O...interrupted A-Z Challenge

Sewcarolinaknits interrupts the regularly scheduled A-Z Challenge to bring you the following:

What can I say about the letter O regarding knitting?
Oh I love knitting
Obsessed with knitting
The colors of yarn have me Overjoyed!

Boring.....

Instead I have to get the following off my chest.

I'm angry, angry that two men decided to make homemade bombs and then set them by the finish line of the Boston marathon.  Angry that so many people were injured and angry that innocent people lost their lives.
I remember what it's like to run a marathon.  The training involved was hard, the long runs were done on the weekends and it took time away from family.  The end result was so worth it!  As we lined up in our corral with thousand of others, Mary, Sally and I were nervous. Would we finish?  Would we finish in time?  Yet we were also excited that finally the day had come, we were going to run the Marine Corps Marathon, we were going to run it together and finish no matter what.  We took off at a good pace and commented on the slogans and memorials written on the back of race shirts and the number of spectators out to cheer the runners..  Mary and I lost Sally somewhere around mile five.  There were still many runners around us during the first few miles.  Mary and I lost each other at about mile eleven.  We had stopped at a water station, she for Gatorade and me for water.  I turn around and she was nowhere in sight.  I never felt I was running solo, the crowd support was amazing.  There wasn't one spot on the race where there wasn't at least one spectator cheering me on.  I remember as I turned the corner toward the finish, the last 1/4 mile was uphill-I love running uphill.  As I ran and gave it all I had, seeing the finish line banner made me very emotional.  Marines in uniform were lined up along the finish cheering me on and all I wanted to do was stop and take in that lovely view...the finish line!  I not only finished, but finished strong!  I had run 26.2 miles and I felt great!

While the news replayed the footage of the runners about to cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon as a bomb explodes to the left of them, my heart went out to them.  I could feel their pain, yet exhilaration that just yards was the finish line.  Then to have the joy of crossing the finish line taken away from them.....words fail me.
My running buddy and friend was there with her family cheering her husband.  The Bostoon Marathon was a birthday dream for him.  He did finish before the first bomb went off, but every year he will be reminded of what happened on that gorgeous day. My friend was thrown off her feet when the second blast went off.  She has a broken leg and will be in a cast unable to run for the next six weeks.  Yes, I'm thankful that she is alive and that this injury will just be a minor setback and she will be out running again, but I'm still angry.  She and I had gotten into this rhythm in our workouts, just days before they left for Boston we had run eight strong miles.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest......

Slacklace....review

This past Sunday, Sally, Sarah and I ran the Army Ten-miler.  At the expo on Friday I came home with a new product: The 'SlackLace...the flexible shoe lace'.  I was intrigued by the stretch of the laces, the various colors available and the write up on the back of the product card.

Your feet flex, your shoes flex, shouldn't your laces flex?

Walk and run in your shoes more comfortable.  Alleviate pressure points, abandon old fashioned laces that restrict the natural movement of your feet.  

When you wear SlackLace,  you will be amazed at how light and refreshed your feet will feel.  The simple but unique design will benefit anyone who wears shies!

I chose orange and blue laces....University of Florida colors that would also match my orange skirt and blue shirt I was planning to wear to the race, and purple laces to match my other pair of Asics running shoes. 

1. Laces were easy to lace through the loops in the shoes
2. Many bright colors to mix and match
3. Low price $9
4. Once tied the laces never came untied
5. Didn't have to double tie the laces to prevent them from becoming untied
6. Shoes felt like 'part' of my feet, very flexible 

Try them out and let me know how they work for you!

p.s.  Sorry for the tiny picture...pictures were taken on my iPhone....

*Disclaimer..The SlackLace was not provided for this review, I purchased the SlackLace.

Woodrow Wilson 1/2 marathon....a review

On October 7, my girlfriends and I ran the Woodrow Wilson Half Marathon   This is the third year that this race has been held and we were excited to try it out.  Here is my review of the race from registration to the finish line.

