June StrideBox

June 11, 2013 by vfreile

It arrived Saturday afternoon. By the evening, I’d put two items to use.

Now that’s what I called a StrideBox!

I ripped the massage ball out of the package and immediately started using it on my foot. Ahhh! It was a little slice of heaven.

This is the Foot Rubz in action. Never heard of it before. But it’s my new bestie. It’s a massage ball to rub on your feet, hands or any other sore muscle. Loving it! (PS – I need to vacuum.)

And yes, it’s June and I live in the tundra where I must still wear jeans and a sweatshirt.

Next, I tossed the PowerICE pop into my freezer. I pulled it out of the freezer the following morning after a short (and sticky) 3 mile run.

Refreshing, delicious and only 30 calories per electrolyte ice pop. Yes, I’ll be back for more of those. Bonus: For folks with dietary restrictions, these pops are also gluten-free and kosher.

As some of you may remember, I subscribed to StrideBox last month on the recommendation of a friend and it was love at first sight.

The June box marked my second monthly subscription box, and it was as fantastic as the first.

What else is in this month’s box? Let’s take a closer look:

Lock Laces – these elastic shoe laces have a special locking mechanism to keep your shoes snug. And if you are like me, they will keep you from having to repeatedly bend over mid-run to retie your shoes. A few of my running pals swear by these, so I’m excited to try them out.

Blue Steel Sports anti chafe cream – this non-greasy, not sticky cream provides an anti friction layer for athletes. It also has a touch of tea tree oil.

Skratch Labs – this lemon/lime all-natural sports drink mix gives runners another option of liquid fuel to it use before, during or after exercise.

Pocket Fuel – almond butter and bananas are my typical pre-race fuel. I love both, but what I eat before a half or full varies depending on whether I flew to the race location or drove in my car. This sample combines my two faves! It’s also a single serving size that will easily fit in my TSA toiletry bag when I fly. The almond butter is 100% natural.

ElectroDelytes – electrolytes, simple carbs and no caffeine are what goes into this energy bar. It’s suggested to be eaten before or during a workout for sustained energy. I ate this Monday morning after crew practice. Very lemony – it tasted a bit like pie to me, and I love pie!

As I said last month, I’m a big fan of samples and trying new things. According to StrideBox, the idea is to help runners try new products without having to commit to large purchases or the legwork of finding those products.

Each box also comes with an online shopping and price guide, to help you find the (and purchase) the products you’ve tested.

By the way, I haven’t stopped using that massage ball. It’s the tops!

What would you like to see in a future subscription box? What samples have you tried that have won you over?

Guest Post: Jessica’s first TRI is in the books

June 7, 2013 by scootadoot

We run because we love it.

You’re lucky if you never reach that day where that Wednesday tempo run on your training schedule starts sounding about as fun as scrubbing mold out of that water bottle you forgot to rinse, but it happened to me last summer.

Three marathons in, running stopped being fun, but quitting wasn’t an option. I was starting the process toward my fourth 26.2, and my heart wasn’t in it.

So as my job was bringing me to Rochester, New York, I changed things up, and Sunday evening I typed the words into my blog: I am a TRIATHLETE. (Related: I am a duathlete and I am a marathoner).

If all goes as planned, on July 14, I will be a half-iron lady.

I’m thrilled not only by my results but by the fact that I felt SO prepared, thanks to a great group of friends who advised me

The deets: Overall time – 1:47:21; 820 yard swim – 24:00; T1 – 3:12; 13.6 mile bike – 50:00; T2 – 2:00; 3.1 mile run- 27:40. I finished 168 of 260 overall, and 12 of 20 in my age group.

(Note: This is the cleaned up and shortened version of this blog. Click here for the exhausted, rambling, Keuka Lake Riesling-induced version.)

(Another note: Thinking about a tri? Read all the way toward the bottom, where I offer some tips.)

PREPARING

When I started this madness I thought I could get away with a one piece and a hybrid. By the time I got done loading my road bike, my wetsuit, clips and the other goodies into my car, my trunk looked like this. Remind me never to call running expensive and equipment intensive again.

I stayed in the dorms at Keuka College. Saturday night I sat on the same dock I’d be spotting the next morning from the distance. Could I actually do this? I was out of bed before 6 the next morning, set up my transition using tips from the wonderful coach Mary Eggers. I made my first rookie mistake, I left to stretch, forgot transition closed an hour before my wave, and had to ask the transition crew to hand me my swim stuff, giving them the “it’s my first time” smile.

SWIM

At Mary’s clinic the previous day, she told us horror stories of open water competition that left me wondering if I should have done less lap-swimming and more aqua kickboxing.

