Category Archives for "running"

My Running Gait Analysis with Tracy Peal Speed

By Janelle @ Run With No Regrets | review , running

After all of the issues I’ve had with running shoes over the past year, I keep thinking that if I can just get my running form correct, everything will fall into place.

So I’ve finally been able to get my running gait analyzed by a professional!  Kim, my physical therapist, set me up to participate in a gait analysis session at Novacare as part of a lecture being held by Mr. Tracy Peal of Tracy Peal Speed.  He is an expert on biomechanics and provides coaching to all kinds of athletes.

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Hometown Running

By Janelle @ Run With No Regrets | running

There’s no place like home, as the old saying goes. This past weekend I was back in my hometown of Buffalo, New York for a high school band reunion. My boyfriend was kind enough to come along for the ride.

I was able to show him around town and give him a taste of the place where I spent almost 18 years of my life.  I got all warm and fuzzy when I showed him my old high school, and the park next door where we used to run around at track practice.

On Sunday we went for a run down to the waterfront.  I have so many memories of going there as a kid, mostly on school field trips.  My mom gave us directions to get there and within 15 minutes, there it was!

Down by the marina…nothing here has changed!

As we ran for about a mile or so, I decided we should just walk.  My GPS was acting up and I was getting frustrated.  But the walk was so calming as we were able to just unwind a bit.  It was so quiet out there!  Buffalo is nothing like Philly on an Sunday morning.  It was so refreshing.

I’ve been practicing improving my form.  My boyfriend says I swing my arms too much when I run, which may be causing some of my issues.  So now I’ve been consciously keeping my arms closer to my sides.  Uncomfortable, but necessary.

Most of the time, I’m WAY too hard on myself when it comes to running.  The reason I named this blog “Run With No Regrets” is because it is a philosophy that I strive to follow.  I’ve had a lot of challenges along the way with running, and as I struggle, I have to remember how far I’ve come.

Things aren’t perfect right now…not even close.  My knees still pop all the time, my new shoes may be too much of a change for my feet (constant arch pain), and it feels like it takes more and more effort each time I go to run.  But I can’t have any regrets, and I won’t give up.  I love to run, and I want that love to manifest…so as advised by my bf, I will take more time to run gadget-free:  no watches, no Runkeeper.  Use the time to reflect, to escape, not to hit a quota for the week.

Attitude is everything, and hard work always pays off.  It is worth it.  No regrets!

Reaching for that Perfect Run

By Janelle @ Run With No Regrets | running

Everyone has to agree that the best feeling as a runner is when you have the “perfect run”.  Everything gels:  your pace is solid, your legs feel strong and not heavy, and nothing can stop you…you feel your hard work paying off and you have no regrets! For me, this week has been the first in a VERY long time where I felt those perfect moments.

Last Saturday morning we had our regular Running Club run.  My boyfriend, my coworker and I ran together on our usual route, aiming for about 4 miles.  For once, the weather was working for us and just felt “perfect”.   And also for once, I was able to keep up with the boys beyond the first mile and a half.  I even passed them a couple of times! 

Here were my splits on Saturday:

• Mile 1:  11:27
• Mile 2:  11:02
• Mile 3:  10:51
• Mile 4:  10:41
• Mile 5:  10:06

Negative splits???!  This never happens.  I’ve been chilling at 12 minute miles for some time now, so I’m genuinely surprised that I pulled this off!  While I felt good, I did push myself.  I kept telling myself to keep going as I listened to each footfall, somehow moving faster with each mile.  I’m just really proud of myself…I’m finally seeing results and I couldn’t be happier!

I ran on Monday too, just on the treadmill for my usual gym workout.  I kept a flat incline and gradually increased the pace until reaching about 11 min/mile.   I’ve kind of fallen off the burpee challenge, but I did my usual lunges, hip strengthening, and ab work.

Then on Tuesday I had another Running Club run, this time with one of our new members for about 2 miles.  I don’t know what pipe we were smoking, but we started off REALLY FAST (for us).  We were at 10.5 min/mile pace within the first half mile.  It was craaazy!  We had to walk for about a quarter mile after that for his sake, then pick back up.  I was actually bummed because my legs were feeling great!  But I was glad to be there with him, and we had a good time.

I’m starting to feel like I’m back in the groove again!  I do have some imperfections that I will probably dedicate entries to (new pain in both arches), but so far, so good!

Hello!

By Janelle @ Run With No Regrets | blogging , running

This is my inaugural post here at “Run With No Regrets”.  Welcome!  I really look forward to sharing my experiences as I run, try new workouts and get healthier and stronger.  But most of all, I’m excited about learning from my readers, so I hope to gain some followers along the way!

So who am I, and what I am up to?  To learn about me and my running so far, check out My Journey and My Races.  Right now, I’m working on building up my mileage to 10 miles a week.  I’m also in the middle of a month long Burpee Challenge which has been pretty tough!

Yesterday I FINALLY bought a new pair of running shoes.  The running store, Rittenhouse Sports Specialities, was recommended by a friend, and I’m so glad I went.  The owner is awesome and very honest about the shoe industry.  After trying to become a forefoot runner, I absolutely agree with her that it does more harm than good messing with your running form.  I lost 5 good months of running because of it, but I digress…

I tried on maybe 6 pairs of shoes, ran around the store with them, and really took my time.  I was torn between a pair of Saucony and Asics, but went with the Asics GT-2000’s.  They’re so pretty!  I’m just nervous because I really want these shoes to work for me.  Wearing the right running shoes is SO important!

Asics GT-2000’s…my new shoes!

My next post will be about my first run with the new shoes!  I look forward to hearing your insights  Thanks for reading, and please comment and say hello! Cheers!