[48] Deja Review

No sooner did my feet touch down in Heathrow Aiport, did I start seeking out a current issue of Runner's World UK. Every couple of months or so, I drop by my local bookseller and pick up a copy to read, but shipping it across the pond usually translates into reading an issue from two months prior. What better way to celebrate my arrival in the UK with the shiny July 2011 issue? I cringed at the £4.50 price tag, but after doing the math, I realized that $7.99 US wound up being cheaper! Before I hoist myself up onto my soapbox, allow me to delve into the bits of the British sister of the magazine I've grown to love.  

[Uniquely UK Edition]

"Human Race: Tourist Trot" (page 29): an interesting personal piece about how Sascha Cutura got in shape and elected to give running tours of his stomping grounds of Colchester. I love how he found a way to incorporate running into his career pursuit. Perhaps on my next trip to the UK, I'll lace up, drop by, and go for an educationally stimulating run.

"Tonky Talk: Runners Anonymous" (page 42) by Paul Tonkinson: A delightful, comedic piece about a conversation the author had with a drunken traveler in Calais. Touches upon addiction and how running should be outlawed as its a free means of getting a truly natural fix.

"Asics Super Six: The Road Ahead" (pages 58-59): RWUK selected six individuals from a applicant pool of over a thousand to coach (via the Asics Pro Team) for the 2011 Paris Marathon. This month's issue reveals their results and their future running goals. The goals range from a sub-3:00 to a sub-6:00 finish. The results are not yet posted on RW.co.uk

 (The Result)

"Marathon des Sables" (pages 60-65) by Alison Hamlett: I have deepened my respect for ultramarathonners, moreso for those who have tackled the 156 mile trek through the Sahara Desert. Hamlett documents her experience on what can only be described as epic. Tips, packing items, and a stage-by-stage breakdown of the event are included, but it certainly looks like an event I will never participate in. Ever.

"A Flying Start" (pages 66-69) by Michael Donlevy: with my first 10K (Boomer's Cystic Fibross Run to Breathe) rapidly arriving (July 9th), I found this article extremely informative. Having properly trained for 5Ks and half-marathons, I figured that since a 10K in somewhere in the middle, adjusting my training may not be necessary. I hope it goes live soon.

"Northern Star: Charlie Spedding" (pages 72-77) Having visited area around 'The Angel of the North' in Durham, England, I was excited to read about someone from an area of England of which I am now famliar. He recently realized an autobiography, From Last to First which I am curious to read, too. I particularly like his five tips for runners. P.S. I also have a fancy picture at the massive Angel of the North!!

"Inside Track: Born in the USA" (pages 86-87;89) by Sarah Shephard: Profiles Michael Bingham and Tiffany Ofili both American born Olympians who have chosen their English citizenship over their American, and the primary factors in moving across The Pond from North Carolina and Michigan respectively. I look forward to watching them block up against the US, Japan, and of course, Jamaica at the 2012 Olympics in London next summer.

"Event Editorial: Mud, Maidens, and Merry Men" (pages 99-100) by Ed Vanstone: Highlights the night time finale of the Notorious Night Runs Series in Sherwood Pines, Notts on April 2nd. The obstacle course-style, night run looks like a riot, complete with costumed runners (accessorized for safety, of course). Running through the woods in the Legends of Sherwood Forrest? I better pack my tights next time.

Now here is where things get a bit sketchy for me. One of the biggest things I adore about RW is their creative editorial photos and running related art work. Flicking through the pages, some of the images looked all too familiar. This is largely in part that some of the following articles from the UK July 2011 issue were some of my favorite articles from the last three months worth of US editions! I was a bit miffed when I realized that I had paid close to ten dollars for stuff I had sitting at home on my bookshelf. However, it has become a lovely travel souvenir, providing some new avenues of pursuit for this blog. As the following are available for readership on the Runner's World homepage and their related social medias, I would like to take the opportunity to dog ear them for your review:  

[Deja VUS Edition Materials]

1. "Better Together" by Liz Plosser (May 2011)
2. "The Perfect Week" by Jeff Galloway (April 2011)
3. "Power Surge" by Ed Eyestone (June 2011)
4. "The Golden Rules of Weight Loss" by Sarah Lorge Butler (April 2011)
5. "Can You Be Fit and Fat?" by Adam Bean (April 2011)
6. "Inner Workings: Marathon des Sables" by Matt Allyn (July 2010)
7. "Time to Rest" by Jayme Otto (June 2011)
8. "I'm A Runner: Bear Grylls" by Nancy Averett (May 2011)

Unrelated, I finally learned that "ASICS" is actually an anachronism for the Latin phrase "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano" or "a sound mind in a sound body" courtesy of a two page advert in the magazine. I do not remember ever seeing that explanation in any of the US advertisements (of I have been completely oblivious to them). So it's not just a catchy tagline. I am impressed by their development of a substantial brand.

