Thumbs up to race photos

I got an e-mail on Monday morning from the Red Dress Run/HMF with a link to photos of the race.  You could type in your bib number and photos of you taken during the race would come up.  So, I followed the links, and burst out into really, really loud laughter when I saw the 14 photos of me.  Apparently, I subconsciously run with my thumbs up.   Almost every single photo from that race, I've got not one, but both thumbs in the upright position.  I seriously have NEVER noticed this.  Also in one photo, my tongue is sticking out.  [side note: when I auditioned for the competition dance team in high school just before my freshman year, the coach said "you've made the team, but you have got to keep your tongue in your mouth while doing your leaps!".  It doesn't hang out, but gently rests on my lower lip, ha! It's like a focus/concentration thing for me... always has been, and I guess always will be!]

I kind of look like I'm operating a video game controller while bawking like a chicken... no?

It's weird how seeing photos of myself running has affected my running since then.  I looked through all 14 photos, noticing different things about my form, arms, posture, face, hands, feet... everything.  I made a short list of things to try and focus on during this weeks runs, so I can be constantly improving.  Here are some examples of what I noticed:

• Feet: I've always been pigeon toed, but since I had surgeries, it has gotten worse from trying to compensate due to pain.  Try to focus on keeping feet more turned out
• Tongue: keep that sucker in
• Posture: keep shoulder blades back, no hunching over, no matter how tired!
  

I am not one to care at all what I look like, or what people think of me, but it was interesting to see myself from another point of view.   I'll be curious to see if I feel differently or improve my time with my focus shifting more to my form.  

What tips and techniques do you have to someone trying to improve their form?

Do you like to see photos of yourself from races? Do you ever purchase them?

Race Recap: HMF's Red Dress Run For Women

Well everyone, I can finally say I have completed my first 5K RUN! As I've mentioned, I have walked in several, and I have done the distance on my own, but never in a race!  I've got mixed feelings about how I did…. Read on!

Red Dress Run For Women 5K
Registration: $30, includes bib, t-shirt, and bangle bracelet
Race Location: Elizabeth Park Rose Garden, West Hartford, CT
Packet Pickup: I opted for the day before, at Fleet Feet Sports in West Hartford.  Was in and out in 5 minutes. Alternative was to pick up the morning of.
Parking: I ended up scoring a sweet street spot, but there was a lot about 5 minutes away with shuttle transportation.
# of Participants: 1200 women (no men allowed!) there was also a kids race, which had about ~60 kids

Reppin' Rebel IPA! 

Overview: I arrived around 7:45 to ensure parking and plenty of time to get a grasp on my surroundings.  I have been to Elizabeth Park numerous times, so I was familiar with the park.  In the rose gardens, there were vendors and tents set up: baggage check, registration, HMF "store", various gyms, physical therapists, food vendors, etc.  I checked a bag with ease, and there were four volunteers watching bags throughout the race.  

The kids' run was first.  There was a 100M, 1/2 mile, and 1 mile.  I thought this was an awesome event, and a great way to get children involved.  Parents (male and female) were allowed to run with their kids.  There were definitely some cute kids, wearing capes like superheros!  The kids race started at 8 am and was over in about 15 minutes.

I made my way after the kids' race over to the starting line.  There were DJ's and a host, who got everyone pumped up.  The founder of the Hartford Marathon Foundation, Beth Shluger, was there to offer words of wisdom, as was the record holder for this course (whose time was in the 17 minute range!).  It was nice to hear their words, and honestly, it calmed me down a bit.  

The race started right on time, and I honestly kind of blanked out for the first mile or so.  There were just a lot of people in a little area, and I found that I kept getting stuck behind people who were walking the 5k.  That irritated me but I let it go! The course wound through residential neighborhoods, and there were residents out front with their children cheering us on, giving high fives, and one even had their sprinkler on for us!  It was really nice, and made me feel really connected with everyone.  As I passed mile 1, my time was 9:14.  There were a few slight hills throughout, and by mile 2 I was at 18:32.  I finished with a time of 28:50.  I was really displeased with my time, but still tried to remain proud that I had even finished!  Overall, I placed 198th, out of 1200.  Not too shabby- but I know I could have done better!

