Back pain: when things get awkward
So I’ve injured my pain. And let me just say, back pain is horrible, people.
I had a back spasm about a year ago, so I was sure that was what was going on this time. (It was the week before the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Really? Again? Yes, again. Back spasm the week of the race again. At some point, this is just statistically stupid.)
I went to the doctor and was treated for the spasm, but the pain still lingers. This time it was more than a spasm. I started physical therapy last week, and long story short, the bones in my back are not cooperating with one another. It was a long, gross story the physical therapist told me, and I honestly was blocking out half of what she said because I am the biggest medical wimp of all time. At one point, I actually asked her to put away the plastic spine model. She ignored me.
Anyway, I asked my doctor why this happens in the first place. I want to prevent this from happening again, which it likely will the week before the 2013 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. There are two main risk factors, he said:
1. Being an athlete.
2. Being overweight.
So when you’re an overweight athlete, it’s a 1-2 punch. My back never saw it coming.
But my doctor was quick to say that he’d rather I be an overweight athlete than an overweight sedentary person. (Really, the best case scenario is an athlete at a healthy weight, but we all already know that.) So as I recover, the goal is to continue running and playing sports. A little less weight on my bones wouldn’t hurt, either.
Beer and running: it’s happening at McNellie’s
Have you ever wanted to run and get drunk at the same time? Problem solved, my friends.
Here’s some information about the second annual McNellie’s Pub Run. And as if a pub run doesn’t sound fun enough, the event benefits a worth cause: the Chad Peery Fund. As I’m sure you remember, Peery is the police officer who was paralyzed while trying to break up a bar fight while he was off duty. So that’s your incentive if you’re like me and don’t much care for beer.
OKLAHOMA CITY – The second-annual McNellie’s Pub Run to benefit the Chad Peery Fund will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19 at the McNellie’s midtown location. In partnership with Red Coyote Running and Fitness, the Pub Run will feature several running options including, a traditional four mile run, the Guinness Challenge and a one mile fun run. The Guinness Challenge is a special category where participants finish three, 12-ounce Guinness pints during the four mile run.
WHO: James E. McNellie’s and Red Coyote Running and Fitness
WHAT: To host second-annual McNellie’s Pub Run to benefit the Chad Peery Fund
WHEN: 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, May 19
WHERE: McNellie’s
1100 Classen Drive
Oklahoma City
For more information about the McNellie’s Pub Run, visit www.mcnelliespubrun.com.
Michelle Obama and I discuss best workout music
If First Lady Michelle Obama and I have one thing in common, it’s that we’re super awesome. If we have another thing in common, it’s that we love to listen to good workout music. She shared her Top 10 workout songs with Women’s Health magazine, and turns out, the First Lady knows how to get moving. I love her No. 1 pick: Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”
I’m going to be honest. I just listened to it now sitting at my desk. I’m not even running. It took everything I had not to sing along here at work. However, I might or might not be dancing with my feet under my desk and mouthing along whenever my coworker isn’t sitting across from me at her desk.
What’s your favorite running song? I think this might be mine: “Ehlala” by Zola, a South African hip-hop artist. It just makes me so happy. Full disclosure: There are some swear words. I have no idea what any of the non-English words are, so there might even be more than I know about. So there’s that. It’s still a great running song.
Ultra-marathoner hosting free barefoot running clinic in Oklahoma City
In case you hate shoes, here’s some info about events coming up just in time for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon:
Backwoods, Inc., today announced world renown ultra-marathoner Jason Robillard’s visit to Oklahoma City and an in-store clinic with the athlete Friday, April 27, 2012 from 7p.m. to 9p.m. For this event, Backwoods has partnered with Merrell to bring awareness to the ever growing sport of barefoot and minimalist running. The event will be hands-on, customers will have the opportunity to try Merrell’s line of barefoot shoes and participants will have a chance to go on a short run with Robillard and staff. Backwoods’ Oklahoma City store is located at 12315 N. May Avenue, Suite 103, Oklahoma City, OK 73120.
“We have seen the level of interest in barefoot and minimalist running grow over the past few years and wanted to offer our customers the chance to meet the expert, as well as hear how to make a safe transition to barefoot running,” Jennifer Mull, Backwoods’ chief executive officer, said. “We understand how important the outdoors are to this community and we want to make sure we are providing our customers with the information and products they need to enjoy all that this city, and the surrounding areas, have to offer.”
Barefoot running consists of running with nothing on the runner’s feet while minimalist running means running in shoes that provide limited or no support, only minimal protection.
