Plus+Runner

Entries categorized as ‘Overweight Runner’

There’s a time and a place for that

July 26, 2010 · 4 Comments

My little sister Liz got married this weekend, and it was wonderful.  As I stood up to give the “toast” to the couple, I found myself completely blubbery.  I laughed, I cried, and I made other people cry.  Throughout, I could hear my mother’s voice in my head (she was in the room, but this one was telepathic) saying “Oh please. There’s a time and a place for that! (the crying).”  She just hates it when people cry when they give wedding toasts.   And she’s right, but really, there are just times when you’re overcome with joy, and pride, and you’ve got to let it all out. 

The Kleenex people know this.  But if they were really smart, they wouldn’t only make those pocket packs for weddings.  They’d make them for Finish Lines.  Becuase if there’s one place that you can rest assured you’ll see some tears, it’s at the tail end of any half marathon, triathlon, and even a few 5ks.

I know, because I’ve been that person. The first time I finished a Sprint triathlon, I cried.  I remember rounding the corner, and thinking “Oh my God that was hard, but there’s the finish, and you just DID this!”  I crossed the finish line, dropped my hands to my knees, tried not to pass out, and cried.  Then I threw up, but that’s another story.

The first time I finished a half marathon (the Indy  Mini), I cried, too.  The whole last mile, I was trying to keep it together.  I’d never done anything like this – never trained, never stuck with it, never been so proud of actually completing something I said I was going to do.  I was a Big Girl with no willpower (at least that’s what I’d been told for years, subtly or otherwise).  And yet, LOOK!  I could do THIS! I could run for 13 miles, and finish smiling???  If that wasn’t worth tears, I don’t know what was.

So the question is, is there a time and a place for getting emotional?  You bet.  And it’s on the course.  But if you do find yourself amazed and proud, and just a little overwhelmed in that last mile, take it from me: you still have to breathe!  Crying can wreck that breathing mojo, so if it happens to you, just take some breaths, smile, and think of something positive.  Regulate your breathing as best you can, until you get it under control…and then put the hammer down.  You’ve worked too hard to hyperventilate at the finish line!

But once that tape is in your site, go ahead and let it go. Cry like a baby.  Smile through the tears, though, because it IS a happy day – and you’ve earned the right to enjoy it.

I’ll be looking forward to the laughs and the tears this Sunday, at the Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon.  I’ll be bike marshalling this year, so if you see a Big Girl on a bike, say hello, and introduce yourself!  I’ll be cheering for you, all the way!

See you on the path!

Categories: Athlete · Inspiration · New Runner · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete
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Update: The Danskin Tri Shorts are IN!

July 7, 2010 · Leave a Comment

 

Danskin 7″ Triathlon Short – $48, available up to a Size 22 (essentially)

Just got a call from the most excellent client service representative at Danskin (Gina, thank you!) who has informed me that they’ve just received a shipment of their super-functional, wicking, great-fitting 7″ triathlon short. 

They have a limited stock, but there are about 150 of them in currently in a Size XXL, and another 300+ in an XL, so if you are looking for a short, check this one out.   REI, which previously had them in stock in an XXL and XL, is out of stock in this 7″ model, but still has the 5″ model in.

Click here to access the page on Danskin’s site (you cannot navigate there from the main site – there is a problem with the indexing on the online catalog, which is tech speak for “no one connected this short to the main page”).

Categories: Clothing · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training
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Xterra Wetsuits 1/2 Off

June 23, 2010 · 1 Comment

Just got a note from Xterra saying that for the next 5 days, they’re offering their sleeved wetsuits for $199 and sleeveless for $149 – a 50% discount on mid-season pricing.

If you need a suit and have been holding off, I’m a big fan of the sleeveless suit, and the price point is really good…

Enter the code SUMMER50 to get it going on.

Categories: Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training · Uncategorized
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Aim for the Flag

June 21, 2010 · 1 Comment

When I was a kid, there was a great little golf driving range a few miles from our house.  Nestled up to an overflow basin for the Ohio River and some gigantic creek, Green Tee Golf was the location of both the Tastee Freeze (or its equivalent) AND the place where I got to spend time with my dad.  Once I was old enough, he’d take me and my brother (and later, my punky little sister) down to the range.  When we were really young, we’d play mini-golf while he hit golf balls; once we were older, he taught us how to hold the club, and how to swing.

