It’s New Years Resolution Time

Jan 012012
 

Last year, I planned on training for the Ironman and did a pretty good job with my training regimen.  I managed to train week up until my birthday in the middle of March.  As with all New Year’s Resolutions, some stick while others do not.  This year, I plan on staying physically fit throughout the year.  I have another big goal with my social media business, Welborn Social Media, which will hinder me from my full-on training for the Ironman.

My ultimate goal is to complete the Ironman, but I don’t think 2012 will be the year for that.  Perhaps next year it will be.  This year, I’d like to try and do one activity designed to promote my physical health every day.  One of the biggest deterrents from running was the feeling that I was doing some major damage to my knees.  Even today, months after my brother and I did our first marathon I can still feel the impact it left on my knees.

My first mission of the year is to develop an understanding of what a proper running technique is and to develop a proper playlist on my iPod so I can have some nice things to listen to while I’m training.

Would anyone like to share your New Year’s resolutions?

Have a great 2012!

Week #3 – Ahhhhhh!!!!

Dec 052011
 

My training regimen called for 3 miles on Tuesday, 5 miles on Wednesday, 3 miles on Thursday and 6 miles on Saturday and I ran 3 miles on Monday and that was all the running I did for the week.

I’m not going to bore you with all the excuses I could come up with, but my two businesses are keeping me very busy and I’m finding it difficult to find time to fit my running in.  I know I need to make running somehting that I can’t slide on, but I do have many other priorities and things I’m trying to accomplish and running gets put on the side-burner . . . Hopefully my Running Brother can help keep me motivated.

The Running Brothers Week #2 Fail

Nov 282011
 

When we started training for the 2012 L.A. Marathon, I planned on doing everything Hal Higdon’s 18-Week Marathon Training Program exactly as it was prescribed.  In week #2, I failed miserably.

This week I did no running of any kind . . . except in my weekly Sunday soccer game.  It’s dissappointing to say the least, but I do have my fair share of excuses.  My businesses have kept me extremely busy the past couple of weeks and it was Thanksgiving and we had a lot of different family activities to perform. 

I’m not proud of myself, but I can feel ok with myself not having trained last week.  This week I have a lot of work today, but hopefully I can get way ahead.  Today, I’m going to work my butt of so I can be sure to resume my training for week #3.

This weeks schedule as prescribed by Hal Higdon:

  • Tuesday – 3 miles
  • Wednesday – 5 miles
  • Thursday – 3 miles
  • Saturday – 6 miles

 

The Best of Intentions Aren’t Enough

Nov 232011
 

My plan was to follow Hal Higdon’s Marathon Training program exactly as it was perscribed on his website. 

On Tuesday, Day #1 of my training, I laced up my running shoes and prepared for a late night jog.  I downloaded the iMapMyRun+ application to my Smart Phone and ran my scheduled 2 miles . . . or so I thought.  When I woke up the next morning, I read my last blog post, The Running Brothers Are Back!!! only to realize I was supposed to run 3 miles.  As Rick Perry would say . . . Oops!

So, on the first day of training I already had veared away from my training program and on Wednesday I continued to procrastinate on my 5 mile run until I convinced myself it was ok not to do it at all. 

On Thursday, my brother met up with me and we ran the 5 miles I was supposed to run on Wednesday and skipped the 3 miles I was supposed to do on Thursday entirely. 

Saturday was a busy day, so Rocky and I decided to do our long run on Sunday after our soccer game.  We were tired but still managed to work up enough energy to go on our run.  Half way through the run the rain came and did not stop the rest of the way.  It was a downpour, but we continued on and completed our 8 mile run on Sunday.

Although I had the best of intentions, I failed to follow through the program completely.  But, I suppose it’s definitely better than nothing.  I plan on making up the three miles I missed last week.  So, with that in mind, here is my training schedule for Week #2.

