Articles in September, 2012, Page 2

Running and Training are Not the Same Thing

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Cait — 8 Comments ↓

Running is simple, training is not. Training also hurts a heck of a lot more. But, getting back to the first one there, running really isn’t all that complex: right foot, left foot, right foot, repeat. Don’t get me wrong, that incredibly simple and repetitive motion is addicting as all heck and something I’d rather not live without; however, training is a completely separate entity from the mere act of running.

I think she’s training…the mean mushroom men chasing her are just making sure she hits pace. 😉

Training is methodical, there needs to be a method to the madness, many more variables need to be considered and getting back to the inevitable truth: it hurts a heck of a lot more. Runners in training need to be able to look at the big picture, how each run fits into the whole; you can’t just take it day by day. This rigidity might sound like a turn-off, but the rewards that come from training are also a bit unique from that which you get from pleasure running alone. I think because you suffer more, when you’re done you respect the process and YOURSELF in a different way, namely more.

And to be honest your training schedule doesn’t have to be viewed like a rigid schedule; in fact it shouldn’t be. There needs to be flexibility because running is the same across the board in this regard: you can’t plan for everything. The human body is one complex creature and sports performance is a science riddled with variables and unknowns. You see, we don’t know all the answers, which kinds of training programs or philosophies work the best, and then which workouts and training cycles fit the individual. So there needs to be flexibility with any training program because there will be days when your body is sending you signs that for that particular day you need to adjust the workout; it could be that you need to cut back or it could be that you’re fitter than you predicted and should up the goal paces…things you can’t know three months prior. Sometimes with running and training, you just never know.

Though there are lots we DO know and here’s some distinct differences between running and training:

* With training, even with a flexible plan, you still need to see everything you do as a piece of the whole. Think to yourself before you do any run, extra cross-training, weights, core, etc, “How is this going to help me in the big picture?” Just because the weather is suddenly awesome later in the afternoon and even though you’d love to go out and do some more miles, if you honestly did a hard workout that day and shouldn’t, in training, the smart thing to do is use some self-restraint.

* With running the pace really doesn’t matter if you don’t want it to. Not so with training; this applies to hard AND easy days. With hard days, obviously you’ve got a goal pace you want to hit, but for easy day you do too: the goal pace is one that allows you to recover. This little detail is something many new and eager runners forget…then fast-forward and they can’t understand why they are so tired later in the season. The answer is they never let their body recover.

* With training you need to be more accountable. There will ALWAYS be days you’d rather sit on the bed curled up with Ben & Jerry and the Tivo. Rest days can be part of training but they are different when they are actually planned versus the ‘I’m just lazy’ rest day. Know the difference and get rid of the second kind.

* With running it can be just running. Let me explain, if you want to run faster and run your best you need to do other things than just miles, miles, miles. Core work, strength work, stretches, quick feet drills…there are lots of ‘extras’ that when integrated into your training routine will vastly improve your running performance.

* With training some of those ‘extras’ are injury prevention. Running puts a ton of stress on the body, training exponentially increases that. So that’s why with training it’s also your job to be kind to your body and give it the TLC it needs. If you don’t, it will revolt (check out this awesome post by Mark @ Running, Writing, and Chasing the Dragon on just that kind of revolt) and you won’t be doing any running or training.

True, training still includes the left, right, left, repeat aspect of running. However, it entails a LOT more. That said, getting back to the rewards of training vs. running…anyone who has gutted through a tough as heck race and come out hitting their goals will attest that it was worth it.
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Miles Madness Update: Okay, guys, so it’s Friday and this marks the end of Week 2 totals. Now in an effort to make things easier for everyone I’ve created a Google Doc for all team members to be able to go in and insert their total themselves in about T-minus 30 seconds time. If you emailed me last week and I have your email address I sent you an invite to view the document. If you didn’t receive the invite (and check the Junk, in the one I sent to myself the message went to the Junk bin) let me know and I’ll get you squared away. Thanks guys! Also shout out to Amy @ Proud Patriot for suggesting the Google Doc route! My team members are smart AND fast. 🙂
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1) What’s one difference you can add between running and training?

2) Where are you at, are you training for something in particular? Let me say, it’s also more than okay to just be in the running phase…whatever floats your boat and you’re still doing the BEST sport ever. 🙂

3) When you’re just about to start a hard workout or race and you know it’s going to hurt, but you also know that if you stay tough through to the end it will be well worth it, how do you tell yourself that you will stay strong and tough when your mind starts begging for mercy?