I liked mini-golf a lot to begin with.  It had a clear beginning and end, and a purpose I could relate to – hit the ball in that hole (which was no more than 10 feet away.)  I also enjoyed that, in Cincinnati’s soup-like humidity, I could be outside, but not have to run around and get all pink-faced like I did when I played soccer.

But most of all, I liked the fact that I got to hit things indiscriminately.  Once I actually figured out what I was doing, I wasn’t really any good at golf, but I made contact enough to like it.  I’d pick up a rental club, stand over the ball, and whack at it.  Sometimes I made contact, sometimes I didn’t. 

My dad would stand behind me (mostly, immediately behind me) and offer insruction on how I could improve.  Never shy about my personal space, I’d let him get in a few comments before telling him he could stuff it and leave me alone.  How could I know that he was trying to teach me a sport I’d play for life?  I was a snarky 11 year old who knew better.  Please.

Of course, I never really aimed for anything.  Oh, sure, there were flags out there.  But I just needed to hit.the.ball.  I didn’t care where it went, because it wasn’t a part of anything larger for me.  I wasn’t playing for money, or keeping score of how many times I hit the green.  In fact, I usually wanted to get out of there as fast as I could because I wasn’t nearly as good as those people around me, and who needs to prolong THAT kind of misery?   

Turns out, when I finally did get around to playing on a real course, I wasn’t much good.  All I had really learned to do was make contact.  I didn’t know how to avoid the trees down the right side of the fairway, or to modulate the distsance on a shot.  And I didn’t really care for the fact that it didn’t come easy to me.  I think, before I turned 18, I played only one real round of golf with my dad.  And then I didn’t play again until I was 24.

Only then, when I was getting back into the sport with some seriously fun friends, did I learn the key to practicing:  aim for something.  All the time, I’d go to the driving range at Diversey here in Chicago, and see these guys, winding up like 30-year-old versions of my punky 10-year-old self.  They’d just pound the ball wherever, and never give any thought as to where it was going.  Which is great, if you’re just angry.  But if you’re actually trying to accomplish something, you’ve got to learn how to aim.  An instructor once told me that going to the range to practice was absolutely useless, unless every single time I got over the ball, I aimed for a flag.  With golf, you can concentrate a lot, or a little.  Sometimes, you can get so wrapped up in the grip, or your stance, that you forget to aim.  You forget what you’re trying to accomplish.  And sometimes, you don’t even have the grip or the stance to blame.  Sometimes, you just stand over the ball, and fire. 

But that’s not the way to become a better golfer.  To do that, you have to aim every time.  And then you’ve got to learn finesse.  You’ve got to check your fundamentals.  You’ve got to learn what makes a ball shank to the left or slice right, and what small, simple changes can impact your entire game.  In short, you’ve got to become a student of the sport. 

That’s a lesson I think we can easily apply to training for any event, whether it’s your first 5k, or your fifth triathlon.  You see, when you first start training for triathlons (for example), you think that it’s all about getting in the miles.  You’ve just got to pound out a half mile in the pool.  Who cares if you’re efficient? You don’t want to drown.  Then, there’s the bike.  Most of us are simply concerned with making sure we don’t get a flat…and that we can actually remove a water bottle from our rack and not end up on YouTube while doing it.  Small goals, right?  Even with the run, at first, all you care about is having the legs to wrap up a 10k after a 26 mile bike, and a mile swim.  You don’t care about pacing or strategy.  You can’t focus on technique, because you’re too worried about baseline fitness, and not dying out there.

But after awhile, you realize something important:  when you’re just getting in the pool, day after day – or on your bike, because that’s what the schedule calls for, you’re not really doing yourself any favors.  Yes, you’re learning how to pound the ball (figuratively speaking), but are you learning how to aim for the flag?  Are you paying attention to the feeling in your chest when you push it too hard on your swim?  Are you doing the drills that will make you more efficient, or are you just clocking time?  Do you know whether or not you’re wasting energy as you haul yourself down the lane, day after day?  And on the bike, are you still operating on the same gear you’ve been on since day one, or have you ever figured out how to really climb a hill?  Have you learned how to change that flat so it doesn’t ruin your race?  Or are you still at the range, firing away, hoping that things will come together?  

