Are we born to run, or do we have to learn how to? Most people take it for granted that they can just start running when they want it.
There are so many running programs out there telling you how much and how far you should run, but not many to tell you how to acually run. There is a reason why we get shin splints, bad knees, bad hips, bad backs (list goes on and on). Then there are the questions of what shoes, does the suface that I run on make a difference, how does my eating and drinking play a role in setting me up for a better run and recovery. What about stretching, what does stretching do for me, before or after or both? There are so many qestions out there, and on Saturday July 31st, I'll do my best to answer them.
I have run since as far back as I can remember. I played soccer like every other Swedish kid, and then I ran track when I got tired of soccer. Running has been a big part of my life, and I worked hard on improving my running form. We all "can" run, the question is can you run properly? If you think that you could benefit from some of my many years of running experience, please join me for a running "talk" on Saturday. I look forward to seeing you at Sports Basement in Sunnyvale. Come for the chat, stay for some shopping (20% off for all of the MichRoFit registered guests) and stay further for some snacks and beverages!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Tri and tri again!
And then the day of the big race was here. All the things were neatly packed and ready to go. If you have ever done an early morning race before, you know that you don't want to mess with things when you wake up. Everything went just as planned, no traffic, parking was easy, and set up was fast. I was ready to go!
I started my warm up and then the nerves kicked in. My stomach got a bit upset, but nothing too bad. After all, it was more than a year since my last triathlon. I got my wetsuit on and got into the water. I swam for a while just to get used to the water. The moments before the horn sounds are nerve-wracking. Your hwER is racing and you start thinking, what if .... and then you hear the horn and you start swimming like you are Mike Phelps. After the first 5 strokes my goggles filled with water and I had to stop to empty them, and then again and again. I tried everything to make them work like they had done every other time, and nothing worked. Water kept splashing in my eyes, and I kept cursing. The water level in Almaden lake was very low so we had to do a 2 loop swim of 750m each. After I got out of the water from the first lap I had somewhat given up on the swim, but tried one last time to fix the goggles, and jumped in the water for the second lap. To my amazement, the goggles didn't leak! I finished the second lap strong. The transition to the bike went well except that my timing chip broke off. I tossed it inside my suit and kept going. The bike ride felt very good. I had told myself before the race that I was not going to burn all of my legs on the ride, but actually save some for the run this time. My biggest enemy has been cramping in the past, and this time was no different. At mile 11 on the bike my right hipflexor started acting up. After spending 30 minutes tucked down on the areobars, my poor hipflexor had had enough. I slowed down and did some stretching while on the bike, and eventually it got better. I finished the ride without any animal attacks this time (see blog about the deer), and went on to have a pretty fast transition. With plenty left in the tank I took off for the run. My body felt better than ever after a bike ride, and now it was just a fight against the sun and my cramps. I made sure to drink a lot on the bike, but after 2 miles the cramps started to tickle. I only stopped once when my hamstrings got really bad. I streched for a few seconds and was able to divert a potential hamstring seize. After that I ran like the wind, at 15 min. mile tempo. Not really! I ran the whole way after that, and as a reward Rowe greeted me at the finish line with a big smile! I finished!!!
So, what's next? I think a few days of rest is in order, and then... The Big Kahuna! The body held up and I felt good. The only logical step is a half IM in September :) Follow my journey to my ultimate goal of becoming an Iron Man!!
I started my warm up and then the nerves kicked in. My stomach got a bit upset, but nothing too bad. After all, it was more than a year since my last triathlon. I got my wetsuit on and got into the water. I swam for a while just to get used to the water. The moments before the horn sounds are nerve-wracking. Your hwER is racing and you start thinking, what if .... and then you hear the horn and you start swimming like you are Mike Phelps. After the first 5 strokes my goggles filled with water and I had to stop to empty them, and then again and again. I tried everything to make them work like they had done every other time, and nothing worked. Water kept splashing in my eyes, and I kept cursing. The water level in Almaden lake was very low so we had to do a 2 loop swim of 750m each. After I got out of the water from the first lap I had somewhat given up on the swim, but tried one last time to fix the goggles, and jumped in the water for the second lap. To my amazement, the goggles didn't leak! I finished the second lap strong. The transition to the bike went well except that my timing chip broke off. I tossed it inside my suit and kept going. The bike ride felt very good. I had told myself before the race that I was not going to burn all of my legs on the ride, but actually save some for the run this time. My biggest enemy has been cramping in the past, and this time was no different. At mile 11 on the bike my right hipflexor started acting up. After spending 30 minutes tucked down on the areobars, my poor hipflexor had had enough. I slowed down and did some stretching while on the bike, and eventually it got better. I finished the ride without any animal attacks this time (see blog about the deer), and went on to have a pretty fast transition. With plenty left in the tank I took off for the run. My body felt better than ever after a bike ride, and now it was just a fight against the sun and my cramps. I made sure to drink a lot on the bike, but after 2 miles the cramps started to tickle. I only stopped once when my hamstrings got really bad. I streched for a few seconds and was able to divert a potential hamstring seize. After that I ran like the wind, at 15 min. mile tempo. Not really! I ran the whole way after that, and as a reward Rowe greeted me at the finish line with a big smile! I finished!!!
So, what's next? I think a few days of rest is in order, and then... The Big Kahuna! The body held up and I felt good. The only logical step is a half IM in September :) Follow my journey to my ultimate goal of becoming an Iron Man!!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
One week to go!
Next Sunday at this time I'll hopfully be sitting with my feet up and a big smile on my face. With only one week to go I feel ready to give it all I got. My times have shown that I'm going in the right direction. The other day I had the fastest 22 mile ride of my life, and it felt easy. This week will be light with some test races to get the body ready to swim, bike and run fast. Last year I did it in 2.42.59, so that is the time to beat. For you who want to be there and see me getting really "challenged", I'll finish around 10:30 AM July 18th at lake Almaden. See you there!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Humble pie!
With the triathlon around the corner I have stepped up my training yet again. Last week I got my first long (10 miles) run in. I also managed some 45 min swims, and a couple of 25 mile rides including a tire change. This will be my last hard week of training before tapering off next week. Yesterday, I chickend out on an open water swim after getting in the freezing Santa Cruz water. Today, after watching a very inspiring documetary about last year's triathlon world champioships in Kona, I swam 1500m and ran 10 miles.
Now, it might sound like I'm ready to take on the world, but the truth is that I just had a long road to get to this point. The leader of the group that I ride with alway tells them about me being this great athlete, and then they just leave me in the dust. Sometimes it's good to get a reality check, it makes you humble. Throughout life we tend to surround ourselves with people that make us feel good about ourselves. Every now and then it's good to step out of that comfort zone and see what's possible, try something new. That's what I have done with triathlon.
Now, it might sound like I'm ready to take on the world, but the truth is that I just had a long road to get to this point. The leader of the group that I ride with alway tells them about me being this great athlete, and then they just leave me in the dust. Sometimes it's good to get a reality check, it makes you humble. Throughout life we tend to surround ourselves with people that make us feel good about ourselves. Every now and then it's good to step out of that comfort zone and see what's possible, try something new. That's what I have done with triathlon.
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