Tag Archives: run

My Life Run/BanteringBlonde ~ 5/31 – 6/13

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Summer is officially upon us!  My kids are out of school and we are having a ton of fun.  I’ve been getting my runs in and am feeling very strong.  More and more women are joining our group and we’ve established an official forum on DailyMile.com – be sure to join us as we get the conversations in there flowing! We will officially be calling this endeavor My Life Run and you will start to see us using the hashtag #MyLifeRun, we’d love to have you join in so that we can cheer you on as well!

My kids love to play with my iphone camera and video and they are forever snapping pictures of me.  Whenever I sync with iphoto I’m always finding strange shots of the grocery store floor or videos of some goofy skit they make up on the fly.  Today, however there were several shots of me in my running gear.  I have to say that when I saw the pictures, my first thought was, “Wow I don’t look all that bad right now!”.  I’ve been losing weight slowly but the numbers on the scale don’t really reflect how much healthier I have been getting.  I feel like I look healthy in this photo… and I feel strong.  I feel whole.  I feel like me.

Getting back into the swing of things after my trip to Atlanta for The Race Relax Weekend with @theblogrollers meant missing my update last week so I’ve attached it to this weeks.  You can see that I’m starting to increase my mileage and I’ll be running 3-5 mile straining runs from now on while increasing the distance of my one long run each week.  I’m looking at races and will likely try to run at least one half marathon before the Disney Wine and Dine in October.

How was your week?  If you would like to become a contributing writer to MomActive for the “My Life Run” series just email me at fiona.bryan@momactive.com!

Here is what my training has looked like over the past two weeks….

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Team Colvin Races For The Cure

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Today we welcome Molly Gold, of Go Mom, Inc.  She’ll be Racing For The Cure this Saturday and I asked her to share her story with us…

By Molly Gold

www.gomominc.com

On Saturday, June 12, 2010, I am running the North Carolina Susan B. Komen® Race for the Cure because…

My Mother is a survivor and I’m so relieved she tested negative for Brac 1 and 2.

My Aunt has had breast cancer twice spanning 25 years.

My Grandmother passed away in her 50’s of ovarian cancer.

I had my first mammogram at 34 and I’m over being in the high risk category.

I have a neighbor who passed away this winter after a long battle and her children are my children’s ages.

I can count 5 people I know on one hand who have had breast cancer in the last year.

1 in 9 women will fight this disease in her lifetime and I don’t want to be part of that sisterhood.

I am running because my friend Krista Colvin has breast cancer and she’s going to win.

As you all know, Krista is the ultimate gal pal.  She’s sassy and fun, smart and caring, she’s that girlfriend that you wouldn’t dare miss a girl’s night out with and you’d give your right arm for.  Or your right breast.  She is bold and brave, not one to shy away from anything, and an educator in her heart.    I live on the other side of the country, have never met her in real life, and know in my heart she’s my kind, that instant connection that makes you know that you know that you know you are meant to share the sisterhood.

When Krista shared the news of her diagnosis, I was mad, devastated for her, and sadly, I’m embarrassed to say so selfishly terrified for myself.  What did it mean if a woman so vibrant and true could randomly, without a family history like mine that screams warning signals, while doing those monthly exams most of the time along with yearly mammograms still be challenged to fight stage 3 aggressive breast cancer?  What if I ever hear that terrible news?

Because of Krista, I have realized that I can’t live in fear that I might get breast cancer.  In fact I have to recognize that when your world is wide as today’s can be thanks to Face Book, Twitter, and just being the social butterfly that I am, I am going to hear about breast cancer, and frankly lots of other scary things, a lot.  And you know what?  I can’t worry about what if…not when it comes to breast cancer, H1N1, or any other terrible unexpected threat to our lives.  We can’t anticipate that and will miss out on this precious life right here in front of us if that’s where we focus our energy.

But when I hear about a newly diagnosed patient or learn of their most recent battle, that’s my chance to help.  That’s my chance to pray for people I know and I don’t,  to get out in my local community and raise money for women hear and all over the country, including out in Camas, Washington where my sweet friend is making such a huge difference sharing her story publicly every step of the way.  Krista is using her relationships in the local media to educate women just like you and me about what breast cancer really looks like.

