I’m one of those people that is a creature of habit. Not really “set” in my ways, I mean, I am adaptable to change (after some moaning and whining) and open to new ideas and suggestions. This past weekend though, after my friend, Audrey, asked me about my “Race Day Rituals,” it dawned on me that even when out of my element, I am still a creature of habit and fall back to what I know before race day …
This is what I know about Row. the day before race day …
I make a list. It’s pre-set what’s on there. It’s the same thing every time. I have a hard copy on my iPhone, but I still hand write it all out so that I can check and double check that I remember.
I plan my outfits. I know it sounds a little silly but I need to mentally see what I’m going to wear on race day, then I make sure I have all the right components: Shorts, or capris, tank, compression shorts (if needed), socks, shoes, arm sleeves or long sleeved shirt, etc. If for some reason I have to change my outfit in the morning, it throws me all off.
I put the D-ring or timing chip on my shoe the night before. I also put my socks in my shoe because I am notorious for not being able to find socks!!!
I don’t put the race bib on until AFTER I get dressed in the morning because I stretch out my tank or shirt putting it on and it’ll pull the pins sometimes causing tears in the fabric. I don’t like holes in my expensive dri-fit clothing.
I make sure that my Garmin is charged up several times, and I look for the sweatband that I wear underneath it and keep them together otherwise I’ll forget and my Garmin is so huge on my that without the sweatband it slides and causes blistering and/or pain to my wrist bone from it hitting.
I always make my electrolyte water the night before and fill the water bottles that go into my iFitness belt and put them in the fridge.
I pack my iFitness belt with my Gu, S!Caps, and gum and make sure that I put my ID in my bag.
I make sure I know where my earbuds are and put them in my iFitness belt so I don’t have to frantically search for them in the morning because God knows that they could be anywhere because my Grace loves to borrow them!!!
I go to Starbucks the night before and purchase my Tall, Triple Shot, Non-Fat, No Whip Mocha and refrigerate it so that I can have it race morning after I just nuke it. I know you’re asking why I just don’t go to Starbucks the morning of … Well, it’s because Starbucks is usually not open until 0600 on Sundays and we’re usually well on our way to the race by then with no time to stop. I know that I could very well make my own coffee at home on race morning, however, there’s something in Starbucks Coffee that provides me with a kick. Their beans must be genetically and chemically engineered with something extra special in them that’s not in the expresso beans that they sell to the public. I do plan on experimenting with making my own coffee in the mornings though to see what does and doesn’t work, just not during race day though. I still don’t mind spending a few dollars for my race day coffee, refrigerated or not. I also get a sesame bagel from Noah’s Bagels or from the grocery store and eat it toasted with peanut butter.
Because I know that I don’t sleep well the night before a race, I make sure that I get some good rest the day before or the night before the night before the race. LOL! I know that doesn’t make sense, but seriously, they say that it’s not the rest that you get the night before, it’s the rest you get 2 nights before race day that counts. As I don’t tend to sleep that well, I try to get in as much sleep as I can, be it naps or whatever. Just get your rest.
That’s pretty much it in a nutshell. Pretty simple, short, sweet. It’s not complicated, and I don’t stress out on race day anymore. This list works well for when I’m racing out of town also. It helps me remember what to pack and bring. I never imagined that I had any race day rituals, but it turns out that I do. However, the most important one though, is the prayer that I say for myself and my friends who run … that God will run along side us and carry us to the finish when we get tired.
As a side note, here are a few things that I have learned while racing:
Carb loading should be done two days or more before the actual run, not the night of. If you’ve forgotten, then lunch the day before is probably best. Same thing for hydration. Limit your soda and alcoholic intake, and drink your water, or Gatorade, or whatever sports drink you prefer.
Check the labels of the electrolyte tabs or salt tabs that you use. Try them on your training runs. Remember that too much of a good thing is NOT always a good thing.
Nuun tablets should NOT be placed in your water bottle that you carry with you because what ultimately happens is that it’s effervescence will cause it to fizz and explode IN. YOUR. FACE!
Body Glide is your BFF. Put it on all over you in the places you believe you may chafe!
Never, under any circumstances, use new shoes on race day unless you have for some reason forgotten your shoes and you’re far away from home! It’s not recommended even if you have used the brand before.
