My Running Must-Haves

My dog, Scout, started going crazy this morning when I was changing clothes for my morning run.  That crazy guy knows the minute I pick up my tennis shoes.  Other than Scout, there are a few other things I don't leave the house without.

1. A good pair of shoes!  

I usually wear a size 7 1/2, but my running shoes are a size 8.  If you aren't sure what size you should buy, go to a local running store and have them fit you.  They really want to help, and they won't force you into anything, but you will be so glad if you have a pair of shoes that fit, are comfortable, and allow you to put your best foot forward.  It is definitely worth it.

2. Gloves! 

I got these for Christmas this year for my winter runs and really like them.  My mother-in-law got them for me and I was glad she got a pair that had sizes.  They fit snug, but not tight, and my fingers are very grateful for an extra layer.  

3. MY WATCH...my favorite gadget!

As a teacher, I love data just as much as the next person.  I enjoy seeing the progress, the trends, and the actual numbers.  This watch does all of that and more, but for RUNNING!  

My husband bought it for me early last spring, and it was one of his best gifting ideas.  This watch is by Garmin, and it tracks your speed and distance as you run.  It then has a wireless component to sync with your computer so that you can compare runs, keep an ongoing calendar, set goals, etc.  Below are the charts, maps, and calendars that the website component offers.  

This screen lets you see the map, elevation, timing, splits, and if you wanted the heart rate monitor it would show this here, as well.  Can you tell that I ran with the wind on the way out, and then against the 20 mph winds on the way home? Haha!  

Here is the calendar portion.  It logs your runs, adds up your weekly totals to the side, and gives a GREAT visual.  This was during my marathon training, so you can tell I had a strict regiment of running.  I can then click on each run to get the details, see the route, my paces, etc.  

Can you tell why I love my watch so much!?!  

4. My Road ID.  

With my watch in the above picture is my Road ID.  It is a bracelet that I wear with my name and emergency information.  The company originally started out for cyclers in case they get into accidents on their bikes.  The information on the bracelet gives them contact information as well as any previous health conditions or allergies.  You get to choose what you want on the bracelet.  On my long runs during my marathon training, I always felt better wearing it in case something happened.  Since then, I wear it on all of my runs.  The company is great, and they have a dog named Scout, too!  I think we were meant to be connected somehow.  Check out their different styles and products here!

Do you guys have any gadgets or must-haves for your workouts or running?  I'd love to hear what you all swear by!

Winter Workout Blues

A friend of mine had texted me to get together on our long outdoor trail that runs through our town yesterday.  I committed last week, but the weather was FREEZING!  Hello!  It's mid-January in Indiana...what was I thinking!  It made me think of how to get motivated despite the winter weather.

My advice for the winter workout blues:

1. Plan to meet a friend.  Even if you don't do the same things, set a time, and meet up! Thanks to Lindsey, I made a commitment yesterday.  I may have bailed on myself after my 30 minute recess duty, but I knew I couldn't let her down!

2. Treat yourself to some winter apparel that you LOVE.  This could be something that you can wear to the gym to look good, or an awesome outerwear piece to workout outside.  Here is my winter motivation!  A black and pink (do you see a trend here?) puffy vest.  For all of my friends who read this, they know I like am obsessed with puffy vests, so one for running is even better!

3. Find a dog!  Luckily, I have one, so he's a great companion, but he has been known to be on lone to some friends who enjoy running with a dog.  Believe me.  If you don't have a dog, others would love you forever if you took their dog for a walk or run.  The dog's energy will be sure to get you going.  Unfortunately, my dog knows what my running shoes look like, and expects to be taken every time!  Here is my chocolate lab after our workout with his HUGE bone.  The Mr. just could not resist buying it for Scout.  Oh, and he was hoping to bring IU some luck last night, but that didn't work!

