So I was looking at my blog and I realized there isn’t much to do on my blog! Also, I’m not posting nearly as much as I want to. So here’s a quick little experiment I would like you guys to try out; I made a poll! Pretty simple I believe, and I really do want your opinions! Comment and let me know how it goes! Thanks!!!
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I have a real short post today, but I want to express how excited I am. It is FINALLY March 5th! For me and many of my classmates, this marks the beginning of our 2012 track season! I am so excited, I came to school in my running tights and livestrong shorts. I am really determined and I have a feeling this is going to be the best season yet, at least personally. My senior year and second year as track captain, I am going to kick butt on the track this year!
Before I go, here’s one of my favorite exercise shirts that gives me some motivation.
Blog ya later!
Merry Christmas!
I know what you’re thinking. It’s February! Well since I have such a large family, some of us wait until late January to have our own little family Christmas. It’s tons of fun and pretty relaxed after the crazy Christmas season.
So at said family christmas, my aunt got me a sick pair of shoes. But not just any shoes, but Toms! For those of you who don’t know what Toms are, it’s this amazing company that makes awesome shoes that are made of vegan and recycled material. AND for every pair of shoes purchased from them, Toms donates a pair of new shoes to a child in need. How totally awesome is that? They always say it is better to give than to receive(well I like both).
I absolutely LOVE these shoes! And that is a compliment I used to save for my running shoes 
according to my shoe box, the metallic dots are hand drawn, which makes them even cooler in my opinion.
I DEFINITELY recommend Toms. They are comfortable, stylish, environmentally friendly and beneficial to others. Can any of your other shoes boast that?
I thought not.
Blog ya later!
Wowie, I have not been on my blog in about a month! I have been super busy with work, school, and babysitting that I totally forgot about it! Please forgive me!
So, as you can see, I am here to write about an event called #FreeToTweet. If you haven’t heard about it, listen up! If you have a Twitter account, which I HIGHLY recommend, and you are in highschool or college, you can participate in the event! On December 15 (That’s tomorrow!) you can tweet about how much you love your first amendment rights and include #FreeToTweet somewhere in there, you are automatically put into the running for a $5000 scholarship! Amazing, right??? I will be participating in this awesome event and I’m hoping I win 1 of the 22 scholarships. I already have a few tweets planned out and I think they are pretty good, if I do say so myself!
I love the first amendment; it may just be one of the most important amendments we have! So show your pride and join in! #FreeToTweet!
Blog ya later!
You’ve probably heard about the minimalist running craze that spiked in the last couple of years. If you have not, let me fill you in. Minimalism is running in the least amount of shoe you can manage in order to strengthen the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the foot, improve your balance, feel more grounded and even teach your body to run properly. Although some people protest this method stating that it is counter-productive to the running process, this movement has caught fire in and outside the running world.
I know a few people who own the popular Vibram Five Finger shoes and I have only heard positive comments about them. They say that the finger shoes are comfortable and versatile for any activity. Even in Cross Country and Track, I have had many people tell me how great this shoe feels and that they enjoy wearing them for races. Many have even made the comment that it’s like a “second skin” for their feet.
According to their website, the Vibram KSO is the most popular five-finger shoe they sell. If you are looking for a shoe that improves your natural running stride the most, that would be the Vibram Bikila. You can check out their website for sizes and categories.
BE AWARE OF FRAUDS! The Vibram Five Finger shoe has become a much sought after design and some people have began imitating it and slapping Vibram’s logo on it. Do your research! Don’t encourage them!
“Like barefoot only better.” Have you ever heard that saying before? Well you have if you have seen the New Balance Minimus commercials for their light minimalist shoes. The Minimus design comes in styles for cross training, trails, roads and for everyday life. I don’t know anyone with these shoes yet but I read that they are very versatile.
There are many other minimalist shoe companies such as Merrell, Nike and Saucony to name a few. This minimalist movement is more than just a fad, this is a new generation in running!
I am thinking about buying a pair of minimalist shoes, but I don’t know what kind I would wear or if I would like them. If any of you own a pair of minimalist shoes, I would love to hear your comments!
Blog ya later!
I have had this blog for a few months now and I believe that I have come a long way. To think that merely 2 months ago, this blog didn’t even exist! Now I have followers, I follow others and I even have Twitter and a Facebook page for this blog! (Twitter: @AlexRunner27 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Runner-A-Dying-Breed/192846117456326?sk=wall)
When you really think about it though, my little blog barely makes a blip on the radar. I’m not being negative, I’m just being honest. Who knows or cares about Alex Turner, XC and Track and Field runner? Or her blog? Or Facebook page? Or Twitter? I’m presuming not a whole lot of people. Even though I want to, I don’t make that much of a difference in the world.
However, there are people who do make an impact. Some are nationally known while others are known only in the internet world, but they all make a difference. These people are listened to and followed, whether they are dead or alive. Some are actors, some are political figures, others are athletes or teachers. From George Washington to Martin Luther King Jr to Bill Gates, these people have been revered through history. We view them as visionaries.
