tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61529134695863523662024-03-13T05:09:21.693-07:00The Connection RunnersRun as LifestyleGardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comBlogger1082125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-84635849213974386302022-02-03T09:42:00.000-08:002022-02-03T09:42:54.308-08:00Greetings From Sunny MaternityLeave<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2012/01/greetings-from-sunny-maternityleave.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-10429033930434145212022-02-03T09:38:00.000-08:002022-02-03T09:38:04.360-08:00In Pursuit of Perfection, or Something Like That<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2012/01/in-pursuit-of-perfection-or-something.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-26977480867874562242022-02-03T09:36:00.000-08:002022-02-03T09:36:42.294-08:00Share the Love Saturday<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2012/03/share-love-saturday.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-80773350172436982962022-02-02T09:00:00.000-08:002022-02-02T09:00:45.568-08:00Wherefore Art Thou, Running?<figure><img alt="Matrix" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3JY9jua7gYc/Wteyk654_jI/AAAAAAAAAXc/MZyobhExG4IeMMjPE9Y4dM7S3S-vhG5TgCLcBGAs/s1600/matrix.png" /></figure>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-38827895653396111472018-08-27T06:52:00.001-07:002018-08-27T06:52:13.955-07:00The Quebec City Marathon<p>So we headed up to Quebec on Friday well ahead of the storm, and based upon forecasts not expecting much of an impact in Canada other than some rain late Sunday into Monday. About 6.5 hours driving time, and the kids were great. Our hotel was in Levis, the town right across the St. Lawrence River, and we decided to stay at the Sheraton right across the street from the marathon start to keep things simple. On Saturday morning, we met up with Jim and Jen (Mrs. 12 Marathons cousin and his wife.) They drove from Halifax, Nova Scotia and were both running 5k's that weekend.</p><p>We made our way to the Expo into Quebec City to pick up our bibs and then caught a bit of the Military Band parade that marched along the same streets as the Women's 5k race that the ladies ran in. Great to see Jen and Mrs. 12 Months finish strong, and while Irene was lashing her way up the eastern seaboard it was about 80 degrees and a very nice day in Quebec on Saturday afternoon.</p><figure><img qaa="true" src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/-KzaNRVc6wPE/Tlw__7tUgKI/AAAAAAAAAKI/N_8nOxV-CL0/s1600/QC+bib.JPG"></figure><p>We had a wonderful pasta dinner together, and when we returned to hotel we saw two elite runners, perhaps Kenyan if I were to guess, stretching in the grass and doing some crunches. I have never seen someone do crunches so fast - I was in awe. Anyway, I went to bed with dreams of running like a Kenyan and was asleep by 9:30 on the verge of marathon #10.</p><p>Then the unexpected happened.</p><p>I woke up Sunday morning to the unfortunate news that the race was off. Mrs. 12 marathons didn't inform me until I rolled out of bed because she knew I wouldn't sleep if I knew it was cancelled. Late Saturday evening the Quebec City Marathon race director made the difficult (and yes, controversial) decision to scrub the marathon. His method of notifying the field of runners? Facebook. No emails were sent to our registered addresses. If my wife's cousin hadn't checked Facebook that evening and called us at 10pm, I would have strolled on down to the start at 8:15 to nothing but a phalanx of empty porta-potties. (In fact, that was exactly what happened to a number of runners who stayed in our hotel. Lots of surprised and very unhappy campers.)</p><a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-quebec-city-marathon.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-75068052296535925352018-08-01T04:33:00.001-07:002018-08-01T04:33:29.990-07:00The Real Challenge<figure><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lBcXn8gkatU/TVMinq_iSnI/AAAAAAAAAGI/NCiOlVlncb4/s1600/chakras-mantras-vitruvian-man%255B1%255D.jpg"></figure><p>If there is one thing that I have learned thus far in my 12 marathon 12 month challenge, it's that the human body is an extraordinary work of engineering - condition it properly, and it is capable of remarkable things. But as Mark Twight, the founder of Gym Jones says, "changing your body is just mechanics; it's changing your mind that presents the real challenge. If the mind is not first trained to enjoy hard work, to relish suffering, to address the unknown, then no program, no amount of training can be effective. The muscle we need to train the most is inside the skull."