Running Journal Snapshot and Reflections of a Runner

Great news!  It isn't raining in Portland, Oregon today!  This is cause for serious celebration. Serious.  It wasn't raining last night either.  This meant that I got to do my repeat 1ks on the track OUTSIDE.  Unfortunately, I got pooped on by a bird but other than that, running outside was glorious! My repeats were not as good as I find myself doing on the treadmill though. The first 3 were right on at a 6:20 pace but then I got tired and found myself holding back a bit.  When I'm doing speed work at the gym I can just set the speed to what I want to run and then hold on.  And if I slow down then I'll fall off and make a total ass out myself right?  But when I'm on the track, it is so much easier for me to slow down.  On the other hand, I can see how it would make me a stronger runner to be able to push myself past these points without a treadmill to hold me to the pace.  I honestly think that the outside running and pushing myself to stay on pace will help me to be a stronger runner.  


Which brings me to some recent questions I'm reflecting on today.  I'm feeling tired this week and a big part of that is that I have not been getting enough sleep and feel like I'm getting a little sick.  But I've also just been tired with my running.  I'm hitting a lull with my "go get 'em" attitude and I'm starting to question where I'm at with running for fitness and fun vs. training for some big goals. Here are some questions I'm asking myself this week:


1.  Why am I training?  For fun, fitness, Personal Records, to push myself to entirely new levels of performance??  Why?  


2.  How serious do I want to be with running over the next few months, years?  Do I want to take it up a notch or two and try for some serious serious Personal records or do I want to just enjoy where I'm at and have fun with it?  


3.  Time for me to set some 1/2 or full marathon time goals!  It is kind of scary putting a time goal out there.  Always makes me feel vulnerable and like I have more to lose.  It is that fear of failure thing.  


I included these questions in my running journal today before I wrote this blog. I hope to have some answers for myself soon.  Here are a couple snapshots into my journal for today:

The Hippie Chick Half Marathon is my half marathon on May 8th!  Super excited about it!  Note Julie's (from Hot Legs Runner) running sticker! Thanks Julie.  I keep all my running stickers from all you awesome bloggers in my running journal.  Perfect place to be inspired by them.  

* So glad you all were amused by my messy house pictures and mad cleaning skillz video from my last post.  Your comments made me smile.  
*  Don't forget about my Hydration Belt Giveaway!  


What about you?  What are your answers to some of these questions I am reflecting on this week?  I'd love to hear how you would answer these for your own life!  


What are some time goals you have for running and what distances are your goals for?  


Amanda

First-time Burpee Video. My Attempt to Join the Contest Last Minute.

My arms are shaking and I'm still breathing hard after my first attempt at these things called Burpees.  Heard of them?  If not then you'll have to check out my video of my attempt to see how many I can do in 2 minutes.  You see, I'm always up for a challenge but I'm not always good at remembering things.  This Burpee contest has been circling the blogosphere for some time now and it ends today!  Yup, so I decided to wait until I am slightly injured, ran 8 miles yesterday and 12 today to try my first burpees.  Smart woman!  My very first video was 34 seconds and I did 10.  I decided to be a total puss and throw the towel in but then my competitive side told me to give it another go.  Second attempt is in this video below.  I think I did 20 in 1 min and 10 seconds.  When did I become such a quitter?!  What?! Who stops with 30 seconds to go?!  I need to go give myself a firm talking to and hopefully get control over this slacker attitude before it ruins me! I could have fit in at least another 10 in 50 seconds!  Good grief.   Ha, hope you enjoy the video.  At least I tried. Please look past the glasses and greasy, ready for bed look (besides the fact that I threw on some athletic clothes). Just keeping it real.  Thanks for the inspiration Katie and Running Wannabe.  You rock!    

Don't pay attention to what I'm talking about in the beginning.  I think it is something about doing 10 in 30 seconds already...blah blah blah.  But partway into it, my 3 year old gets in on the action with me.  So fun!

Some random things in the Running Hood here at Runninghood:
*  I've been posting like a fool so you might have a hard time keeping up.  I posted about my new favorite running bra.  I love it so much!  I just might have to wear it for everything...running, swimming, normal wear.  It is awesome!  


*  I really think I notice a difference with how I feel when I take this Udo's oil.  Seriously.  And I believe all the research I read about it.  


