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Posts from the ‘Athlete’ Category

Feb 7

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Fat People Don’t Ride Trails Like This – A Guest Post by Hannah Roberts

Plus Runner Note: Please welcome today’s Guest Poster – the gloriously talented photographer, writer, and mountain biker, Hannah Roberts! (Photo credits to Aaron, Hannah’s husband!)

Cycling is great fun, especially with a fast road bike on a paved trail with the sun shining and birds singing happily. Even on an unusually warm and beautiful January day, this ride would be nothing like that. I slowly churned the pedals of my seldom-used mountain bike up the first long, steep, gravelly hillside of the day. As I got off the bike to walk the rest of the way up the hill, I felt the strong desire to give up already. From the trailhead parking lot to this point, just an eighth of a mile, my heart rate had gone from 90 to 140. I was embarrassed to be panting and red-faced as I dragged myself to the spot where my husband and his friend had been watching the deer and examining a trail map for some time.

There was some consolation in knowing that the map indicated this section of the trail was rated blue/intermediate (at least I wasn’t wimping out on an easy trail), but I really was out of my element. What had I been I thinking taking this on? Don’t I know that fat people don’t ride trails like this? – just look at that young, muscular girl in the group that just passed me. I had never done anything like this before and I felt silly in my spandex. Hikers were passing me and I thought surely they must think me a fool, constantly switching gears and having to walk my bike so much. I told the guys maybe they should go on and I’d meet them back at the truck if I decided to quit. But they would hear nothing of it and waited a good ten minutes for me to regain my composure and soldier on. That was the first of countless trailside rests to come.

I had wanted to believe that that was the top of the hill, but it was only about a fifth of the way up it. The trail turned and ascended another 2 miles of green and blue trial to a point that overlooked the quarry in the valley. Again, by the time I arrived, the boys had been there for a while. But I was feeling warmed up and more hopeful about the odds of surviving. From here it looked to be downhill – a relief but for the fact that I have a fear of riding on gravel, especially downhill. This fear dates back to a childhood bike race on my pink Huffy that ended in a bad fall. Now I felt a little shaky as I watched the boys streaked by like lightning. I carefully navigated the ruts and bumps and rocks, applying the brakes often to avoid losing control. In my head I kept flashing back to the crash and the road rash in my distant past.

But I didn’t fall and as I reached the bottom, my mind quickly moved to the next challenge. Ahead of us was the entrance to the quarry, an almost vertical set of 18” wide steps carved into the rock. The park was busy and a large group was making the climb ahead of us. The boys scrambled right up the steps of course. I gave it a valiant effort, pushing my bike up the rock in front of me, only accepting help at the last few steps. The quarry was really something to see. We took a good 30 minutes to sit and enjoy the sun and the view. All around us were people with children and dogs and bikes, even a few scaling the rocks with climbing gear. For a moment my troubles were forgotten.

But only for a moment, then time to move on. It was another steep rock scramble out of the quarry, then a half mile of winding trail through snow, ice, and mud. The boys blazed through it but I was nervous, walking through the worst of it (where a fall would mean a nasty tumble downhill through thorn bushes), and slowing at the corners for fear of running over a pedestrian. The next intersection offered several choices: a long blue trail – downhill mostly (toward the parking lot), a long scenic blue/black heading uphill, or a blue/black very technical uphill leading us to a long downhill. I was in no state of mind to make such a decision and told the boys that I was so far out of my comfort zone that I’d follow them wherever. Guess which one they chose – the very technical one of course! But at this point I didn’t care, I was determined to get back to the truck, even if I had to crawl.

At first it didn’t seem so bad and even if I wasn’t keeping up with them, I was at least staying on my bike.  At one point I was standing on the pedals to get through a tough spot and my gears popped unexpectedly. Thinking I would fall, I tensed up and strained a muscle in my back that had only healed up the week before. I stopped for a few to stretch it but I was worried about pinching the nerve again. We had come to the technical section and I was only too happy to be walking over the tree roots, mud, and rocks. A woman hiking with her dog shook her head as she passed me, “I’d never try to bike this! You’re braver than I am.” I laughed, “The jury’s still out, I may never do it again.” But the truth was, that even in my silly spandex with my red face, I felt triumphant to have made it that far. Up ahead my husband gave quite a show, riding all the way to the top of the hardest part and I cheered him on. When I caught up to him I could feel the fatigue setting in and warned him that I had found my limit. “You’re doing great! This next little bit is the last of the black trail.”

Sure enough, the next intersection offered the option to take a mile of blue downhill and the promise of only one more short uphill section before coming back to the truck. By now I had made huge strides to overcome my fear of crashing and I was only a short distance behind the guys. The wind in my face and the joy of flying along the trail rejuvenated me just enough to tackle the last tough stretch. This section was green but very steep. I opted to trudge on foot to the top of the hill that looked down on the truck. What a sight for my sore eyes (and backside)! The ride down felt victorious and I half expected a cheering crowd and a finish line at the bottom. I had survived 5.5 miles of technical mountain bike trial!

