Sunday, January 6, 2013

Some Reviews, An Update, Looking Towards The Pig

Good afternoon my fellow runners psychopaths. As another week comes to an end, I wanted to create a summation of my last week of freedom. Tomorrow it will be back to the every day grind of creating tomorrow's leaders. I have enjoyed the last week because it has given me an opportunity to rest AND get back to my fitness routine. I actually hit this week pretty hard, both because I wanted to help in the chilly challenge, and because I wanted to start working off those holiday calories as fast as possible. Beyond all that I did some reading and watched some movies.


A few days ago I finally finished reading Born To Run by Christopher McDougall, and I am just now getting around to writing about it. To be honest, I have been reading this for months because I only have so much time in a day to do that sort of thing. When I read, I need to just be reading, and I rarely have time to myself where I am not being interrupted. Luckily, I had time in the car during holiday travels, and I gotta say, I can see why this is one of the most highly recommended running books out there. I would say that the best thing I can say about the book is to simply look at my new passion for barefoot running; my new quest is has been greatly influenced by McDougall because the book makes such a great case for it. The book contains a central story about a race, which I won't spoil, but it weaves in medical and training advice based on facts, research, first hand accounts, trials and the authors own experiences with running. The book essentially explains how to run and stay healthy doing it. I could never read a book just about facts and research, but with the central story, I found myself ale to get through the whole thing. I recommend this book, as most people do, but I would say you should definitely do so if you are thinking of going minimal or barefoot in the future.


Now I have moved on to Runner's World's Marathon training book. I am not reading this cover to cover because I am not a total newbie runner. Additionally, I know exactly what information I need right now because I am gearing up for the official start of my training cycle, which is a week from tomorrow. I will still be able to come to you with a review, but it won't happen until after I run the marathon. I want to see how well this training works compared to what I was already doing. I am already surprised by how many rest days are included. I have only given myself one rest day for the majority of my training, but the book does say that I can include cross-training - I think that will happen because 3 rest days will make me restless. I am super excited to get started!

I am getting extra geared up thanks to the chilly challenge. You can find a link to this on my previous post, but team Escapades continues to hold a leads over those dastardly Giraffes (sorry readers who are Giraffes, I still love you). So far this week I have put up 46.05 total miles towards the cause. This is a combination of outdoor and elliptical running. I think I am going to go outside and give myself an even 50 miles, but I need a rest from the gym. I feel good about my contribution for the week! Yesterday was a little rough, and my legs are somewhat tired; that is when you know it is working! Keep up the good work team!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

23 comments:

  1. "Born to Run" is a great book, ain't it? :P I absolutely loved reading and it made me feel so good about running ^^

    They suggest 3 rest days 0.0 Yeah... I'd be super restless about that too! I'm all for cross training though. They say that triathletes have a lot fewer injuries then runners despite working out more hours...

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    1. I've got to work out more, at least in the early going, to support my eating habit ;)

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  2. Nice miles for Chilly Challenge!

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  3. yay for the PIG!! i dunno why i feel compelled to yell it, i just think i love the name!! lol. hope u enjoy ur last bit of calm before the storm and then get ready to raise Piggy he**...lol.
    have a great rest of ur weekend!

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    1. Thanks Cait! I plan on coming very strong to marathon training. I need to get creative on my rest/cross training days - what would give me the maximum advantage while still keeping me fresh for the road?

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  4. Yay for Team Escapades. I got Born to Run for Christmas - it's a great read so far!

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  5. Great miles for your team!!
    I'm reading that second book right now. I love any and ALL running books! :D

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  6. I loved the Born to Run book. Those ultra runners just amaze me!! The Chilly Challenge is definitely a little extra motivation to get more miles in. Let's go Team Escapades!!

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  7. Go team! I am ready for more miles (gotta let my legs rest today though)! Yeah, ultra runners let us know how far we can go.

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  8. oooh... Born to Run is next on my list! got it for Christmas :) my marathon training starts tomorrow (or today, but it was a rest day) and it'll be my first time using a coached training plan! last cycle i modified Pfizinger's Advanced Marathoning. i'll be interested to hear how you like your plan! so exciting!

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    1. I haven't quite decided when I will do my total rest day (I sure as hell am not taking 3 full days off - cross-train?!?), but it will probably be Friday out of necessity. I am interested in hearing about your plan too. It is starting to get exciting in the running world!

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  9. Thanks for the book recommendations! I need to go to the library and borrow "Born to Run" (one of my goals is to go to the library-wish me luck!). Cheers!

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    1. Go get it! The library is a quality place, but you gotta go in with a purpose or you could be there all day! Good luck!

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  10. Glad to find your blog! Born to Run is awesome (the first 6 or 7 chapters I read, anyway). I'm a running book addict, but I listen to "classics" while I run (stuff like The Scarlet Pimpernel, A Tale of Two Cities, Sherlock Holmes, etc.). If you like to listen to stuff while you run, try out some books on tape! It might help you get through your stack of reading material!

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    1. May have to look into that for my impending long runs! I read so many classics in college, so I do enjoy them, but it is hard to physically sit down and engage with them these days, and this would force me to focus. Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Amazing miles!!

    "Born to Run" is such a good read. And I'm like you, for some advice I skim over bc I'm not a newbie. I am a fan of Runner's World.

    And yes, ROLL TIDE!

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    1. The Tide make me happy, so good choice! Yeah, I need to get a subscription at some point! Thanks for the praise on the miles!

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  12. "Born to Run" is such a great book. I have read it several times now. And you should definitely do a yoga class. I think it's nice when there are guys in the class. I don't find it creepy!

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    1. What do guys even wear to yoga? I don't think I could pull off what the women wear.

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  13. I've read "Born to Run" over and over again. It is my favorite running book.

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