Five Reasons You Love Being a Runner But (Probably) Wouldn’t Say

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Cait — 11 Comments ↓

We run for many reasons, are gifted with ample perks of our sport, but admit it, some of the those rewarding feelings aren’t necessarily ones you feel comfortable shouting from the rooftops for fear of sounding like a runner snob.

1) Schooling the joggers and walkers. That awesome feeling you get as you approach a jogger and blowing past them, the one where you watch their face from the corner of your eye as you breeze by (you don’t turn your head of course, you can’t let them know how much you are relishing this!) in the hopes of catching their facial expression.

2) Laughing at idiocies. “I broke 4 minutes in the mile and so did three of my high school teammates,” just this past Sunday a man was telling this to my friend. My friend tried to nicely nudge him to correct the stats, but the guy was adamant. It gets irksome dealing with people who are obviously in the wrong, but after they leave how funny is it to make fun of their mistakes. My reaction, “Yea, was he running on a 350m track?” 😉

3) Social Media Elitism. Today you can see pretty much everyone’s workout, it’s like Twitter and Facebook are the new Gold’s Gym braggart saying how much they worked their butts of that day. But admit it, some peoples’ ideas of crazy-hard-long sweat sessions are what you’d consider a warm-up. It’s okay to feel a little like a runner snob in these times. #runnersworkharder

4) Gluttony. There really isn’t much more to be said for this one. Eating like a sumo wrestler and later holding bragging contests over your food feats of strength (ie: accomplishments) is almost as much fun as telling people on Weight Watchers you downed a baker’s dozen worth of donuts.

5) Kanye Syndrome. You know that feeling when you’ve smashed out an awesome workout or gotten a PR? The one where you walk a little taller, your legs are getting the early-onset soreness but you sickly love it. You may even feel like you’re strutting down the street, you catch eyes with strangers and think, “Yea, what did you do today? I’m pretty sure it’s nowhere near what I did.” I guess the old Army motto has this one right, when you’re up and doing more than most could father there is a well-deserved sense of pride. Mayyyyybe even some inflated egotism for a bit?? 😉

There, I said it. But really I know you’ve all thought it at some point. Maybe you’re sitting there on the other side of the computer fresh off some Twitter trolling and sheepishly smiling for being caught in the act. It’s okay, we’ve all been there. We’re runners, we’re just kick@$$ like that.

1) What’s a thought of awesome feeling you have because you’re a runner but maybe you wouldn’t say for fear of making it sound like you’re a jerk?

2) What’s the most idiotic thing you’ve heard a person say in regards to times they’ve run, distances they’ve covered, or anything of the like? Do you ever try to correct them or just let it go?

3) Last time you had Kanye syndrome?

A Runner’s Fairy Tales: Little Garmerella

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Cait — 15 Comments ↓

Sit for a spell and let me tell you the story of quite the fast runner. Her name was Zoe and there was nothing she enjoyed more than running, and running fast. She was a chicking machine, and loved running with the big boys...they pushed her.

Feeling a bit naked??

Zoe started running in high school when her dad suggested, “Why don’t you try cross-country?” She at first thought it was a tourist-type group that would visit far away places. She was wrong. That realization was a shock not greeted with a smile, but soon she thrived off of a steady diet of miles and Pop-Tarts. She’d gone through the runner-switch and was not a complete convert, a member of the obsessive compulsive runners persuasion…there was no going back.

Her dad was a runner and she loved going with him for their weekly long runs. Unfortunately, her dad has just gotten remarried to a non-runner. Worse, this lady was a smoker and had two daughter of her own. Both of them were of whale-like proportions and if Zoe wasn’t as fleet with her hands as she was with her feet she’d be hard pressed to make sure she had something for the crucial post-run 30-minute refuel window.

Tragedy struck when her father suddenly died, they never really found out exactly why but Zoe had a suspicion he was crushed by his wife when she had rolled over onto the slender runner while he slept. At any rate, Zoe was left all alone with this trio.

They liked to boss her around, tie her shoe-laces in knots so big Zoe had to spend 20 minutes in the morning trying to un-tie them so she could go on her run. They ate all her S’mores Pop-Tarts, they stretched out her running uniform (she never could fathom how they were able to actually get into those bunhuggers at all), and worst of all they stole her Garmin.

