Race Day – Anxiety
Gotta love Active.com and their awesome articles.
The latest article I read is very timely “5 Ways to Beat Anxiety on Race Day“
Iron Girl Half Marathon
It’s great timing because Sunday April 10, 2011 I’m attempting my very first half marathon. The Iron Girl Half in Clearwater.
Am I thrilled? Yes.
Am I anxious? Yes.
So, nicely timed.
While the tips are good, they don’t exactly apply to me.
See, up until about 6 weeks ago – no kidding – I was convinced I’m not a runner. I have a degenerating bone disease in my lower back which causes all kinds of low back pain. Basically, I’ve told myself I can’t run for years now.
Then, one day, I did.
My friends are into running and, to be honest, I wanted to be in the club.
Listening to them talk about how far they’d gone that day and their next goals while being excited and motivated really got to me.
Races? That sounds awesome. I’ve always wanted to attempt a 5k.
So I did. I ran the 5k and was happy with myself. So happy, in fact, the next evening I went out a ran 10k just to see if I could.
That was about a month ago.
Since then, I’ve logged 70 miles and bought new shoes.
And now, this weekend, I’m attempting a half marathon. Just to see if I can do it.
Have I trained enough to rely on my training? Probably not.
I did put in 10 miles last weekend just to see how it felt. AWESOME!
I did have slight swelling in my knees, not visible. I was fine the next day. No soreness.
The only true effect I felt was ravenous hunger and I hit a wall about 5 hours after completing the run. I blame Ikea 
Try going there without enough energy, it’ll get you every time!
So, I know I can run 10 miles. I’m fairly confident I can pull off 3 more.
Do I have race day anxiety? Yes.
Will that deter me from finishing? Nope.
I’ve got my son and boyfriend to cheer me on. Both believe I can finish it. So do I.
I’m ready, Iron Girl!
See you early, before it’s even thinking of being bright, Sunday morning.
Chafe Prevention Technique – Bare Running
Welcome to Florida!
Clothing-Optional / Nude Running
Runner’s World put out an interview with Pete Williams, a triathlete and journalist who “launched a business organizing clothing-optional runs in Florida.”
As locals to Tampa Bay know, there are nudist/clothing optional resorts in our backyard. Paradise Lakes and Caliente are the two largest (that I know of) and are located in Land O Lakes.
Caliente is the largest, which would make it the ideal place for a nude run.
My favorite part about William’s idea is that these are fun runs with professional race management.
Think about it, ever show up to a race event that wasn’t well structured? Perhaps the bids weren’t in place, or the race chips weren’t ready, or the path was poorly marked.
Now think of dealing with that in the nude.
Kills the thrill pretty quickly, doesn’t it?
Plus, a professional race event would ensure runners’ privacy by prohibiting amateur photography. Very important!
If you’re interested in trying this out, there’s a race schedule May 22 called Streak the Cove 5-K (site is SFW) at Cypress Cove Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.
A few tips for stripping down and enjoying the experience:
- Bring a towel. Never sit bare bottomed on anything, always sit on your towel. It’s good form and polite.
- Back to politeness – be nice. No judging, ogling, rude comments, or pictures. But, of course, you knew that already.
- Wear sunscreen! Enough said.
- Be comfortable.
- Remember, it’s co-ed.
- Have fun!
I suggest you read the published interview on RW’s site. But a few other things to know.
Definitions
RW: Is a “clothing-optional” race different from a “nude race”?
PW: Actually, there’s not much distinction. There’s much debate in the nudist industry about the use of “nudist” versus “clothing-optional,” but for the purposes of this race it’s clothing-optional. Some women are more comfortable wearing sports bras. Some people wear normal shirts and shorts, but 80 percent go fully nude, aside from shoes, sunglasses and perhaps hats. Oh, and definitely sunscreen.
Women Power!
RW: You’ve said that women make up such a high percentage of your entrants. Any idea why?
PW: Women tend to be more adventurous and more likely to dare other girlfriends to do a race like this. We had instances of two or three women signing up together, a few mother-daughter entries. Women tend to control family budgets and when couples registered, it often was the woman doing the registering. Part of it is no doubt due to the boom in women’s running overall.
Photos
RW:What are some factors a race director must consider for a clothing-optional race that he wouldn’t have to worry about in planning a “normal” event?
PW: Photography is a no-no at nudist resorts. People do a good job policing themselves. One of the big rules at nudist resorts is to always sit on a towel when nude. And unlike other races, we don’t have to worry about race numbers.
So, are you in? Something you have done or want to try?
Let me know in the comments.
