Zensah Contest

I just wanted to let everyone know of a great contest a twitter friend of mine is having. Go to her blog and read about how you can win a $75.00 gift pack from Zensah Compression Clothing .

I want to win so I can get stuff to match my pink leg sleeves.


I wear these when I'm running and/or when I'm recovering from a run. They are awesome and help speed recovery to the muscles in my calf & shin.


I think I would look awesome in the pink running skirt



& arm sleeves too don't you?



I could be a giant Pepto-Bismol tablet or maybe a Necco candy! lol

If you are a runner I would recommend these products for you to try. They are awesome!

Zensah is also on twitter if you want to follow them - @Zensah

Have an awesome day, everyone!

Keen on runnin'.

Gina

Still Running!!!

I am FINALLY posting on my blog! Don't have a heart attack! I've been lazy.

The 2 weeks after my marathon I didn't run at all. The first week I was on crutches so I didn't even go to the gym. I had company for 4 days and then did an estate sale for my mom the other 3 days. Busy, busy, busy! When I finally went back to the gym, I had planned to do pool running until my ankle was better. That lasted one day! I can't believe last summer I was able to do 4 hours of pool running. I barely managed 30 minutes and was bored out of my mind. LOL

I started back running on June 15, just a week ago. I ran 2.69 miles on Monday and 3.22 miles on Wednesday. Then I decided to run the WVRR Summer Solstice Fun Run 10k on Friday. Since I was supposed to run 8 miles that day, I ran 2 miles in the morning and then ran the 10k at 7PM that night.

The race was held at Minto Brown Park in South Salem. It's a beautiful place to run, with paved and unpaved trails. Unfortunately, there are a lot of cottonwood trees and the air was full of the blooms! Not good for allergies, but didn't really bother me. The problem I had was with the temperature. Not that it was hot, only 63 degrees, but I can't handle any temp above 55 when I'm running. I know, wimpy! I get extremely hot when I run and get physically ill if I overheat. It was nice that the park is well shaded and running along the Willamette River there was a wonderful, brisk breeze. That helped a lot.

There were supposed to be 2 water stations for the 10K, but just before the race started, we were informed that the 3 mile one would not be available! Not good since I didn't bring any water at all. Last year it wasn't needed! Not that I drink much, but I pour it over my head to cool off. Oh well, live and learn!

I didn't finish last, but pretty close. The official results aren't up on the website yet, but my unofficial Garmin time was 1:13:22, which beat my last year's time by 11 minutes! I placed 3rd in my age/gender category, but there were only 3 of us! :) Still, I DID come out and run; the other 55 year old women did not.

I JUST RECEIVED A 2ND PLACE RIBBON IN THE MAIL FROM THIS RACE! THEY MADE AN ERROR AND I CAME IN 2ND, NOT THIRD! YIPPEE!

Today I ran 10 miles (picture above show where I run - beautiful, huh?), which was a little much since I ran 8 on Friday, but my marathon training called for that and I need to stick with the plan, ya know! It was warm and sunny so I struggled but still finished with a time of 1:58:59; 11:59 pace. I do better in the winter, but it was still a good time AND I'm supposed to run it slower 'cause it was my long run. That means I ran it too fast - oops!

I am now sitting in my bed and resting for the remainder of the day! Monday is my long run day AND the day I try to take off from any kind of work (around the house or anywhere else). Of course, I still have to cook dinner, but I make that really easy. Tonight, it's pizza from WinCo! Easy!!

I want to say how much I appreciate the encouragement I get from runner friends on Twitter (and Facebook). Without them, it would be very difficult for me to continue running. They are the best! I met a couple of them at the Newport Marathon and plan on meeting a lot more in December when I run the California International Marathon in Sacramento. I can't wait!

My next race is a 10k in Stayton on July 4th. I pray it's not too warm or I'll be walking it. lol

I am thankful to God also for His help every time I run. I know I am doing what He wants - keeping healthy and taking care of the body He gave me. We need to be good stewards of all He gives us.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

I believe that exercising and running, plus eating right to keep my body healthy is what God has in mind for us. Too many people call themselves followers of Christ, but destroy their body with the wrong foods and no exercise. I want God to be pleased with what I have done here on earth, not only in furthering His kingdom, but taking care of the "temple" that He has entrusted me with.

Have a fantastic day today and God bless you.

I promise to post more often, really I do!

Gina

"Best Laid Plans"

I had my long run (26 miles) all planned out today. It was going to be VERY windy, so I decided to get up at 4:00 AM so I could eat and then run at 6:00, to try to beat most of the wind. I went to bed at 9:00 PM, but of course, couldn't go to sleep. I tossed & turned all night - great start. I was up at 4 & checked the wind - already at 10 mph - wonderful! I was able to get out the door to run at 5:56 - a good start.

I am using the Jeff Galloway run/walk program and decided to stick to the plan of running 2 minutes & walking 1 minute. I was able to continue this plan up until mile 12, and then went to run 1 min/walk 1 min because of the winds (yes, they picked up to about 15-20 mph). Usually, I start out way too fast and then crash the last 2 miles.

I made a big mistake - I was trying to run in a direction away from the wind so I went North - that unfortunately is downhill (and I mean VERY downhill). The first hill I went down was about a -12% grade and it kept going for almost a mile, winding around curves. My shins & knee weren't used to this type of downhill running, so I ended up tweeking my knee and getting shin splints - stupid move on my part. Anyway, after running for 17 miles, I ended up speed walking the last 4 miles and only ended with 21 miles. I didn't want to injure myself this close to my marathon, which is May 30, so I decided to call it quits after 21 miles.

I was actually surprised that I averaged a 11:57 pace overall, since I walked the last 4 miles, but the run-2/walk-1 method DOES work on increasing speed - my first 17 miles were a lot faster than I usually run.

It was a disappointing run and now I will have to rest my leg the rest of the week, but I learned my lesson - "the best laid plans" I have may not necessarily work.

I'm finding this to be true in my life also. Whenever I think I have great "plans" for something and forget to ask God's advice, I usually end up failing. The scriptures are clear on this matter:

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

You notice, God doesn't say I know the plans YOU have for yourself; He knows the plans HE has for you. His plans are always the best; mine are not.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

I want plans that will stand, don't you?

Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way,but the LORD establishes his steps.

I like this scripture; we are not robots doing what God tells us. We CAN establish plans as long as we allow God to establish our steps to make those plans succeed. How much better than me trying to do it myself. Thank you, Lord!

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the LORD,and your plans will be established.

So all I need to do is commit all I do to the Lord and He will work miracles. This is hard for me to do since I sometimes think I know best - that is SO funny - there's no way I know more than God. :)

Isaiah 25:1
O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name,for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

I'm definitely going to let God be in control, even in my running. I need to remember that He DOES know best and will not let me down. I'm going to let God plan my days. :) How about you?

Have a great and glorious day today. May God be with you and bless you.

Gina