Last Sunday I ran 15 miles on the Towpath--the longest distance I've ever run at one time. I was very nervous about the distance, but it was a great run. The weather was beautiful, and the company was even more beautiful:
I love my running Peeps!
Although I like running by myself, I am so glad that Mandy, Shelby, and Jen came out with me. They were able to keep the crazy away, and because we kept the pace slow, I didn't get into the silent, ugly period I usually have in the last two miles. Thank you, Peeps! You are MAH-velous.
After that run, I made sure to do lots of stretching in the parking lot and at home, and I drank a protein shake to help with recovery. After a long shower, I pulled on a pair of compression socks and did Legs-up-the-Wall pose--my favorite form of recovery (that doesn't involve beer or ice cream).
I am new to compression-wear. I own one other pair of compression socks and one pair of compression sleeves because now I am hooked! I love the SLS3 Compression Socks. I am a women's size 10, so I ordered the S/M and they fit perfectly--just the right amount of compression. I am wearing them right now after my run, and my legs feel so good!
Butterflies make me happy. So do naps.
Not only that, the socks are super-cute. I chose the black with purplish butterflies, and I really like them. If I had to leave the house right now, I'd have no problem wearing these in public. It's really hot here lately, but the socks don't feel too warm; on the contrary, the compression makes me feel much better after a sweaty run (and a shower). I'm training for my first marathon, so I am putting a lot more miles on these legs than I ever have before, and I think the SLS3 Compression Socks really help with recovery.
Do you want to try compression wear? You could check out the SLS3 webpage, OR you can go to Amazon and order them there for half price!!!
I haven't run in compression socks, but I did a trail run in calf sleeves. I'm curious, Peeps. How do you wear your compression wear--as recovery or during the run? And why?
Next week the mileage goes up to 16, which is better than the 18 I had written down. Shelby and Mandy, who have more experience than I do with marathon training, told me that 18 was too much of a jump in one week, so I will be smart and listen to them. I admit that 16 miles make me less nervous than 18.
Until then, run happy, Peeps!
SLS3 sent me these compression socks for review; all opinions are my own.
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This week I took it relatively easy, considering I did no speed work, no tempo run, and only ran 18 miles total. That doesn't mean it felt easy, though, because I spent the week walking an average of 8 miles a day in Boston. Yep, it was family vacation week.
I had not been to Boston since I was ten, and frankly, I remember next-to-nothing about the city at that time because our family mainly visited cousins while we were there. I did some research, and I came up with a great list of activities: Plimoth Plantation, whale watching, Salem, the Freedom Trail, lots of clam chowdah, Italian food, and walking.
This is one of the many reasons for lots of walking: Mike's Pastry in the North End. Holy Cannoli!
We always finished our evening stroll with coffee from Caffe Vittoria
Most of my plans involved activities I knew my family would enjoy, but there was one thing I did purely for myself: I ran through Boston Commons to the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
The Swan Boats in Boston Commons
Mecca
It was my pilgrimage, and even though fellow Cleveland Marathon Ambassador Andrew (@Andrewrunsalot) told me not to step on the finish line until I run it, I did it anyway.
This is EXACTLY how I look after running across the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Of course, this was after running two miles, not 26.2.
I reminded that young punk Andrew that I am a 45-year-old realist, and I know that my chances of qualifying for Boston are pretty slim, considering I haven't yet run my first marathon. He told me if I keep running regardless, I'll be able to age into the qualifying time by the time I'm eighty. On one hand, that's a pretty smart strategy; on the other hand, Andrew is still a punk.
I got two morning runs in this week, and I walked my butt off for the rest of the week. I had to, not just because I wanted to see the sights but because I ate ALL THE FOOD. We stayed in the North End, and I definitely took advantage of the delicious Italian cuisine there. One night we stood in line for Giacomo's, which takes no reservations, accepts cash-only, and has a line down the street every night from opening (at 4:30) to closing.
This is EXACTLY how I look when I'm standing in line at Giacomo's.
Burrata with fresh tomatoes
Lobster and shrimp with housemade fusilli in Giacomo sauce
Lobster, clams, mussels with linguini in pesto sauce
It was soooo worth it, Peeps.
We ended our week in Boston by finishing the Freedom Trail. We walked all over Charlestown, seeing the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument. My son decided that it would be "fun" to climb the monument.
294 freaking steps up. 294 freaking steps down
Now, I have run the steps at the McKinley Monument in Canton, OH, a few times, and I've never been as sore as I feel from those damned steps at Bunker Hill. Even two days later I'm having trouble descending the basement stairs to do laundry. Luckily, I have two kids, so I've decided that THEY are going to do the laundry, and I am going to do "legs-up-the-wall" pose in the bedroom while reading a book. Here is an instructional video if you'd like to try this yourself:
All of those steps made us hungry, so we finished our week in Boston by eating pizza at Quattro.
