Fits on the Road: An Unexpected Workout....

By Cool J

Last Wednesday, the D-man and I embarked on a week long adventure to Sweden. We came here primarily to pick up our new car as part of the European delivery program in Gothenburg, but added on 4 days in Stockholm and its surrounding archipelago, where we passed our time sight-seeing, kayaking, and running through this beautiful city. 

Ready to go!

Our flight itinerary took us from Minneapolis to Chicago, then Chicago to Copenhagen (Denmark), and  then a short flight from Copenhagen to Gothenburg, Sweden.

Though we left on Wednesday evening, it wasn't going to be until "Thursday" local time that we arrived at our final destination. Due to the time difference, I figured that Thursday was going to be a rest day in terms of running.

Little did I know, I would indeed be running that day- through the Copenhagen airport, that is!

It was our own fault- we listened to the flight attendant's instruction to catch our Gothenburg flight at gate A. Our flight from Copenhagen had been delayed, so we only had a few minutes to make it to the gate. We sprinted off in the direction of Gate A as fast as our jet-lagged legs could take us.

Zipping around crowds, we arrived breathless and a bit sweaty at Gate A. And of course Gate A was the incorrect gate for our flight. Had we merely checked the gate information, we would have known that our plane actually had been moved to Gate D, which was on the farthest possible other side of the Copenhagen airport...quite close to where we had just come from.

We could hear our flight being called- the flight was boarding, and the gates would be closing shortly.
We quickly debated what to do- could we possibly make it? We had already sprinted the entire airport to get to Gate A, and now we had to run to the other side. Honestly, it had to be over a mile away!

The decision was made. I took the D-man's bags, and sent him off through the crowds.

Sometimes it's frustrating that he is so much faster than me. As he mentioned in a past guest post, I sometimes get frustrated with myself when running with him (read about it here), but this was not one of those times. He sprinted back to Gate D, weaving through the massive crowds, as I slowly jogged behind him with our carry-on luggage.

Thanks to the D-man's speed, he was able to make it to the gate, and hold our flight until I came waddling up behind.  Sweating profusely at this point, we ran outside to the stairs to our tiny connecting plane, found our seats, and sat there catching our breath....

"Thank god you're a runner," I said.

But we made it to Gothenberg...

Time for a drink....

And some traditional Swedish salmon with dill...(lots of dill here)

Our meal at Sjo Baren was scrumptious...(notice my Swedish colored outfit?)

Fitting Remarks: Knowing when to stop

By: LL

Given the stagnant heat wave that has plagued the Midwest and most of the US the last few months, I have been in conversations with other runners who are training for fall races about knowing when to stop. When is it too much to continue running in certain conditions?

Today, I got up early to run my long run. Since it was predicted to be the hottest day of the 2012, I knew that it would be grueling, but I thought that I had prepared with adequate water and gatorade staged along the route and choosing the coolest time to run - before the sun came up. Unfortunately, it was too hot and I was running so slow that the sun was out by the midway point. I pushed through, but then the last 1/4 mile I came down with goosebumps and shivers - a sure sign of the start of heat exhaustion. I know a few other people that had similar experiences over the last two weeks.

And then my coworker discussed running in the extreme humidity the other day - so humid that it felt that she was running through a pool, but it wasn't the refreshing water. She came out with bad chafing and blisters and was extremely dehydrated all day - she just couldn't get back the water she lost.

So, how do you know when you just need to stop? When it is more important to feel good the rest of the day instead of getting in those last two miles?

This is the question that was underlying the Fitting Debates series from last summer when Cool J and I debated whether it was worse to run in heat or cold. I think that Cool J has since joined on the heat bandwagon. It is so much more dangerous to run in the heat.

That being said, here are a few tips for knowing when you really should stop and forgo those last few miles.

- You feel dizzy or confused.
- You are very hot and sweaty, but you have goosebumps and/or are shivering.
- You are nauseous or vomit.
- You have serious stomach cramping and/or diarrhea.
- You stop sweating.
- You get tunnel vision.

I've been there and tried to push myself through bad conditions, but it is important to learn when your body is telling you to stop, or at least really slow down.

Good luck out there!

