Training Smaining
January 6, 2009
So I signed up for all my races through March yesterday. That left a little dent in the wallet to say the least, but here they are:
January 10 (as in this weekend) – Kaiser Permanente 1/2 in Irvine, CA
February 1 – Huntington Beach 1/2, CA
February 7 – Chili Trail Run 4 miler in Irvine, CA
February 21 – Race on the Base 10k in Los Alamitos, CA
March 8 – Malibu Creek 9k, Malibu, CA
March 29, Wine Country 1/2, Paso Robles, CA
So as you can see, this weekend I’ll be running a 1/2. I figured I needed to put in miles and just getting out there will be good for me. I have no insane goals because I know I’m not completely ready to push myself to the limit just quite yet, but it will be fun to race and I know the mileage will be really good.
I feel like these races are all very different from one another and most of my previous races and I’m really excited to try out the few trail runs I have signed up for. I think I will really enjoy the trail running aspect and I’m excited to try out my new shoes!
As for training, I talked about it with Mr. R, and he told me, “Look, you know how to run already, you should really think about strength training more.” I agree with him because strength equals speed. So therefore I am going to put in decent longer runs, but also work mostly on getting stronger, at least for right now. I know having a strong body for running is important and I know I could possibly have the weakest upper body around. My legs are good and strong from my miles, but my arms are about as useless as a T-rex’s arms.
So therefore in order to get stronger I’m going to do weight training twice a week, and then possibly take a class or do a video Pilate’s or yoga once a week, and cut back my running to three or four days a week, and just run more miles during these runs. I know if I get my core strong and upper body and my back to be strong I will be a much better running in the long term. I was also working really hard at sit ups, but during the holidays I kind of let that fall to the wayside. I know that the sit ups were really helping me so I want to get back to that and also I want to work hard at doing more push ups to make my back stronger.
This weekend, my goal is to finish in between 1:50 and 2:10. I know it’s a broad range, and I won’t be disappointed if I don’t hit that, but I’m also going to enjoy the race and just view it as a long training run with supporters all around me and free water and snacks! Another one of my goals this race is to practice running and drinking. The last half I did I had a big problem with the handling, sipping, the throwing, then the dodging of others cups. It was all just a little overwhelming so I’m really going to work on drinking during the race and I’m going to even try to eat a gu while running, which I’ve also never done before, and see if I can see a major difference. Of course I’ll be downing some delicious shot blox before the race like candy as well.
As for the other races, as they come near I’ll be posting their specific goals, and they will be much more precise and better than this weekend’s goals. 2009 is going to be a year of training and excitement! Even though I signed up for a lot of races, I would encourage you guys to sign up for races and get a race calendar going. Whether it’s a run/walk, a 5k, a 10k, or a marathon, just having a goal to complete that race is so motivational. It’s fun to count down until the day, and working out with an upcoming race also gives you a purpose to work out.
Having a workout plan is the best way to tackle exercise. Today since I’m talking about training, I wanted to share a great site with you guys.
It’s a great site that was started by Wes and Allyson Felix. Yes, the Allison Felix that just won the gold medal in Beijing for the Olympics. Oddly enough, Mr. R even knows Wes and he’s also a super legit runner. The website is full of great training tips and tricks that you can do on your own that really help tone and promote an overall healthy lifestyle. The best part about the website is that there is a free email newsletter that is created specifically for women. Once you sign up, you receive workouts in your email three times a week that were created by a personal trainer. It’s a lot of different ideas and stuff to target special areas, which is really great. They also have a fashion section on their website, with SUPER cute gym clothes and where to buy them, and also a health and then of course the fitness section. They also have great food, music and fashion sections, and a fun and upbeat blog that motivates and has great articles about everything in life.
I signed up for the site, and have been nothing but blow away by their ideas and getting the emails with the workouts is nice because it gives me the ability to mix things up. At the least I would encourage you to go over and check out what they have, it’s FREE after all. What more can a FREE workout in your email hurt?
