Brooks Giveaway

A special thanks to Brooks for providing me with some apparel to giveaway to one lucky winner. I've recently become a big fan of their gear and hope you will become one too if you're not already! 




Versatile EZ Racer Back



 

Epiphany Stretch Short II





To enter the giveaway you will need to do the following:

1. Leave comment on the question in the previous post and indicate that you want to enter
2. Become a fan of Brooks on Facebook
3. Follow @BrooksRunning and me on Twitter (If you don't already)
4. Follow my blog



Please note, the items are both a size large. I am not sure if they can be exchanged if they're not your size as a receipt was not provided but you can try :) Winner will be selected on Friday, March 18th.

Thanks for stopping by!









Hello Brooks Running Shoes

I’ll never forget a phrase I heard when I started marathon training last year: “Don't be tied to a brand.” I heard this during a shoe clinic Team in Training provided for participants during my first season with them. At the time, I was quite new to the sport and Nike was the only brand I’d ever known.

Truth be told, I have been a very loyal Nike fan for many years and scoffed at the idea of mismatching my gear. As I got further into my training, I started to become more exposed to different brands and suddenly realized why we advised not to stick to just one. What I found was that not one brand fit my every need. While I preferred to stick to one brand when putting on an outfit, I found that I just felt more comfortable in one brand for different things. I like the way Nike pants feel on me, Champion shorts give my legs the right amount of coverage, Brooks Running shirts are more flattering on me than other brands, and to this day have found that I run my best races sticking to my black Nike hat. As much as I hated wearing all sorts of different logos at one, it’s just something I had to learn to understand.

I’ve slowly started to open myself to trying different labels. In a previous post I talked about how much I love Brooks reflective gear. It’s light; it’s stylish and just seems to have more reflective selections than other brands. So I decided I would give their shoes a try. Hello Glycerin 8 DNA’s, you make me feel like I am walking on a patch of puffy clouds on beautiful spring day. Yes, I just compared my new Brooks shoes to walking on a patch of puffy clouds. They feel fantastic.

Brooks Glycerin 8 Women's Shoe

The shoe features Brooks custom cushioning called DNA which changes with your individual stride. The pad in the shoe responds to the amount of force you put on it delivering a specific amount of cushioning based on your step, weight, pace, and environment.

I figured I would break them in on our last team run before the LA Marathon. They felt fantastic! I have flat feet and sometimes feel too much support when I buy anything labeled "motion control" or "stability" however, this shoe has just the right amount for me even though they're listed under the "neutral" section.  I wore them with my Nike pants…yes, perhaps a fashion faux pas but it's marathon training not fashion where you sacrifice comfort just to look good.


What are your thoughts on wearing different brands during a run? Do you mismatch for comfort?

(Don't forget to check out the Brooks outfit giveaway)

Here We Go Again

When I started training for my first half marathon in June last year, I thought I would instantly drop a lot of weight. What I soon learned is that runners are classified into two different categories: the ones that follow their workout regimen with a healthy or slightly moderate indulgent diet or those that say, "I run, therefore I can eat". And when  I say eat, I mean anything and everything because long runs means more calories burned making it okay to consume more calories. There is truth in being able to eat more calories, but by no means is it a green light to consume half a dozen cupcakes.

I started running with the "eat right, feel great, run better" attitude. A great recipe for losing weight in which I did. Well that soon changed. I started to notice the longer our runs got the more hungry I became. I quickly transformed into the "I run, therefore I can eat runner". Half a dozen cupcakes...yup, guilty as charged. In my defense, I sell cupcakes to make extra money to pay for my marathons so I need to taste them right? Okay...perhaps not six all at once. I'm admitting it--all the eating has caught up to me.
 
For the last six months, all I've done is complain about how my clothes don't fit to which friends and family respond: "How have you gained weight if you run so much?" Again, I became the "I run, therefore I can eat" type of runner.
 

I hate to admit this publicly and it's not because I am ashamed. I'll be the first to say...God did not bless me with a petite figure. I'm tall and curvy. I don't like to admit that I'm trying to lose weight because I don't want to be held accountable in case I can't do it. I know...I shouldn't be so negative but I have to be honest; I'm just not motivated. Another reason is that I think it takes a lot of guts to put something like this out in the open. I admire those who share their weight loss journey with others in their blogs especially those who have lost so much. Here I am struggling with 15 pounds and already feel defeated.

