Go Long......

There's something deceptive about a long slow run...your heart isn't pounding out of your chest every second and so you almost feel like it's a walk in the park, that is, until you finish and realize just how tired your legs are!  Today's run, a long slow 10km.  A beautiful sunny Sunday morning.  My pre-run smoothie - tried the somewhat Paleo version - cocconut milk, but cheated and added protein powder.  To my surprise, the smoothie kicked in nicely during my run when I would normally feel quite hungry.  Dried appricots in my pouch helped as well.  It's all about finding what works and what doesn't!  I'm especially impressed and grateful my legs help up today considering I just ran 6km last night.  

Passed a lemonade stand - note to self, bring money next time.  Those kids looked like they were hoping to make a buck :)  The great part about a morning run, I'm done - and can enjoy my day!

I love sprinklers!

Just put in an 8km run on this bright sunny beautiful June day.  Can I just say.....thank heavens for sprinklers and shady trees!!!!  It was a hot one!

Notes to self:
- please drink way more water during the day
- Gelato may or may not be the best pre run snack - just puttin that one out there
- I love love love love my new Vikram 5 Finger shoes - like running on a cloud even when your legs hurt and your heart feels like jumping from your chest!
- Your brain and body try to play tricks on you when you're tired......The Garmin doesn't lie - when you think your pace is outta whack...it's not.....when you think your heart rate must be off the charts....its not.....nice try body but Garmin whispered the truth to willpower this time around :)
- did I mention sprinklers are a god send on a hot day? 

Nuff said!

Born to Run....an inspiration

If you're a runner, a Crossfit'er, or any type of fitness enthusiast, have I got a book for you.  Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World (Author:  Christopher McDougall).  I just recently read this book and I have to say, not only was it hard to put down, every time I started to read, I felt the urge to go for a run!  It's an incredible story of a tribe of super runners  - the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico's Copper Canyons.  For them, running is a way of life.  Intertwined in this story you will find incredible research on the merits of barefoot running (the reason behind my recent purchase - Vikram 5 Finger shoes) as well as well placed anecdotal exercise physiology research.  Being a science head myself, I truly appreciated that aspect to the book.  I think it will become one of those books you just might read over and over again when you need a bit of inspiration.

As a result......I have decided to undertake a methodical and ambitious running plan, leading up into fall.  An 18 week marathon training schedule, 3 races of increasing distance, Crossfit to make me stronger, culminating into what I hope is a successful full marathon in Oct.  That will be my second one - the last one dating back about 10 years!  In the meantime, I will be experimenting with a healthier diet, hoping to make some of my own energy bars and nutritional fuel for the longer runs.  So far, I have discovered that cocconut water works nicely on a long run - energy and fluid in one.

Stay tuned.....this is only week 1!