Zoe hunted all over for that Garmin, it was the latest one and more than a watch, sort of like watches on steroids. But it was a sweet training tool and she wanted to wear it on the big race she had planned that weekend.

This race would be epic, it had been buzzed about and hyped for months. Their city’s governator was hoping to draw the fastest runners from across the land. He’d even sprung to have a posse of Africans come in special; sure, he’d paid a pretty penny to their agents but he was certain it was worth it.

Zoe had spent days searching high and low for her beloved Garmin, so much so that her horrible step-sisters began to tease and taunt her. They’d chant, “Garmerella, Garmerella, oh where might your Garmin be? You haven’t a clue, of that we can see, you’ll surely fall flat and probably lose a shoe too!”

This fried ~~Zoe~~ Garmerella to death. But she kept looking and of course still pounded out that training. (Word on the street she was a Team Cait member for the Miles Madness Competition even! haha.)

The day of the big race, no sign of the Garmin, but Garmerella was primed and ready to PR. She’d earned a spot at the front of the starting line and hoped to take this race for the Americans. Though, her wrist felt naked and in the back of her mind she was remiss that her beloved Garmin, which had been through so many grueling workouts, countless miles and endless repeats would not be with her to share the fruits of all that labor.

Her last stride done and now poised at the line, she caught a flicker of movement from the corner of her eye. She turned to the left just as a handsome runnerdude was about to tap her on the shoulder, “Excuse me, is this your’s?”

Garmerella’s eyes lit up, and not just because this was on hot runnerdude, but because in his hands was her Garmin!! “Oh my gosh, yes, it is mine!”

Handsome runnerdude held up the Garmin and slipped it neatly around her wrist…it was a perfect fit. Of course it was, right?

Anyways, let’s cut to the chase here…the gun went off…BANG!! Out tore Garmerella, she tucked in behind African runner 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6…dang, it was a full posse out there! The miles ticked by, her Garmin beeped each one, and Garmerella was on pace for a big PR.

Gradually the pack cut down to four, then three, and by the last mile it was just herself and one other…they ran side by side. Which really was idiotic considering they should be running the tangents and all the drafting stuff too, but I digress.

Garmerella was wrought with the oh-so-familiar sense of lactic acid assault but she knew the Kenyan was working too. They were testing each other, each trying to drop the other but to no avail…with 400 to go Garmerella knew it would be close. Down the last straight she saw the finish line ahead, the coveted tape she wanted to badly to break…she closed her eyes and dug.

The roar of the crowd fell on her deaf ears, all she heard was the pounding of her heart, the panting breaths of her and her competitor. She dug for the last gear and…

…felt the tape break, actually right across her left wrist on her Garmin. How’s that for irony?

She’d set a PR, won the race and even chicked most of the men in the field. Not all of them though, because as she worked her way through the chute her eyes met with the handsome runnerdude of just a speedy 10k time’s space before. A bit runner-mussed with lingering beads of sweat, he’d finished already but waited to see how she’d fare. Plus, let’s be honest, the whole speed-goggles factor just about upped both of their hottness points.

They embraced in a sweaty hug. Though only for a moment because it was obviously time to cool down.

Their backs turned on us, Dear Readers, they head off apace and if you listen real closely you’ll hear just one quick, faint beep from her Garmin.

1) What age did you start running, did either of your parents run? What is the runner factor in your family, how many are crazy like us?

2) What should happen to those evil three women: the step-mother and step-sisters?

3) When you’re racing do you tend to not hear the crowd, do you pick out some of the shouts, can you hear one specific person above the rest?
When I raced it was funny, I could usually always pick out my Mommy-O’s voice or the one of my coach. The rest was kind of Peanut’s adult blabber. 😛

Miles Madness Week 1 Update: Totals, Prizes and Gluttony

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Cait — 19 Comments ↓

It’s Sunday afternoon, do you know where your run is?? We’re in the midst of some Miles Madness, so if your run was a long one in the morning than I hope maybe as you’re reading this you are getting your food onslaught on. Cut to this…
nike plus runner update
Thank you to all the awesome runners in the September Miles Madness Competition, we’ve got our first week done and I’ve LOVED getting all of your email updates. I can’t tell you how proud I am of you guys and some of your emails have literally made my day/week; hearing how motivated you are and what goals you’re running towards gets me all jazzed up like a chipmunk on crack! Okay, my team kicks major butt in the coolness factor, just saying.

