals.

1. Keep running: I ran 80.82 miles this month! My 2012 total = 173.26. That's 72.91 more miles than this time last year.

2. Run a race every month: I ran TWO races. I'm really liking the half marathon distance and looking forward to my next one in May at the Cox Rhode Races in Providence, RI.

8 miles on February 11

Half at the Hamptons - February 19

3. Improve the blog: Running Escapades on Facebook now has 25 likes! 

4. Add another New England state to the places I have run: Nothing new this month. Still searching for something in VT, ME, or CT! Let me know if you have any recommendations, especially for the summer.

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5.  Keep meeting new running friends: I was lucky enough to hang out with some other running bloggers, FitFluential Ambassadors, and a fellow Rhode Scholar after running the half marathon. (photo shared by Samantha)

6. Another impromptu workout challenge: I completed the FAB AB FEBRUARY challenge from Pinterest! Sit ups, push ups, and planks all month long. I highly recommend these workouts for anyone who is like me and not typically a fan of working out. 

What did your February look like?

The Fuel Experiment

February 29 - GU Energy Gels have always been my choice for fueling during training runs. Tri-Berry is my favorite flavor.

I ran the Half at the Hamptons a couple of weeks ago and found out that using energy gel for fuel during a race can be a rather sticky experience. In all my runner gracefulness I ended up with more GU on my hands than in my mouth.

As I prepare to run the Cox Rhode Races Half Marathon in May, I am looking for the perfect fuel to use during the race. I want something I can take on the run and won't be messy.

After raiding the shelves at my local Sports Authority, here is what I came home with...

Choice #1:

PowerBar Energy Blasts are gel filled chews with a liquid center. Uses C2MAX formula - "a 2:1 glucose to fructose blend found to deliver...more energy to muscles..." 190 calories per serving (pouch). Nutrition Facts: 60mg Sodium, 45g Carbs, 36g Sugars, 3g Protein, 0 Potassium. Price $2.29

Choice #2:

Sport Beans are energizing jelly beans. Quick energy replenished from carbohydrates, electrolytes and vitamins B & C. 100 calories in a serving (package). Nutrition Facts: 80mg Sodium, 25g Carbs, 17g Sugars, 0 Protein, 40mg Potassium. Price $1.49

Choice #3:

GU Chomps are energy chews. Sustained energy through amino acids, Vitamins A & C, and electrolytes. 90 calories per serving (4 pieces). Nutrition Facts: 50mg Sodium, 23g Carbs, 11g Sugars, 0 Protein, 40mg Potassium. Price $2.20 (2 servings in package)

Choice #4:

CLIF Shot Blocks are semi-solid energy chews. Each chew replaces carbohydrates and electrolytes during activity. 100 calories per serving (3 pieces). Nutrition Facts: 70mg Sodium, 24g Carbs, 12g Sugars, 0 Protein, 20mg Potassium. Price $2.49 (2 servings in package) 

So my plan is to try a different fuel source on each of my next long training runs. My goal is to find one that is easy to use, provides an energy boost, and tastes good!

Do you use fuel during your workouts? 

Which do you recommend?

Saskatchewan Screamer: Dislike

 
February 26 - Yesterday was my scheduled long run for the week. My running partner/personal trainer is unavailable (she's living it up at the Princess Half Marathon in Disney - more on that later), so I recruited hubs and the loyal hound to run with me.

Who could resist that?

We loaded up the car and headed toward Manchester to take advantage of the paved paths and nearby park. Hubs and the dog were going to run about 3 miles with me and then walk around while I finished up another 4 mile loop. We stopped for gas on the way and that is when I noticed how windy it was. I knew we had a wind advisory, but then hubs introduced me to the Saskatchewan Screamer...a fast moving low pressure system sweeping southeast out of Canada bringing winds with speeds over 45 mph. After checking TWC App on my phone, we decided to reschedule the run for Sunday when the winds would lessen.

That's his pouting pose!

So this morning we headed to church...

Outfit: H & M sweater, GAP pants, Express necklace.

...and then we realized we had double booked our run to coincide with basketball. Oops. So instead of the awesome downtown run I had mapped out for us, I hit the basement and climbed on the treadmill for 7 miles. 