Registration: Easy online registration.
Updates:  As the date of the race approached received frequent updates regarding bib pick-up and day of race transportation.
Expo: Small, but compared to the last race I reviewed, 2/3 of the vendors were running related, from jewelry, sunglasses, tech shirts, running apparel, hydration and energy gels.
Race Day:  The race began in Mount Vernon where there is minimal parking and ended at the new National Harbor in Maryland. The race organizers simplified the parking issue by picking a central location, The Holiday Inn in Alexandria which is near the Hoffman Center, and provided free shuttles to transport the runners to the starting line.  Runners could have also parked at the National Harbor where free shuttles would also transport them to the start line.  There were plenty of volunteers to direct traffic into the parking lot and to direct runners to the next available shuttle.  It was a cold morning and the buses were a warm refuge.
Course:  The race is run along the Potomac River, through Mount Vernon to Old Town Alexandria and up the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, ending at the National Harbor, MD.  The course is run along the same route as the George Washington Parkway ten miler.  It was a little hilly, with some rolling hills, and some slow incline hills, but nothing that a beginning runner cannot tackle.  If the weather had been on our side, the view during our run would have been magnificent, especially when running over the bridge.
Even though it was cold and rainy the spectators and volunteers were very enthusiastic and kept our spirits up.  The water stops were at about every 3-4 miles, with plenty of water and Gatorade, and thankfully there were plenty of  Port-o-johns at the starting line and throughout the course
Finish:  Check out the medal we received at the end of the race.  The hand is a replica of a sculpture The Awakening.   Plenty of water, and Gatorade was available at the finish line with bananas and bagels to munch on.  Shuttles were waiting to take us back to our parking spot at the Hoffman Center.  My only suggestion: have signs directing runners to the shuttle location.  We followed the masses and found the shuttles, but when we asked a volunteer were were just told "over there, beyond the weeping willow".
Grade:  A.  From registration to the finish line....no complaints!  Looking forward to next years race.  Keeping my fingers crossed for a cool day with sunny skies.

Running shoes....a story

That evening she walks into the bedroom and sees the shoes.  The shoes are white with neon yellow and blue shoelaces and trim.  The shoes are placed toe to heel, right foot in front, left foot in back, toe facing the heel, in the exact way that she takes them off after a run.
First she bends down from the hips, stretching those hamstrings, and unties the  shoelaces.  Bending up from the waist, laces untied, toes wriggle with happiness as right foot is placed in front of left foot.  Toe of left shoe stabilized the right heel and helps the right foot exit the shoe.  Right foot then steps behind the left shoe, toe to heel and helps the left foot exit the shoe.  Relief.
She walks away from the shoes, her soul has been nourished by that run. 
Shoes rest. 
Mission accomplished. 
Recharging for the next run.

Air Force-Navy Half-Marathon.....Review

This past Saturday my girlfriends and I ran the Inaugural Air Force-Navy Half Marthon/5 miler.  In the past, this race was just a 5-miler, this year they added the 1/2 marathon. 

Let's start with

Registration: Easy online registration with email updates.
Packet pick-up:  Relatively easy. We needed to go on base and having a military id, and sticker on the car made it easy. 
Expo:  Only about 20 vendors and two of those were for running related. 
Information:  Out of the three people that we asked no one knew which metro stop we needed to take in order to get to the race.  NO ONE.  (Grant it the information was online, but at a minimum someone at the expo SHOULD have that vital information!)
Race day:  Metro didn't open early and we got to the race with 1/2 hour to spare.  Lines to bathroom were really long and it turned out the the line we were waiting in was for VIP's.  We begged the woman who closed the line to let us use the VIP portajohns since runners were being called to the starting line and she refused to let us through.
Race course:  Nice course, not to hilly.  Ran through Rock Creek Park which is something I've always wanted to do.  Gorgeous day as well.  Water stations were well stocked with water and Gatorade.  We only saw one volunteer who was cheering the runners, all others looked like they were having a bad day.
Race Finish:  Beautiful coin received at the end of the race.  Apples (what about bananas?  I've never had apples at the end of a race), muffins and cookies to munch on at the end, BUT they ran out of water.....oh, yes, by the time I finished and I was by no means at the end, there was NO WATER!

Overall we would rate this race a C-.  It is was the inaugural 1/2 marathon, but the 5 mile race has been going on for several years, it is inexcusable to run out of water at the end of a race.  We all agreed that there is room for improvement and that we would try this race again. 




Disclaimer:  I was not compensated for writing this review nor was my registration paid for by race promoters. 

Why I went to a Chiropractor to treat Plantar Fasciitis!

