Running

Saturday morning group run & Cap City Half updates

Our Living Fit Columbus running group will be meeting tomorrow morning for a 5 mile run.

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It will be about 34 degrees, but we will warm you up!

Get in one last outdoor run before the big storm forces you to stay inside for a few more days…

Details:

  • When ~ Saturday, March 1 @ 9AM
  • Where ~ meet @ Starbucks in Historic Dublin and run the Dublin Rd trail
  • Mileage ~ 2.5 mile out & back run = 5 miles. Intermediate runners are encouraged to do 6 miles if training for the Cap City Half.
  • Paces include 9:30-10 min/mile – led by Teresa & 11:30-12 min/mile [a run/walk group, no pace leader]

Also Cap City rates increase tomorrow!

Our Living Fit Columbus running group is training for the Cap City Half Marathon this spring.  Half details…

  • Register soon!  The fee is already up to a whopping $90 and increases again tomorrow, March 1st.
  • Join our team #LivingFitColumbus when you register (sorry, no incentives, just social support!)
  • Stay tuned for Half Marathon training tips on the blog and at the group run each week

Off to bed!

Ten Reasons to Run [or walk] Cap City

The Cap City Half Marathon is right around the corner and its not too late to start training! Although many schedules, especially for beginners, are 12 weeks, there are plenty of 10 week schedules out there as well.  The price goes up again on March 1st, so sign up today! A quarter and a 5K are also available for those who wish to do another distance.

The half marathon is hands down my favorite distance.  If you’re debating doing the half, here are some reasons you should consider it….

Ten Reasons to Run Cap City  

1.  Feeling of accomplishment.  When you cross the finish line, whether you sprinted, walked, crawled, PRd or finished for the first time, you will feel amazing!  Maybe not physically (you’ll be tired), but mentally and emotionally.  You just accomplished a great feat!

2.  Get stronger.  After committing to a training schedule, you’ll likely be getting in at least four-five sweat sessions per week.  Your legs, lungs, heart (and other body parts if you follow a full body training plan!) will get stronger with every workout.

3.  Training is ‘doable’ and can fit into your weekly routine.  Marathon training can be hard to fit into an already busy schedule, but a half is the perfect distance to train for without feeling like its taking over your life!  I’ve trained for most of my halfs only running 3 days per week (Tues, Thurs, Sat) with some cross training sprinkled in.  Although you can obviously add in more runs and cross training, especially if you’re trying to PR, 3 runs/week can get you to the finish line.

4.  Swag.  A training t-shirt.  A cool medal.  Yummy post-race snacks & beverages.  A half is also a good excuse to buy some new gear.  There are several companies in Cbus including Columbus Running Co, lululemon, Fleet Feet, and RoadRunner that have great stuff! Update (2017) – also now in Cbus, Bend Active! Check our FR’s article on why to SHOP LOCAL!

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5.  Bragging rights and option to decorate your bumper with this sticker or magnet…

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6.  Camaraderie (if you’re training with a group).  There is something about training with a group and working towards a common goal together that is very inspirational.  Training for long distances together means lots of conversations, stories and hopefully laughs!  If you live in or around Columbus and want to join a group to train with, check out our Living Fit Run Crew page or other local running groups.

7.  Race Day Magic {or Butterflies, whatever you want to call it}.  Race mornings are a time when your nerves, your adrenaline, your emotions… all collide together and make you feel like a ROCK STAR! Cue Rocky theme song now… Da na naaaaa, Da na naaaaaaa….

8.  Build (and check off) items on your Fitness Bucket List.  Maybe you want to run one race in your life.  Maybe one per month.  Maybe a race in each state.  My personal goal is to run a half marathon in half the states.  Whatever your fitness goals are, why not work some road races in there?

9.  Check out CBUS!  Columbus is an amazing city and looks even cooler on foot.  Check out the route HERE.  Another bonus, it is FLAT, which makes for an easier, faster route.

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Columbus

10.   Post-race photos.  This is perhaps one of my personal favorites!  Capture those moments where you look like an accomplished [Olympic] athlete.  Pose with that medal.  If you’re feeling extra ambitious, post to Instagram and tag it #LivingFitColumbus ~ we’d love to see them!

What are you waiting for?  

 

Saturday morning group run

Our Living Fit Columbus running group will be meeting tomorrow morning for a 4-6 mile run.  It will be 40 degrees (although a little wind) so a bit nicer than last Saturday.

Details:

  • When ~ Saturday, Feb 22 @ 9AM
  • Where ~ meet @ Starbucks in Historic Dublin and run the Dublin Rd trail
  • Mileage ~ 2 mile out & back run = 4 miles (although you can turn back early if desired!)  Intermediate runners are encouraged to do 4-6 miles if training for the Cap City Half.

Hope to see you on the trail!

Planning to run your first 5K?  10K?  Train for a Spring Half & want some support?

Our Living Fit Columbus running group is training for the Cap City Half Marathon this spring.   We have a few veterans and first-timers with 2 pace groups…

  • 9-10 min/mile – led by Teresa
  • 11:30-12 min/mile – a run/walk group [no pace leader… yet!  Interested?!]

If you want to join us for the training or just a Saturday run, check out our FB page and/or blog page for more info.  We welcome ALL runners of ALL fitness levels, training at ALL distances!  Best thing?  Our group is FREE!

Cap City Half Marathon details…

  • Register soon!  The fee is already up to a whopping $90 and increases again on March 1st.
  • Join our team #LivingFitColumbus when you register (sorry, no incentives, just social support!)
  • Stay tuned for Half Marathon training tips on the blog and at the group run each week

Season kickoff run

Charge up those Garmins, the time is upon us!

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Details:

  • When ~ this Saturday, February 15 @ 9AM
  • Where ~ we’ll meet @ Starbucks in Historic Dublin and run the Dublin Rd trail
  • Mileage ~ 2 mile out & back run = 4 miles (although you can turn back early if desired!)
  • Post-Run Pow Wow ~ we will meet inside Starbucks around 10AM to debrief, discuss training plans, upcoming races and of course, grab a warm cup o’ Joe!  If you can’t make the run, but are interested in training for a 5K, 10K or Half Marathon this spring, feel free to join us for just the post Pow Wow.

Planning to run your first 5K?  10K?  Train for a Spring Half & want some support?

Our Living Fit Columbus running group is going to be training for the Cap City Half Marathon this spring.   We have a few veterans and first-timers.  If you want to join us for the training or just a Saturday run, check out our FB page and/or blog page for more info.  We welcome ALL runners of ALL fitness levels, training at ALL distances!  Best thing?  Our group is FREE!

Cap City Half Marathon details…

  • Register soon!  The fee is already up to a whopping $90 and increases again on March 1st.  78 days to train!
  • Join our team #LivingFitColumbus when you register (sorry, no incentives, just social support!)
  • Stay tuned for Half Marathon training tips on the blog and at the group run each week

As posted earlier this week in Half Marathon Training Kickoff Week

Here is our week #1 schedule.

*Note, this schedule has been designed by LivingFit and is based on our previous running experience and a combination of various training plans over the years (LifeTime Fitness Run Club, Coach Turnbull, Hal Higdon, Runner’s World… the list goes on, I’ve tried so many!)   It is a beginner-intermediate, adjust based on your needs and fitness level*

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Hope to see you Saturday!

It’s Half Marathon Training Kickoff week!

It’s TRAINING TIME!  Our 12 week half marathon training program begins TODAY!

Our Living Fit Columbus running group is going to be training for the Cap City Half Marathon this spring.   We have a few veterans and a couple first-timers.  If you want to join us for the training or just a Saturday run, check out our FB page and/or blog page for more info.

*Note, this schedule has been designed by LivingFit and is based on our previous running experience and a combination of various training plans over the years (LifeTime Fitness Run Club, Coach Turnbull, Hal Higdon, Runner’s World… the list goes on, I’ve tried so many!)   It is a beginner-intermediate, adjust based on your needs and fitness level*

Here is our week #1 schedule.

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I’ll be posting some tips on Half Marathon training soon.

Rules for now. DO NOT OBSESS OVER THE SCHEDULE!  It is here to help guide you, but ultimately listen to your body, do what you can to follow this (or any) schedule, and don’t freak out if you miss one occasionally.  Remember, these are based on OUR experiences, not Golden Rules of Running You Must Follow.

Also drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest and sleep.

That’s all for now, have a great week & hope to see you Saturday!

 

Weekly Workout & countdown to Half Marathon training…

Although the doldrum of cold weather, treadmill running and holiday eating often keep us from sticking 100% to our fitness goals, January and February often bring something exciting… TRAINING SEASON is upon us!

Our Living Fit Columbus running group is going to be training for the Cap City Half Marathon this spring.   We have a few veterans and a couple first-timers.  I always get excited as a new racing season begins and I’m especially excited this year, as I didn’t experience it last year (for good reason, my precious little guy was born Jan 24).

Our 12 week training program begins in just NINE days and our first group run is only two weeks away!

Here is the base building schedule I’ll be following for next week.

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If you are a new runner, you shouldn’t increase your mileage more than 10% per week.  I had been running consistently (approx 3-4 miles, 2-3x/week) for about a year before I began training for my first half.  Runner’s World and other sites recommend a solid running base of 6+ months before conquering your first half.  Overuse injuries are common if your body is not ready and not used to the high-impact pounding.

If you want to join us for the training or just a Saturday run, check out our FB page and/or blog page for more info.  I’m happy to provide support, training tips, success stories and answer any questions you may have.  There is no fee, so remember you get what you pay for 🙂

I’m also excited to join MIT on a run next Saturday, before our group training begins.  They are a fabulous training group if you are looking for a BIG group to train with!  I’ll be running with coach Turnbull and her group.  She helped me PR at the Detroit Marathon (4:05!) and is an amazing, inspirational mentor of mine.  Update 2/10 ~ unfortunately my son and then my husband & I got the stomach flu last week, so I didn’t make it to the run with MIT (not to mention the fact that it was -14 degrees!).  I do plan to run with Coach Turnbull soon!  

Stay tuned for weekly updates and tips for FIRST TIME HALF MARATHON TRAINING from the field!

Are you planning to do a half marathon this spring?  Is it your first?  Your 50th?  Tell us, we want to know about your experience!

New to running?

New to Running // 2014 // by T Gellenbeck

Featured runner:  Katie ‘Kate’ Shick

Hometown:  Canton, Ohio

Goal accomplished:  To run a 5K

My best friend is a classic example of a ‘non-runner’ turned runner.

When we first met, I’d always try to get her to come on a run with me… she would say ‘I’m not a runner!’ and we would end up walking.  After years of requesting and pressuring her, she FINALLY gave in and started training for her first 5K.  After that, it became a 10K (see photo below).  And now, I THINK I’ve got her on a half-marathon training schedule!  She is fit, FAST and loving running (and the many benefits!)

Canton 10K ~ Katie's first

Canton 10K ~ Katie’s first

I’m a firm believer that if you WANT to be a runner, you CAN.

Here are some TIPS FOR NEW RUNNERS…

  1. Make sure you have been fitted properly for the correct shoe.  This is perhaps the most important thing you can do.  A good pair may run you around $100, but it is totally worth it.  Stores around Columbus that are especially helpful include Columbus Running CoFleet Feet and RoadRunner.  All three are good, but RoadRunner has the most in depth fitting process.
  2. START OFF SLOW.  Too much, too soon is where you will run into over-use injuries including shin splints, knee problems, IT band problems, etc.  Find a good training plan that has you increase mileage by no more than 10% per week.  Some people want to come out of the gates full force and run everyday, but unless your body is used to that, I don’t recommend it.
  3. Determine what your motivation for running is (weight loss, overall health, bucket list, etc) and set up some way to keep yourself accountable.  Maybe you need a running buddy or group (check out ours!)  Maybe you just need a training schedule.  Whatever works for YOU, stick to it.  Set yourself up for success!
  4. If you have any health conditions or are pregnant, check with your doctor.  Both my family doctor and my OB were good with me running while pregnant, but my body was already used to it.  A good rule of thumb is to not try anything NEW after you’ve become pregnant (with the exception of walking).

For more information and in depth tips, read this article by Active.com ~ there is some very useful information.  We will update the NEW RUNNERS page, so check back for more info.

If you are a veteran, what got you started into running?

If you are new to running, how is it going?  What has helped?

Feel free to leave a comment and/or send any questions our way.  Run on!

Another day of indoor workouts…

It is -9 here right now, -20 with the windchill.

Good news ~ school was canceled, so I am home with my little guy 🙂  Also had some time to Pinterest running stuff!  Loving FitSugar right now.

Bad news ~ too cold (again) to run outside!

With the Cap City Half Marathon training beginning in mid February, I’m trying to run at least 3 miles, 3-4 times per week to get my base building in.  Those were the orders I’ve given my running group, so I need to be a good example!  I don’t belong to a gym currently, so for now, I head to my basement for another indoor workout.  I’ll show you a ‘before’ picture of the basement sometime soon and you’d understand why I have to really motivate myself to head down there.   I hope to have an ‘after’ picture by Spring!  We don’t plan on doing a total renovation (yet) but at least fix it up so its a bit more cozy down there.  Here is the treadmill workout I plan to do today…

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The only things I will alter are the 4.0 segments.  Since I want to jog for a minimum of 30 minutes, I’ll substitute 6.0 in those spots.  I don’t usually walk to warmup, but I do often walk at the end to cool off, so I’ll add a 5 min 4.0 walk at the end.  Mixing it up (changing the speed and/or incline) not only burns more fat, but also breaks up the boredom of the treadmill. You break your run into smaller chunks.

After the run, I will STRETCH (don’t skip this step!) and I also plan to do an indoor mini-circuit to get in some toning.  Maybe something like this…

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Loving this time off school, but looking forward to the sunshine and running outdoors again soon.

I’ll just daydream about it for now!  In 8 weeks, we will be in Mexico and I’ll be doing this….

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Will the cold ever pass?

I am an outdoor runner. Don’t get me wrong, I have a great relationship with my treadmill and after 10 years, it is still going strong. But I MUCH prefer to be out in the sunshine! The wind in your hair, the new paths to explore… such a nice change from the (what some would call) dreadmill. I typically don’t mind running in cold weather and just layer up accordingly.

But COME ON WINTER! You are KILLING me! Even my warmest layers cannot compete with the subzero temperatures we have been having around here. Hot Yoga has been wonderful (if you haven’t checked out Harbor Yoga studios in Dublin, you are missing out!), but this girl is ready for Spring.

I am going to have to get creative, as we are in for another week of negative temps.  Update running playlist.  Check.  Hang motivational posters on wall near treadmill.  Check.  Hi ho, hi ho, off to the treadmill we go!

Do you prefer treadmill running or outdoor running?

Weekly workout

As promised, we will try to feature a new WEEKLY WORKOUT to keep things fresh around here.  The same old, same old is not only B-O-R-I-N-G, but your body adapts to a particular workout and then plateaus.  This week, try an interval run.  pumapunisherThe PUMA PUNISHER is an example, thanks to LiveLifeActive.com for sharing.  Personally, I think 10 is too fast and 5 is too slow, so I’ll modify it to fit my running needs (prob 8.0 as max and 6.0 as min).

Here is another example for a 30 min workout, compliments of slimsanity.com…

30 minute race pacing treadmill workout

Adjust to YOUR needs and remember, only try intervals if you’ve been running consistently without problems.

You could also keep the speed constant and adjust the incline.  Or if you’re outside (meaning you live in the South or West or are crazy, as its been -15 here recently!) you could just pick up your pace for one-three minutes, then slow back down.  

If I get overly ambitious, maybe I’ll create my own and post it (after successfully completing it, of course).

Happy (speed) running!