Posts Tagged ‘running clothes’

A week gone by with nary a post so this is a meaty one, starting with this: 88 miles and a breakthrough.  Like a gift from the Running Gods (or the result of 3 weeks back at high mileage) my general aerobic paces are suddenly back to my pre-injured state.  ‘Tis a thing of beauty.

In an odd coincidence, Tuesday through Thursday produced 3 runs averaging 8:06, 8:07 and 8:08, yet each run was composed differently: one had some faster miles in the middle, one included fartlek and the 3rd run was even splits.  I was especially happy with that last one since I never start quickly anymore, my first mile is usually between 9:1x – 8:3x so I was pleased when I saw 8:17 for that initial mile.

But then!  Saturday afternoon I wore my Hyper Speeds for the first time (review below) and between their magic powers plus the last day of Lady Time (hormonal magic powers) and a beautiful upper-40s day, my first mile was a completely unexpected 8:05 and then it progressed from there, ending in 8 miles@7:46 avg. pace.

Heart Rate
As much as I love data, the last time I strapped on my HR monitor was in September before my Half.  It would have been wonderful to have the comparison of HR while injured and rebuilding, but the inevitable crappy feelings it would have brought were not at all worth it.  I like to be happy when I can and knowing those numbers wouldn’t have given me anything useful.

But this week, I figured I was ready to see where I stood, so I started yesterday by checking my resting HR.  Much to my delight, I got a rock-solid 46 with a teasing of 45 (47-48 is more of a usual) so Yay!  Then today, I wore it out for my runs.

I’m glad I wore it for both runs because, while the morning run’s HR was fine, the afternoon’s was better – which is a good reminder never to put too much weight on HR data for one run, there are simply too many reasons for it to vary.  But back to the run…

I wasn’t wearing the magic shoes but the hormonal magic must be lingering because it was another feel-good zippy run averaging 7:58/mi with an average HRR of 73% and it was windy out there.  Considering this is the first week where those paces have reappeared, this is a really strong sign that everything’s in order.  I couldn’t be happier.

Running Form – Arms
As you know, I’ve given attention to different areas of my running form over the past couple years.  I’d work on one thing for a while then eventually come to peace with it, either because I’ve made an improvement (posture) or because the initial problem loses importance (foot plant).

Starting last Friday, I began focusing on something that’s been bugging me since the start: my armswing.  It’s not all bad, for instance I don’t cross the centerline of my body which is a common enough mistake, but when I see photos or watch my shadow on the bike path, there’s a certain “smallness” to my arm carriage that I know could be improved upon.

While it sounds like an aesthetic complaint, it’s much more than that.  I mean, of course I’d like to look like an Elite or, hell, even a high school XC kid, but beyond appearance, I suspect I’m missing out on a power boost because of this.  After all, your arms drive your legs: they dictate how fast you’ll go and even affect your stride length, so it really is no small thing.

I started by studying the race video from September’s Half and noticed a clearly uneven carriage: one arm doesn’t go back far enough while the other one goes back farther, but only because it’s driven by the hand (not the shoulder or elbow, as you’d want),  thus the angle increases well beyond the optimal 90-degrees.

So I’ve been reading articles and watching videos of runners I like – here’s a nice slow-mo of Shalane and Desi at the trials (Kara too, but she was all tensed up at that point).

When I work on it (and it’s very much a focus on the shoulders, not just the arms) there’s more swing to my upper trunk, less rigidity. It also seems to give me a more “tits out” posture, which is a good thing, not because I’m trying to get a job at Hooters, but because it’s optimal for breathing and efficiency.

In fact, Friday’s run was weird, it was unseasonably warm, 59 degrees, but super windy and I was feeling like crap so I almost cut it short.  The first couple miles were 9:15s and I was slugging along. After a bit, I started paying attention to my arms/shoulders and I’m not sure if it was the distraction or if it was really helping, but I picked up a good amount of energy – the last few miles averaged 8:03s.

I tend to think it’s really helping since I also paid attention to it on Saturday’s fast run as well, this time with an additional “trick” of brushing my hands lightly on the sides of my hip, which ensures they’re going back far enough while keeping a good angle.

Weight
It’s been 9 days and I’ve lost a touch over 2 pounds. I’m also happy to report that by timing my meals differently I’ve virtually eliminated the hunger spikes I used to get.

