Why Not Tri: Training Day 1

Today was my first day of training for my upcoming Sprint Triathlon.  This is right, triathlon.  In my

effort to keep pushing myself beyond what I thought was possible, I decided my next goal is to swim, bike, and run in a timed matter.  (300 yards swimming, 12 miles biking, and 5k) I know I am able to do all three, but back to back..it will provide a challenge to me. 

Shirt from Running Chics

Unsure of how to handle the training for this program, I signed up for a woman's only triathlon training program with the downtown YMCA in partnership of the Healthy Living Alliance (http://hlaspringfield.org). I am even going to be able to participate in the training with additional members of iBody Directory here in Springfield.  A great group of ladies working towards a healthy lifestyle.

Knowing that this was the first day of training, I thought I would be showing up for an orientation: This is what to expect, this is the building, this is how you set up your bike.  That was not the case.  I found myself immediately on a bike.  This was my first time using a spinning bike, and I was not prepared for all of the adjustments necessary.  

Right away, the instructor started off peddling.  I was unable to get the bike adjusted in a way I felt comfortable, and I did not want to stop the instructor's flow.  I did speak up a couple of times, but still could not get the bike adjusted the right way.  Due to this and wanting to stay injury free...I just did basic biking.  I was able to do 4 miles on the bike.  After class, I talked to one of the instructors about meeting her in the next couple of days to get a spinning 101 session so I am caught up with the rest of the class.  

As I was leaving, I was talking to one of my new workout buddies, Wendy.  She explained that after two years of having medicial restrictions, she was finally able to cleared to work out.  While others may be working towards the goal of the triathlon, she has the goal just to get back in shape.  Her goal of getting healthy reminded me that while I struggled with the spinning aspect, that we were both on the same mission on working towards a healthier life.  

So three times a week (sometimes just two for me), I will be biking, swimming, or running.  The sessions are broken up where in most cases you are going to be doing two of the same things at once just like on race days!  So continue to follow me in my next challenge to tri the triathlon!  

Running Groups Run This!

Signing up for my first half marathon was on a decision I made on a whim.  After finishing the Bass Ultramax sports sent out an email offer for a reduced rate on the Go Girl half marathon in May 2013.  Being that the event was seven months away, I figured I had plenty of time to figure out how to run/walk 13.1 miles.

My Ultramax Running Coach Kristin

Pro Outdoor Fitness Festival's 5K in 2012,

Three months after signing up and no strategy in place, I received another email from Ultramax Sports providing information on their upcoming half marathon training group.  This group would meet twice a week for group runs with also providing a training plan for the week as well.  Since I do not have a better plan in place, I decided that this group was the only way it was going to happen.

Signing up for a local training group was the best decision I made to get me to the finish line.  Every week we met, my coaches were there encouraging me and pushing me when I did not want to go the distance.  We faced struggles together included numerous Saturday snow days as well as balancing energy during those long runs.  They provided encouragement to me via email during the week to ensure I was keeping up with my running schedule.  Then on race day, my main coach Kristin met me to make sure I got across the finish line.  

Now, looking towards my next step, I have joined two new running groups.  Locally, I have joined the Cox Health Galloway running program which will met every Saturday for long runs.  This group provides a little more flexibility due to the ability to either work towards a full or a half marathon.  Since I am still undecided on my new step, I thought it would be great to access to both training programs.  In addition, it provides additional resources relating to the Galloway running method which my Ultramax program was based on.

Then, I have the honor of joining 15 ladies across the world via social networking on the "Fatty Must Run Marathon Challenge" hosted by a UK runner @FattyMustRun (hence the name on the challenge). While I would never imagine calling anyone fatty" due to the torments from my elementary school teasing, I embraced the foundation of the challenge....15 ladies working towards a healthy lifestyle to finish your first marathon in 12 months. While we are working on making the necessary changes, we are supporting each other from afar.  I am excited to see how the social network works with in our groups.

Both of these groups will get me to my next goal.  There is a lot ahead for me so keep in touch this week for 

Why I Run..(Because I Can)

https://www.facebook.com/events/575944935757702/

During my weight loss journey, there have been many things in which I have discovered I was unable to do due to my size.  Carrying an extra 200+ pounds on your frame can limit your ability to live life.  It is not until the weight is gone until you realize how difficult it is to do simple things.  It is because of this I have taken this second chance to do things in which I was never able to do...this includes running/walking.

In middle school, I dreaded the mile test.  If you grew up with the Presidential Physical Fitness test, you know that every year, you had to prove your fitness ability by running a mile.  For a fat girl, the mile was more to prove the ability to embarrass yourself in front of the popular kids who finished 15 minutes prior to you.  Those four laps around the track were the most humbling moments especially when you could not keep up with the other fat kids.

It continued into my adulthood when I signed up for my first 5K for the MS Walk.  I thought I would be able to accomplish the 3.1 miles with everyone else.  I finished it about 35 minutes after everyone else.  My body felt like it aged 20 years with those 3.1 miles.  I knew that I had to change.