</p><p>He is absolutely 100% correct.</p><p>I was relatively fit in college, running regularly and playing several seasons of rugby which basically was sprinting, tackling, and a few pints after the match. But after living a sedentary life post-college, amplified by poor eating habits and giving zero thought to sound nutrition, my weight ballooned to the mid 220's. Sleep apnea kicked in, my blood pressure was a bit higher than it should be, and my triglycerides - which basically measures the amount of fat in your blood - were a whopping 387 at my October 2008 physical. Not a pretty picture.</p><p>When my son turned 5, he wanted to learn a martial art, and we decided upon Taekwondo. I had always wanted to learn a martial art as well, and we both began our training as white belts. He went to the kids class after school, and I went in the evenings. The experience has been nothing short of transformative.</p><p>The combination of two weekly 70 minute Taekwondo classes, and a new emphasis on eating a healthy Mediterranean diet of cold water fish (esp. wild salmon 2x/week), lots of fresh fruits and veggies, berries and nuts got me down 20 lbs to the 200 mark in about three months. Not bad, but still not even close to where I knew I should - or could - be.</p><p>We were awarded our yellow belts, and soon began to apply the various techniques we'd been learning and started to spar with fellow students - but Georges St. Pierre I was not. After charging like a bull for the first 30 seconds, I'd lose my wind and turn into a 200 lb heavybag and get pummeled by my opponent because I wasn't able to muster the energy to throw a counter, or even move fast enough to get out of the way.</p><p>"Never let you opponent see how tired you are!" Grandmaster Park would tell me, an 8th Dan black belt and incredible instructor. "Always look in your opponents eyes. Is he tired? If he sees you're tired, you've already lost!"</p><p>I needed to get lighter, quicker, more nimble. Quickly.</p><a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-real-challenge.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-70693388290774164672018-07-20T12:02:00.001-07:002018-07-20T12:07:48.536-07:00Hi, Summer!<figure><img alt="running man" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wp6RTDH83_g/WW1YKRzLFFI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Y0a9s0nCim4ZlIOnCeWWgcswDYbrYfZzwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/running-man.jpg" /></figure><p>Ahh, the first official day of summer vacation.</p><p><s>I laid out by the pool to work on my tan.</s><br /><s>I went for an early morning run with the birds.</s><br /><s>I binged on a big, sloppy bowl of ice cream.</s><br /><s>I cleaned the film out of our house that had been building up for a few days</s> since winter. Seriously.</p><p>So my summer vacay kicked off on a ginormous date with these guys:</p><figure><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s0Ci-lCl7RI/Tf-7BDbeFeI/AAAAAAAAAas/A6pOkWoquXg/s1600/P6200002.JPG" /></figure><p>A bucket of cleaning supplies and the old trusty, but very dirty, vacuum.</p><p>Back in the day, when I first graduated from Western, I had a job as a cleaning lady. Yep, I cleaned up other people's crap (figuratively and literally) for a few months until I found another, more permanent job.</p><p>Despite its obvious cons, the cleaning job proved to be a blessing. It taught me how to <i>really </i>clean stuff. Although now, I suppose, I'm a little OCD when it comes to cleaning (when I do actually get around to it) because I have this system that I follow:</p><p><b>1) Clean top to bottom.</b> This is how I approach cleaning the whole house and each room. Today, I started in our upstairs bedroom and bath and scrubbed the grime and dust out of there. In our bathroom, I start with the mirror and all of the shelves (dusting and Windexing). Then I make my way down - sink, then tub/shower, toilet, floor. Fun.</p><p><b>2) Carry all of the products you'll need in a little basket/bucket.</b> This makes the job a tad quicker. But never quick enough, let's be honest here.</p><p><b>3) Invest in a handheld or portable vacuum.</b> It's not pictured above, but my sister hooked me up with a very nice portable mini-vacuum when I got married. It works great on my hardwood floors, which we have everywhere on the main floor), on the furniture, and on hard-to-reach spots, like the rug under the dining room table. It also makes pretty carpet patterns.</p><p>See how easily amused I am in the summer time?</p><p>I even cleaned my cleaning products today. Yep. I'm <i>that </i>nerdy. Both of my vacuums and their parts took a nice bath; I scrubbed out the tote for the cleaning sprays and such; I even ran the "cleaning" cycle on my clothes washer.