Ready for Combat

Nike has a line that is called Nike Pro. Recently, I decided that I need to make an investment in a new bra. Being on sale I decided to go with Nike Pro Combat Women's Bra. I was a bit skeptical when I first tried it out on a run, so I another bra under it for reinforcement. 

Tonight, I went to go for a work out but was only planning on walking so I only wore one sports bra, the Nike Pro Combat Women's Bra. Well, of course, I wanted to run once my feet hit the pavement, I began to feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins, so I began to pick up the pace!

When I was 30 minutes into my run, I remembered that I was only wearing but one bra. I would have NEVER know the difference! My ladies stayed in perfect place! This thing had to be engineered for busty women! There is a thick band on the bottom that provides firm support and the fabric is not forgiving to ensure that "they" don't go ANYWHERE! They don't bounce nor did they hurt after a run. 

               This is THE bra for all my BUSTY lady friends out there!

                               A MUST have for the season.

How To Run Your Long Runs

For any long distance training program, the long run is essential. Along with being a very important part of your training efforts, it is also very important that you complete your long runs correctly. Yes, there is a right and wrong way to running or walking your weekly long efforts. And no better time than now to learn the correct way to run, as we are getting into some longer mileage. Whether you are someone who takes a little more time to complete your training sessions or someone who likes to finish your workouts as quick as you can and return to the warmth of your bed, all runners should run their long runs at the same “pace.”

That is not to say that someone who is able to run an 8-minute mile should slow down to run a 12-minute mile with his/her friend. You should be completing your long efforts at a “conversational pace.” In other words, you should be able to comfortably carry on a conversation throughout your long effort, even if you are training by yourself. Naturally, this may seem rather odd to passersby, so perhaps singing a song to yourself may seem more appropriate. Then again, you can always have fun with those you pass with some rather interesting conversation topics. Ask me for some good ones for your next run. ;)

By training at a conversational pace, you will get the most out of your long effort. The goal is to train your body to handle a good amount of time on your feet, and prepare you both physically and mentally for the rigors of a long distance race. Even if you can run 8-minute miles during your weekday runs of 3 or 4 miles, you will want to slow down a bit for your weekly long effort. Pushing yourself too hard too early in your training is just setting yourself up for trouble. Depending on your pace, and comfort level, try adding about 30 to 60 seconds per mile to your current weekday run pace. Better to add that time at the beginning of your run and throughout your long run, then to HAVE to add 3 or 4 minutes PER mile to your run for the last few miles of a 20-mile effort because you expended all of your energy too early. Your weekday runs and track workouts down the road are your opportunities to run at a more intense pace and to improve your speed, plus concentrate on other areas of running which we will discuss throughout the season.

I Bid Thee Farewell...

The nice thing about running in a group is that you don't need to take music with you. You just enjoy the run with your group and now more than ever, I appreciate that.

My iPod, Percy, died today only a few hours after our practice today.

It went something like this:

   Still plays music but the forward button doesn't work.

After that, someone at work went to see what song was playing and the screen turned insane colors and then shut off.

                                      MOMENTS LATER

                           Farewell Percy!

Group Run #1

Did you know that less than 5% of the population will ever complete a half marathon or marathon?

Today was my first group run with Miracles in Motion (p.s. I'm still in DIRE need of sponsors) and it was fun. Originally, we were supposed to start at 6 am but when I arrived at the park, aside from Coach Rick, I was the only one there.We did a group stretch and hit the trail at Kawains Park at about 6:30.

I was able to complete the 4 miles scheduled today in 30 minutes! Although, my legs were tight this morning I had to work through it. I was foolish and ran 3 miles on Friday and also did yoga (nuts!!!) While I'm no Flo Jo, I'm excited to see the progress that I will make over the next 6 months.

