Tag Archives: runner

When Will I Feel Like a “Real Runner” Again?

Marathon training – during 18 mile long run.

Today was my first run post marathon. It has been 10 days since the marathon and I have decided to do a reverse taper of Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Marathon training plan, which means this week I will run three days: 2 miles/2 miles/3 miles. Next week I plan to run: 4 miles/3 miles/4 miles and a long run of 8 miles. I am not sure if I will run the long run yet.

With today being the first run back, I opted for a 1-mile out and back at the local greenway. The first half mile felt pretty awful, my legs felt heavy, my chest hurt, and even my lower jaw hurt. By the 1-mile mark I was feeling okay, and on the second half of the run I felt like myself again. During this run I couldn’t shake the feeling, “when will I feel like a ‘real runner’ again?”

Which is crazy because I have completed 10 marathons, several half-marathons, a few 10ks, and countless 5ks. Then I asked myself, “What is a real runner – what do they look like?” My answer, “anything not me.” I am short, 5’1″, weighing almost 160 pounds (currently 25 pounds heavier than my last marathon), and with short, bowed legs. I thought to myself, real runners are tall, with legs like gazelles who take long, elegant strides. Real runners are clad in “themed” running gear, wearing dri-fit shirts and tanks from recent races, carrying cool hydration bottles and nutrition gels. Real runners show up to run in running groups and all have a cool lingo as they converse and warm up for their fast paced group run.

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Flowerfest Marathon Recap 2023

Flowerfest Marathon, Callaway Gardens, GA (3/18/2023)

The Flowerfest Marathon is part of the TriColumbusGa race series. TriColumbusGa is known for providing high quality, family friendly, and unique experiences for athletes of all levels. I have previously participated in their triathlon races at the sprint and olympic distance.

I was considering three marathons in Georgia: Combos Marathon (formerly Snickers Marathon) in Albany on 3/2/2023, the Flowerfest Marathon in Callaway Gardens on 3/18/2023, or the Chasing Jefferson Davis Marathon on 4/15/2023 in Abbeville. The Combos Marathon was the closest to me, but I chose the Flowerfest Marathon because it was the end of my kids spring break, there were no family scheduling conflicts, and I had read positive reviews about running in Callaway Gardens.

Friday – Travel Day

Having been to the area before, I knew there were few places to eat, so I made sure to pack heavy on snacks and meals. I think I packed enough for five days. I stayed at the Mountain Top Inn Lodge, which had a rustic, mountain cabin feel, with a beautiful view of the valley. The weather was cold, windy, and raining when I arrived. Packet pickup was outside in the windy and cold weather. There was no expo, but a few friendly volunteers that helped me with packet pickup.

Later that evening two friends arrived at the lodge. They had decided to race as well. It had been about 7 years since we had all raced together. I was grateful for their company as it took my mind off the race and my nerves.

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My Favorite Fall Activity: Running Through Spider Webs

Spiderweb

 So… that’s totally a lie.

Running through spider webs is the one part of Fall that I absolutely dread and I am guaranteed to run through a few before winter sets in.  The joyful experience usually goes something like this….

Up at o-dark thirty… find some running clothes, dig through gym bag or purse to find my iPod, get a few things situated and head out the door. Hit Play on the iPod, get my Runkeeper app going on my phone and start off with a slow, dreadful pace and wonder how I will get through all the miles ahead of me. At this point I am on high spiderweb alert with eyes strained looking for any faint glimmer of light reflecting on a web. After a few miles I usually find my groove, tune into my music, zone out of reality, and then bam… face first into a web and instant karate chopping, skin crawling, and sprinting all occur at the same time. Why… why, why, why does my face always come in contact first????

Long after a run is over and I’ve taken a shower and made it to work I still suffer from the creep crawlies. Should a hair graze my shoulder or a piece of lint touch my arm, I will jump as if the spider had been hiding all day, waiting for the perfect opportunity in the day to jump out and freak me out one more time. Ugh.

karate-master

 

On the less creep crawly side…. there are a few things I do love about Fall.

I love running in the cooler temps.

I love that Fall marks the beginning of marathon training for me.

I love hunting for the perfect pumpkins and having a family fun carving day.

I love Black Friday shopping (even though I almost never make it out to shop).

I love seeing the seasons change and the way the leaves fall when the wind blows.

 

What do you love about Fall?

ENERGY GELS GALORE GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

Winner: Sadie B.

What is THAT? Have you ever been asked that question as you whip out what looks like a super-sized ketchup packet, tear it open and squirt something colorful with the texture of honey into your mouth? If you answered “yes,” then my guess is you have been introduced to the world of energy gels!

My first energy gel experience took place while on a summer bike ride a few years ago. About 20 miles into a bike ride, I whipped out an Espresso flavored Gu Energy Gel. I was not prepared for what I was in for….. warm, flavorful, and gooey!

Here’s where I get to show I’m not as young as I once was…. back in my Army days, we used to use honey packets before a timed physical fitness test or during long workouts. Honey packets either came in the form of a ketchup packet or what looked like a straw (similar to Pixie Sticks candy).

You will often find energy gels in goody bags for local road races – everything from 5ks to marathons, at local cycling events, and triathlons. I have even seen endurance belts designed to accommodate up to six gels at a time. While watching Ironman Kona (from my living room couch of course), I saw one triathlete tape over ten Gu packets onto her bike frame. Energy gels are indeed going to stick around (pun intended).

Energy Gel Giveaway includes:

Gu Energy Gel – Salted Caramel
Gu Energy Gel –   Salted Watermelon
Gu Energy Gel – Root Beer
Mud Energy – Chocolate Truffle Rage
Accel Gel – Vanilla
2nd Surge – Pina Colada

Gel Giveaway

Leave a comment below answering: What is your favorite energy gel brand and flavor?

 

  Click on the link to enter!

ENERGY GELS GALORE GIVEAWAY

Giveaway ends 9/26

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