What’s the Difference Between Regular Running Shoes and Trail Shoes?

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Believe it or not, I really had a hard time finding a lot of information in comparing regular running shoes and trail shoes. When I was fitted for my trail shoes, I asked Coach Marie, what’s the difference? I also noticed that people debated on whether or not you really needed trail running shoes. Being a first time trail runner and having worn my regular running shoes on the rocky, rooty, trails, I say YES! If you are running on trails with rocks, roots, a lot of elevation changes, get trail shoes! If you are simply sticking to a dirt trail, I think it’s fine to wear your regular shoes. Continue reading →

Snow Run! Snow Run!

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Why is that whenever I bundle up with a bazillion layers of clothes I all of the sudden have to go to the bathroom??!! It never fails! I’m geared up ready to go, walk towards the door to leave, and BOOM…gotta turn back around, delayer and go to the bathroom. My body probably thinks it’s hysterical to do that to me, but I’m not laughing. Oh well. Continue reading →

HAT Run 50K – Week 1 (A little bit of mud, a shoe full of water, and a little piece of heaven.)

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Here we go folks! It’s TRAINING SEASON! Can I get a “hell yeah”?! Today was the first official training run for the HAT Run 50k. Being the clutz that I am, I was hesitant (and still am) about taking my non-graceful self off the roads and on to the trails. Thankfully, while I had some very close calls, and would-be wipe outs saved by the runner in front of me (thanks Reds & Frank), I actually did okay today. Trail running is not easy! My butt is still burning from all of the hills this morning and I know it’s just going to get worse from here. Wait, let me rephrase that…It’s going to get more challenging from here 🙂 But, I’m okay with that, ’cause by the end of the season, I’m going to have a rock hard ass! Continue reading →

Friday’s Tip of the Week – Myrtl Routine (Improving Agility)

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As you know, I’ve started trail running. I’m highly uncoordinated and am very worried about falling on my face or breaking an ankle out on the trails. In my search for exercises to help me with my agility, I came across the Myrtl Routine in Runner’s World. The Myrtl Routine “improves your range of motion and adds agility you’ll need for the trail.” Now, I’ve done these exercises before, but never thought that they could help with running. Guess I’m going to have to add this to the mix!

Holiday Gifts Ideas for Runners – 2013

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Well, it’s that time of year for gift giving, so I took a poll on my So What? I Run. Facebook page to see what runners want for the holidays. And with every response that was posted, I said to myself, “yep, yep, yep.” There was definitely a common theme, we want practical useful “run things.” Here is a list of gift ideas for your favorite runner. Continue reading →

Oh Crap, What Did I Get Myself Into? (HAT Pre-training trail run)

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While that HAT Run training doesn’t officially start until next week, our coach gave us a schedule to get us acclimated to what’s to come. So, this morning Reds and I decided to head up to Susquehanna State Park and give it a go on the course to see what it was about. When we got to what we thought was our starting point, the “Susquehanna Ridge Trail” which marked with red signs, this is what we saw… Continue reading →

Beast Mode – ON!

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While some folks got up early yesterday for some Black Friday shopping, I decided to work off the 5,738 calories that I ate during Thanksgiving dinner instead. I was going to turn the beast mode on! Got up at 5:30 am, headed to the gym to train with my trainer and then set off to meet a friend for a trail run. I was supposed to meet her at 8:30, but as I left the gym, I got a message from her that she wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t make it. Continue reading →

Friday Tip of the Week – Post Run Stretching – Yoga Style

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When I came across this video in my research, I had to share. Most of these stretches are the same ones that I do when I practice Yin Yoga. These post-run stretches are great your flexibility and for stretching out tired muscles. It takes about 10 minutes to do this routine and it hits all of your major running muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Cleansing Your Soul In The Rain

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It’s been a tough week for me personally. Nothing serious, just the pressures of work that can be overwhelming. Let me be frank, this week, it sucked. In fact, it was pretty shitty last week also. On the way home from the office yesterday…the loooong hour and a half drive home…I swear I was going to have a breakdown right there in the car. All I could think about was putting on my running shoes and getting out there on the road. I hadn’t ran since Saturday so the “ick” was building up. Continue reading →

Flat Runner

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Before a big race, I go through a ritual (handed down by my running friends) of laying out my entire running gear, taking a picture, and posting it on Facebook. Now, I couldn’t post my Philly Flat Runner because it was a secret marathon, but you bet your sweet cheeks that I took my Flat Runner photo for good luck. Well, I guess it’s for good luck, it could be just a way to make sure you have everything ready the day before the race. Not sure how this phenomenon came about, but I’m starting to be come superstitious about it.

Flat Runner Collage

Do you make a Flat Runner before race? Is there a ritual that you have to go do before each race to ensure that you’ve got good running juju?