Azalea Trail Run

Tomorrow morning will be one of the largest and most popular races in Mobile. Recap to follow...

Shin, Achilles, calf stretch...strange but effective!

Move of the Week

Most of you know I suffer from shin splints every once in a while. I have been trying new exercises in the gym that have really helped me strengthen those muscles that are not strong enough and cause me to have shin splints. So here is one that I try to do 2-3 times a week at the gym.

I use the smith machine and a basic step/box. I start out with 10lb weights on each side for 2 sets and go up 10lbs on the last two sets. Its a very simple strengthening exercise anyone can do. You can see the "shin" muscles working. Also for those of you who have achilles problems this is a great way to stretch them out so that they are not tight and risk injury.

QOD...What exercises do you do for strengthening that arent "traditional"?

8 lbs water weight?

8lbs, what?

Have you ever stepped on the scale and been "shocked" at the number on that tiny little screen? "Shocked" in the bad way, not the good way. Well I was on Tuesday, I weighed in 8 lbs heavier than I had 3 days previous. Well at that point I had 2 options; throw the darn thing out the window because it must be wrong or do something about it. I chose the latter. I got in my car and went to the grocery store and bought the following items, chicken, brown rice, brocoli, sweet potato, ground turkey, and a small bag of baby shrimp. Along with new tupperware. Lean down time...So the madness in the kitchen began and this is what it looked like when I was done.

15 healthy grab and go meals. ahhhhhh! the breakdown looks like this

I would say that there are no more excuses for being lazy and not having anything to eat. So I hope you take this and go make yourself some healthy food!

Please feel free to contact [email protected]

Talk about it Tuesday!

Whether it big or small, what have you triumphed over lately?



Chasing a leprechaun and celebrating friends PR's

There are alot of reasons I like running races. I am always trying to become a better runner but I am realizing that there is more to it than just PRing. One of my favorite times at races is when my friends PR or place in their age groups. Sunday was especially fun and this is why...

The Leprechaun Chase 5K, 10K, and 2 mile fun run

Jennifer, Theresa, Jennie, and I took on the the VERY hilly  10Kcourse in Robertsdale on Sunday. I knew going into this race I was not going to have a good race. My legs were locked up from 2 heavy leg days in the gym and I was cramping the last 4 miles. But enough about my run. I was there to celebrate wins from all my friends.

Jennifer, the BFF, Pr'd on her 10K. She has so much energy, I swear its the Advocare products she takes. I am definetly going to look into that. Jennifer was the reason I started running. Yeah I have her to thank for the craziness that is running in my life. She runs a kickass bootcamp class out at the Semmes Community Center, you should go try her class out, its fantabulous. Find them here Rock-N-Body Bootcamp.






Theresa, PR'd on Saturday in her 5K and then turned around and PR'd in her 10K on Sunday. Talk about a fantastic weekend. Then to top it off she placed 3rd in her age group in the 10K. She is one of the most level headed, motivating runner friends that I have ever met. I first met Theresa at Jennifers bootcamp class and we have been friends ever since. Now if I can just get her to run a freaking half marathon, HINT HINT!







Keith and Rebecca, placed first in the 5K. They are really fast running friends. Like 18/19 minute 5Kers, yeah fast! LOL. However they are super cool and Rebecca loves crazy socks almost as much as I do and I am super ok with that:) I am hoping to go out to San Diego in June with Rebecca. If your reading this Rebecca, Its on! Anyone have any flyer miles we can have? LOL

So if the only reason you run is for yourself, open your eyes look around and enjoy it more. I know I am. So whether you PR or have what I call an EPIC FAIL run, FINISH and enjoy yourself, theres always another run!

 

Running Store? Yes Please!

The power of the right shoe!

Alot of my friends and people I meet tell me that they don't run because their feet hurt or their shin splints are bad, and their knees hurt, etc. The first thing I ask them about is their shoes. The important of the right shoe for the right activity is vital in your success in that activity. I was amazed at some of their answers. Most people were wearing the same tennis shoes that they had had for years. No wonder they aren't succeeding. So I thought I would talk about one of my favorite local running stores.

I first heard about Run-N-Tri through my friend Ray, The Man About Town. he had been using them for a while for all of his running needs. So when I got my favorite highlighter yellow Saucony Kinvaras, I went and paid them a visit. The staff was so nice when I came in with my own shoes wanting a gait check. A gait check is done on the treadmill where they record how your ankle and foot hit the ground as your running and from their they can suggest the right shoes for you that actually fit. And hopefully solve alot of the pains and aches that you may be experiencing from wearing those old sneakers. ;) A gait check takes about 5 minutes. This is how it works...

From www.run-n-tri.com

The GAIT...

Strike Analysis One of the neatest services we provide for our customers is our free Gait Analysis. A Gait Analysis, or running style assessment, is a free service we provide to all our customers when buying their running shoes. Running shoes are specifically designed to address a vast variety of foot shapes, weight differences, and bio-mechanical anomalies. It is difficult to know which shoe will work best for you without this analysis. One of the first steps to being correctly fitted for running shoes is to have your gait analyzed. At Run-N-Tri, we will assess your gait and foot strike as you test different shoes on our treadmill. Video feedback will let you see what we see and show you how different shoes will work for you.

