Race Review – Young Life Triathlon
“You were made for this”
Last Saturday, on a hot, humid and calm morning in beautiful Detroit Lakes, MN, I completed my first Olympic-distance triathlon. It was definitely one of the more challenging events I’ve raced but also one of the most fun! I truly enjoyed it all – even when I thought I would melt into the pavement during the run. Heat and humidity really mess with this North Dakota, winter-loving gal.
I did it!
Beyond the feeling of accomplishment, the event was a great experience thanks to the team behind it. From setup to friendly course volunteers to the finish line hospitality, it was a top-notch event all the way through. I’d like to share my review of the Young Life Triathlon, broken down into each very important piece.
Pre-Race
Packet pickup – which, as any racer knows, can be a nightmarish clusterf*ck – was very well-organized. It took me less than 30 seconds to locate my check-in line and have my packet in-hand.
The transition area was in a good spot and allowed plenty of room for all racers. My only complaint? The distance between the bike dismount and the actual transition area was a bit long – my jell-o legs would have enjoyed less running with my bike.
The Swim
This honestly may have been my favorite part of the course – I don’t think most triathletes would cite the swim as their favorite! Big Detroit Lake is a beautiful setting; there was a sizeable beach area with plenty of room for all the runners to gather, the water was a comfortable temperature and there weren’t too many weeds to get caught up in. And all swimmers went out in heats – Olympic men first, followed by the women, then the Sprint men and women about 20 minutes later. My heat had only about 25 people in it so I never got kicked. Plus, splashing and waves were minimal, as each swimmer had plenty of room for themselves.
As for the course, we received clear instruction (and even a jet-ski demo) of the route prior to the race so I knew exactly where to go. Also, the course had a few turns, marked off with buoys. It was an out-and-back, yet with a few side-to-side, zigzags. I loved that. Rather than one long, seemingly endless, out-and-back path, each turn gave me “check point” to look forward to; a mini goal within the long swim to help break it up and keep me feeling positive about how well I was doing. There were several lifeguards on paddle boards, jet-skis and pontoons, so I always felt safe. The lifeguards on paddle boards took care to get close enough to swimmers to make sure we were okay, as well as provide us with encouragement.
The Bike
Going into it, I knew this would be my least favorite part of the race – and it was. It had nothing to do with the course, biking just isn’t my thing.
But the course was actually pretty good. It went around the lake, there were lots of hills and plenty of nice scenery. I wasn’t a fan of the fact that Olympic athletes had to do two laps (it would have been nice to have one, long route). Also, I had a couple minutes of panic, as I wasn’t sure I was on the right course during the transition into the second lap. There wasn’t much course marking or volunteers to let me know I was going in the correct direction. I was able to stop and ask a volunteer at one point – thankfully, I was still on course!
My time to shine – the run
The Run
Although I was exhausted, I was ready and excited for the run. After all, running is kind of my thing! The course took advantage of a lot of trees and shaded areas, as well as the public beach along Big Detroit Lake.
The first and last mile went along the shoreline, while the bulk of the middle was along a wooded bike trail. While it was nice and shaded on the trail, it was very secluded – it could have been a bit lonely, especially for those who struggle with running. Luckily for me, running is my strongest area, plus I had Chris biking alongside me the whole way.
Post-Race
The advantage of doing the women’s Olympic course was that, by the time we finished, the Sprint runners were long gone and the finish line was all about us. I had about 10 volunteers waiting for me at the finish line, ready to take my ankle chip, hand me cold water and present me with my medal. I also had a lot of people cheering for me – both my family members and a few complete strangers who were waiting for their racer.
The finisher’s chute was long, with plenty of space for fans to line up. There was a big archway and large timing clock, a staple of big races. Food and water were right there at the finish, which was huge – I had to walk and search for a bottle of water after the last marathon I ran, not fun at all. The race finished in the adjacent park, giving plenty of room for runners and spectators to hang out, with the transition area close by to gather all belongings.
Gotta love the race swag!