With the joke, “ok ladies, if you end up passing a slower guy, remember this is a non-contact sport,” the last wave of Olympic athletes were off, and they let the mere sprinters into the lake to warm up. As others took the dive, I put my big toe in, and it took all my willpower to not be That-Person-Who-Jumps-Back-With-Her-Tail-Between-Her-Legs.

62 degrees is a lot warmer on dry land.

So I inched in, first to my ankles, then my knees, then my waist, then I finally took the plunge and almost came up in shock. You get used to it, the people around me said. I might as well had “first-timer” written on my forehead. I stayed in until they cleared the water. I caught up with two other first-timers, and for a half hour we waited.

That was the worst part.

I only learned to swim in August, taking a few lessons at the Y then progressing on my own. This was my second time in open water – the first time, as I was coming to shore, I came up for air and ended up face to face with a dead fish. I may have screamed a little. Ok… more than a little.

The silver caps, younger females in the sprint race, were finally up. 30 seconds. 10 seconds. Horn.

I didn’t get kicked in the face. No one swam over me. Mary’s spitting-in-the-goggles-to-get-rid-of-fog strategy worked beautifully.

But I was swimming like a drunk on New Year’s Eve, all over the place. Nice blue line at the bottom of the pool, I’ll never take you for granted again.

Four buoys helped split the swim up on the way out, but getting back we were just citing an arc that was deceptively far away. Somehow, I made it. No broken nose. No bruises. No dead fish. I stripped off my cap and goggles, ran up the stairs, and into transition.

BIKE

The beautiful Flower awaited.

Flower is my lovely Cannondale Synapse, a gift from Uncle Sam who was quite kind to me at tax time. She’s named after her first race, the Flower City duathlon.

The wetsuit came off, the bike shorts, tank and clips went on, and inhaling a Honey Stinger I ran my bike out. I’m still getting used to the new clips, so I avoided embarrassment by the mount sign. Narrowly.

It was an easy 14-mile course with a few hills. And that’s where I learned the beauty of all the indoor cycling I did this winter – I crushed it on those hills, passing people left and right.

Less than an hour later I was back in transition. I re-racked Flower, and put on the Asics, knee straps and compression sleeves.

Money can buy speed on the bike. I didn’t have the advantage the people with fancy tri bikes had, but at least I was off the hybrid.

But running? It’s all you.

It’s only a half hour of your life.

RUN

I’m assuming this is a family-friendly blog, so I’ll keep what I was saying as I took those first few steps of the run to myself.

It was not pretty.

My legs didn’t know what to think at the sudden change of movement, so they just went numb. I sucked down a mint chocolate GU, saw my legs beneath me and trusted they knew what to do, since I couldn’t feel them.

The pain eased up after the first half mile, but as much as I told my body to slow down, I couldn’t control my speed. It was a weird autopilot kind of thing.

I had used my phone app for the bike, but as I came through transition, my hands were sweaty and shaking so I left it behind and ran without GPS. We were running along a back road by the lake, and even though everything hurt, I just wanted to be done.

I thought about my old friends in Ohio, I thought about my new friends in Rochester, I thought about my pups Lizzie and Brandy. At the moment it seemed like an eternity, but in retrospect, the last 27 minutes went quickly.

Mary was announcing. Shaky and dizzy, I crossed the finish line with that weird exhausted kind of grin. “Everything hurts but I feel great.”

I did it.

I got some ice cream. And a delicious bottle of Yates Cellars semi-sweet Riesling, which would be gone later that evening.

THINKING ABOUT A TRIATHLON?

From one newbie to another, here are a few things I was glad I did:

1) Swimming lessons: I signed up for basic lessons at the Y, but lucked out, with two triathletes guiding me, I learned things like spotting and working with your arms to save the legs.

2) Equipment: You don’t need top of the line, but without my road bike and wetsuit I would have been at a serious disadvantage. Shop in the winter for a wetsuit, I got mine at half off.

3) Seek out all the advice you can. Don’t be afraid to ask silly questions.

4) Practice, practice, practice! Nothing can prepare you from that horrible feeling going from bike to run. But you can learn how to deal with it!

5) Get in open water. Even though I only swam in a lake once, this one time practicing helped me out so much on race day.

6) Learn the transition rules! All my stuff had to fit into a space about one foot by three feet. Plan it out ahead of time! What will you need when?

WHAT’S NEXT

So what went right? I was prepared, had quick transition times, was ready for the hills and finished strong.

