Tuesdays on the run

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Tuesdays on the Run: Running Solo Vs. With A Group

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life! 

This week’s topic is: Running Solo Vs. With A Group

I mostly run solo so I’ll start here:

Advantages of Running Solo

  • You choose your pace.

You can run slow or push the pace.  You can walk when you feel like it or just stop and take photographs. No pressure.

  • You can be flexible with regard to time and distance.

You can wait for the rain to stop or change your mind and run in the evening rather than the morning, You can cut short your run or if you feel like it, you can extend it.

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3 mile planned run before boating

  • You choose the location.

You can leave for a run right from your house or from your work.  No driving to a scheduled location is necessary.

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right near work

  • You can be spontaneous.

You can decide to go for a run on a new route.

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  • You can listen to music.

Just put on your headphones and zone out to your favorite tunes.

  • You can just be alone with your thoughts.

or just plan your day or figure out a solution to a problem.

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Advantages of Running With a Group

  • It’s fun.

You’re never alone.  There’s always someone faster and slower than you.

  • You will be motivated to run faster.

my long runs with these 2 ladies were faster than when I ran alone

  • You are less likely to cancel.

Especially if you’ve paid for the training.  Or people are waiting for you.

  • You make new friends.

You will then bump into them at races or make plans to race together.

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we met at the Turkey Trot Group runs

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fellow Freihofer Challenge groupies

  • You may run at a location that you normally wouldn’t choose.

I’ve run at parks and in neighborhoods that I had never been to before.

path near Knickerbocker Area

  • It prepares for better for race conditions.

Yes, no one ever runs races solo.

  • Chatting with others make the miles go faster.

  • You may learn something new.

You’ll learn about new races or new gear and get running tips.

Happy Running! Do you run solo or with a group?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Hot Weather Running Tips

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life! 

This week’s topic is: Hot Weather Running Tips

What to wear:

  • Skirts, of course. You stay cooler in them than capris or shorts and they just look good.

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Especially SkirtSports skirts!

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  • Tank tops or tech tee shirts

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  • Baseball caps – they keep the hair off my neck and the sun off my face

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  • Cool Max socks – I am blister prone so this is important for me.

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  • Sunglasses – I wear contacts so my eyes are really sensitive.  I wear sunglasses all the time (even if it is not sunny) except when it is dark out.

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Other essentials:

  • Nathan Hand-held water bottle – I don’t usually carry water (I just loop my runs) but when I do, I love this.

  • Don’t forget that if you chafe, in the summer when you sweat, you chafe even more.

  • And the sunscreen and bug spray (especially if you run in areas where there are ticks)

Where to run:

  • Shady areas like bike paths or parks

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  • Trails

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  • Where there is a breeze off the water

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  • On the treadmill where there is air-conditioning
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not my favorite place

When to run:

  • In the morning before it gets warm
before work

before work

  • In the evening when it cools down
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after work

Of course, remember, you will run SLOWER when it is hot.

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I think I was hot here LOL

And don’t forget those warm weather rewards!!!!

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Happy Running! Any additions that you can add to my hot weather running tips?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Running Breaks

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Running Breaks

There are many reasons to take a break from running.

  • Injuries

This is the worst.  Injuries suck.  There is nothing you can do about them.  You just can’t run.  And you always wonder if you will again.

I have had a few.  Broken foot in 2013…

good thing I kept those critches

Stress fracture in late 2012…

my new shoe

Ankle surgery for 2 broken bones in early 2012…

now and for the next 8 weeks

  • Weather

When I first started running, I stopped in October and began again in April.  Then I realized that I could run in the cold weather, even in the snow. Running in the rain and ice.  Not for me!!

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Living in the Northeast, there were many days like below when I did not run.

The same can be true if you live in a warm, humid climate.  It is hard to run in those conditions.

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doesn’t this look inviting?

  • Life

Yup, sometimes life gets in the way.  I work full-time and I am not a morning runner. Evening and weekend work, family and friend obligations often make running impossible.

My hubby and my friends do not run so I try not to let running interfere with my relationships.

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dinners out with friends

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boating with the hubby

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tennis instead of running

Sometimes, I’d rather be running but I know I always can’t choose running.

  • Tapering or Recovering

Also we may not want to take a break, we know we have to. Before and after a long race, I usually take at least 2 days off. I like to be active and feel like a slug when I don’t run.  But I that these old bones need a rest or there will be repercussions.