Overall, the organizers took advantage of the best parts of Detroit Lakes for the athlete/spectator village and the course itself. The volunteers were helpful and enthusiastic. And, of course, no great race would be complete without a sweet finisher’s shirt and medal – check and check! If you’re in the Minnesota area next summer, I highly recommend this race. I plan to do it every summer I’m able to!
Have you raced a really great event this year? What made it great? Post a comment or tweet to me, @runlikeagirl311.
Since When Did Healthy, Fit and Average Become Plus Size?
“Dear Cosmo, kindly take your ideas of “plus size” and shove them up your ass, sideways. Sincerely, every man on the planet who has had to reassure his perfectly healthy and proportioned woman she’s not fat because assholes like you perpetuate this idea in her head that she’s a “plus-size”
Poor Robin Lawley. A beautiful, fit woman tries to make a point and stick it to fat-shamers by baring herself, sans-makeup, in a bikini, and has become the center of criticism and backlash.
The problem isn’t cattiness or jealousy towards her. The problem? Robin Lawley is considered to be a plus-size model…and she is NOT a plus size woman. And everyone – men and women, plus-size and those who wear single-digits, models and the rest of us – are pissed off.
Pictures are all over Facebook of Robin in her bikinis. If you haven’t seen them yet, take a look below.
Who wouldn’t want to look like this?
As you can see – and echoing back to what I said above – Robin Lawley is NOT a plus-size woman. Granted, I can’t accurately conclude her size, weight or health just by looking at her, but the only thing that appears to be “plus sized” about her is her height (but wait, aren’t all models supposed to be tall?). What I can conclude is she appears athletic and fit – and pretty smokin hot.
Me and my girls, rockin our bikinis
To try to make a real-life comparison, this is me in a bikini (with two of my beautiful girlfriends, both around the 5’3” mark). I’m 5’8”, have a broad, athletic build, wear a size 4 on the average and weigh about 145 pounds – in the most basic sense, I’m what I’d say is average or normal-sized. Now, my vision of myself may be skewed, but I’d say I look pretty close to the same size as this “plus size” woman. And I’m not one to get hung up on numbers but since when is a size 4 a plus size? You can see why people are outraged by the modeling industry calling this woman a plus size.
I hate to get on a rant of “society is giving women a skewed idea of body image”…but seriously, this is why so many women have fucked up ideas of normal, healthy bodies and, in turn, body image issues. It’s not that being plus sized isn’t a bad thing – a person can be “overweight” by BMI standards and still be healthy; everyone has cellulite and a tummy roll when they sit down, and that doesn’t mean they’re out of shape. The problem is that referring to Robin Lawley as plus size then sends a dangerous message of what’s normal or average size. Showcasing a woman who looks to be a normal size, healthy weight and fit as plus sized, tells us that a size 00 or extra-small is normal or average. And it’s not. It’s also an insult to actual plus-size models – basically a slap in their beautiful faces, bodies and curves.
Something like this really pisses me off, personally, because it’s another hit against my personal philosophy that women should lift weights and be strong, without fear of being seen as “too big” or “gross”. (I blogged about this a few months back.) Robin Lawley appears to have nice, strong legs and abs. But in the modeling industry – and the “real world” – this makes her a plus size. That’s bullshit.
But, ladies, you know who this really sucks for? The men in our lives. They become exhausted trying to convince us we’re beautiful, normal and healthy when we’re comparing ourselves to a woman like this. The quote at the beginning of this entry is from a man who posted it on Cosmo’s Facebook page. And it’s true. Something like this can have even the most confident, healthy woman questioning how she looks or have a million little insecurities pop up – myself included.
I was explaining this to Chris recently, when all this was really stirring around the internet. I made him look at Robin’s photo, and his reaction was the same as mine: “That woman is NOT plus sized.” But I couldn’t leave it at that. I kept asking him if I looked okay, if he thought of me as average size, if my muscular arms and strong, tree-trunk legs were unattractive to him. Like I needed him to reassure me that I look okay in my bathing suit. That I’m on par with a beautiful, fit model. That I’m an acceptable size.
