Pursuing The Perfect Running Stride

I love it when I get in a learning phase where all I want to do is learn, learn, learn and read, read, read.  I love when I finally decide to truly learn about something and learn it for me!  I ran all during high school and college.  Cross Country and Track.  I know my coaches had us doing things to help perfect our strides, increase our speed, or improve our endurance.  I just did what they said but really didn't ever care or pay attention too much.  I just ran and whatever happened happened. Running became more of just something I had to do to help with paying for college.  But I'm ready now.  I'm ready to learn for ME and really try to pay attention to the things that my coaches always tried helping us out with.  One of these things is STRIDE.  I'm convinced that my horrible running stride probably has a lot to do with why I tripped in the forest and ripped my hamstring up.  Before that injury, I found my right calf not working after about 9 miles...it would just feel awful.  My stumble happened at about mile 9 of an 18 miler (just about to turn around on my trail)  and I'm convinced now that it probably had to do with poor running stride caused by muscle fatigue.  


So, this is how I spent a bit of my morning:

Yes, I'm a big highlighter and write in the margins girl!  If it is my book, it is kind of like a learning journal/book for me.  Then I can go back and read my notes and see what I thought was important.  


This Chapter Pursuing The Perfect Stride is from my Brain Training For Runners book.  Good brain food!  Maybe once I have time to process my reflections, I'll write some key things I think are worth remembering.  In the meantime, I'm trying to do what I can to help  improve my stride.  As starting goals for my stride improvement, I want to be more conscious of not over striding and improving my cadence.  This was a helpful link for me to get more info about this whole cadence thing:  Get Faster! Improve Your Running Cadence.




I have so much to learn!  SO. MUCH.  But this is part of what makes life so stinkin' exciting for me!!  I love to learn. I'm one of those people that loves school...I love being a student.  Just the feel of having my book bag, books, pens, pencils, notes, reading glasses, and time to learn and think.  I even enjoy the homework.  But the good thing is that learning doesn't have to cost a college tuition.  We have libraries, Internet, and limitless ways to absorb information.  I am a life long learner and I love that we NEVER STOP LEARNING and FINDING ways to grow!  yay for learning time!  


Even when it means learning about how Lady Bug wants to be my friend:

 Or learning from an older sibling while Mommy reads her running book for 20 minutes:

 Or figuring out  how to do the puzzle by yourself because Mommy insists on writing one quick blog about her running stride:  

Here is a hodge podge of questions to choose from if one, two or all them catch your interest and you have something to share.  I love hearing from you even if I don't always find the time to comment back right away.  I'm really trying to limit the time I spend on the computer during the day. 


1.  What tips do you have for me for improving my stride?  Please share your wisdom!


2.  I'm not ready for barefoot running but please do share a shoe that you would recommend that will help me run more naturally.  Currently I have the Saucony Kinvaras...are these good for this?  See, I do have a lot to learn.


3. Do you like school?  Did you like school growing up....high school, elementary school, college?  Was it easy for you or did you struggle a bit (and that's okay if you did...not everyone is a conventional learner)?


4.  What is one of your favorite blogs that you learn from?  






Happy Wednesday! 
Amanda

32!

Having a weekend away in Napa with my girlfriends was a great way to celebrate the end of my days as a thirty-one year old.  I had time away from my crazy but wonderful life as a mother and had the perfect setting to reconnect with my girlfriends.  I had more wine than I usually have in two weeks, ate way different from my usual diet, and didn't exercise nearly as much as normal.  As most people with a running problem can relate, I came home feeling like I need a good solid workout to get my endorphins going and the sweat flowing!  In light of turning thirty-two, I thought I'd give my workout a little twist:

*  3.2 miles on the elliptical in just under 32 minutes
*  1.32 miles of running on the treadmill (the last .5 was at 8 minute mile pace which is a huge step in my recovery!  Seeing light at the end of the tunnel!)  Felt Incredible!
*  32 lunges
* 32 squats without weight
*  32 push ups (2 sets of 16)
* 3.2 minutes of stretching (okay, might have been a bit longer but that ruins the 32 theme)

Now in light of motherhood, running and life in general, here is a list of random things on my mind.

1.  Coming home to my husband and kids after a weekend away was absolutely wonderful!  I missed them so much and from the love they gave me, I know they missed me too.  Even though I feel crazy and unraveled many days, it is days like today that I remember how much I love motherhood and being a wife.

2.  This is one of the gifts my husband and kids had for me for my birthday and to welcome me home.

3.  And these:

4.  Here is another one of my birthday presents and  a book I'll be starting this week.  And here is the link to the official Born To Run fan site: http://borntorun.org/



5. I'm also starting this new book called When Did I Get Like This? by Amy Wilson.  I can already tell that it will be a book I will enjoy and can relate to as a mother with three kids under the age of six.  I also enjoy reading her blog.  She is real and makes me feel normal about my crazy mom moments. 



6.  The girls thought I could use some magic wands too.  I think these might come in handy this week when I'm needing down time.  They'll help to remind me to focus on the positives and be in the present with my children. 

7.  My appointment with my sports chiropractor today was awesome.  Dr. Forcum was so excited to see the progress I've made and how great my hamstring is looking compared to last time!  This makes my runner heart happy!

8.  Sticking your head out of a moving limo in beautiful Napa Valley is a MUST.  Really makes you feel like a kid again.  Or a dog.

9. Life is too short to always be second guessing myself.  I'm really hoping to work more on loving myself for all that I am and not trying so hard to please others.  Every year of life I get a little better at this.

10.  Life is so much better with daily exercise.  Everything is more enjoyable: food, drink, family, body image.  And if the exercise is running...Even Better for me!

11.  Note to self:  When getting together with a group of women for a girl trip, try not to talk the entire time and  let the quiet and more reserved girls have enough wait time to get a word in too! Getting a break from kids was exciting and I could not shut up! 

12  Fresh veggies and fruits are a must to have in my body every day!  I just feel blah without it and really hope to be better about making good food choices.  Vacation doesn't count.

13.  Since I'm speaking of fruit, and just so nobody thinks we take ourselves too seriously around here:

What is something you get better at with age? or What is something you hope to be better at in your next year of life?

Amanda