A room full of treadmills, free-weights and men. Today I was the only female at the gym. I used to let this bother me, but not anymore. I pay my dues like everyone else.
No wonder I'm tired!
Kudos to the guy who used the gym's paper towel to dry himself off. He started with his face; then each arm and eventually bent over and wiped down his legs. 
"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift."
- Steve Prefontaine
Dedicated today's run to Pre ~
Who sadly died in a car crash 32 years ago today.
Born: 25 January 1951
Birthplace: Coos Bay, Oregon
Died: 30 May 1975 (automobile crash)
Best Known As: Oregon running legend
Pre’s Rock
What category of runner do you fall into?
The ABCs and running series: Today's topic - "Laces", an informative session.
Who would have known there was such a widespread interest in shoe laces? Not just runners like me, but anyone that wears shoes!
(Flip flop owners excluded.)
We yearn to know; how we are suppose to tie them, how long should they be, what are they made of, is the bow/knot proper - horizontal or vertical.
The shoestring (string and shoe holes) was first invented in England in 1790. (Velcro didn't arrive till 1941)
As a runner I've tied many types of laces; from cotton, elastic, Curly, to black, white, colored, to even white with lettering. (And dirty ones too.)
The most important task is tying the laces into a knot. Not many runners want to abruptly stop running to tie up their laces. (In races, I quickly pass runners with a flighty lace - as not to see them trip.)
Apparently, 75% of us use the Granny Knot to secure our shoe. I use a Reef Knot combined with a Lock Knot: so they never come undone.
(I still tie my bows in reverse - my MOM is left handed.)
Some feel the technique of lacing the shoe is important. With new runners, I always put the shoe on first, without the laces. After folding the lace in half to find the middle, I slowly, methodically lace upwards. Stopping at each level to adjust and readjust the tension. I have a high arch and this system works perfect for me. I never lace the top side holes - never!
"To ease foot pain on the top of the foot, try lacing your shoes backwards. This will alleviate the pressure while providing a snug (but not stifling) fit."
Take your laces out of your shoes someday and wash them!
~
Which knot do you use? (Poll)
Over at YouTube:
Self Tying Laces
Tie Laces Faster
The best part of this 5 mile route is the path along the woods. I stumbled upon it by accident while exploring one day. It's hidden behind a row of houses - their back fences staunchly guarding this refuge. A canopy of tree branches provide shade. But what makes this path wonderful is the dirt. It's just plain old dirt, the kind you wandered on in your youth.
A rolling path marked with scattered pebbles and a few dry twigs. It does not change. I always slow down - just enough, to feel the ground beneath my feet.
This recipe includes two of my favorite foods; peas and pistachios, plus one of my favorite spices - tarragon.
Baked Peas with Tarragon, Yogurt, and Pistachios
I would use a non-fat yogurt to off set the fat content of the pistachios.
[Brown Cow brand has no gelatin.]
Worthwhile Information:
1 cup of peas
The ABCs and running series: Today's topic - "The Knee - A List of cross-training activities I’ve tried out and liked."
The human heart is a crucial component of our bodies. Besides functionality, it's a symbol of love, courage and even character.
In the Mayan culture - the greatest sacrifice was to have your heart removed. (The heart still beats (for awhile) after being removed from the body - due to automaticity.)
On my run it will just serve as a pump - delivering blood to my lungs and legs.
(Over 1,500 gallons a day.)
Today, I just want to think about running .
~
Read ->
Our Human Hearts; A Medical and Cultural Journey
I have access to a site that keeps track of all the traffic visiting my site. Included in this data is What Readers Clicked .
I had thought this data would be useful. I could use the information to suggest links that were intelligent and sought after.
Sadly - the most popular link clicked on my page is Sitemeter. I don't really understand the desire to see someone elses traffic... unless to see popularity.
Coming in second are clicks on my comments - understandable. And then third place are links in my blogroll, which include my friends and other runners - members of my community.
