Better Late Than Never?

Sorry for being gone so long! After the class that I originally started this for ended, I got buried in school and sports. Oops! Lets do a short recap of my track season this year! Okay, so I started the season in okay shape, I was doing a hard core workout twice a week with sometimes an easy run on the weekends. It was my off season, so don't yell at me for not running when this blog is supposed to be about running! You have to give your body time to rest and recuperate after a hard season. Well when track started, my coach killed us. No literally, I thought I was dying. She was trying to get rid of the kids who always quit halfway through the season. But no one quit after two weeks of brutal workouts (lets just say I didn't run on weekends... because I couldn't move). By the first meet of the season, I as already as fast as I was last year at the end of the season, that made me especially happy! That ment much improving could be done! And improve I did! I started the season out with a mile time of 6:15 by the end of the season I was down to a 5:53 mile!!! It took a lot of hard work, but I broke under six! I also not only ran this track season, but I started pole vaulting again. Boy have I missed that! I am not very good though haha. I got up to 7'0". Pretty good for my first year I believe! I also went to states with my track team as the 4x800 alternate!! That was a lot of fun! I am just glad that i didn't have to run! Those girls were FAST. So there is the quick summary of track this year!

Now to talk about this summer. I have to start training for xc season, well I should have already started but.... egh. I plan to start running again tomorrow (as I said plan ;p) by running an easy 30 mins. I should get to the point later in the summer where I am running 6-8 miles five or six days a week. Why am I doing this to my poor 5'0" little body of mine? Well because I want this xc season to go better than last years! I was injured and sick all last season but I also didn't have a base, which coud have helped in the long run. So I am running this much to get a strong base to build up muscle so when the season starts, I can get ready for speed work and a bunch of personal records!! Well that is the goal anyways. Lets hope that my knees decide to work this year!

Eating right this summer!! I have been doing very poorly at staying to healthy foods lately. I could blame it on stress, but it is also about just not caring. I care, but I love food. It is a love-hate relationship! Terrible role model I know, but I have an extremely high metabolism which lets me eat so much! Well I have to change my eating habits back to how I eat when it is running season. I am technically doing a sport this summer (sailing) so I need to eat well anyways, but I also don't want to throw up junk food (or anything at all really). So back to four meals a day! Yes four, you heard me right! Breakfast, lunch, snack time after running, and dinner. You must eat, at most, 30 minutes or sooner after your workout. your body needs to replenish the nutrients it has lost with protien. Goods snacks are granola bars (neutravally, cliff bars, etc..) and protein bars (maybe a sandwich?), but the best is a chocolate milk (or shake (preferably a protein one)) because it has protein, is cold so it is nice to drink, and it digests easily to replace your lost nutrients. Remember, eat good wholesome foods, eat healthy snacks right after you workout, and eat BREAKFAST. I hate breakfast personally, but I eat it anyways because it is the kickstart to your day. It gets you going! Some nice protein in the morning and you will be good to go! 

My Greatest Accomplishment

Many people have great accomplishments, from getting an A on a test to winning a marathon. My greatest accomplishment was when I was in seventh grade and I was Annie in the production Annie. I know this isn't about running, and I have a blog about running, but it all relates. You may not realize it does though. When you first start running, your goal maybe to run 20 minutes without stopping. When you complete that, you are so proud of yourself. From completing goals or to doing something spontaneous like skydiving, that could be your greatest accomplishment. Your accomplishment may change over time, or everyday, but it is always what you do for yourself and maybe what you do for other people. You could be the inspiration others are looking for, but you have to put yourself out there so you can be noticed for what you do. Make everyday a small step to becoming what you want to be.

To New Years and New Beginings

Today I am going to talk about shoes. Most people that are not runners, go out and by the coolest looking running shoe without taking your body into consideration. You always want to start off with a good training shoe. You want support for your feet so you don't get injuries later in the season. Personally, I go to a running store and they fit me to a shoe. I tell them what I do (or planning to do) and then they go grab shoes! I run cross country and track so I needs shoe that offers a lot of support and helps stabilize my feet because they pronate, the heels turn in. Be prepared to spend money on a good shoe. I spent $130 on my shoes but they will last up to 300-400 miles. You should always be fitted into a shoe by a professional. Try running in the shoe while you are at the store to make sure everything feels good. Also the shoe shouldn't be light like spikes that you wear in races. When you are ready to do a race, you may want to get race shoes. Depending on the running event you do, that will determine the shoe you wear. You can also race in your training shoes if you prefer. The cost ranges about $80 but you can also get good deals and sales. I would also advise going to a running store to get fitted.
Now that you have your snazzy new running shoes, you might want to start running! Start by doing what you are comfortable with. Try doing a thirty minute run at an easy comfortable pace. Remember to try not to walk! Now go! Go run!