</p><p>Me = dork.</p><p>One more cleaning confession: Remember this Kalamazoo Marathon outfit?</p><figure><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-RIHe0FOGPMI/TcRxhKh26yI/AAAAAAAAAPo/w2QxNvrEEFg/s1600/P5060022.JPG" /></figure><p>That race was on May 8. Today is June 20. I just <i>now</i> washed those clothes. Gross.</p><p>Another math equation: Pregnant Megan + Zero Motivation - Need for Running Clothes Because I'm Lazy = Months Worth of Unwashed Laundry</p><p>However, I did get a smashingly good workout in today - house cleaning! I was breaking a serious sweat at one point. The P90X guy should do a video where they all come over and clean my house. Hardcore.</p><p>Now that I'm over the hump of cleaning, it's on to real summer plans.</p><p><b>Get my read on.</b> On the docket so far</p><figure><img src="//1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXcCtcKTpgQ/Tf-7WcMXKPI/AAAAAAAAAa0/OG_adjunn0g/s1600/P6200004.JPG" /></figure><p>Yet another confession: I throughly enjoyed Book 1 of the <i>Harry Potter </i>series after throwing down some mad hate on the kid and his lightning-strike scar for years. Damn you and your good writing skills, J.K. Rowling! Now I'm on the bandwagon.</p><p><b>Work on The Blog and make some changes and updates.</b> You know, keepin' it real.</p><p><b>Organize and update my iTunes.</b> I go through the tunes once in a while and clean house there, too.</p><p><b>Pick out nursery furniture and paint and bedding.</b> Yep, it's early. Yep, I'm totally Type A. I want to have it all done before I head back to work in the fall.</p><p><b>Hit up the pool and really work on a tan.</b> Zach, my 11-year-old nephew, comes over a few days a week in the summers, and we love to spend lots of lazy hours in the water.</p><p><b>Clear out closets and rearrange stuff.</b> Gotta make room for the impending arrival of the Little One.</p><p><b>Scour blogs and websites for yummy, easy dinner recipes.</b> I'm hoping to score points as a wife this summer and actually cook stuff more than once a week now that I have more time.</p><p><b>Tell Me About Your Summer Plans:</b><br /><b>-<i>Vacations?</i></b><br /><b><i>-Races or running goals?</i></b><br /><b><i>-Books to read? (I'd love some suggestions!)</i></b></p>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-56349484771067223932018-07-12T02:39:00.001-07:002018-07-12T02:39:47.294-07:00Limitless, pure, and free ENERGY!..<figure><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-m091FK-Js/WT32gPjmydI/AAAAAAAAAT0/BBHh-HSmrKQvF2dXGEGTDuIXe5VFmcUUgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Adventures-of-a-Monkey.jpg" /></figure><p>I did a 6-mile tempo run today, and it was fantastic. A sweet run like this has been eluding me for months.</p><p>The reason for today's ease? Simple.</p><p>Limitless, pure, and free ENERGY.</p><p>It didn't come from a packet of GU or a granola bar or a can of Red Bull.</p><p>It came from this:</p><p><i>the sun!</i><br /><br />Gorgeous warm cozy <i>light from the sun!</i><br /><br />After what felt like years of winter, I'd nearly forgotten what the glory of a warm, spring-like day can do for a runner. I just hope some of it lasts.</p>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-74192438752663764032018-05-05T15:14:00.000-07:002018-05-05T15:14:07.816-07:00My best few years of running...<figure><img alt="people" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMpZxjHJCGY/Wu4rt0XghRI/AAAAAAAAAXw/jG-ngKyB_AEF-BDnPh99KAVoj_HGiozIgCLcBGAs/s1600/people.jpg"></figure><p>I'm turning 27 tomorrow. Rather, I'm rounding the last corner in my race to 30. It's kind of like running the last .2 miles of a marathon, the last .1 of a 5k, the last mile of a long bike ride. I've loved and hated various moments within my 20's, just like I've loved and hated various moments in a race - cried out in pain, fist pumped in joy, walked to catch my breath, sprinted to speed through a tough stretch of road.</p><p>When I tell those younger and older than me what age I'll be tomorrow, they often squint and shoo away the number with a flick of their wrist. From my older friends: "27? Oh, I remember what that's like. You've got a lot of life ahead of you" or, from a student: "27? That's not <i>too</i> <i>old</i> Mrs. A; at least you're not as old as my mom". Despite such reactions, every year I turn older, I feel, well, <i>old.</i> Like I'm behind in the race to something, and I need to sprint to stay with it.</p><p>There's good news to be heard, though, in turning 27. I've read article after article that states a runner doesn't peak until their late 20's. So, as I make my way towards 30 tomorrow, I think it's time I lay out a few goals in order to take advantage of what could kick off my best few years of running.