I know it will not only help me feel better but also would improve my running as I'll have less weight to carry. So, I titled this entry here we go again as I have decided to give Weight Watchers another go. Prior to my marathon training, I was a member and less than a pound from my goal weight but had to drop as the meetings conflicted with my training. Go figure...I stopped going to meetings to run and ended up gaining weight.

I chose WW because I know it works and helps keep me structured which for me, is what works. How has running changed your eating habits? What works for you?

Day 2 Dinner: Turkey burger on whole wheat bread, salad with vinaigrette, and grapes

Hood To Coast...A Must See Film!

Last week I encountered a difficult decision…to run or not to run. Every Thursday I try to make it out to the Rose Bowl to run with A Snail’s Pace. They’re a running group with different chapters in Southern California. I LOVE running with them because they’re fast and I find that I really push myself. This particular Thursday just so happened to be the same Thursday Hood to Coast was playing in theaters. For those of you not familiar with Hood to Coast, it’s the world’s largest relay race which takes place in Portland, Oregon every August.

Hood to Coast Poster

The film was shown in theaters last month for a special one night engagement. On this one night, the film aired around the country opening with a live preview featuring Burt Yasso, CRO of Runner’s World Magazine. I’d missed the original screening and contemplated going when the encore presentation was announced.

I left work for the day thinking, run or movie? I was stopped at red light when a Tweet came through on my cell phone from @Kui360: “@MissJewels212, please go watch Hood to Coast for me. It's not playing in my area. Bummed... :(” It was a sign, turn left and head to the theater.

I got there with ten minutes to spare. I thought for sure the theater would be crowded so I bought my ticket on the road (shhh, don’t tell the police I was using my phone while driving…I waited till I was stopped at a light, promise.) I went inside and was pumped for this movie. I’d never done a relay before so I was really excited to see what this Hood to Coast was all about, how it worked, the coordination of a 12-man team and seeing runners in action. Instead of previews or ads on the screen, a slideshow of the different teams played. It only got me more excited for the film to start. A few minutes before show time, a familiar face walked in. It was my college buddy Rudi and a friend of his! We sat together and waited in anticipation. And then it began…

The movie covered the history of Hood to Coast and followed the journey of four teams participating that year. It was an incredible documentary on a legendary relay that was created in 1982 by Bob Foote, president of Oregon Road Runners Club. The 197-mile relay race had grown tremendously over the years with teams now being selected through a lottery process which opens in October for the relay in August. The relay has 36 legs, each varying in length and level of difficulty; each runner runs three legs.

What was interesting about the film was that it was not only a documentary about the relay itself but that it also highlighted teams like Dead Jocks in A Box, a team comprised of a group of older men who have been participating in Hood to Coast for several years. Watching them come to grips with the fact that they are no longer "fast" is quite commical. I must say, I admire anyone who can run a 7-minute mile especially in their 60's...according to them, that's slow.

The film really demonstrates the passion and respect these groups have for Hood to Coast. For example, Heart n Sole another group made up of women who have also been long-time participants. Kathy Ryan, one of the teammates had actually died during the previous year running the relay but was brought back to life and is eager to run Hood to Coast again. This woman’s determination is borderline psychotic to the average person, but as a runner you definitely understand the pain and heartbreak she experiences when her doctor tells her that she needs to hang up her sneakers.


Another group is Team R. Bowe running in memory of Ryan Bowe. This story was so touching. Ryan had run his first Hood to Coast at the age of 12 by default; his father had formed a team and one of the runners backed out last minute. Then 12-year-old Ryan asked his dad if he could run with them, and so he did. He later died at a young age leaving behind a wife and a baby. The film follows his wife, mother, brother, father, and friends who participate in his honor.

And finally, we have team Thunder and Laikaning, the most non-experienced team of all…the bad boys of the bunch if you will, who decide they will not train but instead drink beer and just hope they cross the finish line.

Hood to Coast was truly an amazing adventure to watch and follow. It was very inspiring and made me think that I could not wait for October to put my name in the lottery. The miles in the film looked grueling but the glory these teams felt, their dedication and their stories were incredibly moving. A definite must see if you get the chance!