After he reassured me about a million times, he went on to ask, “You don’t really compare yourself to other women or worry about how you look though, right?” I hesitated – me, normally confident, proud of my muscles and not one to care about my stomach rolls – but couldn’t lie to him. “Yeah, sometimes I do.”
All we can do, myself included, is try to be rational. Keep our heads on straight, and not get sucked into the negativity and bullshit. Remember – someone who wears a size 12 can be in better shape than someone who wears a size 2. A skinny person can be unhealthy and at risk for heart disease whereas someone with curves might be very healthy and have a strong heart. Size doesn’t define us and a scale doesn’t determine our self-worth. Easier said than done, I know.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you feel society perpetuates an unrealistic idea of normal and healthy, or is this sort of incident the exception, and no longer the rule? Comment or tweet me @runlikeagirl311.
What No One Tells You About Running
“If you think a minute goes by fast, you’ve never been on a treadmill”
I feel like I haven’t blogged about running in awhile – that feels so wrong! Pondering the topic I should address got me thinking about all the questions I get asked about running. A lot of them come from newbs to the sport and I always try to be very encouraging. I know it can be scary but it’s also exciting, and want them to know how great running is for the body, mind and soul. You’ll feel so great, I say. You’ll become addicted to it, I say.
This led me into thinking about the not-so-glamorous side of running. You know, the gross, awful and unpleasant parts no one wants to tell you. But I have no problem discussing freely, especially in this space! So here it goes; the 5 things no one wants to tell you about running:
1. Chafing
Young or old. Male or female. Fast or slow. Chafing can happen to anyone. It doesn’t discriminate and that’s why it’s a top fear amongst runners.
Know it. Use it. LOVE it.
For guys, the biggest worry is the nipples. I’ve seen guys with blood streaks running down the front of their shirts during a race – not pretty. I’ve also had my fair share of red splotchy armpits and inner thighs – always fun to explain during the summer months. My best advice? Find comfortable clothes that don’t rub, remember, Body Glide is your BFF and, guys, band-aids on your nipples.
2. Gross Feet
Runners have notoriously gross feet. If you’re running a lot, you’re gonna get blisters. If you’re running a ton, you’ll likely lose a toenail or two. Dry heels, calloused edges, all kinds of good stuff. You could ease this with regular pedis – but honestly, you’re fighting an uphill battle. Gut it out and remember it’s not permanent. Toenails grow back!
3. Stomach Fun
That up-and-down, jostling motion you get with running – yeah, it can make for some “gotta go, right now” moments. A few strategies can help keep this situation at bay.
First, pay attention to what you eat. Certain foods can trigger stomach urges (for me, no blueberries for breakfast before a long run and no ice cream the night before) so monitor and adjust your eating habits until you find what settles nicely in your gut. Second, make every attempt to empty yourself before a run – common sense there. Third, it doesn’t hurt to plan a route that has a gas station or two along the way. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did if an emergency pit stop is needed!
4. Love/Hate Relationship
Most runners love running most of the time (why else would we do it?). But I’m not gonna lie to anyone out there – once you become a runner, there are going to be days you hate running. You absolutely won’t want to go for that run. You’ll dread it. You’ll view the treadmill as your biggest enemy. And if you choose to suck it up and go anyway, you’ll curse every single step.
This feeling becomes especially pronounced during a race – whether 5k or marathon. Most runners will, at some point in their racing career, have that mental breakdown moment of, “Why am I doing this?” (for me, this tends to occur around mile 19 or 22 during a marathon).
Don’t worry, it’s totally normal. If you absolutely need a day off, take it. If it’s during a race, try as best you can to focus on the positives – how far you’ve come, how little you have left in the grand scheme, a post-race beer – whatever it takes to get you across the finish line (where you’ll remember why you love it so much and be so glad you did it!).
