Hello!

Wow, I've been busy! I know I've promised to keep everyone updated on my running, ooops :(

I've been running according to my schedule! woo hoo! Today it's a 1 mile run, tomorrow is my first "long" run. 2.5 miles.

I am very happy to say I've nailed a 9 minute mile, huge milestone for me. I think the Insanity program I'm doing has really improved my speed for sure.

I thought I had gained a running partner in my daughter, but no, she got up to about a mile and decided it wasn't going to work for her :(
That's ok, i actually prefer to run alone, but running with my daughter would have been cool

Just goes to show running really isn't for everyone!
Btw, you are a runner and you want a great website and android/google app to go along with it check out runnkeeper.com
I've used it a couple of times during an outside run, I have to carry my phone, but no biggy, the gps is actually pretty accurate. After your run, save it on your phone and you can post it to Facebook :)

Brett Michaels to headline post marathon concerts!

Brett Michaels is planning on headlining 4 concerts in the Rock n Roll Marathon series! Right now tentatively he is scheduled for Dallas, L.A., and Philadelphia. Will Seattle be #4, I can only hope, what a treat that would be. I was a huge hair metal fan in the 80's and had the biggest crush on Brett ;) but never saw Poison. 

Then

 

 

 

 

 

Now

http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/2011/02/features/bret-michaels-2_4020
 

Starting my official training plan soon!

yeah, finally I'll be on track (no pun intended) with my training. I start on Monday with a measly 1 mile run, even though I've been doing around 2-3 miles about 3 times a week. Oh well, it seems that if I don't have a plan in place for my running I tend to slack off and that's no good. I purchased an 18 week
1/2 marathon training plan by Matt Fitzgerald from Training Peaks. https://home.trainingpeaks.com/competitor/rocknroll/plans.aspx so I'll be getting daily emails with my running plan for the day and tips on fitness an nutrition - I'll be passing that on...

Running is many things......

Running is not only good for the body, it's good for the soul. I consider it a form of moving meditation..






I subscribe to Runner's World magazine and in almost every issue is a moving story about how running has changed someone's life.
This change comes in many forms, helping in recovery from addiction, dealing with grief, losing weight.....the reasons are endless.
Here is a more recent story of how a group of military wives and widows are finding comfort and camaraderie in running.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7124,s6-243-297--13800-0,00.html

So why doesn't everybody run? No special equipment needed, it can be done just about anywhere and the benefits are phenomenal....
Quite simply running is hard and pushing the body physically is generally uncomfortable...Here are a "101 kicks in the butt"
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--11733-0,00.html

I’m still here!

Hi all, if there is anyone out there listening that is, lol. FYI, my official training plan starts on February 20th so stay tuned for daily updates for sure then…

for now I’m on the Insanity program still, OMG, I must be insane, because this is a crazy program. High intensity interval training, whewww!

Chow, till next time….

Bodybuilding for runners

Ok, well this would definitely going overboard for a runner. I get the feeling this guy can hardly walk much less run!
But.....strength training for runners is very important and often either overlooked or dismissed as unnecessary. That couldn't be farther from the truth. In summary, the important reasons runners should hit the weights are :
injury prevention; increased power; increase speed, increased stride length and running economy.
http://www.runningplanet.com/training/why-strength-train-runner.html
Not to mention, muscle is a fat burning machine, so if you are trying to lose weight, start running and weight training and you'll see the pounds melt off. Ever watch the workouts on the Biggest Loser? Cardio & Weights, Cardio & Weights, Cardio & Weights.....
Happy Running!

Want to start running?

Good morning all! Many times when I tell someone I'm a runner I get the "oh, I could never do that" or "I just hate running" Trust me, I used to feel the same way! I have always been active and fit but had considered running as something I could never get into and had convinced myself it was something I hated, lol.
I took up running at the age of 44! Very strangely it is something that hit me out of the blue! I had seen an ad in a magazine for a new marathon coming to Seattle so I thought it would be fun to be part of history and run in the inaugural Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon. So I followed a  1/2 marathon training plan leading up to the race and
ta da!
I finished without stopping in 2:14:39! It was the greatest feeling ever. So.....if you have ever even considered taking up running I highly encourage it. The Runner's High is NOT a myth :)

The following link is a great way to start even if you have never ran:
http://running.competitor.com/2010/12/training/running-101-training/running-101-how-to-start-a-running-program_7648

OK , off to do my Insanity workout and maybe a run later :-)