Featured Fit: The Summer Games

By: LL
Yes, I have been absent from the blog due to my house unpacking endeavors. But there is no way that I would miss the Olympic Games. Winter, Summer ... it doesn't matter. There is something so exciting and motivating about watching the best of the best compete. Heck, even archery is awesome ... and synchronized diving. I cannot get enough. My husband and I even had to come out of the Stone Age and get a DVR so that we could tape all the live action. Besides the Opening Ceremony, here is what I am so pumped to watch:

Women's Beach Volleyball (Misti May and Kerri Walsh in a nod to my high school passion ... if only I was 4-5 inches taller)

Marathon (well, this one was obvious)

Men's 100-meter (Jamaican show-down)

Men's 400 x 100

Michael Phelps vs. Ryan Lochte

Women's Gymnastics (if only I was 4-5 inches shorter ...)

I'm definitely planning on using the Olympic Games as motivation to get me through my long run in the predicted 104 degree temps this weekend.

Failed Fits: Bad Race Photos

By Cool J

What is up with race photographers? It's like they are purposely trying to get the worst possible picture of the runner. Or maybe it's just me? I know I have several bad race pics. How about you? Send us an email with your WORST photos to win a handmade necklace holder

Here are a couple of my most notorious failed fits:

Rock n Roll San Diego.... I look happy, right? Eeks!

Nothing cuter than a post-run nose wipe....

And the BEST race photo....(LL might not appreciate this one)

Twin Cities 2006!

She looks like she's having fun, right?

Throwing a Fit: Nautical Themes Follow-Up

By Cool J

Enough of the nautical themes already, right?

Well, my dizzy anchors dress finally arrived. It was backordered for a month or two. It arrived just in time for a day trip to Duluth, MN from the cabin (about 45 minutes away).

A lighthouse, Lake Superior, dizzy anchors, oh my!

Fits Do Race Reviews: Torchlight 5k

By Cool J

The Lifetime Torchlight 5k was last night!

This is a unique event that I would definitely recommend for all types of runners. It’s pretty rare to find a race on a weeknight, particularly downtown. Also, this particular race draws a lot of fans. Yes, it’s true that the spectators are probably actually lining the course because of the Aquatennial Festival parade that occurs immediately after the 5k, but I’ll take it!

The race is hosted by Lifetime Fitness, and discounts are offered for members of this gym. 

http://www.torchlight5k.com/

This year the race was on Wednesday, July 18^th at 7:30 pm


Torchlight Run (presented by Michelob Ultra) is back and better than ever! With an all-new look, Torchlight Run is even hotter and, as always, it still ends with the coolest party of the summer. For the first time ever, Torchlight Run will be a timed event – but don’t let that stop you if you are just a fun runner! Now everyone from first-timers and families up to the elite 5k sprinters will be able to track their time, find and post event photos to Facebook and receive special event offers. So come out for out twilight run through downtown Minneapolis – and the evening with our legendary post-race party featuring live music from Lost Highway and complementary refreshments. The Torchlight 5K starts near the historic Basilica of St. Mary’s running the Aquatennial’s CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade route. The course offers up close views of the Guthrie, Gold Medal Park, the Mighty Mississippi River, Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Main.

AT THE STARTING LINE AT THE BASILICA!

Course: Start on Hennepin Ave. at 16th St., turn right on S 3rd St., turn left on Portland Ave S., turn right on S. 2nd St., turn left on 11th Ave. S., turn left on W. River Rd., turn right on Stone Arch Bridge, turn left on Main St.

This race has a long history, dating back a decade or so. The first time I ran it, it was actually a 4 mile race ending in Loring Park. It has since changed to a 5k, and now attracts quite a few participants (maybe 5,000?) and this was the first year that the race was chip-timed. It also was the host for the USATF 5k Championships. There are many runners from the Calhoun Beach Running Club who participated in the USATF championships, as well as nearly 20 of us who ran as part of a regular “team” for the open 5k.

TEAM PHOTO!

Awesome headbands, ladies!

It started at 7:30 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary, and then it finished at Father Hennepin Park by St. Anthony Main. Each runner gets 3 complimentary beers (well- if you can call Michelob Ultra LIGHT a beer....)

In the past, if you even just ran under 30 minutes, you’d beat the majority of the crowds, and would manage to be one of the first in line for the beers! The same was actually still true this year, so my recommendation is to run hard, and then run straight for the beer tent!

The race is always HOT. In fact, last year, it was actually rescheduled due to the heat. Yet there’s plenty of fluids on the course, and it IS only a 5k, so the risks associated with hot weather running aren’t quite as high.

The shirts this year are quite cute, somewhat fitted, and a very soft cotton. 