Later as we drove away from the trailhead, my husband was beaming as he said, “I’m so proud of you for doing this with me, Babe!” I had exceeded his expectations and my own. Apparently fat people do mountain bike sometimes and you never know, I may just do it again.

Jan 6

Recovering From Hardship – Why You’re Better Equipped Than You Think

“I get knocked down – and I get up again  – you aint never gonna keep me down.  I get knocked down – and I get up again – you aint never gonna keep me down. ” (Come on, you know you want to dance.)

You may dance – but did you also know that if you have been knocked down, you’re probably made of tougher stuff than those who haven’t?  Maybe this is intuitive, but this piece in Science seciton of the NYT confirms what most of us feel – that if we’ve weathered some storms, we’re more likely to come through them tougher.

Ask anyone who’s been through the loss of a job, loved one, or through a serious injury and they’ll tell you – it wears on you. But Science is also telling us that you also clearly develop some additional benefits – namely, the ability to get back up again.  On the other hand, if you’re lucky enough to go through life without any hits, when you do get knocked down, getting up is really, really tough.

So next time you’re out there bemoaning the fact that the workout is hard, or you hate your job, just think this:  all of these challenges are actually making you more likely to succeed.  There’s something they didn’t teach us in high school. 

Recovering From Hardship – NYTimes.com

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Jan 4

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Today’s “Well” Blog – Move More, Stop Multitasking

 

 

I know, I know – I don’t talk about food here – just fitness.  But as I said on Monday, the two are so directly linked that when I come across a great piece like this, I can’t help but share.

Tara Parker Pope (TPP) writes in today’s blog that there are two new studies out with some good data on sticking with your New Year’s resolution…it includes help for kicking cravings – and simply eating less:

1) Walk for 15 minutes – at any point during your day – and it’s likely to reduce cravings;

2) Stop doing anything else while you’re eating.  Email, tv, whatever – they all lead you to consume more than you normally would.

These are pretty consistent with the guidelines set out in what I now think is one of the best behavioral guides out there, Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Weight Loss approach.  They’re the experts, not me – but if you’re looking for a good program, you might want to start there.

 In the meantime, you can read more by following the link below.

Sticking With a Plan to Eat Less – NYTimes.com.

Jan 2

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Are we capable of change?

We’ve all heard the story about the friend who received some bad medical news.  He’s got (heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, joint pain, back pain, gall bladder problems) and knows, cognitively, that changing his behavior may be the only way to live a full life.  He wants to see his grandchildren grow old, or meet the love of his life, or go on that vacation he’s always dreamed of.  But he can’t, because he’s seriously overweight and he can’t even envision getting started on a new program, let alone what he might look like if he were to become that guy.

That guy is, fundamentally, where we all have to start as we picture who we want to be when we lace up our shoes each day.  That guy is us – minus 20, 50, 100, or 200 pounds.  So how do we start to see ourselves as that guy?

I’ve been thinking about this a bit lately, thanks to my job.  Interestingly enough, there’s a whole field of study out there about what it takes to change behavior for good.  Not surprisingly, it’s called “change management”.  If you work for a large company, chances are you’ve been through a process that uses the principles of change management at one time or another.   At its core, there are a few lessons about making change stick – personally, they’re slightly different, but this is what’s been hitting home for me lately.  To get someone to change their behavior, you have to do a couple of key things.  First, that person  has to:

1) Believe that the benefits of changing far outweigh the current situation; and

2) Be able to envision themselves living out that change when it’s complete.

I don’t know about you, but that’s a really high bar.  Most of us, even if we’re overweight, probably think that our life is okay.  But if I were to inventory what’s good – and what I think needs to be better in my life – I have to be DAMN honest about it to admit that the benefits of changing outweigh the current situation.   Curious about what it might look like for you?  Well, here’s my take on it (it being a combination of weight AND fitness, which for me, are intertwined. I don’t talk exclusively about weight, and I don’t talk exclusively about fitness.)

What are the current disadvantages of living in this body?

1) I’m active, but the impact of being overweight is starting to wear on me.  After years of running, I have an injury which is certainly related to my weight, and which isn’t going away.  It’s keeping me from doing what I love.

2) I’d love to date more! I know, I’m fabulous and all, but the fact remains, ours is a superficial society, and men generally have a probem dating overweight women.  There’s a blanket assessment that if you’re overweight, you’re inactive. I’m not finding the kind of guy who I want to, and part of it is related to this.

3) I’m a shopaholic, and until I start designing clothes, I have a hate/hate relationship with plus-sized fashion.  It’s fine -but I’d like to look better in my clothes.

4) Assorted disadvantages (none of which are nearly as important to me as the first three: increased risk for various things (cancer, hypertension, high blood pressure); feeling judged or uncomfortable in front of others (trains and planes); and the inability to wear not-even-killer 2″ high heels due to this running injury.) Ahem.

What are the advantages of changing?

1) Confidence and comfort in myself and my appearance, wherever I may go.

2) Ability to take on any physical challenge, with just the “regular” things holding me back!

3) Ability to walk into a store and buy anything. That looks good.  This too becomes more important as work may have me relocating soon to London, where there are fewer clothes and lines for people my size.