5. The Long Run Cry
As someone who has gone through this every year I’ve trained for a marathon, I feel I need to warn all who are considering running a marathon: There will be one long run that is so awful it causes you to break down and cry. Seriously. It will happen. Be prepared for it, let it happen in that moment, then move on and move forward.
What do you wish you’d been told about running before you started? Comment or tweet to me @runlikeagirl311 so I can share them!
100 Days of Happy
“When I was five years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they told me to write down what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
I absolutely love this quote, 1) because it comes from my favorite writer and musician, John Winston (Ono) Lennon and, 2) the simplicity of its message.
I’ve been seeing a lot of #100daysofhappy hashtags along with photos and updates on social media. I love photos, I’m a social media nerd & it looks like fun so I’ve decided to start documenting my #100daysofhappy tomorrow.
#100daysofhappy
Why take part in this? Why not?! I appreciate life, small moments as well as the big ones, and do my best to never take a single day for granted. I’d like to think I’m not alone in those thoughts but recognize some days are much harder to appreciate than others. Your job sucks, your kid is being unbearable; maybe you had a fight with your girlfriend or BFF. Regardless of the bullshit, there’s always something good that can be pulled out of each day – you just have to make the effort to see it. Maybe one of my moments will be an uplifter for someone out there who’s having one of those rough days. Or a simple reminder to all to try and find something memorable and wonderful about each day.
It’s like the movie, “500 Days of Summer”. Did you see it? If not, you should. This quirky flick pairs one of my fave actors, Joseph Gordon Levitt, with the always adorbs Zooey Deschanel, and follows them through 500 days of their relationship. Not a typical couple, not a typical movie romance; just very honest, very real. Although – spoiler alert – much of the latter half of its 500 days are pretty rough for Mr. JGL, I think the movie had a similar message to mine in that every day matters and should be appreciated and remembered, no matter what.
So for the next 100 days, I’ve committed to taking at least one photo to represent my #100daysofhappy. Some I’ll share, others I won’t – I realize not everyone cares to see another photo of my dog or beer I’m enjoying on a patio. On days I don’t share a photo, I’ll share a moment of some sorts (barring a situation that places me in the middle of nowhere with no internet service).
Feel free to follow my #100daysofhappy on Twitter & Instagram. Better yet? Start your own commitment to find happiness in each day for the next 100. Then, comment or tweet me your Twitter/Instagram handles @runlikeagirl311 so I can follow yours.
There’s Dumb, There’s Dumber, Then There’s Detox
“One cannot think well, love well & sleep well if one has not dined well”
We made it to June! After this hellish winter, I’m loving it. Who doesn’t want to see more sunshine and a bunch of toothless, bearded guys hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup? On the flip side, this time of year brings for many a sense of panic, as summer is here. Shorts, tank tops and swimsuits – oh my! Regardless of size or body confidence, the thought of all that exposed skin can be intimidating to anyone. I think this is why detox diets gain a lot of buzz this time of year.
I’m not going to weigh pros and cons, nor am I going to explore both sides of the argument. No beating around the bush, I’m 100% against detox diets. Cleanses, juice fasts, any diet that promotes severe calorie restriction or liquids-only gets two thumbs down.
It’s okay to eat – even enjoy a slice of pizza.
Throughout the years, I’ve heard a lot of reasons why people choose to put themselves through these unpleasant diets. Now I’m going to shoot them down one by one.
*Disclaimer – The libertarian in me wants to remind you that it’s a free country and you can and should do whatever you please. If you want to drink nothing but lemon juice with cayenne pepper for days, go for it. I’ll just be over here, eating my veggie pizza, salad and Raisinettes.
I Want To Cleanse My System and Flush Out Toxins
Toxins you say? Geez, what the heck have you been eating?! Jokes aside, “cleanse” diets are unnecessary. Thanks to your liver, your body possesses the ability to detox and cleanse itself without cutting out food or drinking bizarre concoctions.
