Turtles Can Run

Super windy day for the Diva 5K but that didn’t stop any the 700 participants from getting out and running.  So great to see so many women out celebrating their beauty and strength. I really was surprised that they had so many participants for their first year and think they did a great job organizing.

My daughter and I had a great time out there today. It was fun to dress up in our tough girl shirts, running skirts and monkey skull knee socks for the run. My daughter ran a really great pace for the first 2 miles and then we slowed a bit to get our tiaras, feather boas, and roses. She ended up running a little slower than her normal 5K time but the goodies were worth it

I can’t believe how much my daughter has grown since her first 5K just two years ago. Seeing how much she has grown makes me realize how quickly her childhood is going by and that I need to value every moment and everything we do together.

Here are some pictures from the race.

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Now that the  heel spur and plantar fasciitis pain is nonexistent on most of my runs I have started to added some minimalist shoes back in the rotation.  I know that the podiatrist I went to would advise against this, since he is against minimalist and barefoot running.  When I asked about it,  he  told me that it was a big no no and would lead to injury.   But when I  actually developed the heels spurs and PF I had not worn minimalist shoes for a couple of months and had actually gone to a bulkier more cushioned shoe for my long runs thinking this would protect me from injury.  Whether or not these bulkier shoes were the cause of my heels spurs, I can not be sure but they certainly did not prevent them.

The custom orthotics the doctor made for me did not work.  In fact they made things worse.  After breaking them in and wearing the constantly my feet hurt worse so I stopped wearing them.  I went to a running shop and they recommended I try Superfeet Green Premium Insoles and I  kept taping and massaging my feet. This eventually got me running without foot pain (although I did develop some shin splints, probably from trying to train to aggressively to soon after coming back).

About a month ago I decided to try running in something lighter, so I tried  the Saucony Kinvaras, which are marketed as a minimalist shoe.  The workout went well and did not aggravate my foot at all.  So I have been doing my tempo and interval workouts in them.  My stride feels more natural then my other shoes higher heeled more cushioned shoes and I am able to find my fast zone which was harder in the other shoes. The Kinvaras feel a lot like the  Nike frees which I like but have an advantage because they lack the grooves that gravel and rocks were constantly getting stuck in.  I am really hoping that getting back into minimalist running will help keep the injuries away by encouraging proper running form.  Of course I realize that many other things go into staying injury free, for  me the big one is avoid over training.  I love running long and trying to improve myself but my body has limits I need to respect.

If you are thinking about going minimalist my number one tip is do not do too much too soon.  Add it in slowly.  You may feel good while running but afterward your calf muscles or feet may not be happy with you.

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My children have been run in a few 5Ks over the past couple of years. Up until now a little running leading up to the races and then the race itself is all they have really been interested in doing. I thought the fact that they even wanted to do the 5Ks was awesome.

About a month ago as I walked my kids home from school my son asked if I would run a mile with him. Of course I said yes. I had a blast running the mile with him. We went at the pace he dictated and walked when he wanted. As we walked into the house he asked if we could run another mile after he finished his homework. You could have knocked me over with a feather, I said yes again, of course, and when he was done with his school assignments we ran. for the rest of the week as we walked home from school he asked if we could run a mile and some days we did 2.

Honestly I thought his interest in running would be short lived but it hasn’t been. If anything it has increased. We started to increase our run/walks to 2.5 miles (because he wanted to) and I make sure on some days he rests. He would probably run everyday if I let him but I want to make sure he doesn’t get hurt by adding too much running in to soon.

Like many of us he is excited about accomplishing some running goals. The more we run together the loftier his goals become. After just one week of running he went from feeling like one of the slow kids at school to thinking that if he keeps running with me he can become one of the fast kids and run track when he gets to high school.

This past weekend me, my husband and two kids went out for a 3 mile run. After we all ran 3 miles together my husband and I were going to run an additional 2 miles around the track while the kids played. As we began running my son asked if he could keep running and my answer was “of course, if you want to”. He said he wanted to keep running until he was to tired to run anymore. I thought maybe he would last another lap or 2.

We reached 4 miles total and I was sure he would stop, he has never run more than a 5K in one go. He said he wanted to keep going all the way to 5. He did it. The distance was quite an accomplishment, he was beaming when he was done and I was too. As he was completing the fifth mile he started talking about running a 10K with me and told me he would like to do a long run on Sundays. So that when he runs his spring 5K the mileage feels easy. Even more amazing was that on Monday he wanted to run again, but I told him he should take a rest day after running his longest run ever.

