Join the FitMilwaukee Indoor Marathon Relay Team

As you may have heard, registration is now open for the InStep Icebreaker Indoor Marathon Relay race on January 22, 2011. Last year, FitMilwaukee had two teams participating and this year we want to blow it out of the frozen water.

Relay teams consist of 2 to 4 runners. The field is limited to 100 teams. Runners will be chip-timed. Relay legs can be any length and we will be using a “tag team format” where you can switch runners as often as you would like. Teams must complete 95.4 laps, which is equivalent . . . → Read More: Join the FitMilwaukee Indoor Marathon Relay Team

Come Walk With Us

Have you been wanting to meet up with the Fit Milwaukee crowd but been intimidated by all those miles we run? Well, join us this Sunday morning for a leisurely stroll along the lakefront. We’ll be meeting at 10am at the Lake Park Bistro parking lot and heading out for a 3 to 4 mile loop down Lake Drive and back. No running! We’re hoping to find a group of walkers that want to meet regularly so we’ll talk more about future locations and times while we’re walking. You can either RSVP here or just go ahead and show . . . → Read More: Come Walk With Us

Compression socks: more than a fashion statement

I like to sport knee high black socks with a pair of shorts and a tshirt. Is it a fashion statement? Nope — it’s a tool for recovery: Compression socks. You can see me sporting them on the far left in the image below.

These socks are super-tight (read: hard to put on!) and put even pressure along your lower legs, which improves blood circulation. This provide more oxygen, and flushes out lactic acid quicker.

The idea is not new; compression has been used in clinical recovery situations and for treatment of edema, lymph edema, phlebitis, varicose veins, spider veins and deep vein . . . → Read More: Compression socks: more than a fashion statement

Walkers Unite!

As you can see from Amy’s awesome half-marathon recap yesterday, participating in races doesn’t have to be about being an elite runner.  Yes, it’s no secret that a lot of the Fit Milwaukee crowd loves to run. However, did you know that a majority of 5Ks have a 2-mile walk paired alongside the running race? In fact, at many fun-runs a number of people sign up for the 5K distance and walk the whole thing.

Here’s some truth: Walking is not easy.  I remember walking in the Komen Race for the Cure nearly 10 years ago.  This was years before I had . . . → Read More: Walkers Unite!

Lessons I learned from my first endurance race

Last weekend, I completed my first half marathon. I wasn’t first, and I wasn’t last. My time was, well, twice that of some of my friends, but in the end it didn’t matter. I checked the ol’ half marathon off my bucket list. I also learned some valuable lessons throughout training and the race itself. Oh, and I got a kick-arse medal. Let’s not forget about the medal.

Before the race:

  1. Pee. Trust me on this.
  2. Drink lots of water all week long, especially the day before and morning of the race. This is why #1 is important.
  3. Don’t drink four margaritas 18 hours pre-race, even if you tell yourself it’s okay because you’re getting top-shelf margaritas on the rocks with extra lime and salt on the rim. Margarita salt is not an acceptable substitute for an electrolyte sports drink.
  4. Go to the race expo. Pick up your packet. Make some impulse purchases you will later regret because everyone else is buying that balance bracelet. Stare at your race bib. Smack yourself in the head for thinking you could actually do a half marathon.
  5. Follow a training plan. There are so many plans out there – find one that works for you and your schedule. Mine included 3 days/week of walking and/or running, 1-2 cross training or strength training days and 1 active recovery/yoga/pilates/easy walk day.
  6. Don’t be afraid to modify the plan. I suffered many setbacks due to knee problems and a sprained foot/ankle. I made adjustments (like biking or doing the elliptical instead of walking or running because they were low-impact). I had to cut one long “run” short because my foot hurt so bad.

    » Continue reading Lessons I learned from my first endurance race