Source: flickriver.com via ~ Kathy on Pinterest

Running has become something that I need to do.  After a long 12 hour shift, going out for a quick two mile run eases the days stresses away.  This past spring,  after I  would come home from a run, whether it was a 30 minute run, or a run longer than 6 miles, my left foot would ache and walking was a somewhat painful.  I did what anyone does and Googled 'foot pain after running'.  Plantar fasciitis came up on the search and I researched ways to treat it.   I tried the k-t tape, but it wasnt helping like it was in the past.  I tried rolling my foot over a frozen bottle, stretching, massaging, toe lifts and calf raises.  All these were temporary fixes.  

This is where the beauty of social media comes in.  I sent my friend Rob, who I grew up with in Saudi Arabia and is a chiropractor, a note asking about this.  I was curious-how could chiropractic medicine help?  I told him my symptoms, foot pain near the heel, espcially after running, and  after waking and planting my feet on the floor, my feet were achy and stiff, but never during a run.  He called me right away and suggested I go see a chiropractor, but one that is certified in the Graston technique.

I was hesitant in going to a chiropractor.  Were they real doctors? (sorry Rob and Dr. Sullivan) (Read this: 10 Chiropractic myths and truths). But after talking with other friends who had the similar syptoms and had gone to an orthopedist and suffered through painful cortisone shots, and were told not to run,  I wasn't willing to go through that type of pain and be unable to run.  I searched the internet for chirproactors in my area.  Dr. Sullivan's web site came up, and to my luck he was certified in both the Graston technique. 

At my appointment I took the running and work shoes that I normally wear.  He actually took the time to listen to me, examined my running shoes, and was surprised that I was running with inserts.  He examined my feet and could feel the scar tissue that has been built up.  Plantar faciitis is a build up of scar tissue that occurs when the tendons are overstretched from overuse.  The granston technique takes a metal rod and is scraped over the feet to break down the scar tissue.  It wasn't painful per se, just weird at first, having my feet scraped.  The process took about five minutes and he suggested that I continue running.  I saw him twice a week for two months and  after each visit, the pain lessened and running became enjoyable again.  

Running is a joy again, I can walk after a run, I stretch before and after a run, and when I plant my feet on the floor after I wake, I'm pain free!!

Source: bit.ly via Carolina on Pinterest

MY Mother’s Day

Did you think I was sad after reading yesterdays post?  I was sad, missing my mother hits me at the unlikeliest times.  I’m truly grateful for the many women that have come into my life and have mothered me along the way.
So as promised, this is what I did on Mother’s Day!  Rather than call for a no mother’s day-no gifts, phone calls, emails, etc.  Fresh air and exercise were calling me.  It was the Ladies' choice multisport festival.  Rather than the triathlon, I did a duathlon..ran 2 miles, biked 8 miles and ran 2 miles.  It was an all girl fest!  My girlfriend had asked me to do this race with her. She opted to do the relay, her daughter swam, and my friend biked and then ran.  She was worried about the run, but she finished and we had a great time.  Awards were given out for various age categories and door prizes.  Sadly, we didn’t leave with a door prize or award.  We did leave feeling exhilarated and proud of our new accomplishment.  This race was a first for both us. 

Check out my awesome post race/Mother’s Day breakfast!  Cheese and bacon crepes, sausage and coffee…yumm.

How about a nap after breakfast…yes!
Movie with the BG.  I talked him into going to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I can’t stop raving about that movie..wonderful, laugh out loud funny!

Favorite movie!!

Dinner at San Vito Restaurant and then home to partake in Red Velvel cupcakes made my D#1.  Delicious!  I couldn’t have asked for a better mother’s Day!  Was there drama….a bit.  Was there laughter…loads.  Sitting down on the couch for long talks….really, what was I thinking??!!

Star struck……by Jeff Galloway

I found out that Jeff Galloway, THE father of the run/walk/run program would be at the Quantico Marine Base Little Theater.  Wouldn’t miss meeting him for the world!  I consider him my running guru.  His run/walk/run program (like I’ve said many times here on this blog) is the reason that I not only keep running, but also enjoy it and finish races!  I felt like a teen meeting her teen idol.  I’m so glad I went. 
The two books of his that I have Running, Getting Started, and Half-Marathon, You can do it, are loaded with information and training plans, but they left me with many questions that only he could answer.
His program starts off with the Magic Mile.  You run one mile at the track and then figure out your pace/mile.  My pace/mile last year was 10 minutes, and according to his graph, the run/walk ratio should be set at 3 minutes running and  1 minute walking.  That ratio worked, but my EGO got in the way, wanting me to run longer and take less walking breaks.  After looking back on the last two races that ratio was too fast and he suggested I take more walking breaks.  The plantar fasciitis is kicking in after I run, whether it is a short or long run.
Here are some of the suggestions I took away from his lecture today:

1. Change the run/walk ratio to run longer and increase speed.  (For me, go back to the 3/1 or 2/1 ratio)
2. Pure sugar dissolves faster and reaches the brain quicker, so for every two miles drink 2 oz. of water and eat 30-40 calories of sugar. (sugar packet, gummy bears, etc.)
3. Cramping=muscle fatigue.  Slow down during a long run.  Run the long run two or three minutes slower than the pace/mile.
4. It takes 36 hours to use and process the food that you eat.  Don’t over eat the night before a race or eat salty foods.  They salty foods will stay in your stomach and cause you to dehydrate during a run.
5. Showering or sitting in a cool water bath is more beneficial than an ice bath.
6. Run the long runs using your run/walk ratio.  Maintenance runs, or short runs, run them either continuously, faster. or using walk breaks…it’s your choice.
7. Runners don’t walk or slow down.  It’s ok to take walk breaks.
8. His studies have shown that using the run/walk run ration you not only run faster but can improve your time as much as 13 minutes!
9. As the temperature goes above 60 degrees, slow down during a run, your body will work
10. Have a Vision, Rehearse that vision, and empower yourself to win!

A-Z Challenge…X

After X-ing the finish line I feel strong and alive!

Source: rippedandfit.tumblr.com via Jane on Pinterest

A-Z Challenge…V

Vision.  What do you envision for yourself, next year, five years or ten years from now?  Do you set goals?
I envision myself

1. Continuing to run.
2. Enjoying every run.
3. Staying injury free.
4. Entering races.
5. Entering and finishing the Marine Corps Marathon before I turn 50…four years from now!?
6. Healthy in mind, body and spirit.
7. Running for me and not for the win.
8. Adding more cute running skirts to my running wardrobe
9. Introducing a non-runner to running.
10. LIVING!

Source: blogitness.wordpress.com via Laura on Pinterest

A-Z Challenge…U

Update.    Sunday.  George Washington Parkway 10 miler. The weather was calling for 90% chance of rain…all day.   The storm started late Saturday night and the weather forecasters kept calling for rain and a big drop in temperatures.   I’ll let you in on a little secret…I do not like rain, not hard rain, or spitty light rain, and I don’t particularly enjoy doing activities in the rain.  Running buddy #1 and I were texting back and forth trying to figure out what we were going to do, run or not run.  The Big Guy announced that we had paid for the race and so we were running the race no matter what!!  Ha, Ha, Ha!! Really!! 
Running buddy buddy #2 and I made a plan.  We would check the weather when we got up at 5am, meet at my house, and then drive to Old Towne and park as close to the finish line as we could.  Running buddy #1 agreed, and added that she would follow us and her husband would drive us all to the starting line near the Mt. Vernon Visitors center.  If it was pouring down hard, then we would turn around go home and the big Guy would have mimosas waiting for us.  If it was just raining lightly then we would run the race wearing a hat and a garbage bag, and or rain jacket.
Source: tinyurl.ms via Meghan on Pinterest
So…what happened.  The plan worked out.  RB #2 and me drove to Old Towne and parked in front of Five Guys.  RB #1’s husband drove us to the staring line.  The rain was very light and we were more than prepared, hats on, rain jacket on, garbage bag over body, interval timer and cell phones in plastic bags to protect from rain.  We did it! The rain kept me cool throughout the race since it stayed light.  And….I shaved three minutes off my time from last years race…1:50.

P.S.  I’m not sure if I feel like the quote, but I’m so glad I ran in the rain.  About Five Guys..best burgers in the world, RB#2, the Big Guy and me and one as a post race treat!

