Naked Running

When I first began my blog in October, I didn't have a Garmin, a foam roller, fancy running gear, and I certainly had never heard the term Running Naked used by some in the running community to mean running without a watch, Garmin or other devices that keep pace and time.  When I first saw the term "Running Naked" written, I slowed down from my usual blog reading pace and  read and reread just to clarify what I was reading.  Tonight, I tried my first somewhat "Naked Running" experience since getting my Garmin 205 for Christmas.  I had my Timex Ironman watch that used to be all I needed for my many years of running.  But after having my Garmin for so many of my speed workouts and long runs, I felt like I really was "Running Naked".  


For those of you that don't know about my Garmin Grief and the horrible and awful suffering it went through in its last hours, you can read my last blog post.  I'm still pretty emotional about the entire thing.  Grief is a funny thing. But I'm hoping to win a new one from Jen @ Why I Run. Probably not now that I'm linking her since this greatly decreases my chances since you all will go enter, right.  Jen's awesome so she's worth the visit alone, but if you enter the giveaway and already have a Garm, you could always just tell her that I should win. Yes?  Please.  Come on, you can earn huge Runninghood points if you tell her that your drawing should go to me.  Here is a final picture before sweet Garm died:

Today's workout wasn't happening half-Naked:
1 mile WU (easy without a Garmin)
1 x 2k @ HM pace
2 min active recovery
1 x 1 mile @ 10k pace
2 min recovery
1 x 1k @ 5k pace
2 min rec. 
1 x 800 @ 3k pace
1 mile cool down


Long story turned to bullets:
*  jogged to HS track--Track Meet.  Crap!  
*  Jogged to use Elementary School Track 
*  Kid's Baseball Game, mom's and siblings all over in lawn chairs, flying balls, etc. 
* Tried it anyway.  
*  Looked like an Ass!  Coach yelling at kids "Don't pay attention to the Runner!!  Look at the ball!!"  must have been my bright shirt and hat.  or that I was the mom sprinting around the track and looking like a...well...an Ass!  I tried explaining in passing that the HS track was being used and my Garmin just broke but that just made me look more like an Ass!  
* I was just a girl wanting to get her run on!  But I could see that crashing an elementary school baseball game wasn't going to work.  It was embarrassing.  
* Rushed home, jumped in car, drove to gym, and got the the Treadmill that I've come to despise.  So much harder for me than running outside (mentally and physically).  I used to think differently.  
* Got it done!


Thank YOU SO MUCH for the Garmin advice and warm condolences in response to my grief.  I felt so loved.  Ha!  No, really, your advice and feedback was helpful.  I just purchased the Garmin 405 tonight.  My husband and I will share it.  Hopefully we will both have one by the end of the year if he ends up taking his training as seriously as I think he might.  He's hooked after that half marathon.  Go honey go!  But don't steal my Garmin yo! (Of course if I win Jen's giveaway, I can return the 405 and save some money!)


After my workout, I made sure to come home and drink a recovery protein drink. 

I included: 
*  Hammer Recoverite (Glutamine Fortified Recovery Drink)
*  Whey protein powder
*  plain yogurt
*  Udo's Oil
*  Banana
*  a little bit of frozen berries
*  Handful of spinach
*  Kale
*  Apple Juice


1.  I am so excited for all of the people I know running Boston.  I plan on doing a proper shout out/Good Luck Blog for them and a Boston tribute tomorrow but it is coming quick so I'm sure some of them are already on their way!  Who do you know running Boston? Will you be tracking them?  I wish I was going to be there again!  Next year hopefully! 


2.  I'm loving all the extra attention in the recent posts from Patrick at The Road [A Multi-Sport Blog].  Who cares that it is all part of his ass kissin' contest.  It's still fun.  


Amanda

Podcasts Please!!??

Ok blog peeps. I'm taking a chance here that someone will come up with something good in the next 15 minutes.  I'm about to head out for a slow 12 miler and would love to listen to something good other than music.  So.....


Anyone have any suggestions for a good podcast to listen to?  Running, Spiritual, Inspirational, Enlightening?  Something I can learn from or just even enjoy???


Thanks.  Here's hoping I get some good suggestions.  

Amanda

P.S
I'm going to go ahead and keep this post up even though I've already got my podcast chosen from the suggestions of friends on facebook, e-mails and this post.  I think this will be a great reference for other runners out there looking for something enriching to listen to on their long runs!  So, I would love your suggestions even if I am already on my run listening to another podcast!  I will pull from this when I need a new one.  Thanks!


For some extra strength, recovery and stamina, I just "oiled my machine" with some Udo's Oil (check it out).

 I am now ready to head out on my slow run with some good listening material.  

Udo's Oil...Recovery, Strength, Stamina

Just got home from New Seasons Market where we stocked up on all kinds of goodness!  One of the things we restocked on was this:

This is just one of the products I've come to start using since training for marathons again. Udo's Oil has shown to help endurance athletes experience greater strength, stamina, and faster recovery.  It has also been proven to have many other health benefits such as fat loss, and improvements in skin condition, sleep and concentration.  Check out the research, athlete testimonials, and frequently asked questions at the Udo's Oil "Oil The Machine" site for more information.  This stuff is pricey but I'm convinced it is good stuff to add to my diet.  I plan on being more active about taking notes about changes I notice from taking this again after not taking it for awhile.  I'll share my observations with you in a few weeks.


Chicken Soup For the Runner's Soul
I started my morning with a little bit of coffee and some running inspiration.  I've never been one to read Chicken Soup for the Soul books but I won this one in a giveaway from Lisa at Because I Can.   Please go visit Lisa's Blog and say hello.  Thanks for the book Lisa!  I love it.  Especially the forward by Dean Karnazes and the first story by Michael Fitzgerald.  

Running Update
Since my chiropractic appointment and taking it easy this week, I'm feeling much better. I still have some pain but I'm noticing improvement since being out of the Kinvaras. Last night before Family Movie Night, I made a quick trip to the gym and decided to try out my running legs.  I ran a mile warm up and then ran two miles at the 8.8 and 8.9 speed (6:44/6:49 pace) and then a half mile cool down.  I was very happy to hold on to the sub 7 pace for 2 miles.  


Today I ran 8 miles @ base pace.  I could definitely feel my leg by the time I was finished and so I iced, stretched and rolled.  I can't tell what pain I'm feeling from the run and what pain is still from the Graston Therapy.  I know I definitely have some bruising from the therapy. I wrote my splits in my running journal and included a picture below. 


 I also taped in a very sweet e-mail from a blog reader that I didn't know about.  It made MY YEAR!  So very sweet and thoughtful of her to send me such kind words.  I am always thankful when people write me to tell me that something I wrote helped, inspired or motivated them in some way.  It gives me even more reasons to keep on blogging when I start doubting why I blog. 

And just for kicks, here is a picture of my sweet man doing his core work before heading out on his 6 mile run.  Um, that is MY Garmin that he bought ME for Christmas.  We totally share but I'm not complaining because he is going to pace me in my 5k and our 1/2 marathon in April. Oh, and Check out that OREGON SUNSHINE today!  Glorious!!  

Hope you're having a great weekend!  
Amanda