Also, you don’t have to stop eating real food to feel lighter and cleansed. Just scale back the processed and junk foods, and instead opt for so-called “clean” foods. Fresh veggies, healthy salads, fiber-rich fruits, lean protein and low-fat dairy are all delicious, real food that will leave you feeling satisfied – not like you need to devour an entire sleeve of double-stuff Oreos.
I Need To Go Extreme To Jumpstart Healthier Eating
Back in college, I had a couple friends who couldn’t start a new healthy eating plan without an extreme kickoff – which meant forgoing food entirely and going on a liquids-only diet. I don’t need to tell you they were miserable every time, always succumbing to cravings after the second day and partaking in some serious overeating.
Unless you have a horrible stomach bug, there’s never a good reason to completely cut out food from your diet. Drastically reducing calories sends your bod into starvation mode and throws your metabolism out of whack. Not to mention no one is going to want to hang out with you if they feel they can’t eat or enjoy a cocktail without risk of being mauled or chastised. (“Yes, please stare, judge me and tell me how many calories I just ate.” Said no one ever.)
If you need to be extreme, eliminate less-than-the-healthiest foods cold turkey. Satisfy your sugar fix with berries instead of candy. Craving carbs for dinner? Nix pasta with garlic bread and instead try spaghetti squash with light sauce and veggies. It’s gonna take some willpower to make those good choices every time but remember – this way, you still get to eat!
I Want A Quick Fix For My Upcoming __________ (Class Reunion, Pool Party, Etc.)
It’s hard to argue with this one. Yes, if you stop eating, you’ll probably drop weight fast and feel lighter for said event. But what happens after, when you go back to normal eating? The weight is going to come right back and all that’s going to plummet quickly this time is your self-esteem. Then comes negative self-talk, feelings of failure and, very likely, bingeing.
It’s not worth it. Why not use this event as a reason to start a healthier eating program, rather than a reason you need to go on a crash diet? As for the event itself, focus on feeling confident and happy. Buy something new that flatters your best assets and always surround yourself with friends who don’t judge you based on the fact you have a real body with real cellulite and maybe even some arm flab (it’s okay, we’ve all got something).
Finally, a simple point that’s especially true for athletes but also applies to anyone who gets out of bed every day and lives life in some form – you have to eat. Plain and simple, you can’t survive without eating. And, c’mon, what would life be without dinner dates, a small tub of popcorn at the movies and one delish cupcake to celebrate your best friend’s birthday? Just keep it in check and reasonable. When you do over-indulge, get over it and get back on track at your next meal.
Agree with my views on detox or think I’m totally off? Comment or tweet me your opinion, @runlikeagirl311
Now What? Life After A Marathon
“Getting lost? I prefer to think of it as, ‘Going exploring’”
Remember when I said the taper is the hardest part of marathon training? Time to talk about, what I feel is the second-hardest part of training, and this one’s applicable to any distance, not just marathons – what to do after the race is over.
A friend of mine ran her first marathon last spring. Throughout training, she asked me questions and for advice on various things one would expect – how to prevent chafing, how to recover from that horrible long run that makes you break down and cry, how early to get there on race day, those types of things. It never dawned on her to ask any questions about what happens after the race, particularly the one big question that comes for most runners – what do I do now?
She was feeling something nearly all runners experience: The feeling of being lost. Race training consumes much of one’s life in the weeks or months leading up to the event. After it’s over, we go back to “normal” life, but it’s a state of normal we haven’t known for some time. No longer the race-day carrot dangling in front of us, most runners struggle with motivation to keep running, with going back to normal eating, or getting back into a weight lifting routine – in a nutshell, motivation to make healthy choices; the things most people struggle with all the time. But in the post-race phase, it’s a “new normal” that takes some getting used to and some strategy to overcome.
Hello, new friend!
