oiselle

halfway done and other updates

August 16, 2013 by Kristy 10 Comments

I officially hit the 20 week mark this past Wednesday and I would like to think that it’s all downhill from here but I know that’s not the case. I have a feeling that I just went downhill and the next 20 weeks will all be uphill. Good thing I like hills.

19-and-a-half week bump shot. We were going to a wedding. A little different from my pre-run, no make-up bump shots.

It has been a busy 2 weeks since I last posted. Let’s see…we went on vacation. My parents celebrated their 50th (!) wedding anniversary earlier this year and we celebrated by taking them to the Outer Banks for a week.

I got a nice surprise while on vacation – I was selected to be part of the 2013-2014 Oiselle Team! To be honest, I was shocked to be selected since I fully disclosed that I was 9 weeks pregnant on my application and would be doing minimal racing this year. Thank you, Oiselle!

Demonstrating the stretching capabilities of Oiselle’s Winona tank

The biggest news happened this past Tuesday – I passed my personal trainer certification test! To say I’m relieved and running around a little lighter (as light as I can be at the moment) is an understatement. This was something I always wanted to do but always put off.

One of my new favorite quotes…

I felt like I had a gap in knowledge being a running coach. I know a lot about running and training but strength training? Not so much. I got my certification through NASM, which is huge on movement inefficiencies and muscle imbalances. This is why I went with them (versus NSCA and ASCM); realizing it would be the perfect “addition” to my running coach certification and knowledge.

In the short term I plan on using my PT certification immediately with my running clients. Long term? I haven’t decided yet…but I definitely plan on using it in a greater capacity. I plan on doing a full post devoted to how I studied, etc. since I found similar posts helpful when I was beginning the process.

Have a great weekend!

Three Torturous Loops

March 26, 2012 by Kristy 17 Comments

For the past few weeks I’ve been studying the Boston course. A book, YouTube videos, race recaps from other bloggers – you name it, I probably read it.

I’m not so concerned with the quad-thrashing downhills. I ran Steamtown in 2010 – a course where the first 8 miles are practically downhill – and I was fine for the later uphill miles. I’m so glad I had the experience of Steamtown before Boston.

I’m more concerned with my ability to maintain MP over all the hills. Let me rephrase that…I know I won’t be able to maintain MP on all the uphills so I’m worried about it affecting my overall time. Definitely a valid concern.

My typical long run route is a hilly 5-mile loop with the perfect mix of all types of hills: long, windy stretches, short, steep climbs, and rolling hills. The flat stretches are few and far between and rarely last a half mile. I generally do 2 loops and then transition to a flat, paved trail for the final miles.

This week I did 3 torturous loops totaling 15 miles. Whoa, was it tough. I’m hoping this is a worst case scenario and Boston is a bit easier! I climbed the hills strong and tried to pick up the pace in between. I finished in 2:08 (8:32 average pace).

I wore my Oiselle distance shorts and, as suspected, they were perfect.

Taken post-run. I was a sweaty beast.

On Sunday, I spectated the OD Marathon since my sister was running it. Spectating is almost as fun as running one! The race was so small – my sister said they capped it around1500 runners. Can you believe the race wasn’t chip timed? I think that’s terrible for a marathon.

Just before Mile 12

Finishing strong!

My sister did a great job and she said it was the best she has ever felt in a marathon.

Have you ever run a marathon that wasn’t chip timed? Or a half marathon? Luckily, I haven’t. Most of the 5Ks I’ve done were not but that’s expected…and potentially dangerous if you have a large, competitive field. Everyone wants to be in the front but not everyone is going to start off running a 6:00 minute mile.

The peak week that wasn’t…

March 23, 2012 by Kristy 20 Comments

I find it hard to write a post solely on 1 topic these days. It seems my head is bouncing back and forth. It’s going to be a long 3 week taper…bear with me Smile

5 days in-a-row or 52 miles
I generally never run 5 consecutive days. I had to be a little creative with getting all my runs in this week so I ended up with running 5 days in-a-row. I didn’t really realize it until the 5th day, which called for 11 miles with 9 at MP. My legs felt like lead the entire time and MP felt difficult. I couldn’t figure out why until it dawned on me that I ran 52 miles in the last 5 days. No shit my legs are tired. Funny how we can miss the little details.

So my grand plans for hitting 50 miles this week were foiled. Thursday was a much needed rest day and this morning I ran 4 easy miles to be on the safe side. I have 15 tomorrow that I hope to do at MP.

Does all this matter? No. I had a great training cycle and I’m healthy going into the taper. That’s what matters.

