Category Archives: Running and Reading Long

August 9, 2012

Final Week of Running and Reading Long!

Can you believe that 13 weeks has passed so quickly? It feels like yesterday I was opening Running for Women for the first time, and now Running and Reading Long is over!

Because we had finished the final book last week, this week is just an overall recap post. Good thing I have a swimming and running book still at home to keep my reading streak alive!

Alright, here are the summarizing prompts for the program!

1. What were your favorite reads & why? Did they enhance your training?

Oh man, this is a hard one! I think overall, my favorite read was The Long Run, which really hit close to home regarding injury, attitude, and mental toughness. I could relate to feeling worthless and not being able to run. But using that to fuel the fire and push me further is my plan, just like Matt did in order to recover and go back to Ironman status!

2. What were your least favorite reads? Why?

Hmmmm. This is a tough one! I thought at the time that Running for Women would be one of my favorites, but after having read all of the ones that followed, I think this one was one of my least favorites. Though it was really informational, and Kara is obviously really incredible, I didn’t like that it wasn’t a story. That doesn’t mean it’s still not a great book for runners of all kinds, though!

3. Remind us of your training goals (distance, race, etc). Did you meet them? Why or why not?

I believe that when this whole thing started, I didn’t have any specific running goals. I had done a half marathon previously last year, but at the start of the program I was just getting over injury (which I am still trying to keep happy). Since then, I have signed up for a triathlon that is a little over a month away, and I have been trucking along nicely with that training!

4. Did participating in Running & Reading Long enhance your training? Why or why not? Would you participate again?

I definitely think Running and Reading Long made me focus more on a training plan, and I also picked up motivation and tips on how to be a better runner. The people I have met through the program are also inspiring. The chats were beneficial, and they helped to relate to others on a more personal level. The books kept me motivated and gave me confidence that anyone can rebound from even the worst of conditions! I would definitely participate again, as long as it’s in the summer – no time for reading once the school year begins Smile

5. What are you next running-related goals?

For now, I am still focused on the triathlon that is coming up on September 23. Today is a run day, yesterday was swim and bike. I went to a local lake to swim open water with no turns. Definitely helps to practice that because I am so used to having walls to push off for a little boost! After that, I may sign up for more races, but if not, I am sure next spring will bring new fun ones! Oh ya, and I have the Color Run September 9th, but I am going to just have fun with that!

There will be a final Twit Chat tonight if you’re able to join, and there will also be another Running and Reading Long program opportunity in the future for anyone interested! Be sure to keep your eye on the site for more information!

To finish off this post, I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to Laura for organizing and running this program! You’re awesome!

And very last thing: did anyone else cry when Misty and Kerri won last night? I did. Geez, I get too emotional over the Olympics! A huge congrats to them! And an even greater congrats to Misty, as she retires from volleyball! What a great role model and amazing athlete!

Have a great Thursday!

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Filed under Book, Injury, Races, Running, Running and Reading Long, Training

Tagged as books, olympics, recap, running, running and reading long, volleyball

August 2, 2012

Running and Reading Long–Once A Runner

Hey there! We’re getting to the last few weeks of the Running and Reading Long program. That makes me kind of sad – I love reading books regarding running, swimming, and the like.

For this week’s post, we are to focus on the book Once a Runner by John L. Parker, Jr. This book is different than the others that we have read. Once a Runner is a fictional story, whereas the other books have more been documentaries or advice giving books about running.

Here’s the Amazon synopsis of the story: Smile

Inspired by the author’s experience as a collegiate champion, the story focuses on Quenton Cassidy, a competitive runner at fictional Southeastern University whose lifelong dream is to run a four-minute mile. He is less than a second away when the turmoil of the Vietnam War era intrudes into the staid recesses of his school’s athletic department. After he becomes involved in an athletes’ protest, Cassidy is suspended from his track team. Under the tutelage of his friend and mentor, Bruce Denton, a graduate student and former Olympic gold medalist, Cassidy gives up his scholarship, his girlfriend, and possibly his future to withdraw to a monastic retreat in the countryside and begin training for the race of his life against the greatest miler in history.

