Running, running, running

Hey! I managed to make a new post in less than a month.

Technically, we have three race reports for ya - this time I'll try to make it short and sweet:

May 5
Mile High 5

Ran this 5-miler with one of my BF's friends who just got into running. My goal was 9:30 pace and I think I ended up clocking a solid 9:27. We ran out first mile together in 9:12, so we started a little too hard. His goal was 10-min miles and he ended up kicking my butt running an average of 9:11 pace (seesh). All in all, not awful, not great. I really felt how hard it was for me to keep up pace. The plan that day was to run 5 more later in the day (with the race and the warm-up, I had 6 under my belt) but I ended up super exhausted with a headache and opted to run 5 more on Sunday instead.

May 12
Westminster Women's Classic

Ran this 10-miler on a whim when I received a discount code. I hadn't run serious distance in about 2 weeks prior to this race and I knew I needed to get my act together for the half marathon the following week. My goal was sub 10-min miles considering how rough coming back from injury has been.

I told myself to start out slow, but still went ~9:20 for the first mile. To my surprise, I then held it for the next few too. Finished this race out in 96 min with a 9:38 min/mile average. I was pretty happy with that and it made me optimistic for the coming half marathon.

We got some pretty sweet medals too:

I later got home to find out I had placed 2nd in the female 20-29 age group and picked up this guy on May 18th:

Back reads "Female 20-29 Second Place"

May 19

Colfax Half Marathon

I was admittedly pretty freaked out about this one. It had been a while since my last half marathon and I really was hoping to run the race in ~2:07. Mostly, I really wanted to break 2:10. 

This time I resolved to take it out slow and I did. Pretty consistent 10-min miles. Mile 3 went through the Denver Zoo which was pretty cool and distracting. Nothing like running next to monkeys, elephants, rhinos, donkeys, emus, etc. It was only a quick mile in the zoo, but still pretty nice.

At mile 4 my iPod threatened low battery and I was NOT happy. I'm glad to say, it did not die. By mile 6 I started experiencing something I had NEVER experienced during the race: I needed to use the bathroom! WHAT?! I knew that I probably wasn't going to see another one until mile 8, but I wasn't about to run .25 miles back to the mile 6 stalls. I kept running and found one at 7.5 miles with no TP....awesome. I made it to mile 8, waited in line and started feeling a bit better. Still, it wasn't until mile 10 that I was able to grab some water and feel pretty recovered. So, in short, miles 6-10 really were not too good for me. Slow, uncomfortable miles.

Once I got to 10.25, I told myself no walking and I had to run to 11. I walked for 30 secs at 11 and resolved to run to 12. I drank water at the mile 12 water stop and ran to the finish. Those last 3 miles surprisingly were not all that bad!

With the bathroom breaks taken out (my garmin time:) the race was 2:12 and 10:06 min/miles. With the bathroom breaks (my chip time:) the race was 2:16 and 10:23 min/miles. I'm not too psyched about either time, but it is what it is. It's better than the last half marathon I ran in Colorado (2:17) and I have another one coming up in October so I've learned something and have a new time to beat. 

Also, SUPER cool medals that came with mini-medals (charms, essentially) attached to it that you can hook to a chain and wear as a necklace:

Shout outs to Kyle for getting a new PR on this race, Clayton for finishing with 0 training, and everyone else for doing a freaking half marathon!

It's been a long time, it's almost race season...

here's this:

http://whatshouldtriathletescallme.tumblr.com/

did ya miss me?
I did. That said nothing to say.
It's a swim, bike, run kind of routine.

Adding Insult to Injury

It's been a while, athletes (and non-athletes who just like to read about my insanity). It's been a tough tough hiatus.

Let me start with an uplifting story before we delve into the depths of injury depression.

I signed up to run this "winter distance series" through the winter - keep my endurance running up to par. I was doing 7, 8, 9 mile runs through November just... like it wasn't anything. High 9-min mile conversational pace, cruising. Then I went to Breckenridge for a fun weekend with some friends, didn't workout too much, save a 5-mile walk through ice/snow with my friends's sister and came back on a sunday to a slow, cold, and painful 10k run. I couldn't really pinpoint WHY it hurt so badly, but it did.