These journeys we take are important.  They have the opportunity to let us become more aware of our bodies, our capabilities, and yes, sometimes our limits.  But they also give us the chance to expand our body of knowledge – to truly learn something more about the sports we’re trying, and to take those skills into other areas.  When I learned how to change a tire on my bike (which didn’t happen until the Chicago Endurance Sports Triathlon Training in 2003, a full FOUR years after I started doing triathlons), it rocked my world.  I went from having a panic attack every time I saw glass in the road to knowing that I would be able to help myself – and others – whenever I needed it.  It also gave me a whole new world to ride in, because I was no longer limited to taking rides with other people, in the city, where a cab or a friend could come and get me if I flatted out.  Suddenly, I was free to ride wherever I wanted.  And that meant I could ride hills, and practice my cadence, and feel what race day would feel like – and that, that was very, very cool. 

You, too have the ability to build your skills, and learn more about yourself, and your sport.   But you have to consciously think about what you want to accomplish when you go out, every day.  Yes, there will be days when you just want to pound away, with no goal in mind.  But mostly, there will be something you can learn, something you can accomplish, as you’re becoming an expert in your sport.  I call it Aiming for the Flag.  It’s a simple concept, but one that can help you sustain your enthusiasm for the sport long after your first race is done.  Because when you become an expert (and here’s the kick) it gets easier.  You can make those adjustments to stay on course, to save energy, and to hit your targets.  You just need to focus on them to get there.  

So next time you go out for a run, or a swim, or a bike ride, think about what you’re really trying to get out of the day.  Pick one thing – just one – and pay attention to it.  Think about your swimming form, or how you feel on hydration on the bike, or how you can get the most power from your ride.  Pay attention.  And pick a small goal, for every session, to keep you focused.

I promise you, the rewards you see will make that little bit of patience, that little bit of finesse, worth your while.

See you on the path…

Categories: Getting Started · Inspiration · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete
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Plus Baby: We Were BORN to Move!

June 17, 2010 · 5 Comments

Today’s post by Guest Blogger Kristin (Bruce) Maguire, a great friend and mom-to-be, who’s shown me that being active doesn’t stop when the double line appears!

This blog is about ‘moving more when there’s more to move.’ I know a little bit more about that now as I complete my ninth month of pregnancy as what I like to call ‘Plus Baby.’

I was initially tempted to use this opportunity as guest-author to dispel all the nonsense I’ve heard throughout pregnancy while trying to maintain my fitness. Despite full consensus in the medical community that exercise and running (yes, running) is safe to sustain (not train!) during low-risk pregnancies, there is still much public misperception about what a pregnant gal can or should do. What’s even more counter to popular wisdom is that pregnancy is a known performance enhancer. That’s why it’s been a controversy in the Olympic community for years as a way (aka ‘abortion doping’) to gain competitive edge.

But as I listed out all the hog-wash and myths that I’d love to debunk as someone who has earned her right to be a little snarky after 34 weeks of tuning out the haters, I had a revelation: a few days ago while reclined with a book, as inactive as ever, my unborn son decided to give me a one-two punch from the gut. After saying a few choice words that will soon retire from my mommy-vocabulary, I have to admit I felt immediate pride—“That’s my boy! Strong. Healthy. Ready to BRING it!” And that’s when I decided to ditch my plan to unload pragmatic information and instead focus on the inspiration of a most obvious insight: we are born to move.

What’s more—our bodies  are designed to do bad-ass things, like skipping, hopscotch, jumping rope, climbing Everest and breaking boundaries. From the time when each of us is kicking in the womb we are physically declaring: ‘I am alive and I’m a force to be reckoned with.’

So, 20, 30, 40 years later, why is it so hard to keep kicking? Now that I’m Plus Baby I can testify that exercise is no joke when there is more to move. Every motion requires more from us than, say, when we were 26 pounds lighter. Yet, running (sometimes wogging) through 8 months of pregnancy has taught me that we can do it. Here are a few thoughts for those who want to help change public perception of what is possible for ANYONE that doesn’t look like Dean Karnazes and/or need a born-again kick in the butt:

  • Act like a BABY. A fierce baby. A baby that says, ‘Heck, yeah, I’ve got legs! Heck, yeah, I’ve got arms!’ Be impressed with all your 2000 body parts. Just think about how far you came in those first 40 weeks of life? What could you accomplish in 40 weeks now? With an Ipod. With awesome gear. Without being tied to your mother.
  • Listen and trust your BODY above all else… This is what really defines an athlete—the ability to be completely in-tune with the body’s performance. I intentionally haven’t checked my heart rate once since I was 7 weeks pregnant—doctor’s orders—but I know faster than any Garmin when I need to let my split time dive. Learn to listen carefully and it will tell you everything you need to know.
  • …but mind your MIND. This is where our limits live, if we let them. The mind loves slippery slopes—rationalizations about why we CAN’T. But if we wield this internal voice as THE greatest means for connecting with our bodies, it will take us further than we thought possible. Learn to negotiate with your mind like you’re a teenager again and it’s Friday night. (One. More. Minute. One. More. Mile.)
  • Get going now to catch the Sustain Train. If you’re planning to have kids anytime in the next 1-2 years, now is the time to get to the place you want to be when you start pregnancy. Because once you’re Plus Baby, the focus is on sustaining fitness, not training. It’s like baking a cake using only the ingredients you already have in the house. Whatever routine you’re in when that second pink line appears, guess what? That’s the cake you’re going to eat a lot of for many months to come. Give yourself a due date to stock your pantry now unless you really like the taste of flour.
  • Embrace the naysayers. Let their skepticism fuel your tank. Revel in the funny looks and quirky smirks that reveal their profound confusion about how you’re defying gravity. Smile. Kick up a little dust behind you. And if you really want to blow their mind, tell them you just did a Kegel. (This last point is even more effective if you’re a dude.)
  • When in doubt, choose sanity over vanity. We all know great shoes and bra are a must. Everything else is just ‘icing’ on the cake: matching and cuteness are overrated. Don’t fall for the ideological Kelly Ripp-off. Sure, who doesn’t appreciate a coordinated outfit? But am I going to let a little spit-up and baby funk on my gear stand in the way of a great run? N-O. I’m actually hoping it will buy me some extra space on the path. So, if the only reasonably clean gear that fits are your hot pink running shorts and puke-green army tank, rock them like Rainbow Brite. (Trust me, you will still look a million times more together than our dear friends in the post-natal group.)

The bottom line: the benefits of getting and staying active now and if you plan to become pregnant are countless, including:

-          Greater self-confidence

-          Increased energy

-          Sanity! Less stress

-          Less weight gain (for those hot mom jeans)

-          Less rapid weight gain (no/less stretch marks!)

-          Better sleep and circulation

-          Easier delivery and recovery after baby or other Major Life Event

Sure, I’ll be giving myself this same ‘made to move’ pep talk when I’m a sleep-deprived zombie talking to my breast pump—but let’s make a pact: on the days when we’d much rather climb back into bed and assume the fetal position, let’s throw back the covers, put a spring in our step and remind ourselves: we were born to do this.

Categories: Athlete · Getting Started · Inspiration · New Runner · Overweight Runner
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Updates: Little Red Ride Report, Born Fit, and General Awesomeness

June 7, 2010 · 2 Comments

Hi all!

A few quick notes here, and then I’m punting you over to Plus Athlete for the Little Red report!

I was lucky enough to spend this weekend in Utah, taking part in the Little Red Riding Hood Ride with fellow blogger Diane, and riding friends and all around cool women Jeannie, Kym, Karen, and others.  The weekend was a total hit, but I wanted to share a few key finds that might help you ride this summer!

First, serious props go out to my LBS (local bike shop) On The Route here in Chicago.  They packed and shipped my baby Trek without problem, and the folks in Logan who put her back together at Sunrise Cyclery rock, too.  If you’re looking for the epitome of great technicians with a flair for the helpful, these are your guys. 

Second, I had the good luck to run into the reps from Born Fit (based in Denver) who make maternity AND general fitness clothing.  They were displaying at Little Red, and shared the really good news that they’re now producing running, walking, and general fitness apparel up to a size XXL.  I can’t say this enough: their stuff is cute, it’s functional, and it works for pregnant women, so I’m pretty sure they’re going to do just find in the Plus market!  Take care to watch the size charts, but if you’re looking, I would recommend checking out their lines, especially their capris and short sleeved tops for summer.

Finally, good news from Chicago – the weather’s been so good, the lake temp is up to a balmy 65 degrees, which means this week, you should expect a report from me on triathlon training – and my first open water swim of the season.  I’ll keep you posted on whether I lose feeling (or, I should say, when.)

See you on the path!

