13.1 or Bust

You guys, I am running a half marathon in less than two weeks! That's 13.1 miles! The last one I did was in 2007, and after that race I spent years battling IT band injuries that were so bad I never thought I'd run 13.1 miles again. But, here I am. How did this happen, you ask? Lots of patience, determination and incremental progress. Here are my tips for coming back from IT band injuries:

• Start running again slowly. And I mean SLOOOOOWLY. I started by running for one minute and walking for two. Every week or two I increased my ratio of running to walking by a minute or so, and if I was busy or sick and missed a week I re-did the last one. Many, many months later I was up to a 5k distance. Then, I slowly added mileage to reach a 10k training run. And, training for a half marathon followed.
• Work on core and hip strength! For me, yoga and physical therapy exercises work the best. But, I also did a boot camp workout once a week that seemed to really help my strength. And, good old weight training helps too.
• Stretch that lower back and hips! Yoga helps with this as well, and I make sure to stretch well after long runs.
• Use a foam roller. Ideally, I would use one of these after every single run (I'm not always that dedicated). Here's instructions:

Now, get running! And, wish me luck, I'll be out in the rain on November 27 with 15,000 other runners!

P.S. Of course, I've already planned my food. I'm going to make pasta bolognese the night before with a beer. And, after the race we're going straight to Tom Douglas' Dahlia Workshop for a biscuit sandwich (a half marathon is probably the only way I can justify eating one).

Get in shape girl!

Pete and I walked Bloomsday last week - a 12k run/walk in Spokane, that drew more than 55,000 people this year. (Go Spokane! Love my hometown.) It's a great way to kick off spring and summer fitness plans, and on our drive back across the state to Seattle, I started setting mine:

• Bike to work at least five times during the month of May (this doesn't sound like much, but I have a really crappy bike commute). I've committed to do this as part of Bike to Work Month here in Seattle. 
• Work my way up to running the 6.2 mile Cheshiahud Loop in Seattle.
• Do at least one triathlon - I may do both the Seafair Triathlon and Danskin. (Danskin seriously needs to work on its website.)
• Hike Mt. Si.
• Go on a weekend backpacking trip with Pete!
• (Oh, and cheer on Pete when he ride RAMROD!)

Can't wait for warm weather to FINALLY get to the northwest so I can enjoy my training outdoors!

A fitness blogger I follow likes to say: Say it. Do it! Telling other people about your fitness plans helps you stick with them. Hope it works for me!

P.S. I used to LOVE "Get in Shape Girl." Yea for the '80s!

Bloomsday

Nothing will make you appreciate Spokane quite so much as the annual Bloomsday 12k race. With 50,000 participants this year, it's the largest timed road race in the world. Spokane's not that big, so you can imagine that all types of people turn out for this race in order to add up to 50,000 participants. I saw all sorts of 90s workout apparel, from scrunchies to neon leggings, as I joined the throng of people at the start line. Fat people. Thin people. Old. Young. Babies. Wheelchairs. They're all in the mix.

And, as you get started, you see the city turned out in support. Passing one of Spokane's largest Catholic churches, the priest stands outside to bless the runners and a choir sings. Further along in Brown's Addition - a mixed income neighborhood - some biker dudes, perhaps still high on drugs from the night before, are out on their porch blasting music and cheering us along. Kids hand out lemonade in their front lawn. People set up hoses to cool down runners. And, there are countless other supporters and characters along the way. I managed to snap pictures of a few of them on Sunday.

Getting ready to start!




It's a tradition in Spokane to wear old clothes down to the race, to stay warm, and then throw them in the trees once the race starts.


She's done all 33 Bloomsday races! Inspiring!


This is towards the beginning of the race. The sun came out!


The vulture. He's always on top of Doomsday Hill. Weird. But I love him.


The view from the top of Doomsday Hill.


Some characters along the way.


The coveted finisher's shirt!

One last thing - I picked up some cool gear at the Bloomsday trade show. Local running store Runner's Soul (love them!) had a sale on my fave shoes - Brooks Adrenaline - and gave out some super cool Brooks Bloomsday shirts. I don't have a picture, but I'll try to get one soon. The BEST thing, though, was the arm band I bought from Arm Pockets. (I can't find a Web site for them.) They're great - you can fit an iPod, phone, keys and a little snack. Or, for Bloomsday, I used it to carry my cell phone and camera. I think I'm going to get a lot of use out of this! Here's a picture of me and my mom with our Arm Pockets.