Post race, I ventured to some of the booths, and was APPALLED to find a booth about "anti-running".  They had t-shirts for sale that said "Running Sucks" and "Run Later" and had boxes of donuts on the table.  Supposedly, they were aiming to "save your joints" and don't run, but what's the point of having a booth at a RUNNING RACE? I did NOT care for this, and I don't understand this.  HMF, WTF?  The other booths were great.  There were free strawberry parfaits, and protein bars, both of which were delicious.  Bakery on Main had a booth with complimentary bars as well, I'll be trying that one tomorrow!  I purchased a t-shirt, and got a free HMF pint glass! Woohoo!   

Then, I met up with my friend Tracy.  Tracy ran this course in 20:35- her new personal record! She placed 1st in her age group, and 8th overall… OUT OF 1200!  I was so proud of her and am so inspired by her.

All my sweet swag!

Post race breakfast! SO good!

Fruit

Much needed after waking up at 6:50 on a SATURDAY.

Overall, the energy at this race was great.  I liked that it was women only, and everyone seemed really supportive of one another.  Even the police officers and volunteers throughout the course were cheering us on!  I will definitely run this race again.

What's your favorite 5k race?  How did you do in your very first one?

What's your pre race and post race routine?

Stretching is KEY!

Warming up and stretching is very important and key to having successful runs.  It took me a long time to get a grasp on this.  For a long while, I would skip stretching after a run because "I didn't have time" or "I didn't feel like it".  Now that I've increased my distances a bit, I see how pertinent stretching is, and if I skimp on stretching after a run I certainly feel it the following day.  Stretching and warming up are crucial to preventing injury.  Here is a glimpse into my pre and post run stretching/warming up routine:

Pre-Run
-20 jumping jacks
-40 leg swings per leg- 20 front to back, 20 side to side
-20 walking lunges per leg
-2 minute warm up- jog at a slow pace, usually around ~10 min mile pace, from my front door to intersection (where I begin my routes)

Post-Run
-5 minute cool down- I usually walk to the end of my block and back after I get home from a run
-The following stretches for 25-30 seconds each (on each side):
-Hip flexor: kneeling on the ground, place one leg out in front at a 90 degree angle (knee/ankle aligned).  Gently press weight forward onto that leg, to feel a stretch in the opposite hip area.
-Standing calf: facing a wall, place toes of one foot upright against the wall, with your heel on the ground.  Lean gently into the wall until you feel your calf muscle stretching.
-Quad: standing on one foot, bend the other leg at the knee, bring behind you, and hold with your hand. 
-Sit and reach: probably the first stretch anyone learned how to do! Your basic sitting on the ground, bend one leg at the knee, and reach for the other foot.
-Foam Rolling:  I know I am not the only person who despises my foam roller.  It works wonders, however. I try to incorporate it daily, but that's nearly impossible, because I really hate it that much.

I really like this article about post run stretching.  It's simple, and easy to understand.

I have my first 5K tomorrow.  Surprisingly, I've never actually RUN a 5K race.  I've walked in several, and I run the 5K distance often, but never in a race!  It's the Red Dress Run for Women, in West Hartford, CT.  Stay tuned for a full recap on Monday!

Other things happening:
-My new summer league kickball team had our first game last night, and we won!  We've scheduled a team "practice" on Sunday afternoon, more like a fun kicking session!
-I have orientation at a new fitness studio called m.e.l.t. on Sunday morning.  I purchased a Groupon for a three week trial.  The workouts are only 30 minutes long, so I'll be curious as to how effective they are.

What is your pre run and post run routine like?  What are your thoughts about stretching?

What is your favorite distance to run?  Why?

The most exciting thing planned for your weekend is ______________.
Happy Friday!!