Category Archives: Running

IRUNLIKEAGIRL…do you?

Images for IRUNLIKEAGIRL shoot of Jennifer Hellickson

What do you get when you mix a few friends with great active apparel, a camera, some flattering lighting and bit of running and biking around the most scenic spots in San Francisco?

Well, if you’re me (aka the one doing the running and biking; that Twin Peaks hill is no joke), the answer is ‘pretty sweaty’ — otherwise the result is a really fun and hopefully inspiring photo shoot for IRUNLIKEAGIRL women’s activewear.

Kelly McCloskey, a friend and creative director of the brand, teamed up with the fabulous duo of Cody and Natalie at C+N Creative to catch me in action while training for my first Olympic triathlon. Check out the write-up on it here.

Images for IRUNLIKEAGIRL shoot of Jennifer Hellickson

But I also decided to turn the tables on Kelly and interview her here so you can get to know her brand and the incredible dedication and passion she brings to every hand-picked piece in the line.

We caught up recently, and here are a few of her thoughts on the importance of friends, fitness and female empowerment when it comes to both getting active and getting down to business.

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KineticFix: Thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of your new campaign! So tell us about the inspiration behind IRUNLIKEAGIRL. What does it mean to you?

Kelly McCloskey: IRUNLIKEAGIRL is all about heart. It’s about going after something that makes you feel alive. And then being able to share that ‘moment’ with a friend. For me, IRUNLIKEAGIRL lives at the intersection of my love for running and dream to run my own business. We’re driven to create fun, flattering and functional active apparel that you can identify with; it’s like wearing a feeling. The ‘I’m going to make this happen’ feeling.

KF: You’re big on empowering and encouraging females to get active and involved in the running community. How does IRLAG facilitate this?

KM: My favorite thing about running is racing. The training, the long runs with friends, the buildup, the having a goal that gets you out of bed to run when you just want to sleep– it never really gets old to me. I’ve met and continue to meet incredible people through running which is why I started Team IRUNLIKEAGIRL.

It’s an international program; our team of IRUNLIKEAGIRL ambassadors each select a goal race in their city and recruit local runners to train for the race together. I’ve experienced nothing quite like working towards a common goal with friends and teammates. When we get together and push each other forward we challenge the limits of our comfort zone and rise up to our best.

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KF: I love that! Can you tell us a little bit about your own running – what are you training for, current race goals, etc?

KM: I’ve been running since I was 12, and competed on the XC/track teams for the University of New Hampshire. I was always more of a hurdler and middle-distance runner but post-college I met my love for the marathon. Next goal: Boston, baby! And to break the 1:30 barrier in the half marathon. Right now I’m training for the Santa Rosa marathon in August in effort to run a new marathon PR/qualify for Boston 2015.

KF: What inspires the IRLAG line, and what’s your favorite piece at the moment?

KM: There are a few things about apparel features and fit that I’m fanatical about, and I focused on them while designing this line. Fun color, extra length, flattering fit and soft-yet-functional fabric. I’m all about the little things too, like adding thumbholes, playing around with where we feature the logo and adding an armsleeve pocket that can fit an iPhone.

My favorite piece in the line is the Racer Girl tank. I wanted to make something for race days that brought to life those special feelings of anticipation and excitement. Its bright colors are unique, and the supportive, soft and super quick-drying fabric all came together nicely. If you look good you feel good, and you need to feel good on race morning, right?!

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KF: Couldn’t agree more! So, where do you hope to take the company from here?

KM: My long term dream is to have an IRUNLIKEAGIRL truck that travels around the country to different races. We’d drive in and meet with our ambassadors and local runners. The pre-race energy would be high with music, laughter, friends and IRUNLIKEAGIRL active apparel, of course. It would be a ‘fitfashion’ truck. And this truck would also serve cupcakes. Because cupcakes and running are the perfect pair.

Kelly, I like where your head is at 🙂 Huge thanks for sitting down to chat!

KineticFix readers: Get a 20% discount on IRUNLIKEAGIRL apparel through 6/25/14 (valid site-wide) with the code “save20percentKF” 

Images for IRUNLIKEAGIRL shoot of Jennifer Hellickson

10 tips for recovering from a 50K

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Let me be the first to say it: Finishing one 50K definitely does not qualify me as an expert in all things ultra marathon.

