Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Chilly Challenge Update And The Calm Before The Storm

Howdy my fellow asphalt-addicted lunatics! I figured I would use the greeting of the south in honor of one of my favorite fellow bloggers, Missy, over at Southern Girl Running. Missy is doing the Chilly Challenge with me, and she has become one of my primary motivators, and I just wanted to thank her for that. In fact, I have met a bunch of great people through Twitter, and I am having a great time. I still recommend anyone to sign up and do it; it literally takes two seconds to put your name and handle on a spreadsheet.

As for me, I feel good about my overall contributions so far. I have put up a grand total, in one and a half weeks, of 71.77 total miles, 19.52 of which are from this week. Today I went out an increased my distance in the Vibrams to 3.25 miles! I had a blast out there, especially because the weather was unflippinbelievable! I was out there in a short sleeve tech-shirt and running pants - amazing! My feet stayed warm, and I am super happy with how my calves feel. I wore my compression sleeves on my calves, and I really think that helped. I also followed the run up with a trip to the gym where I put up an additional 6.42 miles on the elliptical. I think the added distance on the elliptical really helped keep my calves loose, so they feel great right now. Don't ask me why I didn't get a even 10 miles today because I don't know; I think I just lost track of mileage - woops.


I am really excited to move forward with the challenge, and I am meeting incredible new runners and bloggers everyday! I am also looking forward to logging some solid marathon training miles next week! This week is weird because I am caught between two two: my normal flexible routine and my future scripted routine. Both concepts will be in play next week because I am going to keep lifting and cross training, but I am excited to have a proven set of goals and methods at my disposal. I like knowing that what I am about to embark upon will genuinely help me run my first marathon and run it well!

Barefoot/Vibrams update: I really love those little fingered torture devices! My calves are sore, my feet hurts, and my form is still in transition, but I really love the feeling I get when I run in them. I am also confident that the transition will get easier with time, and that my experience in minimal shoes will help me. I have done some running in my Brooks, and I already notice a difference in my technique and form. This is a part of my journey that I am looking forward to; I just wish everyday was as warm as today!

Site Update: I may not have updated the blog with posts in a few days, but I did update the "my story" page, so you can read a little about me (I don't know why you would, but who doesn't love options?). Additionally, I updated my future races with a few (there will be far more as more races start coming around in March and April (I need to find a 10k for March! Any ideas?). I am slowly trying to make this blog a little more professional and less unseemly. Thanks for hanging in there!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

22 comments:

  1. You are so rocking the Chilly Challenge! I can't contribute that much at this point but anything helps I suppose! Let's just say you're picking up my slack, k?

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    1. I got your back, Jade. That just means I need to work harder!

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  2. You are certainly doing your part when it comes to the challenge!
    It's funny, I took the day off exercising today..and then after reading all this, I feel like a bum for not doing anything. haha!

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    1. We all need a break sometimes! This is the hardest time of the year for us northerners, so we just need to make it out of it with some mileage! Most people just give up, but you are too good for that!

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  3. Great mileage you are putting in!! Keep it up! Team Escapade all the way! The vibrams always peak my interest but I am not sure that I would like having material between my toes. Maybe I should just try a pair on sometime.

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    1. I didn't think I would like it either, but they are surprisingly comfortable. Go to a running store where they let you run around in them a bit; I was sold after a short run on my store's treadmill. Just be ready to hit the reset button on your mileage in them, and don't try and do too much. I am going to start a new page soon with barefoot running tips. Biggest suggestion I can give is to run in minimal shoes for awhile first, if you don't already.

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  4. Wohoo I'm so excited for your marathon :D

    Compression socks for barefoot running- I'll keep that in mind. That's amazing that you ran 5km in Vibrams, it really does get easier with time :D

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    1. I feel great too! The warmer weather makes such a difference! I gotta get more compression for sure. I just have the one pair right now.

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  5. Compression with barefoot and zero drop – absolutely the best plan ever. Good luck! And thanks so much for commenting on my blog!

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    1. No problem! I am always out there looking for interesting blogs with good content and info. Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the interwebs as well!

      I think compression is certainly making a difference, and I always rave about things that work. I really think the key was having run in minimal shoes first.

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  6. Thanks for the shoutout Tyler! I really appreciate it! You are definitely a part of my motivation too!

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  7. YAY for lunatics...hehe. :) cool stuff, and ongoing good luck to u guys with that challenge, those are great motivators.

    UGH, i HATE tech stuff, so good job in getting the new look/update going urself. i get insanely proud when i do even the slightest html stuff...lol.

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    1. Your site looks so much better than mine! I am whoa jealous. I wish I had some artistic talent for my logo.

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  8. Good luck with training! I've only just run my first 10k myself (in shoes) and haven't tried out barefoot running yet, although I know it's really popular on the blogosphere at the moment. You've intrigued me! Thanks for commenting on my blog as well, I'll definitely be following your progress!

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    1. I've never run a 10k, so you have that one over me ;) No problem, always looking for new blogs to that interest me.

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  9. What's a normal routine again? lol

    GOOD luck. your attitude to and spirit are contagious:) SO excited for you.

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    1. I blame the attitude on the endorphins! Thanks ;)

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  10. Neato I Just found your blog today - this is a neat story can't wait to follow you run your first marathon!

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    1. Stick around because I am sure it will get interesting! Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. So happy to hear you are loving the Vibrams! Keep on keepin' on!!

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