4) Better Hanger Appeal.  This is what Nina Garcia of Project Runway calls a look that knocks you out on the hanger – not just when on your body.  For me, this is the dating issue – I’m great once you’re sitting next to me, but improving my Hanger Appeal would surely help (for example, in that picture up above, I’d like to be slightly less chesty, and be baring some Michelle Obama arms!)

5)Decreased risk of injury.  I have no numbers to support this, but physics tells me that the bigger I am, the harder I fall.  It also means I land harder, and I believe that my increase in weight is partly to blame for my 2-year bout with Plantar Fasciitis.  I’d like that to go away. 

6)  Decreased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, blah blah blah. These are longer-term variables, and I’ll admit, they don’t make me swoon.  But they should be considered as positives.

So that’s my list.  Now, I’m going to ask you: what’s on yours?  What do you find is keeping you on the couch, and off the path?  What do you think motivates you to get moving, and start to change?

Once you’ve thought about that, I’d encourage you to think about the next big question (part 2 in our analysis above): can you actually see yourself getting to a point in your life where you moved more, weighed less, and felt better about yourself?  Can you picture yourself doing it, and what you might look like if you did it all the time?  Can you see yourself in a different, stronger body?

Personally, I think this is the hardest part.  I don’t care how long you’ve been battling your demons, the mental act of envisioning yourself as something different takes more than imagination- it takes a leap of faith.

Maybe the last picture you have of yourself at a reasonable weight was when you were a teenager. Maybe you’ve never had that photo.  If that’s the case, here’s what I want you to do:  find a 5k in your town.  Go to the local gym.  Stop in at the YMCA.  And look around.  Really, really, look.   There will be people there of every size.  Picture yourself standing between them.  Right now.   Watch them run, or walk, or lift weights, or swim.  Picture yourself joining them.  If you can picture that – just joining them for one day – you’ll have already done something you didn’t think possible – you will have started seeing yourself as an active person. 

It’s not easy to do if you’ve been hurt, or sedentary, or just plain broken.  It’s not easy when you have a history of failed attempts.  If you do, don’t ignore them – use them.  I like to think of starting a new fitness or exercise program as the best things that baking has taught me.  If I burn the cookies on a certain pan, next time up I either turn down the temperature or shorten the baking time.  It’s the same thing with working out.  I know without a doubt that I will never – ever – successfully maintain an early morning swim routine.  I hate getting up early, and I might make it one day, but I’ll never make it more than two weeks.  So if I’m going to swim, I have to join a gym that has hours after work, and I have to plan accordingly.  I know that works for me, so you won’t find me committing to pre-work swims any time soon.

I also know that when I make moving more easy and accessible, I’m likely to do it more often.  That’s why there’s a balance ball, weights, and a bike trainer in my house for the winter.  Also, because I’m likely to work late, eat dinner, and veg instead of pedaling in front of the TV for 30 minutes a day, I know that I have to plan each week what I’m going to try to do.  Even if I don’t get the exact schedule done as listed, I’ll be more likely to stick with it if it’s written down.

But those are my lessons, and those are my adjustments.  Think about what your lessons are as you embark on your new programs this year.  Think about what will help you be most successful at whatever you choose to focus on.  Think about long term change.  And then see yourself completing it. 

Do me a favor, too.  If you happen to go to that gym, or that YMCA, or that class, have someone take a picture of yourself.  Then print it out, and put it on your fridge. You can be sweaty, and you can be awkward, and it won’t matter a bit.  Just get that picture up there, so you can see yourself – every day – as that more active person. 

And when you’re done thinking about all that, consider joining me for John Bingham’s 100 Days Challenge.  You can find the event page on Facebook here.  Simply put, John’s goal is to get people to commit to moving – just moving – for 30 minutes a day – for the next 100 days. Well, technically, the next 98 days.  If you missed the first two, that’s okay.  Just jump in when you’re ready – all you have to do is commit to some intentional movement for 30 minutes each day.  Doesn’t matter how, or where.  For more info, check out John’s video here, and if you want to track your workout, check in here.  

Not sure if you can do it?  Well, start small. Think about doing an easy yoga class at your park district.  Or just swimming slowly in your local pool.  Consider trying out FitTV’s great list of everyday at home workouts – or just commit to parking your car at the mall and walking for 30 minutes a day. 

Today, I parked as far as possible from my destination at the mall, and walked 3X10s as I broke up my day.  It was easy, it was effective, and it’s done.  It’s just one step to seeing that person I know I can be.

Please consider joining me.  Here’s to a great 2011! I look forward to seeing you all here!!

Sallie

Dec 15

12 Days of Giving (Day 3): Women’s Sports Foundation

When I was five, I started playing soccer.  By the time I was ten, I added volleyball, softball, and basketball to the mix.  I wasn’t particularly good at any of them (but I wasn’t terrible, either.)  And I learned both how to play as a team – and how to push myself to excel, even when it was hard work.

Believe it or not, those wind sprints stay with me today.  Growing up as a girl post Title IX made a significant impact in my life – especially compared to my friends who grew up prior to its passage.  In my school, we could play whatever sports we wanted (and there were many).   When my brother went to soccer practice, so did I. When he learned it was part of life to win – and to lose – and to fight hard – and to work as a team – I was learning those same lessons.  I was his equal, and I knew it from the day I set foot on the soccer field.