Categories: Clothing · New Runner · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete
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The Triathlon Checklist – Putting the “A” in “Type A”

May 31, 2010 · 5 Comments

The night before the first triathlon I ever did, I spent at least three hours laying out my stuff.  It was All New then, the idea that I was going to be swimming, biking, and running, without a time-out in between those events.  At the time, I operated on a somewhat simpler approach: I swam in a bathingsuit with a bra underneath. I threw on bike shorts in transition, and a tee shirt. I put on socks and gym shoes and sunglasses, and that was it.  Okay, so it took me EIGHT minutes the first time, but hey, I did it.

These days, I’m a little more precise.  After realizing that the “finish time” actually includes those eight minutes spent in Transition, I try to make sure I have everything organized and laid out before I ever get to the race.  It keeps me steady on race morning, and lets me settle in the night before (well, at least I can try).  So what’s the organizing principle?   Simple: there’s the Night Before. And The Morning Of.  Or something like that. 

The Night Before

The night before any race – especially your first – you might take one of two approaches.  Maybe you’re a Fly By – as in Flying By the Seat Of Your Bike Shorts – kind of guy or girl.  Maybe you think “I’ll get up in the morning and throw some stuff in a bag, and that will be that”.  And maybe that will work for you.  But for me, I like having a plan, and even more, I like having a list of things to check off.  As someone said in a meeting this week, I put the “A” in “Type A”.  Read into that what you will, but the bottom line is that I don’t like surprises on race morning. 

The Night Before then, is about prepping the race bag, and the car (if necessary) and the food, and the bike.  I designed the attached checklist to summarize the things I usually do when getting ready, and you’ll see it’s broken down into a few areas (Head, Body, Feet, Food, Bike, Car, and Timing).   It might make more sense to think about things as you’ll need them in the course of a race, in which case, you’ll have to read between the lines!

The basic thing to remember about the night before is this: if it’s your first race, you’re going to be nervous.   If it’s your twelfth race, you’re going to be over-confident.  In both cases, a checklist helps you remember the little things that will, otherwise, slip your mind.

After doing races for so long, of course, this list is built to suit ME. You might not need all this stuff. Indeed my friend Lisa, a master of efficiency, can show up with NONE of this and still kick my ass.  The other key to remember is that you don’t NEED all this stuff to race well.  All you really need is your body, some clothes that let you do your thang, and the basics: a bike, goggles, and running shoes.  In most cases, the rest is there if you need it.  So don’t get psyched out.  Just know what kind of race you’re running, and prep accordingly.

The Day Of

Race mornings can be a little bit much.  I’ve literally RUN to Transition before (Wendy’s Triathlon, forgot to put gas in the car, forgot my watch, lost my chip, and walrus-ed into a wetsuit in a not-so-attractive manner before stumbling into the start).  And I’ve been two and a half hours early for my start (every Chicago Triathlon I’ve ever done, because Transition is such a challenge and you have to be there early when there are 7,000 racers getting ready).  

But what if you’ve never done one of these? What should you expect on race morning?  Truthfully, that’s a whole other (very fun) post. But for now, you should remember the basics:  it’s like any other early-morning workout. You’re going to need your gear, and your fuel.  Make sure you have them in order, and make sure you get your stuff set out in Transition, and you’ll be fine.  I’ve added a few basic tips to the checklist (pack a fuel bag the night before; lay out your stuff in Transition on a towel so you can see it – but not a beach towel, people, a hand towel) but mostly it’s just a trigger for you to make sure you’re not missing anything.

If you do forget something, don’t hesitate to ask around.  Most seasoned athletes pack backups – backup tubes, backup goggles, backup saline.  I’ve given out all three in Transition on race morning, and always gotten them back. 

In the end, this preparation will maybe save you some time.  But it really only works if you practice your Transitions during your training session.  Yes, that means running up to your stuff, wet and out of breath, and finding out what works best for YOU.  Practice a few times (at your race site, even if you can) and you’ll find that after a few attemps, you’ll get smoother at getting out of your wetsuit, putting socks on wet feet, and running through Transition in your bike shoes. 

Here then, is your checklist – use it, save it, trash it, or change it – whatever works for you.  And in the end, just remember, it’s not this kind of preparation that determines whether you finish – it’s all that other training you’ve done – on the bike, in the pool, and on the path. 

PlusRunner Tri Checklist

See you out there.

