information & inspiration for long distance runners
I’m 1 week away from my first ultramarathon. 50km of trails, sunshine, and spectacular views. I’m excited! What is an ultra, you might ask? It’s any distance longer than a marathon (26.2 miles). So it could be 50km (which is ~31 miles), 50 miles, 100 miles, or it could even be an all-you-can-run for a certain amount of time. Like everyone runs as many loops as they can in 12 […]
Let February 21, 2019 go down in history as the day when I worked out three times in 1 day. Uyy, my legs are feeling it now. I started off with a body pump class in the morning. Then immediately afterwards, I put on my running gear and headed to Embarcadero for some speedwork. I always dread speedwork, because I feel intimidated by the faster pace. But afterwards, I glow. […]
Hey guys! Happy New Year :) It’s been a while since my last update, because I’ve been so busy. Let’s see what’s happened since October last year… I ran the San Jose 1/2 Marathon. It did not go well. My left knee started hurting and I hobbled my way to a 1:38:49, my worst half marathon performance to date. The knee pain came out of the blue, and I was […]
Countdown to San Jose 1/2 Marathon: 3 Days I’m feeling sore because I did a Body Pump workout on Tuesday. Why did I strength train the week of my taper? I don’t know. Probably because I’m a newb, and I didn’t know any better. Add that to the list of things to keep in mind for my next race. I know I’ve run some pretty incredible times in the past, […]
6 days away from my first half marathon in over 2 years 😬 I’m feeling pretty good about my training, but my calf/ankle has been acting up. It all started about a week ago when it started feeling sore. It doesn’t quite hurt, but if I stand on my left leg, I definitely feel like my calf is a bit weak. On Saturday, I planned to run 13 miles, but […]
There is a world of equipment designed to help relieve sore muscles after a tough workout, so you can loosen up tight muscles, increase blood flow, and boost mobility. This is called myofascial release, a type of self-massage used to apply pressure to certain parts of the body. The almighty foam roller is very helpful at myofascial release, but the it’s not your only option. I currently have 3 tools in my […]
I say this every time I get sick, but it always rings true: Health is your true wealth. There’s nothing like not having your health that makes you truly appreciate it. Lately, I’ve been quiet on the blog and all forms of social media, because I’ve been resting in bed. Yup, I’ve been sleeping about 10 hours/night and drinking loads of water to will my body to heal faster. And […]
Yup, I just registered for a half and a full marathon today. Goodbye, $280! 👋 What’s on my list for this year? The San Jose Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon on October 7 and the California International Marathon (CIM) on December 2. This is my first marathon since 2016, so I’m nervous to be getting back into the game. I’ve never run the San Jose course before, but the website […]
The secret to improvement isn’t large leaps and bounds; it’s in consistency. And if you’re consistent about marginal gains, they add up faster and larger than you’d believe. I first learned about marginal gains on James Clear’s blog. Definitely check out his blog. His post has changed the way I view progress. As the story goes, in 2010, Dave Brailsford, the GM of Team Sky, one of Great Britain’s professional […]
Woohoo! Last Thursday, I crossed off #1 from of my July goals and got a massage! I found a certified massage therapist named Marianne Smith located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, near the Powell Bart Station. On my way there, I maneuvered my way between hordes of people, tourists and protesters alike, in the hustle and bustle of Market Street. I rode up the elevator away from the chaos […]