Many of you are already training for Niagra Falls. Yay! We are going to have so much fun! And by now you have reached the part of the training plan that calls for speed work. In the plan for this week, it calls for a long run of “4mi with 2*800m”.  800 meters is equivalent to 0.5 miles. So you are going to run or walk a total of 4 miles. And within those 4 miles, you are going to increase your speed for 0.5 miles twice. In other words, one option would be as follows:

1. Walk 1.25 miles 
2. Walk faster for 0.5 miles
3. Go back to the normal speed for the next 0.5 miles
4. Then walk at the faster pace for another 0.5 miles 
5. And then back to the normal speed for the remaining 1.25 miles. 

Just to check my math: 1.25 + 0.5 + 0.5+ 0.5 +1.25 = 4 miles. But you don’t have to do it *exactly* like that. The first important part is to warm up before you increase the speed (Step 1: walk at the normal pace for 1.25 miles) If you feel warm after 1 mile, it’s OK to start your speed work after only a mile. If you need 1.5 miles to feel ready, that’s OK too.  The second important part is to take a break between the 2 speed intervals. The break should be as long as you need to get your heart rate back down. 0.5 miles is just a suggestion, and any distance over 0.1 miles is fine. And the third important part is to finish with a cool down. 

If you do not have a way to measure 0.5 miles, that’s OK too. You can walk faster for 1 minute, or 2 minutes, or even just 15 to 30 seconds–whatever works for you. The goal is to increase your heart rate and train you body to go faster than you normally do. However, “faster” isn’t the same as “as fast as you can go before you stop breathing!” It’s just faster than you were going before.  So don’t worry; there is no need to go so fast that you drop. To walk faster, just increase the cadence of your steps. You do not have to start jogging (unless you want to). 

If you have any challenges or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. There are no “dumb” questions. We have all had questions along our journey to become more comfortable with running and walking. The only way to find out what you want to know is to ask, so don’t be shy!

A few weeks ago, I spent the weekend in Tampa, FL at the Gasparilla Distance Challenge: a 5K, 8K, 15K and half marathon over two days for a total of 30.4 miles. The weather was perfect (50’s, not too humid, and sunny!) and the course along Tampa Bay was beautiful. We also picked up 5 different medals, 4 different technical t-shirts (best for wicking away sweat while running), a windbreaker, and 4 gym-sized towels. The weekend had a pirate theme and we got quite a lot of booty!

While I was running the half marathon, I was thinking a lot about my breathing. I was speaking with someone about breathing just before the race. She told me that her breathing becomes irregular when she transitions from walking to running. Believe it or not, you can control your breathing.  How? Don’t let yourself only breathe in only shallow breaths. Consciously think about breathing in for at least a count of 5. A count of 8 is even better, if you can. Make a conscious effort to expand your rib cage and visualize filling your lungs with as much air as they can hold. And then exhale for the same number (5-8) of seconds. Keep repeating that process until your breathing gets under your control. That will help you run more comfortably. You can control your breathing.  Don’t let your breathing control you. 

If you have any challenges or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. There are no “dumb” questions. We have all had questions along our journey to become more comfortable with running and walking. The only way to find out what you want to know is to ask, so don’t be shy!

I don’t know about you, but the cancellation of all these events due to COVID-19 certainly is making me depressed.  I hope the measures our government is taking will help get the situation under control. In the meantime, do you know what is the best way to fight this depression?  Get outside and take a walk or a run. Seriously. I’m not making this up. Multiple studies have concluded that running:

1. Decreases symptoms of depression
2. Improves learning abilities
3. Sharpens memory
4. Slows cognitive decline
5. Alleviates anxiety
6. Improves sleep
7. Increases creativity

I ran 16 miles this weekend. It was more than my training plan called for, but just what I needed for my mental health.  Running certainly helps keep me sane and lifts my spirits. Being outside in nature makes it even better, so of the 16 miles I ran this weekend, I did 13 of them at beautiful Lake Sonoma. If you’ve never been to Lake Sonoma in Geyserville, CA, I highly recommend it. It’s a beautiful place to hike or even just to have a seat and enjoy the view.