Today, schools across the country continue to try to offer equal access and funding to women’s sports – from the elementary through collegiate levels.  It’s an uphill battle – but a valuable one.  Add in the challenges of getting kids active at ALL in these days of obesity and Wiis on every corner, and organizations who are trying to promote activity and health are facing some incredible challenges.

The Women’s Sports Foundation was formed in 1974 by Billie Jean King, to advance the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity.   Today, the Foundation continues to be active because there is STILL a need.  Why do they do it?  The Foundation says the following about its work: (I’ve bolded the three points that hit home the most for me.)  

The Foundation works for equal opportunity for our daughters to play sports so they, too, can derive the psychological, physiological and sociological benefits of sports participation.

o   High school girls who play sports are less likely to be involved in an unintended pregnancy, more likely to get better grades in school, and more likely to graduate than girls who do not play sports.

o   Girls and women who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self-esteem and lower levels of depression.

o   Sport is where our children learn about teamwork, goal setting and the pursuit of excellence.  In an economic environment where the quality of our life is dependent on two-income families, our daughters cannot be less prepared for the highly competitive workplace than our sons.

o   Eighty percent of the female executives at Fortune 500 companies identified themselves as former “tomboys” and having played sports. 

o   The Foundation works to afford females equal opportunity to work and be volunteer leaders in sports organizations and the sports industry.

The Foundation gives away grants – $10,000 to $20,000 per week – to help introduce girls to sports -and to help support amazing grass-roots efforts to achieve this objective.  They also do a great job advocating for women and girls:

o   One of the top five public grant-giving women’s funds in the United States, the Foundation distributes $10,000-20,000 per week from operating dollars to provide opportunities for socioeconomically underprivileged and inactive girls to participate in sports and physical activity.

o   The Foundation’s advocacy efforts have directly affected the amount of scholarship dollars supporting educational opportunities for female student-athletes in the United States.  In 1972, women received only $100,000 but now receive $617 million a year.

o   In the past 34 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $50 million in educational and cash grants to advance participation, research and leadership in sports and physical activity for girls and women.

o   The Foundation’s support of national laws prohibiting sex discrimination has resulted in an increase in high school girls’ varsity sports participation from 1 in 27 in 1972 to 2 in 5 girls in 2006.

o   In the 2004 and 2006 Olympic and Paralympic Games, 33 of the women competing received Travel and Training grants from the Foundation, and five medals were earned by the grantees.

So, as you’re thinking about how to make a difference in someone’s life, it’s not too far off to think that a grant to the WSF would be both meaningful – and well used – this holiday season.  Consider it your gift to the next generation of women athletes. 

Alternatively, make your gift the gift of your time.  The Foundation lists the following activities that you can engage in to help continue to advance girls participation in sports:

1. Educate yourself. Learn the ins and outs of the law and its interpretations and become an advocate for gender equity in sports. Visit the Issues and Research section of our site and peruse our Title IX articles.

2. Write a letter to your Congressperson. We’ve elected these people to represent our best interests, now is a perfect time to hold them responsible to the ideals of their constituents. The common belief of providing girls and equal playing field needs to be a bigger priority than special interest money.

3. Become a member of the Women’s Sports Foundation. We, the national leaders in Title IX advocacy, have worked tirelessly for 25 years to increase opportunities for girls and women in sport and educate the public about this necessity. Join our team and begin making a difference today.

4. Review and connect with your local newspaper. The media needs to know when they are doing a good job. When you compliment the media, they will give you more of what they were applauded for. When the media covers women’s sports the way you think they should, e-mail the editor, sports editor or station manager and tell him or her how much you appreciate the coverage. Likewise, the media needs to hear from you when coverage of women’s sports is sexist, biased or simply not there.

5. Make a donation to the Women’s Sports Foundation. Your donations help give us the fuel to do the important advocacy work that we do every day on behalf of girls and women. Beyond legal and public policy work, we give hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to provide opportunities for girls to play sports through our GoGirlGo! grants.

6. Support women’s sports with your dollars. Like it or not, the business of women’s sports is still in relative infancy compared to men’s sports. Want to see women’s sports thrive and grow? Go to a local women’s college game. Buy season tickets to women’s professional league games. When it’s time to give gifts to others, think of purchases that pump money into the business of women’s sports.

I think they’ve said it best.  Whichever course you choose, thanks for reading!

Dec 2

Holiday Gifts for Your Favorite Plus Runner…Runner…Cyclist…Triathlete…

Finding the perfect gift for a Plus Runner (or any runner) can be hard if you’re not a runner – or if you’re new to the sport. Here, three recommendations for runners, walkers, and cyclists who are looking to get a bit more out of their workouts.

Read more

Nov 3

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Managing Race Day Stress

This past Sunday, I had the great opportunity to run off a few of the Kit Kats which had been calling me home this Halloween season.  The Chicago Monster Dash (complete with a lovely stained glass medal) beckoned, and I obliged.