The people I am going to talk about may not be historical icons, but they have made a difference in the athletic world and I believe they deserve recognition for it.
- Paula Radcliffe
- Runners World
- Thad McLaurin
All three happen to be on Twitter and they reach out to their followers. Paula, current women’s marathon record with her time of 2:15:25 hours, is a huge inspiration for women everywhere(http://www.paularadcliffe.com/). Runners World is a magazine for runners with tips on healthy eating, exercise and, of course, running!(http://www.runnersworld.com/) Thad McLaurin is a long distance runner with a blog, RunnerDude’s Blog, and owner of RunnerDude’s Fitness in Greensboro, North Carolina(http://www.runnerdudesfitness.com/About_RunnerDude.html).
They all have something in common; Social Networking. Each has websites and social network accounts like Twitter to stay in touch with their readers. These particular people mostly talk about running, the main focus for most of their readers since they are known either as runners or for reliable running information. Not only do these people talk about running, but they connect with a wider spectrum of readers by talking about things in most people’s everyday life, outside of sports. This entices more readers to frequent the sites and networks. These people tend to keep their posts and tweets fairly short so they keep their readers entertained while still delivering the wanted information. Although Thad and Paula aren’t as frequent as would be preferred, they still have favorable sites and many loyal readers and followers.
I would definitely recommend checking these people out because they are completely worth it.
Blog ya later!
After a lot of consideration, I have decided that I’m going to take a break from training for about a week or two. This will give me enough time to recover from my Cross Country season. Also, this will let me indulge during Halloween, which I would not be able to resist anyways. Hence, the huge picture of Domo with candy corn, aka my favorite Halloween candy!
This post isn’t about candy, although I could go on all day about how much I love it. No, this is about healthy food! I don’t want to drag on and on about this, so I’m doing this in lists, so get your pens ready!
Here are some need-to-know quick tips about your diet. First, you should have more than 3 meals a day! Throughout the day you need to be eating. This keeps your metabolism constantly working and revives your energy. Multiple small meals is way easier on your body than a few large meals. Second, once in a while, you can give in to your temptations! I believe that this is the main reason diets don’t work; people torture themselves by quitting unhealthy foods cold turkey. You can still enjoy these foods in small quantities every once in a great while, just don’t make it a regular thing.
Also, a rule from James Beckerman, M.D. Your food should follow the 2-4-8 rule; try to have 20 grams of protein, less than 400 calories and less than 800 mg of sodium.
Now let’s get going!
BREAKFAST FOOD:
- Whole-grain toast (I love it with homemade strawberry jelly!)
- Eggs
- Oats
- Juice (Cranberry, apple, orange, whatever!)
- Fruit!
- decaf coffee (If you can’t live without coffee)
SNACKS(Make sure these are frequent, small portions):
- Quaker Mini Delights 90 calorie pack (I’m a big fan of the caramel)
- Fiber One bars (GREAT variety)
- Popcorn (plain please! Actually really good!)
- Trail mix
- Sardines (good on crackers)
- Vegetables (carrots, celery, etc.)
- Fruit! (Apples with a tablespoon of peanut butter adds some protein!)
- Yogurt
FAST FOOD(Yes, you can have it!):
- McDonald’s: Side salad with or without low-fat Italian dressing
- McDonald’s: Grilled Chicken Snack wrap with or without dressing
- Noodles&Co: bowls with whole grain noodles
- Chipotle: Burrito bowls
- Subway: 6 inch, wheat bread, roast beef (easy on the dressing. Veggies!)
LUNCH/DINNER:
- Progresso soup (Personal favorite! So many flavors and on Weight Watchers system)
- Healthy Choice Steamers
- Salmon (Super food!)
- Lean Cuisine
- Smart Ones
Before I let you go, I want to expel a popular myth; Microwavable meals can’t be healthy or help you lose weight. WRONG! In fact, the opposite is true. Thanks to the predetermined portions and limited calories (if you choose the right meals), they can actually help with weight loss! So reconnect with your frozen food section!
So take these next few weeks to enjoy you Halloween treats before kick-starting your tasty new diet! Blog ya later!
In case you didn’t get the hint, I’m talking about Shakira!
She is my role model, my inspiration, my goal! When I am training, trying to get into shape, it’s her body that keeps me strong(as strange as that sounds). More than once I have admitted that I would kill for her body…not really, but you know what I mean. Come on, look at those abs!
Amazing right? (If you want more pictures of chicks with amazing abs, go to http://absgirls.wordpress.com/) Not only does an awesome pack of abs make you look great, but they are super important for pretty much any sport, even running! A strong core increases your balance, stability and your over-all strength. Your core is all the muscles that make up your midsection. This means that your core isn’t only made up of your abdominal, but the muscles in your back, sides and hips(remember, Shakira’s hips don’t lie! She worked hard for that body!).
When I think of Shakira, I think of positive self-image and self-confidence. Well, that and great abs. Those are qualities that I am striving for, so having a role model like Shakira to work for will help me in my journey. Everyone needs an inspiration that pushes them to better themselves, and Shakira does that for me with her great physical health and her music.