Here’s a pic, modeled by my fit friend Abby!

Runners were able to register online, or in person at a few local running shops.

I registered online, and was a little mad at myself for doing so. The D-man registered at TC Running Company, and received his shirt and bib right there, as well as 20% in the store that day!

Also, in past years, the lines before the race to pick up your bib were QUITE long, and I was afraid of the same thing this year. I emailed the race director to ask about early pickup. Oddly, my bib and t-shirts were mailed to me in plenty of time for the race! Apparently this was because I registered early enough. Several of my friends had to pick up their bibs at the race, but they said the line wasn't too bad.

The race directors emailed you your results immediately after the race, and if you checked them, you received another free beer!

 Another team photo!

 Now that's a handsome group of runners :)

Overall, I would give the race a 9/10. I think it's well organized, and a lot of fun. It's also rare to have a chip-timed 5k in this city, so that was a nice change of pace. The t-shirts, beer, post-race party, and course were all stellar.

One negative aspect was the crowded course for at least the first 1.5 miles. I think as this race grows, they will need to consider a wave start. Perhaps they could implement corrals to allow serious runners an opportunity to really use this race as a chance to PR.

I definitely did NOT PR. I forgot my Garmin, had to stop to tie my shoes, was weaving through crowds for the first 1-2 miles, and just wasn't feeling it. But next year I will plan a little better, and try to  start closer to the line to avoid the crowds.

Even with the crowded course, I'll still be doing this race again next year!

RUN HOT. PARTY COOL.

Fresh New Fit: Stand-up Paddle Boarding Part 2

By Cool J

The D-man and I just returned from an extra long weekend at the cabin. 

My sister CJ joined us at the cabin with her husband and 3 daughters (Maggie: 9, Clara: 5, and Harriet: 10 months).

CJ is training for her first 1/2 marathon, so we did her long run together on the hills of cabin-town. Coated in bug spray and armed with our fuel belts, CJ conquered those hills, and ran her longest distance ever! I was very proud of her, and we had a good time catching up on the run (even though she told me beforehand that she would not be talking during the run but she ended up talking the whole time- loved that!)

Our other "Fits on the Road" at the cabin included swimming across the lake (which I think is about a mile), and of course, stand up paddle boarding!

(Read about paddle boarding post #1 here)

It was CJ and her husband's first time on paddle boards, and after a bit of instruction from moi, they got the hang of it quite quickly, and were up and moving across the lake. Perhaps it was my stellar teaching skills?

And our new challenge on the board was the addition of my nieces as riders. Even though they both did a great job as riders, sitting very still on the board, it was still a bit more work to stay balanced with the nieces on board. Any waves in the lake would make balancing extra challenging. It was an even better good core workout than usual with the addition of a 30-50 pound child on the front of the board.

Matilda enjoyed a ride on the boards, as usual. 

 She has become so comfortable that she even laid down while riding- WOW!

We paddled several times a day, and I could feel it in my core and upper body... or maybe it was the swim across the lake without any training, or the 30+ miles I ran while there? Either way, it was a fun filled weekend of Fresh New Fits/Fits on the Road Cabin Style!

Functional Fit: Imagination

By: LL

As you read here, I'm currently training for 1 (potentially 2) half marathons for September. So far, it bas been rough going due to the record high temperatures - even at dawn, which is when I prefer to run. And yesterday morning was the worst yet. Since my husband and I are in the midst of moving to our house today (thus the free time to blog while the movers do all the heavy lifting), I had to do my long run yesterday morning. No biggie! Except that when the alarm went off at 4:15, it was pouring rain. I had to run a 10k on a dreadmill.

I know some people enjoy the treadmill, but I find it painful for any distance over three miles. In order to get through the run, I had to use my imagination (cue the Willy Wonka song...). We all do it - whether running inside or out. We create different run scenarios or reflect back on memorable runs. For some it is crossing the finish line for the first time. Others might imagine themselves running along the beach. For difficult runs, you need to escape where you are and take your mind out of the equation, because it is your mind giving up, not necessarily your body.

For me, I imagined myself on one of my favorite routes that I used to run when I lived in East Lansing, Mich. It was a fall morning - 57 degrees fahrenheit. The sun had just risen and leaves scattered along the sides of the path and danced in the breeze. It was quiet - the city still slept. I could smell autumn. I was there even though, physically, I was pounding away on the treadmill, going nowhere, in a hot gym, with the rain hitting the windows and the lightening flashing.