Your feet will thank you if you use dri-fit socks. I love Balega brand socks. They’re comfortable, they don’t cause any blisters, they’re cushioning, and they protect your feet. There are a lot of good brands out there, the trick is to find the “right” pair for you.
Cotton is not your friend. Cotton is rotten while racing. Cotton shirts, especially cotton socks … no.
Don’t try any new foods on race day or the day before unless you want to frequent the portapotties along the course.
When it’s cold, I wear old sweats over my racing outfit as we drive up to the venue. I’m not much into discarding old sweats along the run so I haven’t tried that, but a lot of people do and they get picked up by volunteers who donate them to local homeless shelters. I’ve discovered the functional fashion of a garbage bag to keep my shoulders warm.
Compression stockings will be your BFF after running a long run! I love my Zensah compression stockings, and my InVigorators. They’re awesome and feeeeel soooo gooooood!
I really would suggest a list. The list will help keep you organized and help you to remember. Mental lists … don’t work for me as my mind is getting slightly foggy.
Unless you’re gunning for a time goal, have fun on race day. In all honesty, the only person that you’re racing is yourself. Everyone out there has the same goal as you … to cross that finish line. There’s no need for rudeness or ugliness. Encourage each other, encourage everyone. Thank the volunteers that are out there at the aid stations. Smile at all the photographers. Have fun!
**Disclaimer: I’m in NO way an expert on anything. I’m not offering any advice on anything. These are just a few things that I’ve learned along the way from experience. I’m just you average runner who has run a few races for FUN.**
It’s not a secret that I’ve had issues with my shoulders over the last few months. It’s been a rough road rehabing them also as I’m not quite the best patient, nor am I patient … at all.
It started right around the time of my birthday in October. I’m sure that I injured my left shoulder while doing dumbbell thrusters, most likely from doing them with a heavy weight. I got it checked by a couple of the ER Docs and PA’s that I work with and they were all in agreement that I strained my subscapular muscle. I wasn’t great at resting it though, and I ended up impinging my infraspinatus muscle. When it swelled, it really swelled, and it impinged the nerve also and would cause such shooting pains down to my fingertips!!! I got adjusted by my chiropractor several times which helped immensely, as it started to affect my neck and head. It was difficult for me to workout and watch others perform moves that were once sooooo easy for me. Push ups HURT. Throwing a left hook HURT. Pull ups? Forget it. And lifting weights over my head had me wincing like a girl. Seriously? Yeah.
In the middle of November, I had had enough and told my trainer that I needed to defer my training for a month. I couldn’t bear to workout and watch others, knowing that I could not, would not be able to do the moves that those that I workout with would be doing. It sucks to be there and have my workouts “modified” by my trainer. It sucks to have the pain that I have in my shoulder, but the resting helped and my left shoulder healed to about 80% after resting for a month … and I was ready to go back to the box … But something happened … I injured my right shoulder!!! Seriously!
I’m not sure how or when, but I’m sure it’s from the fact that with all the babying that I did for my left shoulder, the right one got the brunt of the pressure to perform and to pick up the slack that the left one could not do. That and coupled with the fact that my work backpack weighs as much as I do and I wear it with a single strap slung around my right shoulder … but seriously, I am not sure how I injured it.
Here’s my theory … I always pray for my children. Always. I pray for their health and safety. I pray for their happiness. I pray for their protection. I pray a lot. I pray that if they are sick or hurt or injured that they do not suffer. My boys play baseball. My Nathan is a pitcher. He is a very good high school pitcher. At the beginning of December, Nathan was playing baseball for a travel ball club and he did a lot of pitching. A LOT. He played in a championship game in which he pitched both days. Usually after he pitches, his arm and shoulder aches. Instead, he did not have any aches or pain … I did. My right shoulder ached and I know that I didn’t do anything to injure it, and it was the pitching motion that really hurt to perform. So it is my belief that whatever pain that Nathan was to endure was transferred to me. I’m okay with that. I have strong shoulders and can endure the pain, so yes, Lord, give it to me. I used to think that I carried my stress in my low back, but I don’t it’s up in my shoulders where it’s tight and heavy. Yep, here I am trying to be like Atlas and carry the weight of the world on my shoulders when I should know better.