Categories: Athlete · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training
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Spring Haitus

May 10, 2010 · 5 Comments

I’m a fan of a variety of television shows, and lately, I’ve been taking a cue.  After a big run with a showy finale, my favorite Fake People take a haitus.  Presumably, this is so editors everywhere can lie on the beach, sleep in, and pretty much pretend that no one cares about these shows.  When the show comes back in the summer or fall (depending on if it’s Cable or network), watchers feel like life is starting up again, and everything is just jolly.  We find out that the Fake Mistress wasn’t a Mistress at all, but a Sister, and the Fake Explosion was really just a bad dream, and we get sucked right back in, like we never left.

I like to think  I’ve just had my own haitus here the past month or so, disappearing from the blog, and from a regular exercise routine.  Except, here’s the thing:  no showy finale.  No big revelations.  Not much at all.  More like the FCC pulled my license to write (and exercise) and I just whimpered into the sunset. 

So apologies to those who’ve come round the last month looking for inspiration or fun or just plain cheap clothes!  I have lots of reasons why I’ve not been here (I have a “new” full time job, and I’m working more, and I moved homes, and have had some travel….and, well, technically, I’m not really doing a whole lot of exercising other than biking, because I’m doing PT a few times a week)…but wait, you probably don’t care, do you?

Well, that’s fair. You shouldn’t have to care – and you know what, that’s okay. 

If I’ve learned anything from this little break, it’s this:  the excuses don’t matter.  It doesn’t matter what keeps you from doing the things you love – it’s how you get back to it that counts.  Maybe you’re on a haitus, too, right now. Maybe your sneakers are dusty, and your goggles are drying out.  But both of them will work when you get back on the path, or in the pool.  And those lovely, inanimate objects (shoes, goggles, path and pool) could care less that you started taking a class, or got sucked into a new show, or had to work on a project that was so busy you barely had time to sleep.  Those inanimate objects will welcome you back, and not judge where you’ve been, or where you’re headed.   And the people – those people who are your running friends, your rowing friends, or your former “hang out and go for a walk” friends- they won’t care, either.  They’ll just be glad to see you again.

I learned that the easy way – last weekend, as I took off for Door County, to ride my bike in gorgeous Peninsula State Park while my friends ran the Door County Half Marathon.  As the Chicago Endurance Sports crew ran through the most serene, most gorgeous course I’ve seen, I pedaled my way through a park that made me ache for Acadia, and dream of spring rides.  It was pretty, and it was easy.  And I was shocked.  After all, I’ve been “only” walking and doing core strengthening for the past few months.  But it turns out, if you’re easy on yourself when you come back from haitus, you can enjoy the return – with no drama, no fireworks, and certainly no breakdowns. 

This week, the return continues with Episodes 2 and 3 – riding, and riding some more, to prepare for Little Red.  While I’m at it, I’m also doing something else TV-esque:  I’m setting the DVR, exercise style.  Seriously – if I can “prioritize” shows on DirecTV, and record Top Gear over Castle, why can’t I prioritize a morning bike ride over sleeping in?  Or an evening ride over a Cubs game?  Well, I can.  But another valuable TV lesson here:  I do HAVE to choose at some point – and every time I choose a non-workout option when I plan my week, there  is a real cost. 

So I’m planning (always planning) and we’ll see if I can deliver.  I’ll keep you posted on the post-haitus recovery, and in the meantime, thanks for reading, and thanks for coming back.

See you on the path!

Categories: Athlete · Getting Started · Inspiration · New Runner · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete · Uncategorized
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Spring Training (Or: Why You Want to Run a Marathon, Today)

March 13, 2010 · 8 Comments

I often start these posts talking about the weather.  Today is no exception.  This morning, I donned a rain jacket, capris, and a single, lovely, long-sleeved tech shirt for a nordic trek with a friend.  It was a crisp 40 degrees in Chicago, and the clouds never parted.  We got spit on, my shoes got wet, and two hours after the walk, my quads were still cool with the wet cold of a rainy morning. 

And I loved it.

Why? Because spring is here, and there were hundreds of people chugging along the lakefront path here in Chicago this morning, getting ready for their next (or first) big race.  The Chicago Endurance Sports group was out in force, training people for the upcoming 1/2 marathon in Door County.  The Chicago Area Runners Association groups were out, too, rumbling along on the path, prepping for their spring races.  And there were lots of couples out today – channeling the slightly frightened look of people who haven’t run outside all winter, and who just realized that the Shamrock Shuffle (an 8k with a whopping 40,000 registrants) is taking place next weekend, and that they maybe, just maybe, should get outside and try a few laps.

