It's a beautiful life...: June 2005

Dragon Fly Attack

A few months ago Marshall "broke his silence" with a link to this New York Times article "Study Cautions Runners to Limit Their Water Intake". I never knew it was possible to drink too much water until I read the article. If you have the time, you should check it out.

I hope everyone survived the crazy heat over the weekend. Even though I love the heat, I did some time rescheduling for my weekend runs. On Saturday I work up early to meet Dianna and on Sunday I went running well past sunset. I attempted to outrun the heat and dragon flies!! The dragon flies were everywhere and they kept biting me. No matter how fast I ran, they followed me! Every time I ran past a house I was extremely tempted to run to the front door and beg and plead for some bug spray--but my shyness won out and I just kept running. The first thing on my shopping list for this week--Bug Spray! :)

Other than that, the running has been going well and I hoping to add a little cross training into my schedule.

The Dangers of Trail Running

Yesterday when I went trail running I tripped on two rocks. Thankfully, I was able to catch my balance before I hit the ground. After the run I noticed a little pain in one of my toes but I thought nothing of it, UNTIL this morning. I woke up three hours before my alarm went off because of the pain. I thought I might have sprained my toe but when I looked at it, I realized it was just my toenail, that was half off and about to fall apart. Yuck! I cut the toe nail off and now the pain is nearly gone. I decided to skip my morning run and I am hoping the pain will be completely gone for my run tonight.

*Sorry for the details but this is a running blog, so anything related to running is "fair game" right? :)

Addicted to Junk Food

I had a great 45 minute run today. I ran the trails surrounding the dam in town, which was a really good work out because of the uneven terrain. Of course after I finished running, I was starving because I hadn't had dinner.

Q. What was the first thing I ate after I finished running?
A. two packages of peanut m&ms and probably half a can of whip cream

What is wrong with me?!? :) I am addicted to junk food! I think I could live on chocolate and whip cream and anything else that is bad for my body for the rest of my life. I especially crave junk food after I run. I think I eat junk food because I don't have the time to prepare "healthy" meals and even if I had the time and I just don't like to cook. Plain and Simple! I would rather be doing laundry or moving furniture or watering the lawn or etc... I think you get the point. :)

Is anyone else like this or is it just me? I think I need to get the book Brent was reading, Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork.

Perfect Pace

Today was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and it was in the 70's–perfect for running, especially for my long run of the week. I ran seven miles, at a 9 min. mile pace–exactly! Normally I am a "slave" to my stopwatch, checking it every mile. But today I only checked it once after the first mile. I found a good pace and somehow managed to maintain it. I was completely preoccupied with other thoughts. I have a lot of big decisions that I need to make relatively soon. I was thankful for the time to "relax" and think about everything on my own while spending time on the roads.

Happy Father’s Day to all the RBF fathers! I hope you have a wonderful day. I just finished wrapping my dad’s present (a pair of sneakers and a baseball hat that says Greatest Dad). Yes, I know the hat is a little cheesy, but I still think he will like it! :)

Running Posture

I am getting mixed messages about running posture.

Last summer I read the book The Complete Book of Running for Women by C. Kowalchick. The author stated, "Good posture is the most important element of good running form. Imagine a big helium balloon attached to your head by a string and pulling your body straight up."

Right now, I am finishing the book Chi Running by D. Dreyer. The author explained that a runner should, "maintain straight posture while leaning" and "By tilting your body forward from your feet you place your center of gravity ahead of your foot strike. This changes your foot strike to the midfoot and allows your legs to extend as your feet leave the ground, radically reducing the amount of impact on your knees and quads. Leaning allows gravity to pull you forward, instead of your legs having to push you."

For the past year I have been trying to run "straight up" but I think Dreyer made a good point about "leaning".

How is your running posture?

I am very thankful for the RBF. I feel blessed to be a part of a world wide community of runners who support and inspire each other. I am thankful we are able to have the opportunity to share our running experiences, which our non-running friends probably do not understand.