It has been great watching his love of running grow and I am interested to see where running will take him.  One of the things I am happiest about is that his running was his own idea and something that he decided he wanted to do.  I believe that this is really important.  As parent we should encourage our kids to do healthy, active and positive  things but not force them to do the same sports that they are involved in or were involved in.

If your kids are showing an interest in running here are a couple of tips to get started.  Take it slow, don’t expect your kid to go out and run a 5K the first time you are out.  Depending on the age of your child maybe even just do a half mile.  Try using the run/walk method.  Kids tend to run full out when they first start so taking walking breaks until they can find the right pacing can make the run feel easier and more enjoyable.  When the are ready sign them up for a race.  Start out with a kids K or a 1 mile race.  If they like the shorter races and show an interest in doing a 5K then sign them up for one and run it with them, at their pace.  My kids have expressed that having me running with them made the race feel easier.  Most importantly make sure they are having fun!

“Encourage kids to enjoy running and play in athletics. Don’t force them to run too much competition.”~Arthur Lydiard

I have great memories of running with my children and hope to continue making new ones.

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I signed myself up for the Cap 10K this week.  Which means I have a month to get myself into 10K race shape.  I haven’t trained and run in a race (for time)  since the Missoula Marathon back in July of 2010.   I originally planned on getting back into racing much sooner but every time I started to intensify my training  I got injured.  First was the never ending plantar fasciitis  and heel spurs, then shin splints which I think were caused by the orthotics (these also overstayed their welcome) and finally a groin injury. This should be a good test  of my current fitness.  My plan is to go out at what was my half marathon goal pace for Angie’s Half Marathon last year and if I feel good  kick the last couple of miles at what should be my 10K pace.  If the pace feels challenging I will just try to hang there to the end.  Their will be lots of local DailyMilers out on the course which will make it a fun race to be at no matter what the clock says.

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Last year I felt I was in a good place physically to qualify for Boston in a fall marathon until  plantar fasciitis and heel spurs halted my training.  As 2011 approached I once again started thinking about trying to qualify for Boston in the fall.  Then the BAA released their new registration process for the 2012 year and the new qualifying times for 2013.  This really put a damper on my hopes for a getting into the 2012 race because I would have to run a marathon over the summer in order to even try to register for the race and I don’t think I could get myself into 3:35-3:40 shape by then without injuring myself.  So if I want to qualify for the 2013 race I would need to run a 3:30-3:35 for a chance to register and get into the race.  I know this is not impossible but it sounds really fast to me right now, since I have been very turtley lately.   I guess we’ll have to see what this year of training does.   So the question of whether or not this turtle can run Boston is still up in the air.  It would be nice to do but I am not going to base all my training on that goal.  I would be happy with running a 3:40 (my original qualifying time) in a marathon this fall.  I think that is a good goal and if I am in good enough shape to go for the 3:35 I will.

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If given an option I would always rather be racing than standing on the sidelines.  Recent circumstance have not allowed me to train for races so when the Austin Marathon rolled around I decide to go out and cheer my fellow runners on.   The kids and I had a blast making signs the night before.  Getting early and cheering on the runners and seeing so many of my Daily Mile friends at the race was awesome.  My husband took pictures of everyone we recognized in time and lots of other shots of runners on the course.  I would definitely recommend going out and volunteering or cheering at a local race even if you are sidelined.  It is a lot of fun and a good way to give back to all the fellow runners who have volunteered or cheered you on during races in the past.

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Ran the Thankful Turkey 5K with my family on Saturday.  Very small race in San Marcos.  I love the atmosphere of these small races.  The volunteers were very cheerful and helpful.  I wasn’t really sure whether or not to race this or just run with my daughter.  My foot has been much better but I was having some calf pain earlier in the week.  After warming up I felt fine and just decided to go for it.

My plan was to attempt to run close to my PR.  First mile was a 6:51, I felt good and thought I may actually be able to pull a good race off. Second mile my body started to slow and even though I was pushing ended up with a 7:24.  Manage to maintain a good pace on mile three thanks to a lady who kept playing tag with me.  We passed each other 3 times during this mile.  Kicked the last .27 (course was long and I must have not run the tangents very well) at a 6:52  pace.  Finish time 23:26 not my best race by far but I was happy with it considering the injuries and lack of speedwork in recent months.