After the film, Rudi and I talked about about the possibility of doing a relay...more to come on this! Stay tuned!

Surf City Half Marathon Recap

At the start of the year, I was determined to run as many marathons as I possibly could. As noted in my previous posts, I ran Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona and absolutely loved it. What’s next? I really wanted to do Surf City since it was one of the races our Long Beach Team in Training had been training for all season. I knew how excited I was for my first race and how great it was to see familiar faces out on the course so I wanted to be right there with them. 

For whatever reason I waited to register and when I finally did decide to do so, Surf City was sold out. In my defense, I’m still fairly new to marathons. I know now to register ahead of time and not wait until the last minute. I was really bummed and thought if anything I’d just go run with our team but truth be told, deep down, I really wanted the medal and the glory too.

As luck would have it, a bib literally came to me. My wonderful friends who I’d met in Long Beach last year were registered but weren’t able to make the trip. I know marathon organizers would frown upon this transaction but you can’t just let a bib go to waste if the original registrants can’t participate. I owe this entire experience to Marianne and Randy. Your kindness and generosity are beyond words and I am truly grateful for this gift.

Expo weekend came and I couldn’t believe that just three weeks ago I was in Arizona. I remember how well I’d been running leading up to Arizona but Surf City was a bit different. There’s always those races you get insanely nervous to run…Surf City was definitely that race for me. For some reason, I’d felt incredibly weak the days leading up to it. I’d run two miles and feel completely wiped out. I had no idea how I was going to do 13. There was no turning back at this point. I’d picked up the bibs, looked around the expo for a bit (found some rather interesting items), and went home to get all my gear ready.

I'm asssuming this is the type of underwear you wear for a marathon...the MARATHONG! LOL!

I could not sleep at all…again my darn nerves worrying about crossing the finish line. 4:30 a.m. came so quickly and off I went to meet up with some of our teammates running the marathon. We got to Huntington Beach rather early and sat in the car for a while not wanting to be out in the cold. Tired and cold, we finally got out of the car and made our way to meet with the rest of the team. The thrill of being out there with them was exciting. For many of them, this was going to be thier first half marathon and also for my friend Rudi who I'd gone to grad school with. Ahhh that first time feeling! We took pictures and waited for what seemed like hours.

Our Long Beach Team in Training at the start line

I promised some of our teammates we’d run together but in typical marathon fashion, too much shuffling during a race and we lost each other. I managed to stick with one of our teammates, Jennifer who actually kept me going the entire time. “Follow the pink shorts!” I kept telling myself and that I did. We kept weaving in and out of the crowd trying to get ahead. We stayed at a good pace, around 9:40 per mile up until around mile 8 or 9. We were tiring out as we hit a few inclines. “What comes up, must come down!” I told Jennifer. The only problem was…it never felt like it went downhill or at least that’s how it feels after so many miles.

I trudged through the last four just exhausted but I never stopped running…well my last few miles were more of a jogging pace but I did it. I crossed the finish line at 2:17:58. Right before collecting my medal, I took a deep breath and cried. Why? I can never explain to anyone who is a non-runner without getting a weird reaction. Really? You cried? It’s not like a sobbing cry or tears streaming down your face, it’s more like a release of emotion that you’ve held on to for the last 2 plus hours. It was a great feeling in an exhausting kind of way. I looked back to find Jennifer but didn't see her. It turns out she finished about 45 seconds after me. I walked around in a bit of a daze, picked up my gear, and reunited with some friends and our teammates at the TNT tent.

I want to congratulate our TNT participants who not only toughed out 13.1 miles but also helped raise money to fight blood cancers…you are all heroes in my book! GO TEAM! Till the next one…happy running!

Some more post race pics:

I was promised a mimosa by the Alpha Running family so you bet I went over to collect. They’re a great running/training group out of Los Angeles. Thanks to Coach C. for the welcome and congrats to Rudi on his first race.

The beautiful Surf City medal!

Sporting our Team in Training shirt and my rockin' new medal!





Registered for the LA Marathon!

2010 was a very big year for me! I finally finished my master’s program after 5 years of being in school, moved out of my parent’s house, and ran my first half marathon. While I was proud of the master’s and felt a little bit more independent after moving out, the accomplishment I was and am still most proud of is my half marathon finish. Why?