A couple of my little sheep haven’t sent in their miles (Yo, we’re all busy so no worries, but if you do have a chance just and wan to pass them my way and I can be sure to update the grid.) but our total for the first week came out to be: ~~402.59~~ [Updated: since the original posting I received the totals for a few more runners and it put us at 563.01 miles!! Da-dang…soooo, you know what that means? We rock…hard! Keep it up!!]. Way to go you guys! Also have to love the fact I’ve got fellow OCD runners with those hundredths. 😉 Jk. That said…I’ve got to report that Team Ashley is currently rocking 496 miles, so yea. But, it’s only Week 1 and let’s be honest we all know the end of a race is where it’s at, I think my team is going to roll with the negative splits in racing analogy and be major kickers over the next weeks!

I ALSO wanted to share some exciting prize news!! We’ve added some BIC Bands and a sweet Oiselle 50/50 running shirt to the loot pot!! Wheeee! 🙂

Remember it’s also never too late to join up in the Miles Madness Competition so if you’re reading this and want to take part drop me a line and get running! Email: captaincait@hotmail.com
Here are the stats:

Awesome Team Cait Runner	Miles 9/1-9/7
Ali @ Running With Spatulas	11
Antonia	15
Kate @ Run With Kate	16
Patty	6
Amy @ Proud Patriot	27.5
Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner
Mark @ Running, Writing and Chasing the Dragon	40
Kathy	11.23
Missy @ Southern Girl Running	18.25
Staples	89
Christina @ The Athletarian	19
Katherine @ Neon Blonde Runner
Amy @ Raz-ma-taz	30.84
Brani @ Faith, Fitness and Laughter	8
Chelsea @ Chelsea Wanders	30
Melissa	24
Dennis	47.5
Morgan @ Running [Dharma] Bums	39
Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life	28
Steph	16
Julia @ Pain, Pride and Perseverance	47
Sabrina @ Sweet Southern Sweat	8
Janelle	31.69
Total:	563.01

Okay, guys, we either need to go out and bust some knee caps or get some more miles for our team. I’m going to go with the second option, it’s no fun being a runner with mangled legs.

So, tell your running friends, grab random strangers on the street, lasso other harriers you see at the track and tell them that donating their miles to Team Cait in the Miles Madness Champs is what all the cool kids are doing. Plus, at this point I’ve talked too much smack to NOT make sure we win…I’m in too deep, guys.

Keep it up all my awesome runner buddies, and remember to email me your totals each Friday. Heck, you’re also always free to email me just whenever and update me on how much you’re kicking running’s butt too, I always like those emails. 🙂

Alright runner posse, I’m out. You know what you now need to go do, right? You ran, time to refuel. 😉

1) What was your run like today? Was it a long run day, a short run, a speed workout, a junky monkey but it’s done run, a super crazy my legs felt awesome run, a race, or maybe a planned rest day?

2) Competitiveness, do you tend to be competitive by nature? In things outside of running? Do you talk smack?
Honestly, I stink at so many things that I still love to do (ie: soccer, games, air hockey, etc.) I gave up being realistically competitive so I make up for it in faux smack talk. It’s all just a charade though, I know I’m going to lose. 😛 Buuuut, not in the Miles Madness…mmmk.

3) If you are behind or losing in something, how do you try to rally the troops and make up the gap? Can you relate this to running and racing specifically?
It’s all about keying off of your competition or the person ahead of you. Also, don’t let the negative self talk start up and whine that you should just give up.

Keep Your Running Training Current But Not Trying to Re-invent the Basics

Posted on September 8, 2012 by Cait — 4 Comments ↓

Some people do pretty weird stuff. Okay, this is coming from the Queen of Quirks, but when it comes to training and workouts this runner is sometimes left scratching her head, rolling her eyes or stuffing down giggles at some of the things she’s seen and heard. Warning: I’m about to get a little runner snarky so if you continue to read it’s at your own risk and I only ask you to remember that I am not, in fact, a totally mean and wretched bi***.

