Tag: Running

The humbling long run: Lessons learned on individual nutrition needs

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For the first time since I began running over 20 years ago, I had to finish a run by walking. This experience has humbled me, not-so-gently reminding me that I am not a perpetual motion machine. Parts do break and requiring fixing – or at least some rest. Until this run in question, I would type my workout in my training plan and when the prescribed day came, I would head out the door and do the workout. Now, I’ve been reminded that while I may finish, there are times that we have to adjust to what our body can …

Running home: Atlantic City Boardwalk Run

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For today’s long run (18 miles), I headed to the Atlantic City Boardwalk at 5:30 a.m. Last summer, I ran all of my long runs on the Boardwalk; this summer, I’ve done all of my long runs in the Pine Barrens, where my Half Ironman will be set. But, you know, I missed the Boardwalk. There is so much more to Atlantic City than casinos, and when I run the boardwalk I can feel a positive energy that makes me want to move. I feel like a runner when I’m cruising down the boards. For long runs, I travel on foot …

Dear Garmin Forerunner 405: I love you, but I need some space

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I have a Garmin Forerunner 405, which is a GPS-enabled sports watch and heart rate monitor. As I run (or bike), it tells me: my heart rate at any given time my average and max heart rate for any given session my pace at any given time my average and max pace for any given session my time how far I’ve gone When I first purchased the Garmin, I was training for the Ocean Drive Marathon. At the time, I wanted a heart rate monitor and a watch that could calculate distance as I ran – rather than trying to …

I think compression socks are sexy

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Okay, maybe not sexy, but I do think they are effective. Even though the science on the use of compression socks leaves room for debate, my experience using them suggests that they are great tools for enhancing recovery – particularly from long distance running. When we were at the Lake Placid Ironman, we saw many of the athletes wearing compression socks – walking around in them the day before and after the race, as well as wearing the socks during the race. Oddly, I had forgotten about my socks, which I had purchased back in March. I hadn’t worn them in …

Marathons are a gateway drug

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This time last year, I was about one month into a marathon training plan. I was preparing for my first marathon, the Atlantic City Marathon. Prior to this experience, I had only raced in a 10 mile event and maybe one or two 5Ks for charities that I supported. But, for the most part, I just ran–and had been a runner since I was 13 years old. I didn’t compete. It was what I did to stay fit, and I really enjoyed the peace and fulfillment of a good run. As we grow older, we may begin to take the …

I’m an “endurance monster”

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according to an article in the September 2009 edition of Running Times. Greg McMillan, author of the article, defines endurance monsters as any runners who enjoy “long runs, marathon training, tempo runs and any workout slower than 10K” (p. 18). Yup, so far I fit the profile. He goes on to say that a monster “finds it very difficult to get her legs to go fast. Short, fast training like 200m-400m track workouts and hard fartlek runs leave EM feeling deflated” (p. 18). Yup, got me again–and today’s speed workout really emphasized my speed weakness, and my preference for strength …