</p><a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2018/05/my-best-few-years-of-running.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-34911037754212135652018-04-18T14:02:00.000-07:002018-04-18T14:02:03.272-07:00Purple Duo About Run-ning<figure><img alt="Purple duo" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2ctZg9n8Lg/WtexQ0OxAZI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/oWr7vN_0Q5Qbjm8cEO4xc_L-dP4SH27RwCLcBGAs/s1600/purple.jpg"></figure><p>You may have noticed in recent <strike>days weeks</strike> months that while I've talked a lot <i>about</i> running, I haven't done a whole lot of it.</p><p>In fact, my feet haven't pounded any pavement since last Sunday. And, really, I wasn't pounding anything but rather trotting/waddling/jogging 11+ minute miles on the treadmill.</p><p><br><i>Is it jogging or yogging? It might be a soft "J", I don't know.</i></p><a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2018/04/purple-duo-about-run-ning.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-28054130026183772662018-02-07T10:31:00.000-08:002018-02-07T10:31:38.697-08:00Moving Comfort Sports Bra Giveaway<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2010/11/moving-comfort-sports-bra-giveaway.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-40270353680523747332017-12-24T07:43:00.000-08:002017-12-24T07:43:23.851-08:00The Ultimate Running Christmas Wishlist<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/12/the-ultimate-running-christmas-wishlist.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-37998217849379750842017-08-16T05:51:00.000-07:002017-08-16T05:51:53.657-07:00My Crim 10-Mile Training Plan<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-crim-10-mile-training-plan.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-70506829142063957542017-08-16T05:49:00.000-07:002017-08-16T05:49:27.343-07:00My life in ziploc bags<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-life-in-ziploc-bags.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-58222276384290971492017-08-16T05:48:00.000-07:002017-08-16T05:48:45.997-07:00So You Want to Start Running?<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/08/so-you-want-to-start-running.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-9797656750068000822017-07-17T10:06:00.000-07:002017-07-17T10:06:25.617-07:00My Favorite Shoes: Mizuno<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2016/11/my-shoes-review-mizuno.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-20852676492975917452016-11-11T23:11:00.000-08:002017-06-19T00:07:54.344-07:00The Anonymity of Running<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-right: 15px;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-__YY0IU9gr4/WT4I6p1hm1I/AAAAAAAAAUE/iDeZTi7l7y8mCaYtpCMphFE6Ek-h7OmeACLcB/s400/IMAG0392.jpg"></div><p>It was too early on a Saturday morning. With the sun rising behind me, I pulled my Brooks hat low and trudged on in a never-ending chase to catch my dubious shadow. Gangster rap, rife with bitches and hoes, blared cautionary tales into my eardrums as I made a mental note to always bring my AK, no matter how good the day seemed.</p><a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-anonymity-of-running.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-1032577973699242016-11-11T02:00:00.000-08:002017-06-19T00:04:18.297-07:00The scale doesn't lie?..<p>Or does it?</p><p>Yesterday morning I stepped on the scale and then quickly stepped off in frustration.</p><p>I went into the living room and complained to Charles: <em>"You know, it's really hard to stay motivated when I'm eating well and working out and I manage to GAIN weight. What's the point? Why am I even doing this?!"</em></p><p>He answered... and I honestly couldn't even tell you what he said. I wasn't listening. Those words coming out of my mouth were a bit of a wake up call. I mentally shook myself.</p><p>Here's the reality of the situation: There is more to this journey than the number on my scale. It's a "tool" to measure progress, but it's not the only tool I own. It's not the deciding factor on success or failure.</p><figure><a href="http://nation-health.blogspot.com/2016/10/health-tips-weight-loss-detox-recipe.html"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FuHrH5x3Arg/VFBpWTJRfHI/AAAAAAAABhQ/bZyD9cG5Keg/s800/Detox%2Brecipe%2Bof%2BWeight%2Bloss.JPG" alt="Detox recipe Weight loss"></a></figure><a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/04/the-scale-doesn-lie.