As far back as I can remember, my dinner time has been around 6:30pm.  Didn’t matter if my bedtime was 10pm in the summer or 12-12:30am in the winter, I’d always eat at 6:30.  This meant that in the winter I’d have those extra hours before bed that invariably required snacks and carrot consumption.  Carrots are fine vegetables, btw, but I don’t love needing a stomach filler to keep the growling at bay.

Now, in the last month, my eating schedule started shifting due to doubling my runs.  I usually get in from the afternoon run at around 4:30-5pm which left some time before dinner, so I’d eat some almonds or other snack to hold me over.

But this week, I decided to do away with the snack and just go for it: eat a small meal right after the run and then push dinner up to 8pm. This works beautifully because then at 10-10:30pm, I’ll have another little meal, usually the ole standby of PB/cereal (I love that shit like crazy, don’t ask me why) – far much more substantial than carrots or little snacks.

Et voila! I end up pleasantly sated until bedtime and my morning run doesn’t need fueling.  I haven’t had a carrot in over a week. It’s a miracle.

Aside from that, I did a silly motivating thing that I’ve never done before…I bought a clothing carrot.  That is to say, the other day on a whim I ordered some compression shorts (I only ever wear regular running shorts) that I’m too chicken to wear at my current weight but I think might look pretty damn hot when I lose a few.

I didn’t actually buy them with that in mind but once they arrived and I put them on I was like “I can’t wear these, too scary”.  FYI, a 4″ inseam is frumpy for me in regular shorts but in compression (with the potential of ride-up)…not so much.  Anyway, instead of returning them, it struck me that they’d make a fun treat for sticking to the plan.  We’ll see, I may feel too nekkid in them no matter what but it’s silly fun and they were on sale, so no loss.

Shoes
As mentioned, I took advantage of RunningWarehouse’s shoe sale a couple weeks ago and bought the Saucony Fastwitch 5s and the Asics Hyper Speeds.  Here’s what happened…

Saucony Fastwitch 5s
These are the first pair of shoes I’ve straight up lost money on, which is my own fault for not exchanging them immediately.  The thing is, it was a defective pair but it wasn’t till the second run that I was sure about it.  When I first put them on, there was an intermittent feeling in my right arch when stepping off, almost a pinching, but it was occasional and I thought it might be something that just needed “seating” in the shoe.  I did try to find the source but no matter how I bent or investigated the innards with my hands, I couldn’t replicate it, so I took ‘em out for a run.

First run was fine, I didn’t notice the sharp thing though it was odd to run in a stability shoe after wearing neutral shoes for ages.  They were comfortable in the upper but extremely firm in the sole and I did not love them, but as I ran faster I started liking them more.

However, the 2nd time I took them out, the pinching thing was there in full force and I ended up with a blister on my arch!  That is a pain in the ass place to get a blister – you’re doomed to feeling it for days no matter what shoes you wear.  So I was pissed at the shoes but thought I’d give them another shot once my foot was settled. (only because I’d spent 52 bucks on them)

So yesterday, a week after the blister run, I tried them on again but was instantly alerted to that same hot spot.  At this point, I knew the shoes were a loss so I took some snippers and cut the logo off the side thinking it might be the hard plastic and did some other operating but in the end, I couldn’t locate it. I think it’s the stability post or whatever keeps the shoe supported but I have enough working shoes right now that I don’t care to try another pair.  And I’ll stick to neutral shoes from now on.

Asics Hyper Speeds (aka Magic Shoes)
These shoes are wonderful.  They’re the lightest shoe I’ve ever had, 6.1 oz, compared to the Adios’ 6.5.  Talk about barely there.  I took them on that 8-mile run yesterday and you know how that went (fabulously) and they felt great!  Lots of room in the toebox and no discomfort anywhere.

I’m debating whether to stock up on them, putting ‘em in regular shoe rotation since they’re so inexpensive right now (new version’s coming out) or whether to save them for races, in which case one pair will last me a long time.  Either way, I resisted wearing them today, the better to harness their mystical magical powers for good rather than evil.  Not really, I just wore the pair closest to the bed.

And that’s it for today’s self-involved novella.  Have a great start to your week folks, run well and enjoy yourselves.  Later!

Life was a sampler of big things and little this week.  I can’t go into the meat right now, but here are some small dishes…

Socks.  My beloved Balega Hidden Comforts are showing their age in an unexpected way: they’ve become huge, like man-size.  I’d like to think my feet have turned into petite flowers but it’s a mere illusion so I’m having to replace them which is downright pricey, but they lasted a few years so it’s worth the expense.

