Guest Post: Comfort Zones

To get better at anything, we have to challenge ourselves. 

Today on Running Kellometers, find out how I'm pushing myself to become a better runner.  

What new challenges are you taking on?

TrainingTruths: A Medley

It was a mix of running partners, distances, and fuel issues. Not such a great thing going into the last week before tapering for the Manchester City Half Marathon. 

#TrainingTruth: Running outside is easy on beautiful fall days.

Since Daisy twisted her ankle and couldn't run, I came home after school and ran with my husband. We enjoyed the beautiful fall foliage surrounding the pond. I love when easy runs actually feel easy.

#TrainingTruth: It's hard to run well when you feel like you have a full stomach. 


Today was a solo run after school on one of our usual routes. I went faster than I should have (probably because I was alone) and had to walk a couple of times. Then it felt like everything I'd eaten was on the verge of, well, something.

#TrainingTruth: Not enough pre-run fuel equals not enough gas in the legs.

The night before I didn't eat a runner friendly meal and then I wasn't feeling my usual pre-run meal so I had a couple of peanut better & jelly crackers on my way to meet Daisy (yes, she's back!). A couple of miles into the run, my stomach growled. Need I say more?

How do you make sure you are fueling right?

#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to assess ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary.

To participate all you have to do is share your #TrainingTruths:

1. Tag a Twitter post with the hashtag #TrainingTruths
2. Comment on the Running Escapades Facebook page 
3. Leave a link to your own blog post in the comments

I look forward to reading your #TrainingTruths!

Fitness Friday: Running Pop Quiz

Angela at Happy Fit Mama posted a running pop quiz on her blog and I thought it would be fun to it share here.

1. Fuel: Shot Blocks, GU, Energy Chews, Candy, or other?

My favorite go-to fuel is Sport Beans because the beans taste just like jelly beans, are easy to chew, and small.

2. Race Length: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra, or other?

I'm loving half marathons right now, but I always enjoy a 5K or 10K too. No marathons, ultras, or triathlons for me (yet)!

3. Workout Bottoms: Skirts, Running Shorts, Capris, Pants, or other?

I wear all of the above. Check it out:

4. Sports Drink: Gatorade, Powerade, Cytomax, water, or other?

My usual choice is just water on short runs, but either Gatorade or Cytomax after a long run.

5. Running Temperatures: Heat or Cold?

Running seems easier for me in the cooler temps, but I really like the warm temps because I have more clothing choices!

6. Running Shoe Brands: Saucony, Mizuno, Nike, Brooks, Asics, or other?

Although I used to wear only Nikes, I'm now a Mizuno girl.

7. Pre-race Meal: Oatmeal, Bagel, Banana, Eggs, Cereal, or other?

Best fueling meal for me is peanut butter and jelly toast with a side of coffee.

8. Rest Days: 1x per week, 2x per week, Never ever ever, or other?

My running schedule is usually 3x per week, so that means I rest 4x per week? Hmmm, doesn't really feel like rest...

9. Music: Have to have it or Go without it?

I like to go without because I like running with people and chatting. Sometimes on solo runs, I use music so I can play one of the Rock My Run playlists that help me maintain my pace.

10. #1 reason for running: stress relief, endorphins, you love to race, so you can eat all the cupcakes you want, weight-loss, love running for social reasons, or other?

I love running for a bunch of reasons. I love the experiences. It makes me feel good. There's great bling. I can run with friends. I get inspired. 

Now it’s your turn! Answer any (or all) of the questions in the comments, or share the quiz with your running friends!

TrainingTruths: Ups & Downs

If you think running is easy, think again. Even after running relatively consistently for the last two years, I still have daily struggles. This week I kept my focus on the preparing for the hilly course of my next half marathon, while at the same time trying to stay injury free. 

#TrainingTruth: I like using a virtual race as motivation to get in a good run.

After running in sub freezing temps on Saturday, this Monday afternoon run was a return to the humid warmer fall temperatures. Fearing I would lack some motivation, I decided to run Jess' Cupcake Classic 5K. 

#TrainingTruth: Some runs go from bad to worse before you know it.

My tight butt muscle/knot progressed down to my calf on this one. About two miles into this planned six mile run, I had to stop and stretch/massage/punch...and then turn around cutting the run short. I felt better on the way back, but then my running partner rolled her ankle. It was an ugly run. 

#TrainingTruth: Running down the hill forces you to run back up it.

After using my favorite Yoga for Runners app, I was feeling ready to take on my normal Saturday long run and some hills. Running 4 miles from my driveway through the center of town means going down a hill that drops over 100 feet in a .5 mile which then requires going back up it to get home. It worked.  

What ups & downs are you facing in your training right now?

#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to assess ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary.

To participate all you have to do is share your #TrainingTruths:

1. Tag a Twitter post with the hashtag #TrainingTruths
2. Comment on the Running Escapades Facebook page 
3. Leave a link to your own blog post in the comments

I look forward to reading your #TrainingTruths!

Fitness Friday: Q & A with Sara Hall

Last month I had the privilege to serve as a ZOOMA Women's Race Series Ambassador for the Cape Cod Half Marathon. 