As runners, we know that many times the challenge of running a long distance is not the physical at all; it is mental. I believe, and you may disagree with me, that beyond the half way point (i.e., 13.1 for a full marathon; 6.2 for a half), your body can do it, but your mind is what you have to train. And a little imagination - training your mind to get outside of your run - is what helps you accomplish your goals. I even ended up running seven...on a treadmill!

Throwing a Fit: Nautical Themes!

By Cool J


Nautical is everywhere, isn't it? It seems like red, white, and blue are not just for the 4th of July anymore, and we're seeing anchors, sailboats, and fish from several different retailers. Bold stripes and maritime colors abound, but one retailer in particular seems to be a perfect match for this trend.

That retailer is one of my personal favorites, JCrew!

LL posted about the popularity of maritime fashion in a post here called "Throwing a Fit: On a Boat!"

I'm sure some people are tired of this nautical onslaught, but personally, I adore it.

I have embraced it and am loving JCrew's new line! I too was throwing a fit for some of these pieces. 

I love the t-shirt dress with dizzy anchors (backordered at this time)

...so instead of dizzy anchors,  I splurged on a red/navy number. It may not have quite as blatant in its look, but the red and navy stripes definitely are reminiscent of the nautical themes that abound.

The D-man's birthday was yesterday, so I wore my stripes out to dinner and drinks with friends. 

Dinner: Saffron

Drinks: Brit's Pub

It was a gorgeous evening in Minneapolis, especially on the rooftop at Brit's Pub, and the D-man's birthday evening was great fun. I believe he's ready to sail away into the next year of life!

Featured Fit: Classic Black and White

By Cool J


Last weekend was a special weekend for my husband's side of the family. His mother Arlene was getting (re)married! She had re-connected with a high school friend at her 40th high school reunion in Fargo, ND several years ago, and the two of them had been "courting" for the past few years.

Though perhaps the marriage of two people in their 70's may not be "traditional", the rest of the wedding was very much so. The ceremony was held in a church, with all the normal Lutheran rituals, followed by a formal reception at a hotel reception hall.

Yet the most traditional and "classic" aspect of the wedding was the color scheme that Arlene chose:

BLACK AND WHITE

Black and white is simple, classic, and it works! Here is a montage of pictures demonstrating the classic look.

The men all wore black and white tuxedos.

The bride wore a black lace Monique Lhulillier gown. It was a perfect dress that suited her very well.
Doesn't she look lovely?

Here is a full shot of the dress on Jessica Chastain:

I loved the black lace over white. It was very elegant.

Even the young kids went with black and white attire.

As for the "bridesmaids," Arlene had instructed us to wear black cocktail dresses. She left the details up to each of us. Unfortunately, I didn't get a good picture of the other three bridesmaids (I'm sure there will be plenty once we see the professional photos!) Therefore, I only had one of Shelley giving a reading in her black gown. Isn't she stunning? 

Allowing the four of us to pick our own dress in the same color gave us the ability to demonstrate our individual styles, while still retaining the black and white theme.

As for me, I went with a very simple pleated jersey sheath dress by Tadashi Shoji.

You can find it here:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/tadashi-shoji-pleated-jersey-sheath-dress/3195447?origin=category&resultback=8620

I paired it with an old J.Crew necklace and black pumps. Just like the color scheme for the wedding, it was classic and traditional, and for once, I actually think I will be able to wear this bridesmaid dress again!

Failed Fit: Heat Advisory

By: LL
As I mentioned here, I am back on the wagon of training for a road race. It has been a few months, and I would like to say that it feels good to be back at it. Unfortunately, no ... not in this heat!

The horrific heat wave that has settled across most of the United States is really putting a damper on my comeback. In fact, this morning I got up early to do a pace-finding run of six miles. Yowza! Even at 6:30 a.m. it was a scorcher, which made finding my comfortable pace that much more difficult. I was dragging, probably averaging 10:30s when I am normally closer to 9:15s. The combination of the heat and not having run more than five miles in about two months made my legs heavy and my head restless. I even opted for no iPod, which was smart in the sense of running by myself that early in the morning, but a mistake in that I was dying for motivation.

Lesson learned: lack of solid runs + hot, hot heat (temperature, not the band) = soggy, dejected, angry LL. Training season is not shaping up very well.

Now let's see how long I last outside today. Happy 4th of July to you all!