Can I freeze time?
I was excited for Boston for so long (or I guess I should say waited for Boston for so long); I’m already a little sad that time is passing so quickly. These next 3 weeks will fly by and before I know it, it’ll all be over. I am going to savor these last few weeks and enjoy each and every mile.

My new love: Oiselle Distance Shorts
Umm, these are awesome. It’s like running without shorts on (that’s the more accurate way I can describe it). The length is perfect, the fit is perfect, they don’t bunch, they don’t chafe. They are perfect. Once I get another long run in them, they will be my marathon shorts.

They run a little big. I have 2 Oiselle tops – a jacket and a long-sleeved T – that run small (I normally wear a small but have a medium in these items). I initially got a size medium thinking they would run small and the mediums were too big. The small fits great (sidenote: if you want to gauge what size to buy I wear a small in the Nike tempo shorts).

Shout-outs
My sister is running the OD Marathon on Sunday! Karyn, you WILL do great. We’ll see you at the halfway point and finish! Run strong!!!

Good luck to Beth who is running her first ultra on Saturday!

Got a favorite pair of running shorts to rave about?

Friday Updates

December 2, 2011 by Kristy 14 Comments

TGIF! It has been a long and busy week. I’m heading down the shore this weekend to see my parents (not that shore, there will be no fist pumping). I haven’t posted since Tuesday so here are the latest and greatest updates:

Hamstring
Good news here! I’ve been running this week with minimal tightness. A huge improvement over my Thanksgiving run. This morning I did my long run – just 10 miles – and felt good. I’m aiming to hit 30 miles this week with all easy runs. Next week I’ll add in some speed work as long as my hammie still feels OK. I’m hoping to be back to my old self by the end of the month for Boston training.

I am weak
I started strength training this week. And this time I am sticking to it. Mark my words. I know my hamstring issues exist because my core/glutes/hamstrings are all weak. I really can’t “just run” anymore. I would love to jump on the BodyPump bandwagon but can’t find a class around here without joining a gym. So I’m going to my yoga studio’s Whole Body Strength class twice a week. And I bought a Groupon for some CrossFit classes (ouch!). CrossFit scares the crap out of me.

ART with a PT
Yesterday I had my first appointment with a PT (I was previously seeing a chiropractor) and WOW, what a difference! I actually have a plan to nip these hammie issues in the bud. I have exercises to do each day to build up my right hamstring (it is significantly weaker than my left). And the ART was amazing, way different than the chiropractor. I’m happy I made the switch.

Oiselle Burke Jacket
I consider a lightweight, waterproof, and windproof jacket a winter running essential. There is nothing worse than the bitter cold wind penetrating through your clothes and hitting you smack in the chest. I love this Oiselle jacket: the fit is perfect (streamlined but you can add layers underneath), it’s reflective, it has 2 front pockets, and the sleeves are long. The orange was sold out so I got the white instead.

That’s it folks! Have a great weekend!

Ever go to a CrossFit class? Do you strength train? Do you enjoy it? I’d rather just run but I’m going to have to learn to enjoy it!

I bought the Oiselle Burke Jacket myself and decided to do a review because I liked it!

Friday Ramblings

November 11, 2011 by Kristy 7 Comments

Today is 11/11/11. I bet there are a ton of weddings today. Speaking of which, I’m sure everyone read about the NYC marathoners that got married at Mile 22. And finished in 3:54. I wonder why they chose Mile 22. Is anyone still having fun at Mile 22? And is this becoming a trend? Oiselle makes a “runaway bride dress” specifically for the purpose of getting married on the run.

I have been a lazy sloth all week. My 12K is tomorrow so I have been “resting” my legs. I debated all week about where to fit in my long run – Friday or Sunday. I don’t want to tire my legs for tomorrow’s race but Sunday we have plans and I would have to get up super early in order to fit in a long run. I’ve decided to forego a long run this week, even though the Philly Half is next weekend. I’m going to run 8 miles today, nice and easy, and will put in a few miles on Sunday morning. Or rest. We’ll see.

I’m excited that tomorrow’s 12K is chip timed! Woo hoo! I don’t have to worry about standing in the front and getting caught up with all the speedy runners.

I’m also terribly nervous for tomorrow’s race. The shorter the distance, the more nervous I get. I hate pain.

Did you get married on a specific date because of meaning (i.e., day you met) or because of numbers (i.e., 11-11-11)? We got married on 7-25-09 which didn’t have any meaning but I secretly liked the “25” aspect of it. And I wanted to get married in the summer.

Which makes you more nervous – longer races or shorter races? I guess 5Ks and 10Ks wouldn’t scare me so much if I did them more often. I just hate the running-until-you-puke feeling. I still get nervous for marathons but it’s a different kind of nervous, if that makes sense.