This is EXACTLY how I look when I need more wine because my legs ache.
Today I ignored the pain and I ran my traditional "old-blue-line" route of 10 miles and some change. This is a loop that starts in Sand Run Park and continues through West Akron along the former route of the Akron Marathon. I like it because of the change of scenery: Metroparks, beautiful residential neighborhoods, two country clubs, Stan Hywet Hall. I also like the fact that my last mile is completely downhill. This is possibly the only route I can run where I can guarantee negative splits.
Well, Peeps, it is good to be back. I'm going to get my head back in the game with my speed work and my race preparations. Meanwhile, there is laundry and grocery shopping to do and children to nag.
Run happy this week, Peeps!
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I have FINALLY experienced a sunny Sunday long run!
For too many weeks now I have seen gorgeous Saturdays, and I wake up on Sunday morning for my long run to this:
I am so stinking tired of Ohio winters.
Today was a glorious ten miler with my favorite running peeps. Debi stuck with me from beginning to end, and we were able to run a bit with Teresa and Deidre. It was almost like old times, except I wasn't complaining about my husband (love you, Mon Petit Chou!) this time.
My legs ache in all the right places. I look forward to recovery yoga tomorrow (love you, Rodney Yee!), and I plan to do the legs-up-the-wall pose later today when I think it will most embarrass my daughter.
Even better, MyFitnessPaltells me that I will have room for a Candy-Bar-in-a-Cup, otherwise known as some sort of mocha java thing, when I meet my friend for coffee later.
Candy Bar in a Cup!
For those of you who are wondering, "Where the hell is Stephani? Who is this cheerful person?" just remember that I am under the spell of the runner's high, which I explain in this post.
I love you, Man.
Have a great week, Running Peeps!
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Today I ran just over eight miles! I am so happy because I am on my way to beating that train in my 10-miler coming up.
Now that I am increasing my mileage, I am starting to feel the soreness of the legs that comes from the long run. When I got home today, I did my favorite recovery pose: Legs up the Wall.
Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman are my heroes.
Tomorrow I will do some recovery yoga, courtesy of Rodney Yee.
Ooooh. Stretch it, baby!
One thing that ticks me off about yoga (and this is perhaps the only thing) is that I can't get more calories than a hundred or so on Myfitnesspal.com. Do you know about My Fitness Pal? It is a calorie and exercise-tracking website, completely free. I joined it when I joined a subset of The Ohio Runners Network. Our goal is to lose five percent of our group's bodyweight.
I do a great job with exercise: running, dancing, Zumba, kickboxing, light weights, and yoga. My problem is my mouth, and this time I'm not talking about how I run my mouth. I'm talking about what I put IN my mouth, which is anything edible. All the time.
Ten years ago I dropped forty pounds, and I did it by logging everything I put in my mouth. It was hard. It was painful. I hated it.
I'm doing it again.
My Fitness Pal lets me set a goal, and it gives me a number of calories every day to reach that goal. If I exercise, I get more calories, but the problem is that the REAL calories come from cardio. I love cardio, but I'm smart enough to know that I've got to do the other stuff, too. This is where I hate My Fitness Pal. It gives me very few calories for yoga, and it gives me NO calories for strength training. Boo.
Nevertheless, yoga is what I must do on recovery day, and strength training is very necessary to maintain good muscles and a strong core, so I will suck-it-up-Buttercup and eat less tomorrow to maintain my calorie goal.
But I won't like it.
Do you use My Fitness Pal? How do you deal with hunger?
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Yesterday, I wined and dined with my husband at a FABULOUS restaurant, Thyme2. We feasted on duck confit strudel, and we toasted our nineteen years of marriage with a nice Bordeaux. While eating a pork chop the size of my head, I was contemplating my morning run.
Six miles. Can I do it?
Weather: Fresh snow. 25 degrees F, feels like 15 degrees F
Route: Towpath. Relatively flat.
Time: 7:30 am
Company: Three lovely running peeps: Debi, Deidre, and Amy
I was a little bit apprehensive because I obviously wasn't taking seriously my responsibility to the long run. I know I should be eating healthfully, not drinking wine. I know I should go to bed early. I didn't do any of those things, and I have been having a difficult time getting back my stamina, so I wondered if I actually COULD do those miles.
Guess what? Mission accomplished! Not only did I run those miles, I ran them well, and I ran them without music. A year ago I would not have thought this was a big deal, but after no running or aerobic activity for six months, I wasn't sure I would be able to go this far. . .but I did.
After my post-run hot chocolate and shower, I taught my daughter to do the Legs-up-the-Wall yoga pose for recovery and relaxation. Try it!
What do you do to recover from a long run? If you have had to come back from an injury, how long did it take you to get back to your former fitness level? Is anyone else craving margaritas, chips, and guacamole right now? No? Just me?