The clinic at Backwoods will be lead by Jason Robillard, who has over 20 years experience as a barefoot runner and logs nearly 100 miles per week training. Robillard is also founder and director of Barefoot Running University. As a barefoot runner, he has competed 5k, 10k, 15k, half-marathon, 25k, marathon, 50 mile and 100 mile distances barefoot. He is also the author of “The Barefoot Running Book: The Art and Science of Barefoot & Minimalist Shoe Running,” a book that outlines how anyone can transition to this style of running.
“We are very excited to have Robillard join us at Backwoods to share his experiences as a barefoot and minimalist runner. There is no one in the industry who can give a stronger narrative on the sport,” Tom Adams, general manager, said. “As this sport continues to grow, his expertise will be welcomed by runners here in Oklahoma City and across the state.”
2012 Redbud Classic photos
Winds tricks runners into dehydration during warm spring
This weekend, I had to cut my long run short. I blame the wind.
My 7-mile plan quickly turned into a 5-mile trek when I got a pulsating headache. If I walked, it faded away. If I ran, it came back with a roar.
I had some water and a healthy breakfast before I went out. I took water with me on the run. So what happened?
I’m pretty sure that the Oklahoma wind that puts my hair in knots tricked me into thinking it wasn’t as hot as it really was. Temperatures were creeping toward 90, but I didn’t feel it at all. I was sweating, of course, but I wasn’t dying.
Turns out, I wasn’t as acclimated to late-morning running as I thought I was, and I didn’t drink enough water at all. So, lesson learned on that one. You won’t fool me next week, wind.
Kids in the Oklahoma City Princess Run and Little Dude Dash will help Salvation Army
Oh my gosh. Yes. I’m so excited. So. Excited. The is a race for adorable little girls and boys.
The third annual Princess Run and Little Dude Dash that will be at 2 p.m. April 1. The girls run in 2k and the boys is 1k. The race is for ages 12 and younger.The run will be in the Oklahoma City Boathouse District, which “will transform into a fairy tale village.” Yes. Proceeds benefit The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma and The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club.
The run is put on by runhers, a women’s running group based in Oklahoma City that promotes health and other fabulous things.
“The Princess Run and Little Dude Dash Festival is designed to celebrate and delight in our youth. On this day, these kids are our focus and with this being a kids’ only event (parents can run w/kids), our creativity and imagination allows us to be as playful as they are with this festival,” said runhers special projects director Sheila Kidder. “We want the event to entertain, engage and celebrate our amazing kids while offering support and awareness for all the great things that the Salvation Army OKC does for our youth.”
I just heard about this today and immediately was all over it. My daughter is 2 1/2, but I would love, love, love for her to do this. I’m waiting to hear back from the organizers to find out if I can walk along with her. She’s a little shy, so she might want some moral support.
This is going to be great, people.
Pound Per Person carries weight for victims
This is pretty amazing.
A good run that felt bad
I’ve decided that the first three miles are the absolute worst three miles of any run. My body completely disagrees with me about what we should be doing.
My brain: “Let’s go for a run! It will be cold outside and we can work on rebuilding our cardiovascular stamina!”
My body: “Let’s go for a nap! There will be lots of blankets!”
This is how things went yesterday, when I dragged myself kicking and screaming for four miles. It was awful. I walked a million times, was passed by someone more than twice my age and generally felt awful. By the time I got back to my car, I was sure my outing lasted 56 hours. When I checked my phone, though, I was so excited to see that I was only 30 slower than my race pace. My race pace? Oh yes. That’s how fast I was going. (And when I say “fast” I mean “less slow than normal.”)
How on earth did that happen? I felt terrible the whole time. It all goes back to getting your body to agree with your brain. For me, it took the entire run. But at least the ending was exciting.
Only three days left before OKC marathon price goes up
If you plan to run in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon (or the half marathon, five-man relay, 5k or kids events), you might want to go ahead and register. The prices go up Monday for all the events except the kids marathon. The price doesn’t go up again until April, so sign up and save a little cash.
| Thru Dec. 1, 2011 | Dec. 2, 2011 – Jan. 1, 2012 | Jan. 2 - April 1, 2012 |
After April 1, 2012 | At Expo | |||||
| Marathon | $80.00 | $95.00 | $110.00 | $120.00 | $130.00 | ||||
| Half-Marathon | $60.00 | $65.00 | $80.00 | $90.00 | $100.00 | ||||
| 5-Person Relay | $225.00 | $250.00 | $275.00 | $300.00 | $325.00 | ||||
| Memorial 5K (Adult) | $30.00 | $35.00 | $40.00 | $45.00 | $50.00 | ||||
| Memorial 5K (Age 12 and Under) | $15.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 | ||||
| Kid’s Marathon (Adult) | $20.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | ||||
| Kid’s Marathon (Kid) | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