Kickbutt Tips to Keep You Motivated While Running – Part 2
Continuing with Runner’s World’s awesome list of motivators I’ll share what I’ve tried so far and what’s on my to-do list.
Tried
Spring Training for Runners
- Buddy Up. I’ve run solo and with a partner. Both have their places. For the long runs, especially the first few you attempt, it helps having someone to keep you motivated by just being their with you. I ran my first 10m and felt great the whole time. I believe my running partner contributed greatly to that.
- Have a Daily Goal. These mini-challenges can keep you on task. I’m a fan of daily, weekly and distance goals. For example, I ran 5ks this morning before work. It was a nice, easy morning run I wanted to complete. Later this week I’ll run 4-5 miles, then I have a half marathon on Sunday. Additionally, as long-term goals go, I’ve signed up for a 4-race series this fall. Great way to stay motivated daily knowing I have 4 half marathons in my future!
- It’s Spring! Take advantage of the outdoors. You’re not forced to run on a treadmill! Early sunrises before the heat of the day and cool spring showers should get you enthusiastic to get out there and run. take a second to recall how much fun running was as a kid. Why not prove to yourself running can be just as much fun now?
- Exercise improves sexual performance, according to research. Nuff said. Need a running mate? What’s you’re partner doing?
To-Do
- Watch Chariots of Fire – The story of two British track athletes, one a determined Jew, and the other a devout Christian who compete in the 1924 Olympics. I can only imagine how hyped I’ll be to run after watching this.
- Make a massage appointment for the day after your long run. I love this idea. Perhaps I should schedule one for the Monday after my half. I encourage you to do the same. Meet a goal, then treat your body right.
- Run through a spring storm (or shower). Sans lightning. Living in Florida I’m sure I’ll have plenty of forthcoming opportunities. I skipped my chance last week. 1,000+ lightning strikes per hour kept me indoors cross-training on the recumbent bike and with pilates. Make sure you’ll have dry shoes for tomorrow’s run!
- Running commentary “A lot of people run a race to see who’s fastest. I run to see who has the most guts.” –Steve Prefontaine – I’m using this as a mantra for the Iron Girl, though just running it makes me believe we all have guts.
- Feel a need for speed. RW suggests “six to eight 200-meter repeats at your mile race pace.” I say, challenge a pack of kids at the playground to a few hard races. Kids are some of the most enthusiastic runners I know.
Bonus:
- Run like a kid. Take a second to recall how much fun running was as a kid. Why not prove to yourself running can be just as much fun now?
Running Times interview with Chris McDougall
If you haven’t already, read “Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen.” by Christopher McDougall.
Chris McDougall running with a Tarahumara Indian
I picked it up at our local (closing) Borders at half price, which was more than if you order on Amazon.com (FYI) last week because I couldn’t wait for it to arrive.
While it’s an intriguing running tale it’s also a lesson in anthropology, history, culture and science.
I’m about halfway through and if I could do nothing but run and read this book for the next few days I wouldn’t be writing this now.
So, Brian Metzler from Running Times interviewed Chris McDougall about his book, book tour, newly released paperback addition, movie deal and the upcoming Naked Tour 2011.
Here’s a few snippets of the interview, you can read the entire piece here.
On the minimalist and barefoot running revelution:
Running Times: A lot of people — including running shop owners and those who work for major shoe brands — consider you one of the catalysts to the sea change in running shoes, almost like the godfather of minimalism.
Chris McDougall: It’s funny, I almost cut that chapter out of the book because I thought, “Everybody already knows this stuff.” …All I was really doing was gathering stuff that had already been out there. But what concerns me now is that everything seems to be about a different kind of shoe, and it should really be about a different kind of running.
On The Naked Tour:
RT: So now you’re launching The Naked Tour. Is that some kind of a vaudeville show?
CM: It’s based on a cabaret event we did in New York last November a couple of days before the marathon.
…It was way beyond my wildest expectations.
…To me the showstopper was Brandon Wood, who is a professional opera singer and Ironman triathlete. He converted passages of the book into an aria, and that just rocked the joint.
On the movie and Jake Gyllenhaal sighting:
RT: You were spotted at last summer’s Leadville 100 in Colorado with Jake Gyllenhaal, who is rumored, along with Sarsgaard, to be the talent in the movie adaptation of the book. What can you tell us about that?
CM: It looks like it’s happening. I was in New York with Sarsgaard and Marshall Lewy, who is writing the screenplay, and they already had a pretty polished draft about two months ago. There’s a producer, a director and a script, so I think the next step was to lock it in with a studio.
Running Times also asks Chris about a rumored book in the works. Chris doesn’t give much away, not wanting to jinx his luck. He does say it’s probably coming out in 2013 and will be modeled after Born to Run only on a different topic.
