Tools for the Skeptic Runner: Beginner Tips

23 Jan 2014 2 Comments

One of your New Year goals may have been to start exercising or running; to lose weight, be fit or just because. Well, it’s been twenty-two days and counting already: Where’d the time go? I’m so not ready for this. I still haven’t found the time! I’ll start next month. These may be some excuses that’s been running around in your head while your feet have been going nowhere fast. Well I’m here to remind you. I’m a big believer in a person keeping their word. The way I see it, when it’s all’s said and done, that’s all you have left and it defines you.

So I found this video on YouTube and it’s really great for those starting out, wanting to start or even if you’re still in the debating-which-form-of-exercise zone. The key is really just starting, putting aside all reservations, making time in your busy schedule-just as you would make time to do any of the other very important things on there – cause really, you have to want it badly enough, and putting one foot in front of the other and stepping up and out. You look at others who are fit and you admire that, you want what they have, then you have to be willing to do the work.

First off, you have to commit to it, do whatever is necessary to get what you want; go to bed early to be well rested so you feel good. Get out there – if you can’t make running to start, then walk. You walk until you can run, never mind others and what they’re doing. This is about you and your don’t-give-up mentality because you want to look better and feel better. Like I always say, running is no easy feat sure but it’s not just for talented runners, who by the way, have the same natural ability you have, they’ve just cultivated it more and so it’s only natural and fair that they reap the benefits..they did the work. No BS excuses. They had a goal and saw it through. Now how about you?

Video by Lori

The Joy of Trail Running

15 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

by Lori in Fitness, Health and Wellness, Running Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Running is a sport that’s hard to love. It could be because it requires so much of one’s energy among other emotions that there’s hardly room left for anything else. Most runners run either because they’re good at it, are very competitive, like the physical & psychological results of running or a combination of the above. Very few, I believe, will admit to loving the constant pounding of heart, feet and muscle to the insistent beat of their personal-health-aspiration-drum.

imageQuite frankly, after my teenage years and before I discovered trail running, I saw running as strictly a competitive sport and would hardly consider it something I did for fun. The trails changed all that. There among nature, I discovered my inner ying that responded to the call of the wild with a resounding yes that echoes wherever trails are found. I want to discover, explore and enjoy them all. Within those trails I am able to step outside of myself and see the beauty of God’s creation as He intended it and it’s a wonder to behold. I don’t know why I respond this way, what it is within me that unfurls at the sight, sounds and smell of nature blossoming in my midst..I just know that I do and that to be given the opportunity to experience it is a precious gift I treasure. Upon my return to the track and roads there’s really no comparison. Time stands still among the quiet chatter of birds and insects; the cackle of leaves underfoot is background music to the sighting of a unique flower or plant as the fresh air pleasantly tickles my nostrils, and my senses are thoroughly assaulted by the explosion of color as the seasons change. And If per chance I encounter one of my wild friends, it’s always with a gaze of awe as I humbly submit to their authority in this world of theirs..where I am but a guest..a world seemingly untouched, unspoiled by the passage of time and those who are fortunate to enter in.

I try to get to the trails as often as I can, which is not often enough in my mind. Thank goodness New York offers lots of opportunities to the desirous trail runner, as there are lots of parks surrounding the city that one can get lost in. Venture a little further upstate or head out to the Catskills and it’s trail heaven out there and great for hiking too. What I have not been so fortunate to find are running events that involve the trails, I guess it’s harder to organize those, but be that as it may, there are always opportunities for those so inclined; my eyes and ears are open to new trail experiences this year.

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Running Miami

08 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

by Lori in Competitive Running, Marathons, Running, Training Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Less than twenty-six days stand between me and 3:25, my projected finish time for the Miami Marathon on February 2. I feel pretty confident I can achieve this time despite my last result here in New York, as nothing is more motivating to me than failure. Some may say The INGNYC Marathon wasn’t a failure and maybe so, given my injury and all, but I see Miami as an opportunity to redeem myself – to no one but me.

Training this time around hasn’t been so easy. Post the NYC run, I was still struggling with recovery from my ankle injury and was forced to take pretty much all of November off while I resumed running on Thanksgiving Day. Then along came Christmas and my Georgia trip, where I managed to squeeze some running in but not a lot.  Back to New York and it’s been crazy cold, snowing, even frigid at times; not-so-great weather for running outside, but here too I’ve been trying. I’m looking at the days dwindling away and I’m like..”wait!” But of course time waits on no one, least of all me, and I’m getting quite antsy here trying to get my miles in. I’m not too worried though, I’m relying on God, determination and self motivation to get me up-to-speed and across the finish line in record time.
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In the final weeks leading up to the big day, I’ll be altering my regime somewhat to accommodate, what I pray is, a healthy and whole ankle. Not that my training plan for New York wasn’t ideal..it was and worked great in spite of the circumstances, but I really couldn’t reap the benefits then. So I’m speeding things up a bit, with the promise of ‘nicer’ weather on the way. A long run this weekend is long overdue followed by a shorter recovery run on Sunday. Thereafter, I’m planning five days of running next week; to include another long run and then on to some short tempo runs the following week. As I taper down leading up to race day, I also plan on stealing a day for some cross training, which will provide the necessary variety to keep me sane. My diet will see some slight changes as well, as I increase carb intake and amp up hydrating methods to include coconut water, tomato juice & smoothies..I love! Finally, stretching, stretching and stretching; very important to avoid injuries and to keep my muscles agile and relaxed.

Beautiful Miami, you inspire me!

Reflections of a Runnerholic

30 Dec 2013 Leave a comment

by Lori in Competitive Running, Marathons, Running Tags: , , , , ,

image“Run out the old, ring in the new;” should be my chant as we stand on the threshold of the eve of 2014.  But I just don’t know, I mean, I’m looking forward to the new year and everything but there’s just something about 2013 that I’m not yet ready to give up and see gone.   The more I think about it, I realize that it’s my dreams, the goals that remain unrealized and cooped up in a corner of my mind – those that never found wings – that causes me pause and hinders my joy at the advent of the new year.

Let’s see, I accomplished my major running goal this year, which was to run the NYC Marathon, so what’s the big deal then? You may ask.  Well, these are the times it truly bothers me that I’m owner to a really over-active type A personality, cause there were a few other sub-goals attached to that big one, which didn’t quite make it.  Like my desire to qualify for the Boston Marathon 2015 via my time running New York, then there was my running New York in my goal time of 3:30 – those were two separate goals that just happened to share a time similarity – then there was qualifying for the NYC Half Marathon 2014 which didn’t happen either.

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The truth is, it’s not that big of a deal nor is it all bad really.  I’m just indulging in a little drama as for sure I’m entitled since I ran my butt off this year and had a few disappointments, that were..well, disappointing.  But putting those aside, It’s been a rather good running year as there were more ups than downs; the injury that I sustained happened in the latter part of this year, which allowed for some really awesome running up till then. I pretty much ran all over New York for fun as well as training and races.  Thus, my mileage is probably pretty awesome and I didn’t even record the total covered. I really should next year.

So enough of the self-recriminations, no more indulging in feelings of consternation or that of regret. I am blessed. I am happy that I had the opportunity to accomplish some of my goals.  I am thankful for the new year. 2014 brings with it New Dreams, New Opportunities, New Blessings and New Races with the chance to Run Faster, Do Better and Dream Bigger. image

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