“It’s new, it’s revolutionary.” The exciting and fascinating thing about running, sports performance and learning how to best manipulate the body through training in order to get the VERY most from oneself is that it is constantly evolving. As with any science there are always new findings, theories to be tested, and lessons to be learned. Training has evolved through the decades and so have World Records.

That said, sometimes I think people take this kind of thinking a bit to far: ‘Let’s come up with something totally new, never before even thought of and I bet because it’s unlike anything else we’ve stumbled upon it will be the magic training bullet!’ Sorry, but I think runners doing Cross-Fit falls into this category.

With running, yes you should always be on the look-out for new drills, exercises, workouts, and training philosophies because there are MANY aspects in that regard that work wonders for you. But, also remember that the ‘basics’ are the foundation and not insanely complicated: run, do speed-work, do longer intervals, allow your body to recover, basic core work (ie: pedestal), some strength work, be CONSISTENT, and be prepared to hurt during your workouts. Sometimes I think people look to something else in hopes that it can help deter from the glaring fact: running hard hurts, but you have to do it, there’s no substitute.

For distance runners, when it comes to the weight room and strength, you’ve got two major points to keep in mind: 1) Strength, core and flexibility work IS going to greatly improve your running…but… 2) You don’t have to over-do it either. Also, remember that it’s low weight/high reps for us…you don’t need to be maxing out at the bench press. Doing more functional type exercises is also more in tune with your goals. I think it’s runners taking new ideas in the weight room or strength moves that initiate a lot of my inner giggles.

Applicable weight training is when the exercises are geared toward running actions, typically more dynamic in nature. For example if you don’t have access to a gym, doing squats, lunges, push-ups, leg lifts, bench dips or step-ups could even wind up being better than loading up crazy high weight plates on the squat bar. Now if you do have some weights, doing running arms with 5 pounders is another example of a running specific exercise. If you get in front of a mirror and swing your arms as you would running for 20-30 seconds you can also work on your form; focus on getting the ‘perfect’ arm swing (front to back, shoulders relaxed and dropped) before worrying about how fast you can swing the weights…quality is more important.

So, to the guy who had a weight place looped around a leather strap, the strap then hung around his head and he was doing neck raises…I highly doubt he’s a runner in training. True fact.
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This post could have been epic because the examples of these are legit drill/exercises and those maybe not so much, runs on longer than the Western States Race. Here are some examples of awesome drills/strength/flexibility/core to do. Bottom line, if it seems way too crazy or like the person telling you that it works seems to be trying too hard to be convincing, and a part of you wants to laugh…go with your gut and focus more on the basics. Run.

Miles Madness: Okay, to any of those awesome Team Cait Runners that have not yet emailed me: captaincait@hotmail.com their total miles for the days of 9/1-9/7 please do so and I can add those into the running total. I know the first week is a little odd-ball with the days but by next Friday when it’s time to submit it will be a full 7 days and we’ll be set on a more logical schedule…lol.
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1) What is something you’ve seen, read, or heard about that made you scratch your head or laugh inside?

2) What is an example of something that was new to you but you tried (or plan to try) and it improved your running?

3) How do you balance staying current with new training ideas and tips that will help propel your running forward and then reading things or studies that seem to ‘try too hard’ or are just straight up cray-cray? 😉 I guess, how do you assess the source?

Your Runner Foot Type and the Quest for the Perfect Running Shoe

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Cait — 17 Comments ↓

It may take some searching but eventually we all fall in love with the perfect pair of running shoes. How’s that for living happily ever after? 😉

A great thing about running is that you really don’t need that much: a pair of shoes and please some running clothes too. However, what those supplies lack in quantity numbers they make up exponentially when it comes to their needs in the quality factor. Reread that sentence a few times until it makes sense…haha.

Running shoes are of insane importance, many new runners (and even not so new runners) aren’t able to grasp just how crucial having the right kind of shoes for THEIR foot type is. The three major foot types are: pronators, supinators and neutral runners; the majority of runners are pronators. We all fall on different variances of the foot type spectrum, but if you don’t know your foot and it’s specific needs you really need to school up.

Prontators. These are the guys who’s arches ‘sink’ in and roll to the ground as they walk. If you were walking in sand you’d see a ‘fatter’ footprint. This is the majority of the public and it’s important to find shoes with support in the arches. If your REALLY cave in at the arch you need motion control shoes, a step below that would be stability shoes. Sometimes people need arch support inserts or orthotics in addition to their shoes, I run in Super Feet and those would be my top suggestion for over the counter shoe inserts.