Armchair anthros like me – be sure to stay tuned. If this next adventure is anything like Born to Run we’ll be in for another treat.
Haiti: Russell Maroni’s Personal Journal
This is a post I edited for another site but wanted to share the information here as well.
Lean in Action: Russell Maroni’s Personal Journal
Russell Maroni with a Haitian Girl
Most people have probably never heard of Russell Maroni, an X-Ray Technician at Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio. But to those in the lean world, Russell’s time spent as a missionary in Haiti in early 2010 is an amazing, real-life example of lean in action.
Because both Six Sigma and Lean methodologies make a huge impact on operational performance and healthcare processes and procedures, Six Sigma and Lean methodologies are being utilized in doctors’ offices, clinics and hospitals all over the world.
The benefits of Six Sigma and Lean in the healthcare system include the prevention of medical mistakes, reducing defects and variation, decreasing mortality rates, lessening lengths of stay, improving patient care, eliminating non value-added steps and increasing quality.
Although Russell was already busy working in healthcare full-time and learning the lean methodology when the devastating earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, he immediately volunteered to assist in earthquake relief efforts.
It was there that Russell put his Lean training to use, and turned a quick trip to provide medical assistance at a Haitian orphanage into a streamlined, selfless medical mission that helped change the lives of thousands of people.
In an effort to document his daily experiences, he kept a journal with riveting entries telling of death, despair, anguish and devastation. Amazingly, the entries also tell of hope, perseverance and the innermost strength and courage of even the youngest of victims.
He offers a compelling, albeit candid view of earthquake relief efforts; readers become immersed in his painstaking trials and tribulations which he encounters from the first few minutes of his trip until the final moments of his departure. He also tells how his lean training was utilized as he found himself in the midst of a global catastrophe. Russell’s life was transformed, much in the way he transformed the lives of those he met.
Now, to raise both awareness of the ongoing struggle in Haiti, as well as funds for Haiti’s arduous recovery, Russell has graciously shared his personal journal with www.leanforhaiti.org. In an eBook titled, “After the Haiti Earthquake: A Healthcare Missionary’s Personal Journal,” Russell provides a touching, personal account of his experiences and how he applied his lean training in the most unorthodox of circumstances. The account includes stunning photos, all taken by Russell or his fellow volunteers.
From Classroom to Field Hospital
Russell was able to immediately apply his methodology at a field hospital on the first day he arrived in Haiti. His training allowed him to design tools, customize equipment and perform other necessary tasks without a tremendous amount of time or thought.
Russell recounts, “I felt like David, staring up at Goliath with a fishbone diagram loaded into my sling. As intimidating as it was, it all worked out beautifully, and I’m thankful that I could be a part of the relief effort.”
Russell was able to apply his training across multiple areas – from training a local X-Ray Technician to fixing wheelchairs to finding on-site child psychologists at the orphanage. He applied his lean knowledge and was able to provide ongoing solutions, long after he had returned home.
Kickbutt Tips to Keep You Motivated
Motivation to Keep Running
Runner’s World released their 101 Kicks in the Butt list on 3/22/2007. It may be an old list but it’s a good one.
I wanted to start this blog off right with motivation and tips I found interesting, this seems to be gold.
I’m going to share a few tips from the list I am trying or want to incorporate into my training schedule.
Feel free to share your tips in the comments.
1. Get a new pair of shoes. Check! I went to Fit2Run and had my stride and feet evaluated. This has made all the difference. I even broke them in with a 7+ mile run the following morning.
2. Forget Time. Remember the saying, “speed kills”? It applies to running as well. Unless you’re speed training, forget it. Currently working on adding distance and may think of speed in terms of PR on my next 5k.
3. Sign Up Now. Worried about wanning motivation? Sign up for a race months away. It’s a goal you can reach and will help maintain motivation through those long training hours. I’m planning on running the 3rd Florida Halfathon Challenge (4-Race Series) – signing up now.
4. Blaze a New Path. I get bored with the same route. Couldn’t do track & field (no disrespect) because a single lap gets monotonous. Check out different trails in your area. Google and apps are your friend here. I use Trails and AllTrails on my iPhone.
5. Run at Lunch. It’s great for those days you can’t get out before or after work, plus it’s a nice midday break. Just make sure you are hydrated, have the proper clothing and somewhere to clean up afterward. You’re co-workers won’t be as thrilled about your running as you are if you forget the deodorant.
These are only 5 of the first 20 I looked at, but I’m following all of these currently.
I’ll add to the list as I go.
Share your running tips or favorites from this list in the comments. I love good tips!
