I Beat the Bridge!



A pre-race photo

Can you spot the banana?

Sunday, I went on my first official run since the infamous hamstring pull just over 7 weeks ago.  I was a bit nervous beforehand, yet was pleasantly surprised because (although my leg was tight and sore) I did not experience much pain.  Halleluiah!  It was a nice way to get the momentum rolling as I transition into a more rigorous running schedule.

We participated in Beat the Bridge, a charitable fun run to support type 1 diabetes research.  The 8K(which is just under 5 miles) course was relatively flat and even included a few gradual downhill sections.  This was my kind of race! 

The objective of the run is to cross over Seattle’s University Bridge before it is raised (which is only 20 minutes into the race and approximately 2 miles from the start)—causing runners to be stranded on one side of it.   I am happy to report that everyone in our group had surpassed this point with ample time before the bridge was drawn.  My only goal had been to “beat the bridge.”  Mission accomplished.

My stats for Beat the Bridge: pace per mile= 8:29, place in my division= 73 out of 581, and place out of all female runners= 349 out of 2,745.  I certainly wasn’t #1, but I’m not complaining!

Issac passed me at mile three, and I knew I wouldn’t see him until the end of the race.  In fact, he was so far ahead of me that he had enough time to film this video of my dramatic crossing of the finish line:

 

(Just look for the only runner who has her arms up in the air.  Not sure why I always feel the need to treat each finish like a victory.  I guess I’m a firm believer in acting like a champion, even if you’re in 349^th place).

 

I’ve decided that I now have a new goal: Beat the Issac.  It’s highly unlikely that it will ever happen, but I have high aspirations. 

And now that I have determined that I am physically capable of running in a safe and responsible manner, I will continue hitting the pavement and cranking out the miles as I prepare for more enthralling fun runs in the near future…

Pondering Protein

When I recently informed a personal trainer that I was vegetarian, he expressed a great deal of concern for my well-being.  He reported that he is “100% certain” that I will “damage” my body as I continue to increase my weekly running mileage, and that I’ll eventually lack enough energy to get through the day.  I’m fairly sure his strong statement was motivated by his desire to persuade me to buy an expensive monthly supply of protein powder from him… But it got me wondering: What exactly does protein do for me?  How much protein do I need?  And, most importantly, how can I ensure that I’m getting the correct amount of it to properly fuel my body? 

I’ve found a lot of amazing resources online, and I feel reassured that I am not an unhealthy person for sticking to plant-based foods.  The No Meat Athlete and Runner's World offer great lists of staple foods that I am trying to eat each and every day (which you can find here and here).  I may succumb to powders as well, and I’ve decided that I’m OK with that.

It is my hope that such efforts will help me to feel as though I have endless energy!

“Jump” Right In

This weekend, I competed in a competitive jump rope tournament-- along with 9 kids ages 10 through 17 on the team that I coach (and lots of people of all ages from Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Canada).   This was the first jump rope tournament in which I’d participated since “retiring” from the sport in 2001.  I have recently spent a lot of time on the sidelines coaching, but I decided that it was time to “jump” into the action.

Let’s be honest.  My performance was not stellar.   I had not really practiced; my hamstring hurt horribly bad; my shirt tackily flailed about in my freestyle routine (I swear I’d tucked it in!); and my speed scores were definitely below my PR’s.  But there’s something to be said about putting yourself out there and going for it!   I hope that my jumpers gained something from watching their coach get in front of a panel of judges and give it her all as they are often forced to do; it’s certainly not easy. 

I had fans in the audience.

This is me in 30-second Single Rope Speed.   (The video starts with some pre-jump rituals.  Those were a joke).  I completed 144 jumps in 30 seconds—not bad for an “old” lady!


This is my Single Rope Freestyle routine, filmed from the back (lovely!).  I messed-up on my very first trick by completely missing a rope release (a trick that involves throwing the rope and catching it.  My rope fell directly to the ground).  Luckily, it did not become a complete train wreck!

 

If you think I’m bad for jumping with a recovering hamstring, you should watch this video of a guy who competed the entire day with a broken foot.  You will note that he completes everything (back flips and all) on one leg with his other leg in a bright yellow cast suspended in the air.  AMAZING… and slightly disturbing!

 

I got first place in all of my individual events! Granted, I am now in the 30+ age category, which is not very competitive. In fact, I was the only participant in freestyle, and some of the competitors that I beat in speed events were in their 50’s. But winning something is always nice! I cannot remember the last time I got first place in anything… so I’ll take it!! =)

Jump rope is an incredible tool for physical fitness—coordination, muscular strength, cardiovascular strength, flexibility, endurance, etc.  I hope to keep it up as I age.  Perhaps someday I’ll be competing in my 50’s and 60’s as well.