  • Tuesday = 4 miles
  • Wednesday = 6 miles
  • Thursday = 4 miles
  • Saturday = 9 miles

*I added one mile to each day of the week to compensate for the 3 miles I missed last week.  Hopefully I’ll do a better job sticking to the training schedule this week then I did in Week #1

 

The San Luis Obispo Triathlon – The Run

Sep 012011
 

At the transition zone, I jumped off my bike and my legs, still used to moving from the pedals got me started on my run.  I have never immediately started running after getting off the bike, but it was an interesting feeling.  My legs seemed to move as if I was still pedalling.  I was definitely running faster than my legs wanted to, but they were used to that motion and continued to move quickly despite me trying to slow them down.

I got tired quickly on the run and despite my goal always being to run the whole way, I had to walk.  Briefly, I walked in order to catch my breath which was heavy from the swim, the bike, and the breakfast burrito I had eaten earlier that morning.  I caught my breath fairly quickly and was able to do sporadic bursts of runs in between my walks.

The run was hillier than the bike ride was.  Steep elevation changes occurred throughout the run, making it difficult to catch my breath and run the entire course.  I ran through the train station and onto the road which would lead me to the hospital my brother was staying at. 

I wanted to run by the hospital and pound on his window, letting him know that I had ran right past him, but it was out of the way and I couldn’t be certain that I would be pounding on the wrong window and disturbing someone who might be seriously ill.  As I ran past the hospital, my Mom was outside cheering me on. 

I pushed forward up the enourmous hill and once I reached the top, I knew I was at the home stretch.  The rest of the race was downhill and I was able to fly.  I let my legs take over and I ran as fast as I could down the final straightaway when I heard my name through the speakers, announcing everyone of my presence.

My Dad and sister were there waiting for me at the finish line.  The race was complete.  But somehow it felt incomplete.  The other Running Brother was not there.  It has always been a great feeling for me to cheer my brother on after I have beaten him and I was looking forward to doing it again.  But, he was in the hospital.

After the race, we quickly gathered our things and went to visit our brother at the hospital.  I was eager to tell him everything I had done and everything he had missed out on.

 

Race Day – The San Luis Obispo Triathlon

Aug 232011
 

Just one day before my brother had surgery to get his appendix removed.  And today was the San Luis Obispo Triathlon.  I was without my other half . . .

It was a beautiful day in San Luis Obispo and I headed to the race early to check in.  The check in was easy and I was able to inform the race officials my brother had his appendix removed and would not be able to enter the race.  We asked if a refund was possible and they kind of shrugged me off.  I thought having an appendix removed was a bigger deal than they seemed to think it was.

My sister and I went for breakfast after I checked in to the race to this nice little Mexican restaurant and I ordered a breakfast burrito.  My Dad suggested I order something light for the race and when I ordered the breakfast burrito my sister reminded me of my Dad’s advice. 

I explained to her that running is a lot like golf.  I used to be a really good golfer and when I was playing golf every day, I needed to maintain my focus through the entire round and practice between rounds.  Since I can not play golf every day anymore, I am not as good as I used to be.  Now, when I go out and play golf, I do it for fun.  I don’t concentrate or focus on my game, I just go out, hit shots, hang out with friends and have a good time.  Running is a lot like golf, sometimes you do it competitively and sometimes you do it for fun. 

Today, since I knew I wasn’t in peak physical shape, it was going to be for fun. 

The breakfast burrito tasted great!

I drove to the hospital my brother was staying at, just two blocks from the check-in area. 

Were my eyes seeing what I thought they were seeing???

They were!  The racers in the SLO Triathlon were running right past the hospital my brother was staying at.  What are the odds, I thought to myself. 

I went in to visit my brother who was eager to be released from the hospital, but it didn’t look likely that he would be able to.  The doctor told him he had to pee on his own in order to be released.  He could not. 

We talked strategy about the race and I headed for the check-in area, ready for my race to begin.

 

Our Sixth Hero: Katie Lowrie – Q & A Part #5

Jun 262011
 

What are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate about running as well as truthfully living in the moment, although it may sound cliché it is something I work for each and everyday.

What is one thing that you think everyone should do in life?

I think everyone should pick one thing in their life they think they could never accomplish and find the necessary tools to reach that goal no matter what it may be.

What is the best advice you can give when it comes to running?

I would say consistency is key; running is not a seasonal thing it is a lifetime commitment, one that is affected by all aspects of your life.

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.

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.

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.

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