Regardless of how I injured it, my right shoulder aches. It hurts even worse than the left one did. I’m smarter this time around though, and will not work it out, or push it to the extreme. My trainer is smart to not let me do any upper body at all. None! You can’t believe how crazy that makes me, but I know that it’s for the best.
Over the past weekend, I had an enlightenment as I cared for a little old lady who came in with a dislocated shoulder. DISLOCATED … I mean, seriously hanging there unattached. Yet she did not whimper, nor did she complain. I started her IV, gave her some pain meds that seemed to help, but the Doc that I was working with was leery to put her “under” to put her shoulder back into place because she had some underlying conditions that would not allow her to tolerate the medications that we use in the ER to put people to sleep. She agreed, and I watched as my Doc gave her a local anesthetic combined with some Morphine into her joint, then I gave her something to help her relax and some medications for pain … and he manipulated her shoulder for several minutes until it “popped” back into it’s socket. She whimpered not once. She complained not once. We’re talking about a 75 year old woman here.
She amazed me … giving me NO reason to complain or cry about my shoulder that is only mildly strained! So … I will NOT. I will not complain, nor whine about my “minor” injury. Because that’s exactly what it is … minor compared to the problems that others have with their shoulders. I’ve seen people with dislocations that cry and scream out in pain. I’ve had patients with chronic shoulder issues that don’t bother to take the time to take care of it so it’s chronically injured. I’ve had patients who have had shoulder surgeries, some multiple times. I will NOT be this individual. I will take the time to let my shoulder heal. I will take the time to rehab my shoulder correctly. I will love my shoulders because they are strong, and beautiful, and awesome. I will no longer pretend to be Atlas and let the weight of the world be distributed evenly among all of us.
As I write this, my shoulders are both healing. I can tell that they’re getting better. I’ve been good about letting them “rest.” I have strong shoulders. I’m good at healing my body – at telling it what to do. I’m workin’ hard on sculpting myself an awesome back and shoulders. My shoulders WILL ROCK! Just you wait and see …
It’s hard to believe that the end of 2011 is here! Oh my God, where has the time gone when it seems as if the year just started.
It’s been a good year for me. I hit a snag there in the middle, but looking back, over all, it’s been a really good year for me. In a nutshell, I ran:
5 – 10Ks
1 – Duathalon
1 – 2 mile run
1 – 4 mile run
1 – 10 mile run
18 – Half Marathons
1 – Full Marathon
Crazy fun running in a negligee!
Starting with Fleet Feet’s Annual 2 mile Pajama Jam in Stockton. This was so much fun. I ran in a negligee and got a lot of crazy looks because it was FREEZING COLD!!! It was a great way to start off 2011, complete with winning a prize. I ran with some friends that were crazy enough to run with me on that cold fateful night and we had a lot of fun.
Great way to start off 2011!
Hours after the Pajama Jam came the Brazen New Year’s Day Trail Half. I ran with Mac and my friends, Erika, Judy, Julie, and Rodger. It was great to start 2011 surrounded by the company of my friends!
Cal 10 - Super Cold!
Then came an early morning 10K, The California 10. It’s a 10 mile race, but they had a 10K option and since I had just worked the night before, I thought that this would be the best option for me. I ran with my friend, Cory.
Davis Stampede!
Davis Stampede Half Marathon, in Davis, CA. Wow. This race was not best venue. I didn’t enjoy running in Davis at all. Lots of tunnels, and it felt as if we were going around in circles. Yeah … not my thing. But it was fun to run with Mac and Erika Rae.
Shamrock'n Tutu - Courtesy of Mac!
Shamrock’n Half Marathon. This race is a nice little fun race. The course was a little different this year due to construction in Sacramento. For this race, Mac made custom shamrock’n tutu’s for us, and our friends Cory and Judy. This race was also Chris’ very first half marathon! I thought for sure he’d hate me, but in reality, he actually enjoyed himself and signed up for a few more halves! What?!?!?
Santa Cruz w/Mac & Mel!
Santa Cruz Half Marathon. This was a beautiful half. What a lot of fun. Ran with Mac and Mellie Mel.
Love Indy!