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best post half recovery

  • Lack of Mojo

This is a tough one.  It’s when you just don’t feel like running.

I’ve had this feeling many times but since I sign up for so many races, I know that if I don’t run, there will be consequences.

There are many reasons for lack of mojo:

  • Over training
  • Fatigue
  • Pain
  • Poor races results

We’ve all experienced these.

I have recently felt the last two.  Since my half in April, my feet have bothered me on and off.  It is not fun to run when something hurts.

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ouch!!

I also have been disappointed in my finish times.  I am getting slower.  Especially for my April half which I trained for and the course was flat.  I expected to do better and I was depressed for long time afterwards.

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not happy here

As a result, May was a low mileage month for me… (even though I ran a half marathon!!)

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Happy Running?  Do you take breaks from running?

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Tuesdays on the Run (a day late) – Compression Gear- Love it or Leave it?

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Compression Gear – Love it or leave it?

When I first started running, I didn’t know what compression gear was.

Before the big race

I bought my first pair of compression socks for my first half marathon because I heard that they would help.

Half in Naples, Florida

I don’t know if they helped but I finished and feel good after.  So who knows?

After that, I wore that same pair on long runs and for half marathons.

I am thankful for being able to cross the finish line!!!

In 2012 after coming back from ankle surgery, I bought more pairs of compression socks and started to wear them for most of my races.

Now, I am addicted and wear them almost all of the time.

So as you can see I wear them A LOT and I have quite a few pairs – I buy whatever is on sale.

Recently, I have worn compression sleeves to see if I can prevent those nasty blisters. (Didn’t make a difference.)

VCM Relay

So why should you wear them?

  1. Protection:  They protect your legs from small scratches, abrasions and nasty things like poison ivy on a trail.
  2. Swelling:  Compression technology has been proven to limit swelling.
  3. Dirt:  Collects on your socks and not on your legs.
  4. Warmth:  Allows you to wear skirts on those iffy days when you’d reluctantly wear tights.
  5. Coolness:  No, they don’t keep you cool, but they look good when you color coordinate them with your outfit.

Happy Running?  How do you feel about compression gear? What and when do you wear it

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Tuesdays on the Run: Running Hacks

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Running Hacks

Many of these are obvious and you probably do them….

  • Cut the Tangents – why run a longer race distance than you have to

  • Make your own arm sleeves – go to the dollar store or Target and buy a pair of knee socks. Then cut off the foot.  If you don’t need them during a run, just toss them.

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  • How do you wear those cute running skirts when it is cold?  Wear tights or capris under them.

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  • Sick of putting safety pins through your tech shirts? Attach your bib to your race belt. I bought one that had bib holdes that were removable and I add them to my SpiBelt.  Love it!

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  • Sore feet?  Put a tennis ball in the freezer and then roll the bottom of your foot on it. Being a tennis player, I have plenty of tennis balls.

  • Want to ave money on running shoes? Buy an older model.  Especially if you actually prefer the older model.

$49 rather than $115

  • Bored on the treadmill? Watch your favorite show while on the treadmill.  It’s still painful but just less so.

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  • Lay out your clothes the night before your run or race.  That way you can sleep longer and you are less likely to forget something important.

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  • Make the most of your free time and fit your runs in – before work, during your lunch break, after work…
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during my lunch break

  • Run with a friend.  It makes the miles easier.

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  • If you’re doing an out-and-back run on a cold, windy day, run the first half into the wind and come back with it.  Otherwise, you’ll be running the second half sweaty and into the wind.

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  • Don’t run on empty. Eat before and during.  Otherwise, you will be tempted to cut your runs short.

  • If you are flying to a race, pack your running stuff in your carry on.  Don’t risk having it in your lost luggage.

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Happy Running?  Any other hacks that you can share?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Best Race You’ve Ever Run

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Best Race You’ve Ever Run

I’m going to pick 2 – the best short distance and the best long distance…

My Best 5K:

  • I loved the course – you ran around the Saratoga Race track.

  • I loved that you got a personalized bib.

  • I loved the “Roc” age group awards.

  • And of course, I loved that I got a PR even though I walked twice.

My Best Half Marathon:

  • I loved running with a view of the sun rising on the water.

  • I loved the course – along the water but also in the neighborhoods of West Palm Beach

  • I loved that although I had blisters, I toughed it out and kept my pace.

