Runner's World Blogger Event Recap {Part One}

As part of the Runner's World Half & Festival, they hosted pre-race events just for bloggers.  Through my affiliation with FitFluential, I was invited to attend these meaningful sessions since they would be of interest my readers.  Below you will see some of the neat presentations that we were able to observe.  Plus, if you missed my review of the Thursday night BBQ held at the Runner's World headquarters, you can catch it here.

First, the people from Icon Health and Fitness spoke about their company and the many brands that fall under their umbrella, such as NordicTrack, Pro-Form fitness equipment, Weider, Freemotion Fitness, Reebok, Gold's Gym, and iFit to name a few.  Here I am on one of the Pro-Form bikes.  It was amazing because you can hook up an iPad on the special holder and it will take you on various virtual road courses. 

My new friend {Katie} from KatieRunsThis and I experimented on the treadmills while chatting away.  Their equipment is extremely compact and is the perfect addition to your home gym.  In addition, most pieces fold up for easier storage.

I got to meet another Oiselle teammate...Lynda from Hit The Road Jane.  She traveled all the way from Florida!

Freemotion Apparel gave us a few items to test out on our runs.  I can't wait to wear my new jacket for those cold, cold winter runs in PA.  It is heavier than most winter running outerwear, so all I will need is a base layer.  Yesterday, I wore their short sleeved t-shirt on my run.  It was nicely cut, the color was vibrant, and it was extremely comfortable to wear under a light windbreaker.
 

They had a light breakfast for us which included coffee, fresh fruit, bagels and cream cheese. 

Next, we were treated to a special presentation by Golden Harper, founder and creator of Altra Zero Drop Shoes.  A neat fact about Golden...he still holds the world record for a marathon run by a 12 year old.  That's right...he was 12 when he ran 2:45!   

The Icon/Altra team...

Golden demonstrated how their zero drop running shoes compare to regular 12mm drop shoes, and it was all very interesting.  For me, I will start by wearing my new Altra shoes around town before attempting any runs.  I have been wearing orthodics for over 20 years, so the transition to a zero drop shoe may be a slow one.

Some of the runners who already run in a minimalist shoe did a barefoot demonstration around the tent. 

iFit is a virtual way to track your workouts, participate in runs with friends on the other side of the country, compete against others in the iFit community, watch HD videos of places around the world while you workout, plus more.  Check them out at their site to see the many things that you can do {virtually} with this amazing application.  

This larger than life poster was a glimpse at December's issue of Runner's World.  It was front and center at the Runner's Expo for all to see when browsing the vendor tables and picking up packets. 

Tomorrow I will tell you all about my time with US Olympian, Shalane Flanagan.  She was very nice, and she even personally answered a question about an issue that plagues me before every race.  Have a great Monday! 

Loving Lately {Runner's World Version}

Last night I had the opportunity to spend the evening with the folks from Runner's World magazine for a special blogger event that was held in conjunction with their upcoming running festival this weekend.  The next few days, Bethlehem, PA {my hometown} will be inundated with runners from all over the country to run, tour, and spectate at one of the largest races in the northeast.  Some are brave enough to tackle the hat trick, which means they will run the 5k and the 10k on Saturday, and the half marathon on Sunday.   

This morning and through lunch, there are special events that are planned for us...including a meet and greet with US Olympic Marathoner Shalane Flanagan.  I can hardly wait to meet her!  

Since my Friday posts revolve around things I have been “Loving Lately,” I found last night’s BBQ to fit nicely into that theme, especially since they revolved around two of my favorite things...running and food.  Here’s a glimpse at some things that I was loving lately at the Runner’s World event.  

The buffet was delicious, including this burger on a whole wheat roll topped with caramelized onions, and a brownie, of course!  

It's always nice to see old acquaintances, so I was happy to run into Warren Greene, Brand Editor at RW.  Warren and I interned at Rodale Press together back in the mid-nineties. 

Today we will learn more about Altra Zero Drop Footwear, but we were fitted for a pair of shoes to test out on this morning's shake-out run. 

Running into a teammate was pretty cool, especially someone as nice as Amanda.  Notice that we wore our Oiselle gear!

Bart Yasso and me...

We were given a tour of the Runner's World headquarters and one of the first things that we saw was their wall of past covers...

...including a sneak peak at the December issue!

In a hallway of brown doors, Bart's office door was covered with bibs from races all over the world.  I had to laugh to myself because my bedroom door in high school looked just like this.  However...my races were obviously local.  

What better way to end a great night than to sit around a camp fire roasting s'mores?  

Besides the shoes, they also presented us with a bag that was loaded with neat goodies including these adorable headbands.  

Plus, more stuff that I can't wait to dig in and try out.  

Now I'm off for some more fun with fellow bloggers and the crew from Runner's World.  Have a great day!

 

Dealing with Injury

A few of my friends have been recently diagnosed with stress fractures.  Although a rather common injury among long distance runners, listening to those dreaded words is the last thing a runner wants to hear.  My friend and Oiselle teammate {Lauretta} is one of my friends who is rehabbing from a fracture, and she asked me if I could write a post on how to get through an injury while still maintaining a fitness level {and sanity}.  

Swimming. In my experience, nothing can compare to running.  But when the doctor puts a runner on hiatus, swimming comes in at a close second.  Over the summer, I was suffering from Achilles tendonitis that sidelined me for a while.  During that time, I spent many hours in the pool, swimming more laps than I ever thought I could.  Jesse was nice enough to meet me with workouts in hand, some distance-oriented and some that incorporated more speed.  I think he personally enjoyed coaching swimming for a change, and he gave me workouts that he could potentially give his injured athletes in the future.  Like I said, nothing can compare to running, but after weeks in the pool, my fitness level pretty much stayed the same and the only thing I lost was my racing/hard workout sharpness, which quickly returned after a few weeks.  Many people like to do pool running, which is excellent as well, but I think old-fashioned swimming was my perfect remedy.  

If you would like to visit some of those swimming posts for workout ideas, you can do so below. 

Run.Swim.Eat.Photo.Groom.Pick 

Swimming Longer and Longer 

A Hot Run, A Swim and a New Camera 

Swimming and Some Coffee 

Yoga and Running; Plus Some Swimming 

Slow Down.  In my opinion, when injuries happen it is the body’s way of telling us to slow down.  Therefore, when I have aches and pains, I am not afraid to reduce my mileage, or take off completely.  It is also equally important to listen to the doctor’s orders.  If they say a stress fracture will take 4 – 6 weeks to heal with no running, listen to them.  Wear the unfashionable boot and suck it up.   

Be patient.  Another friend was on the tail end of her stress fracture recovery and ran a race that she was slated to compete in prior to the injury.  She was feeling better and her foot didn't hurt, so she decided to still run.  That one race landed her two more weeks in the boot she was wearing. 

Relax.  Sometimes life gets a little hectic with trying to balance a job, training, family and household duties.  If you are prescribed a certain period of time off, enjoy it!  Go home after work and enjoy the extra free time you have.  Maybe even have a glass of wine before 8pm!

Rehab. Many injuries come with some sort of physical therapy and/or stretches.  Do them.  Period. 

  

Take it slow on the rebound.  Once granted permission to run, take it easy.  Increase mileage little by little {using pain as your gauge} and try not to overdo it.  A few extra miles aren't worth risking more time off.     

I always believe that running is a journey.  Like life, there are ups and downs, trials and tribulations.  Injuries are inevitable, even with the best shoes, diet, form, etc.  But when they happen, take it in stride.  Do what you can to maintain physical fitness by resting and recovering, and soon enough...you will be back on the roads before you know it.  Again, it's all a part of the running journey…but in the end, your body will thank you for being patient and listening to what it has to tell you.  

What are your tips for dealing with injuries?

The above paragraphs are based on my personal experiences and opinions.  For medical advice, please contact your physician or sports orthopedic doctor.   

3ks on the Grass + Taco Salad

Last night I had a good workout {cross-country style} on the grass.  I met Jesse and the team for a couple of 3ks, which is slightly less than two miles.  After a 15 minute warm-up and some drills, we were off and running! 

1st interval -- 11:43 {6:15 mile pace = 19:35 5k pace}

2nd interval -- 11:30 {6:08 mile pace = 19:10 5k pace}

The team went on to do a few 300s each getting progressively faster, but I had to pick up my daughter.  Even though I did have to leave, we felt that I still got in two solid intervals and I felt decent throughout both of them.  Now if only I can take what I do in workouts and apply it on race day!  :) 

Later on, I made one of our favorite meals...taco salad.  I used organic ground beef for the base and I always add my own seasonings because the pre-packaged taco seasoning is loaded with sodium.  

  
Romaine lettuce topped with cheese, taco meat, salsa, light sour cream and a few crunched tortilla chips makes a delicious and healthy meal.  

   
Enjoy your Wednesday!

Birthday Weekend / Cabin Adventure {Part Two}

This past weekend, Fred and I went on a getaway to the New York Finger Lakes.  If you missed yesterday's post about touring the wineries, you can check it out here.

We ended the night at his cabin just north of Williamsport, PA.  After a good night's sleep, we headed down the mountain to the Turkey Ranch for a delicious, but not so healthy, breakfast.     

The Turkey Ranch was exactly the kind of place you would expect to be situated in the mountains...complete with mounted turkeys and coyotes on the wall.

I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich on a croissant with home fried potatoes on the side.  Oh, so good! 

After breakfast, Fred and I bundled up and took a walk around the grounds of the cabin.  It was such a crisp morning, perfect for walking off the food we just consumed!  

I would hardly consider myself a mountain girl, but the cabin has just enough accommodations that I feel comfortable when I am there.    

I thought this was funny....someone changed the speed limit sign to 75 {mph} rather than 15.  The cabin is in the middle of nowhere, so to think that anyone would have the black Sharpie marker on them to make such a change was a bit humorous.   

This spot is otherwise known as "Disney World."  Apparently it is a location where lots of animals can be found roaming around and eating food.  Hunting humor, I guess? 

All in all, it was a fun day {and weekend}!  I have a debilitating fear of snakes, so I was glad the weather was cold enough for them to be nicely tucked away under the ground.  

If you would like to visit the posts from our summer excursion to the cabin, you can find them here and here.

As for running, I am preparing for the Runner's World 10k this weekend.  In addition, I will be participating in some blogger events that are scheduled in the days leading up to the race and I am excited to be a part of all of the festivities.  One very cool detail...I will have the opportunity to attend a meet and greet with Olympian marathoner Shalene Flanagan.  So excited!!  I will be sure to take lots of pictures and share about all of the events.  

Have a great Tuesday!   

Birthday Weekend at the Finger Lakes {Part One}

It was such a beautiful few days that I can hardly stand to begin the workweek.  Between amazing fall weather, the autumn hues that spread across the mountains, and a trip to New York state to visit the wineries, I can't remember a better weekend.

Our voyage to New York was about a four hour drive and we made several stops along the way, including this overlook off the highway.  The views of Pennsylvania's farmland and natural physical features were breathtaking. 

Fred's 40th birthday was on Saturday and since the Finger Lakes was one of our first trips together, we decided this destination would make a nice getaway for us to celebrate his special day. 

In my opinion, Twizzlers are the perfect travel companion...plus my husband.  

Our first stop was the Fruityard, a winery that focuses on fruit wine.  A few years ago, we visited here because our friend made fruit wine and he urged us to stop.  Ever since, the Fruityard has been penciled in on our list.  I love their cranberry wine, which is perfect for the Thanksgiving table. 

Second stop...Hermann J. Wiemer, our favorite.  The vineyards that are situated on the Finger Lakes are particularly known for their white wines, specifically Riesling, and this winery's whites are second to none.  They are pricier than most, but well worth it.  Every year, we save a few bottles for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The best part...we had the same pourer as we did the last time we visited.   

Along the way up the western side of Senecca Lake was Prejean Winery.  Fred remembered them to have a very good Gewurztraminer, so we stopped on a whim.  This detour ended up being my favorite stop of the day!  We were pleasantly surprised with their wines and left with several bottles in hand.  Prejean has been around a while, and I am sure it will be a stop on our future trips.  

 

This sign was a little disappointing to Fred since he was a freshman in college at that time. 

The grape vines were beginning to dry out in time to be pruned for the winter. 

From a recommendation, we stopped at a newer winery called Billsboro.  The winery itself was gorgeous, but we decided not to purchase anything since we like the taste of wines fermented in oak barrels.  Most of their wines were fermented in steel. 

Our final stop of the day was another favorite, Keuka Lake Vineyard.  This winery is situated on the smallest lake in this region and they produce amazing wine, including Leon Millot Reserve, a dry red. 

We got to talking to the pourer who presented us with a recommendation for dinner.  She is the bar manager at the Esperanza Mansion, an exquisite hotel and restaurant at the tip of Keuka Lake.  Since time was on our side, we took her suggestion and we weren't disappointed.  It was gorgeous! 

The view from the top of Keuka Lake...

After a long, but relaxing day, we drove about an hour south to Fred's cabin just outside of Williamsport, PA.  One of the members left us a roaring fire and the end of our day looked like this...

Needless to say, Fred enjoyed his birthday excursion and so did I!