Only runners can understand....
-why a person would get excited about a shoelace website (thanks Ben)
Only runners can understand....
-why anyone would set their alarm to wake up before dawn to go running
Only runners can understand....
-the "honor" of having a black toenail
Only runners can understand....
-why a runner would get disappointed after running a great race, but missing their PR by 2 seconds
Only runners can understand....
-the excitement of a new pair of running sneakers
Only runners can understand....
-how a bag of frozen vegetables can easily be used as ice pack for aching shins
Only runners can understand....
-no mater how many times you use the bathroom before a race, you always have to go again when you reach the starting line

Today I ran the 10K course in town. Even though I ran in the morning before I went to work, it was still in the 80's and at least 100% humidity! It is strange, but I do not remember anything I was thinking about while I was out on the roads. Several months ago I wrote a post about what I normally think about when I run, and today was one of those days when I wasn’t thinking about anything. I still do not understand how I could run for an hour and not think of anything, but maybe that was the way my body wanted to deal with the weather. Tomorrow I am sure I will be back to thinking about: the future, what I am going to wear to work, what I should buy my dad for father’s day, and of course solving the problems of the world. :)

Just A Quick Note

Bill from Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Cycle, Cycle Too has moved his blog to: http://runmystic.jankowskis.net/wp-rss2.php

(Does that link work for you? It doesn't work for me, but I think that might be because of my computer.)

My summer job at the town hall starts tomorrow. I love my job so I am really looking forward to going back to work. I think it will also be good so I can develop a consistent running schedule. I hope everyone is finding time to enjoy the simple pleasures of summer!

**Edit**I had Bill’s incorrect address. Thanks to Susan, here is the new and updated address: http://runmystic.jankowskis.net/

Oprah's Idea

It is almost time to write my summer resolutions (July 1st). Last year I gave up two food “enemies” and I started training for a half marathon.

Recently I have been thinking about one of Oprah’s ideas. I watched Oprah a few weeks ago and she explained that she stopped eating three hours before she went to bed, which helped her lose weight. I probably eat the most calories in the evening. I have to be snacking on something. Tonight it was an ice-cream sandwich and two packages of peanut M&M’s. I realize that I need to eat healthier. When I eat healthier I feel better about myself and my body feels better.

*I had a wonderful run today. I felt energized and fast (although the word "fast" is relative—I was probably moving at a turtles pace compared to some runners). :) I love the sun and the heat! Summertime running is the best!

Nike Free Sneakers

I don’t have any running news to report. I took a long weekend “off” and my run from yesterday was uneventful, so as Jack might say, "This is a C+ post at best”.

I saw a new Nike commercial for the Nike Free sneaker, which is designed to “mimic the natural, barefoot mechanics of your foot”. Yesterday I went to a shoe store in town to see the new sneakers but they were not on the shelves yet. I guess that means I will have to go back this weekend and try not to buy another pair of cute, new summer sandals. :)

I hope everyone is enjoying the warm, sunny weather! Happy Running!

10K Race Report

This past Monday I ran in the 25th Woodstock Memorial Day Race. It was a beautiful day, perfect for running. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and there was race magic in the air.

I was aiming for a 8.15 mpm pace, but without my running partners I had no idea what I was doing. My first miles was 7.04! I guess I got caught up in the Race Day Magic. :) After that, I found a good pace and maintained it until the last mile when I reached the monster hill. It was scary and long, but I survived. There was one guy running near me who would sprint ahead for 30 seconds, then stop and walk and then sprint ahead. It was difficult to maintain a steady pace compared to that guy, but in the end I out ran him! Yeah!! I forgot my official race time, but someone told me it was almost a minute faster than last year (53.05).

Highlights...
1. My cousins and sister were at the race to cheer me on. Thanks girls!
2. I received a trophy and key chain because I was the first finisher in my division (and no one has to know there was only one other girl in my division)! :)
3. Prior to reaching the hill, the race director had the word "Hill" spray painted on the road, as a warning. It made me laugh, because about 30 feet after the warning you could obviously see the huge hill. There was no way a runner could miss it.