But I have been training for, running and racing all kinds of distances for almost 20 years now (crap, that makes me feel old), so I am somewhat of an expert on my body and how to help it bounce back from pretty intense endurance events.

This is by no means an exhaustive checklist; it’s just what I like to do to help kick-start the recovery process, which — if done properly — is where the real gains in your training can occur.

1. Celebrate — You just ran 31 miles! Accept that round of hugs, collect your medal, then take a load off for a few minutes…preferably in the shade.

2. Eat — Refuel your body so it can repair and rebuild. For me, this equates to fistfuls of candy at the finish, but I always follow it up with a good meal.

3. Drink  — Celebratory glass of Pomegranate Cider (see step no. 1) aside, I spend the rest of the day trying to rehydrate until my pee runs light yellow.

4. Assess — Do a head-to-toe check for injuries or issues. From blisters to poison oak to tweaked joints, it’s better to recognize it sooner rather than later.

5. Address — I pop Advil for aches, wear compression gear to soothe muscles, apply Tecnu, and bathe in ice or Espom salts to reduce inflammation.

6. Sleep — Restless legs may make it tough to sleep the night after the race, so two nights later I aim for a long, deep sleep to allow my body to reboot.

7. Rest — More than just sleep, this means taking a day (or two) off after a race that gives my body — and mind — and break from the training grind.

8. Reflect — Drafting up the race report while the event is still fresh in my head lets me figure out what worked well — and what didn’t — for next time.

9. Move — I start with light walking the day after and ease in with a gentle swim on day two. By day three, I follow it up with an easy session on the bike.

10. Plan — Last but not least, it’s important to continually set goals to stay motivated. This usually comes in the form of a new race registration!

What are your best strategies for recovering from a big event? 

Race Report: Canyon Meadow 50K

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The short version? I LOVE TRAIL RUNNING!

The long version? I’m still processing things, and I don’t feel like words can fully give it justice, but I’ll give it a shot…

Wow. What an incredible day! I went into this race with a crazy mix of emotions: Excitement at attempting a new distance (my first ultra!), confidence at having an accomplished ultra runner friend pacing me, yet fear over the unknown of how my body would respond to a new distance over different terrain.

I set the alarm for 5 a.m. and even though I had crazy dreams the previous night — running naked through poison oak, for instance — I slept well and felt rested by the time my alarm went off on Saturday morning. I did my usual race morning prep, met up with Jamie (my trail angel), Casey (her fiance) and Maria (another ultra-awesome runner friend), and we were on our way.

The drive over to Oakland from San Francisco was uneventful, and we actually arrived early — a little more than an hour before the race was scheduled to start at 8 a.m. But by the time we did the three pre-race P’s (park, pee and packet pickup) we had just 15 minutes until go-time.

No corrals here; everyone just casually lined up for the start and we chatted with a few other friends who were running. I love how much more relaxed the environment is as compared to road races where the throngs of people only seem to increase my anxiety.

Right before we took off, Jamie and I got down to business and went over our game plan. As my pacer, she said her goal was to get me across the finish line without “bonking,” which would require a careful mix and continual monitoring of running strategy, smart nutrition and mental stamina.

After all, as the race distances grow longer, so does your potential chance of something going wonky. And Jamie was focused on having us run a conservative race to give me a great experience for my first ultra distance.

Loop One: Miles 1-13.1 (~2:37 total time)

We crossed the start line and immediately started climbing. And climbing. Jamie warned me not to get swept up in the crowd since we’d have to tackle this big hill two more times (at the beginning of each loop), so we stayed to the side of the path and went at our own pace, alternating jogging and walking.

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After we cleared the top of that first huge ascent, things leveled out a bit and we got to enjoy running through some rolling hills. The weather was a perfect 60ish with a mix of fog and clouds, so we crossed our fingers and hoped that it’d stay cool as long as possible.

Not too far into the first loop, Jamie and I ran into Vivi and Molly, my partners in crime from the Lake Chabot 30K back in February. They were doing the 30K to prepare for a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon run next weekend, so we ran with them for a bit; great conversation is always a welcome distraction, regardless of distance!

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Jamie wanted us to keep things slow and steady for the first loop, so we kept the pace conversational after broke off from the ladies. We also made sure to eat every few miles (I made rice balls and salty balls) and drink every few minutes.

