Spirit of the Marathon II

Last evening I attended the showing of Spirit of the Marathon II.  It was good.  It was inspiring.  It reminded me why I dislike watching movies in big theaters.

If you haven’t see the original, Spirit of the Marathon profiles 6 runners, both elite and middle of the pack runners, young and old, as they train and race a marathon.  Their stories are real and as a runner, there are things in each of their stories you can relate to.  Spirit of the Marathon II takes a similar view, profiling 5 runners.  

The Good

I had been looking forward to this movie since I heard about it coming out, which seems like months ago!  I happened to watch Spirit of the Marathon I on the plane to Chicago before I ran the Chicago marathon last year.  Spirit of the Marathon I just happens to be about the Chicago marathon! While I ran that day, I recounted some of the experiences and sites that were relived in the movie.  It was awesome.  I watched it again after the marathon and the viewing experience was different.  I had run those streets. I had seen the crowds, the excitement, the joy of the finish.  It was powerful. I was really invested in the runners stories and their outcomes. 

 Trailer from Spirit of the Marathon I

The Spirit of the Marathon II was set in Rome for the running of the 2012 Rome marathon.  The scenery was spectacular.  It started at the Coliseum and appeared to end there as well.  While the stories were still interesting, there was something about the runners who were profiled in the first movie that really touched me.  There were bits of humor, sadness, joy and grief….all every day feelings, all feelings we go through when we put our bodies through the rigor of the marathon itself. 

 Trailer from Spirit of the Marathon II

The Bad

Of course I sat next to the people who talked throughout the E N T I R E movie.  One of the guys who was doing all the talking was also a heavy breather…very distracting!  Heavy breather also seemed to be an expert on everything running related (yeah….one of THOSE).

The movie theater staff must have forgotten about the “special event” as we didn’t even get to watch the movie until 30 minutes after it was supposed to have started.  I will give them credit…we were all issued a voucher for a free movie. 

Overall I would give this movie 3 out of 5 stars.  I really liked the first one the best, but this one still held my attention and was very enjoyable

Did you see this movie last night?  Have you watched the first one?

What is your biggest pet peeve about movie theaters? 

Mine are (in no particular order):  talking (obviously), cell phone lights and crinkly wrappers.

Learning To Run Again

This week I started a new running adventure.  I’m learning how to run again.

It seemed like the perfect time, coming off of my klutz injury and all.

I am was a *serious* heel striker.  I am trying to change that.

The proof is in the shoes! This is a retired pair, but you get the drift. 

It's also pretty obvious I am a big time pronator.  I'm working hard to fix both of these things.

Heel striking can cause a runner to use up a lot of energy.  Striking on the mid-foot is a much more efficient way to run; it prevents injuries and is easier on the knees.  It can also improve time drastically (at least that’s what I’m reading!). 

If you watch the elite runners, you will see that this is how they run.

I saw a video of myself running and I pretty much roll off the entire shoe.  Something needed to give.  My times are in a rut.  I want to get better. 

So I’m starting from scratch.

I am trying to incorporate the techniques used in POSE running.  

This book is really great – it explains the science behind running as if you are falling forward.  It helps you run faster.  There is much more to this technique than I can possible sum up in a blog post, but what I can tell you is that it offers up some really great form pointers. 

SO…I have been incorporating the mid-foot strike into my runs.  I am used to cranking out 20-25 miles a week in my “off-season” – running 6-8 miles at a time.  Now I’m doing 2-3 milers, not because I want to, but because it’s all I can do.  It is killer on the calves…mine are screaming after a half mile or so, but I think I am starting to get the hang of it…kind of. 

I met up with the fabulous ladies last nightt from the Allen chapter of Moms Run This Town (MRTT) for hill repeats.

Yes.  I sought out a hill to run.  I have run hills before, but this was my first real “hill workout”.  Hills are no joke, and I know I need to get better at them to crush it in San Fran this fall.  I would have never done this type of workout on my own.  It is so much better to have others to suffer along with you! Seriously, it was a fun time!  

I'm still not sure of this, but it sure can't hurt! 

So using my new mid-foot striking technique, I clocked myself at a 7:07 min/mile pace.  So it was flying downhill, and it was only for a few moments, but I have never run that fast before. 

I foresee some good things happening with all of these new changes!

Are you a heel striker or a mid-foot striker?

Do you regularly run hills?

Catching Up

It’s been a few days since I post so we need to catch up!

Over the weekend so much fun stuff happened!

I met this handsome stranger (at that time) two years ago this past Friday, so we went out to celebrate the *best* first date ever!

 This was on our second date.

We had dinner at Del Frisco’s in Addison.  It was delicious!  While the steaks were really great, my favorite was the lobster mac and cheese.  It was to. die. for.  If you ever eat there, you MUST get it.  Dessert was also one of my favorite dishes of the night.  Two kinds of chocolate mousse - it was SO good!

