The weather is getting warmer and people are starting to take their runs outside. About a month ago I put yurbuds to the test. They claim to be the best earphones and to never fall our of your ears, no matter how sweaty you get.
I have to agree... they rock!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wJTtSQVD5Q&w=560&h=315]
Do you plan on running outside this summer? Do you listen to music when you run?
I do not consider myself a runner. This past Monday and Tuesday I got booked to do a photo shoot for GORE-TEX in Rhode Island. When I talked to the photographer on the phone I asked "So, we are going to be getting some running shots?" he said "We are going to be getting ALL running shots". I have never done a shoot that was ALL running, so I was not sure how my body would respond.
Let's just say I am SO SORE. It is all in my calfs and my tibialis anterior (shins). It is not shin splints, it just feels like tight muscles. I have been massaging myself and foam rolling,
We did some regular street running,
and we also did trail running.
The shoot was really focused on GORE shoes; Nike, Sauconmy, and Brooks. We got shots of wet, cold/dry and snowy terrain. (We had to spray down the deck to make it look wet, it was actually a beautiful sunny day!)
The snow was made from huge spools of cotton and then sprayed with water. People walking by thought it was real.
I also had to run though some watery mud with my Nike shoes to show how the GORE trail Nike shoes can really manage the outdoor elements.
This shoot made me really think about my running form, where I was landing and how I was holding my body. I started the shoot heel striking, which is fine and actually gets a great angle of the shoe for the camera. And then we switched to landing more on the mid area of my food. I had to really THINK about doing this as it did not come naturally. But as the shoot went on and by the second day it felt much easier!
Watch this short video on running form.
The photographer on the set,Trevor Brown, was really amazing. He knew how to catch my stride at the right time and he got really amazing shots. He never settled for "good". I also met one of the founders of "The Most Informal Running Club Ever", Alex. He was the male running model on the shoot! I learned about his running club and it seems awesome. So if you live in Boston, you have to check it out!
The pictures above were taken from iPhones. I will share the real picture when they come!
How is your running form? Do you have any advice? How do you land?
I had a hard time going to sleep last night, still in shock of the events that happened only minutes walking from my apartment.
I left early this AM to teach class and the city felt different. Everyone moved slower, cars were not beeping and it felt as if we were all unified without saying one word. I took the picture below at 5:50am.
Police officers, SWAT team, soldiers, camera crews, photographers, and marathon runners in their gear are covering the streets of Boston. I snapped a few shots today to give you a feel for what it has been like:
It was hard for me to teach my classes today. Hard for me to listen to happy music and hard for me to put on a cheery face. Things feel different and I am sure it will take a little time to be put back in place. But Boston is strong, no doubt.
I emailed my boss and told her how I was feeling and that I was not sure if could do it. I was not sure I could teach a class and be genuinely happy. Her response:
"Remember people need your smile and inspiration. Times like this can be hard and people look to you as a leader. Dancing, good music and your positive energy is needed more than ever. Share your love and your ability to lift the spirits of those that need it."
I was away this past week in San Francisco visiting family
friends
and wine.
During my vacation I made sure to get in 4 days of a full workout. Two of those days were spent running the hills of San Francisco. HOLY MOLY. Seriously awesome. I would walk fast up one hill and then sprint up another, I was exhausted in no time. I am not a fan of inclines on treadmills so the natural hills were a real challenge. The workout was just what I needed to switch up my regular routine! Check out these hills:
The other day consisted of hiking/ walking a scenic trail
and my last day was my first pilates reformer class!
Have you ever tried the reformer? Did you like it?
Oh, one more thing... humor me and do a solid minute of what I call standing twist oblique work. Some tips on form:
Enjoy and feel those obliques working!