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Watching Home Alone while running on the treadmill is not my ideal workout, but it is better than not working out at all. Although, I can honestly say that the look on "Kevin's" face is exactly how I was feeling earlier today. Despite my frustrations, I had a good run and continue to maintain my momentum for my next half marathon at the Cox Rhode Races in Providence, Rhode Island in May.

Half at the Hamptons

 
February 20 - Yesterday I completed my 2nd half marathon in Hampton, NH. Half at the Hamptons is a popular race because the course is one of the flattest in New England and many runners use it as a Boston Marathon training run. Hampton is a small seacoast town with all the charm of the typical summer beach destination. The white washed buildings are weathered by the ocean winds and the streets are protected by a seawall with the beach on the other side.

Hubs and I arrived in Hampton early so there was plenty of time to park, check-in, use the restrooms, and meet my running partner, D. Hampton offers hundreds of parking spots up and down the beach (which were free for the race) as well a street parking and some large lots that charged $5. Check-in at the Ashworth by the Sea Hotel was quick and we received a cute cotton long sleeve lavender race shirt. After stopping at Ds car, we made our way to the start line.

Even though there weren't corals (the race capped at 1400 runners) it was easy to find a spot and we ended up very near the 9:00mm Pacer, Timmy. The course's reputation was accurate, and along with the temps in the mid 30s and the sun shining, it was a perfect day to...PR!!

Special thanks to Hubs for biking around to take these awesome pics!

I had hoped to finish this half better than my first last August at RNR PROV because my training has improved and I have been injury free. I NEVER thought that I would finish sub 2 hours though. D and I stayed together sticking with Pacer Timmy until about mile 6. She started to pull ahead, but I was afraid to push my speed anymore, so I held back. I think I made the right decision because the last 2 miles were difficult. My hips started tightening up, but I managed to keep up with Pacer Timmy's pack and finish 1:57:51.

After the race, hubs and I headed to Portsmouth to lunch with a group of runners, bloggers, FitFluential Ambassadors and a fellow Rhode Scholar at the casual British pub, Coat of Arms. It was a great day to spend with old and new friends.

Samantha / D / Group - Halen, Janine, Greg, Samantha

Now it is time to take a few recovery runs, then maintain my training for the Cox Rhode Races Half Marathon in May. It has been a great winter to train and I am hoping that Spring is right around the corner. So as I take a few days to savor my new PR and "I just ran a half marathon" moments, I'm already thinking about the fun to come.

Running: 10 Things I Love About You

 
February 14 - Today I'm sharing my love...for running. I heard about #RunChat's Valentine's Day Challenge and it sounded like fun.

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I Love Running because...

1. running is quality time with me
2. the road is a good listener
3. you get out of it what you put into it
4. it's cheaper than therapy
5. I really, really, really like dessert
6. you can run happy, grumpy, speedy, slow, a little or a lot
7. the sweat, the devotion, and the time pays off
8. you see the beauty of the world around you
9. the miles don't go away, they wait patiently for you
10. you can run naked 

Note: My list was inspired by pins on Pinterest

Show me some of your love: Why do YOU love running?

Twelve Fantabulous Miles & Winners

 
February 4 - This morning I had a fantabulous run. On the schedule was a twelve mile run for my half marathon training. My first of the year is in two weeks at the Hampton Half and my second is in May at the Cox Rhode Races. I met my training partner at the Executive Health Club near MHT at 8AM. She had the route since it was one she has run when training for marathons. Here's what it looked like afterwards:

Everything worked today. The route was mainly flat with just a couple of small, easy inclines. At about 30 degrees the weather was just right and even managed to puff out a few flurries for us. All of the sidewalks and paths were clear and open. Most importantly my legs were feeling good and loose. I love when my runs are nice and easy like this.

Do you ever wonder what causes a good run to happen? The weather? Your meals? The right frame of mind? Wouldn't it be great to know so that you could replicate it right before that BIG RACE?

I don't know what my combination was exactly, but I love weather like today in the 30s, my dinner last night was a pepperoni calzone with some wine (ok a lot of wine), and my mom surprised me by coming to visit from Cincinnati! Fantabulous!

Momma!

Congratulations to the winners of the Simple Hydration Water Bottle Giveaway:

Tara Martin

Chuck Abbey

Please email me your mailing address information so I can get your bottles to you!