Indy Mini Marathon. This is the longest that I have ever traveled for a half marathon … all the way to Indianapolis, Indiana!!! My brother lives in Indy, so I did have a reason to go and visit. I loved running in Indy. It was a very nice, very well organized run. Running thru the Speedway … AWESOME! It was a great experience!
Me, Penny, & Kristy reppin' Punk Rock Racing in Fresno!
Fresno Eye-Q California Classic Weekend Half Marathon! Nice, inaugural race. It was here that I met my Twitter friends, Penny (@southbaygirl), and Kristy (@KristyLPants) in real life. We had dinner with our friend, Linda (@MsV1959), and just had a good time. The race was a really nice run thru what most consider the armpit of California. I enjoyed it.
Eradicating Polio in Stockton!!!
Stockton Rotary 10K Run To Eradicate Polio. It’s not thought about that much anymore – Polio. We take it for granted because we in the United States are vaccinated against it, but it’s still prevalent in some countries. Amazing. I ran this 10K with Erika Rae, and with my friend, Linda V., who ran the 5K. I ended up coming in 3rd in my age group and had a lot of fun running it. May have been because I was delirious from lack of sleep after working all night, but I think it was just a good run over all.
Crazy wet fun!!!
Nitro Trail. Brazen puts on a great venue, but they really can’t control the weather. This race was cold, wet and rainy! What? It’s June, really? I ran this race with Mac, Erika Rae, Judy, Mel, and Christina and Cindy who both ran the 10K. I wasn’t fond of this race as it ran around in circles. Yeah, I’m not a fan of going around and around and around … Plus it was WET. Super wet and cold and rainy.
Double backin'!!
See Jane Run. At the last minute, my friend, Erika Rae and I decided to do a back to back. We had just run Brazen Nitro Trail the day before, and this race was to end our weekend together and send Erika off because she wouldn’t be running for awhile. We thought that the weather in Alameda would be the same as it was for Nitro Trail. However … it wasn’t. It was overcast and warm. It was a really good run we had together. We ran for our chocolate and just had fun.
My Best Girl! Love Grace!
Fleet Feet’s Annual 4 Mile Firecracker Run. This is a nice 2 loop run thru Lincoln Village West in Stockton. It’s fun just to go out there and meet your friends and just have a good time. It’s always HOT though. Ugh.
Moo-n light run!
Davis Moo-nlight Half Marathon … It was a night half. We thought it would be a nice, cool run. Instead it was still HOT and muggy. Chris and I drove up with Cory and her family. It would be her husband, Sam’s first half marathon. We had dinner at IHOP – yecht. Remind me not to do that again. It weighed a little heavy in my belly, but it was okay. Just the food was gross. The course was once again … BORING. Circles, overpasses, and bridges. Not only that, the course was cut short by one mile. One mile! Yep, the volunteer at mile 6, misdirected the runners and we were cut short by a whole mile. Oh well, it was okay with me as I was ready to be done with that crazy race! No only did I run with Cory and Sam, but Mac and Mel were there, Judy ran as Chris, and I met Anne, Mac’s friend.
With Mac & Mel in SF! I left my running heart there ...
The end of July brought us to the famous San Francisco Marathon. I ran the first half with Mac and Mel, and well, it just was NOT the run for me. I had a really bad run. A really bad run. It was awful, and I did not enjoy myself at all. I felt very bad that I was not having a good time at all and my friends were. This was an eye opener for me. I’m not quite sure if I was over training or if I just really hated running, but I needed to just stop where I was and reevaluate what was happening. I hung my shoes up for awhile and something happened … I started to crawl out of the hole that I had fallen into. I did different things. I ran alone. I changed up my workout and started doing what I enjoyed .. and it got BETTER.
Keep Moving Forward ... perfect as I search for running self.
Keep Moving Forward 10K was a run to benefit those who are visually impaired. I didn’t tell anyone that I was going to run, and I just signed up because the venue was literally across the street from my mother-in-law’s house. I just ran and had a good time. No one knew that I was there. I ran incognito.
Shakas from the Giant's Half with Cory!
