Injury Prevention Tid-Bits

Good morning!  

Today is a run rest day so it'll just be me and my personal trainer Chalean once I finish my cup of coffee.  Can I be honest?  I really want to go out for a run right now but I know how important it is to respect the run rest day...boo!  My legs are super sore which I am excited about, they haven't been sore in a while.  Tomorrow is my long run day with Katie and of course I am excited about that so I'll give in to the run rest day today, for Katie.  

This last week has been a good week in terms of getting up in the morning and feeling good about my runs and cross training.  This morning will be day 3 for cross training, score!  So I am really trying to focus on those positives because it has really been a good week on paper.  Of course I have to harp on myself so here it goes.  I shouldn't care and it shouldn't matter but to me it does, I am sick of where I am at with my pace and it is time to do something about it.  Being on the slower side is nothing to be ashamed of and is not what is frustrating me, what is frustrating is I have been putting in the work to increase and it just is not happening.  I know speed work and hill training are going to be my friend in regards to increasing speed so I will work on my relationship with them but I am also going to increase my weekly mileage.  I have wanted to start doing a longer run during the week and I have read and heard from fellow runners that increasing your mileage can also increase your pace.  Well sign me up!  I will have to be careful about increasing my weekly mileage because if I push it up too quickly then it'll be hello injury goodbye running!  

According to Runner's World runners should follow the 10% rule when increasing their weekly mileage.  On average I run anywhere from 20-25 miles a week.  Next week I'll start my 10% increase, if I use the 25 miles I'll run this week next week I can run 27.5, the following week I'll run 30 miles and so on.  10% is not a big number and only adds 2.5 miles to my week but it is getting me where I want to be and keeping me healthy.  I have some lofty goals for this fall which may include becoming a marathon maniac and staying injury free.  Since we are on the topic of injuries did you know that continuously taking your shoes off without untying the laces can cause damage to your feet?  I guess after a while it can hurt your ankle ligaments and tendons, I never knew! 

Be like me and untie your shoes!

I took this picture last night on our walk.  It has no relation to my post I just thought it was a cute picture and I would share it!  Lucy is currently in training for her Doggie Dash coming up in a few weeks.  She is really pumped up to bust our her 1.5 miles!  Our buddy Maverick being the all star he is will be doing the longer 2.5 miles.  

 2012 Doggie Dash 

OK Chalean won't wait any longer, she is such a hard ass, but I love her!  Have a great weekend!  

If you haven't already check out Uberthons Run for Boston!

What has been your favorite running event? 

Do you have any tidbits you want to share with the class about running injuries and prevention? 

It is FRIDAY!  What are you doing this weekend?

  

Planes Trains and Automobiles!

Good morning!  

I am taking another run rest day today, although it'll be plenty active.  We are I am in the midst of getting everything packed up and there seems to just be more to pack.  Luckily I am an all star packer, yes it is true.  I could start my own packing business at this point in my life.  I am also good at letting things go and realizing the cost to ship doesn't equal the cost of personal value to me.  Many things will be on their way to the Goodwill tomorrow and it'll be glorious!  We sent 2 boxes here and I have close to 6 we are shipping home, ugh.  Plus it was still the Christmas season when we left and I never got a chance to go through old toys versus new Christmas toys.  THEN we celebrated the girls birthday while in Montana before setting off for Michigan, so needless to say I see a lot of purging in my future.  Kids just don't need that many toys, especially with the nice weather we'll be getting once we are back home.  They'll be outside playing and annoying our neighbors, they'll barely touch most of their toys.  

I have one suitcase completely packed and the girls' clothes are 90% packed.  I have to pick up another box today for a few odds and ends and some of Jesse's dress clothes.  I only wear running clothes so my stuff can be shoved anywhere, I wish I was kidding.  I am so excited to get on the plane on Friday, sooo excited!  Plus the girls completely understand what is going on and know we'll be on our way home very soon.  

I thought I would share some simple tips to keep sane when planning a trip, especially with young children. 

- My biggest piece of advice is know ahead of time there are going to be bumps in the road.  The easier going you are with everything the better everyone around you will feel.  Try hard not to stress over little things that come your way.  Traveling with family can be hard, especially with little ones, relax.  

- Be prepared as much as you can, but don't over do it.  Everything you pack has to be unpacked and put away once you are home, keep that in mind.  Remember there are stores and you are allowed to go in them.

- Don't wait till the last minute to start getting things ready.  If you know ahead of time about the trip and its needs start right away.  Pick up items you know you'll need as you are doing daily shopping.  This way you don't have a huge chunk of money to put out all at once right before your vacation.  Spread it out and pick things up as you come across them.  

- Pick up your house and vacuum before you head out.  I know it sounds weird, but trust me coming home to semi-clean house after a trip is so refreshing.  You'll be tired and have enough to do post trip, it'll be nice to have a clean template to start with!  

Sorry no pictures in this post!  I realized I don't have any worth sharing, I assume you all know what a suitcase looks like.  

Do you travel a lot with your family? 

- We do, a lot.  Well, more than I thought we would I guess.  Jesse's family is all in Montana (which is nice) and my mom currently lives in Northern California.  Although I have a feeling she might be closer, she misses her granddaughters pretty bad.

Please tell me about your runs, I had a dream I was running on the beach last night.  I am going through withdrawals!