There were aid stations at miles ~5 and ~11, so we stopped each time to fill up on electrolyte drink, salt tabs and snacks. For some reason PB&J sandwich squares and pretzel crisps were hitting the spot, so we’d grab handfuls to munch along the way.

At that second aid station, the volunteers told us that the next station was ~3 miles away, so we knew we were coming up on the finish line area (the first of three times we’d travel though it!). We were in high spirits, and I was proud that I hadn’t once checked my watch (Jamie threatened to take it away from me because of the mind games the mileage can play).

As we spotted the flags near the finish line, I was pretty excited to see that we had completed the first half marathon in ~2:37, and Jamie said she thought we were making great time. We pulled up to the aid station to refill as another friend, Marlana, flew up behind us into the finisher’s chute to complete her 30K!

Mentally, it was a little very daunting knowing that we’d have to pass through here again before coming in for the finish. But rather than dwelling on it, I tried to focus on the task at hand: the second half marathon.

Loop Two: Miles: 13.1-26.2 (~5:17 total time)

We started the second loop just as we did the first — with lots of climbing. Yes, it was tougher this time. But we were chatting away and laughing — as you can see, Jamie and I were determined to put the “fun” in 50K.

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Oddly enough, even though we were repeating the same 13.1-mile loop, there were parts that I remembered clearly and others that I didn’t recognize at all. I also experienced a few moments of “ultra-runner acid trip,” as Jamie called ’em and started seeing a few things out of the corner of my eye, like a runner crouched behind a tree or a polar bear (it was a stump and a fire hydrant covered in plastic, respectively).

Visions aside, Jamie said that this loop was a crucial one; if we could make it through smart and strong, we’d be in good shape for the last five miles. So even though the sun was starting to heat things up and our legs were showing the first signs of fatigue, we continued our strategic mix of walking and running.

This time, the aid stations seemed to come a little more slowly. But we passed the time chatting away and kept up our eating and drinking schedule, particularly at the aid stations where we upped our intake of S! Caps salt tablets to two at a time.

Before we knew it, we were at the mile 24 aid station, with the next aid station a mere 2.2 miles away at the finish line area. I knew that would be a big mental crossroads, so as we pulled in we kept our stay there pretty brief so as not to lose momentum.

I did pause long enough to look at the clock, though — 5:17 for the marathon! That was just the boost I needed. I still hadn’t checked my watch, so I’d been running “blind” with no idea how we were doing on time, although Jamie had assured me we were still steady and strong.

I didn’t want to let my mind get too far ahead of me — Jamie’s advice was to focus on the finish rather than the numbers, on which I tend to get fixated — but I did tell her then that I had secretly wanted to finish in less than seven hours.

And now it seemed within the realm of possibility (after the race, she told me she knew we’d be coming in under 6:30, but didn’t want to get me too hooked on expectations = an awesome pacer).

Loop Three: Miles 26.2-31 (~60 mins for final 5 miles)

Again, we went up that hill. Although this time (as you can see from the elevation chart above), it wasn’t quite as long. Well, maybe not in distance — but it sure felt about five times as long as the previous two climbs due to the accumulated fatigue in our legs.

But Jamie kept us moving forward — she gave me tips on not only how to maneuver up the hills and to take advantage of the downhills, but also how to keep consistently moving forward in the mounting heat, which was starting to get to me.

By the time we got to the turnoff where the trail split into the smaller final loop from the previous two loops, we knew we were in the home stretch. But at this point, moving was starting to be more of a struggle with stiff legs, achy knees and a flutter in my gut that I’d been managing over the previous miles.

Instead of backing off the food and water, though, we doubled down when I’d feel my gut start to go, which did help. And soon we were back running under a canopy of redwoods, so the cooler air combined with the softer pine-needle-packed running surface was a welcome respite.

After what seemed like a whole lot more than four miles, we made the final turn back toward the finish and saw a sign marking where the half marathon loop and the five-mile loop met. I started getting a little emotional because I knew we were so close, but Jamie reeled me back in to focus on the final portion, which was a series of paved paths through the park.