In short, it was exuberant, wet, sloppy fun today on the path, and just like when the pitchers and catchers report for spring training, there was a feeling in the air.   You can see it in the looks on the people you pass on days like today – a short nod, and an acknowledgement, that yes, the weather’s not perfect, but “LOOK AT ME! I’m out here! I”m running like a fool in the rain and AINT IT GRAND???” 

Of course, there’s some misery, too.   There was one poor girl in shorts (wind, honey, it will kill you on days like today), her legs red and raw.  And there were some hot, hot men out there, overdressed in thermal tights with rain jackets, winter hats, and gloves (not over 40 degrees, folks!)  But mostly, everyone looked determined, and excited.  Like they knew what was coming.

So what was I doing today?  Simple. I was catching up with a friend I hadn’t seen in forever.  She joined me for a nice, hour + walk, dodging puddles and catching up.  We talked about the blossoming success of her new small business; the difficulty in getting yourself motivated to get out there when things are tough; and the people we had in common.  Oh, and dating.  The best part about walking or running with a friend is a roundup of your favorite dating activity (at least if you’re a girl) and at the end of our walk, we had some laugh-out-loud moments about what it takes to find a good guy – and how we might tackle that topic next weekend.

I’d imagine that things look somewhat different at the Cubs Spring Training camp in Mesa, but what do I know?  Maybe the pitchers spend all their time talking about hangnails and hammy pulls, and the catchers just talk about what they did with their knees in the offseason.  But I’d bet they also have that little kid excitement that we have when the weather turns – that sense that it’s spring, and anything can happen if we just set our minds to it.

I know that’s how I’ve been feeling lately, and today just confirmed it for me.  So, given that optimism, it’s a good time to share my events calendar for the year with you.  Sometimes, people wonder if I just talk a lot about running and walking and all these other sports – but alas, I’m the real deal – and this spring, I’ve set my sights on some great events to keep me motivated. 

As some of you may know, last year I developed a lovely case of “athletic pubalgia” – aka – sports hernia, among other things – after the Rock n’ Roll 1/2 marathon in Arizona in January.  I ran for awhile afterwards, thinking it would resolve on its own, and it didn’t. Shocking.  I turned to triathlon training late last year, and only in August, when I really couldn’t run without pain, did I finally give in and see the doc.  Since then, I’ve been (gasp) running-free.  I’ve done some PT, I’ve walked, I’ve snowshoed, swam, nordic walked, and done lots of core strengthening, but even now, I’m nursing a nagging injury to my left foot, and am going to take care of that before I start to run again.  In the meantime, I’ve booked a few things to keep me going. 

If you’re looking for an event, or are planning to do any of the events listed below, drop me a line! I’d love to meet up and see you in person!

Pirate’s Cove Trail Run (8k) –  March 20.  Golden Gate National Recreation Area, near San Francisco, CA.  March 20.  I’ll be hiking this 8k with my friend and her husband!  It’s my excuse to get to San Fran to do some exploring, and the course looks beautiful!

Door County Half Marathon & 5k  May 1.  (No, I’m not running the 1/2 marathon, just going to cheer, and to run/walk the 5k).  I’ll also be taking my bike and exploring the park on two wheels.  This will be my first run in 9 months, so I’m looking forward to it!

Little Red Riding Hood Ride – June 5.  Cache Valley, Utah.  One of my favorite readers, and a fine writer and inspirer to boot, Diane (www.downhourtraining.blogspot.com) who’s an avid cyclist, told me about this ride.  She’s an organizer extraoridinaire and sang its praises, and who was I to judge?  The ride is non-competitive, takes place in Cache Valley in Utah, and it’s a women’s only, fully supported ride of a distance of your choosing (18, 35, 57, 80 and 100 mile options).  I’ll be riding with 3,000 other women in a gorgeous area, with “rollers” – no big climbs – to raise money for women’s cancer research.  And I’ll be completing my longest ride in about 4 years, which has me pretty excited.  I’m aiming for the 57 mile ride (I couldn’t do the 85 right now, I just know it) and my good friend Karen has committed to joining me for at least 30 miles.  Considering she last rode long on the hills of Italy, I’m prepared to get my butt kicked, but it should be good times.   I’m also looking forward to being part of such an amazing event in Utah, a state I’ve never spent any time in.  Look out, Utes!