For those struggling with motivation to keep running, I say give yourself a break. Whether you’re still a little sore or just burned out, take some time off from running to explore. Discover new classes at the gym or hit the weights if you never have before. Give yourself the freedom of not having your week dictated by mileage goals or speed work runs. For me personally, this was how I got into triathlons. No longer feeling the need to focus all my time and energy on running, I opted to head outside on nice afternoons to go biking. In the mornings, instead of worrying about squeezing in extra miles on the treadmill, I incorporated lap swimming into my routine; something I had never done but quickly grew to love.
If you need a kick to get back into workout habits, just in general, the best advice I can give is to set new goals. Whether it’s a triathlon, a new 5k PR or just to feel confident baring your arms in summer attire, find something that will keep your inner fire burning. If all else fails, don’t think about working out; rather, make a point to simply get outside and enjoy the nice spring weather. Go walking, take up golf, just do something active that doesn’t feel like working out.
As for advice on how to go back to normal eating, well you’ll have to look elsewhere for that…I’ve been trying to figure out that one for years!
Runners, have you had this same experience of feeling lost after a big race? Those of you who can relate, what are some tips you have for going back to normalcy? Tweet them to me, @runlikeagirl311.
No Disappointment, No Regrets, No Boston
“There are no regrets in life, just lessons”
This past Saturday, on the nicest morning Fargo has seen in a long time, I crossed the finish line of my sixth full marathon. Topping that off, I got from mile 1 to mile 26.2 in a new personal record time of 3:39:04. It was my best race to date and I felt pretty amazing, mentally and physically, the entire way.
Oh yeah, and I didn’t qualify for the Boston Marathon.
This blog could easily be one full of disappointment, regrets and what-ifs. After all, anyone who knows me or has followed my training the past two years knows how badly I want to earn my way to Boston. As nothing more than an average Joe, I’ve always known a BQ time was a long shot for me – but for some reason, still something I’ve felt is worth working towards. Even tho I missed the mark by fewer than five minutes, I’m oddly not at all upset. In fact, I feel incredibly proud of myself for trying. I’m so happy with my performance and have zero regrets in how I raced those 26.2 miles.
Hard to see, but I’m grinning like an idiot as I finished.
I ran this race hard; hands down the best marathon I’ve ever run. I knocked about 7 minutes off my previous PR. It was a gorgeous morning for a run and I enjoyed every mile. Best of all, I had wonderful friends who showed up all along the course to cheer me on, and I was greeted with even more proud friends and family at the finish line. What more could someone ask for?
Yes, I started off that day with 3:34:59 as my goal. At 50-ish degrees, partly sunny and a light breeze, I had ideal weather for a great run. I kept up the pace I needed for about 18 miles before I really started to lose steam. Yet, when I got to mile 22 and came to the realization that, mathematically, my Boston time was no longer attainable, I wasn’t that upset. Very early on, this race had become less and less about Boston and more and more about something bigger. For the first time in a long time, I was really focused on me, just doing what I love to do. Even when my pace was slipping away, I still felt amazing about how well I was running. Of course, it helped knowing I was in good position to put up a new PR. But also, I made a promise to myself when I began setting goal finish times for marathons: That I’d never be disappointed in myself for missing a goal time; for “just finishing” a marathon – no matter what.
Barring any serious injuries or a life-altering moment, I’ll have plenty more chances to qualify for Boston. This race gave me more confidence, and some good lessons I can apply to my next round of training and race-day strategy. So, yeah, I’ll keep trying. Even if I’m never quite good enough to make the cut, what’s the worst that could happen – a new PR?!
The Dreaded Taper
“It’s difficult to train for a marathon. It’s even more difficult to not be able to train for a marathon.”
Today marks, for me, the worst part of marathon training. More daunting than a 20+ mile run. More dreaded than under-the-toenail blisters. Maybe even scarier chafing. I’m talking about the taper. The dreaded taper.
A four-letter word (okay, it’s actually five) in the vocabulary of marathon speak, the taper is, in my opinion, the worst phase of training. I’m quite certain I warned Chris about it months ago so he could prepare for me to be very unpleasant. Yet, on the surface, it probably sounds fantastic. Allow me to explain.