Social Media makes the world a much smaller place and it’s because of the wonderful network of people there that I’m honored to be part of Team Colvin.  Sponsored by Hanes Comfort and organized by my friend, Malise Terrell, Carolina Mama, we have an AWESOME chance to work together to raise money and awareness for breast cancer everywhere.   The local North Carolina Blogging Community is coming out to work together and we’d love your support so check us out! Thank you!

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The Blogrollers First Race & Relax Weekend Huge Success

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As I sit in my airplane at 100,000+ feet, I’m filled with a myriad of emotions. I am a bit sad that the weekend is over and my time with the fantastic social media ladies of the #ATL has ended until we next meet, likely at Blogher or Blogalicious.   I am excited to see my babies, whom I have missed.  I’m looking forward to getting home and finishing up some straggling work before I take the summer off from consulting, and I am at peace with the world after one of THE most relaxing weekends I have had in a very long time.

When I won The Blogrollers contest for a weekend “Race & Relax Weekend” trip to Atlanta, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.  I was looking forward to a little time away from the daily grind and was  just plain thrilled to have a reason to train a 5k.  I’m typically focusing on longer endurance runs and never pay much attention to how fast I run.  Let’s just get this straight, I run far and loooong, major emphasis on the “long”. Simply put, I’m a slow runner.  I pretty much run straight 10 min miles no matter the distance so it has been fun to put more emphasis on speed work and I feel strong for it, so I’ll likely keep working at getting to be a “less slow” runner.

The Race

We were a crew of about 20, all with different goals and intentions for the race.  Some of us were out for the run, some for the walk, and others were there for the fun.  As we gathered at the start line, there was no mistaking who the social media mavens were …

Hey ladies!!! That was the start!

I was setting up my music and Nike+ so I could track my time, and suddenly a wave of runners started moving … YIKES we missed the gun.  I bolted forward and just started running.  I was a mess, and in the words of my lady friend @broksocialite, “we don’t DO mess”.  Well, I was a mess of fumbling iphone and wires and I should have been focused and preparing at the start line.  Oooops!  It took me a good 14 mile or so to get myself situated and into a running groove.

Can I just say that Atlanta is humid?  HU- MID! Not just the little glisten/glow kind of humid.  It was SWEAT your balls of humid.  I assumed the heat would be a challenge to me but I also wrongly assumed that because I train at altitude, I’d be able to breath much easier and move along at a faster pace.  Wrong, and a lesson learned – the humidity made the air thick and I huffed and puffed my way along the course struggling on the intake. I knew going in that the hills would likely slow me down a bit .. and they did.  I opted not to stop and wait in line at the one and only water stop. (Just a little FYI on race water tables “best practices”, stand IN FRONT of the table and pass the water to runners as they run by!) This was a decision I definitely regretted later when I would have given almost anything for a drop of water. I’m quite certain I must have sweat several gallons of water in that short distance, as I was blinded by the sweat dripping from my forehead.  My eyes stung and in my mind’s ear,  I was panting like a hyena giving birth. Or at least what I imagine a hyena giving birth would sound like.  I just kept thinking, “You can do anything for 3 miles” and “Suck air IN, Suck air IN”. It’s funny, I felt so strong despite wanting to die.  I was going to push along no matter what!

Never Make Assumptions

My cocky assumption that I’d have an easy time breathing during this race was silly, had I given it much thought or even looked into it at all, I would have realized that the thick humid air would pose a challenge and likely cancel out any benefit I had gained from training at altitude. I’ll chalk this one up to a lack of experience but I can tell you that I won’t ever go into another race being sure of what conditions to expect.

Strange Happenings

Our bodies change as they age and if you’ve ever birthed a child you will likely see significant proof of those children, that increases with each pregnancy and birth.  I’ve had three children. My body is evidence but I practice yoga in order to combat some of the core strength weakness that I might otherwise struggle with. No matter what I do, the trauma that certain parts of my body have weathered in pushing three gorgeous little blessings can not be undone.  I do believe that practicing yoga is just about the only thing holding my hips together right now!

The Finish

The finish line was right around a corner at the bottom of a hill.  Had I known that the finish line were there I might have picked up my pace earlier, but PHEW it was nice to see that “Finish” sign!  I thought I’d pass out as I walked it off catching my breath.  (Another race note: Making runners walk 3 blocks to get water when they’ve sweat so much you can smell them a mile away??  NOT advised – Place it off to the side if you have to but WATER should be in close proximity lest would like to  have a BaneringBlonde yack in the middle of your pretty street!