I am milling over my posts for this trip and deliberating over what to write to the UK editors with reference to. Their "Letter of the Month" recipient receives a pair of Saucony Progrid Hurricane 12s (worth 105 GBP). I did not pack any wacky American clothes to take a photograph with the magazine, so I am wracking my brain at the moment for a glimmer of inspiration. I believe I may write just write a witty rehash of this post (as my readership is so limited). Thoughts?

[34] Trail Blazin

Once all the Spring Break mail was sorted, I found the spring 2011 Runner's World Special: The Trail sitting in my post box. With spring setting up shop and summer coming quickly behind it, the flora of Westchester is finally returning to its state of lush beauty. A Florida girl at heart, I am used to flat land, high heat, and stifling humdity, but New York does provide ample shade, fewer brutally hot days, and nature galore. I was a Girl Scout for nine years, so somewhere deep down inside there is a nature girl screaming to be set free amongst the mud, hills, and woody areas.

I treated myself to a sumptuous yet healthy brunch at the Ritz-Carlton Lounge. The Spa Brunch was lovely with a bowl of fruit, Swiss oatmeal, a strawberry-banana smoothie, bran muffin, and choice of juice, tea, or coffee. I opted for tea (all I can drink) and a cranberry juice (to help with health), and by the end I felt full, refreshed, and ready to take on my day. While nibbling on my breakfast, I powered down. I stuffed my laptop back in my bag, chucked my iPhone in there for good measure, and flicked through The Trail by the fire place. With the lobby lounge almost entirely to myself, I became completely absorbed in the magazine. Alas, this serenity was short-lived as a trio of young, corporate hot shots came in, took the table next to mine (despite the room being empty), and started talking shop rather loudly. Though it caused me to cut my brunch short, I made considerable progress.

"Get Lost" (pages 2-5): If there was anything that would motivate me to take up trail running, it would be hoofing it through these exotic and scenic locals. Each month, RW puts a gorgeous two-page photo of a single runner booking it through some remote location. Simply looking at the vast landscape, it makes me realize how limited my running experience has been. Although, I've participated in destination races-- albeit they were all domestic-- they were all road races in urban areas. San Francisco. Washington, D.C. Walt Disney World. It wasn't like the sweeping plains of Owens Valley, California or the emerald green hills of Trail du Mont Blanc in Val Ferret, Italy.

What's Hot Now: "Cabin Fever" (page 17): In a world where we are fighting to find greener solutions to travel, I found this short article interesting. Instead of driving to the different huts and bungalows along a mountain trail, more and more trail runners are electing to run it! How much fun would that be?! I would love to do something like that, but I certainly would prefer having company, especially for safety. Also highlights the top four most popular cabin systems for runners.

Green Zones: "National Treasures" (page 19): I think the last national park I visited was the Grand Canyon on a family trip when I was in my early teens. At the time, naturally all I did was bitch and moan about the sweltering summer heat and staring at a (as I so eloquently put it as a mouthy kid) "a giant crack in the ground". Now, I am aching to go back, run in it, and catch a sunset (or sunrise) at it. I want to appreciate it as an adult. The thought of running through these scenic places is daunting, but it looks so rewarding at the same time. There are 56 national parks, so I should be able to find one I can run in somewhere, right?

Run Strong (pages 21, 23, 25, 27-29): Being a nerdy, trail running benchwarmer, I am in the research phase which comes prior to exploration. I do not have any regular local running partners (yet), so I need to be self-sufficient while out for a run. This section covers important topics for new runners such as hydration, fueling, handling crossing paths with wild animals, and essential packing list. It also continues to cover light injuries with "Body Repair", and a training plan for running that first Trail 10K in "One Month to Race Day".

Advertorial (pages 37-52; 16 pages): Highlights some of the prime trail running locations in top cities across the US, and includes suggested race to run and top local running retailers in the area. I think I want to try and tackle the New York area suggestions first before hitting up places like Seattle, Atlanta, Boston, or Salt Lake.

There is still half of the magazine left to enjoy, but I am certain I can knock that out after my afternoon jog tomorrow.

