Running Down a Dream

It's no secret that running is my worst event of the Tri.  It's not that I 'hate' it, I just suck at it. I do however love the feeling I get after a good run.  I had pretty much 'retired' from running 1/2 marathons and was just focusing on what I needed just to complete Sprint Tri's, but some friends from the HSM community have influenced me to change my mind.

A couple of months ago, the trailer for the movie From Fat to Finish Line stared airing on Facebook. It's a story about 12 people who had on average each lost 100 lbs with the help of running.  They created a Ragnar Relay team and competed in the 200 mile relay race from Miami to Key West. I first heard about it when Heather interviewed Katie from Runs for Cookies on Half Size Me. She was one of the 12 and explained how one of the runners worked for a production company and decided to create a documentary about their run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCtio6BEXZg


I loved the trailer and cannot wait to see the movie, but it probably will not be out to the public until 2015.  Well Don and Bergen from the HSM community were also inspired and decided to form a team.  I was so touched that they considered me!!  Initially we were thinking of doing the same Key West Ragnar, then AZ since it is so close to me, but now we are leaning towards Cape Cod in 2015.  I'm so excited by this venue because I get to 'go home' for the event.  I grew up on the North Shore of MA and this event runs the South Shore.   This will give me the opportunity to visit with my old friends that I have not seen in a few years.

Our team name is Running Down a Dream (after the Tom Petty Song - it is now on my ipod!).  Don recruited Rik, who co founded From Fat to Finish Line.  Then Carly from the original team also joined. I invited my sister Vicki.  Then Rudy, Mary, Dani, and Dacia joined.  We have 10 confirmed and a couple still deciding. Soon we will have our full roster.

So now, I am focusing on my running.  I realized that I suck at it because I am not doing it right. My biggest problem is my breathing. So, I've been checking out some YouTube vids to see how I can improve. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5HJDsZYvWo

My favorite site is Everyman Triathlon.  They have some great running vid like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq5XWcIcGNE

One of the easiest aspect that I corrected was my cadence.  I shorted my stride and increased my cadence to around 88 per min. I can totally feel a difference. The breathing will take some time, but the more running I do, the more I will improve.

I'm doing treadmill running 3 times a week to focus on form and then running outside twice a week.  I'm still swimming twice a week because as you know, I LOVE swimming.  I'm taking a break from my bike after my last Tri of the season on June 8th.   I also decide to come out of 'retirement' from 1/2 marathons to do the Phoenix Half next Feb.  The training will prepare me for Ragnar in May and it's all downhill!  Who doesn't like running down hill?  Not this runner girl!