Eye-Opening 11-mile Run

I'm very proud of myself for running 11 miles yesterday. No one else cares, so I will take this opportunity to use this self-absorbed blog to pat myself on the back.

1. It's the farthest I've ever run in my life! 
2. I made a plan and followed my plan: 7:30-9:00 run around Bay Farm to Alameda Towne Centre. 9:00-9:30 eat, drink, rest and wait for the AEF, 5k, Run 4 Education, starting at 9:30. 
3. I was well-prepared in appropriate clothing (it was hot), lots of sunscreen, fitness water, GU, energy bar, ID, AmEx, $20, health insurance card, and the usual iphone, GPS watch & heart rate monitor, sunglasses & hat.

Unfortunately, ~6 miles into my run my right knee started hurting badly! Oh no, smack in the middle! What to do? Should I keep it stiff? Or should I keep it flexible? I should pay more attention to correct running form. Should I stop running or run through the pain? Could I focus on what felt good and ignore what felt bad? After 8 miles I had my 1/2 hr break before the AEF Run 4 Education. I ate, I drank, I stretched, I rested.

4.   Fortunately, during the 5k my knee didn't hurt much. I haven't run a 5k, for time, in so long that I didn't know what time I was hoping for. I finished in 25:49. Hmm. ok. That works out to ~8:20 min/mi. I finished 21st overall (only 82 people participated); I was the 7th woman, and only 2 women in my age group finished before me. All that sounds pretty good, especially considering I had already run 8 miles before starting the 5k!

5.   After the race ProBalance had a massage tent set up and Ada Wells, a Physical Therapist whom I know, was there. So I talked to her about the pain in my knee. She analyzed my stance, squatting, flexibility, exact pain points, etc. and told me it was not my knee! It's my IT band. So the good news is that I know both the prevention (stretching and strengthening) and treatment (ice, foam roller and stretching) so that I can continue my distance training without making it worse. So, the lesson I learned is: don't ignore injuries & don't assume rest is the best treatment. See a professional health care provider!


Now I have a couple weeks to stretch and strengthen my IT bands so that I won't have any pain during my next LONG training run. I'm so proud of myself for my 11 mile accomplishment!

3:00 Pep Talk

So I have this idea I want to try out: 3:00 pep talk.

Isn't it true that we do great in our efforts to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle until mid-afternoon, then we lose our willpower? The mid-afternoon slump kicks in and we just want caffeine and/or sugar; we consider skipping the gym after work, and all our good efforts of the first half of our waking hours are shot to hell?

So I was thinking that at 3:00 I should, instead, give myself a pep talk and plan how I'm going to persevere in my healthy efforts for the rest of the day. I'll add to that a healthy snack and big glass of water (dehydration definitely contributes to our afternoon slumps).

I'm going to try it and I'll write about how it goes . . .

GO Fitness! for Mother’s Day

Looking for a Mother’s Day gift idea?

Spread the word! GO FITNESS! makes a great Mother’s Day gift! It says, 

“Honey, you take care of everyone else all the time; this is to take care of yourself.” 

Gift Certificates are available!

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Right now, there are 3 options:

1. JUMP START PROGRAMS: (start MONDAY!) 2 weeks of intense cardio, strength, balance & flexibility training, at Krusi Park, at an affordable rate:

MWF, 6-7:00 am, 4/19-4/30, 6 sessions, $90

TuTh, 8:30-9:30 am, 4/20-4/29, 4 sessions, $60

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2. MAY PROGRAMS: our regular, one-month, Goal-Oriented Fitness program, integrating cardio, strength, balance & flexibility training, and including group discussions & encouragement to help you attain your personal fitness goal.

MWF, 6-7:00 am, 12 sessions, $180

TuTh, 8:30-9:30 am, 8 sessions, $120

10% DISCOUNT off the rates above, if you register by the 24th

25% off, if you refer a friend who registers for the month

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3. SPECIAL GROUP RATES: If you form a group of 5+ participants, the 5th person is free! Gather your mom-friends and work out together! (Alternative scheduling may be available.)

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Email Suzanne@BalancedHealthyLifestyles.com

Website (for details, registration forms & address): http://g-o-fitness.com/

Jump Start Program - 2 weeks of GO Fitness

Spring Break is the unofficial start to spring, outdoor activities, and warm weather clothes.

If all this inspires you to kick start your fitness routine, GO FITNESS has a special. Please share this information with your friends:

JUMP START PROGRAM: 2 weeks of intense cardio, strength, balance & flexibility training, at Krusi Park, at an affordable rate:

MWF, 6-7:00 am, 4/19-4/30, 6 sessions, $90

TuTh, 8:30-9:30 am, 4/20-4/29, 4 sessions, $60

(Babysitting available, add’l fee)
(programs subject to minimum enrollment)

10% DISCOUNT off the rates above ($81 and $54, respectively) if you know RIGHT NOW you want to do it: Email confirmation of your interest by April 4; then send your registration forms and check to be received by April 15. Otherwise, you can still register up to the first session (4/19 or 4/20).

Email Suzanne@BalancedHealthyLifestyles.com

Website (for details, registration forms & address):

http://g-o-fitness.com/