The end of August brought me to the Giant’s Race. It’s a half marathon that benefited Project Open Hand, and ended at the Giant’s stadium. I loved running that race. It was fun. My friend, Judy, was supposed to run with me, but there were some things happening in her life in which she could not attend so she put her bib up on FB. Cory responded that she wanted it and so off we went … we ran the Giant’s Half together. It was a nice run from the Giant’s stadium, up to Chrissy Field and back, finishing inside the stadium on Home Plate. Loved it. Mel ran as well as Shiloh, but we really didn’t see either one of them. Chris ran with us, but made his run a 10K instead of the half.
My TBFF, Torie and I at Disney!
Disneyland Half Marathon. I was supposed to run this race with Mac Erika, and Judy, however, Mac ended up selling her bib to Ali, and Judy couldn’t go, so she gave me her bib to give away, and then I was not able to hook up with Erika. It was kind of disappointing, however, I was able to give my friend Judy’s bib to my Twitter BFF, Torie who lives in Long Beach. We made plans to meet in real life, and run together. It was awesome to meet her! We had a great time, and we ran together and just enjoyed each other’s company. I was also able to see my friends, Ali, Lauren, and Kristy for a minute which was nice. The run itself was a nice, fun run. The weather was perfect, and the post race refueling and expo was very nice.
Shiloh lured me with cookies!
Buffalo Stampede and Migration. This was a last minute entry into a 10 mile race. I was lured by a beautiful girl who promised to bake me some cookies. I love my Shiloh. She’s so beautiful, and she’s an awesome athlete. She’s so inspiring. I ran the migration (slow) while she ran the stampede (fast). It was a really nice run thru a posh neighborhood in Sacramento. Awesome! =)
Ready to gooo in HMB!
Half Moon Bay International Marathon. This was my second half for September. It as an inagural race, and I was thankful to score an entry. I had so much fun meeting the race director and mingling with runners. I loved it. I met and ran with some really nice people, and had an awesome post race massage. The pasta feed dinner was really nice. I needed this race. Running by the ocean. I prayed for my friend who recently lost her husband. They loved HMB and spent a lot of time there. I loved this race and I’m excited to run it again next year!
Team Nucking Futs!
Muddy Buddy San Jose. I have done this race for the last 6 years. This year though, was the first year that they moved it to October. This is the third year that I’ve partnered with Rosa Aguilar and this year we were team Nucking Futs. Rosa has had a rough year so I wanted to make sure she had some distraction. She needed this. We had a lot of fun. They changed up the obstacles a little but not much. This year I went up with Claudia Powell and her partner Felisa. We had so much fun!
With Cory & Claudia @ Nike SF!
Nike Women’s Marathon. This race holds a lot of sentiment for me. It was the first long distance race I had ever ran, and every year I run it in memory of my father. I was able to raise a good amount of money on my own for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. This year, I only ran the half marathon as the distance of the full really doesn’t entice me as it does others. Chris and I had a few SNAFUs and we had some issues but our friend, Cory, came to the rescue and drove us to SF. We hit the expo, then the wall of fame, spent a few minutes in NikeTown and we were outta there. Too many people, too little of an expo … yeah, so not me. We met up with Shiloh and Linda for my birthday dinner. Shi Shi got me some awesome cupcakes and we had a really nice time. It’s just not the same race for me anymore. I’m not sure when it happened, but I just don’t feel the same about it. It’s why I only ran the half when in other years I’ve run the full. But it’s Nike … It’s an expensive race, for a piece of Tiffany bling. But like I said, its pretty sentimental as I run for my father.
My fav race pic!
St. Joseph’s Stockton Half Marathon. This is the 2nd annual Stockton Half. I run it because, for one, it’s in my hometown, and because I work for St. Joe’s. I love this race because I have a lot of friends who live and run in Stockton. It’s always fun to run with people that you know. I had a great time. I loved this venue not just because I ran with friends, but because it’s a fairly nice course, and because they offered free onsite pictures, and the post race venue was awesome! I also love it because of the fact that my husband and daughter come out to cheer! =)
Foxy Mama - according to my kiddos!
Fresno Two Cities Half Marathon. I had a great time the last time I ran in Fresno. I also like Fresno because my oldest son lives and goes to school at Fresno State. We met up with him and had a good time catching up. I miss my son. It was going to just be a girl’s weekend, with just Grace and I, visiting with Sam, but at the last minute Noah decided to come with us. We had a really nice time. The only thing was was that there was 40% chance of rain, and I didn’t bank on the 60% chance of sunshine. It was sunny and beautiful! I was over dressed and uncomfortable, but the run itself was really nice.