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-26595140844277064722016-09-15T07:53:00.000-07:002018-07-12T02:42:05.077-07:00Running on the Moon<figure><img alt="Running on the Moon" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-m091FK-Js/WT32gPjmydI/AAAAAAAAAT0/BBHh-HSmrKQvF2dXGEGTDuIXe5VFmcUUgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Adventures-of-a-Monkey.jpg" /></figure><p>A week or so ago I received an email with the subject line of “Running on the Moon”. “Finally!” I thought, a destination run. Eager to see who was financing this particular dream of mine I opened the email. Turns out I wasn’t getting an all expense paid trip to the moon. <em>Bugger</em>. Once I got over my disappointment I looked into what WAS being offered was a chance to test</p><p>I was given the opportunity to test out the “anti-gravity” treadmill known as the Alter-G. I’m such a run nerd that this was almost as exciting as actually going to the moon. I had seen Paula Radcliffe using it in Runners World and turned green with envy. As a semi-injury prone athlete, aka an average runner, I LUSTED after the opportunity to use such a fabulous tool.</p><figure><img alt="CIMG4308" class="thumb" src="//lh6.ggpht.com/-1ggR7uF9N4E/Te-dSQsNZjI/AAAAAAAACWU/OqAq7luw0dQ/CIMG4308_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg" /></figure><p>The Alter-G basically uses air in a pressure controlled chamber,built around a Woodway treadmill, to lift the person up or “unweight” them. You can adjust it in tiny increments depending on your goals. Originally conceived to design exercise regimens for astronauts, it is now used for:</p><ul> <li>Rehabilitation of lower extremity injuries </li> <li>Treatment of neurological conditions </li> <li>Weight reduction </li> <li>Aerobic conditioning </li> <li>General training to combat the diseases of aging </li> </ul></p><p>When I showed up at CATZ, my local sports performance and rehabilitation center, I was handed a pair of the strangest shorts I’ve ever tried on.</p><figure><img alt="CIMG4307" class="thumb" src="//lh6.ggpht.com/-1086wahuLt8/Te-dTu5s2xI/AAAAAAAACWc/GLGVJatExoo/CIMG4307_thumb.jpg" /></figure><figure><img alt="CIMG4306" class="thumb" src="//lh4.ggpht.com/-TuHJwUQ_c_Q/Te-dUFK8KcI/AAAAAAAACWg/oGSffabWr0o/CIMG4306_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg" /></figure><p>These shorts create the necessary seal in the “cockpit” and are oh so flattering. After receiving some heckling from the local athletes I crossed the facility and was zipped into the Alter-G.</p><figure><img alt="CIMG4311" class="thumb" src="//lh3.ggpht.com/-vIt8qJN84Lc/Te-dVdpGt4I/AAAAAAAACWo/YzhK2datqqY/CIMG4311_thumb.jpg" /></figure><figure><img alt="CIMG4310" class="thumb" src="//lh6.ggpht.com/-EJY7ZYTELHM/Te-dW-R30BI/AAAAAAAACWw/kVyACq9-1wI/CIMG4310_thumb.jpg" /></figure><p>I stepped on the treadmill and waited as it weighed me and set the custom calibrations. I spent a couple of minutes tinkering with it at a walk. The first minute or so the “floating” feeling was a bit disconcerting. I had to remind myself I wasn’t “actually” on the moon, so I suppressed my urge to leap along and got down to business.</p><p>I had a brief 8 min/mile warm up at 50% body weight. For comparison, my warm ups are usually 10 or 10:30min/miles. I didn’t stay at 8min/mile too long the urge to crank it up was just too hard to resist. So I adjusted my speed and started cruising along. “So…THIS is what a 6 minute miles feels like”. (on the moon)</p><p>A 6 minute miles was painless. PAINLESS I tell you. Again, for comparison, my tempo runs lately have been in the 9 or 9:15min/mile range. My legs, and usually protesting feet, felt great! Interestingly enough, I still felt like I was getting a workout. (duh) My heart was pumping and my little legs were flying along, I just didn’t have all the normal pounding. I had my music on and I was cruising along.</p><p>I soon realized a 6 minute mile just wasn’t super challenging so I bumped it up again. I decided I needed to see a 5 minute mile because odds are, unless I turn into Kara Goucher I’ll never have that experience again. I won’t say it was easy. I had to pay attention to getting my legs to turn over fast, but oh the joy.</p><p><strong>Sheer joy. In my dreams this is how running is. Heart pounding, arms pumping, zipping along without all the pain.</strong></p><p>I eventually brought myself back to reality and decided to play around with the body weight percentage, slowly ticking it back to my real weight. I didn’t get too far before being reminded I can’t run a 5 min/mile anywhere close to my real body weight. I slowed down, tinkering along the way.</p><figure><img alt="CIMG4309" class="thumb" src="//lh6.ggpht.com/-meSr6IiFrag/Te-dX3j3nSI/AAAAAAAACW4/4Iuhwb9J6mQ/CIMG4309_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg" /></figure><p><em>(why yes,those are my current shoe love,the </em><em>Pearl iZUMi Streak II</em><em>)</em></p><p>An 8minute mile running at 90% of my body weight felt like work, but not terrible, whereas normally I’d be gasping along. Of course that got me thinking about how unloading a few pounds off my frame would benefit me speed wise. Furthermore, I spent time thinking about the countless hours I spent running in a pool while rehabbing injuries, longing for the feeling of “real running”. I also thought back to when I was 278 pounds and just starting out exercising. It hurt. Even walking was painful while carrying around that much weight. The idea that an obese patient could get in the Alter-G and <em>feel </em>the benefits of weight loss is pretty astounding.</p><p>I chatted up the owner/physical therapist. Interestingly, the Alter-G is approved by many insurances as part of a treatment plan. I wish I had known about my local Alter-G when I was out with my last issue. I’ll be keeping it in mind for the future.</p><p>For those of us that are uninjured (take a moment to knock on wood) we can benefit by using the Alter G for speed work, getting the muscle memory of a quick turnover, and to just increase our overall mileage without increasing the wear and tear on our bodies. You can find out more about it, including where to find one near you, and how to purchase one of your own, HERE.</p><p><em>disclaimer:I was given the opportunity to test out the Alter-G.However,the review and sheer joy experienced was 100% my own.</em></p>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-24548500451294932742016-05-06T14:53:00.000-07:002018-05-05T15:21:37.739-07:00A Very Best Running Advice<p>When I first started running back in 2013, I had no idea what I was doing.</p><p>I ran just to run. Races were something to do because free race t-shirts were cool (and still are!).</p><p>At some point in 2008, I signed up for my first Crim 10-Miler. Running 10 miles was a lot different than running the 5k's of 2003. Training plans were made, shoes were invested in. I tried energy gels for the first time, and, like many other runners, nearly vomited up the sugary stuff.</p><figure><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cZNgqIcSpI/Toy7ARt9_nI/AAAAAAAAAt4/9B_vmPKTm8w/s1600/P8230004.JPG" alt="Best Running Advice"></figure><p><i>Look how excited we were in 2018!</i><br><br>While I don't think I'll ever know or even begin to comprehend everything that shapes the sport, I feel I've developed a decent grasp on the concept of running.</p><p>I can only say that because of what I've learned over the years from a multitude of sources: running magazines, conversations with running veteran friends, personal experiences.</p><a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-very-best-running-advice.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-87126325168622806832015-07-17T17:40:00.000-07:002018-07-20T12:02:27.619-07:00Pre-race post: thoughts, jitters, and general excitement<figure><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wp6RTDH83_g/WW1YKRzLFFI/AAAAAAAAAUs/D2zbzZb3_pk5WMwjLw_ThneeadZKrvCdwCLcBGAs/s1600/running-man.jpg" data-original-width="1024" data-original-height="576"></figure><p>The week before a large race, I always get excited. My work productivity suffers (dramatically), my sleep is interrupted with "last minute details," and I start feeling like I need to get out and run.</p><a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2017/07/running-man.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-64979373995979020112012-12-30T08:15:00.000-08:002017-07-17T17:32:52.490-07:00Seven 100 Mile Wins!<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2012/12/seven-100-mile-wins.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-74652784345373047562012-12-19T12:36:00.000-08:002017-06-19T01:47:13.561-07:00Road ID Giveaway (brought to you by a dead deer)<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/02/road-id-giveaway-brought-to-you-by-dead.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-66521213873505960962012-12-18T10:39:00.000-08:002017-06-19T01:46:18.704-07:00Feel it in your bones<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/05/feel-it-in-your-bones.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152913469586352366.post-5470699276209065332012-12-08T17:58:00.000-08:002017-06-19T01:49:53.276-07:00Falling Flat<a href="https://fellmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/04/falling-flat.html#more"></a>Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12676322877657937589noreply@blogger.com