The taper is the three-week (approximately) period between a runner’s highest mileage long run and the actual marathon. During the taper, said runner is to slowly decrease daily and weekly mileage – easing the burden on the body, preventing overtraining and allowing the legs to rest a bit before the big event. Sounds nice, right? Let me tell you, it’s not.
I’ve spoken to fellow runners throughout the years and most agree; they hate the taper. Everyone’s reasoning is different. My personal problem with the taper is simple – it’s an incredible mind f*ck. Picture it:
You’re about to run the biggest race of your life, pound out more miles in one run than you have so far. You’ve been building up your mileage and endurance for several weeks. You’re feeling strong, both physically and mentally. Your metabolism is on fire and you’re putting away more food than an NFL prospect during training camp. And now, just three weeks from the big day, you’re supposed to just stop all that?
For me, running is such a mental sport. Sure, it takes endurance and physical strength like any other sport. But your brain has to be onboard with your body. I don’t care how great of shape you’re in; the average person is not going to get up at 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday and gut through a 20-mile run if they’re not mentally psyched about it, nor are they going to suck it up when they’re not feeling well or pass up happy hour to get in a run.
The rational side of me understands my body needs a break. I’ve been putting it through 20, 30 and 40+ mile weeks since January; forcing it to run sprints on speed work days; pushing it to run “just one more mile” on several occasions. And I did just run 22 miles this morning. But when it comes to running, there really is no rational side to me. Even with five marathons under my belt, I can’t get past the mental aspect of the taper. It feels wrong. I feel lazy and like a slacker. I’ve put in so much hard work for so long and now I’m easing up, this close to the finish? Almost like choosing to walk the last mile of the race, even though I’m not tired and I feel like I could sprint.
Of course, I’ll grit my teeth and follow the plan. Just don’t ask me if I’m going to scale back my caloric intake to that of a normal person. Because that would be crazy.
Runners, how do you feel about the taper? If you’re like me and a hater, how do you cope? Tweet me @runlikeagirl311.
Product Review: XRACEWEAR Race Tank Top
It’s February in North Dakota. Believe it or not, there aren’t a lot of races or triathlons going on right now. Even so, the guys at XRACEWEAR in Tucson were kind enough to send me a sample of their women’s racing tank to try out. I was so pumped when I received it, I couldn’t wait til spring race season – so I wore it to the gym to get a feel for it.
If you’re not familiar with XRACEWEAR, it’s the innovative company that makes race clothing with built-in bib holders – eliminating all the shenanigans that go along with pinned-on race bibs like poking holes in your clothes or your bib ripping off mid-race. Genius!
No safety pins required!
Upon arrival, I made my initial observations that would be the points of contention during the workout test.
1. The tank appeared to be very slim fitting
I’m not a skinny girl so slim-fit typically isn’t for me. However, when I put on the top, it fit perfectly, snug in the right spots, yet not so tight that I felt restricted in motion at all. Very well designed for a woman’s body. Verdict: Win #1
2. The tank lacked a built-in bra
Most athletic tank tops have built-in bras so I was a bit nervous that this one, designed for running, didn’t. But that’s also what made the top fit so nicely – most women can relate; built-ins, while a good idea in theory, don’t always make for a comfortable fit. Additionally, it eliminated uncomfortable seams in the armpit area and any chance of excessive rubbing – aka: chafing, the single biggest fear of every runner. Verdict: Win #2
3. The tank had a large mesh pocket on the belly
Thank you, Captain Obvious. Of course there’s a pocket, hence the entire point of the company’s clothing line. But it was surprisingly seamless with the rest of the top. The mesh was light, the zipper nicely hidden. Didn’t feel stiff or bulky. In fact, I didn’t even notice it was there during my workout. Verdict:Win #3
The biggest benefit I discovered was one I originally hadn’t thought of: How well this top would work for triathlons. Anyone who has ever done a tri (and doesn’t wear a special tri suit) knows the biggest challenge isn’t the open water swim or transition from bike to run – it’s trying to put on a race top right out of the water. It’s a pain in the ass to put on clothes when you’re wet (the aforementioned athletic tops with build-in bras aren’t even a possibility because of this) and you can’t have your bib pre-pinned on your top, as the pins will pop off as you struggle to put it on. The XRACEWEAR top would save a ton of precious seconds during the transition from swim to bike. Add another point in the Win column.