Neutral Feet. These are the people you should love to hate because they have the biomechanically ‘perfect’ foot strike. If they walked in the sand they’d have that cutesy little foot print, not a wide, fat arch. They can get away with those lighter shoes because they don’t need a lot of arch support and the cushioning materials are usually lighter. [That’s changing thanks to new materials and the whole minimalist shoe movement…all those Nike Lunar shoes are being made with some crazy light materials that can still offer.]

Supinators. These are what some people call ‘dancer’ feet, they tend to roll out and away from the arch so in the sand they have suuuper skinny prints. They are also more ‘delicate’ because typically the bone structures are very rigid and a bit fragile so these runners need to be hyper-conscious that their shoes have a lot of cushioning. Sorry guys, this usually means you’ve got to shell out for more expensive shoes with a ton of cushioning. But if you don’t you’ll wind up hurt…soooo, it’s worth it.

Okay, let’s make it a little more equal opportunity for all brands. 🙂

Outside of being intimate with your foot type you’ve got to stay diligent on tracking how many miles are on your shoes and be sure to replace them regularly. The general rule of thumb is a shoe is ‘dead’ after 500 miles, but that’s the law of averages and I did a whole post on why you may need to replace your shoes more often.

Walking into Big 5 and just snagging a box of shoes marked ‘Run Shoes’, then figuring you’ll be set for a year is on the fast track to getting hurt. Even if the pains aren’t in your feet you’d be surprised what ailments can be tracked back to the wrong pair of shoes…it could be as far away as your neck, people.

If you’re still having trouble deciding which kind of foot type you are or what kind of shoe to get, go into a running specialty store and ask one of them to watch you walk. Any good, running specific store will have instructed their employees how to asses a runner’s foot type from their walk and then be able to offer assistance.

Okay, yes, I’m Nike biased but only because I dream of spooning with my Tempo shorts in the night; hence the first caption. [So if there is anyone Nike people reading this and wnat to give me a little what’s what please don’t hesitate to reach out! Hehe.] But, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that there are other awesome shoe brands out there too. 🙂

1) What kind of foot type are you? How or when did you find this out?

2) What kind of shoes are you running in now? How do you like them?

3) Do you have any kind of shoe inserts or orthotics?

4) Finish this sentence and make it sort of tied to running: “You have to kiss a lot of toads before you find the perfect…”

When Running Gets Lonely it’s Okay to Have ‘Imaginary’ Training Partners

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Cait — 14 Comments ↓

If you’re a runner suffering from a bit of Suri Cruise syndrome and you don’t have any friends to run with, do what I do and make some up.

Actually, I got an email from one of my AWESOME Team Cait runners taking part in the September Miles Madness Challenge that completely made my morning, “Thanks for the enthusiastic welcome, I’m actually really excited. I’m always looking for someone to run with (who shares the same schedule, yeah right!) and now I feel like I’m part of a whole team… I’ve already run 2 extra times in the last 4 days and am feeling extra light today as a result!!”

Running is the best sport but let’s be honest it is hard business, no way around it. It takes an insane amount of self-motivation and more often than not is a mental battle as much as it is a physical one. There are days when those miles feel a lot harder than they should or when your desire to get out the door may be more on the ebb than the flow; however, all of those days are worth the runs that feel magical. Or the PR’s that feel so painful you cross the line and know you definitely reached down deeper than you ever had before. Oh us runner and our sick, twisted love affair with self-torture.

Having other runners to help bare the pacing burden for workouts, even just to share the same track or run alongside you, can make a world of difference. Even for those long runs, should two runners go 14 miles in near silence, it’s hardly lonely and it could be argued that those two runners were in fact closer during that time than two friends yammering away over a cafe latte. [Kramer shout-out to anyone who got that!]

There are times a runners seeks the solitude of miles done alone and there are times they crave the company. Instances when a runner looking to get the best from themselves is compelled to find competition, the burning desire to seek a mate who can kick their butts in the best way possible.

For the times one’s self-motivation starts to wane, the temptation to blow off a run when they really shouldn’t, having accountability to someone, or someones, can act as the push int the right direction.