Here are the questions we were to answer after reading the book, which by the way I really enjoyed. It took me a while to get into it, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Also, it’s all very realistic, which really pulled me in! I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for an easy but different book to read!

Alright, here goes!

Did it make you want to run? Yes, and it also made me miss the feeling of being on a team (which would of course had been swimming for me!)

Did it motivate you to race? Definitely; it helped gear my training and make me focus more on why I am doing what I do.

Was it perfectly timed with the Olympics? Definitely, and since I read it right before the Olympics began I was super pumped for it. I can’t wait to start watching track and field, though swimming will forever hold a huge part of my heart.

Finally, does it deserve it’s place as the “ultimate” runner’s novel? I definitely feel as though it was a very good book, and could be a great fictional story for runners. I don’t think it is on the same level as some of the other books we have read for the program, just because they aren’t really along the same lines.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it to be a fun, entertaining, as well as serious book!

As for my own training this week, since I have been in San Diego, I have managed a workout everyday. I have swam, run, and ellipticaled at least every day. Running here is so nice and flat and there’s such an awesome breeze—I could really get used to it Winking smile !

Next week is crazily the end of Running and Reading Long, so don’t forget to check back!

Happy Thursday, and don’t forget about the GoodBelly and Underwater Window giveaways!

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Filed under Book, Running, Running and Reading Long

Tagged as book, once a runner, review, running and reading long

July 26, 2012

Running and Reading Long and Giveaway Winner

This week’s focus for Running and Reading Long is race preparation. I know that I’ve just started training for my next race, but that doesn’t mean I can’t already start preparing.

Although I am doing the Color Run and a 65 mile bike ride (simple pace, not a race), the thing I am training and focusing on most is the Bethany Beach Triathlon.

The Triathlon is Sunday, September 23. The race consists of 1000 meter Swim/Beach Run (.62 miles), 30k Bike (18.5 miles), and 7k Run (4.35 miles). The transition area for the race opens at 5:30, prerace events are a 7:15, and the race starts at 7:30. Can’t forget the post race party after, too Winking smile . Packet pick-up is the night before from 4-8 and there is also an expo along with it!

Some things we were supposed to research for this week’s post in order to be fully prepared include:

Fueling during the race – there is nothing on the website saying anything about fueling offered during the race, but I plan to have gels in my bike shirt
“Night before” preparation – set out my outfit, make sure I have cap, goggles, clip shoes, race information, Garmin, socks, shoes, water bottles, towel, gels, sunglasses, running belt, etc.
Hydration – water bottle on bike and extra in transition, drink more than enough water the day and night before, there are 3 places during the run with water, incorporate sport drink to last longer
Race day activities – prerace events before as well as a three hour party after and hopefully spending time at the beach!

Some things that I am still worried about: what to wear on the top to be comfortable the whole time. I have triathlon shorts but I don’t know what I should wear as a top?! A sports bra maybe and then put my biking shirt on? A special triathlon top? Not sure!! Everything I researched said to wear a wetsuit, but as this is my first major triathlon, I don’t know whether spending the money on a wetsuit is the best idea. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Also, do I wear clip shoes and then switch to my sneakers? Or switch back to my old pedals and just wear the sneakers the whole time?

Lastly, what will I do to make the race fun? Well, how can it not be fun…I am racing with my best friend and boy friend!

In my research, I found some good articles:

11 Triathlon Rules You Should Know

How Triathletes Stay Hydrate On Race Day

Triathlon Swim: How to Stay on Course

Triathlon Transitions

So far this week, I have ran, swam, and cross trained, and this morning I planned on going for a ride but woke up to a storm. The hardest thing will be training while in San Diego…I have no idea what my resources will be like!!

Anyone that has any triathlon tips, please let me know!

And the winner of the Girls4Sport giveaway is: