Out with the old, In with the new (shoes that is)

I am extremely frugal. There is one item that even I pull out my wallet for when it comes to running, though. Shoes! All of you who are planning on running or starting to walk, I highly recommend you get a good pair of shoes. Poor shoes or the wrong shoes can lead to injury that can sideline you and cause a lot of discomfort, just ask Kristin and Danna. I recommend going to the Salt Lake Running company and being fit with shoes. The sales associates there know what they are talking about and even watch you run on a tread mill to get the right fit. It will save you money in hospital bills and make running much more enjoyable. You can also check out shoe websites like the Saucony or Brooks sites. They have you enter information about your foot and recommend a shoe for you. This is worth spending your money on! Then, once you know what shoe you need, you can price hunt like me! My latest pair I am getting for $67. I bought the same shoe about 8 months ago for $112.
My new Saucony Progrid Guide 2 shoes that are being shipped to my house! The blue is very cool!


My old pair of Saucony Progrid Guide 2 shoes. I trained and ran a marathon in these babies! See how I even wore out the tread. The people at Salt Lake Running company say that shoes are good for around 500 miles. I also heard that the padding inside the shoes wears out before the tread does. Looks like I wore mine a little too long.

Running Resolutions

It is I. Kristin. (I originally put "it's me," but with a writer/grammarian for a spouse, that incorrect grammar's not going to fly.)



It's the beginning of a new year and I feel excited! What could this year hold for me? Last year I ran my first marathon- something I never thought I could do. Something I never wanted to do actually. I'm still so proud of myself when I think about it. I met Suzy last year too. And Danna, Suzy and I bonded in a way only girls who train for a marathon together can. What a fun year as far as running goes. I also learned last year that I actually enjoy running.

It just takes about 3 miles for me to start feeling that runner's high, and since I had never gotten that far, running was just a drag for me. I know that is not encouraging for non-runners. "Oh great. I won't feel good until I've run for a half an hour? I'll stick with the stationary bike." But it's so worth it when you get there! You feel that enjoyment and freshness runners are always talking about. You start to relish the feeling and the scenery. Your mind even opens up and you start getting ideas. Then you want to run more and more and it's not a fight with yourself anymore. Welllll, I think if we didn't have running partners waiting for us, we might struggle a bit more. It's just hard to slack when you know the others are totally there, ready to go, and ready to call you a wimp!

My New Year's Resolutions are:
Live the 2 day rule. (See D's last post)
Blog 2X a week +
Be diligent with my IT band stretches and VOM exercises daily
Run faster! Speech training.
Strength train 1X/week- a must for distance runners!
Love the runs! Run with fun fabulous people, enjoy every season and trail, relish that time.
Do a half marathon with Matt.

Getting ready for Saturday's run!

Here we come!

Rarrr!

Don't worry-I'm just stretching my achilles. :)

Anyone have tips for rotating pictures?

Me, freezing my ears off right before Danna's family drove my hat to me!

Half marathoners! Are you ready for your weekend long run? Call if you want to run with us (7 or 8 am?) and don't forget a headband for your ears! I also recommend heating your water up just a bit. Enjoy the run! 2010 is the year for me to love running more than ever.

XOXO
~K

Small changes, made consistently

Hey- It's Danna. The Spring Racing Season is almost upon us. It's time to be training! There are so many great races. Many of us have made resolutions like, eat healthier, lose weight, feel better, have some 'me' time . Running/walking can do ALL of that for you. This past year I lost over 30 pounds. I eat healthier. I have GREAT girl friends, all because of running. You can amaze yourself. Just start walking or jogging. Just start. Don't over-plan. Don't put off exercise until you have the perfect plan of how to execute it. Or have the right clothes, or ANY EXCUSE!

Just get out there- and try to live the 2 day rule. Remember that rule? It's that you should take a rest day. Take two if you need it. But never, ever let yourself not exercise that third day. Just get out and do something. Slowly, slowly start cutting things back in your diet that will increase your health. Like weaning down your soda intake. Especially diet soda. Or eat a better breakfast. Once you feel like the ONE change you have made is a habit, choose a new goal, like a lower fat lunch. Or cut back on fast food. People will notice your changes- and will want support for their same goals too. That is how I met Suzy. Suzy tells us often, "I am a better wife, a better mom, and a happier person when I have been running." Small changes, made consistently WILL make a difference. Just think of where you could be next year at this time! 15 pounds lighter? A half marathon under your belt? New friends that feel like old friends?

You are amazing. You can do it. Tune in for pep talks occasionally. Pick a race, any race. 3k is a great place to start. 10 or 15k is a do-able goal. Train. Run or walk it slowly. Have a good time. Get free therapy from your training friends. Come and do a training run with us on a Saturday. Get out there. Don't let anything stop you. Not even you. YOU CAN DO IT!

For a link to Utah races this year, click here.

Training for your spring half marathons

Danna cracking up about a hilarious joke I must've told.

Kristin, relishing the joy of her new baby lap-top from Matt!

Ha ha! Yes, we like to lounge in bed all day on Saturday's. Usually in our own respective beds, but when there's serious blogging to do- we don't mind sharing the space. That's just the kind of bff's we are! :P

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Hey all! It's actually Danna AND Kristin! We are sitting side-by-side with our little computers hammering out the details for all our trainees for the upcoming race season.

We are all signed up for both the SLC and the Ogden Half Marathons! This is the great news Kristin eluded to in her last post. We didn't think we could get into the Ogden, but thanks to Danna's skills of persuasion and our running blog- we're in!! If you wanna run it too, you can still sign up for the Salt Lake! We have "She Runs Like a Girl" team and we welcome anyone who wants to to join us for our Saturday runs.

Every week we will give you the week's training schedule for whichever half-marathon you are running! Both races are known to be well run and scenic. Super! We are SO excited! Our 'she runs like a girl' team rocks! Ogden Marathon has even asked our team for feedback to use for promotion for next year's race- you'll be famous!!

Here are the schedules in their entirety for convenience. Each week we will post what you should run, what you need to concentrate on, tips for that specific week, and what equipment/nutrition you need to have. You are going to be a super-star and we are going to help you! Check back often to stay up-to-date. Please feel free to ask questions or comment on how you are feeling.

Here we are with our little Saturday running group! My [Danna's] mom and my Russian sister, Ksenia. We had a great run today.


Plan on running Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays (whether you run with us or not) with a walk on Thursdays. The remaining days are rest days, which means REST.

Salt Lake Half Marathon Training Schedule:

Race Day Saturday April 17th,
Every Monday and Wednesday, Run 30 min
Every Thursday go for an easy walk.

Here are the mileages for the Saturdays:

Jan 9-Run/Walk 5 miles
Jan 16- Run/Walk 2.5 miles
Jan 23-Run/Walk 6.5 miles
Jan 30-Run/Walk 3 miles
Feb 6- Run/Walk 8 miles
Feb 13- Run/Walk 3 miles
Feb 20-Run/Walk 9.5 miles
Feb 27- Run/Walk 4 miles
Mar 6- Run/Walk 11 miles
Mar 13- Run/Walk 4 miles
Mar 20-Run/Walk 12.5 miles
Mar 27-Run/Walk 4 miles
April 3- Run/Walk 14 miles
April 10-Run/Walk 5 miles
April 17- Race Day!

Ogden Half Marathon Training Schedule:

Race Day, Sat, May 15th
Every Monday and Wednesday run 30 minutes
Every Thursday go for an easy walk.

Here are the Saturday long runs:

Jan 23-Run/Walk 3 miles
Jan 30-Run/Walk 4 miles
Feb 6-Run/Walk 5 miles
Feb 13-Run/Walk 2.5 miles
Feb 20-Run/Walk 6.5 miles
Feb 27-Run/Walk 3 miles
Mar 6- Run/Walk 8 miles
Mar 13-Run/Walk 3 miles
Mar 20-Run/Walk 9.5 miles
Mar 27-Run/Walk 4 miles
Apr 3-Run/Walk 11 miles
Apr 10-Run/Walk 4 miles
Apr 17-Run/Walk 12.5 miles
Apr 24-Run/Walk 4 miles
May 1- Run/Walk 14 miles
May 8-Run/Walk 5 miles
May 15- Race Day

Any questions??

These are Jeff Galloway's running schedules. You should check his web-site for more detailed information and running precautions. "If you are already doing more than is on this schedule, you can continue to maintain that schedule, as long as your legs are recovering quickly between runs. You may begin on the week which has a long run as long as you're currently running." You can link to his site here. We assume no responsibility for injuries acquired during training. Consult a doctor before beginning any new work-out. :)

XOXO,
K & D

Danna is the Snow Champion

This is Suzy. I wish I had remembered my camera early in the morning to take a picture of awesome Danna. But, at least I made it to the run. Does anyone know of any marathons or any races that require you to run in the cold and snow? Danna should enter every single one of them and win them too. That girl is made for winter running! She is like the energizer bunny - she does not stop, she does not slow, she pushes the pace. Wow! You go Danna! I don't know how you do it!

Weekend of fabulousness. -or- Back in the running game!

This is Kristin.

Okay, okay, so I have missed a couple of my regularly scheduled blog entries. Whoopsie! (PS: Kristina Barss, what happened to your regular comment-making ways??)

Well, we have some super exciting news. To get the second bit of news, you'll have to check some of our up-coming blog entries, cuz I can't bear to say all the fun things in one shot!

See this sexy man I'm with? Well he and I have signed up for the SLC half marathon! Anyone else running it? It's going to be so much fun, and I'm psyched to run it with Matt. It's fun (and motivating) to have a big race to look forward to. Guess who else is running it. Danna! And her mom, and like a bunch of her other friends and family. My sister Karin and her hubby might run it too. What a blast!! Wanna join us? It's not too late to sign up.

Another bit of exciting news? My foot..........IS HEALED!!! Yes, it really is. I have been symptom free for several runs, and last week I ran 3 days, over 18 miles total- PAIN FREE! You have no idea how great this is, and what a relief it is too. (PS: My theory on what caused my plantar fasciitis? Not the marathon, but rather the soft flat shows I wore daily for weeks while trying to nurse my other injury.)

I had the BEST and most fabulous week last week. Having New Year's off, I lounged around in bed both Friday and Saturday until the afternoon really. Went running with D both days, and had a blast hanging out with that sexy guy in the photo up there. He spent all his Christmas gifts cards on fun things for us to do together. What a sweetheart.

That same week, some of my favorite people in the world came over.
It was so good to catch up with old college roommates and friends! I love em. I want them to move in with us. Will you guys?


They just happened to marry some of our college guy-friends. Why is Matt replaced in this picture with my friend Ryan? Ryan showed up, and Matt got the flu and went upstairs. I think he was sick of parading around the party in an N-95 mask. :) PS. I may even do a triathlon with some of these guys. Not sure I can swim though.

Another major highlight of the weekend?

What do you notice about the sky in this picture? That's right! It's not dark or sunrise-y. Yes, Danna and I ran in the afternoon! We both like to sleep in and laze in bed. I think we called each other around 2 pm asking, "Are you up?" And those runs were the funnest! (Even though I was a total wimp and needed pep talks all along the run. So out of shape. Curse you plantar fasciitis! **fist shake**) We had that really great kind of girl talk where you go home feeling awesome home refreshed. You know the ones. The runs where you laugh, yell, cry, reassure, thank, listen. I also finished The Book Thief, which D finished a few days earlier. That was one of the things that provoked tears on the run. Sad! Holocaust book! D loved it. I have mixed emotions.

Here's what I'm reading (and loving!) now:


XOXO -K

Running under the blue moon

Posted by: Kristin

Bundled up before the run. After a few minutes that scarf and my coat were gone!

My first experience wearing a grocery store bag on my feet for a snowy trail. Highly recommended! Didn't cause hot feet or discomfort at all! I think adding that foot powder we like would've been even better.

Note to self- trim toenails more often. My pinky nail jabbed me all through the run!

I just found out that last night (December 31st) was a blue moon! A blue moon is the rare situation in which there is a full moon twice in one month. This only occurs one every 2-3 years. Hence the famous phrase "once in a blue moon." No, it's not a person mooning you when they're cold.

Well, most people have to wait until it gets dark to enjoy the blue moon, but we 3 got to see it nice and early Wednesday morning. We didn't realize it was a blue moon at the time, but we did get look at it and comment on how full and beautiful it looked. Seriously, winter morning runs are so gorgeous!

What a beautiful run! But a seriously tough one for me. I think I'm majorly out of shape compared to D and S. I was huffing and puffing and begging for walks. They were gliding along like nimble gazelles, and I was a clumsy rhino in the few inches of soft/sandy snow. They were Olympic speed skaters and I was just putting on my first skates; they were Thumper on the ice and I was Bambi. You get the idea- I was working hard! D and S had their Yaktrax. I'm considering getting something like that, cuz my bod was so so sore from stabilizing the whole run! Sheesh!
Here's D's sidewalk to give you an idea of the snow depth- our path was NOT plowed, thankyouverymuch.

Me, coyly showing my frosty hat.
I really wanted to get a shot of D's hair- white with frost, but I kid you not, 5-10 seconds after we entered her house the frost was melted!

This pic doesn't do justice to the bright red stripes on my ribs and belly. Even after the hot shower these spots stayed super red from being cold! This always happens where I have excess body fat (yes I have a bit over my ribs there). Weird! A fun reminder of where you need to lose a little! Not.

Wish you could see this pic up close! Suzy's hairs were each individually wrapped in frost- just like pine needles get in the morning. It looked so cool. It was cooler that usual since we ran through some seriously wet foggy spots. It felt like running through a humidifier's stream!

Hey!! No one has said anything about my last post where we invited y'all to run with us! No takers? What if it's at 11:00 am? C'mon, don't be afraid, ladies!

Happy New Year! XOXO