Lifetime Fitness Triathlon - July 10 (TENTATIVE) – Minneapolis, MN.  This is a legacy race for me, and this year I’m considering adding it as my “A” triathlon (Olympic distance).  I’ll be one month removed from great bike shape, so this might be the perfect year for me.  I’m holding off on registration for one more month, but I love this course, so, worst-case scenario, I’ll be here, doing the Sprint. Best case: it will be the Olympic I didn’t get to do last year.  Lifetime’s also offering a Clydesdale/Athena category for the Olympic, so there’s a great chance to be compared against your peers!

The North Face Endurance Challenge, 10k Trail Run - September 18 – Kettle Moraine S.P., Wisconsin.  I watched my friend Jenny Hadfield run the Ultramarathon here last year, (though it was a month later) and I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the day and the cameraderie of the racers.  Sure, she made running over 30 miles look easy, but I was inspired, and I said to myself “next year, you’re doing this.”  “This” is “just” the 10k, which is a distance I think I’ll be pretty good at, come September.  The race last year was a great event, and I’m putting it on my calendar as my first-ever “real” trail run. 

Other than that, I’m not quite sure what’s on deck – but it’s a good start, right?

So, take a look at that schedule – and think about what you might want to do for yourself this spring – and summer.  Pick out a race for yourself, and make some goals.  Don’t be afraid to go all pitcher-catcher, and report for Spring. I  promise it will help keep you focused, and you’ll have a better 2010.

See you on the path!

Categories: Getting Started · Inspiration · New Runner · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete · Triathlon Training
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Sweet Plus Runner Clothes for Not a Lot of Coin

March 3, 2010 · Leave a Comment

It’s that time again. You’re getting the itch to go outside and run or walk  or start tri training and you suddenly find yourself wanting something new and shiny to go along with it.  So what to purchase that won’t break the bank?  A few ideas…

Danskin is having a sale – they’re moving warehouses and are offering 30% off any order over $100, so if you’re looking to stock up on your summer triathlon apparel, this is the time to do it.  Reader favorites include:

Danskin 7″ Triathlon short (Sale, $41, Sizes L and XL remain).  XL will fit up to 45″ hip measurement!

I wore this short last year and can vouch for its technical creds. It’s got leg grippers that don’t hurt (but won’t let your leg ride up), quick drying fabric, and most important, it’s not a Zoot short designed to fit a pre-pubescent girl :)   The 7″ length works well for us larger girls, though there is a 5″ available here, which is offered up to an XXL.   

The short has a drawstring waist but lays flat, and the black goes with everything.  The chammy is barely there, but provides just the right amount of comfort for a 12 or 26 mile ride at your next (or first) race.  It also has what I like to call the “BCO” (Butt Crack Optional) additional piece of fabric that runs up the, uh, back of the short, keeping in mind that sometimes the stretch is a bit tooooo much, if you get my drift…..no free peeks here.

Trust me when I tell you this is the best short in the business if you’re not wearing standard, name-brand apparel. Danskin has done their homework, and if you’re preparing for a race this summer, this is the short you want.

Terry Wrapper Plus (1X-4X)

Terry makes great clothes for women who like to bike, and if you need apparel right now, EVERYTHING is on sale.  One of my favorite ideas is this little wrapper skirt – because let’s be honest, we like to wear the bike shorts, but we don’t always want the world to see the tushum. 

The Wrapper Plus is just that – a quick little wrap skirt to throw on after a ride. It fits in your bike bag, and you can wear it riding too…it’s great if you want to cover up on race day for your run, or whatever. 

Price: $30.00 – regularly $60.  You can find it (and many other GREAT summer cycling apparel deals) here.

Road Runner Sports: Men’s Asics Ready-Set T

Believe it or not, the PlusRunner has some male fans, too! And I’ve been searching for good apparel for them ever since my friend Demiah (a new member of the Nike Running Club in Chicago) alerted me to their plight.  Well, turns out that they have trouble finding clothes too.

Alas, Road Runner Sports does a good job of listing out the apparel for guys up to a Size XXXL.  This tee, from Asics, is a great staple, and runs up to an XXL (50″ chest) and comes in at a light $19.99. 

Price: $19.99.  You can find it (and many other men’s larger shirts) here.

That’s it for today – I’ll be back later this week with some thoughts on getting ready for spring, and will share with you the race calendar for the season!

See you on the path…

Categories: Athlete · Clothing · Overweight Runner · Plus Sized Triathlete
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