Easy Friday, 4/6/2018

Training was light today. I have a half marathon tomorrow, so I dialed it back with an easy 7 Honestly, it was tough. I didn't want to run. I have been working toward this goal of an 80 mile week. It is within reach, but this slow run was not at all what I wanted. My legs were heavy. Frankly, it was a bit miserable. Everyday can't be fantastic. It's done and unless I fall off a cliff, I'll hit 80 miles tomorrow.

In a couple of hours, I'm going to packet pick-up, so I may post again today.

Fueled By Positivity Recommendation
I'm not sure of the future of Skirt Sports Fueled by Positivy segments on SportTv, but I have enjoyed them. I have one more recommendation for you. It is the the Feb. 12, 2018 Episode: How to Live a More Optimistic Life with Dr James Rouse. The best thing that I got from this episode is the notion that optimism is anti-inflammatory. As a runner, I take turmeric and eat pineapples. I always looking  to reduce inflammation. It turns out that optimism not only makes you feel good emotionally, but also, physically, in specific ways. Dr. Rouse gives specific suggestions for increasing optimism. About 2/3 into the episode,  Dr. Rouse talks about Skoop, his brand of nutritional supplementation. I have never used Skoop, so I can't provide any additional about the product.

Fueled by Positivity Marathon Pace Thursday, 4/5/2018

Today's Training

Today's training was a beast. I ran 8 at marathon pace with some serious hills, and then 8 easy. Including warm-up, I ran a total of 16.65 miles. The MP run was very difficult. I was running against a headwind for the entire time, and I probably started a little dehydrated. I had Ucan before I started, but I carried an empty handheld that I could fill up after the MP portion, so no water during the run. The 8 easy were extremely difficult. I stopped something like 5 times to give myself a pep talk. I'm at the 60 mile mark for the week and honestly, I'm exhausted.

I lost my super expensive Oakley Commit sunglasses. I bought a cheap pair of Goodr. I can't lie. No matter what anyone says, they don't perform as well as my Oakley's, but they were close. During an easy run, I'm sure they will be just as good.

During the second half of the run, my legs had an overall pain. It felt like the pain you get all over near the end of marathon. The pain wasn't localized. There was no particular injury, just general pain.
My legs are truly unhappy with me. I've got twenty miles to go, including a half this week, so I've got some rehab to do. I soaked in the spa, used the compression unit and used my new roller. I haven't mentioned my medical grade compression unit that I bought off ebay, but I'll get to that soon.

Fueled by Positivity Episode Recommendation

I've recommended a few Fueled by Positivity Episodes, but I think the episode titled Why We Run is my favorite thus far. What I like about the episode is that is isn't deep and theoretical. It is practical. In this episode, people talk about why they run and truths about runners. Nicole said that she started running, because it was the only sport open to her in 6th grade. One of the things that I love about running is that running is sometimes challenging. It is sometimes easy, but if you get out the house, you are a runner. Anyone can run and even compete at the age of 10 or 85. It is a great sport!

Fueled by Positivity Bi-Monthly Recommendation, 3/29/2018

Fueled by Positivity Bi-Monthly Recommendation:

When I’m doing marathon training, I’m constantly looking for motivation in books and videos. Skirt Tv produces short inspirational videos, in a talk show format, under a category called “Fueled by Positivity.”  This week, I am recommending the Fueled By Positivity January 15th episode featuring Nicole DeBoom interviewing Kara Burns.  Kara Burns was released from federal prison in 2014. Within months she applied for Skirt Sports Running Start non-profit - a program that pairs beginner runners with Personal Motivators to prep them for their 1st 5k. 12 weeks later Kara skipped the 5k & ran the 13er. Kara Burns completely changed her life and motivates others to do the same. Her story is a testament to the power of running, and, certainly, inspirational.

Skirt Tv would like to know the kind of programming you would like to see.  Let them know by completing their What do You Want To See on Skirt Tv Survey.

While you are looking around,

please consider a donation of any amount to Ventura Land Trust.  After the Thomas Fire and subsequent rains, our trails are in desperate need of maintenance and rehabilitation.  VLT is at the forefront of that work.  I’ll be raising money for VLT during my marathon training for Mountains 2 the Beach marathon. I have several signed copies of Running the Edge:  Discovering the Secrets to Better Running and a Better Life. I’ll gladly send one to the next few people who donate to VLT.

Saturday Easy Fueled by Positivity, 3/10/2018

I go up early to beat the rain and ran a little over 13 at a slow as molasses pace. I had a bagel, banana and coffee for breakfast, and I felt fine throughout.  That ended another 60 mile week, and I got all of my SOS workouts in this week.

Fueled by Positivity Bi-Monthly Recommendation:

When I’m doing marathon training, I’m constantly looking for inspiration in books and videos. Skirt Tv produces short inspirational videos, in a talk show format, under a category called “Fueled by Positivity.”  This week, I am recommending the Fueled By Positivity – Not Your Grandma’s Instant Coffee.  This episode isn't so much inspirational as it is practical. In it, Nicole DeBoom interviews Alex Hanifin. She is the co-founder of Alpine Start which is a company that makes instant coffee.  I only drink instant coffee on two occasions.  One is when I'm backpacking, and the other is when I'm staying in a hotel room for a race that doesn't have a coffee maker. Though I don't drink a lot of instant coffee, I sure would love to find a yummy tasting one. That was my initial reason for watching the video, to find out more about the coffee. I, definitely, want to give it a try. I just got my rebate check from REI, so I'll get some when I order something and let you know how I like it.

Skirt Tv would like to know the kind of programming you would like to see.  Let them know by completing their What do You Want To See on Skirt Tv Survey.