Where can I do better? More open water practice, if I can quit the zigzagging I can shave some serious minutes off the swim time. I should also practice mounting and unmounting on the bike with the new clips. Oh, and I should learn flip turns in the pool, no more being spoiled by that wall every 25 yards.

June 16, I’ll be doing double the distance at the Quakerman triathlon at Orchard Park. Then one month later I’ll be at the Musselman half iron in Geneva. I’ll finish the season with the Highlander Cycle Tour (Corkscrew Century) in September and the Wine Glass Full Marathon in October.

“But Jessica, I thought you were sick of marathons?”

Perhaps I needed a break, because tomorrow is my nine-mile training run, and I can’t wait for it!

Bring it!!

Follow my blog for more random musings as the big race day approaches. Hugs to the lovely Scootadoot ladies for letting me guest post, and happy miles!

Jessica Alaimo is a journalist and a three-time marathoner living in Rochester, New York. She completed her first triathlon June 2, and is training for her first half Ironman July 14. Outside of training she teaches indoor cycling, enjoys gluten-free cooking and competing for a spot on the couch with her two retired racing greyhounds, Lizzie and Brandy.

Like her shiny brand new Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/jessicatris703 and follow her on Twitter, https://twitter.com/jessicatris703

runDisney’s Glass Slipper Challenge

June 4, 2013 by vfreile

We haven’t yet registered to race, but our hotel is booked and our flights are set.

And most importantly, costume planning is well underway.

Yessiree, Heather, Brooke and I will be decked out in full Princess gear for runDisney’s Princess Half Marathon weekend in February 2014.

As we approached registration opening day on June 11, runDisney last week finally announced Princess weekend race prices:

Race fees start at $270 for Glass Slipper runners, $160 for half-marathoners, $95 for the 10k and $60 for the 5k. Prices rise every few months until each race sells out.

But let’s be realistic. If those races follow suit to runDisney’s new Dopey Challenge and Dumbo Double Dare, some events may sell out in the first few days. Heck, Marathon weekend’s Minnie Mouse 10K sold out in hours!

Honestly, I hadn’t planned to head to Florida next February. I had already decided the Dopey Challenge was too rich for my blood, that I couldn’t swing a trip to either Disney park next winter after a coast-to-coast running journey in January.

My tune changed when I heard rumblings of the new Glass Slipper Challenge and pink coast-to-coast medal. Another bi-coastal running journey wasn’t likely, but I was suddenly thrilled I hadn’t signed up for Dopey. But I knew I could swing another journey south to visit and run with good friends.

And just what is the Glass Slipper Challenge? It’s a 10K race and a half marathon over the course to 2 days. That’s 19.3 miles of princess bliss!

Brooke, our resident shoe fan, said she knew right away she wanted to take part.

“I want to run the glass slipper challenge because the medal must be a shoe, right? And I’d never pass that up.” — Brooke

Brooke, Meri and Vic with Cinderella and Prince Charming at the 2012 Princess half

Heather was also thrilled to learn about the Glass Slipper Challenge, since she missed out on registering for the Dumbo earlier this year. Heather said her one and only Princess half experience (in 2012) was rough, as she nursed an injury through 13.1 miles.

Her goal? To better her previous race time and push her self past her comfort zone.

Heather and her beau as Snow White and her Prince after Princess 2012

As for me, I am beyond thrilled to be tackling a shorter distance running challenge, mid winter, with two fantastic friends.

Brooke

I think the Glass Slipper challenge is awesome because it’s an opportunity to do one of the crazy back-to-back Disney races without a massive amount of miles. I think it’s cool that so many runners want to challenge themselves with that type of mileage over a single weekend, but I have no desire to run a Goofy or a Dopey. Not for all the bling and bragging rights in the world!

Heather

I absolutely love that runDisney is adding a 10k option and “challenge” to their race weekends. My favorite distance is the 10k so I’m thrilled for that and honestly the option to sign up for the challenge and earn a little extra bling always makes me happy. My only real concern is in the quest for the extra bling, especially in the inaugural years I wonder if some people that are not conditioned for the added miles may jump in too fast. I love the idea of Dopey but no way am I ready to tackle a full alone, so 48.6 miles would be foolish to try.

And we three princesses are well into costume-planning mode. We all plan to dress as Rapunzel for the 10K. Plans for our second costumes are still in the works, and will likely stay under wraps until the big weekend. But we do plan to don some Team Sparkle skirts!

We plan to run with Grete while in EPCOT too!

Chick Brooke has never run in costume before. Heather is an expert costume designer — she’s been everyone from Snow White to Tinkerbell!

