Claim Your Journey: A Guest Post by Brandon Williams

Jun 252011
 

Brandon Williams from Claim Your Journey

Claim Your Journey started out as my personal blog for a new journey that I was starting. Until January 2011, it was about 6 years since I ran any type of competitive races. I was in college and just really got caught up in that lifestyle. I did go to the gym quite a bit, but I didn’t run as much as I had growing up.

One day at my neighborhood gym, I came across a flyer for a trail race series called the Forge Trail Series. It’s four races in Louisiana throughout the year of 2011. I thought it would be an awesome idea to share the experience with others. Shortly after my first race and running with different groups, I realized I wanted to change the focus of the site.

According to a new inactivity index based on 2008 data released by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, Louisianians are among the worst when it comes to participating in physical activity, ranking No. 5 in the nation. On the other hand, there is proof that Louisiana has a very active running community, but lacks a news source to broadcast that information.

Claim Your Journey is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to fighting the problem of inactivity within our families in Louisiana through promoting Running as the first choice for a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Our Sixth Hero: Katie Lowrie – Q & A Part #4

Jun 242011
 

How long have you worked at A Snail’s Pace?

I have worked here for 2 years and 9 months.

When we came to try on shoes at A Snail’s Pace, you had us get on a device that analyzed our feet.  Can you tell us more about that?

First we place them on a foot pressure analysis device to measure their foot length, arch type, and even metatarsal pressure. After that we bring out a neutral test shoe that is one-half or even one size bigger than the machine said to allow room for swelling and downhill running. Once they have the neutral shoe on we watch them run down the center of the store and we look at the amount of over pronation of each foot stride, meaning where the person is pushing off of their foot. This helps us decide what three or four shoes will be best for the individual whether a neutral shoe is best or even stability or motion control.

What are your greatest memories involving working at A Snail’s Pace?

There are many but two great stories come to mind…

The first is about a guy who came into the store about a year ago and he had told me he was not training for anything he just wanted to lose some weight, so I fit him for the shoes I thought were best and about a week ago he came back in and I did not even recognize him, he had lost so much weight. And being the outgoing person I am I asked him if he had shopped with us before and his wife told me that I was the one to fit him for his first pair of running shoes and he also thanked me for helping him lose 125 pounds, he said I “helped changed his life.”

The second was when The Running Brothers came in and brightened my day with their goofy jokes and love for exercising and running together. 
 
What did you think of The Running Brothers when you met them?

When I first met the Running Brothers I had asked them if they had ever been told that they looked like the Step Brothers. As promised I watched their video right after work and proceeded to show my friends it was very entertaining, I believe I watched the first one. My favorite part was the graphics included throughout the clip.

Ironman Training – Week #25

Jun 232011
 

Weekly Amount:

Running = 25 miles
Biking = 80 miles
Swimming = 5000 M or 3 miles
Total Amount: 108 miles

Overall Amount:

Running = 414 miles (1 miles to San Francisco)
Biking = 1,360 miles (1,410 miles to New York)
Swimming = 101,000 meters or 59 miles (49 miles to San Diego)
Total = 1,743 miles (1,027 miles to New York)

Accomplishments:

Father Son Golf Trip to River Ridge – Day #2

Jun 222011
 

We woke up, grabbed breakfast and immediately jumped onto the golf course to start Day #2 of our Father Son Golf Trip at River Ridge in Oxnard.  We quickly moved our way around the golf course and when all was said and done, I had come out on top for the golf portion of our trip shooting a 78, Rocky shot an 89 and Dad shot a 97. 

For the two-day trip, Zeb amassed a 167, Rocky and Dad tied at 187.  All in all, it was another great Father-Son Golf Trip. We are really lucky that we get the chance to make this trip every year and always have a blast doing it. 

Thanks Dad for such a great time!

Our Sixth Hero: Katie Lowry – Q & A Part #3

Jun 212011
 

What race would you encourage others to participate in?

Taylor’s Wish 5k-great cause

Do you work for anyone else besides A Snail’s Pace?

Cornerstone Therapies- I’m currently interning for them

Do you support any charities?

Make A Wish Foundation-charity very close to my heart

Who’s your hero?

My mom Therese Lowrie: inspiration

Has anyone helped you out with your running career?

Nick Longo: Strength and Conditioning Coach.  My coach John Elders.  And probably most often from my dad Ed Lowrie.