Post Turkey Trot Craziness!
Stockton’s 7th Annual Run To Feed The Hungry. I love this run. I love running with my friends after getting my turkey in the oven. It’s for a great cause, and the weather is usually cool and beautiful for a run. I ran a really good race. I met Cory there as well as some other friends, and finished with my friend, Rosemary.
Judy and I - CIM Finishers!
California International Marathon (CIM). I can’t believe that I ran another FULL marathon. It was a commitment made two weeks prior to the race. I had not trained properly, nor was my heart into this race. At the time I decided to fully commit, my friend, Cory, backed out. However, my friend Judy would run with me. I knew that Mac and Mel would be running, and that my friends Shiloh, Khrystyne, and Linda would be running the relay. I told Judy that if she should need to forge way ahead of me to go … She stayed by me throughout the entire 26.2 miles. She was my rock and we had a great time. It was a hard run because my feet hurt sooooo much.
Double Bling!!!
Walnut Creek Half Marathon. This was the last of the NorCalHalfSeries. This is the race that would end the series for me and get me an extra medal. I really enjoyed this series. You had to have run at least three races in the sereis and this last race in Walnut Creek to qualify for the medal. I had already run Davis Stampede, The California Classic Weekend, and The Giant’s Race. It was a great series to run. Walnut Creek’s race was an inaugural run. It was a nice course, despite the big @$$ hill from mile 6 to 8. I ran this race with Mellie Mel, and saw my friend, Layla. The only thing was was that it was SUPER FREEZING COLD!!!
Six point two miles for Sam & Jack!!!
Operation Jack is the brain child of Sam Felsenfeld, marathoner and father of three, one of which, Jack, is severely Autistic. Last year, Sam ran 61 marathons in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Autism. Last year, Sam had the bright idea to have his very last marathon run close to home – so … he organized a small marathon to be run with friends. However … we all wanted to help Sam and in a matter of days this small marathon blossomed into something huge with the development of a satellite run which would include a marathon, half marathon, and 10K. Last year, I was able to organize an Operation Jack Satellite 10K in Stockton and we had a great turnout. So much fun. However, this year, I wasn’t able to do this so I opted to run my own 10K. 6.2 miles done, all with a smile on my face. This is a race that I will continue to do virtually every year for as long as it is offered. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to help Sam and Jack!
Alexis, Becky, & Me ... The beach is over there ... =)
And lastly … last but not least … a last minute sign up at the urging of my friend, Alexis. I was talking to her one day about running a half on New Year’s Day, like I did last year. In fact, I signed up for the Brazen Racing New Year’s Day Half. Then I found out Alexis was running the New Year’s Eve and Day Halves. She urged me to run both with her … What? Really? Yep, she said something about “double bling” and “fun.” I’m not sure what posessed me, but out of my mouth came a resounding, “Okay, I’ll do it.” Our excitement spread like wildfire somehow, and caught the attention of our friend, Becky who had never … read NEVER run a half marathon in her entire existence, but yet she also signed up to run BOTH NYE and NYD halves. Let me just say that this was an epic weekend and we had sooooo much fun. The New Year’s Day half will go onto my 2012 recap, but let me just say, it was soooo much FUN!!!
And that, my friends, is my 2011 recap. It’s been such a nice year. I logged over a thousand running miles. I learned a lot about myself. I made and met a lot of great runner friends. I watched my friends whom I motivated grow as runners. I changed up my training a little. And I just did my own thing. I had to find my passion for running midway through the year. It’s hard to get away from it. I learned much. I’ve grown much. And I’ve had a lot of fun. I’m thankful for my ability to run, move, jump, breath … I can’t complain. It’s kept me in shape, healthy, and best of all, sane. Life is good. Running makes it a little better. Running with friends makes it the BEST.
Thanks everyone. Looking forward to a great 2012 season. Remember … the hardest move to make is that first move in getting your @$$ of the couch! Putting one foot in front of the other gets you *that* much closer to your goal … And like I always say … Train HARD … Train SMART … Eat WELL … and Have FUN!!!
Running Code 3 