With registration in hand (there’s a good story behind that), I hit Grant Park on a gorgeous fall day, just as the Half Marathon crew was taking off around 8:00 a.m.   If you saw me wandering over to the start line Sunday morning, you might have thought that I was just another lame-o without a costume, getting ready to knock out three miles.  And I was.  But I was also a woman who ran dozens of races over the past ten years – but not a single running event - without being injured - in the past 18 months.

I don’t know about you, but for me, 18 months is a lifetime.  I mean, literally, children learn to walk and babble and do all sorts of things in 18 months.  People meet and get married in that amount of time.  Sometimes, they even wedge in a divorce.  In my intervening 18 months, I’d moved once, been through a stint of unemployment (and a return to work), welcomed multiple small children into my extended friends and family, and  – and – not to be underestimated – completed more than 30 PT visits and been introduced to the joys of cortisone.  In short, I’d been through some stuff. 

So toeing the line (or, more accurately, jumping in behind some girls dressed as Red and Green M&M and the Super Mario Brothers), had me feeling a bit stressed.  Was I really ready to try this distance?  Was I asking for trouble? 

I’ve been returning to running slowly, following the program given to me by my doc –  but I haven’t been following it to the tee.  I mean, really, that would make sense.  I’ve also been helping to pace the Chicago Endurance Sports 5k group this fall, and had been running without incident the past two weeks.  So part of my nervousness was wondering if 3 miles was too much, too soon.  (And trust me, when I say this, I cringe, becuase 3 miles used to be something I did when I was bored. )  But I knew that if I kept to my training, and kept an easy pace, all should be good.  And it was.  I focused on my “effort level” – how hard I was working throughout – and not on the pace per se – and felt pretty good at the finish.  No pain, and no worries.  Well, almost no worries. 

Because here’s something I didn’t count on:  all the race-day stuff that I thought just came with BIG races (you know, the ones where, if you quit, you’re 5-10 miles from home), well all of that was present too.  The things I thought would go away because I wasn’t running long – well, they were still there on Sunday, just for a shorter amount of time.  But make no mistake, they impacted the way I ran the race, and how I felt when I finished.  So here, a few pieces of advice about dealing with the race day stresses I encountered Sunday – and that you’re likely to encounter if you’re just the slightest bit like me!

Remember you race with others. The whole point of doing a 5k or a 10k is to put yourself in an event where you can push a bit with support – and an incentive to do well – AND  where you can feel like part of a community as you engage in a solo activity.  But running with others means you’re probably going to be impacted by them too.  Think about how you’ll handle it when the woman with the double-wide stroller cuts you off on the path – while talking on her cellphone.  Or how you might deal with a group who decides to walk right in front of you – four or five wide – while you’re trying to keep a pace.  These things happen, and they’re part of every race.  The best thing to do is either: decide you’re going to expend your energy to run AROUND them the whole race; or simply try to squeak through when you see a chance, smile, and keep breathing. 

On Sunday, I was so surprised by how much I wanted to keep at my effort level – without slowing down – that when Stroller Mom whipped around in front of me (but didn’t keep moving fast enough so that I wasn’t clipping her heels) I took two steps off the path and ran for about 20 yards – faster than I normally would – just to get ahead of her.  It wasn’t a great tactic, but it made me feel better.  

In other races, I’ve tapped people on the shoulder who did that to me, apologized, and said “can I squeak through?” and they oblige.  But it always goes down easy with a smile.  Remember, most people are just out there to have fun, and they don’t want to be in your way.  Be kind.  Or run ahead.  Either one works – one is just slightly more repeatable than the other.

Remember nothing’s perfect.  Saturday night before this race, the organizers found out they had to re-route the entire half marathon course.  People who had planned their mental game around a specific course were crushed by the idea that they were going North instead of South on our lakefront path. 

With so little notice, the course organizers did the best they could to create a route that would work for our police force, the Presidential security detail (he was in town and flying out near the course) and the runners.  And they did a great job – with one tiny flaw.  The re-routed course setup was just a hair long (for the half marathon, by about .4 mile.)  Some people who were using it to qualify – or who just wanted to claim a sub-something race, were disappointed.  Others were just glad they could run 13 miles AND tack on an extra .4 . 

In the 5k race, the mile markers were off.  I try to judge how well I’m doing by the pace I keep on each mile – but my “splits” – the pace per mile – were way off when I checked them against the mile markers.  As I kept looking at my watch after the last marker, I kept thinking “you suck, you’re never going to make it in”.  (Drama queen moment).  I did fine, and I came in in just over 50 minutes.  So the splits weren’t perfect.  It didn’t mean I was going to run TEN miles instead of 3 on Saturday.  I was just not going to be FULLY AWARE of every component on the course.  So what?  I still finished and had a great medal.  And that’s something to remember when you’re on the course.  Porta potties will be locked sometimes.  Pacers will not keep their pace.  Drawbridges may go up (as happened on Sunday).  It’s about keeping your cool – and your perspective on this.  It’s just. a. run.  Yes, you’re going to be thrown by it, but if you practice the mantra that “Sh*t happens” or “There is nothing I can do about THAT in THIS moment” you will have a much easier race. 