Inspiration gripped me, so I toyed with trail running. I hopped off the sidewalks into the grass when possible. The rain was falling, so I left my music at home and soaked in the natural sounds of my usual running path. I splashed through puddles, sloshed through wet gravel and sand, and tried intervals on a small hill outside the Manhattanville Castle (eight reps!). Though the weather was cool and I was heating up from jogging, I wore my long-sleeved  Nike Miler shirt (I need more of these) and my Tempo shorts (both of which were soaked through by the end of the run). Without music to distract me, I took in the sounds around me: the falling rain, my feet on the ground, and the occasional chatter of co-eds as I ambled by them. It was a nice change.

Growing up in south Florida, playing in the rain was a treat, much to my mom's chagrin. It was fine so long as there was no lightning, and at the first sound of thunder, I knew playtime was over. While the rain fell, I remmebered playing outside in the rain with my sister, cursing the rain as I dashed between college classes, driving slowly on the highways to avoid hydroplaning, and curling up on the couch in a blanket for movie marathons. I realized that these are all things I love about rainy days-- well, with the exception of driving through a torrential downpour on the highway with minimal (or zero) visibility. It made me wonder, when did I start caring about getting caught in the rain? Maybe it was in middle school when I first had to start changing classes. Being drenched to the bone, sitting through 50 minutes in the air conditioning, and then going outside to the heat and doing it all over again, was nothing short of miserable.

After the run, I decided that I no longer have an excuse not to run on days when the sun take a fiver and the rain clouds roll in. Granted, I will not be running or training hard, but so long as I am moving and burning some calories, I can justify (and relish) my couch surfing afterward. All it takes a little preparation and planning.

[25] Cherry Blossom Mafia Princess

Part of my race ritual is planning for my trips in advance. Color me crazy, but I love planning, making lists, and color coding... everything.

Fuse Sports Complex, Tottori City, Japan 2008

My circle of runners are recreational. We we jog. We chat. We run when we feel like it. At race expos, we hunt for the free stuff and buy little trinkets. Lately, I've been hearing a lot on talk about compression apparel, but I do not know any runners who regularly use them. Many of the student athletes I work with use compression sleeves while they play sports, but I haven't really had the chance to discuss its effectiveness with them. After reading The Killer Inside (Runner's World; April 2011), my curiosity has been piqued.

While at Westchester Road Runner the other day, I picked through the compression wear section. There was lots and lots of black, but I craved color. Luckily, I came across the Zensah Leg Compression Sleeves! They had seven colors, including a nice spring pink! One of my biggest health concerns as a runner (and athlete in general) is shin splints. When I play volleyball and tennis, I often have to ice after an intense workout. Reading up on the technical aspects of the leg sleeves, I was relieved to know that I made a smart investment. While running, my lower legs are a point of contention. In the Nike Half, I had calf cramping around miles eight through ten which resulted in some loss time for stretching (and several awkward days of walking afterward).

According to the event page, the anticipated race day weather will be in the 40s-50s, meaning I will need layers to keep me warm. At Christmas, Santa stuffed a pair of Sugoi Tatu Arm Warmers into my stockings. I have only had the chance to wear them once because it was far too warm in Florida when I ran last month. The start time will be 8:40AM, so it will give the sun a chance to burn off some of the morning chill. I can work up a decent sweat with a 5K, so I want to have just the essentials warm and not have to fight with removing layers.

Now comes time for the big reveal: "Mafia Princess in D.C." Though George Washington is famed for chopping down pop's cherry tree and not lying about it, for me cherry blossoms remind me of Japan. It was the first place I saw them, and I have countless wonderful memories (and photos) of them. While at The Fit for a Princess Expo, I bought my first running skirt and its matching long sleeved zip top. I'll pair them with my pink leg sleeves and Tatu sleeves and wear the white technical t-shirt from the Princess Half, too. In Japan, individuals who with ink are often associated (whether they like it or not) with the Japanese mafia, so pairing my 'Tatus' with my black & princess princess duds, gives you the general idea. I am thinking about what to do with my hair, too. Since I've layered it, my options are limited, but I can still do nubby pony or pig tails. I am thinking I may need a funky hair band or some flowers to clip in my hair. 

All that is left to sort out is socks and sports bra. My tried and true nude Freya Active Sports Bra which I wore at San Fran, is sadly too loose now, and the elastic in my white Champion sports bra is completely shot. Time to invest in new ones anyway. It's recommended to replace sports bras every six months, and both of my lighter ones are past the one year mark (and the sizes are now wrong).