And yes, we realize runDisney races aren’t cheap.

Heather downsized her Dumbo plans to a 10k and skipped other runs she was eying in order to make her Glass Slipper trip happen.

I passed on Dopey and will skip other outings to make the trek.

But as Heather noted, there’s just something magical about running Disney.

“I was running down Main Street USA towards the castle, the sun was coming up behind it and I honestly stopped for a minute, took a mental picture and said to myself ‘this is what it’s all about.’ That moment brought tears to my eyes.” — Heather.

Will you be running the Glass Slipper Challenge? What do you think of the new runDisney lineup? What do you sacrifice to take race-cations? Tell us in the comments below!

Post publication note: Here are more registration and Princess weekend details from my friend Heather. She’s a different Heather than pictured above, but her love of Disney and fitness are just as strong!

Are you a Kindrunner?

June 3, 2013 by vfreile

Last week we broke the news – the Scootadoot chicks have become Kindrunner brand ambassadors!

What is Kindrunner, you ask? A brand-new New Jersey-based online business where all can purchase running shoes (at below-retail prices, according company officials), and running accessories such as watches, energy gels, recovery products and more.

But as we mentioned in our previous post, customers may donate old shoes, shipping them for FREE to the fine folks at Kindrunner. AND you get reward coupons for your used shoes. Sweet!

Here’s how it works:

Customers head to the Kindrunner website to shop. After purchasing footwear, your items will be shipped to you. You can then reuse the Kindrunner shipping box by placing one or more pairs of your retired running shoes inside. Seal the box, slap on the prepaid label and send it off.

The label will be scanned when the box is returned to Kindrunner headquarters. Each return label earns the customer $10 in Kindness Cash Rewards. Those points can then be used to purchase any item on the Kindrunner site.

(Please note: You only get $10 worth of cash rewards per pair of shoe ordered from Kindrunner. If you order one pair and return several old pairs, you get $10 in cash rewards. But, for example. if you order five new pairs from Kindrunner at once and return five retired pairs, you would get $50 in cash rewards for future purchases.)

Unsure what to buy? Kindrunner offers expert product review videos on each item sold on the site. To view reviews go to Kindrunner’s YouTube site.

Not happy with your purchase? Send it back. A customer has 365 days to return any product, as long as it’s in its original packaging and condition. If you are injured and unable to wear your new shoes or your doctor suggests you try a different pair, no problem. Return them, no questions asked.

And if that’s not enough, the company’s offered “Free Socks for Life” to their first 500 customers. Each time one of the first 500 customers returns and purchases a new pair of shoes, the order will ship with a free pair of socks of the runner’s choice.

I bought a pair of new shoes via Kindrunner on Saturday, launch day. I’ve been looking for a new brand and after listening to some expert videos on the site, decided to give Mizunos a whirl.

And, I already have a pile of discarded shoes ready to send back.

Discarded shoes are then shipped to donation charity partners, including Soles 4 Souls, and the MORE Foundation Group, to assist people in need. That’s right, your retired sneakers get a second life outside your closet or a landfill.

The Scootadoot chicks are Kindrunner brand ambassadors. Opinions are our own.

What’s on your running wish list? Do you shop online or in a store?

You know who rocks? I do, that’s who!

June 1, 2013 by Meridith

The following is a letter I wrote to my Future-Now-Past self on December 25th, 2011. Past-Past me knew I’d need a little encouragement before my first half marathon (runDisney’s Princess half, February 2012) so she decided to write Future-Now-Past me a letter.

All mes were/are terribly confused when it came/comes to tense. Which was/is apparent but try to overlook it.

Dear FutureMe,

As long as everything goes according to plan, you’ll be running a half marathon in the next few days.

That’s 13.1 miles.

That’s a long effing run.

Remember when you were in high school and they made you run the mile each year for the American fitness test? And remember how you’d sort of half walk, half jog around the track just so that you could just get it over with?

Remember how you were in shape until you reached a certain point in college and you became horrendously out of shape? Remember when you lost your shape and could no longer fit into jeans or shirts that you’d once lived in? Remember when you had to wear those gray pants all summer long because they were practically the only things that fit you?

The comments made by others were nothing compared to the way you felt about yourself. After Elderberry was born, you decided to make a commitment to yourself and your health. After Littleberry was born, it took you a bit of time but you once again made that commitment.

Why do you run when you don’t always like it? Because it’s hard. Because it makes the finish and the reward that much sweeter when it’s finally over. And because that sense of accomplishment, that sense of SELF, of being truly aware of who you are, is like nothing you’ve ever felt.

