Workout of doom
Turns out, working out while ill is a horrible plan.
My pal encouraged me to join her for some butt-kicking cross training. Our soccer team has been taking a break, so I’ve been looking for something entertaining. I was excited to try this mysterious, gut-busting ordeal. It was intense – donkey kicks, burpees and lots of other jumping-around-things that I don’t know the names of.
Until about halfway through the first set when I took a break. As I caught my breath and cooled off, I realized my face was flushing hot. Like, super hot. I had to sit down. That’s when it hit me.
“Please don’t throw up in this gym. Please don’t throw up in this gym.”
Megan walked me into the bathroom.
“Please don’t pass out in this gym. Please don’t pass out in this gym.”
The good news: I didn’t pass out. The bad news: I did get sick.
I’ve surmised that I had a stomach bug that my daughter broguht home from school. Awesome. But getting up early, I didn’t give myself a chance to figure out if I felt good or not. Lesson learned.
As I was sitting on the bathroom floor, begging myself not to faint in front of my running buddy, she told me that probably the gym bathrooms were probably the cleanest of all the bathrooms in our office.
That’s what friends are for, people.
Stumbling into a group run
Tuesday morning I missed my training run.
Just rolled over and slept right through it.
All day I beat myself up.
“It’s only week two and you’re already skipping runs?”
I kept staring at the 20 week training calendar I’ve created in Google Docs and wishing I could make the little square aqua green indicating I’d done my 3 mile easy run for the day.
So I enlisted help.
When I got home from work my husband was ready to run. We packed up the dog and headed down to the OKC river trails to do a quick 3 miles out and back from the boat houses to Walker Ave.
It wasn’t too hot. The run seemed to fly by and when we were walking back to our car we passed a joyous group of runners who were having a pot luck.
Beer was forced into our hands, cookies, watermelon and an amazing upside-down German chocolate cake. We met fellow runners, talked about training, sports, dogs and Oklahoma City. We sat and watched the evening rowing teams come in off the river.
Turns out this informal club meets every Tuesday night under the bridge between the two boat houses for a group run and a potluck after work. We were encouraged to come back. Not a hard sell. It actually fits perfectly into my spring training schedule that I’ve just begun to get ready for the half marathon in Tulsa in November.
It was perhaps the most fortuitous missed workout ever!
Next time I’ll know to bring snacks to share and that I can sleep in on Tuesdays without a twinge of guilt.
For more information about the group check out: http://riversportokc.org/run-cycle/novice
Runners at the Endeavor Games
Celebrate National Running Day in Oklahoma City with runhers
Last night, my daughter pulled my running shoes out of my bag and told me, “Want to race.”
Be still my beating heart.
After her absolute disdain for the Princess Run – at the time, only to apparently love it afterward – I thought she was out on the whole idea of running. I guess not. I don’t have any races on my calendar right now because I’m trying to choose my next big run, so I wasn’t sure what to tell her other than that we’d race again soon.
Then I got the best email ever today. What’s better than a 5k? A free 5k. Really? Yes, really. Here’s the info:
runhers, Metro Family Magazine and DG Productions have teamed up to produce a free Family Fun 5K on June 6th, 7:00pm at OKC’s Stars and Stripes Park at Lake Hefner celebrating National Running Day.
NewsChannel 4’s Joleen Chaney will be the hosting, along with Strive for 85’s 12 year old Mason Carter Harvey, who has lost 85 pounds and is on a quest to engage/encourage other kids and families to start living a healthier and happier lifestyle.
National Running Day, which was started by the New York Road Runners, is held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing commitment.
Sarah Taylor, Metro Family Magazines publisher states, “Taking part is easy. Just wear your running shoes, grab a friend, and come out to Stars & Stripes Park in Oklahoma City for a free 5K run! The free event is open to all ages and abilities. We will provide free chip timing compliments of OKC based DG Road Racing. Moreover, we will be providing free finish area fluids and treats (generously provided by Homeland Stores)!”
runhers special projects director Sheila Kidder states, “This free event is driven by our passion to help our community engage in healthier activities that most family members can do. A 5K (3.1 miles) is a very doable distance – many people can even walk at a 15 minute per mile pace! By introducing a low key, safe and free event – we hope to get more people started on the path for a healthier lifestyle.”
Here are 6 Great Reasons to Run!
1. Running is one of the most convenient and inexpensive forms of exercise available
2. It is a great way to meet new friends and socialize with a healthy activity bond
3. Most men and women run to stay in shape, stay healthy, relieve stress, socialize and have fun.
4. Running helps with stress reduction, emotional strain and even mild depression.
5. Regular runners tend to be happier than their sedentary peers
6. New runners can easily find a program that is right for them, based on their ability and available time to train.
about runhers® women’s association
runhers is a dynamic and creative women’s lifestyle organization. runhers is built on the belief that women must move to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. We produce lifestyle programs, trainings, creative forums, entertainment & amazing events. If you can imagine a better you, we can help you create it. To engage more, please visit us at www.runhers.com or facebook.com/runhers – twitter @runhers – email info@runhers.com
About Metro Family Magazine
Since 1998, our passion has been to help OKC/metro area parents be more successful and have more fun with their families. Each monthly issue includes the area’s best calendar of family events and quality editorial that supports family relationships. Just as valuable to parents is the connection to MFM advertisers who provide important local family services and products.
About DG Productions
DG Productions, Inc. intends to be the leader in road racing coordinating, management, and timing in Oklahoma. We will accomplish this by offering the client superior service in a courteous manner at a fair price. Our intent is to assist the Race Director in any practical means to create a professional and enjoyable event
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.