She warned me that it would feel endless. And it did. But at the same time, it flew by in a blur and we saw the finish line flags through the last set of trees. We turned the corner, sprinted (or as close to that as we could) toward the finish line, and Jamie slowed at the last second to let me cross first…

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Final time: 6:17:34 (30th overall, 8th female, 3rd age group)

I think my exact words were, “Holy shit!” as we saw the clock. Not only did we finish, but we finished strong and well under the time I was expecting. THANK YOU, Jamie! We hugged the sweatiest hug and collapsed in the shade under a tree near the finish line.

Only then did I check my watch, but unfortunately the GPS must’ve skipped when we were under the canopy, so it only read 30.58. Right then and there I told Jamie I was doubly thankful that I listened to her advice — I had a great run by feel without time, and I knew that the GPS being off would’ve totally thrown me for a mental loop.

Luckily, though, she had recorded it on her Strava, so I’ve got proof!

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What did I learn from this experience?

  • The company you keep can make or break your day — even though Jamie was feeling the effects of the later miles, too, I never knew it because she was so focused on keeping things positive for me
  • Nutrition and hydration are critical — Staying ahead of the curve (eating and drinking before you’re hungry or thirsty) is the most important part of maintaining efforts for long periods of time
  • Salt tablets are your friend on hot days — We took ’em at every aid station to help keep us drinking and ward off muscle cramps
  • Don’t be afraid to walk, but do so “with a purpose” — As with eating and drinking, don’t wait until you need to walk; use it strategically up hills to conserve energy so you can make up time on the downhills and go the distance
  • Training will only take you so far; attitude is everything — I agree 100 percent with Jamie’s philosophy: It’s not all about the miles; you’ve just got to build a good base of fitness and the rest is smart strategy on race day
  • Embrace the unknown — It’s damn scary to push your mind and body to a new threshold, but so worth it

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So there you have it. As I told Jamie yesterday, if you asked me a few years ago, I never would have considered doing ultra-marathon. In fact, a little over a year ago, I wasn’t even sure my body could handle the 26.2 distance again.

But now? Well, thanks to her encouragement and guidance I had an amazing day out there. Hitting that new 31-mile milestone was an incredible feeling; not just because it was about redefining my limits — it was about resetting expectations for myself.

And you know what? The sky really is the limit.

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Thank you, Jamie, for making my first 50K experience “ultra-awesome!” Now, when’s the next one??

Canyon Meadow Ultramarathon: The plan

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Holy crap. What did I get myself into?

Right now, my brain keeps going back and forth between two thoughts:

I can’t wait to hit the trails tomorrow and make this happen.

That first step after 26.2 will put me officially at the longest distance I’ve ever run…and then I’ve got five miles — and some decent elevation — to go after that. 

Physically, I haven’t kept as regimented a training plan as I usually do for long-distance races. Quantitatively that concerns me a bit, but qualitatively I’m actually not too worried about it because my focus is on covering the distance — which I’m pretty confident I can do — versus racing the clock.

What I have been doing? Getting time “on my feet,” which means long runs (10-15 miles) every weekend, plus oodles of cross-training during the week to ensure I stay in shape without (literally) running myself into the ground.

But I’ve also been taking some time to tend to some of the non-running aspects of the race which, according to recent Born to Run 100-mile finisher Jamie Walker (yep, 1-0-0, that’s not a typo), are just as critical to getting across that finish line in an ultra.

Namely, this means doing some mental preparation and making a plan for staying on top of fueling and hydration during the race. And having an awesome pacer to help me navigate the day is a huge bonus (THANK YOU, Jamie!).

Jamie gave the Feed Zone Portables rice cakes a glowing review for keeping her tummy happy mid-race, so I’ll be following suit and hoping for the same good results. Plus, I’ve whipped up a batch of Hailey Manning’s famous Salty Balls as a second snack option.

Mentally, I know there will be ups and downs throughout the day…but I’ll be keeping two things in mind: First, I just have to keep moving forward. And second, I get to be out there — no one is forcing me — so I might as well enjoy every moment of it!

Finally, I just finished Chrissie Wellington’s autobiography, A Life Without Limits (sensing a theme about awesome female athletes in this post?), and it’s also inspired me to get out there, push those “limits” and see what I’m capable of doing.

In fact, Wellington sums it up pretty perfectly here:

“To my amazement, at so many stages along the way, the limits that I thought I could see in the distance dissolved as I approached them. They turned out not to be real at all but mere assumptions. And that has been the most exciting revelation of all.”