With Founder Brae Blackley at ZOOMA Expo

Sara Hall, a Muscle Milk sponsored athlete, our 2012 USA Cross Country Champion, and of course Olympian Ryan Hall's wife, was supposed to run the half marathon with her mom. Unfortunately, she had to change her plans and will now be running the ZOOMA Great Lakes Half Marathon instead. 

from Sara Hall Facebook Page

Ambassadors had the opportunity to submit questions to Sara and today I am sharing her answers:

1.    How often do you and Ryan run together and how has running strengthened your relationship and how do you make each other better runners?  

   -Bethany from Our Love On The Run (http://ourloveontherun.blogspot.com)

We are fortunate to run together usually ever day. Fortunately our training run pace is the same, though our hard workout paces are vastly different! It’s been a great thing for our relationship to have that quality time together. As we all know, on a run conversation flows differently than anywhere else, and we love talking about our goals and dreams for the future as well as what God is doing in our lives in the moment.

2.    I have been following your Steps Foundation for a few years now after reading about it in a magazine. I'm curious if beginning this foundation has changed your perspective on running and its potential impact on the world.  - Nancy from Living the Dream (http://www.littlefancynancy.blogspot.com)

Thanks for following Steps! Ryan and I feel very honored to have a community of supporters that are committed to running for a reason- bettering the health of underserved communities world wide. It has been amazing to see the tangible impact a race can have on a community halfway around the world, whether bringing basic health care or clean water. It’s added to our motivation and given our running more depth to have a cause we care so much about.

3.    What does an "average" in season training week look like for you? -Jessica from 30 Something Mother Runner (http://www.30somethingmotherrunner.com)

An average week of training involves 80 miles for the week with 3 hard workouts and lots of easy training runs around 7-8 min/ mile pace. My hard workouts are usually some form of interval session on the track where I am running paces specific to my race, a tempo run that is at “marathon pace”, and a long run around 15 miles.

4.    You train with your Olympic Marathoner husband and you will be running ZOOMA Great Lakes with your mom, what do you think are the benefits of running with loved ones? - Amy Caine from Running Escapades (http://runningescapades.blogspot.com)

Being able to share running with people you love is such a blessing! My husband and I have been able to travel the world together and explore so many areas, making life-long memories. It has really helped our relationship to have the consistent quality time together on runs. And now having my mom start running has been a fun way we can connect in a way that we never related before! All of a sudden she understands me so much better, as she goes through the same things. The health benefits of running are well known, and it’s always comforting knowing the ones you love are staying fit. Doing something that improves your health together is a great way to show love to your friends and family.

5.    How do you deal with race performance disappointment after training so hard to achieve a goal? - Michelle from Running With Attitude (http://runningwithattitude.com)

It’s definitely a process learning to deal with disappointment. One thing that has helped me is realizing just how much God loves all of us regardless of how we perform, and that we never have to perform for His love, that it is unconditional. I always knew this in my head, but getting a full revelation of it in my heart really helped me to no longer fear failure, and when I did failure, helped me keep my performance in perspective. I’ve learned to separate my identity from what I “do”, that is a part of who I am but my performance does not dictate my value as a person. I also love to be around friends and family after a disappointing race because you see how little changes when you’re around people who just love you for who you are. I think it’s ok to be disappointed though when you’ve invested a lot in a goal. But after letting myself grieve for a bit I like to choose a new goal and start working towards that.

6.    Do you and Ryan enjoy running/training together or do you each workout separately? - Marcia from Marcia's Healthy Slice (http://www.marciashealthyslice.com)

Ryan and I are fortunate to run together usually ever day. Fortunately our training run pace is the same, though our hard workout paces are vastly different! It’s been a great thing for our relationship to have that quality time together. As we all know, on a run conversation flows differently than anywhere else, and we love talking about our goals and dreams for the future as well as what God is doing in our lives in the moment. We have also been able to travel the world together and explore so many areas, making life-long memories.

7.    What strategies do you have for getting past the discomfort of your hardest workouts and races so you can perform your best? - Kim from ilaxSTUDIO.com

The best way to work on pain tolerance for a race is talking yourself through it in practice. One mantra I like to use “Relax and Roll”. For some reason, that works for me to relax into the pain, but keep my legs rolling at a fast pace. My workouts often feel more painful than the race itself since I don’t have the race-day adrenalin and endorphins. I also get extremely deep and painful massage on a weekly basis that has made anything I do in running feel easy!

8.    What do you think about during your runs?" - Maggie from Mag Mile Runner (http://www.magmilerunner.com)

Since I began running I have always cherished the time of letting my mind wander in a way that only happens when on a run. Often I am replaying things in my mind of note from the days prior, bringing up things that are weighing on me and praying about them. Sometimes I’m seeking God for a specific thing and trying to get His perspective. A lot of times I’m thinking about my training, how I’m responding to it, and what I need to change in the coming days. And I like to visualize my upcoming races!

Thanks to Sara for taking the time to answer our questions and to ZOOMA for putting us in touch!