According to WebMD, improved self-esteem is a key psychological benefit of regular physical activity. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain. Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. For example, the feeling that follows a run or workout is often described as “euphoric.” That feeling, known as a “runner’s high,” can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life.

Also, endorphins act as analgesics, which means they diminish the perception of pain. They also act as sedatives. They are manufactured in your brain, spinal cord, and many other parts of your body and are released in response to brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The neuron receptors endorphins bind to are the same ones that bind some pain medicines. However, unlike with morphine, the activation of these receptors by the body’s endorphins does not lead to addiction or dependence. The runner’s high is real. I don’t personally experience it every time I run, but I do feel it often.  And in addtition, exercise also has these added physical health benefits:

• It strengthens your heart.
• It increases energy levels.
• It lowers blood pressure.
• It improves muscle tone and strength.
• It strengthens and builds bones.
• It helps reduce body fat.
• It helps you stay fit and healthy.

So, wash your hands, keep social distance, and go for a run or walk!  And do you know what’s even better than going for a run or walk along? Joining our virtual run/walk group!

Many of you have been training for more than two months now. How do you feel about your shoes? Are they comfortable? Do they give you enough support? I walked a 5K a few months ago with someone who was wearing a pair of Hokas that she had had for several months and she told me that after the first mile, her feet always hurt. Walking 5K (3.1 miles) shouldn’t hurt your feet. It turned out it was her shoes. Hokas are a great brand, but she was wearing the wrong size and  her toes did not have enough room. If you have never been inside a running store to get your feet fitted properly, I highly recommend it. Yes, I buy most of my shoes online (and preferably last year’s model so they are on sale!). But I can’t overstate the importance of consulting with a trained professional. Once you figure out your size and preferred brand, by all means, go stock up on them at an online sale. But don’t pick your shoes based on a picture on a website or even based on a recommendation from a friend. We are all different and our feet are different too. For example, I need to wear zero-drop shoes (absolutely no cushioned heel) because of an injury to my ankle more than 10 years ago that affects my ankle flexibility. Many people find those uncomfortable, but I actually find the cushion uncomfortable. Have a professional help you figure out which styles, brands and sizes work for you. And note that sizes can vary widely by brand.  In dress shoes, I wear a 6 or 6.5. In New Balance Minimus (my preferred road shoe), I wear a 7 or 7.5. And in Altra King MT (my preferred trail shoe), I wear a size 8! I never would have known that if I hadn’t spent some time talking with the team at Healdsburg Running Company (HRC) and trying different options. Who would have thought I need to buy a size 8???? But now that I know that, I am SO much happier with my shoes!

Some of you have mentioned that you feel intimidated to walk into a running store. Yes, many of the people who shop at HRC are hard-core ultra marathoners. But you know what? Many of their customers are just casual folk looking for a comfortable shoe. Just try it. I can almost guarantee that no running store will look down on you for not being “hard core enough” or “not fit enough” or not-being-anything-else-enough. On the contrary, they will be thrilled that you are getting started, and they will be happy to help. If they aren’t knowledgeable and happy to help, find a different store.  So take advantage of their expertise and give them the chance to welcome you. And if you live in Sonoma County, HRC is AWESOME! They have all the best gear and super knowledgeable staff. 

Once you have a pair of shoes that work for you…buy another pair. If 2 different types work for you, buy one of each. If there is one you love, buy a second pair of those (preferably in a different color so you can tell them apart). When you are training, alternate pairs each run. If on Tuesday you wore pair 1, wear pair 2 on Thursday. Why? Each shoe fits the foot in a unique way (even if they are the same style of the same brand) and this will help your feet not develop sore spots in one particular area. Also, shoes wear out approximately every 300-500 miles (depending on a variety of factors). Alternating between two pair will keep you from wearing out your shoes just in time to need new ones before that big race you’ve been training for (when you won’t have time to break them in). With 2 pairs, you will have 2 sets of “broken in/but not worn out” shoes come race day. 

If you have any questions about shoes or anything else, please do not hesitate to reach out.