I was 2nd in my AG, which was awesome because the prizes at this race were food (turkey, ham and pie) and I got a pie.  The door prizes were also food and my son won a basket of lettuce. Which we all laughed about.

I am so thankful this Thanksgiving for my wonderful family.  I had a blast at the race with them.

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Fall is my favorite time to race but since I have been injured I have not participated in any events. Last week I decided to see if I could find a race that the whole family could do together, no goals other than spend some quality with my family doing something good for us. I found the Boo Run in Georgetown TX. The race benefits the EGA, they provide educational, recreational, social and vocational programs to children and young adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities.

I of course was dressed as a turtle.

My husband had a little Popeye shirt with a come over wig.

My son was Mario

My daughter was a witch.

The race was very small and started and ended at the Pavilion at San Gabriel Park. I loved the trail and am going to try to get out there and do a run sometime soon. I ran with my daughter and my husband ran with my son. The race wasn’t timed but I think we ran it in about 30 minutes. After the race there were some trick or treating tables and games, the kids really liked this. The race registration even included a little lunch. It was a great activity to do with the family and we plan on running it again next year.

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A while back I made a switch.  I abandoned my beloved Garmin Forerunner 305 for the sleeker Garmin Forerunner 405 .  In all fairness the 305 was great.   I really have no complaints about how it functioned.  It got me through many hours and miles of running.  The battery life was great..it never died on a run unless I forgot to plug it in the night before.  Never really lost a signal, although some days it took a couple of minutes to find one.  Super easy to program in track workouts.  It completely changed all of my training.  It helped me set and meet many of my goals.

You may wonder why I would buy a 405 if the 305 is so great.  Well the main reason was size.  The 305 always felt and looked to big on my wrist.  So when I found the 405 on sale with an additional $50 rebate..I couldn’t resist buying this more appropriate sized (for my wrist) GPS watch.  I really loved the smaller size, in fact once I put the 405 on I never went back.

The 405 has all the great features of the 305 with some new ones.  The touch bezel to navigate.  It is easy to use and works great most of the time.  It does malfunction when exposed to moisture.  I have found an easy fix for this.  If I go out for a run where I will be dripping with sweat or will get soaked because it is raining, I just make sure the data fields I want to see (lap pace/distance) are on the main screen and lock the bezel.  Doing this has made the bezel not working properly a non issue.

One of the features I really like about the 405 is  +ANT wireless technology  that automatically transfers data to your computer when the watch is in range.   I also think the 405 finds the satellites a little faster but I’ve never worn both side by side to compare, so I am not sure.

Soo..now that I have both you may ask which one would I recommend, I would say if you are looking for a deal  buy the 305.  It has all the features you need to track distance, pace, custom workouts and elevation.  You can track your heart rate if you buy the monitor.    Battery life seems to be about the same in both.  The only disadvantage the 305 really has is the size/style and the lack of the +ANT wireless download.  So if you think you may like these extra features and have a little extra $$ in your running gear budget..I would recommend the 405.

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Being injured sucks but sometimes through the desperation of finding something to stop the pain you come across some great products.  I recently purchased the Ice-Up Stick.  This product makes giving yourself an ice massage easy.  No more cold fingers that I was getting  by just using dixie cups (tearing away the top as the ice melts). Another advantage is that  it is reusable so I don’t feel like I am wasting paper cups.   The Ice-Up Stick works like a push up pop, you just push up a little ice and massage your foot (or whatever needs icing) until it melts and then push up a little more.   I am not getting permanent relief from my plantar fasciitis  but giving myself an ice massage does make it feel better for an hour or two.  Another way to give your foot an ice massage is to use water bottle or  a can of something (label removed), freeze it and roll your foot on it.  I like the Ice-Up Stick stick better because  direct contact with the ice seems to be more effective and  I can target my problem areas more effectively than I can with the water bottle or can.  Ten minutes is enough time to numb the area and get some relief..I’ve been doing this three times a day since I bought it.  Fingers crossed, I am hoping that the icing, stretching, resting completely (this is the big change this week that I am hoping will make a difference) and orthotics (I’ve been wearing these all day long, instead of just when I go out) will have me back to running pain free again soon.

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