I took a week easy - it was a taper week anyway if I were to race this 10k (the first race of the distance series). On race morning, I felt less than fantastic. My hamstring felt wonky, sort of tight and throbbing, so I warmed up and it didn't really go away. I had big goals to finally break a 9-min mile in a 10k and I knew I just wanted to do it. I was there... I wasn't going to back out now. So I ran it.

I tried to follow my rule of "if it doesn't stop hurting after the first 10 min, it's time to throw in the towel" but then I ran the first mile in a calm 8:57 and though I was still in some serious pain...my PR was there, calling my name. UGH FINE. So I didn't listen to my rules and I ran all of the 10k in 55:38, ruthlessly destroying my previous PR (by, you know, a few seconds, which in running is RUTHLESS) and also my hamstring.

I limped around afterwards and I don't think my friends really believed how much pain I was in. But, it was not pretty - not at all.

Thus began the saga of injury. My hamstring was a painful mess. For a while even walking was hard. I couldn't swim because kicking and pulling my legs in to push off the wall hurt and when SWIMMING hurts, you KNOW you're in trouble. I got in the water one day and got out after 700m - NOT pretty.

For Christmas, my grandparents gave me an R8 roller which is truly a painful miracle in my life. I cannot speak highly enough of this thing.

Then finally, about 5 weeks later,  it seemed the hamstring was recovered, but not without other problems - my muscles were weaker. I was having shooting pains near my knee, I swam and my hips got so ungodly tight on the OTHER leg I limped around for a day. I spent a night rolling around in my bed because one of my legs had more shooting/stabbing pains going through it. In short... body falling apart. I'm 22 years-old. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

This weekend I knew would be fairly quiet so I convinced myself it was time to get my act together and go to yoga. Now, most of you probably know I've always spoken very highly of bikram yoga. However, for about 10 reasons, bikram did not sound like a good idea so, though I've had less than fantastic experiences before, I bucked up and grumpily AND painfully moseyed on over to a 90-min vinyasa flow class.

HOLY SHNIKIES.
1) I don't think I've ever been so tight in my life - least flexible yoga experience um... EVER. Some poses that usually are a no-brainer were totally hopeless.

2) That was the best, most challenging non-bikram yoga class I've ever been to.

3) I may or may not be hooked.

In short, I need to believe in stretching.. and probably this yoga studio. NO MORE INJURIES.

The Athlete's Holiday Guide

Fine. If all the websites want to give me useless suggestions for athlete gift guides, I will make my own.

Honestly... never buy another runner shoes unless you know exactly what they want and what size they are. If someone bought me a random pair of running shoes without knowing anything about what I'd like, I'd feign excitement until returning them to get what I actually want to run in...

And running clothes? Seriously? Am I the only picky one out there? I am the WORST when it comes to specificity about how my running tights/shorts fit and from the Pearl Izumi event, I learned that ALL the brands cut their clothes differently so there is a decent chance those $100+ running jackets aren't going to fit like a glove unless you really know the person you are buying for. Plus, how boring! *yawn* If you're going to get something just to likely return it, why not just get a giftcard? NOT HELPFUL, GIFT GUIDES./endrant

Let's be real. Buying for athletes is tough. If you're going to spend some of the most uncomfortable times of your life with something, you better hope it's perfect. Here are some alternative ideas to the cliché running shoes and jacket:

~$10-20
SPIbelt
- It gets a little bouncy and annoying if you fill it up with too much stuff, but not too bad to hold keys/phone/credit card/gels. Especially good for cycling without a jersey.
Feetures! Socks
- Or any awesome athletic socks... I know lots of people who are fans of Balega. Go interest-specific for  extra points. I found some super cool Colorado cycling socks this weekend and I had to restrain myself.
Foam Roller
- I'd go with the highest density possible. That said, I'd be ok with a PVC pipe. The softer ones get misshapen and worn out more easily, and they accomplish less.
Foot Roller
- for the runner with knots in his/her feet
Sweaty Bands
- see a review of these here.
Nutrition
- Clif Bars, Picky Bars, Gu, Honey Stinger you name it... everyone needs 'em. Plus, if you just buy one and don't like it, it's not the end of the world.
Camelback Podium Chill Water Bottles
- When it comes to cycling, these things are the best of the best. Sucks if you lose them because they are more pricey than others, but I rarely use anything else.