Saturday we celebrated Louis’ 7^th birthday with his friends!  His birthday was a few weeks ago, but this seemed like a good day to celebrate.  Those 7 year olds have A LOT of energy. It was a super fun success!

These adorable kiddos *rocked* the rock climbing.  Sweet little Kira (on the right) schooled the boys in how to do it up right.  She made it to the top of the wall 4 times!

One must always blow out their birthday candles with this much gusto!

P.S. Those cupcakes were pretty yummy!  They were orange flavored, with a cream cheese/orange flavored frosting (don't let the blue color fool you).  The recipe is super easy and they taste like an orange dreamscicle.  Just don't make the mistake I did when I made them the first time....it says to add 1/4 cup of OJ in place of the water. So that's all I added (the first time) and they turned out looking very weird and sunken in the middle.  Turns out, you need to add the REST of the water directed on the box of cake (in this case was one cup).  I changed it up a bit and used 1/2 c of OJ (Simply Orange) and 3/4 c water.  They turned out perfect and fluffy.  

The details to their awesomeness can be found here....http://thecakeblog.com/2013/05/recipe-creamsicle-cupcakes.html

Marathon Monday

The wait is over (at least for me it is!).

I exuberantly signed up for marathon #7 today.

It is one that I have had on my running wish list for a while….

The Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco!

 I’ve heard Nike runs a great race.  Very *woman* focused, hence the title. 

I am not only excited to run in the streets of San Francisco, but I am equally happy about the finishers *medal*.  A Tiffany necklace.  Who doesn’t love Tiffany?!?!  They make all things shiny, sparkly and beautiful.  

This race has a few methods of entry: Team in Training Fundraisers, Lottery Entrants and College Entry.

Being a college girl still has its benefits!  I was able to gain entry by being a grad student.  Easy Peasy!  I don't do lotteries well.  I've had good luck, but waiting is not my strong suit.

This will also complete a geographical goal.  To run a marathon on each coast, the north and the south.

So my marathons for the year are set! San Fran in October and a local marathon...the New Year's Double on December 31.   The NYD also offer an amazing bling and a really fun race!  I did the half last year in the worst weather conditions I've ever raced in. This year *has* to be much sunnier.  I know it!

What marathons are you running in this year?

Weekend Wrap-Up

I did some really cool things this weekend....and some uncool as well.

Let's start with the fun stuff.

I've been wanting to try CrossFit for a L ON G time...my BRF (best running friend) Seallie bought a groupon and her husband couldn't use it due to an injury so she graciously offered it to me.  Saturday we went for "Basics" to learn about the fresh hell great workouts we would soon be partaking in.  It was intimidating, but interesting. I've got a LOT of things I need to look good at this summer! I really think that after our 10 sessions there we are going to be 2 super fit chicks!

 My & My BRF Seallie....she is *adorable*!!

After CrossFit, I fulfilled one of my dreams...I officially became a SPCA volunteer.  I love animals! I have rescued 3 dogs and a kitten from various animal rescue.  One of them came from that organization.  I also felt like I needed to give back for a very special act they did for me.

Two years ago my aging black lab, Kirby, ran away in the middle of the summer.  Btw…it's hotter than an oven in the summer in Texas.  He had always been an escape artist, but this time he blew by a fence gate that had been possibly broken down.  He was gone for nearly 2 weeks.  I was miserable knowing he was out there, somewhere, hot and probably hungry.  Somehow, someway, the SPCA found him and returned him to me.  I feel liked owe them.  For the animals I've gotten through rescue and for returning my beloved dog, this is the very least I can do.

The Amazing Kirby T. Ferguson (post-rescue) and his 10 ft long tongue.

Sadly, Kirby went to the Rainbow Bridge about 6 weeks ago.

Volunteering involves 10 hours on basic duties such as laundry and dish washing, along with other assorted task, and then the cool stuff begins! After putting in the 10 hours as an Animal Ambassador, you become an Animal Handler and so on. You can work your way up to various levels of volunteerism at the SPCA.  It is a wonderful organization.  I am proud to be volunteering there.

I rounded out Saturday night by going for a run.  My go-to 6.5.  It was pretty hold and humid, but I was surrounded by hundreds of beautiful fireflies in the wooded/brushy areas.  It was breath taking!

Then, my night went south.  While daydreaming and thinking about how this might be one of my last outside runs for a while (did I mention the Tx heat?), I tripped on the lip of a side walk and did this:

Pretty sure I skidded a foot on the sidewalk.  Sorry for the graphics.  I like to warn my fellow runners and give sage advice, such as:

don't drag your feet when you run.

So Sunday was all about laying low and pain control.

Big things on the agenda for Monday! Stay tuned!

Have you ever volunteered? If so where?

Crossfit. Yay or nay? Experiences please!