A nice blog perk: someone from Simon and Schuster emailed me asking if I’d like a review copy of Kara Goucher’s new running book Running For Women.  I received it a couple days ago so I’ll be giving a review sometime next week.  Gotta get my taxes done first.

Good runs this week.  Will break it down on Monday but it looks like I’ll hit 74 miles.  I’m not trying to push this into crazy-land or anything, just had some beautiful weather days which stretched a couple runs out. I admit it, I’m a child of weather – when it’s good, it’s magnificent.

Boston Marathon Headbands! Took me forever to find a ribbon and wouldn’t you know, I find it waaaay close to race day, but there’s time to get yours if you order asap (count on 2-4 days, depending on how far you are from Philly).

Hugs for my injured buddies.  I have so many injured running friends right now, it kills me to read of another needing x-rays, MRIs, pool running and the like.  So I’m sending healing vibes and the biggest buckets of sympathy an imaginary internet UPS can deliver.  May you all see the end of your boots, ice packs and compression gear as soon as possible.  As for those already on the comeback, wishing you some beautiful weather as you return to full speed.

Love to all.  Sweet weekend to you, folks.

My Running Anniversary

Today marks 3 years from the day I ventured outside for the my first taste of the Couch-to-5K running plan.  I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I’d still be running now, much less enmeshed in it as thoroughly as this.  Life unfolds in the most wonderful, unforeseen ways.

New Video – Running Jackets!

This was a fun one to do (or rather, to edit).  In the spirit of America’s Next Top Model, I tried my best to be Fierce and there’s no question I rocked it bigtime.  I hope you enjoy the tips offered as well as the high quality fashion show.  Featured are the Sugoi Hydrolite rain jacket, and my winter running jackets, a Gap fleece and the Asics Storm Shelter jacket.

Today will be a double-hit media blitz for some of you hapless creatures.  Not only is there a new video, but I’m sending out the first edition of my newsletter this afternoon.

The Video

I was going to do a jacket video but figured I may as well start from the inside out, so today’s video is on my favorite winter base layer.  Coming next will be the jacket video and then one on winter accessories, but for now, top and tights is the focus.

Like last time, this’ll send you to YouTube in hopes you can give me a few ratings and/or comments.

If you want one of the mocks, you can find the largest selection of colors at Eastbay: mens or womens.  Btw, a couple folks have asked what size I wear in those, which is a good question.  UA runs small so while I wear Small in every other manufacturer, I buy my UA tops in Medium.  So keep that in mind.

The Adidas Supernova Brushed Tights are last year’s model so they’re getting hard to find, though Holabird has them on closeout for men for only $39.95 in all sizes.  Even without the exact items, you get an idea of what to wear out there in the elements.  Also, for the record, I don’t wear those 2 pieces only or I’d be pretty damn stinky.  I own duplicates of both items and various other tights and half-zips, but these particular pieces are my favorite combo of all.

The Newsletter

Oooh, scary, sending my first one out today.  Just wanted to give you subscribers a heads-up that I’ve changed the email it’s coming from to the new URL (girlinmotion.com without the dashes) so if, when you signed up, you found the confirmation email in your spam folder and had to mark it as “not junk”, you’ll likely need to do it again with this new address.  Sorry about that.

OK, hope you don’t get sick of so much Floness in one day.  Later, kids!

80 degrees and humid but what else should I expect?

Today’s Pfitzinger madness entailed 9 miles with 4@tempo, so I did 4 at regular pace, then the 4 tempo miles (8:13, 8:03,8:04,7:55 for 8:03avg), then one last mile back at normal pace. Nothing amazing, but considering the temps, I’m happily satisfied.

What else is going on? Well, I do have something in the works that I’ll be ready to announce (hopefully) by the end of the week. It’s keeping me excited and busy and industriously occupied, but you’ll just have to live with that tease for now.

Oh, I had a depressing shorts-searching expedition the other day, where I tried on tons of shorts looking for a cute pair of black ones, but it was a scene from Goldilocks, everything was too big, too small or fit weird. So I ordered 4 pair online, thinking one of them has to work. Et Voila! These Reebok shorts were the hands-down winners. A little pricey but they have a back pocket and a great inseam length. I’ll be taking them out for my mid-long on Thursday, so we’ll see how they do. I’m mistrustful after the Nike Pacer fiasco.

But the funny thing about this is I sheepishly asked my UPS guy yesterday, who is just the sweetest soft-spoken fellow, “Do I get the most deliveries on my block? I do, don’t I?”. He told me that I’m tied with two others, which cracked me up. At least I’m not the official worst. Yet.