@stacieinatlanta, me, @brokesocialite

For more about the race, and to read about the “RELAX” portion of the weekend join my on BanteringBlonde…


Relief...

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Running For My Life ~ #racerelax weekend 1 week away!

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Many runners begin to taper their training during the two weeks before a race but, since I’ll be using the #RaceRelax weekend 5k next Saturday June 5th as part of my half-marathon training, I have kept my normal training routine. I have also had such great results with my speed training that I pushed to “sprint” for the two middle miles in my Sunday run, and ended up running sub 9 minute miles for those particular miles!.  My goal for the 5k on Saturday is to run a sub 30 minute race and it should be very doable! If you take a look at my training week posted at the bottom of this, you will notice that my overall average mile time keeps going down.  I’m so used to training for longer distances I wasn’t really sure if I was doing any good with shorter speedier runs, but I feel really strong right now and know that I’ll have to work my distance interval training at a higher intensity from now on! So, it is the week before the big trip…. On Friday I am heading to HOT-Lanta! (That’s Atlanta for y’all Yankees).  Many of you will remember that I entered and actually WON The Blogrollers #RaceRelax Contest to run with @askwifey.  I wanted to win that contest so badly that I entered and played my odds like nobody’s business.  I’ve never want to win something so badly before! Preparing for this race has gotten me out of a pretty big running rut and I am so excited to see what the race reslut is. This little trip is EXACTLY what I need right now. I am so grateful to The Blog Rollers , Walt Disney World Resort and The Cherry Marketing Institute , The Wine Sisterhood and Pampered by Adrienne for sponsoring the event and flying me to Atlanta to Race …. and Relax!

Here are the lovely Atlanta ladies that I’ll be running and relaxing with!

@DoinGoodinATL; blog: http://doingoodinmyhood.wordpress.com/

@ReneeJRoss; blog: http://cutiebootycakes.com/ @LisaCWrites; blog: http://lisacwrites.com/ @WatchTheShoes; blog: http://wonderwomanchronicles.blogspot.com/ @Resroad; blog: http://myresolutionroad.blogspot.com/ @brokesocialite; blog: http://thebrokesocialite.com/ @StacieInAtlanta; blog: http://thedivinemissmommy.com/ @KrystalGrant; blog: http://www.krystalgrant.com/ @NikkiD13; blog: http://www.myinnerdialogue.com/ @JoanofAllTrades; blog: http://joanofalltrades.blogspot.com/ @execumama; blog http://execumama.com/ @mami2mommy; blog: http://mami2mommy.com/ @banteringblonde; blogs: http://banteringblonde.com/ and http://momactive.com/ @msladysoul; blog: http://www.intellectualsoul.com/ @chatterboxcgc; blog: http://www.christiecrowder.com/ @AskWifey; blog: http://www.askwifey.blogspot.com/ http://losingfatandwinning.blogspot.com/ @TheGreatDanaJ

Training Log 5/24/10 – 5/30/10

Pace
05/30/10
Running
6.46
01:08
10:28
766
05/28/10
Running
3.27
00:36
11:05
324
05/26/10
Running
2.53
00:27
10:42
251
05/24/10
Running
4.43
00:49
10:59
439
05/24/10
Yoga
01:00
 N/A
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Weekly Round-up 5/17/10 … Bantering Blonde

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I feel like we need to explore a name for the weekly check-ins.  We are all having “aha” moments and major mental breakthroughs … this is no longer about a race and we need to start reflecting that.  So let’s get on that….’mkay?

Those of you following us on our journey will start to see people coming out of the woodwork making all kinds of crazy declarations that are going to push them to BE MORE and DO MORE than they ever imagined. **giddy**

Ok, so my week was not fantabulous but it was actually ok.  I struggle with allergies and the cotton wood came out fierce last week.  Our lawns and streets and screens were clogged with the white cotton of ick.  The trooper within pulled this out….

Monday - Core Power Yoga 60 mins

Tuesday- 6.5 miles 1:10 (easy run)

Wed/Thurs/Fri –  Allergies and lack of sleep!

Sunday – 33minutes 2.66 miles (very easy run)

So, not awesome but at the same time I still put in almost 9 miles and the 6.5 distance gave me a peak distance to train down from for my 5k race next Saturday #RaceRelax weekend in Atlanta with @theblogrollers!  My goal is to run a sub 30min 5k… totally doable!