You are amazing and can do amazing things. At this point, you might be doubting us, nervous about doing something seemingly so BIG. But you shouldn’t be because you have this strength within you.

Remember that.

Remember to have fun with this, push yourself, and be the incredible person you’ve become over the past 34 years.

You can and you will until you could and you did.

Always,

Meridith

Want to write a letter to your Future Self? Check out FutureMe.org

If you need a pep talk, who do you look to? Do you talk to your Future self too? Or your present self?

Kettlebellin’

May 29, 2013 by beewhobabbles

There’s a new toy in my home gym (aka, my bedroom). It looks like a little black purse, weighs 15 pounds and it’s completely rocking my fitness routine.

Mama tote vs. kettlebell. The bell wins. Barely.

Mama tote vs. kettlebell. The bell is heavier. Barely.

I’m talking about the kettlebell. I first used one of these a few months ago, with my trainer. The weight isn’t evenly distributed, like it is with a dumbbell, so it can give you a more challenging workout, if you want it to. And I do!

Row with a kettlebell

I wanted to find a kettlebell circuit to do at home, because sometimes I don’t have time to get to the gym, and I also really like shopping for things, even exercise equipment. I googled a bit and found one that was perfect for a beginner; with pictures and clear instructions.

I’ve been doing this workout from Women’s Health once or twice a week for a few weeks now. It’s challenging. I feel like I’m getting a great workout. I love that I can do it at home, while the kids play right next to me. I’m hooked!

Squats while I watch the girls make art.

Squats while I watch the girls do artwork.

I read a fitness article in this month’s InStyle magazine, and one of the tips resonated with me.

photo(15)

Amazing advice for a busy mom, especially as I head into summer vacation with all of the kids at home every day. I have some ideas to incorporate workouts with them (pre-school yoga, anyone?), but I know we’ll be out and about, enjoying our break too. I’m going to try to stick to my workout plan, but I’m really happy to have a few ways to stay active when I can’t log miles at the gym (or outside because the Florida heat is hot, y’all).

Have you tried the kettlebell? What do you do at home if you can’t get to the gym? Any awesome summer plans? (I actually have an entire schedule for the kids. Lots of art, field trips, swimming, playdates, reading and some learning too.)

What to do with retired running shoes

May 24, 2013 by vfreile

If your house is anything like mine, piles of running shoes are everywhere.

You have retired sneakers too worn out to run in, but great for yard work. There’s the castaway stash, which never quite felt right, but you can’t bring yourself to ditch.

Then there’s the complete reject pile, only good for activities like beach combing or boating. Ya know, where you will barely use said dead sneakers.

Ultimately, you use ’em one last time at a mud run, or donate the shoes at running expo. Or, you toss them in the bin.

Here’s a new organization we have proudly partnered with – Kindrunner.com

May we introduce you to Kindrunner! The scooters are proud to partner with the fab folks at Kindrunner, where patrons can trade in old, used running shoes for new shoes.

Runners receive “Kindness Cash Rewards” for every old pair they send in. The old shoes are then shipped to donation charity partners, including Soles 4 Souls, to assist people in need. That’s right, your discarded sneakers get a second life outside your closet or a landfill.

Kindrunner will officially launch on June 1. So we will have more details on how you can participate and join the movement then.

In the meantime, check out Kindrunner.com, as they are currently holding a contest to giveaway free running shoes for you and a partner for one year. Sign me up!

In the meantime, here they are online!

– Facebook: http://facebook.com/kindrunner
– Twitter: https://twitter.com/beAkindrunner
– Instagram: http://instagram.com/beakindrunner
– Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Kindrunner

What do you do with your old running shoes? Tell us in the comments.

A little bit of this…

May 14, 2013 by vfreile

I’m the first to admit it. I love sample packs. Some might even say I collect them. There’s something about trying new products that you never even knew existed.

After all, that’s how I found my hot iron gel.

Lately, I’ve been hearing rumblings about niche sample boxes. They’re actually a new spin on an old classic, sort of like your modern wine, cheese or beer-of-the-month club, but with a bit more packaged flair.

Today’s specialty boxes feature samples in just about every genre – from beauty products to vitamins to canine treats.

So when I heard about StrideBox, a sample boxes filled with running accessories, gear and snacks last month, I was intrigued. My friend Cori had previously purchased (and loved) the box. She assured me I wouldn’t be disappointed by the product inside.

I plunked down my money ($15 per month) and ordered the May box. Two weeks later, a cardboard box stuffed with products any runner would desire arrived in my mailbox.

I danced a jig after I brought the box into my house. Really, I tore it open, eyed the contents and swirled in a circle, box in arms. There wasn’t one item I didn’t want to try inside.

Here’s what I found inside the May StrideBox:

My StrideBox!

The Klitch – a clip that attaches your (sometimes dirty) sneakers to the outside of your gym bag. Nifty and handy.

Honey Stinger Energy Chews – fuel for a long run. My running partner Gary swears by these when he ups his distance. I’ve been meaning to try them and now I will – in cherry cola flavor.

VFuel endurance gel – I’m always looking for a new gel! I’m traditionally a GU girl, but will always try new gels.

Betty Lou’s Just Great Stuff bar – the name alone wins me over. This is a vegan, gluten free, organic recovery snack bar. While I’m not on a restricted diet, I appreciate that there are fuel options for athletes dealing with this hurdle. Note: I just ate it and it was rather tasty!

Bonk Breaker Bites – a peanut butter and jelly flavored energy bar. I scarfed this mini bar down on day 1. Delicious!

Perfect Fit protein powder– vanilla (my flavor!) vegan protein powder. I’ll be trying this in my next banana berry smoothie.

Sports Beans – carbs and electrolytes in a jelly bean. Yes please! I’ve had these before, but only in rather odd-flavored sample packs received with race swag.

Clean Ethics Bottle Bright – water bottle cleaner tablet. My fuel belt is in dire need of this product.

Pro-Tec Athletics Blister Bands – I totally could’ve used this item last week, right after my 10-mile race. But I can always use these after future longer races.

The catch? You don’t know what you’ll be getting before the box arrives. That said, you know that when you sign up and pay for your box. That’s part of the allure. In turn, you receive a box full of goodies which is akin to digging into your stocking Christmas morning!

I should note, my StrideBox purchase was my second attempt in as many months in the subscription box craze. My first box came from a different company and I wasn’t impressed with its contents. But I learned from that experience. I later realized that I wasn’t completely interested in the products I was signing up for, just the idea of the sample box.

My advice? When selecting a subscription box, make sure you’re in love with the genre or you will never use the enclosed items.

According to StrideBox, the idea is to help runners try new products without having to commit to large purchases or the legwork of finding those products.

Each box also comes with an online shopping and price guide, to help you find the (and purchase) the products you’ve tested.

Or, if you’re obsessed with samples like me, you can simply wait for your next box to arrive!

Have you tried any type of subscription box? What did you think? What sort of samples would you want delivered to your door? Have you later purchased items you first tested in a subscription box?

Chick Chat: Firsts

May 2, 2013 by Meridith

Everyone has to start somewhere. When our friend, Shannon, asked us to share some information about first starting out, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for a Chick Chat!

When did you first start working out – running, walking, whatever?

Cam – I feel like I’ve been working out forever… it started with dance when I was a kid, then swimming and belly dance and yoga when I was a teenager. I started R.I.P.P.E.D. after I had my daughter and worked with a personal trainer for lifting weights and strength training to lose baby weight. The running came when my trainer suggested it for cardio. I was skeptic, but my friend Jana asked me to do this awesome thing called Ragnar and I really didn’t want to be left out. So basically I started running so I could hang out with my friends.

Victoria – I started walking – then – running regularly a few years back as cross training for crew. I first ran a minute, walked a minute. Then increased it to two minutes of each, then three and so on. Soon enough, I ran a mile. Then two. Then three.

Meri – When my elder son was 15 months, I learned of a new franchise called Stroller Strides. Within the first year I had such great success with the program, I went on to become an instructor. During the last seven years, I’ve picked up different classes along the way: Jazzercise and Bikram yoga.

I had a couple of false starts with running, I’d attempted the Couch 2 5k program once or twice. However, I first started actually running two years ago when I got my treadmill. My weight has always fluctuated but with running, I’ve been able to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and that’s important to me.

Jess – I started running in late 2011 because all of my friends were doing it, and they’re pretty cool chicks so I thought “I want to be cool, too!” It’s maybe not the best reason to start up a healthy habit (maybe I should have started because I wanted to be, you know, HEALTHY), but that’s what it took.

My love affair with yoga has been going on for much longer, since 2001 when I took a class my first semester of college. Prior to 2001, I was pretty much a bump on a log. Except when I was dancing, of course!

Bec – About five minutes ago. Okay, no, about 16 months ago, but I’m still very much a newb. All of my adult life, I’ve had an on again/off again relationship with exercise. But if I’m honest, it was mostly off again. I just… didn’t like it. Last winter, I started Zumba and my first C25K attempt right around the same time, partially because I felt like it was time to change my life and my body, and (bigger) partly because, like Jess, all of my friends were doing it. Baaaaah. Hee.

