A Case of the Runs

I think I’m in a rut, a really long rut. I have been in a rut for so long that I’m not even sure it can be called a “rut” anymore. While I’m at it, “rut” is a weird word when used so many times in a paragraph, isn’t it? In particular, I’m in a running rut ( < < see, weird word.) I’m not sure when it started, but I think a couple of events were catalysts to it. The first was training for the Santa Barbara International Marathon with the intention to come in at or around four hours. I used a training program and stuck with it better than I had stuck to programs in the past, only to experience not one, but two, full-on cramps sometime in the second half of the race. I had some better performances in the next two marathons after that, training not nearly as much and using a run/walk strategy. However, that strategy failed me during my most recent marathon , which actually involved me properly training. Sadly, my frustration with that Santa Barbara performance was probably the

It was just a few days ago that I wrote this post, as my sister  was getting ready to head to Boston for the marathon.  Once the tracker said she finished, I moved away from my phone, only to find out later that there was some sort of attack at the finish line.  I had a huge sinking feeling but knew that I wouldn't find out anything until my sister was able to get to her phone/a computer, so I waited. Thankfully, she, and other family members who had traveled with her, is/are fine.  Yet I still have this deep feeling of sadness for everyone -- runners, spectators, volunteers -- whose days were pretty badly dinged by this incident. Why someone would want to hurt people while they are in the middle of accomplishing a dream, an athletic feat, is beyond me.  Then again, why someone would want to hurt innocents at any time is always beyond me. Some people out there today didn't get to finish their dream marathon.  Others might never get to run in the same way again.  Mara

Where do you store your smelly gym clothes when you're on the go? My sister reviewed this bag a while back, though at the time, I was pretty happy just stuffing my "used" gym clothes in plastic bags until I got home and then airing out the bag before re-use (yes, I re-use things to the point of no return, including plastic bags). Now that I commute by train to the gym daily, I have decided that plastic bags aren't really the best storage anymore.  What if sweat leaks into my giant turtle-shell of a backpack?  What if it smells terrible?  All legitimate concerns, right? So I "splurged" on Amazon for this bag (they come in different sizes), and I've been using it for a month and a half. My sweaty gym clothes go right in there, and after a couple of weeks, I usually throw it in the wash.  However, I've noticed it does not accumulate odors over time.  So far, I haven't experienced any leaks, smelled anything bad, or had really any issue wit

Not me, of course... but my sister , M. I was going to write this post next week, thinking that the Boston Marathon was next weekend.  However, it was brought to my attention that it was THIS weekend.... shows how much time (i.e., little) I have these days. This is me, in Boston, this past June.  I even ran around the Logan airport so that I could say that I "ran in Boston." Back in the day , M and I had finishing times that were in the same realm.  She was the one who encouraged me to start running races in the first place, after I had spectated quite a few of hers. Our first half-marathon!!  (circa 2006) After doing it enough times, we both learned about running and training, and we both started improving.  Well... I improved somewhat , but she totally had her eyes on the Boston "prize."  To me, it seemed totally out of the realm of possibility for most people, but she has proven that enough dedication can get you there.  She BQ-ed at Ojai2Oce

I purchased these (on Active GearUp ) for $25, which is half of the conventional price.  Having seen a lot of buzz about this brand, I decided to get a neon green pair.  If you’re new here, green is my favorite color (even if I have to settle for neon shades of it).  I used to have a green cell phone and laptop, but these days you can still see me with a green iPod case , Nalgene bottle, and commuter tote bag. As you can see, I wore them to LA Marathon (to go with the St. Patty’s Day “green” theme).  It was not my first time wearing them, as I had done a few training runs in them. I like the tightness, which is very similar to CEP ’s (the Zensah argyle one I have is not nearly as tight, though I still use it).  What I don’t really like is that it seems way too long for my calf.  I have to fold the top seam down, and then pull it over my knee when I get tired of that.  I think this may had adversely affected my calf during LA Marathon, but I will never know for su

It appears that I have not been keeping up here as much as I’d like.  This is not really like me at all, so shoot. Blogging: Since the marathon , I’ve been totally, as they say, “flying by the seat of my pants,” and I generally don’t fire up the computer at home anymore.  The downside of me finally having a smartphone is that it has eliminated the need to use computers as much. Workouts: Despite the schedule, I’ve managed to keep up with my fitness routine.  Besides the extra movement I get from all the walking between transit lines and during the mandatory hour-long lunch, I’ve been doing a little Insanity , elliptical trainer, weights (mostly of the upper-body nature), and running 3-4 days a week, usually for about 40-50 minutes.  Yes, I’ve been running by time now, as I only have 55 minutes of gym time (yes, it’s that calculated) – plus, I usually opt for an indoor track over the treadmill.  Said indoor track requires 14.5 laps/mi, and the air is pretty stale for mos