There were some significant wake up calls to get me to the point in which I am now.  The ability of not being able to walk up the stairs without being winded was one of them.  Feeling winded walking around the block with my dogs was another.  If I am not able to get myself to point A to point B, then what quality of life is it?

So I started to make changes...I started to add another block to another...I started to allow my dogs to get me out of bed for morning walks...a mile became much easier.  

Last year, I did my first 5K in St. Louis during the St Patrick's Day run.  While the race is 5 miles, I figured out on the course to make it 3.1 miles.  I finished with a time of 73 minutes.  I worked on improving that time as I increased my walking speed and started interval running over the next eight 5k's I did during the year.  My final finish time was at 54 minutes.  I was able to reduce my time by 19 minutes.  

So this year, as I work towards my 2013 fitness goals, I decided to go all out and sign up for my first half marathon.  I signed up because...I can!  I would have never imagined being able to do this two years ago, but I know that I will be able to finish this 13.1 miles.  It is a perfect goal to push myself on my journey.  

So this Saturday, I will FINISH my first half marathon.  I really do not care on how long it takes me or if I am the last one, I will finish.  After this weekend, I can call myself a runner.  I might even join a high school PE class to show the younger me on how far I have come.  

Why Finishing Last Was My Best Race

I have finished in two races last.  Dead last.  As in there was no one else behind me.  

The first time was a 5k, and it was my own doing.  The race actually started on time, and I was not.  Of course, with this race, the post ceremony activities were being held in another location two blocks away.  When I crossed the line, there were two volunteers and the timing company.  After crying to my mother, I moved on and remembered the common saying "You lapped everyone on the couch."

While my lateness was to blame for the 5k, the second last place finish was because I did not take the simple route.  A little history..I love St Pat's Day so almost any race that celebrates it, I am there.  My runniversity is actually the STL St Pat's Race.  So for that month, I planned three St Pat's themed weekends which increased in distances: 5k, 8k, and then a 10k.  I never finished a 10k race before, but with my half marathon training, I knew I could do it.

This race had three options: 10k, 5k, and the 1 Mile Fun Run.  Could I have taken the simple route of a 5K?  Absolutely!  But what sense of accomplishment do I have?  I know I am not going to the be the fastest runner out there, but I am going to beat myself and continue to know I can accomplish the impossible.  The race started out with the 10K getting a 10 minute start so the 5k group passed me after the first mile.  When I got to the spilt in the route for the two different groups, I knew at that moment I was going to be last.  3.5 miles left to go, and I knew I was going to finish last in all three races.

I reflect back on that moment and have to wonder "what made me continue?"  I do not know one person who says "I strive to be last" or "I hope to lose".  You could say it was because I paid the entry fee, but I think it was the fact I wanted to prove myself that I could do it.  There are moments in everyone's journey of change in which we can retreat back to the comfort level (the 5K), but your victory will not be as great.  

As I ran/walk the route, I ran into one of the remaining cheer groups who did not leave the course.  A group of junior high 4H girls who were wearing pink and had a significant amount of streamers.  For each runner, they would cheering them on running beside them.  Seeing what they were doing, I made sure to have a "dance break" with them to celebrate me hitting the 4 mile.  According to them, I was the only runner who stopped to have fun.  The route was structured that I passed them one more time in which at that point, 4 of the girls met me and ran 0.25 miles with me.  During that portion, they asked me about the half marathon training  for in which I mentioned in our first interaction.  I wanted to run the rest of the race with them.  

I can continue on about all of the negative of finishing last: got lost on the route, two police cars following me to ensure my safety, and then the finish line already being torn down when I crossed. But if I focused on the negative, I will forget about those girls.  They did not forget about me as they found me afterwards to talk to me, take pictures, and celebrate my accomplishment while the elite runners where getting their awards.  

To those girls, I won the race and was their champion!

I am glad I finished last.  I am glad I did not take the easy route.  If I focused on my personal record or perfect pace, I may have missed out on the impact those girls had on me one morning in March.  We must never forget as athletes on our journey, our power to inspire is not to be taken likely.  Personal records only matter to us; not to those who would have never dreamed of doing what we are doing. 

Don't take the simple route.  Inspire.  Finish Last.  

Color Run vs. Color Me Rad: Who Wins?

Last year, I had plans to compete in “The Color Run” in St. Louis, MO.  Due to a medical situation, I gave up my registration for the Happiest 5K on the planet. At the time, I was devastated as this was the race I was working towards all summer.  Well, they always say something happens for a reason.

In January, I was rewarded with not only the announcement of “The Color Run” coming to my city AND “Color Me Rad” as well.  Both races were scheduled two weeks apart so it was a perfect opportunity for me to compare both races.  So I registered for both and prepared myself for COLOR!