Brooke – I’ve been active my entire life- dancing, running, teaching aerobics, practicing yoga. I’ve gone through phases where I’m less active, or I’m more into one thing than another, but I’ve always exercised. I’m fairly athletic (and competitive, ha), so it comes easy to me. I also enjoy it, which helps!

Vic’s (middle) first rowing regatta.

What newbie mistakes did you make?

Cam – Newbie mistakes would be under-eating and under-hydrating. I never took myself seriously as an “athlete” and kind of blew off any warnings about taking care of basic needs first. I was a horrible eater and didn’t properly fuel my body. As a result, I’d puke after every race. I now have this complex, when I see the finish, I get nauseated. It’s my greatest fear to toss my cookies in front of everyone at the finish line.

Victoria – One of my big newbie mistakes was not investing in decent running shoes right away. The proper support makes all the difference! I also didn’t understand the importance of replacing shoes every few hundred miles. The tread wears – for me, rather unevenly – so when my feet or ankles start feeling a bit sore, new sneakers are always my first line of defense.

Meri – What newbie mistakes didn’t I make? I started with the wrong shoes that created such pain and blisters that I was absolutely miserable. I figured since I was already miserable, I’d attempt barefoot running, on the treadmill, without any training or preparation. I signed up for a mud run as my first 5k. I didn’t cross train at first and had horrible IT band issues. But I feel like this is all a learning process and you just pick things up as you go. There’s many things that I try once and then say, “Well, I won’t do that again.” But so many more that I try and feel elation.

Bec – So many. All of them? Maybe. I ran faster than I was ready to. I ran longer than I was ready to. I did a Zumba class and a two mile run back to back (owwwwww). But the most common mistake I made, one that I’m still making today, is not trusting my body to tell me what it can handle when I’m running. My body is fine, chugging along, and my brain gets right in the way by thinking we’re not ready for this. Guess which one wins? I’m working on not running “in my head” so much, but that is definitely a work-in-progess.

Cam’s first 5k – she’s the one chatting on her phone on the far left.

What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

Cam – I wore the wrong shoes for so long, and lived with horrible joint pain. I wish I would have had my feet evaluated years ago.

Victoria – I initially tended to overdress, and overheat. It’s good to remember you’ll heat up generally 15 degrees while running, so it’s a GOOD thing to feel chilled as you head out the door for a 3-4 mile loop. You’ll warm up five or so minutes in and will be thankful you don’t have to haul extra layers along for the next few miles.

Meri – For so long, I just thought that I couldn’t run. I had such a lack of confidence when it came to running. I wish I’d gotten past that sooner because running is so freeing. To know that I’m capable of running great distances is incredibly rewarding. For me, it’s about doing it and I’m glad that I finally got to a point in my life where I believed and wanted it enough to do it.

Jess – My newbie mistake was giving myself permission not to be amazing at what I was doing from the start. I set really, really high expectations for myself, so it’s easy to get frustrated when I’m starting something new. Learning curves are not for the impatient, but I’ve learned to really force myself to just enjoy the process. I’m not going to be the fastest at the race or the most limber in class, but I can keep learning and growing within my respective practices. That’s what it’s all about!

Bec – That it gets easier. Well, no, it actually gets harder, but you get stronger and it doesn’t feel so hard. Yeah, that.

Brooke – The most important thing, for me, is consistency. You won’t improve if you’re only running once each week. Run easy, run hard, run fast, run slow, run/walk. Just go for a run! At least three times each week, if you can.

Once you finish your run, you have to stretch. Running tightens everything; you’ll feel great the next day if you take some time to loosen up while your muscles are still warm. I usually stretch for at least ten minutes.

Also, find some support! I don’t mean in a bra, or the perfect sneakers (though those are obviously important too). I mean, find a friend to run with you. Find a friend to talk to about running. Most activities are more fun when you have a buddy to do it with you and this sport is no different.

Mer’s first 5k, the Philadelphia Down & Dirty mud run.

We’re all at different points of our fitness paths. When did you start out? What sort of newbie mistakes did you make? What’s something that you wish you could tell your past self?

13.1 miles through the Flower City

May 1, 2013 by vfreile

The sun was shining, the skies were clear. It was a sign. We couldn’t have asked for a better morning to run 13.1 miles through the City of Rochester.

I arrived downtown about an hour before the 7:30 a.m. start. I parked in my usual daily spot, headed into my office and dropped my gear at my desk before meeting up with several colleagues also running the half.