Hope you enjoy them as much as I do, and have a great day! Tonight I’m going to be putting in a five miler at the park by Mr. R’s house before we watch the BL! If you haven’t watched Biggest Loser before, tonight’s the night, get hooked!
xoxo
Training Smaining
January 6, 2009
So I signed up for all my races through March yesterday. That left a little dent in the wallet to say the least, but here they are:
January 10 (as in this weekend) – Kaiser Permanente 1/2 in Irvine, CA
February 1 – Huntington Beach 1/2, CA
February 7 – Chili Trail Run 4 miler in Irvine, CA
February 21 – Race on the Base 10k in Los Alamitos, CA
March 8 – Malibu Creek 9k, Malibu, CA
March 29, Wine Country 1/2, Paso Robles, CA
So as you can see, this weekend I’ll be running a 1/2. I figured I needed to put in miles and just getting out there will be good for me. I have no insane goals because I know I’m not completely ready to push myself to the limit just quite yet, but it will be fun to race and I know the mileage will be really good.
I feel like these races are all very different from one another and most of my previous races and I’m really excited to try out the few trail runs I have signed up for. I think I will really enjoy the trail running aspect and I’m excited to try out my new shoes!
As for training, I talked about it with Mr. R, and he told me, “Look, you know how to run already, you should really think about strength training more.” I agree with him because strength equals speed. So therefore I am going to put in decent longer runs, but also work mostly on getting stronger, at least for right now. I know having a strong body for running is important and I know I could possibly have the weakest upper body around. My legs are good and strong from my miles, but my arms are about as useless as a T-rex’s arms.
So therefore in order to get stronger I’m going to do weight training twice a week, and then possibly take a class or do a video Pilate’s or yoga once a week, and cut back my running to three or four days a week, and just run more miles during these runs. I know if I get my core strong and upper body and my back to be strong I will be a much better running in the long term. I was also working really hard at sit ups, but during the holidays I kind of let that fall to the wayside. I know that the sit ups were really helping me so I want to get back to that and also I want to work hard at doing more push ups to make my back stronger.
This weekend, my goal is to finish in between 1:50 and 2:10. I know it’s a broad range, and I won’t be disappointed if I don’t hit that, but I’m also going to enjoy the race and just view it as a long training run with supporters all around me and free water and snacks! Another one of my goals this race is to practice running and drinking. The last half I did I had a big problem with the handling, sipping, the throwing, then the dodging of others cups. It was all just a little overwhelming so I’m really going to work on drinking during the race and I’m going to even try to eat a gu while running, which I’ve also never done before, and see if I can see a major difference. Of course I’ll be downing some delicious shot blox before the race like candy as well.
As for the other races, as they come near I’ll be posting their specific goals, and they will be much more precise and better than this weekend’s goals. 2009 is going to be a year of training and excitement! Even though I signed up for a lot of races, I would encourage you guys to sign up for races and get a race calendar going. Whether it’s a run/walk, a 5k, a 10k, or a marathon, just having a goal to complete that race is so motivational. It’s fun to count down until the day, and working out with an upcoming race also gives you a purpose to work out.
Having a workout plan is the best way to tackle exercise. Today since I’m talking about training, I wanted to share a great site with you guys.
It’s a great site that was started by Wes and Allyson Felix. Yes, the Allison Felix that just won the gold medal in Beijing for the Olympics. Oddly enough, Mr. R even knows Wes and he’s also a super legit runner. The website is full of great training tips and tricks that you can do on your own that really help tone and promote an overall healthy lifestyle. The best part about the website is that there is a free email newsletter that is created specifically for women. Once you sign up, you receive workouts in your email three times a week that were created by a personal trainer. It’s a lot of different ideas and stuff to target special areas, which is really great. They also have a fashion section on their website, with SUPER cute gym clothes and where to buy them, and also a health and then of course the fitness section. They also have great food, music and fashion sections, and a fun and upbeat blog that motivates and has great articles about everything in life.
I signed up for the site, and have been nothing but blow away by their ideas and getting the emails with the workouts is nice because it gives me the ability to mix things up. At the least I would encourage you to go over and check out what they have, it’s FREE after all. What more can a FREE workout in your email hurt?