4. Find a quote, image, memorabilia from a past race, etc. to put up at work or at home.  Think about where you lose motivation.  Is it at school? In the car?  When you get home?  I found this poster on Pinterest, and thought it was perfect to put in my car's cup holder.  Once you get out the door, you are good to go, but something little might just help get you there.  So post something that strikes a chord with you in a place where you are least motivated to stay on track.

5. Put a good cd in your car for the ride home so that it gets your body going and energized.  Only use the cd when you're getting ready to workout so that it doesn't lose its luster.

What else do you all do to get through the winter time blues?

Curriculum Mapping...and Workout Mapping!

I have always known that I am better about running and working out when I have an end goal in mind.  I thought of it as my little curriculum map for running!  It is so much easier when you start with your end result, and work backwards to figure out how to get there.  A wonderful website that I'm sure many of you know about is Hal Higdon's Training site.  He has TONS of training plans.  I used his marathon novice schedule to train for my marathon in October, and I felt extremely prepared.  Check out his workout plans here!

If any of you are like me, I love to cross things off on my to-do list (see, I told you!)  When I have a workout schedule, it is SO satisfying to cross it off.  I even like to color code my weeks to make them look pretty for my own satisfaction.  It also makes those days I miss more obvious, and I HATE not being able to cross one off.  Find a race around you, and sign up!  Even if you just want to walk it, make a commitment, and do it!  You will NOT regret it, and with resources like Hal Higdon and yours truly, you will be on your way to success!

Try making a work out schedule that you post on your refrigerator or desk.   Make your time or distances specific so you know what to prepare and look forward to.  However, just like we get prep time at school to refocus and catch up with grading papers, planning, etc. your body needs the same.  Schedule rest days!  I like to treat myself on Fridays so that I can look forward to it!  I always try to have my longer runs/workouts on the weekend when I have more time to do them, and I can really focus and treat my body right.

Here is an example of a template you could use, but it's nothing fancy!  I am obviously not training for a marathon here, but it keeps me active, and my body healthy.   And if you are wondering...you DO get to cross of those rest days too!! Your body NEEDS some rest to recuperate.  You are doing something purposeful when you have a rest day, so cross it off, and be proud!!

Get a copy of a weekly or monthly schedule to fill in for your own tracking.  Freebie!

Leave me comments about other things you do to commit yourself to your workouts, or any questions you may have.  I'm no expert, but I've done a lot of it!

Motivation for the blog...Running!

I thought I'd share the motivation behind the psychological and physical design of the blog!  Since my blog is called Run Teacher, Run! I figured I needed to write something about running at some point.  Here it is!  I trained for and ran my first marathon in October.  It was always something in the back of my mind after playing soccer in college, and knowing that at one point in my life I had some sort of running stamina!

As I began teaching and getting out of playing soccer, I ran some of our schools 10Ks that the PTO organizes, and did several half marathons, but I always wanted to do the real deal.  Knowing that consistency with running isn't my forte, I called on the people I knew would support me the most.  We met for dinner, and I conned all 5 of them into running the marathon with me!!  We started a blog and wrote about our long runs, how we worked in the hours of running with our full-time jobs, and what type of gear was working for us.  I realized that writing the blog helped keep me honest and stay consistent!  Therefore, when thinking about what I wanted to do post-marathon, I wanted to be more consistent with running, and not just do it when I'm training for something.  Loving the feel after I finish a run, and knowing that my classroom is a haven for me, I thought I should combine them into one blog!  Therefore, psychologically, I know that my followers (as many or few of you as there are!) are counting on me to write something about running, just like my girlfriends did when we were training.

The second part of the blog was the physical design of it.  There are TONS, and I mean TONS, of really cute blogs out there.  Some have spent money to create custom designs, but that's just not in the cards for me right now, so I needed something personal, that I knew I would look forward to updating!  Then it dawned on me...my RUNNING SHOES!  When training, I needed a new pair of running shoes halfway through, and when the salesman came out with my shoe in a bright pink design I was sold immediately!  They are my typical running shoe, but with an awesome color combo!  

So there you have it!  I know I have people counting on me, and I have colors that are personal, but I love them!