Registration Process: The price ranges for each run depending on when you register online.  Each provides an option to register as an individual or a team with The Color Run providing a discount for team registration.  (Even if you register for a team, it does NOT guarantee a spot for everyone.  They must register prior to the city selling out.) If you sign up for The Color Run’s VIP list prior to registration opening for a city, you receive an additional discount code.  Color Me Rad offers the option to provide a direct donation to the charity of choice.  Color Me Rad requires with registration the option of the wave time.  For me, the registration price was the same for both races due to the Color Run VIP code/team discount and time of registration.  Without those codes, Color Run is slightly higher. 

Winner: Color Me Rad

TIP: Contact the race organizer about volunteering for Color Me Rad prior to registering.  In my city, if you volunteered Thursday or Friday for packet pick up, you were able to race for FREE.

Race Packet: The Color Run provides a white Color Run t-shirt, Color Run headband; two face tattoos, a celebration color powder packet, and running bid.  Color Me Rad provides a Color Me Rad t-shirt (color varied in my city), one tattoo, sunglasses, and running bid.  (Before the final color bomb for Color Me Rad, they do hand out a free color powder packet…no reason to buy at packet pickup!)

If you like to wear the t-shirt for the race, The Color Run wins the shirt as when I picked up my shirt for Color Me Rad, it was blue.  I prefer not wearing the same shirt for the run so I liked the Color Me Rad shirt to wear afterwards. The Color Me Rad tattoo is significantly larger as a placement on the face is not possible where The Color Run tattoo fit perfectly on the check.  Again, that is your preference.  So it really comes down to Color Run headband vs. Color Me Rad sunglasses.  To protect your eyes, the sunglasses where necessary so Color Me Rad had a better giveaway.

Winner: Color Me Rad

TIP: Pick up your packet prior to Friday evening after 5 PM.  Due to the popularity of the event, you will wait a long time if you register at the peak times.  You can register for friends.  If you can’t pick up during the week and can wait, pick up your supplies the morning of.  The wait would be significantly reduced (1 hours vs. 5 minutes)

Pre-Race Celebration: Prior to Color Me Rad, there was dancing, music, and giveaways in the race area where The Color Run did have giveaways, but all waiting in the race line.  For Color Me Rad, there are ‘waves’ in which you sign up for, but in my city, the time you registered for was not enforced.  Both races do impose waves with a waiting period between each one to spread out the race.  Both races start on time with Color Run providing a significant countdown on a sound system vs. Color Me Rad which was a bullhorn.

Winner: Toss Up

TIP: Even if you are walking, start out earlier to celebrate more at the end.  Those who start in the last group have a tendency to miss out on the party at the end. 

Color Run Color Entry             Color Me Rad Color Entry

Race Route: This comparison is difficult as the race organizers determine the route and usually it is not the same route.  In my town, The Color Run was downtown and Color Me Rad was on a college campus.  As far as distance, The Color Run was at 2.83 miles and Color Me Rad was 3.2 miles, but again, that can vary depending on the route.  While on the race route, Color Run has numerous signs on where you are able to take pictures with your group including the very popular “I Heart Tutus” where there is no branding during Color Me Rad.  Color Me Rad does have photographers along the route in which you can purchase photos post race for 2.99 per photo which have the Color Me Rad logo on it.  For overall branding and picture resources, I have to choose Color Run.

Winner: The Color Run

Color Comparison: This is the main reason on why you enter the race: the color.  This comparison will be challenging due to a rain during my Color Me Rad adventure.  (While I was worried about the

Before & After                            Before & After
Color Me Rad                             The Color Run

run, it made the event much more colorful!).  Color Run had four powder stations with a liquid shots at the end.  Color Me Rad has two powder stations, two liquid stations, and a final powder celebration.  The volunteers determine how much color you get on you so if you are looking for a lot of color, make sure you ask for it.

Winner: Toss up as if you ask for more color, you receive more color

Tip: Everyone waits for the first volunteer in the color station.  Skip the line and go to the second volunteer to get the color.  Make sure you spin in front of one of the volunteers to get full coverage.

The Color Run (Top) &
Color Me Rad (Bottom)

Post Race Celebration: When coming up to the finish line, Color Me Rad made the final color celebration at the finish line where The Color Run’s color was already completed by then.  Because of that, Color Me Rad had the better finish line.  Both had water and KIND bars at the finish line.  Afterwards, The Color Run had an official stage set up with dance competitions and numerous color bomb moments.  Color Me Rad had a two person lift in which was raised up and a couple of color bomb moments.  Both gave away tons of items including color packets and t-shirts.  Because of the stage and branding, The Color Run post celebration was better. 

Winner: The Color Run

 So who is the overall winner: The Color Run vs. Color Me Rad?

OVERALL WINNER: YOU

Both races were fun and colorful.  There were families with strollers, college kids, and even grandparents walking the race.  There were more people walking then running.  For a lot of people, this was their first 5K ever, and they accomplished the goal of crossing the finish line.  If it was not for the color and the fun, they may have never signed up for this race.  There are numerous programs out there to attempt to motivate us to move; The Color Run and Color Me Rad have found a great way to get people excited about exercising.  So if it is color, foam, or even a nighttime run, get your friends together and sign up.  You will have a blast!