A-Z Challenge…S

If you read the “F” post, I mentioned that I would continue that post with the letter “S”.  In the “F” post, I talked about how hard it has been to raise money for GOTR, the charity I was sponsoring for the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon.  Well, I can tell you that I was able to exceed my goal! Just as I had donated the money that I needed to meet the $450 challenge, I graciously received a check from a friend! With the help of my friends, I donated $500 to the DC chapter of Girls on the Run.  Yeah!
The reason I believe I had a hard time raising money for the cause is that I didn’t have a story to go along with the charity.  I had not participated in GOTR, I do not have elementary school girls participating in GOTR, nor am I a GOTR coach.  A personal story to go along with the charity would have hooked my friends and they would have felt a personal connection, and therefore, I think, more would have donated what they could. 
When I walked by the GOTR booth last October during the Army Ten Miler Expo and found out that by raising money for them they would pay the entrance fee to the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon, I jumped at the change.  I didn’t sop and think about ‘why’ I wanted to raise money for them, nor did I read the fine print-if I didn’t meet the fundraising goal of $450, that money would be coming out of my own pocket. I quickly signed up, went home and did some research on the organization. I learned that GOTR is an organization empowering girls to greater self-esteem through a healthy activity like running. 
Lessons learned for the next time I choose to sponsor a charity, choose something that I’m passionate about, and most definitely read the fine print. Or, better yet, sign up and become a GOTR volunteer and create my own GOTR story, so the next time I fundraise for them I’ll have a story to share!!
Participating in the A-Z challenge. The challenge is to write a post everyday using the corresponding letter of the alphabet. The theme I’ve decided to tackle during this challenge is running. The posts will spotlight varied running related aspects. Enjoy the running journey

What I did on St. Patrick’s Day!

Curious…..?  I RAN and COMPLETED the Sun Trust Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 marathon.  Yes, I did!  I’m so proud of myself.  The challenge was there, it was met and I won! 

Running hasn’t come easy to me.  I’ve always wanted to be a runner.  In elementary school I ran a couple of races, I think it was the 100m dash; I won some ribbons, why didn’t I keep up with running?  When we lived in Saudi Arabia I started running around the block to lose weight, (I had read that running was the quickest way to lose weight-in which crazy teen magazine did I read that!) but invariable I would be sidelined by terrible stomach cramps.  The Doctor I went to couldn’t figure out why I was getting cramps while running, so I stopped running.  In High School I was considering applying for an ROTC scholarship but my then boyfriend laughed at me and said that I wouldn’t be able to handle the running.  So, several years later, I had the courage to walk into the Army ROTC office and was offered a two-year scholarship.  We had physical training three times a week and running wasn’t so bad.  I think it was the camaraderie that kept me going.  As an Army Nurse Corp Officer because of our varying shifts and schedules it was hard to coordinate organized physical training.  Instead of keeping up with running I became lazy and would only ‘power’ run two weeks before the two mile physical training test, praying that adrenalin would get me through the run.  Thankfully I always passed, but never kept up with a regular running routine.  I would get bored, or too tired…I had many excuses.  Jump to four year ago when I took a running class through the county adult education.  The class started off with four women, then dwindled down to just me!  I stuck with it, finished the class and even ran the Star Kid 8K.  But I didn’t keep up with running, I think I lasted a year.  Again, I would get bored with constantly running. 
That is until I found the Jeff Galloway run, walk, run method. About two years ago while driving in my neighborhood I saw  more and more women out running.   Older women and women that were bigger than me, I was envious,if they could do it, why not me?  I searched the web for running programs and it led me to the Jeff Galloway website. Finding out about his method has been life changing for me.  I didn't realize that I could take walking breaks and still be called a runner.  Yes, I am a runner!  I started off slowly with an interval of 30 seconds running and 30 seconds walking, slowly moving up to my current interval of 4 minutes running/1minute walking.  I know run, walk, run at least three days a week, two 5-mile runs, and one long 8-10-mile run. I don’t know why this has worked for me, but it has and I love it. I’m not bored, I look forward to my runs and I feel great after them as well!
Are you looking to start running?  Try it out…call me and we’ll run together!

5 Reasons why I need your Help

Yes, I need your help in raising money for GOTR (Girls on the run).  GOTR is the charity I’m sponsoring for the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon this March 17.
“Girls on the Run® is a life-changing, experiential learning programs for girls age eight to thirteen years old. The programs combine training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development“……..

1. Running is a great way to exercise and release stress.
2. GOTR would be a great place to donate during this Lenten season
3. I wish this program had been around when I was younger! At 45 years of age I’m loving my new passion.
4. Reduce the obesity rate in young girls.
5. You like me!  You really like me!

Donating is easy!  Just go to my donation site here.
Thanks!


image from GOTR