~$20-50
Ryder's Sunglasses
- I swear by these things. They aren't the most expensive/flashiest you can get, but they are the most reasonably priced, in my opinion
Running Headlamp
- Careful to get one that doesn't bounce too much, but I don't think you need to spend more than $25 on this to get a good one
Athletic Gloves
- I personally love the one's that have removable mitten tops and will expose your fingers because my hands get hot quickly. That said, I would hate having my fingers exposed while cycling. Make sure whatever you get is breathable and cycling gloves and running gloves are GOING to be different.
Camelback Delaney Running/Hydration pack
- Here's the thing: running with a bottle in your hand is annoying, even if it has a velcro holder strap thing, you still probably hit yourself in the hip with it while running. Some packs bounce - think about running with a backpack...how awful is that? I have it on good authority that this one is a keeper.
Road ID
- This can really cost about whatever you want, but we'll put it here. You'll have to know an athlete's emergency contact info... but it's a good one! I don't take mine off unless I have to look formal and I have bands in pink and purple :)


~$50-100
R8 Roll Recovery
- for the athlete who is serious about recovery, no matter how painful
iPod Shuffle
- If you are/know someone who runs with music, the best option has got to be a shuffle. Most runners loathe running with extra stuff to carry. It's uncomfortable and weighs you down/bounces around/irritates you... etc. The shuffle you can just clip to your clothes and go.

~$100 +
Rudy Project Sunglasses/Helmet
- Honestly, I think Rudy is the best of the best when it comes to these accessories. They do what they do and they do it well. Plus they have some sweet customer service that will take good care of you. That said, the picky athlete is going to want to pick his/her own glasses and helmet at that price.
Garmin Watch
- You can't go wrong with gifting a Garmin if you get all the features. For someone who runs exclusively, I'd go the Forerunner 10, unless you also want heart rate (very useful tool), then probably a 210 or 410. For the triathlete, time to spring for a 310 or 910 XT.
Cycloc
- This might be more for you if you live with someone who has a handful of bikes lying around, but it's the COOLEST and I now need em for my place!

Product Review: Picky Bars

Some Picky Bars

This one I hinted at and briefly covered for about two sentences in some previous posts. But PICKY BARS! The gluten free, vegan. etc etc sports nutrition.

I haven't tried one while running, but I have eaten both the All in Almond and the Lauren's Mega Nuts variaties and was a big fan. 

Description: It's like if Powerbars met Larabars and were a nice balance of yummy, nutty, chewy and not too sticky. I also really like packaging. It's conveniently paper-y and easy to tear away even after it's gotten all warm in the back pocket of your cycling jersey.

Definitely recommend, especially if you like nuts! They are a little oddly textured. A little less sticky thank Larabars, more grainy. I think it very much depends on what you want to eat while you work out. Probably good for athletes with sensitive stomachs or athletes who just want something more natural while they train.

Product Review: Be Hot Bands/Sweaty Bands

Well, this is a girls and long-haired guys thing, sorry if you're left out.

After so much hype, I bought myself one of these in pink today:
http://www.lilfairytalesboutique.com/item_23/Champagne-Black-or-Pink-Sparkle-Skinny-beHot-Band-more-colors-available.htm

I've heard of their more widely known competitor product Sweaty Bands being incredibly popular. It's essentially a ribbon, with felt-like material on the back and they're constructed to be very tight.