No better motivation than that as I take to the trails 🙂

Stay tuned for the 50K race report!

If at first you don’t succeed…

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…trail, trail again!

That was the theme this past weekend as Hubby and I tried to squeeze in one last trail run before my 50K on May 31.

Our first attempt was on Saturday morning in Marin. We’d done the Tennessee Valley Trail once before, but ended up cutting off about two miles because A) navigating trails is never easy, and B) if there’s a way to get lost, I’ll find it.

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So this time we were determined to hug the coastline and reclaim those lost miles. No matter what — even if it meant going down a single-track trail that slowly disappeared into thick brush.

Long story short? Some of that “brush” we were wading through turned out to be poison oak.

Combine that with four snake sightings, plus something hissing at me under a rock (my guess is snake no. five), and Hubby and I high-tailed it back to the car and called it a day after two miles.

But not before stopping to pick up the skin-saving miracle called Tecnu. We slathered ourselves in it head-to-toe, and so far so good…

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Cut to trail attempt, take two, on Sunday where we decided that a 13-miler around Lake Chabot — the scene of my 30K this past February — might be a better option.

The poison oak and another snake sighting (yup, both are all over right now) turned out to be only minor annoyances, though, as compared to another factor that reared its ugly head: heat.

Our “summer” — i.e. foggy, barely 60-degree — days have definitely softened us. Despite drinking all the water in my vest, I was still super dehydrated by the time we finished (but my fueling was good, as you can see — thanks, Hubby, for catching me mid-mouthful).

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Although we both spent the remainder of the day trying to re-hydrate — seriously, we couldn’t get enough water — it was a great reminder going into my race to drink more frequently.

In fact, experts say that performance is impaired when you’re dehydrated by as little as two percent of body weight…and we experienced that firsthand when we both started dragging in the later miles.

But working out the kinks aside, you can’t really complain too much when you’re running with these kinds of views.

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After all, as one fellow trail runner said to us in passing, “It’s just another horrible day in paradise, isn’t it?”

Happy trails, friends!

‘Tri’ a new challenge to kick off summer fitness

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Think triathlon is only for elite athletes and endurance junkies? Think again.

According to USA Triathlon, participation in triathlons in the United States is at an all-time high. The group’s membership has grown exponentially from around 100,000 in 1998 to 550,446 when last reported in 2012.

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association also estimates that the total number of triathlon participants rose 59 percent from 2008 (1,251,000) to 2011 (1,992,000), thanks to the rise in popularity of endurance sports.

And — let’s face it — if I can do it, anyone can!

Why Tri?

  • Beat boredom by switching focus between swim/bike/run
  • Get in shape from head to toe with weekly full-body workouts
  • Reduce risk of overuse injury in one sport, thanks to cross-training
  • Develop a lean, mean body with endurance & resistance training
  • Fall into a more healthy, balanced lifestyle (nutrition & sleep are necessities!)
  • Reap the benefits of being highly organized around training
  • Reduce stress on the body with swimming & cycling, which are non-impact
  • Drop pounds, thanks to high-intensity cardiovascular training
  • Give more purpose and motivation to your workouts by setting a goal event
  • Lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease & diabetes, reduce risk of osteoporosis
  • Choose from a variety of distances for an individualized challenge

How to Get Started: 

  1. Pick a distance.
  2. Choose an event.
  3. Find a training plan.
  4. Prepare for the big day.
  5. Enjoy your first race.

So why not ‘tri’ something new this summer? You just may like it!

Celebrating SF: Getting a little “Dirty” at this year’s Bay to Breakers

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There was no better way to cap off a picture-perfect week of summer weather here in Northern California than with a race that’s so quintessentially San Francisco: Bay to Breakers.

If you’re not familiar with it, B2B is the oldest consecutively run annual footrace in the world (since May 1912). Quirky and boisterous, the event is quite literally interwoven into the fabric of the city as the course weaves through it — a true reflection and celebration of life between the breakers and the Bay.

Coming Full Circle

The first and only other time I ran B2B was a few months after I moved to San Francisco from Boston in 2005, so this year’s run was special for two reasons: First, Hubby and I got to run it together this time; and second, we figured it’d be a fitting way to celebrate as our time here comes to a close (more on that soon…stay tuned!).