I am sad to report that I am officially in the off-season. So, yesterday, I began planning my off-season training! I am very excited despite the funny looks I have received from fellow classmates, especially @sam13ripp(He’s a fellow classmate in my internet publishing class and a member of the Cross Country team, so go look him up!).
I know that taking good care of yourself is essential for any athlete and also for simply living a healthy lifestyle. Keeping this in mind, I would like to share my plans with you, my beloved readers. I will show you my inspirations, my meal plans and my workout regimen. These three things are extremely important when trying to get into shape, but not the only things.
There is one thing that I always have an extremely hard time doing, but is a huge part of good health;
I can’t get enough sleep!
This is one of the biggest reasons people get sick so often, get so stressed or never seem to have enough energy. I am guilty of this in the worst degree. High school students are under a lot of stress, believe it or not. Especially the senior year; AP courses, college applications, sports, activities, part-time jobs, we’re a mess! Sleep can take the edge off…if you can get enough of it.
So that is part one of this health-kick series. I’ll be back with more tomorrow. Blog ya later!
The title is little bit of a dead give-away to what this post will be about, don’t you think? I’ve never been known for my subtlety. What’s the point if no one gets it but you?
Also, I am apologizing in advance for the lengthiness of this post, but I hope you will stick with it until the end. Please and thank-you!
ANYWAYS…
I know there are a lot of haters out there who don’t like Twitter, but most of those haters have never even tried Twitter! And as our parents have always told us, you can’t hate something if you have never tried it(That’s how my parents got me to eat Brussel sprouts, and now I love them!). So, to all of the haters reading this; Shut your mouth and open the web browser! Go to Twitter and get signed up, then follow me at @AlexRunner27 or press the follow button under my “Tweet! Tweet!” column on the right side of this page. Cute, huh? Widgets can do such amazing things!
While on Twitter, I have come across some pretty awesome people! Some are hilarious, others are extremely truthful and a few are a little of both. I could go on all day about all the great people on Twitter, but I REALLY doubt you want to read all that! So I have chosen 5 accounts that I feel are a must to follow. Not only are these people runners, but they are also bloggers! Yes, I have finally found my kin! Granted, they are a million times more successful and insightful than I, but I’ll get there eventually…I hope.
So here’s my fabulous five and why you better follow them;
- @ultrarunnergirl – http://ultrarunnergirl.blogspot.com/
- @RunEricRun – http://runericrun.blog.com/
- @sprintingsalina - http://breathlessrunner.wordpress.com/
- @Coupleontherun – http://www.coupleontherun.com
- @JenZenator – http://jenzenator.blogspot.com/
So first and foremost, @ultrarunnergirl. She was one of the first people I followed and also one of the first to follow me back! (Thanks @ultrarunnergirl, big boost for me!) I can honestly say that her blog is my favorite. She has so much insight and good advice, there’s almost too much to take in! Not only is she honest, but extremely inspirational. She makes me want to run, run and never stop! Please check it out, it’s really good. Thank you @ultrarunnergirl for being an amazing role model for my running and my blogging!
Next up is @RunEricRun. What first grabbed my attention was his Twitter picture; covered in mud and a huge smile on his face. He reminded me that running is FUN! This fact tends to escape a lot of runners, including me. His enthusiasm is contagious and spontaneous, an attitude my running life has been missing. He was also very nice and commented on myblog, which I was not expecting, but was very much appreciated(It made me feel like a real blogger, like the people I follow, so thank you!). Kudos @RunEricRun! Keep up that spirit!
This next person is very unique and I feel blessed to have found her, blog/Twitter. This one’s to you @sprintingsalina! Her story is one of struggles and triumph as a victim of asthma. She made the life-altering decision to stop nurturing the asthma and fight back; she became a runner. No one thought she could do it, but she knew it was what she had to do and she’s still going strong! I have exercise-enduced asthma and only started using an inhaler this year. My asthma is not nearly as severe as hers, but I can relate to the helpless feeling of being breathless.You’re my hero @sprintingsalina! Stay strong!
The story of @Coupleontherun is truly special. Their motto “Go further together” could not be more true for this couple. It absolutely melts my heart to see this couple unite in running and enjoy something together. Want to know how they got the name “couple on the run?” They ran 8 marathons in 8 countries in 8 weeks, side by side the whole time. If that doesn’t say love, I don’t know what does. Truly memorable, so go check them out!
Certainly not least, but last on my list is @JenZenator. The reason I love her Twitter/blog is simple; she makes me laugh! She isn’t running obsessed or training for insane amounts of time, but she’s being a regular person who has the urge to run and acts on it, a remarkable feat for anyone! She is random and hilarious and her blog so cute! It can also be serious at times and address problems I know that a lot of runners face and is supportive because she’s gone through it too. Great blog, great runner, great person!
It’s been a long post, but thanks for reading! These people deserve a lot better representation than I can deliver, so check them out for yourself! I guarantee that you will not regret it! Who knows, you might even get hooked on running and blogging, just like us!
Blog ya later!