I could not have wished a nicer day. A combination of coolness competing with the heat of the morning sun. Deluxe ~
I ramped up my slow run with a few body squats and a set of side-shuffles. (To warm up those laterals.) Then ran 6 miles at a moderate pace with 30 second breaks mingled in to stay relaxed.
start to finish
garbage man wave
turkey vulture dining on roadkill
a field of white daisies
The ABCs and running series: Today's topic "Jogging."
"You are either a walker or a runner: There is no such animal as a jogger."A question I don't hear anymore, "Are you a jogger or a runner?" Years ago when I first started running it was very trendy to be a jogger. It became America's hottest fitness craze.
David Holt
What, another race and it's only been 2 weeks? I usual don't plan races so close together but I feel rested and suffer no ill effects from the past half marathon.
Actually I feel great this week - ran my 1 mile TT 15 seconds faster then expected.
So, Lake Oswego - here I come!
[Hopefully won't need the above lifesaver.]
Have a great weekend wherever you travels take you.
You can post an upcoming race at CRN now on their new race calendar. They are using WordPress platform to format the data - which is totally new to me. It took a few minutes to figure it out and then enter my upcoming race. But I was victorious.
Recent races are listed on the right side bar. Or you can just use the calendar to click on a date that interests you.
I picked one out a of the blue and discovered -> The Edinburgh Marathon (Scotland)
Bagpipes and castles ~ Way kewl. Good luck to all the entries.
Like a data junkie that had just been feed, I analyzed the data with a fine tooth comb. Pace, speed, even elevation!
I was fortunate enough to try-out one of the Garmin Forerunner 305 devices. Thanks FS (())
It took awhile to get going. The heart rate strap needed to be synched just right so I could breath. The wrist strap adjusted, then re-adjusted. A quick refresher on the display buttons - then a pause outside to get in sync with the satellites... ready.
I actually had more fun watching the fluctuating pace rate than the mileage. I've never really been a steady runner. I shift with the wind...
Over all I was impressed with the coverage. It displayed a very accurate map of my route and only lost coverage for a brief moment while I ran through the orchard.
I had thought the heart rate monitor would bother me but it was no worse than wearing an underwire bra.
[Females are acclimated to this kind of gear.]
I did have a problem with the wrist device itself. It rubbing mercilessly over my bony wrist. It was too bulky for my small wrist.
The ABCs and running series: Today's topic "ICE"
As a runner you are well aware of that dreaded feeling that happens when an injury has occurred. OMG - First, stop whatever you doing, then head home and raid the freezer. (Of course if a serious injury has occurred, such as the dreaded Achilles' tendon rupture you should also seek medical attention.)
"There are more than 10 million sport injuries a year...The most common cause of sports injuries is overuse."Your first home remedy should be applying ice. Using ice can prevent gross swelling and reduce pain.
The injured part swells because fluid leaks from blood vessels. By causing the blood vessels to constrict, cold reduces their tendency to leak, thus restricting the amount of fluid and swelling in the injured part.Less swelling = less pain.
[ref - Merck Medical Manual]
On the front cover of the latest Runners World magazine is Ceci St. Geme, a 44 year old runner with abs of steel. {Even after having 6 kids.] To keep her abs in shape she does
100 regular sit-ups a day and then two minutes of a V-sit.
[What is a V-sit?]
I only do 40 sit-ups every other day... How many do you do?
Ways to make sit-ups less tedious:
Now that I've completed my first half marathon - I need to start working on my next goal. [I can only cope with one life changing goal at a time.]
I found this handy site that uses Flash to create bubbles that group and organize your thoughts. Bubbl.us
The program has an easy learning curve. It took me about 5 minutes to figure out the program. There is also roll over instruction box in the right hand corner. Perfect.
Free association was originally used by Freud to help patients delve deeper into their minds. ..
The key is to think as fast as you can . [I sketched in freehand first.]
Mind mapping