The only drawback I could see was the pocket accommodating larger bibs. I tested it out with an average-size old race bib and it was a bit large to fit smoothly in the pocket. Not a major issue though, as I could easily scrunch the top so the number still showed. Or, I could simply cut down the bib.
Bottom line: I’ll definitely be wearing it for races and can’t wait to give a full review after the first one. And I’m really excited to wear it for a triathlon this summer and see if it makes as big a difference as I believe it will.
Questions about this top, tweet me @runlikeagirl311.
Man Up and Lift Like a Girl
“Strong Is [Not] the New Skinny”
I’m a girl, so I run like one. Proud of it too. However, I apparently lift like a guy. At least, that’s what I’ve been told and what my lifting habits suggest based on “normal” female standards.
There are a few articles circulating the internet and Facebook right now that touch on the stereotypes of women’s bodies and workout habits – in particular, what’s acceptable in terms of our muscle mass and making sure we know it’s important to remain skinny. After reading it, I felt the need to address this topic myself because I’ve wanted to for awhile and I feel it deserves the attention.
Women are conditioned to believe skinny is the ideal body type, and any bit of strength is unfeminine or borderline gross. Look at the suggested workouts in any women’s magazine or listen as celebrity trainers describe the programs they take female clients through. Virtually none of them encourage picking up a dumbbell heavier than 8 pounds, if they encourage picking up one at all. Seriously, 8 pounds? Some of my earrings weigh 8 pounds.
I love my muscles – and Kaepernicking
There’s this fear instilled in women that if you lift heavy weights, you’re going to get bulky and big.
Fact #1: Shy of taking a ton of supplements and lifting several days a week, women’s bodies simply aren’t designed to get bulky.
Fact #2: Big comes from eating, not lifting.
I’ve seen this “fear” all over the internet, via Facebook posts and articles that are all about how we women can tone up but also reminding us we need to lose weight so we stay thin and desirable. But I’ve also witnessed it firsthand too many times at the gym. 95% of the time when I lift, I’m the only woman in the weight area – not in the gym, in the weight area. Women flock to the cardio machines to torch as many calories as possible but avoid free weights, cables and squat racks like they’re forbidden to touch them – a grown up “No Girls Allowed” zone. If I had to estimate how many women I see lifting, and I mean really lifting, on a typical night at the gym, I’d say maybe three or four. Compare that to the 30-plus guys lifting and it’s pretty disappointing.
I want women to know it’s okay to be strong. It’s not gross or unfeminine. It’s okay to venture into the weight area, grab a bench and some dumb bells, and crush it. Don’t be afraid to push yourself and sweat (but please, don’t grunt unnecessarily or loudly drop your weights to attract attention – sorry, pet peeve rant over). If you’re not sure of where to start, grab some men’s magazines – that’s right, MEN’S magazines – and browse free weight exercises. Then, choose a few that target a certain muscle group or groups (back and triceps or chest and biceps) and scale the suggested weight to your ability – keeping in mind my two crucial lifting rules that I myself swear by:
Rule 1: Lift as heavy a weight as you can while still being able to rep with proper form
Rule 2: If you can do more than 10 reps, your weight is too light (*exception: BodyPump class – which I’m a fan of for mixing it up and working all your muscle groups)
Geez, I don’t know Lindsay. I don’t want to build muscle; if anything, I just want to look toned. Guess what? That “toned” look that it’s okay for women to have – that’s actually what we call muscle definition. In order to get that, you need to BUILD MUSCLE. Then you can have something to “tone”. Sound fair?
Girls and guys, have something to add on this topic? Post a comment or tweet me @runlikeagirl311.