Pressure AnalysisRun-N-Tri has an AETREX iStep pressure plate which captures your foot type, arch, pressure points, balance, width and length of your feet. The iStep is a revolutionary, digital foot analysis system. We also have a foot strike analysis with video recording and slow motion reviewing capabilities to analyze individual stride. Two treadmills allow us to video record your stride and give you the opportunity to test multiple shoes. Our associates are highly trained both in our technology and customer service to ensure each customer gets personal time and attention. We ensure each customer is in the appropriate shoes.

Having this free service done will be the best thing you could ever do for your feet. One of my favorite things also is getting to try on the many style and brand shoes Run-N-Tri carry

They have a ton of apparel, socks, and training supplies for all of your walking, running, swimming, and cycling needs. If they dont have it, they will find it for you.

I am a new runner and have had the same ups and downs as anyone else has had, however having the strength to ask questions and meet people that I consider professionals in the sport, I am starting to feel more and more like a "runner" everyday. Trust me 10 months ago I couldn't run a block without walking, now I can run 13 mile straight. I may not be the fastest or the thinest or the "typical half marathoner", but guess what I am! If I can do it, anyone can and the fact that now I have a great store with a great staff  right down the street makes it even easier for me to continue my journey of running the Marine Corp Marathon with Team Inheritance of Hope on Oct 28th.

Everyone has 5 minutes go use it wisely at

Run-N-Tri Company Mobile           

6345-L Airport Blvd., Piccadilly Square           

Mobile, AL 36608

Phone: 251-340-8101

Behind Shoe Station

Make sure that you LIKE Run-N-Tri on Facebook. They are always having specials and even giveaways on their Facebook page. Just ask my brother, he is the proud owner of a new pair of Asics.

All he had to do was be the first one there and if they fit he could have them. Yes hes a happy camper, now I just have to get him to start running with me;)

And one last thing. Any company that can run 13.1/26.2 miles while dressed as superheroes are all right in my book. I love this pic!

Run-N-Tri Gulfport/Mobile running as superheroes in the 2012 Rock N Roll New Orleans

1/2 Marathon/Marathon on March 4th,2012.

Make sure you tell them that Ray, The Man About Town and Larisa at 0to26point2 sent ya!

Donate HERE for Team Inheritance of Hope. Help us reach our goal for the 2012 Marine Corp Marathon on Oct.28th.

Rock N Roll New Orleans weekend...

I HAD THE BEST TIME EVER THIS PAST WEEKEND...

WHERE DO I START?

We packed up to leave for New Orleans on Friday!

We left on Friday so that we could spend the WHOLE weekend down there. Also because from past experience I knew we needed to go to the expo on Friday, mainly to avoid the crowd of Saturday. So off to the expo we went...

We got our bibs and swag bags and headed on into a runners dream. If you cant find something at the expo, then you just need to go home. Its crazy. we spent about 3 hours there and still didnt see it all and decided to some back on Saturday. So we had dinner at Rock N Saki, then headed to the pizza and beer place then went to bed!

So we wake up on Satuday and get ready to head to the expo. We walked outside and OMG the wind was sooooo bad. I started praying the weather would get better for the race on Sunday morning. I was not looking forward to a head wind, been there done that! Anyways we got ot the expo and went a test drove a Dodge challenger and let me say this car was a BEAST. Dodge is one of the official sponsors of The Rock N Roll series and they had a promotion if you test drove or rode in one of their cars you got a free $25 AE gift card and so of course we were ALL over that.

Then we hit the expo and hit the streets of New Orleans. We had about 4 hours to burn before meeting everyone for a runners prerace meal at The Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, my favorite place in the world to eat! So we had beignets and walked the french quarters with my new friends Jon and Lindsay.

 Then met everyone for dinner

We ate and went to sleep

Race Day

WE lined up at corral 19 for some pictures and friend time.

Our shirts were designed by my friend Darlene over at D's sporting goods in Semmes, she did an awesome job and everyone was complimentimg us on them. Wow my legs look like freaking toothpicks in the picture, hmmm! We had a blast at the start line, our actual corral did not start until like 7:35, so we had plenty of time to chill and socialize. And I got to hang out with this guy longer

my wonderful husband who retired from running after 2 5k's, yeah I know! lol

And these people

Sara and Justin, the future marathoners, it was nice to have friends there supporting our craziness and cheering us in. Love you guys!

After that our corral was up and off we were on our way to 13.1.

 Jennifer and I had decided to run together and pace each other and it worked, we had a blast. The only thing I can complain about is that the amount of bobbing and weaving we did around all of the people walking was a little ridiculous. People really need to estimate their finish time better. We lost alot of time trying to get through the crowds of walkers. Other than that the weather was perfect, the wind was gone and we just ran, ran, and ran.

Look theres Ray, The Man About Town

We came to Mile 12 and I knew we were almost done and Jennifer and I actually picked up the pace, we came through the finish line at 2:41, It was very emotional esp for Jenn. Her momma had drove over to surprise her at the finish line and it was very emotional, I even teared up.

Its a great feeling to accomplish something a year ago you thought was never gonna happen. We can now call ourselves half marathoners. YAYA

So we got our medals

And found our friends

And realxed the rest of the day before coming home. All in all, it was great weather, great friends old and new, and a great race. I can now say...

Until next time, keep training and keep running, the skys the limit.



Today is the day...

New Orleans bound...2 days till we line up. Updates coming....