Hope you enjoy them as much as I do, and have a great day! Tonight I’m going to be putting in a five miler at the park by Mr. R’s house before we watch the BL! If you haven’t watched Biggest Loser before, tonight’s the night, get hooked!
xoxo
Biggest Loser and a class at the gym…
November 12, 2008
After my last post I have some clarification. First off, I do not have the body to run in a sports bra. I ran in it based solely on the fact I thought no one would be around, therefore my plans were spoiled with a parade of all things. Secondly, the sports bra I was wearing was over six years old, and I said it was purple, well I would also have to add that it’s very, VERY faded and dirty looking, but it’s my absolute favorite. Thirdly, many of you commented how you would just turn around. Well I have this weird thing where once I plan out my run, I cannot venture off the path. If I’m doing a long run down by the beach and I say I’m going to turn around at the pier, I have to make myself run all the way to pier and back. I had mentally mapped out my run in my head that Friday night for that Saturday morning and sure enough, I couldn’t turn around because that would ruin my plan. I know I’m a little OCD when it comes to planning, you’re not the first to realize this. It bodes well when I work with my special events planner friend, and I do see myself possibly getting into the field again. (gasp, I’ve been planning special events for the past three years!) I get harped on for planning out my schedule weeks in advance and I even plan when I’m running, what routes, everything. So therefore, I couldn’t turn around and had to travel the parade route.
So many of you know my love for the show Biggest Loser. Well last nights episode gave me more than enough to blog about for the next four months. First, I completely understand that it’s TV and they can spin people to look how they want to, but seriously, VICKI and BRADY! Are you kidding me. This family is super mean and totally game playing. I was SO HAPPY that Amy .C. thought for herself and knew that Brady was a bigger threat and voted him off.
First off, I love Phil and Amy, they are so cute, and “seem” super nice, considerate, and caring. No one is spiteful on the show besides Vicki and Brady and Ed and Heba. Vicki and Brady are RIDICULOUS to laugh at Phil when the challenge was going on, and he fell off his stair stepper. Man, I was cheering for Stacy to win, but unfortunately Ed, whom the bf and I are not a fan of either came back to win and get back on the show. The schemers made the whole house uncomfortable and I couldn’t believe that Vicki and Heba were taunting the black team when Phil went home. It might be scripted, but I feel like you can’t get Vicki to say such mean spiteful things for no reason.
It’s funny because I think Heba thinks they would all ‘stick together’ but I know they would all stab each other in the back given the chance to win the money. Oh and by the way, can I please work out one session with Jillian!? Gosh! I am going to get her video and give it a try one of these days, it looks super fun and I know she would kick my butt and I would totally love her 30 day shred. Felice over at the Happy Runner said that they work super good and that she can ‘feel them working’. That is the best feeling ever.
So tonight I’m going to take a class at the local 24 hour fitness, Amp’d Abs. I used to take it often back in college when I didn’t have much to do with my life and I would go to the gym more often. I looked for the class at my new gym and they only had it at 10:30 am. I found a gym by my work and it is at 6:15 pm, so I’ll get off work at 5:45, and head over, ready to get my abs back in shape. The class seriously kills you, but it feels so good. I think then I’ll run for 45 minutes and maybe do a little bit of weights.
Today on Marcy’s blog she showed me the light about the Sports Authority Outlet! So many great deals there! A lot of t-shirts, shorts, anything you name it, they’ve got it, and super great prices. Also her blog is hilarious and today’s was no different with her story of taking her kids to Chuck-e-cheese.
Also I found these funny little bowls for many of you that run with a dog, or have one at home. They are called Slurpabowls and are portable bowls that ensure you’ll always have a container for your pets water or food. Can fit on a leash, in a purse, or in a pocket. It holds up to two cups of food or water and it folds flat and can be reused a few times. It’s also recyclable. It’s 8.95 for six.
You can find these bowls here!
And this could be the sickest thing I’ve ever bought!
The Nike ThermaFIT hatphones. You can move, groove, and stay warm in the Nike® + women’s Soft Shell Therma-FIT® Cap. I’m already obsessed because my little ears FREEZE in the mornings. It’s a comfortable skullcap that features fully functional iPod® Nano click wheel controls through the power mesh window in back, so you can keep moving while mixing up your music. I don’t really think I’ll be doing too much “mixing” but skipping a boring song sounds good to me. Get your own here!