Find the joy.  When your’e in the zone – even if you’re a big, slow runner like me – sometimes you get so wrapped up in what you’re trying to accomplish that it’s like a tidal wave of coaching thoughts.  I’m a golfer, and I analogize it to standing over a balll, with a billion swing tips going through your head.  “Stand straight shoulders back  tuck that chest in  arms loose  pull back count and DOWNSWING and through and don’t dip and belt buckle to the pin and finish high!”   Jeeminy Christmas, it’s no wonder I chunk the ball half the time.

But when you’re running, it can be the same thing, and on race day, my running mantra goes a little like this: “Head up chin off the chest breathe in three out two and can you talk? and heel strike under your hips and god could that chest stop bouncing and ..”  You get the picture.  Add in the splits and a heart rate monitor and it’s DEFCON 4 out there and nobody knows it but me. 

So how do you keep from agitating yourself to death?  Simple.  Find the joy.  Focus on other people.  Watch that couple in front of you as they talk about the movie they saw last night.  Or keep your chin up – but take a look at the gorgeous scene around you (for me, this was Lake Michigan, sparkling on Sunday.)  Or find yourself a good looking runner to ogle!  There are options, people – all of them designed to distract you through 3.1 or 13.1 or 26.2 miles faster than you can say “shoe box”.  Take in what your’e seeing, though, and just grab the joy out of it. 

It’s that joy that brings me back to the path, every single time.  And as I left the race on Sunday, it was that joy that I carried with me.  I finished, pain free, and I had a blast.  I can’t wait for what’s next.

See you on the path.

Oct 22

5 Comments

Back in the game

When pitchers tear rotator cuffs, you can hear baseball analysts groan in sympathy.  When soccer players tear an ACL, thousands of former players wince.  And when runners come down with plantar fasciitis, joggers the world round start limping in sympathy.

So it is that I’ve returned to running, wincing a little bit every time I go out.   It’s not that I’m hurt anymore.  (Really, I’m not.  Most of the time.)  It’s more the idea of running again, of doing battle with that evil possibility of injury, just waiting to pounce.  It’s psyching me out.  And I don’t get psyched out easily.

After 8 weeks of not nearly enough activity, (erm, but enough to do what I’m about to do…), I’ve given in.  I need help.  And so it is that I’ve decided to return to the path with a little bit of support, structure, and fun.   After the Chicago Triathlon in late August, I benched myself in favor of working too much, and exercising too little.  (Anyone else been there, done that?)  I could feel the muscles in my legs (which I’d worked so hard to strengthen over 5 months of physical therapy) working just a bit harder every time I hit the stairs.

So last Saturday, when I went out for a nordic walk along the Chicago Lakefront, I thought to myself, “self, get thee back in the game”.  For me, that game means signing up with my walking/running group, Chicago Endurance Sports.  Lucky for me, they’ve designed a program like they knew I was coming.

This fall, for the first time ever, CES will be offering a combined 5k/10k and Half Marathon training program as part of its Winter Warriors series.  When I sauntered into the packet pickup last Saturday, intending to sign up for the half marathon, but only train for a 5k, I was thrilled when Jayme Tipre (long time CESer and administrative guru) informed me that the 5k/10k group would be an option.

After some discussion, we also discovered that they had a need for folks to act as Pace Group Leaders for the 5k/10k group.  And if you’re a reader, you know I always love the idea of helping people become runners for life, so I signed on – and then checked to make sure I could actually do the current distance.  (I can.) 

That means that tomorrow morning, I’ll be lining up at 7:15 with a ton of new-to-running or returning-to-running or I-just-want-to-run-regularly runners who aren’t in it for a half marathon, but who think that a 5k or a 10k is a perfectly acceptable (and healthy) distance to run.

For me, it’s about two things: seeing the amazing friends I’ve made over the years every weekend as we do something active – and holding myself accountable for these bi-weekly workouts.   If you’re interested in joining us, I’ll be pacing at Piper’s Alley Fleet Feet, Saturday mornings.  They’re also offering training from the Lincoln Square location on Sundays, if you’re a true North Sider.

Next weekend also promises some fun, as I join a bunch of friends (including intrepid traveler Kim, joining us from D.C.) in the Monster Dash, where I’ll be walking a bit, running a bit, but mostly having a lot of fun in the 5k. 

Costume suggestions???  We’ll take them all!

See you on the path!

Oct 17

7 Comments

Fall Fashion for the Plus Runner

Sporthill's Symmetry Jacket ($95.00)

Every woman wants to look good in her clothes.   This is not an observation which should merit any shock or suprise.  And yet, as a bigger woman who is active, it’s always been hard to find clothing that fits, flatters, and is functional.

I started this site primarily to fill that gap.  I’ve been a plus sized athlete now for the better part of 10 years, and though my weight has moved up, and down, my desire to look as good as I can in my clothes – and heck, to look like an athlete, too – has not abated.

With that in mind, I went looking recently for the new fall offerings for the Plus size crowd.  I searched my favorite vendors, my “go-to” folks who have been brave and future-sighted engough to recognize the boom in this market, and have found a few nuggets for this season’s fall temps. 