* Ice baths are NECESSARY!  They are so wonderful in how they help me recover faster after a long or hard run.  I've felt great all day!


*  Thank you so much for your Podcast suggestions.  Why have I never tried podcasts before?  It is a perfect world...long run or easy run + and interesting podcast means that i can learn, laugh, be entertained and keep myself from running faster than I should!  Loved it.  I flipped through some spiritual stuff, attempted a sermon, marathon talk, NPR, a Jeff Galloway Interview on walking breaks...hmmmm, not so sure I agree but interesting. This will be another blog post.  
  
*  I will add to that podcast post and include it in my running advice section of my blog for your reference if you are needing a good podcast to listen to on your next easy or long run or hey, if you're not a runner, maybe just for when you want to chill out!  


*  Running journals!  I am so excited to hear from so many of you about your running journals that you are starting!  yay!  I can't wait to see them!  


*  Speaking of journals, I have had a few blog readers ask me about the different kinds of journals I write so I plan on doing a post on that soon.  I keep a personal journal, marriage journal, running journal, and I write to each of my kids in their own journal (which includes other things).  Oh, and Kovas suggested that maybe I start a bathroom journal.  He's on to something there but I have to okay it with my agent before I mention it on my blog any further. 

*  12 miles today.  I tried to keep all my miles 8 or slower. Average 8:38 pace. Just where I wanted to be.  Felt solid.  A little bit of pain but my ice bath helped a ton!

*  Day off of running tomorrow but I have a Chiropractor appointment.  I'm going back for more Graston therapy.  I don't have enough bruises already.  Joy!  
* This week in running.  Might not go as planned.  Will listen to my body and plan accordingly.  

1.  Anyone have the day off tomorrow for President's Day?  


2.  Did you do anything wonderful and exciting this weekend?  I know that some of you ran races!  I'm so happy to hear about all the positive race reports from this weekend. Go check out AM's PR at Running, Tri-ing and Living. 

 Amanda

Chiropractic Care, Shoes and Bras For Booby-lacking Me!

Good grief, I know my last few posts have been kind of in the whining "Debbie Downer" category.  I've snapped out of it and am ready to return to my positive self.  I'm going to blame it on injury and  an old acquaintance name P.M.S.  On to better things.  


The Handful Bra
Check it!  I found the perfect running bra for me!  I went into Portland Running Company yesterday before my chiropractic appointment and I'm so glad I took a peek at the bras they had.  Usually I just figure that I don't need anything fancy since I don't really have much in the boob department but then I saw it.  The perfect bra for me!  It is padded but it fits like a perfect sports bra.  It fits great, covers up any nipped out nipples, and makes me look and feel good about my rack.  It isn't just a bra for people like me who are lacking in the boob blessings.  It is a great bra even for the ladies with some boobs but maybe want a little extra padding or don't want to flatten their boobs like a pancake or boob tube.  Check it out...The Handful Bra.  I love mine so much that I think I will order one in each color...this is BIG for me because I am not a big shopper and I'm not one that feels that I need all the latest gizmos, trendy running clothes and accessories but this bra is a MUST-HAVE!  I can't believe it took me this long to find it.  

Chiropractic Care

I'm convinced that regular chiropractic care is essential for me to stay healthy and ready to perform my best when it comes to running.  I believe this is true for not only athletes but as far as my running is concerned, I hope to make it priority to at least get an adjustment once or twice a month.  Luckily, I have an amazing sports chiropractor.  If you live in the Portland area, it is well worth the drive for a visit to Dr. Ted Forcum at Back In Motion Sports Injuries Clinic if you have any sports related injury.  I'm hoping that my visits will eventually just end up being a quick adjustment rather than needing the painful Graston Technique therapy he has been doing on my hamstring since August.  It is painful but I believe in what he does!  


Yesterday's visit was well worth my time.  He watched me run in my Saucony Kinvaras and told me that I over pronate and these shoes are no good for me and probably what is causing my issues right now.  So back to just running in the Mizuno Inspires (which I've been thinking were the wave riders).  I'd love to try out some Brooks shoes because I hear so many good things about them but part of me just thinks I should stick with what works.  I want to try the Brooks Launch shoes but like the Kinvaras, they are a neutral shoe and I am not so sure I will have luck with them if I'm having issues with the Kinvaras.  


