I was informed that today, October 24th is the official "Don't be an idiot day". an din keeping with the spirit of not being an idiot, I will give a few suggestions to not be an idiot.
Don't touch a pan with your finger to see if it is hot. That would be an idiotic thing to do. Use an ice cube dummy.
When you are frustrated with yourself for being an idiot, don't do another stupid thing like hitting yourself in the head while saying "I'm an idiot." People around you already know you are an idiot, but hitting your head just leaves you open to hurting yourself even more.
Do not use you bare arm as a landing perch for a bird of prey. It might look cool to any one observing, but for you it will hurt like no other. Don't be dumb.
Look both ways before you cross the street. If you're not an idiot, this does not apply. If you are asking yourself"Why?", then email me and I'll explain.
Remember: DON"T BE AN IDIOT!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Ready to race.
Hey Brad,
So I am going to be running my first 10k in about 3 weeks in San Antonio for Division II South Central Regionals. Do you have any advice for me, like eating and how to get ready mentally? Hook a brother up!-
Tyson Portales, NM/Morgan
Thank you for your question Tyson. Running is very near and dear to my heart. My best advice would be :"Run faster than everyone else." That is a sure way to secure a victory. Get out fast, look around you, identify the leader and stay in front of them. If you can keep the rest of the runners behind you, I am pretty confident you will win the race.
But if that is not the advice you are looking for here are a few other suggestions. First of all; don't sweat it. I know you have been training hard, and hitting your long runs. If you have done all of this, you will be just fine. There isn't a whole lot you can do after you have put in the work. That is one of the great things about running.
With it being a 10K, you need to later your pace just a little. Just don't get caught up running too slowly. If you've done your long runs you will handle the longer distance just fine. Focus on every 2 miles instead of every mile. This will keep you from focusing on the longer distance.
As far as eating, eat what you have been eating. It's no time to invent a new morning breakfast, that could leave you running to the Port-o-John instead of the finish line. Don't load of on a ton of food the night before, but make sure you get your fuel. food is your friend when you are running.
Now that you have done the work, and eaten the right food, all you need to do is the mental aspect. What is your goal. That is what you need to know. If you have no goal, it is hard to run your best. What are you trying to do? Is there a certain time? A certain place? What? Identify that and make a race plan. what are your strengths? Where can you shave off some time. Do you get out too slowly? Do you slow down in the middle of the race? Find where you can shave some time off and focus on that. If you do slow down in the middle mile or miles, focus on them. When you hit the 2 mile mark, think to yourself: "I really need to focus the next 2 or 3 miles. They are easy miles to to pick up some unwanted seconds. Runners often get in a rut during the middle mile or miles of races. Being aware of that and trying to keep out of that rut will keep you on the right track. when I run a 5K, I just try to stay steady the first mile. It's the second mile that I try to start moving up. The first and last mile usually take car of themselves. I try to keep from getting out too fast. And the last mile I'm just trying to get to the finish as quickly as possible.
So what I am saying is: Know what you are trying to accomplish, and know how you can give yourself the best opportunity to do that. Think through a few race scenarios. What if they get out really fast? What if I'm still in a pack with 800 meters to go. What if I break away? Know what you will do.
My lats piece of advice is decide where you are going to kick, and KICK there. I suggest picking somewhere that has a visual reminder. (ie, a telephone pole, a garbage ca, a side walk, etc.) Tell yourself that is the latest you will kick, NO MATTER WHAT. When you are tired you will wait until the last minute to kick. Have your body ready to kick then, no matter who tired you are. Your brain will help you out if you have decided you will do it.
In closing, remember you have done the work, so you don't have a lot to worry about. You have done everything you can control. You can't control the other stuff, so don't worry about them. You have put yourself in the best position to succeed. Find confidence in that. Everything else is just details.
Good luck pal! Let me know how you do.
So I am going to be running my first 10k in about 3 weeks in San Antonio for Division II South Central Regionals. Do you have any advice for me, like eating and how to get ready mentally? Hook a brother up!-
Tyson Portales, NM/Morgan
Thank you for your question Tyson. Running is very near and dear to my heart. My best advice would be :"Run faster than everyone else." That is a sure way to secure a victory. Get out fast, look around you, identify the leader and stay in front of them. If you can keep the rest of the runners behind you, I am pretty confident you will win the race.