I would love nothing more than to report that there is some extraordinarily good fashion out there for us for the fall.  Unfortunately, I’d be overstating the facts.  However, there are some winners, and because I’m all about the positive reinforcement, we’re going to call out some of those folks. 

First Prize for Functionality, Fit and Fashion:  Sporthill Symmetry Jacket ($95.00, available at Sporthill or Team Estrogen)

Sporthill is a company that’s been offering Plus Size running/walking/outdoor aerobic apparel for as long as I can remember.  This year, they’ve come up big with a nice updated color for their Symmetry Jacket ( a gorgeous plum purple).  Sporthill sells their products according to temperature “zones”, and this jacket is designed for Zone 3:  zero degrees to forty degrees. 

Why I love this item: First, it’s just plain good-looking.  The Blackberry color is one of those universally flattering colors – and Purple is all the rage this fall.  To se eit in a plus-size jacket is lovely.

Second, the fabric is technical – that means it wicks sweat away from your skin.  It’s got a brushed poly liner, which is helpful for drawing moisture away, and it’s treated with “DWR”.  DWR means “Durable Water Repellant” – which means it should hold up in a rain.  It’s not going to get you through a storm unscathed – for that, I’d put you in REI’s rain jacket.  It’s also wind repellant, which means it’ll keep you protected if you’re accustomed to the blustery conditions we get in Chicago.

Finally, it’s shaped to flatter.  The measurements are made for someone who carries a chest – and a waist or hips (check the Size Chart for the best size for you before ordering).  Yes, it is more expensive than the Moving Comfort Endurance Shell ($65.00)- however, that jacket is (in my experience) incredibly lightweight and will likely not be that helpful for you come fall. I tried it on at our local Fleet Feet, and, though the color is great, for a fall jacket, it’s overpriced and doesn’t offer enough functionality.  Plus, it frankly didn’t fit (tight in the arms and shoulders for me, though the size chart indicates it should fit.)  My recommendation: if you’re a runner, walker, hiker, or cyclist who needs a flattering jacket you can feel good in, the Symmetry Jacket is the one for you.

Second Prize for Functionality, Fit and Fashion: 

Circuit Long Sleeve Shirt from Athleta ($39.00)

The Circuit shirt from Athleta (shown in yellow at left) is like the house in Goldilocks – not too heavy, not too light, not too short, not too long.  It’s just right.  It’s designed with a wicking fabric, and the length is flattering for most sizes.   I’ve ordered from Athleta before (the TeeLicious tees) and am still wearing all three (five years later) for hiking, running, walking, and everyday wear. 

What I love about this item: First, it’s got a crew neck, which I think is helpful for fall and winter versatility.  Second, the colors are great.  Third, Athleta cuts their clothes for a woman’s body – that means that there’s usually enough room for a chest AND hips (who knew?).  The downside is that this is only offered up to a 2X – but check the size charts  – I would think you’d be safe up to a 51″ waist.

The other shirts on the market this fall (from Nike, Moving Comfort, REI, and Terry) are just not cute enough to make me want to spend $39.00 on a shirt.  The Nike half-zip is too boxy (I own it, and wear it, but oof.)  The REI shirt is too short in the sleeves, has terrible colors, and though it will fit anyone, it doesn’t have any pizzaz.  And the Moving Comfort Long-Sleeved shirts for plus-size women are very long and gather unflatteringly across the hips.  So…here we are at Athleta.  Give  it a shot – you might be surprised!

Third Prize for Functionality, Fit, and Fashion:

Ebony Running Tights by C9 for Target ($19.99)

I used to hate running in capris.  I thought they were ridiculous – a fake-out of a tight that made my legs look shorter.  Man, was I wrong.  As I’ve run in “wide leg” capris for a few years, I’ve come to miss the feeling of a TIGHT.  A tight that holds in my tummy a bit – and provides support for my legs.  With the rage in compression technology, you’d hope that compression tights were on the deck – and they are (more on those in another post) – but if you’re just looking for a cute tight to get you through fall, this is the one for you.

What I love about this item: First, it’s simple.  Basic black, with no piping on the wrong place.  It’s got reflective piping on the leg and on the graphic.  Second, it seems to have a nice flat waistband.  Third, it’s made of duo-dry, with no cotton, and flat seams, so you won’t chafe from sweat or seams.  It has a liner so if you like to run commando, you can.  And fourth, it’s got an inner, zippered pocket for your car keys or emergency cash, which NONE of the wide-leg, capri pants (which are mostly made for hacking around town and yoga, and NOT a run from your house) ever have.  In short, it’s functional and it’s flattering.

Sep 8

5 Comments

Last minute tri advice? No problem!

Special thanks to Stephanie, who supplied the starting point for today’s post.  Stephanie writes that she’s been convinced by a merry band of triathlete hooligans to compete in her first race a full MONTH before she originally intended.  She wonders if I have any advice for her, and I’m happy to oblige!

Will I stand out like a woman with a baby stroller in the “Expert Security” line at the airport as a Plus Athlete?