When we finished our run, there was a man from the Runner's Den there to talk with us about somethings. He was there to talk to us about what the magazines tell us we need and what we actually need. Here is what he recommended:

1. PROPER RUNNING SHOES
• a good shoe that provides great support rather than looks stylish.
2. HYDRATION AND NUTRITION 
• water, water, water. If you are going longer than 90 minutes take water with you. If less, hydrate before and after. 
• Use flue bars, gels, or other forms of energy past 90 minutes and every 40 minutes thereafter.
3. PROTECTING YOUR DANGLEY BITS: 
• Ladies:
1. A good sports bra does NOT come from Target. Protect your ladies. 
2. Never put your sports bras in the dryer. 
3. Most important, your bra should NEVER have a birthday! 
• Men: 
1. purchase shorts with lining because you don't want to wear a jock strap for 26 miles!
2. Buy laytex free band-aids and cover your nipples, so they don't bleed from your shirts rubbing them raw during a long run
4. SUN PROTECTION
• wear a hat 
• use sunscreen
5. CHAFFING GEL
• reduce your friction!!!

I hope that you find this as useful as I did.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

This morning, I was out for a run at, what I believe, is the one of the best parts of the day, SUNRISE. I decided that I was not going to do my normal, Pecos Park, run but  I wanted to try a different trail.

I headed down Frye Road, turned at 40th Street, and made it up to Ray Road. It wasn't until I was coming back and crossed Chandler Blvd. that I was ALMOST hit by a car. The car was making a right hand turn out of the Safeway parking lot, she made a quick glance to her right, so I thought that she saw me coming. After all, I was wearing a NEON pink shirt and yellow shoes, its not like I was wearing muted colors.

I kept running, in the bike lane (I don't run on the sidewalk, it's bad for your knees), and it wasn't until I was in FRONT of her car that I realized that she hadn't seen me. She took her foot OFF the break and started to inch forward, I hit the HOOD of her car and a look of HORROR came over her face. I was the one who had the right of way, I even looked both ways, just like my MOMMY taught me. So while I may feel slightly bad about hitting her car, she needs to learn to pay attention to what's going on around her. If we were all a little more ALERT the majority of accidents could be prevented.

This is my PLEA to you: be careful when you are driving because you NEVER know when runners, walkers, or bikers are going to appear.

To you my FELLOW runners, walkers, and bikers, be alert, because ANYTHING can happen where the sidewalk ENDS.

A Stick Of Deodorant

Today, I took my first official run of the season! I have been doing maintenance running through the summer and because it's so hot, everyone runs indoors. It is now starting to cool off and there are a lot more runners out on the road. The one great thing about there being so few runners outside during the summer is that you don't pass people that have a "smell" or people that have a lot of perspiration.

Most of you know that I don't sweat a lot and that I have this ridiculous paranoia about having body odor. If you know me very well, you know that I apply insane amounts of White Citrus lotion from Bath and Body Works and carry deodorant and a pack of Altoids, at all times. It never fails that where ever I go, there is someone around that has b.o. (that's why I assume that it's me).

Today, I passed a fellow runner that could have knocked a cactus over with his body odor. I don't understand how he could have even left the house smelling like that. Doesn't he know someone that would say "Hey, Friend, you stink!" For that matter, how could he not smell himself? 

As I ran further along, another runner passed me that was sweating so bad that when he exhaled through his mouth i saw the sweat fly from his mouth (and swear that it came 2 inches from me)! Now while they may not be trendy, Sir, you must invest in a sweat band!

Phoenix Children's Hospital

I did it! I finally did it and because you are reading this blog this makes it real. I have made a commitment to raise $1,500 for the Phoenix Children's Hospital at the

Most of you know that I have been running for the last year or so and that I was going to run in last years race but it didn't work out.

This year, I wanted to run in the marathon but do it for a good cause. I've become painfully aware, over the past couple of months, of how self-centered I am. I want to run but not just for myself. I want to do this marathon for something or someone beyond myself.

At first, I was considering Breast Cancer and other major organizations, but they have a lot of people that run for them and do fundraising for them. After doing my research, I finally landed on raising money for the Phoenix Children's Hospital.

I have a heart for children and the thought of a child suffering breaks my heart and beyond that the burden that is placed onto the family, especially financially. Its hard enough to watch your child be suffer, much less, not being able to pay all of the medical bills.

While I may not know every child's story or may not be able to pay every bill, I can certainly volunteer my time and run for something that is worth running for. Joining the Phoenix Children's Hospital's Miracles in Motion team, means that I will actually get to meet the child that I will be raising money for on August 28th!!!

If you are interested in helping me raise money for my honor patient please visit this site:

www.firstgiving.com/analisacervantez

I am so excited for this journey!