If you're in the Kansas City Area and want a good Chiropractor for regular care and adjustments, check out Whole Life Chiropractic.  


Running
This week I've been continuing to tell myself my new mantra of "It has to get harder before it gets easier."  An excerpt from my running journal today:
"  Originally this was my mantra during a hard workout where I was adjusting to a faster pace for a longer stretch of time.  But I'm realizing that this is a mantra I can also tell myself today as I'm feeling injured and trying to find the best shoes, supplements, diet, etc.  in order to be the best I can be as an athlete.  These are just bumps in the road but once I figure them out, I will find things getting easier again.  This is part of growth and improvement!"  


After my rest and my therapy with Dr. Forcum, I'm feeling better today and tonight I will get out there for some sort of run depending on what my body tells me when I start.  I'm excited to know it isn't something that should be too bad or keep me from running!  Big smiles!  

This is the page in my journal that I've been going to a lot this week in my reflections and time off from running.  

Thank you so much for the loving and supportive comments you've given me the past few days!  I am so very thankful for this blog and all of YOU!  I've learned SO MUCH!  And I never would have imagined what genuine connections, encouragement and support that I'd get!  


1. Do you have a chiropractor or do you get regular Chiropractic care?


2.  Good luck to all of you who are racing this weekend.  I know there are quite a few.  I'll have to come back and mention you specifically when I have time to read some blogs tonight or this weekend.  


3. Inspiring running material today?  Janae from Hungry Runner Girl ran 26.2 in 3:18 just as a training run this morning!  And Beth from SUAR ran 15 miles this week...this is HUGE and her determination and focus to heal is inspiring!  I know neither one of these Rockin blogger runners need a shout out from me...you've probably already read their blog today way before mine but I felt like mentioning them anyway!  


Happy Friday,
Amanda

Why Do We Do It? And Athleta Inspiration!

Why do we train?  Why do we workout and push ourselves physically?  Why run?  Spin?  Lift weights?  Eat healthy? Seek balance in our life?  Why do you do it?  Of the top of my head I can think of several good reasons for why I do it:

*  Makes me feel good.
*  Gives me a goal
*  Allows me to feel strong and be ACTIVE in other areas of my life
*  Helps me be more balanced, flexible, and peaceful
*  Give me self confidence
*  Good example to my kids
*  Helps me be self disciplined
*  Accomplish new running goals--be a faster runner!
*  Live a better life.
*  Eating right, exercise, spiritual focus and living a balanced life helps to make our life incredible!

But let's face it folks.  If most of us are being honest, we also do these things because:
*  It helps us look GREAT!
*  Our butts look good in our favorite jeans.
*  We feel sexy when we look in the mirror.
*  It makes our love life more exciting
*  We just feel GOOD about what we look like...feels good to look good.

Go no further for inspiration or motivation to get in shape, be the best you and be healthy!  I picked up an Athleta catalog today while my daughters were in gymnastics and it was all I needed to get pumped up to workout and train hard.  Yes, I want to do these things because it will make me a faster runner and hopefully live a better life but I also would love to keep on looking good!  And where do they get their models for this catalog?!  Seriously, talk about beautiful physique and pictures that encompass strength, mental focus, determination, adventure, balance and peace!  If I had an extra paycheck, I just might buy everything I saw in their catalog.  Instead, I just cut all these inspirational and motivation pictures out and did a little collage art in my running journal.  It didn't take long for this creative exercise and now I feel super charged, motivated, and ready to make the most out of my life, seize the day, and accomplish some big goals for my life!

These pictures inspired  me to be strong, determined, focused..mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

These pictures remind me of my desires to live a more balanced life.  To make time for meditation, prayer, and seeking out love, peace, grace and beauty in everything around me.

These remind me that exercise, healthy living, setting goals, and staying focused will allow me to live the active life I want to live.  I hope to continue to have a life full of adventure, travel, and all kinds of activity.  I want to use my gifts and live life fully with Intention, Passion, Joy, Love and Strength. 

Now time to clean up our mess.  My kids are so done with collage art!

Why do you train, eat healthy, set goals, or workout?  


Do you think that training for something specifically and having a certain goal to work towards helps you stay more focused on your fitness, health, and well being?  


If you have never trained for something or had an athletic or fitness goal, do you have one in mind for the future?  

Amanda