Thanks for all the concern about me actually running into the wall. My arm is healing well! So I’m compiling a post of all things that anyone who runs or exercises should ask for for Christmas. If you have anything that you would like to see on the list or something that has changed your life.. (I.E. the stick 
) then shoot me over an email at danicakoo@gmail.com
Biggest Loser and a class at the gym…
November 12, 2008
After my last post I have some clarification. First off, I do not have the body to run in a sports bra. I ran in it based solely on the fact I thought no one would be around, therefore my plans were spoiled with a parade of all things. Secondly, the sports bra I was wearing was over six years old, and I said it was purple, well I would also have to add that it’s very, VERY faded and dirty looking, but it’s my absolute favorite. Thirdly, many of you commented how you would just turn around. Well I have this weird thing where once I plan out my run, I cannot venture off the path. If I’m doing a long run down by the beach and I say I’m going to turn around at the pier, I have to make myself run all the way to pier and back. I had mentally mapped out my run in my head that Friday night for that Saturday morning and sure enough, I couldn’t turn around because that would ruin my plan. I know I’m a little OCD when it comes to planning, you’re not the first to realize this. It bodes well when I work with my special events planner friend, and I do see myself possibly getting into the field again. (gasp, I’ve been planning special events for the past three years!) I get harped on for planning out my schedule weeks in advance and I even plan when I’m running, what routes, everything. So therefore, I couldn’t turn around and had to travel the parade route.
So many of you know my love for the show Biggest Loser. Well last nights episode gave me more than enough to blog about for the next four months. First, I completely understand that it’s TV and they can spin people to look how they want to, but seriously, VICKI and BRADY! Are you kidding me. This family is super mean and totally game playing. I was SO HAPPY that Amy .C. thought for herself and knew that Brady was a bigger threat and voted him off.
First off, I love Phil and Amy, they are so cute, and “seem” super nice, considerate, and caring. No one is spiteful on the show besides Vicki and Brady and Ed and Heba. Vicki and Brady are RIDICULOUS to laugh at Phil when the challenge was going on, and he fell off his stair stepper. Man, I was cheering for Stacy to win, but unfortunately Ed, whom the bf and I are not a fan of either came back to win and get back on the show. The schemers made the whole house uncomfortable and I couldn’t believe that Vicki and Heba were taunting the black team when Phil went home. It might be scripted, but I feel like you can’t get Vicki to say such mean spiteful things for no reason.
It’s funny because I think Heba thinks they would all ‘stick together’ but I know they would all stab each other in the back given the chance to win the money. Oh and by the way, can I please work out one session with Jillian!? Gosh! I am going to get her video and give it a try one of these days, it looks super fun and I know she would kick my butt and I would totally love her 30 day shred. Felice over at the Happy Runner said that they work super good and that she can ‘feel them working’. That is the best feeling ever.
So tonight I’m going to take a class at the local 24 hour fitness, Amp’d Abs. I used to take it often back in college when I didn’t have much to do with my life and I would go to the gym more often. I looked for the class at my new gym and they only had it at 10:30 am. I found a gym by my work and it is at 6:15 pm, so I’ll get off work at 5:45, and head over, ready to get my abs back in shape. The class seriously kills you, but it feels so good. I think then I’ll run for 45 minutes and maybe do a little bit of weights.
Today on Marcy’s blog she showed me the light about the Sports Authority Outlet! So many great deals there! A lot of t-shirts, shorts, anything you name it, they’ve got it, and super great prices. Also her blog is hilarious and today’s was no different with her story of taking her kids to Chuck-e-cheese.
Also I found these funny little bowls for many of you that run with a dog, or have one at home. They are called Slurpabowls and are portable bowls that ensure you’ll always have a container for your pets water or food. Can fit on a leash, in a purse, or in a pocket. It holds up to two cups of food or water and it folds flat and can be reused a few times. It’s also recyclable. It’s 8.95 for six.
You can find these bowls here!
And this could be the sickest thing I’ve ever bought!
The Nike ThermaFIT hatphones. You can move, groove, and stay warm in the Nike® + women’s Soft Shell Therma-FIT® Cap. I’m already obsessed because my little ears FREEZE in the mornings. It’s a comfortable skullcap that features fully functional iPod® Nano click wheel controls through the power mesh window in back, so you can keep moving while mixing up your music. I don’t really think I’ll be doing too much “mixing” but skipping a boring song sounds good to me. Get your own here!
Thanks for all the concern about me actually running into the wall. My arm is healing well! So I’m compiling a post of all things that anyone who runs or exercises should ask for for Christmas. If you have anything that you would like to see on the list or something that has changed your life.. (I.E. the stick ) then shoot me over an email at danicakoo@gmail.com
