I first ran into Lolo Jones at the Drake Relays.
I was a freshman in high school, hobbling around on crutches from a soccer injury, and my track coach decided to drag me along to the meet just so I could see what all the fuss was about. And, man alive, am I glad he did. The Drake Relays is one incredible event. But that’s beside the point.
As I was gimping around the blue track cheering on my teammates, I saw this Lolo Jones girl I’d been hearing so much about as she was stretching before her hurdle event. Like me, she was also a freshman, and I expected to her to be butch and scary and intimidating.
But Lolo was gorgeous, even then. And when she gracefully glided over those hurdles, it was truly a sight to behold.
So anyway, I’ve been girl-crushing on her for more than a decade now, and I’m thrilled to see our hometown girl on her way to qualifying for the Olympics again. Lolo has always been a bit of a media darling. She’s got the kind of face that sells newspapers and persuades people to tune in to track and field events they normally wouldn’t watch.
But this year is different.
This year it isn’t about the amazing champion. It’s about her virginity.
And I, for one, couldn’t care less. Sure, I applaud Lolo for sticking to her convictions and all that, but I hate that the media is using this to define her as a person. She’s an athlete. A survivor. A total badass. Let’s focus on that, eh?
In the meantime, I’ll be cheering on Lolo as always. I can’t wait to watch her fly over those hurdles once again. (Just watch out for that seventh hurdle, girl. You got this.) – Aidz
Warm Up.
Get your blood flowing before you turn on the speed.
No matter how long it takes, allow your body to ease into your run. On Saturday mornings, we always tease the people (you know who you are) who start out way too fast, then burn out at the turn.
It’s a skill that takes awhile to master, I admit. It’s easy to get caught up in the conversation or the energy, even when you are going it alone. It’s so nice to be outside! The sun is shining! Let’s run fast! No — slow down and feel the burn, break that first sweat and only then if you are feeling it, take off.
For me, it takes a mile, sometimes two, to get going, and I curse those miles every single time I run. But the warmup miles are essential, and they suck for all of us. Respect them, get cozy with them and revel in the fact that they don’t last very long. And once they’re over, you can settle into your rhythm and finish strong . – Amie
Women distance runners are straight up blowin’ up. A few stats for your mind grapes:
- In 1980, only 10 percent of marathon finishers in the United States were women, but in 2011, 41 percent of U.S. marathon finishers were women.
Joan Benoit wins the first women”s Olympic marathon during the 1984 Olympics at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Tony Duffy/Allsport
- In 1996, only 3,300 women registered for the Chicago Marathon. Last year, 20,300 registered, and the largest participant age group for women was 25-29 (for men, it was 40-44).
- Last year, 59 percent of half marathon finishers in the U.S. were women.
Incredible. Especially considering that 50 years ago, the longest distance women were allowed to race in the Olympics was 800 meters. They didn’t add the women’s marathon to the Olympics until 1984.
I find the Chicago Marathon numbers particularly interesting. It got me thinking, how will the numbers change as these women age? Will they stick with it? Or are these late 20-somethings flipping out about turning 30 and trying to squeeze in a marathon before they’re old and gray (sarcasm)? Tough to say.
Whatever the case may be, it feels pretty darn awesome to be a part of this generation of female runners who are stepping up to the starting line in droves. — Mags
Don’t Fear the Outdoors.
Get out of the gym, and for the love of all things holy, get off the treadmill. Going outside might seem scary and uncontrollable and revealing, but really, it’s not. It’s better out there. Be one with nature. — Aidz
“Don’t Send the Searchlights” by Gold Motel
How have I not made this the Running Song of the Week yet? This delightful ditty has been one of my go-tos for nearly two years. My bad, y’all. — Mags
Savor the Down Time.
Right now, I’m in training limbo, otherwise known as those few short weeks between when half marathon training ends and marathon training begins.
As always, I’m psyched to start marathon training, but I know what lies ahead. I know the mental and physical toll that 18 weeks of marathon training takes on me (and those around me). And that’s why I’m using these in-between weeks to coast.
It’s important to keep running a few days a week to maintain a base level of fitness, but pace and distance should be of little concern. Give your body and your mind time to rest. Go out for drinks on a weeknight or sleep in on a Saturday morning. It might be a while before you get the chance to do those things again (like, say, five months). — Mags
Consistency is Key.
Once-in-a-while running isn’t going to make it stick as a habit. You need to get moving a few times a week. Set a schedule and hold yourself accountable to it. Or, find a friend to run with that will help hold you accountable. But be realistic.
Also, going from zero running to running every day isn’t something you can realistically maintain. Shoot for a couple of runs during the week and one on the weekend. Then, it’ll be much easier to up your mileage and frequency after you’ve made running a habit. — Mags
Fit to Flatter.
Just say no.
As the weather heats up, the runners are coming out in droves. And I’m noticing more and more women who are wearing shorts that are too tight. Ladies, this is not a good look. In fact, it actually makes you look larger than you actually are.
Why would you do this to yourself?
Go up a size or two and find shorts that flatter your figure. Please, I’m begging you.
No one will know what size they are but you. — Aidz
Some people call it summer. I call it marathon training season, the most wonderful/painful time of the year.
If you’re gearing up for your first full this fall, you should be mapping out your training plan right about now. Here, I present to you a fantastic beginner program from the legendary Hal Higdon: 18 weeks of heaven and hell all wrapped up into one and culminating with 26.2 miles of memories.
Hal Higdon’s Novice 1 Marathon Training Program
Things I like about this program:
Drop-back weeks. Notice how the long runs build and then a mini-taper week is thrown in before building again. I honestly believe it is those “resting” weeks that have allowed me to stay relatively injury-free while training for my first two marathons.
Lots of rest. Even the cross-training days should be easy — a leisurely walk or bike ride or swim. Take your days off seriously. Besides, you’ll soon learn to appreciate the down time. So will your legs.
Flexibility. Because of the drop-back weeks, it’s very easy to manipulate the program to fit in races or travel or whatever you’ve got going on during your busy summer.
Again, just like the beginner’s half marathon training program I wrote about earlier this year, you won’t actually run the full distance before the race. Because that would just be insane. The last 6.2 will be a mental and physical battle like you’ve never experienced. Come race day, you’ll see what I mean.
Godspeed, Angels. — Mags
“My Roots Go Down” by the Seedy Seeds
This stellar Cincinnati band brings unbridled joy to the stage, and it comes through in their music. This song immediately lifts my mood on every listen, especially when I’m taking in the nature around me on a run. — Mags
