Jamie « Fit Approach

Author Archive for Jamie

A big finish: Armstrong Redwoods 50K race recap

posted by Jamie in Fitness on May 6, 2013

As many of you already know, I am attempting my second 100 miler in less than 2 weeks (eeeek!!!). I’ve been getting in as many solid training runs and races as I can possibly squeeze into my already hectic, non-stop schedule and am feeling pretty decent about where I’m at with my training. On Saturday, I completed my last long run before the big race weekend: the Armstrong Woods 50K.

My whole reason for signing up for the race was because it was taking place in one of the most amazing, beautiful parks I have ever had the pleasure of running and hiking in and of course the fact that I love Guerneville, the cute little Russian River Valley town where the park resides…oh and let’s not forget how much I love Boon (the delicious restaurant where we ate both our pre and post race meals).

When I signed up, I didn’t anticipate just how hot it might be. Or really remember just how steep the climbs are through the park. I figured it was one last, casual training run. And boy was I wrong! It was not only blazing hot but also a super technical, super steep course. It was also super beautiful, untouched or “primitive” as the race director pointed out a few times. Parts of the trail were so heavily overgrown with big, beautiful wildflowers and weeds that it was almost like running out of bounds. I also loved the fact that we got to jump in the creek a few times – there were more than a few water crossings where there was nowhere to step but in!

The 50K course was the 30K + 17K + TBD. On my final loop (the 17K), I was on round two of the steepest, hottest climb and it was only steeper and hotter than it had previously been and thought how nice it would be to dunk my head in the creek. At the very next water crossing, I found myself stripping off my hydration pack and jumping in, dunking my head, my hat and my entire body into the small creek. It felt amazing. By the time I was out and back on the trail, we were descending back down towards the finish area. On the final 2.5 miles to the finish before the TBD 1.6 miles I passed what I figured must have been the first female. After realizing that, it was balls to the wall. I made my way swiftly down the hill, got instructions for the TBD part of the course and literally sprinted the last 1.6 flat miles around the base of the Redwoods. I was so tired and so done in by the heat that the minute I had both feet across the finish line, I got down on all fours and totally puked. I heard people saying, “great job, you’re the first female..oooohhhh” as they look over and see me crouched over and puking. Oops.

For more on this race, check out my race recap video:

2 Comments

Tags: fit, fitness, healthy, marathons, racing, racing in the heat, runner's, running, sweatguru, sweatpink, sweatpossible, training for ultras, ultra marathon, ultra running, women who run

It’s going to be a hot one: how to prepare for a HOT race day

posted by Jamie in Fitness, Personal life on May 3, 2013

Pin It

I’ve been sitting here all day staring out the window thinking about how nice the weather has been. I’ve made a point to get up and walk outside as often as possible to soak it all in. And I’m pinching myself thinking about how insanely HOT it has been. For those of you who live or have lived in San Francisco, you probably know that we don’t typically have hot weather. At best, we get slightly warm. It’ll be like high 60′s and everyone’s busting out sandals. This week, it has been plain HOT. Sandals, shorts and tank tops are a must.

And while I’m enjoying the extra dose of Vitamin D immensely, I’m also starting to freak out. I have a 50K race on Saturday and the temps are supposedly going to be in the 90′s. I’ve run parts of the course before and know there is a lot of exposure — in fact, there are a LOT of exposed steep climbs. Yipppeeee. Right?

I’ve run hot races before and I know that it takes a huge toll on me both mentally and physically. I actually had my very first ever DNF on a very hot race day. So I’ve been a little nervous that this weekend’s race is going to be far from fun. Granted its my last training race before the big 100 mile race in a few weeks. Granted, we’ll be racing on one of my most favorite trails in one of my most favorite and memorable parks (Armstrong Woods – Redwoods in the Russian River Valley). But oh, this HEAT. For most of the day, I’d find myself drifting from yay sunshine to ahhhhhh sunshine! And then I realized, I’ve done this before. And running in the heat, just like running in the rain or the cold, requires a little preparation.