What else do you love?

I love working with children, I love how they are so carefree about life and they always brighten my day!
 
Any websites or magazines that you would like to tell others about?

Well of course (anything) from A Snail’s Pace, also I read Runner’s World magazine.

Father Son Golf Trip to River Ridge – Day #1

Jun 202011
 

Every year since I was 13 years old, my Dad has taken me on a Father-Son Golf Trip.  When my brother turned 13, he joined us on our annual adventure and over the years we have played courses in Temecula, San Diego, Palm Springs, Mexico, Buellton, among many others.  This year we played golf at River Ridge Golf Course in Oxnard.

We woke up at 9 AM, and made our way towards Oxnard, stopping at a Farmers Boys for breakfast along the way.  We played a very competitive round of golf.  I shot an 89, my Dad shot a 90 and Rocky shot a 97.  My Dad had a lot of great shots and I was pretty consistent throughout the day, except for my putting.  I had two 4 putts which is not very good, but in my defense, those greens were tough to read.

We made it back to our hotel and got ready for a night on the town.  We headed to a place called Victoria Pub & Grill.  A very fancy establishment.  We played some NTN trivia which you may have seen at a few places, and then played several games of pool.  My Dad ran the table on us in one game which I have never seen done before in a game of cut-throat.  He was on his A game.

We made it back to the Hotel and headed for the jacquizzi, which was very pleasant and we were able to catch up on each other’s goings ons in life.  Then back to our room where we played two games of Gin 13, Rocky took both games.

For the day, I was the best golfer, Dad was the pool shark and Rocky could not be beat in cards.  We called it a night and turned into bed . . . ready for Day #2 of our Father-Son Golf Trip.

Father Son Golf Trip

Happy Father’s Day Dad

Jun 192011
 

Our Dad = Our Hero!

Happy Father’s Day Dad!

Our Sixth Hero: Katie Lowry – Q & A Part #2

Jun 182011
 

How long have you been running?

I am an avid runner and have been since I was 11 years old, however I have also have been a running coach since I was 15 so I am able to see both aspects.

How has running impacted your life?

While currently I work at a running store, this has enabled me to look at the technology of running, and now I can truly be called a well-rounded runner. Running has caused me multiple injuries, such as stress fractures, however it has made me a stronger person and athlete. It has even led me to my desired occupation of physical therapy, with the countless hours spent in the physical therapist’s office I was able to realize what a life changing occupation this can be.

Do you have any experience biking and swimming?

As for biking and swimming I would participate in these activities when I was injured, so they have helped me along my journey as well.

What’s your greatest memory involving running?

My greatest memory of running would have to be my freshman year in high school when my high school team took 5th in State for Cross Country.

What types of events do you run in?

The events I have competed in have all been longer distances in track, in high school it was the 1600 and 3200, in college it has been the 5000; along with competing in local 5k’s to keep in shape in the off-season. My favorite one however would have to be the Claremont 4th of July 5k.

Do you have any advice for us when it comes to running?

Keep up the hard work and never give up, training is key as well, start early, set a goal and go for it.

Our Sixth Hero: Katie Lowrie from A Snail’s Pace in Brea, CA – Q & A Part #1

Jun 172011
 

Katie Lowrie

Tell us about yourself?

My name is Katie Lowrie and I attend Cal State Fullerton while majoring in Kinesiology. I also run Cross Country and Track for the School and work for A Snail’s Pace Running Shop in Brea. I enjoy running on the beach and on trails around the city so I am able to enjoy my surroundings while exercising. I also enjoy babysitting and photography and on day hope to become a pediatric physical therapist. My family is also very important to me, I have one younger brother Michael and a younger sister Emily who are also competitive runners, we definitely make running a family affair. Michael is 13 years old and can run laps around me, he keeps me motivated to keep on improving, while my sister Emily finds great joy in running and she inspires me to enjoy what I do and make sure that I am doing it for the right reasons.

Ironman Training – Week #24

Jun 162011
 

Weekly Amount:

Running = 24 miles
Biking = 78 miles
Swimming = 5000 M or 3 miles
Total Amount: 105 miles

Overall Amount:

Running = 389 miles (26 miles to San Francisco)
Biking = 1,280 miles (1,490 miles to New York)
Swimming = 96,000 meters or 56 miles (52 miles to San Diego)
Total = 1,635 miles (1,135 miles to New York)

Accomplishments:

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