Motivational Quotes

Motivation and Inspiration!

For my last blog I wanted to leave my readers with a few quotes to inspire and motivate :)

Running is the greatest metahpor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it

-Oprah Winfrey

"Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you're young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don't let worn-out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself."
-John Bingham

"Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'."
-Paul Tergat

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
-John Bingham

"Running should be a lifelong activity. Approach it patiently and intelligently, and it will reward you for a long, long time."
-Michael Sargent

"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself."
-William Faulkner

Tweet tweet!

Twitter: @runnersworld

Click here to visit Runners World's Twitter

Do you ever need a little bit of inspiration?

I stumbled upon Runners World on Twitter. Runners world is a magazine for runners with topics and articles that are much like the topics that I post about in my blog. 

A lot of times they will post links to articles that would be helpful to runners--people who are beginning, people who are experts, and people who are injured. 

Even if you do not use twitter, you can just google "@runnersworld on twitter" and it should be the first link to come up. I like to follow them because sometimes just seeing one of the quotes they posted, can give me the little reminder or boost that I need to exercise that day. 

There's no magic to running far...Endurance is mental strength. It's all about heart. 

@BearGrylls #MondayMotivation

^ The above is something they posted on Twitter this morning. 

Things like that can sometimes be the difference in lacing up those running shoes, or not. 

Check it out! :)

Find your SoleMate!

A running buddy might be just what you need!

Getting a running buddy can be a big help. Sometimes when you just don't want to get out there and run, having some one else can help! Often times, when we don't want to get out there and exercise, we're just feeling lazy; when you actually start running it's usually not as bad as it seemed while you were sitting on the couch. 

Even if you don't run with your buddy every time you go, it's good to have some one who is also a runner to talk to about problems motivating yourself, or simply to share running stories and experiences to inspire one another! 

It's also fun to have some one to go to races you're participating in with. Although, you don't want to limit yourself to running with your buddy, because you want to do your personal best, not their personal best. But, nevertheless, it's good to have some one to help you navigate your way through the crowds, and some one to line up with at the beginning of the race for one last bit of encouragement and a high five!

420 Healthy High!

Have you ever wanted to run in a road race?

OR

If you're already a runner, here's an opportunity to do another!

What is it?

The 5th Annual Healthy High Race takes place on April 20th, 2012. It is a race set up by Student Affairs. There is a 1 mile fun-run, a 5k (3.1 miles) and a 10k (6.2 miles). BUT, don't be intimidated by the word race! It's for fun :)

Registration?

You may register online here or pick up a form in the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education Programs in the Memorial Union. For students, if you present your Maine Card and apply in person the fee is only $5.00, if not a student, the fee is $10.00. 

Or... Spectate!

If you're just not up to running, the race starts and finishes right on campus. Go out and support your peers who are running for the cause! 

Shuffle Your Feet, and Shuffle Through Your Favorite Songs!

I recently purchased an iPod Shuffle to use just for fitness. I bought it on Amazon.com for only $45.00. It comes with a clip right on the back on the iPod, so it is easy to clip to a collar or waistband. It is very small, only about one square inch which is perfect when you're on the go. It only has a memory of 2GB, so I decided to use it for exercise; I only loaded upbeat, workout songs. 

Music can really help while running. Songs with a good steady beat help to keep you in check with steady footfalls. Also, music is just good for the mind! When a happy sounding song comes on, you can't help but get a little happy yourself!

I'm very please with my new iPod Shuffle, I recommend them for fitness music for sure! Try it out :)

TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race!

What is the Beach to Beacon? 

The Beach to Beacon is commonly referred to as "Joanie's Race," by the locals because former Olympian Joan Benoit Samuelson founded the race. It is a 10K (6.2 mile) race through the beautiful coastal town of Cape Elizabeth. Over 5,000 people run it annually, and those spots fill up quick!

How do I register? 

Registration begins Wednesday, March 14th at 7:00AM for Cape Elizabeth Residents only (600s spots), and general registration begins the following day Thursday, March 15th at 7:00AM. 5,000 spots are open for general registration. This race is so popular that registration has filled up within a half hour. So, if you wish to run in the race, be ready to sign up on your computer at promptly 7:00AM!

I have run in the Beach to Beacon twice and it's a great experience. There are thousands of spectators, and thousands of runners from all over the world every year. Even if you're not running yourself, it's definitely something to go see! 

Have a Race Coming Up?

Many runners run on their own time, as well as compete in road races. There are countless road races ran all over the country and plenty to choose from in your home state, any time of the year. This entry is aimed more at beginner runners, but these tips can be good reminders for any runner on what to do on race day!

Getting Ready

1) DO NOT wear anything new. Lots of people will buy great new gear--shoes, clothing, etc--and that's great, but trying out anything new on race day is not the way to go! Running shoes especially need to be broken in, and should not be used for long distances the first time they are worn, this can cause blisters on the feet, and plain old soreness! Wear something good and reliable that you've had a lot of experience running in before. 