As a total newbie almost a decade ago, I was expecting your usual footrace…but was instead greeted by flying tortillas at the start line and a crazy array of outfits — from elaborate team costumes to full nudity (rollerblades and top hat optional) — not to mention fun traditions like a group of runners dressed as salmon “swimming upstream” (against the flow of traffic).

This time around, I knew it’d be a tamer affair because there was a no-tolerance policy for alcohol or wheeled floats. But Hubby and I were still excited to partake in the festivities with a few of our friends and 40,000 other runners revelers.

The Race

Because the 12K race starts near the San Francisco Bay, a few blocks from The Embarcadero, and runs west through the city to finish at the Great Highway where breakers crash onto the Pacific Coast’s Ocean Beach, the logistics can take some work.

But with my 50K coming up in just a few weeks, we decided to kill two birds with one stone and jog from home to the start, do the race, then jog/walk home from the finish to make it our weekend long run.

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The race started about 25 minutes late, but — in true B2B fashion — did not disappoint.

From the costumes, the people-watching and the photo ops (see below; I’ll spare you the rest of the shot), we were three miles in before we knew it.

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By the time we were about halfway, the crowds started to thin out a bit — or rather, the runners separated from the rest of the pack.

Word to the wise: This isn’t a PR-friendly race! Expect to do a lot of bobbing and weaving, but that’s the whole point — to go slow and savor every moment.

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I’m not even sure what our finish time was (update – 1:37:45), and guess what? I don’t care!

It was such a blast to do a race like this for a change, complete with stops to say hi to friends, bathroom breaks, scenic detours and picture taking.

Speaking of…this was one of my favorite scenes of the day. This family’s costumes were a fan-favorite, and the kid up front was just hamming it up!

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The Attire

Although there’s a whole contingent of racers for whom it’s customary NOT to wear pants for B2B, that was one tradition I was ok ignoring. Instead, I wanted to take the opportunity to support a local brand: DDCC (aka “Dirty Diana’s Clean Clothes).

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I first spoke to owner/designer Diana Mitchell last fall when she was in the midst of her Kickstarter campaign. Since then, her business has been going like gangbusters, so I thought it’d be fun to create a B2B outfit around one of Mitchell’s most popular styles — the Fly Girl Capris — and check in with her to see how things are going.

Not only did the capris perform beautifully (and that’s not always an easy task when you throw in a tutu and lots of miles), but they were comfortable, breathable and — best of all — flattering. On a side note, Mitchell also ran in today’s race, so it was the perfect time to catch up!

Kinetic Fix: Last time we chatted, you were raising funds on Kickstarter to launch the line. You reached your goal (congrats!), but can you give us an update on where you’re at & what you’re doing with DDCC now?

Diana Mitchell: Thanks, Jen! The post-Kickstarter production was a success with most of our rewards shipped on time. We’ve been receiving awesome feedback and requests for new products, which I was able to incorporate into the Fall 2014 collection. While the spring line was launching, I was designing and fitting fall, and shot the sample line for our lookbooks.

I’ve also been working on growing the wholesale side of the business in order to expand the customer base and get the product in more cities. We were picked up by several Dailey Method locations, who like to feature women-owned and -made in USA lines. It’s been great to see people reacting to and loving the products, and it’s exciting to see the business continue to grow.

KF: So feedback has been good? I know you’ve been hard at work, testing the line on the streets & studios of San Francisco.

DM: Everyone loves the V Capris. Customers constantly tell me they can no longer buy pants without a zipper pocket, either because they store their phone in it while lifting weights, or their keys/id while out running.

They also go crazy for the V wasitband and love that it’s anti-muffin top. The Bustier Bra is a big hit for yoga and for wearing every day, and our Obi Cover-Ups have been flying off of the shelves due to the cute design and crazy softness!

KF: I don’t doubt it! So let’s talk design because you’ve nailed it – I’m particularly loving the anti-muffin top waistband and slimming seams on my capris. What was the inspiration there?

DM: I’m 50% Greek, and I like to say that it shows 100% in my love handles. Normal waistbands with elastic often pinch and create an unflattering, spill-over-the-sides appearance, which you can see even on skinny models. I regularly struggle with finding the motivation to work out, and if I put on something that makes me feel ugly that’s it!

As soon as I experienced a crossover waistband, I felt more confident and inspired to work out, and knew all of my future pants would have to incorporate that design. There are so many obstacles for women when it comes to fitness, and I truly believe that feeling and looking good in what you’re wearing shouldn’t be one of them!

KF: I completely agree. Switching gears…time to pay it forward: Where are your favorite places to work out in SF & why?

DM: For me nothing quite beats running outside. I love seeing what’s going on near my house and beyond and keeping in touch with the seasons while getting some fresh air. Glen Canyon Park near my home was recently made over, and I love doing my short runs on the trails there and then adding in some hill running through Diamond Heights.

For Yoga I follow my favorite teachers, Ana-Mari Hamada and Cynthia Bates, who teach at the Abode of Iyengar, the Iyengar Institute and the Yoga Tree Potrero, respectively. Ana-Mari was my first yoga teacher, and her warmth and intuitiveness cannot be matched. Cynthia has has a no-nonsense teaching style while still being playful and fun. I love going to both of their classes.

I’m always on the hunt for new workouts, though, and I’m hoping to try out the Dailey Method soon, as I hear great things about their classes!

KF: So one final question: What’s next in terms of both your work and workout plans?

DM: For workout plans, I plan on running the City Beer Runs 5k’s monthly, and will be doing the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in October. My goal is to get under 2:00, so I’ve got my work cut out for me since I have trouble running for long periods without hills.

In terms of DDCC, we’re just starting to order fabric and gear up for our fall production. You can look forward to our popular items offered in fall/winter colors, along with new products based off of customer requests.

I’m also producing a new zip-up hoodie, which is a big deal since that is the first product that DDCC launched. You can expect that line to arrive in August/September this year, and we’ll be planning some fun events, trunk shows and giveaways!

Want to see more of Diana’s designs — and read all about her running adventures? Check out the DDCC site here. 

Mom Knows Best: Can’t-miss advice for life…and breaking a sweat

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Happy Mother’s Day to moms everywhere!

No vacations, no salary, screaming bosses, dealing with poop and vomit. It truly is the #WorldsToughestJob, as evidenced in this recent ad.

Haven’t seen it yet? It’s definitely worth a watch — and, wow, I guess it also goes without saying that Mom has probably picked up a few pointers for dealing with some discomfort, disappointment and delayed gratification along the way.

Which is why we need take her up on that advice…if not for life, at least for your next workout or race. You can thank her later.

“When God closes a door, he opens a window.”

Got injured and had to drop out before that big race? Been there. Didn’t hit your paces or snag that PR…again? Done that.

As frustrating as it feels when things don’t go as planned, try to roll with the punches, keep an open mind and find the growth opportunity in every situation.

“Always be curious.”

Without curiosity and learning there is no growth or forward motion, so don’t be afraid to explore.

Mix up your weekly workout regimen, add in a new form of cross-training, test out a different training program. You won’t know until you give it a shot, and you just may be pleasantly surprised with the results.

“Approach life with a light heart.”

From funny race photos to mid-workout flatulence, from getting lost on trails to losing your lunch in front of people, there’s a good chance something embarrassing will happen sooner or later while you’re breaking a sweat.

In every occurrence, find the funny. And surround yourself with like-minded friends who can help change these moments — or even your life — for the better.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Every time I race I’m reminded of this one. And as much as my ego gets bruised when I’m passed by the 70-year old man in sweats and an old-school pair of gym shoes, it also makes me smile.

The lesson here? As my grade school history teacher said, “Don’t assume anything. You only make an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me.'” No athlete is perfect, but perfection has never been the standard. Where’s the fun in that, anyway?

“You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”

It goes without saying that you should be nice to others — but remember to hold yourself in the same regard.

Caught up in negative self-talk? Nip it in the bud, and tell that evil voice inside your head to take a hike.

“Never change who you are for someone else.”

When the gun goes off on race day, there’s an explosion of ego and adrenaline. It’s easy to get caught up in it and speed off…only to crash when your body realizes it’s moving at an unsustainable pace.

A better plan: Run your own race. Competition is good. It’s inspiring, and it can bring out the best in us. But real satisfaction comes from self-motivation, so don’t surrender control of this essential asset.

“Don’t underestimate the power of a nap.”

Classic trench coats. Fresh flowers. Good manners. Little black dresses. Some things never go out of style — and a decent nap is one of ’em.

It works like a charm, whether you’re three, 33 or 103. So if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

What are your favorite words of wisdom from Mom?  

Canyon Meadow Ultramarathon: Ready or not, here I come!

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“Beware of the company you keep. See that you associate with the right type of people.”         -Dada Vaswani

Here’s the thing about having fit friends: I like to say they’re the best-worst influence — not only do they encourage you to push your limits, but hanging out with them also tends to shift your frame of reference on the crazy scale.

Case in point: Running an ultramarathon (more than 26.2 miles). It was never really on my radar…until I started marathon training with the always-encouraging Pavement Runner and working with ever-amazing Jamie Walker, both of whom have completed many ultras of assorted distances.

Slowly my mindset started changing from, “Who would want to do that?” to “I wonder if I could do that?” to “I think I want to try that!”

Throw in an upcoming 30-something birthday at the end of May, and suddenly signing up for a race of 30-odd miles (50K) that same weekend solidified into a plan.

Oddly enough, Jamie’s said it’s actually easier (in some ways) than a marathon because the approach is completely different; whereas there’s pressure to run the entire 26.2 on the roads, an ultra on the trails is a different beast where pacing is the name of the game.

I got my first taste of it at the Lake Chabot 30K in February, but with this month’s triathlon, I haven’t had as much time to train and/or hit the trails as I’d like. But, regardless, my plan is to stay conservative and to try to finish, injury-free, in about six or seven hours.

Stay tuned for my mini-plan for training in these final weeks leading up to the event, including what I’ll be packing to keep me happy come race day!

Would you ever attempt an ultra? If so, how’d it go? If not, what are your thoughts about where I fall on that crazy scale? 🙂

What’s the deal with running?

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Runners….yeah, we ARE different, as the ads proudly state.

After exploring the quirks of swimming and cycling in honor of my recent triathlon training, I’m turning the mirror on myself and my swift-footed cohorts to examine some of the peculiarities of the third and final discipline, such as…

What’s the deal with the preoccupation with bodily functions?

Here’s a little running math for you: Whether it’s color and frequency of “number one” — or consistency and urgency (!) of “number two,” the telling of too much information goes up exponentially as either A) the number of runners or B) the length of any run increases.

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What’s the deal with the gross side effects?

I’ve seen plenty of pictures and run across the occasional telltale red dots on male runners’ shirts at longer endurance events, but it wasn’t until my 30K at Lake Chabot this past winter that I came face-to-face with the worst case of bloody nipples I’ve ever seen. My girlfriends and I had to hold back shudders as we watched a gentleman cross the finish line with red literally streaming all the way down to the hem of his shirt.

Another lovely unintended consequence of pounding the pavement? The dreaded black toenail — aka it’s-only-a-matter-of-time-’til-it-falls-off syndrome. I’ve been fortunate up until this point (knock wood), but it’s only a matter of time — or a combination of lengthy descents and ill-fitting shoes — until this happens to most of us.

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What’s the deal with snot rockets and spitting?

Not only does a good run get our competitive juices flowing, but it also gets our bodily fluids going, as well. I envy the runner who can launch perfectly-formed pockets of spittle or blow a spray of snot with sniper-like accuracy. Whenever I’ve attempted to do so, I end up with a face full of spit — or worse.

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What’s the deal with race-day rituals and superstitions?

Whether it’s a special pre-race dinner, a lucky piece of clothing, a favorite pair of shoes, a particular way to tie shoelaces — or, like me, putting the left shoe on first — running tends to bring out the quirks, rituals and obsessions in every one of us.

The oddest part? We can tell you what it is, but we often can’t tell you why we do it. Because even we don’t know why; we just know it works.

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What’s the deal with the fashion faux pas?

I’ll be the first to admit guilt here: Back in my high school track & field days, I was out there in my shorts, sneakers and (cringe) tall athletic socks, which were neither running nor compression socks, but rather the awkward mid-calf length cotton variety.

Other offenders here include shorts that are too short or too long (both bad for obvious reasons), blindingly bright colors (although great for night runs!), socks with barefoot shoes, obscene amounts of gear and other assorted fashion fails.

And don’t even get me started on our shoe collections… As my Twitter friend Peter Esko so eloquently put it: “The correct number of running shoes is n+1 where n is your current number of running shoes. #moreshoesmoremiles”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Any other running-related habits that you find humorous?