While you are looking around,

please consider a donation of any amount to Ventura Land Trust.  After the Thomas Fire and subsequent rains, our trails are in desperate need of maintenance and rehabilitation.  VLT is at the forefront of that work.  I’ll be raising money for VLT during my marathon training for Mountains 2 the Beach marathon. I have several signed copies of Running the Edge:  Discovering the Secrets to Better Running and a Better Life. I’ll gladly send one to the next few people who donate to VLT.

Wow Exercise Monday, 2/26/2018

I'm Issuing a Challenge! (end of post)

My body is feeling the training. My quadriceps and right knee aren't quite right, and my hips are aching a little bit. That doesn't sound good, but usually if I get down to doing my hip exercises, regularly, everything gets better. So, I did my hip routine today.  It is difficult, but I don't think that it is an overstatement to say that doing the routine consistently changed my life. At the end of 2016, I found myself with pain in my quad that I just couldn't ignore. I thought that it was highly unlikely that I had a stress fracture of the femur, but at took an MRI to really rule it out. While the PT and I were waiting for the insurance to approve the MRI, the PT decided that we were going to work on my hips. I hadn't even bothered to tell the doctor or the PT that my hips had been hurting for years.

About a week after starting this exercise regimen, my hips stopped hurting completely, and the pain in my quadriceps disappeared. I started out with all five exercises for a minute.  The routine is hard.  No matter how much I do it, it doesn't get much easier, but it has helped me tremendously. My problem with the routine is that I don't get motivated to do it regularly until I'm having a problem. As soon as I feel better, I do it less and less. It should be a regular part of my training.

I did a short video for a Skirt Tv challenge demonstrating the routine. Here it is.

Challenge

What is your hip routine? I have a challenge for you in the month of March. It is to do hip exercises regularly during the month. Do whatever exercises you like to do. Do as many repetitions as you like. The terms of the challenge are: #1 Do hip exercises, #2 Do them on a regular basis throughout the month of March. Any takers??

Scenic Saturday Skirt-Tv, 2/24/2018

Scenic Saturday Trail Run

The afternoons have been particularly windy, and the temps have gotten cold recently. I have a great deal of incentive to get my runs started a little bit earlier. Yesterday, I wasn't even tempted to sleep in when the alarm went off.  Winds hit 30 miles per hour yesterday.  I got out earlier, today, too.

Bi-Monthly Skirt Tv-Fueled by Positivity Recommendation:

When I’m doing marathon training, I’m constantly looking for inspiration in books and videos. Skirt Tv produces short inspirational videos, in a talk show format, under a category called “Fueled by Positivity.”  This week, I am recommending the January1st episode.  In it, Nicole DeBoom interviews Colleen Cannon.  Colleen Cannon made a career as a professional triathlete and, after, founded Women's Quest. Women's Quest is a company that holds retreats that educate women about healthy body image, nutrition and an active lifestyle.  During the episode, Colleen talks about adopting "easy going goals" that inspire. My nature is to be rigid in the way I train and set goals, but I'm working on letting my passion inspire me to train in a way that I have more of a connection between mind, body and spirit. There isn't a lot of "how to" advice in the episode, but the program gave me the words to articulate what I want to do.

Skirt Tv would like to know the kind of programming you would like to see.  Let them know by completing their What do You Want To See on Skirt Tv Survey.


While you are looking around,
please consider a donation of any amount to Ventura Land Trust.  After the Thomas Fire and subsequent rains, our trails are in desperate need of maintenance and rehabilitation.  VLT is at the forefront of that work.  I’ll be raising money for VLT during my marathon training for Mountains 2 the Beach marathon.

I have several signed copies of Running the Edge:  Discovering the Secrets to Better Running and a Better Life. I’ll gladly send one to the next few people who donate to VLT.

Recovery Run Recommendation Monday 2/12/2018

I have 11 recovery miles on the schedule. I, normally, wouldn't run that far on a recovery day, but it's a holiday; so it is an opportunity to get some extra miles. I would, also, normally post after I ran, but since today is the day the giveaway winner is announced, I wanted to post early. If something unexpected happens and I don't run, I'll let you know tomorrow.

Skirt Sports Giveaway
A winner has been chosen. Congratulations Karen F! A free skirt sports running skirt will soon be on its way.

Recommendation - Skirt Tv:

When I’m doing marathon training, I’m constantly looking for inspiration in books and videos. Days can be long and the training can be tough. Sometimes you need a pick me up.  Skirt Tv produces short inspirational videos under a category called “Fueled by Positivity.”  I watched one recently that I enjoyed and highly recommend.  It was called Find your WHY.  In it, Nicole DeBoom interviews Erin Carson.  Erin Carson is a fitness professional with a long resume including strength trainer to the stars. Nicole & Erin discuss how discovering the true motivations behind your goals can improve your results.  I connected with the episode because the issue of motivation is becoming more and more important to me. I want to be running 10-15 years from now.  To do that, I will need to identify and embrace motivations that transcend PRs or AG awards.

Skirt Tv would like to know the kind of programming you would like to see.  If videos like Find your Why interest you (or don’t interest you), let them know by completing their What do You Want To See on Skirt Tv Survey.

While you are looking around,
please consider a donation of any amount to Ventura Land Trust.  After the Thomas Fire and subsequent rains, our trails are in desperate need of maintenance and rehabilitation.  VLT is at the forefront of that work.  I’ll be raising money for VLT during my marathon training for Mountains 2 the Beach marathon.

I have several signed copies of Running the Edge:  Discovering the Secrets to Better Running and a Better Life. I’ll gladly send one to the next few people who donate to VLT.