Why what this runner’s email meant so much to me was because it epitomized what Ashley and I had hoped to do at the onset of the challenge: inspire and motivate people to get out there and get ‘er done! It’s never too late to join the September Miles Madness fun, I’ll keep you all posted with updates and the prize pot will continue to grow too!

Flesh and blood real-life running partners, cyber teammates, or imaginary people…whatever works for you. So if you have to imagine your running partners helping pull you along, by all means. Just be sure to set the post-run refuel table with extra plates ala a Suri tea party.

1) If you have committed to a friend or a group that you’re going to go running does that impact your motivation to follow through?

2) If you don’t have real life friends to run with, do you find support in an online community venue or through reading blogs?

3) If you’re running alone, do you ever imagine there are others around you? Be honest! [You can revisit my post on racing your shadow HERE.]
Straight up, if I’m running a hard workout sometimes I even pretend there is a double ‘me.’ Wait, don’t commit me yet, let me explain. If say I’m doing a tempo on the same route I usually do, I pretend there is the ‘me’ that ran one of my faster times and I want to beat that version of me. When I pass each mile marker I check in and see who’s winning. Okay, now you can still commit me to the cuckoo’s nest now if you want. 😉

Running the Math

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Cait — 22 Comments ↓

Running has it’s own kind of math.

I’m pretty sure that 6 x mile workout feels a whole heck of a lot more than ‘only’ six. There has to be some kind of undocumented numerical gap between 2 and 3, 3 and 4, and for SURE between 4 and 5. I’d say that it’s 4.25 or 4.5, but it feels way longer than something a decimal point could quantify.

But then there is something fishy going on with numbers when it comes to cookies, cupcakes and Pop-Tarts. 6 x Pop-Tart goes down in the blitz of an eye…so there is no WAY the number six is consistent here…

How about 6 x minute of foam rolling? Your eyes start to bulge at around minute 1.37 as your IT Band cries for mercy. Has anyone ever start to feel almost nauseous working out the knots of that little bugger?

And what about running that darn 600 that comes at lap 2.5 of a 1600? That third lap there is where the mind can kill you, if you start to dawdle, day-dream (maybe day-nightmare??) a bit and lost focus. The bell can act as a little alarm clock but by then it may be too late, so let’s all agree that next time we catch ourselves dawdling we’ll break those laps into halvesies and wake-up an extra 200 meters early. Hey, it could save your race.

Runners, there is the mathematical madness that are the speed intervals. If you blast out 8 x 200 meters, you get all excited if you run some super fast splits, you’re firing on all pistons. By the end you’re jacked, thinking, “Hey, I’m turning into a kicker!” Then you start doing the math and think, “Wait a minute, that was only a total of 2 miles?!!?”

One tempo mile for sure as heck is not the same number when it is one mile of a warm-up mile. One mile of an ‘easy’ run the day after a that tempo workout for sure is not the same number as one mile of an easy run two days after a hard workout.

Sixteen miles of a long run. What does that equate to in hours? Is that runner hours or ‘normal’ people hours, because running hours have an odd way of elapsing at a different rate than in any other point of the day. Sometimes they seem to speed by, other times they crawl.

The chasm between the seconds is opened up infinitely more when you’re in the drive for the finish line. When tenths of a second, (Flipping TENTHS!!) could separate ecstasy from crushing disappointment.

Oh well, I’ve given up on you, Math, you’ve let me down. Not that I liked you all that much anyways, so us runners are going to play by our own rules…

6 x mile = 60 x Pop-Tart.
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Hey…have you checked out the September Miles Madness Competition going on?? Talk about numbers…are you going to be donating your month’s miles to Team Cait?! Check out the growing roster and email me if you’d like to join. Then, keep a record of all the miles you run and each Friday email me your totals for that week and then Ashely and I will do the math and give you guys updates each weekend!
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1) How about this math people? In this logic, tell me what you think 6 x mile equals for you?

2) Are you a big math person, do you like playing with numbers?
Actually, nerd alert, I’m not going to lie I was pretty good at math in school. Super nerd alert: there may or may not be a rumor going around that I was in the Square Rooters Club in high school. 😉

3) What say you, how would you more accurately quantify: 1 mile of a tempo : 1 mile easy run : 1 mile long run : 1 mile worth of 200’s?
1 tempo mile = 3 easy run miles = 2 long run miles = 0.67 miles of 200’s
PS- this could be my most confusing question to date…those who answer get 3.8755 bonus point