[16] Lululemon & Yoga for Runners

Prior to February Race Weekend 2011, I went to Lululemon Athletica in Greenwich, CT. After being grossly disappointed in the racer back sports bra I was sold over winter vacation, I needed to find something more suitable for a runner and break it in before hopping the plane to Florida. I discovered Lululemon courtesy of an ad in my beloved Runner's World Magazine. Though their prices are a little higher than my tried and true Nike, their yoga inspired clothing also has running counterparts! I've worn my Victoria's Secret yoga pants into the ground, and I felt it necessary to widen my sphere of fashion! Support, in particular, is something I cannot afford to skimp on.

Entering a boutique, especially one in Greenwich, is overwhelming for me. You can always tell who the regulars and veterans are, and who are slinking in for the first time-- like me. What I love about the LA staff (both in Greenwich and Rye) is that everyone is so sweet and knowledgeable about their product lines. As a fuller figured athlete, it's a little embarrassing for me to ask for something to wrangle 'the girls' so as to avoid further tissue damage. Thankfully, one of the girls noticed my lack of ease, and took care of me without much fuss at all. I am now a enthusiastic supporter of the "Ta Ta Tamer"! I figured I would go with the standard black, but I have a hankering for some of their brightly colored counterparts! I like how the shoulder straps can be either straight or criss-crossed for a little extra control.

When I came back today, I thanked the girl who sold the bra to me, and she remembered my name! She also congratulated me on my race! I found a pair of their Run: Aspire Crops on Final Sale, so as they are perfect for Spring Training, I picked them up. Surprisingly, at 5'4", these 'crops' come down to my ankles! I could have had them tailored, but it's still a bit chilly outside for me! I got them in black with some ash and grape paneling, so they will match the new Princess 1/2 garb in my closet!

The Greenwich Store also offers yoga classes on Sunday mornings at 10AM. If I can roll out of bear early enough on the weekends I am off, I may need to trot over and learn how to properly do some of these moves. Sadly, the Rye Showroom is closing in a few weeks while corporate decides where in Westchester to put their boutique shop. The ladies there will be transferred to Greenwich, so I'll be able to get their advice as well! I bought a stainless steel Sigg 'I <3 Running' water bottle today and they gave me an awesome Super Hero bag!!

In the mean time, I will also be hitting the mat thanks to Women's Health Magazine! They prove monthly yoga workouts in their magazine and online, but what caught my eye was their article on Yoga for Runners. Once I get the basics down, I'll be attempting to tackle Tara Stile's Skinny Jeans Yoga Workout. I'll need to be much more flexible if I intend on doing that six week series without snapping a leg off at the knee!  Cross-training is no longer limited to biking and swimming for developing a strong core. Runner's World also runs a series of Yoga for Runners both in print and online which further emphasizes the crucial nature of yoga for injury prevention, stress release, and core training.

Time to hit the mat and then hit the road!

[o6] Writing Up Resolutions

With the Greater Fort Lauderdale Road Runners' Resolution 5K in ten days, I figured while I am getting into training mode, it would be smart to start thinking about what I can hope to accomplish in 2011. In "This Year's Goals" (January 2011) by Ed Keystone, he presented interesting tips on how to combine a runner's three most sought after goals-- time, place, and fitness-- so as more effectively commit and achieve one's goals. This evening, I had some time to mull over and scribble out a laundry list. What started out initially as running specific goals, quickly branched to incorporate nutrition, living habits, and mental health. For now, I selected three goals for each category.

Piecing it together is only the beginning!

[Time] 

1. Beat 2010 Nike Women's Half-Marathon time (3:05:44) at the Disney Princess Half-Marathon on February 27th. If possible under 3 hours.
2. Try to beat my best 5K record (35'43") at the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K in Washington, D.C. on April 3rd.
3. Shave off 36 seconds and run a nine minute mile... more than once!

[Place]

1.  Advance from Green Level to Blue Level in Nike+ by year's end (11:59PM EST on December 31st; 389KM; Blue = 1,000KM).
2.  Utilize the Nike+ Half-Marathon coaching program (12 weeks) to prepare for Princess 1/2 (Beginner Level; 12 weeks starting on 12.19.10) Note: The race will fall on the first day of Week 11.
3. Claim at least one Nike+ Road Boss crown in my local area each month (and maintain at least three by year's end)

[Fitness]

1. Drop remaining 30 pounds by June 1st (five pounds a month)
2. Begin (yoga, swimming, biking) on non-run days (three times weekly)
3. Keep a fitness journal to remind myself of success, progress, and review for patters.

Committing my ideas to paper was simple, but sifting through all my ideas to solidify which paths to pursue took some time. I think I will print out and post this on my door to remind me every morning when I step the door. Also, I need to add structure and utilize my free time more effectively, and this will definitely set me upon the right track.  Doing the math and seeing how these pieces fit together is exciting. Would it be bad to start counting down to 2011 now?