I suppose because it’s more physically challenging than anything I have ever done. With my master’s program, yes my brain got an intense workout and now my wallet, moving out and buying my own everyday essentials but a half marathon was something I never thought I could do. Well, enough relishing in my half marathon glory…as of today, I am signed up for the Los Angeles Marathon, just 45 days away! Am I nervous, heck yeah! Excited? Definitely! Can't wait for March 20th!

I Race to Be the Cure!

One thing I love about working at our agency VPE Public Relations, is all the fun things we get to do as an office. Sure the Christmas parties and summer picnics are great but I am most proud of an event that we’ve participated in for the last two years, Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure in Los Angeles. In addition to this, we started our annual Spring Into Shape challenge where we are awarded points for exercising and a weight loss competition for those interested in dropping a few pounds. Yesterday some of us decided to start going to the Rose Bowl once a week to earn some points for the challenge but also to help us prepare for Race for the Cure coming up on March 6th at Dodger Stadium.

Race for the Cure 2010


Each year, we see the incredible creativity that many of the participants put in for Race for the Cure: sparkly t-shirts , their team name and even the accessories they sport on the day of the race—anything from pink wigs to pink boas, the official color of breast cancer awareness. It’s these little elements that make Race for the Cure LA a fun event and capture the essence of what this race is about—a celebration of life for survivors, a day to remember the people we’ve lost, and motivation for us to continue to spread the message about the importance breast cancer research and also taking an active role in our own breast health through their I AM THE CURE program.


This year we wanted to be just as fun and creative so we came up with LOS BOOBIES for our team name inspired by Los Bukis, a Mexican band of the 80’s and 90’s that many of our staff members are fans of. We really liked their logo and thought it would make for a great shirt come race day! Although the name itself might be a bit funny, the cause and the mission of Susan G. Komen is something I know many of us take seriously.


Breast cancer has claimed the lives of some of my friends' and co-workers' relatives as well as my own family members’. It has affected some of my closest friends whom are survivors themselves or have survivors in their family. The two family members we lost, I will admit, I was not that close to. The first was my stepdad’s mom who passed away when I was fairly young; when his father remarried, his second wife also passed away from breast cancer.


I don’t remember too much about the time my stepdad lost his mom, but I remember a conversation I had with him after her death. As a little girl, I didn’t know what to say. All I could think was, “I’m sorry for your loss.” He replied angrily, “That’s something you say to a stranger.” OUCH! It really stung and to this day, I am really cautious about what I say to people when they lose someone. I don’t blame my stepdad for having said this. As you get older you learn a little bit more about dealing with these types of things that happen in life but no matter what age, be it 10 or 28 death is still never easy to deal with. What do you tell someone who’s lost a family member especially something like breast cancer? No words can ever make the person feel better but in some way, on this one day that we unite to walk or run our 3.1 miles around Dodger Stadium, it feels like we’ve said it all.


I am happy to be part Race for the Cure LA this year and especially proud to work at an agency that encourages giving back in such an impactful way. As an avid runner/half-marathoner, the 3.1 miles will be a breeze but rest assured I will think of the battles many of these woman AND men have overcome or those who weren’t as fortunate. Although I hate to even think about it, I can’t help but wonder what if my mom or grandmas are diagnosed…what if it’s me? That is why we must participate in things like Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure and organizations like Team In Training…to help find a cure for our generation and generations to come.


To put things in perspective, I copied an e-mail sent to me from the Susan G. Komen organization reminding us why we do this:


We run for the 100 women who will be diagnosed this week in our county and 100 next week and the week after that.

We run for the 22 women who will die from breast cancer this week and each week after.

We run for the survivors who come to celebrate their lives and for the new survivors who will come next year.

We run for our sisters, our mothers, our daughters, our grandchildren.

We run for a cure knowing that breast cancer is no longer a death sentence.

We run for the day that breast cancer is no more!
I encourage everyone to get involved by either joining our agency’s team, forming one of your own, or donating! According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we’re just 3 years from finding a cure to cancer. Participating in these events help us get one step closer. If you’d like to join our team, just look for Los Boobies!