Here’s what I’m going to do to battle the heat:

Slow my roll: Yup, I’m going to totally slow it down. I’m not out there to set course records. I’m not even out there to do my ultimate BEST ever. I’m out there to train for my upcoming 100 miler. And the only thing that’s going to be in my way of finishing the 31 miles and putting in my last real long training run before the 100 is the heat. I’m going to go slow. I’m going to tell myself that starting now and on repeat all day Saturday until I’ve crossed the finish line.
Hydrate: I’m going to drink water the same way I often get down with a good bottle of wine.:) No but seriously, I started yesterday and plan to keep it up right up through race day. I’m going to stay hydrated on the course as well and will drink early, drink often. Saying it now and it’s on repeat: drink, drink, drink.
Sport a hat: I don’t love wearing hats (unless they are of the cowboy variety) but I don’t like feeling hot and sick even more. I’m going to wear a hat and soak it at the aid stations. Keeping my head and face cool will help keep my body cool, calm and collected.
BREATHE!: Lastly, I’m going to be sure to breathe. I’m going to channel my inner yogi and take big gulps of air. Inhaaaaaalllleeee and exxxhhhaaaaalllllle. Seriously, though. Big belly breaths will help keep me calm and my body from working harder than necessary. Gotta keep it cool, ya’ll.

What are your fave tips for running in the heat? #SweatPink Power!

1 Comment

Tags: fitness, healthy, how to hydrate for an ultra marathon, hydration, jamiewalker19, running in the heat, sweatguru, sweatpink, sweatpossible, ultra marathons, women who run

Preventing Side Aches

posted by Jamie in Fitness, Personal life on Apr 2, 2013

Pin It

You’re running at a good pace, your legs are feeling strong, and you’re feeling totally and completely unstoppable and then suddenly you feel a dull ache under your ribs. You continue to run despite the pain but it keeps getting worse and worse until you feel like you might double over. You stop running and clutch your side, gently massaging the area and taking in big gulps of air hoping that it will go away. Only it doesn’t. So what do you do?

I got an email from a fellow runner asking if I had any tips or tricks on preventing and dealing with side aches while running. I did my best to give her some tips and thought back to times where I had dealt with side aches. And then it occurred to me that I should bring my question to the experts. I asked the SweatPink ladies what do to prevent and get rid of those pesky side aches and here’s what I found:

Pre Workout Fueling: Make sure you fuel properly. For longer races / runs, I usually eat at least 2 hours beforehand and then having something small right before I go. I do the same with my hydration. I drink a lot of water the night before and the morning of and try to take small sips of water leading up to my workout. For some tips on what to drink before the race, read my article on SweatGuru.
Warm-Up: @MarielleBurch from FitGirlInAPrettyWorld recommends warming up gradually and steadily increasing your pace (workout) as you go. @JennyMaier from Chicks Like Sports Too also highlights the importance of not only warming up your body but also your breath.
Breathe In, Breathe Out: @JennyMaier from Chicks Like Sports Too recommends that you not only warm up your body, but also your breath. She says to prevent side cramps, she has to regulate her breathing. @Momwhotris from Just a Mom Who Tris said if you get a cramp, try to push it out lamaze breathing style. Pusssshhhhh it out!
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate (but not too much): It’s important to not only regulate hydration pre race but also during. @KatieHeddleston recommends not drinking too much prior to a race or workout and I say drink small sips as you go. Taking in too much all at once will cause cramps and that uncomfortable sloshing feeling.
Throw Your Hands Up!: @janieliz19 takes a tip from asthmatics and says throw your arms up in the air and breathe. She said it will open your lungs and therefore help you to massage that cramp right out. Makes me realize just how important yoga can be for running!
Massage: @SuperGenericGal from Super Generic Gal recommends taking a walking break when a cramp comes on and massaging it out. This has worked for me in the past as well and highly recommend it if you weren’t able to prevent it from coming on!