Tune in to @momactive on MomTV on Wednesday at 10pm ET – we’ll be talking training schedules and plans, getting out of your own head and over the mental hurdles!  We may have a super duper top secret special guest popping in  ….. ooooh la la

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Week 1 Wrap-up ~ Banteringblonde on the Run

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runwifeylogo-03I took the week to get myself back in the running frame of mind.  I am a fair weather runner so winter tends to keep me in the yoga studio with a jaunt on the tread mill here and there.  My training schedule includes 3 runs a week right now.  Since I typically practice yoga 3-5 times a week normally I’ll used those classes to cross-train and strength build.  In my opinion anyone who participates in yoga is getting quite a bit of strength training just by lifting their own body weight.

Here is what my week looked like.

Monday 5/3 -  40 minute run easy

Tuesday 5/4 – 60 min Core Power Fusion Yoga/cross train

Wednesday 5/5 – (Rest)

Thursday 5/6 – 30 minute run easy

Friday 5/7 – 60 minute Core Power C2 Yoga/cross train

Saturday 5/8 - 5k paced run – I used my Nike+ iphone app to check my pace.  I wanted a point of reference since I’ll be flying to Atlanta for #racerelax weekend THAT I WON in just four weeks.  I’d like to turn in a semi decent time and while my long term training really requires work on increasing my distance, I’ll be giving special attention to my speed/interval training runs over the next few weeks.

The 5k race that I’ll be running is on June 5th and I thought it would be fun this week to highlight some other 5k’s around the country.  Watch for this post next Friday and please comment or email fiona.bryan at momactive.com if you would like me to highlight or find a race in your area on June 5th.

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Bantering Blonde Headed to Atlanta for Race Relax Weekend

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bogrollers

Bantering Blonde (thats me!) WON the Run With Wifey Race & Relax Contest!!

Here is what I Won!

  • Race & Relax Event Registration (which includes the Virginia Highlands Summerfest 5K run/walk; post-race brunch sponsored by Walt Disney World Resort; a Get Moving! Race & Relax “Powered By Red” race-day T-Shirt, train to manage your pain Red Recovery Routine and bottle of tart cherry juice sponsored by the Cherry Marketing Institute; and other goodies)
  • Round Trip Airfare
  • Hotel accommodations for Friday (6/4) and Saturday (6/5) night
  • Transportation to airport and Race & Relax event activities.

I’m so excited to run this race and it is a perfect distance and date to fit right into our current training schedule for the MomActive Training Schedule!  If you’d like to run a 5k in your city and be my virtual race buddy I’d love to connect.  You can email me at fiona.bryan @ MomActive . com

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The MomActive Challenge ~ Let’s Talk Training Schedules

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exercise-mom-1

Last week Michele and I announced that we’d be training to run the Inaugural Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend Oct 1-3.  No matter what your fitness level you can train for this race or any of the races we’ll run along the way.  We have LOTS of time and you’ll be amazed at how your body and mind transforms over the next 21 and a half weeks.  Did you know that most training schedules for a half marathon are only 12 weeks in length?  Yes, 12 weeks… just about three months.  We almost have enough time to train for a half marathon TWICE! When you look at it that way it doesn’t seem like such a big deal does it?

We decided to break the next 23 weeks into 3 phases, building a base in the first 8 weeks, using the 5k race as a training run prior to running a 10k.  When we get to the 3rd phase we hope to have inspired enough people along the way to be able to split into training groups so that we can customize schedules based on individual goals and experience.

Right now this is what it looks like….

Phase I:  8 weeks Build a Base (5k race at end of week 8)

Phase II:   2 weeks – Great place to jump in! (10k race at end of week 10)

Phase III:  12 weeks half marathon training

Each week we will post an example training schedule with options for different levels.  If you would like help customizing a plan that works for you please contact me at fiona.bryan @ momactive . com and I’m happy to help you out!  Michele and I will be documenting our training and posting our personal training schedules and logs weekly.  We’ll also be posting about the nutritional advice we receive.  If you’d like to join the official MomActive Team and cross post updates from your personal blog on MomActive, let us know!

To Get Started Read:  Preparing for Phase I of The MomActive Challenge

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Preparing for Phase I of The MomActive Challenge

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arunning2

We are so glad you are here!  Reading this post is the first step in what promises to be a fun journey.  Phase I: Week 1 kicks off on Monday May 3rd!