An assortment of Sweaty Bands

I have to say I was skeptical and Sweaty Bands are pretty expensive. I run with all kinds of hairbands, especially after I had about 5 inches of my hair cut off this summer and it was even unruly in a ponytail.

Let me tell you, THE RUMORS ARE TRUE. THESE THINGS ARE AMAZING. I know running stores like Fleet Feet (and Runner's Roost & TriBella for you Colorado people) carry Sweaty Bands. They generally run from $15-18. I was excited to find these Be Hot Bands which run from $10-12 depending on width, at Boulder Running Company. Similar products are available at most race expos and running stores. 

Usually when I run, my headband slips back and then lets out little hairs on my forehead. There was NONE of that. These things don't budge! Highly highly recommend them! Good stocking stuffers for the runner girl in your life.

Product Review: Pearl Izumi Project Emotion N2

Pearl Izumi Project Emotion N2 Women's $120

I think Pearl Izumi had the best intentions when creating this new line of shoes, Project Emotion. Mostly, I think they were trying to catch up to their competitors who are launching minimalist lines of shoes (namely the Brooks Pure Project, which has been selling wildly so says the local running stores). 

I got a very cool opportunity through Boulder Running Company to give these a 3-mile test run. But before I give you the scoop, let's talk what I like.

About a year ago I switched from the Brooks Ghost (a neutral trainer) which I had been running in for almost 3 years. Generally, I'm a die hard Brooks fan. Way back when I started in Brooks, and when I moved to a more minimal shoe, I switched to the Pure Flow. I also had a brief stint during which I trained in some Mizunos. While I have a pretty neutral stride, my right ankle sometimes gives out (it's really cool and helpful like that) and I think I benefit from being in those neutral to mild guidance shoes. In fact, when trying on the Pure Connects a while ago, I ran a little oddly. I've tried them on since and did ok, but decided to make a change to the Saucony Kinvaras because of a slightly wider toe box. I raced a number of triathlons in the Pure Flows and they tore up my feet a number of times. So - that's my background: Neutral shoe. Lately in lighter, 4mm offset shoes.

Immediately when I put on the Project Emotion N2s, they felt clunky and heavy. To someone who hasn't been running in super light shoes (pure flows and kinvaras weigh in around 7.5 oz/shoe), they might feel like socks. I'm not sure. I did like the one-piece, no seam upper, which from what I understand, is a Pearl Izumi thing. The seams in my Pure Flows tore apart my feet when I wore them without socks for a sprint tri. I imagine this would solve that problem. The shoe generally felt pretty inflexible and the material also felt very thick. I'm always an 8.5 and the shoe fit very snug. One of the people who worked at the store even said that he usually wears them a size up from his normal size. I stuck with me 8.5s nevertheless. I almost never size up from there... if anything I'll go down to an 8.

I headed out on the run, which started mostly downhill. Definitely a quiet shoe as I pounded down some pavement. We turned off on a trail and my right lace came untied. I ran through the trail and the shoes really did just feel kind of clunky. As I began to warm-up, I thought the material didn't breathe well. It felt like I had two pairs of socks on. as we looped around, the rest of the run was uphill. What I enjoy so much about both the PureFlows and the Kinvaras is how I feel like I want to run on my midfoot to get up those hills. I feel like it keeps the impact down and feel lighter on the uphills. Again, I have to complain about how clunky and inflexible the N2s felt.

Overall, I'm a little disappointed. Looking into more neutral, low offset shoes, I was excited to see what Pearl Izumi came up with. In the end, not for me... and I wouldn't recommend them to any runners who already run with lighter shoes like I do. That said, I could see them being a great transitional shoe between a trainer and something like the Brooks Pure Project or Saucony's Kinvaras. 

Breakdown

Pros:

Seamless upper

Aesthetically nice design

Cons:

On the heavy side for a light shoe

Inflexible

Not very breathable

I'd be interested in trying out their N1s (lighter, even less of a drop) and their tri shoes for this line in February. They felt more breathable and lighter when I looked at the sample shoe. That said, if they're still inflexible, I'm still skeptical.