Start of the Race

2) Start off slow! If the race you're running in is longer that a 5k (3.1 miles) then it is usually best to start off a little bit slower in order to conserve your energy and not "burn out" too quickly. For 5k's, many runners run a fairly quick pace through out the whole race. It is quite a short distance, so it is not as important to have a slow start, unless of course, you're beginning or your longest training run reaching only 3 to 4 miles. 

During the Race

3) Drink water! A lot of times it is not very convenient to carry a bottle of water while running, so almost all races offer water on course. Typically, they fill up dixie cups with water from a cooler and hold them out to the runners. But how do you drink and run at the same time? It is an art, for sure. I have still not yet mastered it, and usually end up with some water on my shirt, but there is a method. Squeeze the cup so the lip of the cup folds, and the opening is a long rectangular shape, then pinch one side so the opening becomes very small and then you are able to tilt the cup and drink out of the small hole - potentially this can be spill free!

Need A Boost?

Have you ever been excercising and just needed a little extra kick?

Clif's new Shot Block's are a low calorie fruit chew. They are ideal for long runs because they help to restore some of the energy that is being expended.

What's so great about them?
          - They replace carbs and electrolytes during activity
          - They contain caffeine to boost alertness and energy
          - They are only 33 calories per cube
          - Their slim shape and pacaking makes for easy storage
          - They come in a variety of flavors
          - Many of the ingredients are organic
          - They aid in hydration, and muscle recovery

Peronsally, I think they taste great and they have quick results. Some times all you need is one small block and you're good to go!

Don't Let the Cold Stop You!

So, it's winter... But, don't let the cold stop you from getting out there and leaving your footprints in the snow!

Tips for a good cold run:

Dress Warm!

When dressing for a cold day of running, it is important to dress in layers, rather than just throwing on a heavy coat. Dressing in layers keeps heat in! When dressing, the most fitted clothing should be worn underneath all others in order to trap body heat in. The first layer should be long sleeved. Personally, I wear a long sleeve shirt, followed by a t-shirt, and depending on how cold it is, one more layer, or a running jacket. 

Fun fact: All layers to DO NOT have to be long sleeve, because the core of the body is the most important thing to keep warm. 

Wear shoes with minimal mesh. 

Many models of running shoes are covered in mesh so that the feet can breathe. However, in the winter this is not a good thing. So, it's a good idea to pick out a pair of running shoes specifically for the cold seasons that have as little mesh as possible. This will help keep feet warm, and keep water and slush out!

Save the wind for last! 

Running against the wind is never a runner's friend. However, planning a run based on the direction of the wind can be of much help in the cold. Before beginning to run, notice what direction the wind is blowing, and run against it first. This is helpful because at the beginning of a run, no sweat has been produced. The cold wind against sweat can make one significantly colder, so get it out of the way and run with the wind on the return home. 

Get those clothes off!

When running, naturally, a lot of body heat is produced, even in the cold. When one stops running, body temperature cools of significantly, and very quickly. So, it's important to take off cold, wet clothes and put on something warm immediately after returning from running to avoid that awful after-chill. 

Still don't think you can do it?

Here's a little inspiration... 

Hypothermic Half-Marathon

Temperatures have plummeted to well below 0 degrees in past years, these folks in Ottawa, Canada still show up to run, every year!

The Story of the First Marathon

A marathon is a 26.2 mile race ran on foot. 

So, how did the random distance of 26.2 miles come to be the length of the marathon? 

In the year 490 BC the Persians had assembled their army just outside of Athens on the plains on Marathon, and were ready for attack. The Greek were going to be significantly outnumbered and wanted to call upon the Sparta for help. The Athenian Generals sent a man named Phidippides to run on foot to ask the help of Sparta. The run was 140 miles long and Phidippides reached his destination in only 36 hours. The Sparta denied helping the Athenians until the moon was full due to religious beliefs. Phidippides then had to run back to deliver the bad news to his people; another 140 miles!

Phiddipides made it back to Athens and fought with their army, and although outnumbered, defeated the Sparta. After their victory the Generals called upon Phidippides one more time to run back home to Athens from the plains of Marathon to deliver the good news, 26 miles away. After having run 280 miles in the last few days and having fought in battle, he pushed his body to the limit and took the challenge. He reached Athens in 3 hours, delivered his message, and died shortly after of exhaustion. 

Centuries later the Olympics introduced the first "marathon" as a distance of 24.5 miles, then, in 1908 the distance was changed to 26 miles due to a desired course in London, and 385 yards (.2 miles) was tacked on the end so the runners would end in front of King Edward VII's royal box. Finally, after over 15 years of extremely heated arguments and discussions, the official distance of a "marathon" was set at 26.2 and officially took effect at the Olympics in Paris in 1924. 

There you have it! The Legend of the Marathon. Today there are countless marathons are run all over the world. My mother herself is a marathon runner, and she has inspired me to follow in her footsteps. So, in June I'll be entering in my first half marathon! Taking it one step at a time, and one foot in front of the other. 

Sources: 

Ostapuk, Paul. "The Marathon Story." N.p., <http://www.lakepowell.net/marathon.htm>.

Clark, Michael. "The Real Story of the Marathon." Runners World. N.p., 23 Mar 2003. Web. 26 Jan 2012.