But if that is not the advice you are looking for here are a few other suggestions. First of all; don't sweat it. I know you have been training hard, and hitting your long runs. If you have done all of this, you will be just fine. There isn't a whole lot you can do after you have put in the work. That is one of the great things about running.
With it being a 10K, you need to later your pace just a little. Just don't get caught up running too slowly. If you've done your long runs you will handle the longer distance just fine. Focus on every 2 miles instead of every mile. This will keep you from focusing on the longer distance.
As far as eating, eat what you have been eating. It's no time to invent a new morning breakfast, that could leave you running to the Port-o-John instead of the finish line. Don't load of on a ton of food the night before, but make sure you get your fuel. food is your friend when you are running.
Now that you have done the work, and eaten the right food, all you need to do is the mental aspect. What is your goal. That is what you need to know. If you have no goal, it is hard to run your best. What are you trying to do? Is there a certain time? A certain place? What? Identify that and make a race plan. what are your strengths? Where can you shave off some time. Do you get out too slowly? Do you slow down in the middle of the race? Find where you can shave some time off and focus on that. If you do slow down in the middle mile or miles, focus on them. When you hit the 2 mile mark, think to yourself: "I really need to focus the next 2 or 3 miles. They are easy miles to to pick up some unwanted seconds. Runners often get in a rut during the middle mile or miles of races. Being aware of that and trying to keep out of that rut will keep you on the right track. when I run a 5K, I just try to stay steady the first mile. It's the second mile that I try to start moving up. The first and last mile usually take car of themselves. I try to keep from getting out too fast. And the last mile I'm just trying to get to the finish as quickly as possible.
So what I am saying is: Know what you are trying to accomplish, and know how you can give yourself the best opportunity to do that. Think through a few race scenarios. What if they get out really fast? What if I'm still in a pack with 800 meters to go. What if I break away? Know what you will do.
My lats piece of advice is decide where you are going to kick, and KICK there. I suggest picking somewhere that has a visual reminder. (ie, a telephone pole, a garbage ca, a side walk, etc.) Tell yourself that is the latest you will kick, NO MATTER WHAT. When you are tired you will wait until the last minute to kick. Have your body ready to kick then, no matter who tired you are. Your brain will help you out if you have decided you will do it.
In closing, remember you have done the work, so you don't have a lot to worry about. You have done everything you can control. You can't control the other stuff, so don't worry about them. You have put yourself in the best position to succeed. Find confidence in that. Everything else is just details.
Good luck pal! Let me know how you do.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Skorts or No Skorts?
Hey Brad,
So I've been seeing a lot about running skirts lately and wondering if I should get one. I don't know what to think about them. Some people say they are really comfy and "flirty" and others say they aren't for the sport and a pain. I don't like skirts, but I don't like running just in my spandex. What do you think?
Mari, Kaysville
Well, I would never wear one. They are pretty feminine. I just don't think I could pull it off. In the Winter I will wear half tights. (Spandex), but I'm not so sure I could pull the whole, Skort thing off. say all you want about comfort, but I think I would be too self conscience to wear one.
As for you, well, it's your choice. I know several people who want one. Word on the street is that they are comfortable. I guess they don't ride up. So if that is an problem, get a pair.
You can always get a pair, and see what you think. If you don't like it, be glad you only bought one pair. If you do like it, be even more happy that you tried it.
I'm still into traditional running shorts. But that's what I am used to people wearing. But remember, people used to be go over the High Jump bar front wards. Now that has all changed, and you would think it was funny if someone didn't go over backwards. It's not about what other people think.
I still wear the short, split side running shorts. Why? Because I am awesome, and it is what awesome people do. And because they are by far the most comfortable, as far as I am concerned.
So take the plunge, you'll never know unless you try them out. Pretty soon all of the naysayers may be Yea-Sayer's. And they will owe their new found style to you. A day may be named after you. You could be on a stamp. A made for T.V movie could be made. "The Woman who yelled 'Skort'.; the Mari story". and the list goes on and on. But you'll never know until you head to Striders (www.stridersrunning.com) and get a pair. Tell them Brad sent you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