Heading to the start

After months of training for many Rochester-area runners, Sunday was the fourth annual Flower City Half Marathon. It marked my third time running the course, and was by far my favorite trek.

There’s really nothing like running a race in your hometown. You run alongside literally dozens of friends and pass cheering neighbors as you round nearly every bend. Thank you, Rochester.

Just before the start: me, Traci, Jessica and Megan

All four of us ran our own race. And we were each happy with how our respective runs went. Jessica and Megan ran together and Traci and I agreed to run separately (but not far apart!) before we headed to the starting line.

Runners started to gather on the Broad Street bridge shortly after 7 a.m., about 30 minutes before the race was scheduled to begin. In the moments leading up to the start, I still had not located my race partners — Jen and Mark. It looked like I was going to run solo.

I lined up with Traci, who planned to take it easy, and we waited to begin. We paused for a moment of silence – to reflect on the Boston Marathon bombings. The start line also paid tribute to the tragic day, with 4-15-13, the date of the marathon, listed on the time clock featured at the start. A Boston flag was proudly displayed, opposite the American flag.

Boston strong at the start. Photo by Kate Melton

Many in the crowd also joined in singing the National Anthem. It was tough to hear mid-crowd as a speaker near me wasn’t working quite right. So to hear everyone sing was moving. And then, we were off!

About a quarter-mile into the race, I heard someone shout my name. I turned and saw Jen and Mark waving at me. I weaved through the crowd to join my race partners. (Thanks, eagle eye Mark!)

My original plan was to aim for a sub-2-hour half, but because my legs were still not healed from two hilly races in a row several weeks earlier, I decided to just enjoy the course.

Around mile 1, we passed Susan B. Anthony’s house on Madison Street. As always, Anthony and several other historical actors were cheering as runners zipped by. It always makes me smile!

We rounded the corner and headed past a city fire house and toward Frontier Field and Eastman Kodak.

Running toward Kodak tower near Frontier Field

We had sped up to a 9-minute-mile pace. Fine by me, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold it through the mid-course hills.

Turning onto Main Street downtown. Photo by Kate Melton

We veered off Main, down East Avenue where we saw several cheering colleagues and friends. We headed through the Park Avenue neighborhood and felt strong through mile six, when we reached the South Wedge.

This is always the spot where I slow down. I’d love to give a spectacular reason, but in reality, I know it’s because I’m not the strongest on hills. And the mid-section of the Flower City course has PLENTY of hills, starting with an incline on South Goodman Street followed by another hill into Highland Park.

Jen zipped ahead and we waved her on. She was running strong and Mark was fine with slowing down to accommodate my aching legs. (Jen stayed on pace and came in under two hours at 1:59:31.)

Mark and I powered through Highland Park and Mt. Hope Cemetery, about three straight miles of hills with a cobblestone road (a hill, of course) thrown in. Despite how much I struggle here, I love running through the park and cemetery as both are so unique and beautiful. Besides, where else will you run past such historical icons as Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass and Nathaniel Rochester?

Runners in Mt. Hope Cemetery. File photo from 2012 race by Annette Lein

After we left the cemetery, we ran past Strong Memorial Hospital and along the river trail past the University of Rochester. We passed a few people here and settled in for our last two miles. Mark grabbed a beer from a generous spectator.

“Hey,” he shrugged. “Does it really matter with about a mile to go?”

Not at all. BRILLIANT!

Moments later, we’d reached the Ford Street bridge. One mile to go!

We hauled up a hill (ugh) and spotted a cheering colleague (Thanks Mikey!) and headed across the bridge. We turned onto Plymouth where we were rewarded with a spectacular view of the skyline.

Running down Plymouth Avenue

Mark and I cheered for other runners as we ran this final stretch. We were particularly excited for a woman who had run with Mark as he trained for his first marathon. She finished strong, just ahead of us.

Mark and me at the finish. Photo by my colleague Shawn Dowd.

Shawn took many photos at the race, as did freelance photographer Kate Melton. (Click the bold to see their galleries.)

Kate also snapped this great shot of Mark and I after we finished.

Thanks for the run, Mark! We finished in 2:06. Decent considering how much we slowed down on the hills. We couldn’t have asked for a better day.

A great run on a beautiful course in #ROC! Congrats runners and thank you volunteers! @fleetfeetroc @scootadoot twitter.com/vfreile/status…

— Victoria Freile (@vfreile) April 28, 2013

Have you run a race course past historic monuments? What are your spring fitness plans? Tell me us in the comments below.

Scootadoot

fitness, food, friends, fun

Tag Archives: fitness