Get a Foam Roller

Since I started training for St. Jude's half marathon, I've been foam rolling. I've talked about it a lot, but I realize some of you have no idea what I mean by that. So today is the day I share some information.

As much as I complain about it, foam rolling is clearly brilliant for quick muscle recovery. And I can tell a huge difference since I started using it.

What does it look like?

It's a cylinder-shaped piece of foam. It's not soft foam, but it's not hard like a brick. It has a little give to it, but not much.

What do you do with it?

You roll your legs and back on it. It's a very awkward process. And after long runs or not using it for a few days, it will hurt you.

Here's the thing. When you run, your body builds up toxins that are stored in your muscles. Over time, the toxins form knots in your muscles. You can't really feel the knots, but you know they are there because of muscle tightness.

Think of the foam roller as you own personal masseuse. By applying pressure to different muscle groups and rolling them on the foam roller, you can elongate your muscles and break up the knots and toxins in your body.

It is crazy how good it hurts. The first time I did it (the right way), I cussed like a sailor. My calf muscles felt like solid rocks, and rolling down my quads took my breath away.

But as bad as it hurt doing it, I felt like a million bucks the next day. Seriously, nothing hurt. No aches and pains. No muscle stiffness. It was crazy. I knew I was on to something.

So I decided to dedicate 30 minutes or so a day to foam rolling. And at first it wasn't pretty. I looked like a fish flopping around on the floor, and I'm pretty sure if my neighbors heard me they would have thought I had Tourette Syndrome because of the random outburts of cuss words. (BTW---they moved out right after I started using it on a regular basis....Coincidence? Maybe.)

After running Asher's 5K, I was too lazy to foam roll, even though my legs felt tight during the entire run. And I didn't foam roll Sunday. Or Monday.

So I did 3.7 miles of speed work yesterday, and I knew my date with the foam roller wouldn't be fun. And guess what? I was right. My calves were back to feeling like rocks, and rolling over my quads almost made me cry.

Bottom line: If you are a runner, you need a foam roller. Especially if you run long distances and high mileage. Elongating tight muscles will help prevent injury. And once you get through the first couple of rounds, foam rolling becomes less of a self-tourture fest.

I realize foam rolling doesn't sound all that great, but I promise your legs and back will thank you. I am completely amazed at how much better I feel, and I would dare to say it's changed my running life.

Here is the pin I used to teach myself how to foam roll.  Thank you Pinterest!

Now go foam roll and report back.

Race for the Cure Recap

What a weekend it has been. I mean it was crazy good. I finished my first Race for the Cure in 40:34, which I think is pretty amazing.

I ran in honor of Paula, my co-worker who is currently fighting her second battle with breast cancer.

She is a huge inspriration and a wonderful woman. I am lucky to know her. She is truly a survivior and lover of all people. Her spice for life is something I envy. And I strive to truly appreciate things the way she does every single day.

Now I didn't take any pcitures of me or my group at the race. I know. I know. Bad blogger. But just so you know where I kinda was in the grand scheme of things, I was near the very front of the pack.

And that was just the front half of the group. The back of the line went way back. 46,000 women and men were registered to race and be part of the 3 miles of men. It is amazing to see some many people come together for one cause.

After the race, I got to spend some quality time with my mom. We went shopping for winter running gear. I can't wait to share those things with you on the blog once Mother Nature lets it get a bit cooler. I can tell you the new Nike store in Little Rock gives discounted prices on apparel. Good discounts. Check that out ASAP.

10K Training Update

I ran 4 miles last night. And it was clearly more than I was use to. I could feel the tiredness settle in about 3.5 miles. The last .5 mile was a mental battle.

I can do this. No...it's too hard. I should walk. No, don't you dare walk. It's only a half a mile. Just...keep....going....

And that is exactly what I did.

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 50:13
Best pace: 9:21
Average pace: 12:33
Calories: 419

Now let's talk about this for a second. I run 3 miles in 40-something-ish minutes. So I added another mile in 10 minutes. Holla. At. Your. Girl. Someone's legs were booking it last night on the River Trail.

I kept a pace I keep all the time, which makes me super excited. So adding mileage doesn't seem to affect my average pace. Hooray! And I did it by myself. So I know I can do it.

Now I just have to stick to the plan. My next 4 mile run will be Sunday. I'm gonna stick with 3 miles for the rest of the week. And be thankful it's just 3 miles.

My lower back paid the price of 4 miles last night. It had a dull ache after that. Luckily this morning it had died down. I guess the mile of extra jarring really didn't help my achy back.

Big Things Happening This Week

• I get my spiffy new tooth tomorrow morning. HOORAY!!!!!
• Part 2 of my PR Strategic Communications Plan gets turned in on Thursday.
• UCA Homecoming on Saturday...Woo Whoo! Can't wait to see my Alpha Sig sisters, along with lots of other fellow Bears!
• I WILL start my thesis proposal this week. It has to be done. This is my promise to start it. So there you go. I said it. So it has to happen.

How was your weekend?

What big things are happening for you this week?

Summer's Coming

Finals week is approaching, and lack of motivation is setting in to its fullest for me. I have never been so unmotivated in my life. With summer a mere 10 days away, I can't help but think about all the wonderful things that I will get to do this summer.

Here is a list of summer activities that need to happen/will happen:

• Dinners with friends
• Cooking new recipes from KevinandAmanda.com and pbfingers.com, my two most favorite recipe blogs.
• Climbing Pinnacle Mountain
• Running
• Horseback riding
• Wine tasting
• Dancing downtown
• Numerous pool days
• Reading books unrelated to school
• Writing summer blog posts with pictures of activities and recipes
• Attend Little's wedding, Carmen's wedding, and SK's wedding
• Work to earn that cash money
• Yoga classes
• Movie watching
• Flirting with cute Starbucks guy
• Laughing
• Numerous crafting projects
• Quality time with the family
• Baking sweets and treats

I'm sure there is a lot of other stuff I've left out. But you get the picture. I am so thrilled to have real FREE time that is not dedicated to school/homework. And I'm so looking forward to the time I get to read books I want to read. I have developed a long list of book as well.

• "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave: A book I started a while ago, yet never finished. :/
• "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" by Stieg Larsson: The final book in the Millennium Trilogy
• "Lover Unleased" by J.R. Ward: The next book in the Blackdagger Brotherhood series (a seriously steamy romance series that somehow I can't put down)
• "Heaven is For Real" by Todd Burpo
• "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
• "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
• "Shit My Dad Says" by Justin Halpern
• "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

And I'm sure there will be more. Now not all of these books will be read, but I do plan to make a nice dent in this list.

If you have any suggested reading or summer activities, please share. I'm always looking for something to do. Hope you have a great day. Must get cracking at this Tuesday.

Until next time...