Walk/Run – As we mentioned last week our main goal right now is to just get out there and walk or jog for at least 30 minutes at least 3 times this week.  Start to get a feel for what the most convenient days for running are.  Also pay attention to the day or days that would work best for longer runs.  Keep in mind that we’ll be increasing the distance/time of our one day a week longer distance runs all way through to October. The days that you do not run experiment with other recreational fun activities like biking, hiking, Wii Fit, etc.

Ideally, you should be able to run for at least 30 minutes without stopping by the end of this week.  More advanced runners, take it easy and just do your thang.

Shoes/Feet

Whether you plan to run or walk with us you’ll need a good pair of shoes.  If you have a running (or walking) specialty store close by this is your best bet in finding the right shoe.  Most stores have a treadmill that you can test shoes out on and many now have video and computer analysis that will analyze your stride.  To read more about choosing a shoe and the terms pronate and supenate you can read this Runner’s World article, The Best Shoe For You.

A quick word about your feet.  Running or walking distances does not pretty feet make!  Prepare to build tough calluses and be sure to monitor and stave off any cracking or peeling.  You’ll want to keep your toe nails short, although I will say that I have lost many toenails despite keeping them short. We’ll likely talk more about different remedies and foot related products as we build our time/distance, but it is worth a quick mention before we get started.

Clothing (and a word about sports bras)

You don’t need fancy clothes or any special gear to get started running.  An old t-shirt and comfortable shorts or sweats will do.  Ok, the sports bra conversation is an important one.  WEAR A PROPER SPORTS BRA – no matter what your size you need to have good support in order to be comfortable and if you can imagine the what having kids did to them … just imagine the damage from bouncing and jiggling out of control for long periods of time.  If you are blessed, as I am, with ample bosom I want you to know that I am livin’ it right there with you and we will be devoting an entire article and MomTV program to The Sports Bra very soon.  Not all sports bras are created equally and the right bra can will be crucial when we start racking up the miles.

Nutrition

This is also a topic that we’ll be covering in detail over the entire 21-ish weeks.  Here are few tips to get you started:

  • Write down what you eat – I know it seems like a pain but we’ll use this information when we start analyzing our diets to be sure that we are fueling our bodies to do what we are asking them to do!
  • Drink lots of water – uber important girls, just find a water bottle you can fall in love with and keep it with you all day long.  Another topic that will be published as a full article very soon.
  • Take a multi-vitamin – I’m the worst at this – I make my kids take vitamins but I never take them myself.  The fact is most of us do not get the proper amount of vitamins and mineral solely from our food intake.  We’ll work on this but let’s just consider the multi-vitamin our insurance policy to fill in the gabs.

That’s it!  No fancy diets here – we’ll talk common sense and best practices for now and as we learn more we’ll begin to incorporate and eliminate foods as needed/desired.

Any questions? Ask away  ~ you can email or leave a comment!

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Run With Wifey Race & Relax Contest!

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runwifeylogo-03
Run With Wifey Race & Relax Contest!
One lucky lady who wants to Get Moving will win the opportunity to join @theblogrollers for the Race & Relax weekend and take part in all of the fun festivities they have planned.

I entered! The Blogrollers are running a super fun contest!  One lucky person will be flown to Atlanta for the Race & Relax weekend – racing and relaxing are right up my alley!  I’d love to win this because the race is in June and falls at the perfect time in my training schedule for the  Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon in October!

WISH ME LUCK!

Check out some of the details and then head on over to The Blogrollers to find out how to enter….

What You Win:

  • Race & Relax Event Registration (which includes the Virginia Highlands Summerfest 5K run/walk; post-race brunch sponsored by Walt Disney World Resort; a Get Moving! Race & Relax “Powered By Red” race-day T-Shirt, train to manage your pain Red Recovery Routine and bottle of tart cherry juice sponsored by the Cherry Marketing Institute; and other goodies)
  • Round Trip Airfare
  • Hotel accommodations for Friday (6/4) and Saturday (6/5) night
  • Transportation to airport and Race & Relax event activities.
Official Rules:
  • Contest entries will be accepted until 11:59pm EST on Monday May 3rd.
  • Contest open to continental US residents only.
  • If you are already registered for the event you are not eligible for the contest.
  • Georgia residents are permitted to enter but will NOT receive airfare and will be responsible for all transportation. If you live more than 100 miles from the Atlanta city limits, you are eligible for hotel accommodations.
  • Contest winner must confirm their acceptance by 11:59pm EST on Thursday, May 6.

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