  • I loved getting a PR and winning my age group.

Happy Running?  What is your best race?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Favorite Warm Weather Gear

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Favorite Warm Weather Gear

  • Skirts, of course. You stay cooler in them than capris or shorts and they just look good.

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Especially SkirtSports skirts!

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  • Tank tops or tech tee shirts

lighthouse 5k   mother-147

  • Baseball caps – they keep the hair off my neck and the sun off my face

biggest-loser-5k

  • Cool Max socks – I am blister prone so this is important for me.

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  • Sunglasses – I wear contacts so my eyes are really sensitive.  I wear sunglasses all the time (even if it is not sunny) except when it is dark out.

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  • Nathan Hand-held water bottle – I don’t usually carry water (I just loop my runs) but when I do, I love this.

Happy Running?  Why do you like to wear in the warmer weather?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Why I Run

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Why I Run

I RUN…

  • because it makes me feel good
  • because it makes me feel healthy
  • because it makes me feel active
  • because it gives me time to be alone
  • because it gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment
  • because it makes me feel young
  • because it makes my day start better
  • because it makes a bad day end better
  • because it helps me enjoy the fresh air and the scenery
  • because I have met awesome people who are runners
  • to inspire others to become runners
  • so that I can eat more ice cream and desserts
  • so I can listen to music I like as loud as I like
  • as fast or slow as I want
  • until I feel like stopping
  • wherever I choose
  • alone or with thousands of others
  • to support a cause
  • to get a medal
  • to a get a tech shirt
  • because I can

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Happy Running?  Why do you run?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Spring Training Update

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Spring Training Update

My training this Spring is going to be pretty informal:

  • Mondays – FRW training group run – usually 3 miles with some speed work mixed in
  • Tuesdays – tennis
  • Wednesdays and/or Thursday – 3-4 easy miles
  • Fridays – gym – upper body machines
  • Saturday or Sunday – a race with some extra miles for a longish run

I am currently tapering for my half marathon on Saturday!!

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half #12 – along the ocean – yay & a visit to a college friend in NJ

Then I have a recovery 5K before I start ramping up the miles for another half marathon.

enjoyed this one last year too – hopefully there will be cherry blossoms this year

The training begins with a 15K along the river.

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yes, that’s me on the website – I ran the 10K last year – this year I signed up for the 15K

This is a weekday training run and a 5k.

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May 7, 2015 6:30 pm…wasn’t planning on this but a FB friend started a team for this 5k and…

I continue my training with another 15K on my birthday.

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May 9, 2015 – running the 15K, a new race for me

then a fun 5K to celebrate Mother’s Day.

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GOTR event – I am volunteering in this program and will be doing it with my new buddy – otherwise I would run this for the 2nd time

Hopefully, my legs will be ready for this hilly half. I am excited to visit Burlington, VT.

May 24, 2015 – I am doing the relay with AJH – my 13th half

I will be recovering with my favorite 5K

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This is the only race that I have never missed – so this will be my 8th time.

And finally another half marathon about 1 1/2 hours south.

Half Marathon – June 13, 2105 – my 14th half – get to see the new bridge over the Hudson

I will be traveling to Denver, CO for a conference and get back the night before for this hilly 10 mile race.

June 20, 2015 – my 2nd year – loved it last year – this year I will be jetlagged.

Happy Running?  How’s your spring training going?  Which race(s) are you training for?

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Tuesdays on the Run: Time Management While Race Training

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs hosts Tuesdays on the Run with April @ Run the great wide somewhere and Patty @ My no-guilt life!

This week’s topic is: Time Management While Race Training

This is an important one… and often difficult to do.

  • Prioritize

What’s more important? Your race or your family? Your race or your friends? Your race or your job?

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yes, training interferes with my hubby’s favorite summer pastime.

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yes, training interferes with time on the tennis courts with my friends

and yes, often I have to work rather than run

In other words, sometimes, you have to skip a run.

  • Be creative.

I’ve had to take a day off from work to do a long run. I’ve split my long run into two parts and even into two days.

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I usually run after work but I’ve had to run during lunch

imageor even before work.

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  • Schedule it.

I decide each week, when I am going to run and I put in on my calendar.

I also post it on my blog.

It keeps me accountable.

  • Relax.

As they say …

It’s only a race.

If you don’t do well, there will be other races.

Happy Running! How do you manage your time while training for a race?

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