Okay, so perhaps I’ve got traveling on the brain, but the question I get a lot – and is similar to the one Stephanie asked – is pretty normal:  Just how out-of-the-ordinary am I, as a Plus Athlete?  Will people stare?  I mean, I’m used to being B-I-G-G-E-R than others, but am I going to feel like a freak of nature?

In short: it all depends on you.  What I’ve found is that if you’re doing a Sprint Triathlon, there really are people of all shapes and sizes out there.  If you’re familiar with the bell curve, I think that applies here – 10% of your racers are super, super fit.  20% are merely super fit, or just a smidge heavier than the average (which comprises 40% of the runners).  And that last 10% are folks who carry more than a fair share of extra poundage.  Okay, maybe it’s more like 5%, but you get the idea.  You won’t be alone – especially if your race is a women’s only race, which tends to be VERY open and encouraging of women of all shapes and sizes. 

The other thing I’ve consistently found is this:  the spectators are amazing.  Simply amazing.  They will actually cheer HARDER for you because you’re bigger – because they know, watching, that it’s incredibly difficult to complete a triathlon, and you are inspiring THEM with the fact that you’re doing it.   So if someone cheers for you when you leave the swim (and they will – by number) smile, and say THANK YOU.  Or whatever makes you feel good.  Just realize they’re not going to mock you – they’re really just going to support you.  On the course, you’ll find the same thing – riders who are more experienced or thinner will go out of their way to tell you “good job” because they admire what you’re doing, and they want the sport to feel inclusive. 

How you handle that attention is up to you.  Some people are okay with the fact that others are looking at you in some skimpy tri wear.  Some are less comfortable.  I’d encourage you to think through what your response will be, and to own the fact that you’re doing something amazing in your body.  If you exude pride on race day, you will FEEL it, and it will help you perform better – I promise.

Any tips for the swim?  How does one execute a chop block in the water, and any tips for not drowning?

Two questions here that deserve answering, really:  first, how do you survive the craziness of a mass swim start, and second, what if I panic in open water? 

The open swim start has a few variations, so before you get worried about what it will feel like, let me share them with you.  First, some triathlons do a “mass start” where you go off in waves of 25-200 people.  This start is what most of us think of when we think “crazy”.  If you’re a first-timer, start at the back, and line yourself up with the series of bouys that you see heading into the distance.  Then, after the masses have kicked for a few seconds (or 20), get into the water, and go.  They’ll have cleared out, you’ll get to swim behind them, and you won’t be swimming over (or getting swum over.) 

The second type of start is a timed interval – where you start on a beach, and someone goes into the water every 3-5 seconds.  This is a bit more of an “on display” start as everyone watches you run into the water (which I always thought was an invitation for me to hold my hands over my chest so the girls wouldn’t knock me out, but that’s me).  It’s also far less stressful because the water is mostly clear.  Yes, you’ll get swum over, but it won’t happen as often. 

The second question here is about managing the fear in the deep water.  If you’re a regular open-water swimmer, this probably isn’t the biggest issue for you. But if it’s got you concerned,  think of it like this:  there is a USA Triathlon requirement that for every 75 swimmers in the water, there are X number of lifeguards.  All races must meet these requirements.  (I think it’s 1 per 75, but I’ll have to check).  This means that generally, on most courses, IF you get into trouble, there is a lifeguard or a boat nearby.  Per the USAT rules, you can sidle on up to that boat or guard, ask how the weather is doing, and hang on for a chat – as long as you aren’t moved forward by that boat or guard.  So the thing to remember about the deep water is that there will always be someone within swimming distance of you – and even if you’re having a hard time, you can tread water for a few minutes, then make your way over to them, hold on, regroup, and head back out there. 

No race director wants you to be unsupported in the water, so you should feel going in that you will have a safety net.  That said, keep your eyes on moving forward – and on those bouys – to feel like you’re breaking up the swim into manageable chunks.  Sometimes if I’m worried about how long the swim will feel, I set the interval on my watch to go off every five minutes, knowing, for example, that when it beeps twice, I’m usually halfway through my swim.  You might want to do the same – it’s a nice reminder that you’re making progress and moving forward on your own.

I think I might require some food on race day.  Any thoughts?

Ah, food.  Race day food is something that presents a special challenge when you haven’t had a chance to train with it, so I’ll just share a few tips. 

First, if you can, road-test your pre-race food with at least a few workouts before the Big Day.  You’ll want to test out whether your toast sticks with you for two hours; or whether you need some peanut butter on that bagel. 

I generally go with two pieces of dry toast (Cinnamon Raisin, thank you very much) and have a half of a banana at least 2 hours before the race.  The night before is important too – have something that won’t upset your stomach, (pasta or a sandwich with some protein); throw in some greens, and dont’ forget the water. 

My friend Lisa has an approach you may also find helpful if you have used it before – she has one Clif Shot or Gu about 30 minutes before the race to top off her carb stores and she says that for a Sprint race, it’s really all the fuel she needs.

——————

So that’s it for my race advice for Stephanie, and anyone else thrown into a race this weekend!  Thanks for asking, and good luck with your race!!!

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