Fun, Fashion, and Science... of shoelacing?

Welcome back! Let's talk about running this time. My long run right now is around 6-8 miles. I've learned a few things in the last week or so of running. First, I've discovered that I'm comfortable running in a very small range of temperatures (or if you ask John... I'm only comfortable existing in a very small range of temperatures). That is something I will need to work on.

Second, my new shoes are treating me very well. It was well worth the hassle I went through to find a perfect shoe for me. However, like I pointed out in a previous post, I have very "unique" feet (for lack of a better positive term for my old lady feet). I needed a wide shoe and a heel lift, but then my heel starts to come out of the shoe. Hmm... what to do?

Quick (and funny) trip down memory lane....

When I first met John, during one of our first phone conver

sations, he told me that he was looking online for a way to teach his brother (then 20 years old) how to tie his shoes. Welp, I got a little nervous and curious as to why he couldn't tie his shoes. What John forgot to mention is that his brother was so strong, that when he tied his shoes, he tied them soooo tight that the only way he could get his shoes off was to cut the laces. You can imagine how many laces he must've went through. Eventually the confusion got cleared up and John showed me this awesome website with hundreds of ways to tie shoes. Who knew tying your shoes could be so creative OR scientific? The website is "Ian's shoelace site"... just google it. It's a pretty cool site that boasts the "fun, fashion, and science" of shoelacing. Fast forward to this week and my "tip of the day"...

Tip of the Day: What I discovered, is that the proper lacing technique can minimize the heel slippage I felt... pretty cool huh? At a running store or online, you can find tons of lacing techniques for different purposes. Here's the one that I like: "Lock Lacing"

I like this lacing technique because it keeps my heel secure in my shoe, but doesn't suffocate or cut off the circulation to the rest of my foot. Win. Pretty cool, check it out... I wish I had the energy to try some of the creative lacings that are offered... someday Kelly.

So the training continues. With my new shoes, new laces, and renewed energy from BEING DONE WITH MY SECOND YEAR OF TEACHING, I am ready for the Bolder Boulder (biggest 10K in the country may I add) and a summer full of training (and fundraising... order cards!). Let me close this post with some trivia (both for fun and to see if anyone actually reads to the end of my posts). Here it is:

What are the hard ends of shoelaces called? ...No googling ;-)

Thank You Everyone!

I want to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported this cause by buying cards and/or passing on my link to their friends or family. I really appreciate the huge response I had to this, we are going to make a difference in fighting cancer!

If you would still like to buy cards, please look my post from May 18 (should be below this one) for the details! For everyone from Buffalo, my mom is still here and can bring the cards home this week so that we don't have to mess with shipping! You can see from the pic below, I am getting everyone's cards bundled and ready... lookin good!




As for the training, well, my mom's here and it's her birthday today (she's loving the overwhelming amount of facebook messages coming through on her NEW IPAD2!) ... so I want to spend as much time with her as I can, we'll see if I get a run in today ;-). I do have the Bolder Boulder next weekend, though (but let's face it, that's more of a party than a 10K anyways).

KEEP THOSE ORDERS COMING!! Thanks again to everyone who has supported this!

Kelly

Take a look at my photo greeting cards... all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society!

Hello again everyone!

The running is going well, but it is fundraising time again! Last week, I posted that I would be selling my homemade photo greeting cards to raise money for ACS. I've been looking for a way to share my photography (my new hobby) with people instead of just letting my pics sit on a computer. Sooo... I thought, "what a great way to mix two things I am so passionate about, taking pictures and raising money for cancer patients" (really... that thought went through my head... I swear). So, without further ado (sp??), here's how it's going to work:

5 cards for $15
OR
10 cards for $25 (what a DEAL!!)

ALL of the money will go to ACS. You can pay (donate) in three ways:

1. give me the money in person
2. mail me a check
3. donate online to my personal fundraising page (the link is on a tab labeled "fundraising page" on the top of this blog- it is completely secure)

Let me know via email or comment right here! **Special note to Buffalo folks: My mom is visiting me in Colorado this weekend (May 19-May24), so if you would like to buy some cards, I can send them back with her! How convenient (thanks Mom)!**

Finally, I can send any mix of cards, or you can "special order" which pictures you would like on your cards and I will get them together just for you! The pictures are in the slide show on the following link (on youtube), just let me know in your email or comment, which pictures you prefer (they are numbered, so you can just list the numbers).




Photo Slideshow click here!





This project means a lot to me in so many different ways. If cancer has touched your life or your loved ones in any way at all, hopefully you will support me in fighting back! Thank You!

Mmm... The simple things

Got my long run and chocolate milk in my Buffalo Bills glass...the simple things =-)

"Hey... I put some new shoes on and suddenly everything's alright"

"No doubt a brain and some shoes are essential for marathon success, although if it comes down to a choice, pick the shoes. More people finish marathons with no brains than with no shoes." - Don Kardong- hahaha

TIP OF THE DAY 1: Typically the rule of thumb is to replace running shoes every 300-500 miles. Now, I know that I am far too lazy to actually log and keep track of this, so I typically just get a new pair once a year. Of course, if you are training for a marathon, you are going to need new shoes quicker than if you're just a casual runner. When shoes get worn, the stability goes, the support goes, and injuries are more likely to occur. Nobody likes to be injured... and nobody likes to run when it is painful... so why not just try some new shoes. **Sidenote: I am not a professional... if you are actually seriously injured... shoes are probably not the answer**

So my post today will be dedicated to my search for new running shoes. I have done everything short of stalk the employees of the Boulder Running Company this week in an effort to find a pair of running shoes that I like. Who knew I could be so picky about running shoes??? 4 visits, 1 failed shipping attempt, 1 trip to Colorado Springs, 1 painful 4-mile run, and 1 return later... I think I've got the shoes I was looking for (except for the fact that they are red... grrrr). Here is MY recipe for perfect running shoes:

1. Must be a wide width for my silly, disfigured, fat lady feet
2. Extensive arch support to "fix" pronation
3. Extra long laces
4. Heel lift in the right shoe
5. Squishyness (or cushioning)

Yes, it took me a while to figure all of this out, but it is so helpful to go to the right place. If you are running to train, the right shoes make all the difference... just think of how many times your feet hit the ground. You've gotta take care of those puppies!! The right shoes aren't just for your feet, though, they can affect your entire stride and your entire body! Up until last year, I never knew that my knee and hip pain occurred because my left leg is longer than the right... Enter: cheap little heel lift in my shoe ... and everything is fixed! AMAZING... I never would've figured this out if I hadn't gone to a store dedicated to running with physical therapists on staff. Cue my second tip of the day:

TIP OF THE DAY 2: GET THE RIGHT SHOES AT THE RIGHT PLACE! It matters where you get your running shoes and who helps you out! Make sure you go somewhere with a good reputation of getting people into the correct shoes. I choose to go to the Boulder Running Company. They work with you, listen to what you need, and actually video tape your feet while running on a treadmill to point out any problems you may have. You do not pay any extra for these services, it's just part of what they do. They even took back a pair of shoes after I ran 4 miles in them (on dirt paths) and HATED them (and washed them off with paper towels ... shhh)! I went back... and they got me into a much better shoe. I went through a lot of trouble for my new sneaks... but I speak from experience: IT'S WORTH IT. DON'T SKIMP ON THE SHOES (price-wise or support-wise) ... it'll just be more painful later.
So here they are! The training continues in some nice (and squishier) shoes. Of course I'm motivated by the cause that I'm running for... but isn't it always a little more exciting when you get something shiny and new?!?

Thanks guys!

Fundraising page

PS- Sorry... I have to say it... the link to my fundraising page for ACS is on the tab at the top of this page (okay, I'm done... enjoy!) =-)

Just "warming up"! Muy Caliente!

Hello out there! It's been a while since I've run in "training mode". Leave it to me to pick the first 85 degree day to start! I've been upping my mileage for a couple of weeks now since I'm getting ready for the Bolder Boulder 10K on Memorial Day. I am nowhere near the mileage for a 1/2 marathon, but I am on my way. I would like all of my friends and family to be able to follow my journey here as I train and raise money for ACS. Now that I have a purpose to run for, it is much easier to reach my goal. This will hopefully be another learning experience and I hope to share some workout and running tips with anyone and everyone (and feel free to share with me!!)!

I've been taking it easy, but now that grad school is out and John moved to San Fran, it is full train mode (because, well, what else am I going to do besides watch reruns of Law and Order and Criminal Minds until I convince myself there is a murderer hanging out in my closet). So needless to say, as soon as John was out... I went for a 5ish mile run in the 85 degree dry heat and about -5% humidity (not possible? but that's what it felt like). BAD DECISION. I now have skin the color of a sun burned lobster and nearly crawled back on my hands and knees the last quarter mile.

TIP OF THE DAY: There is one thing that saved the day... CHOCOLATE MILK! To all you runners out there (or walkers, bikers, outdoor and workout enthusiasts), there is nothing better after a workout than an ice cold glass of chocolate milk! I know... my stomach felt squeamish at the thought of dairy after a run too... but seriously try it. Skip all of those silly sports drinks and "muscle milks"... the only thing you need is some good ol' 2% and hershey's chocolate syrup. I took one sip and felt brand new... AMAZING! Thanks for the tip John! Anyone else have any hydration tips?? The water bottle simply did not cut it today!

I hope everyone enjoyed this first post... I will let you know when I post again so you can keep up on my journey (and hopefully offer some encouragement after today's follies)!! Thanks everybody!