Pilates and Running

Hi friends!
I just love doing guest posts on blogs.  It is a way for me to meet and get to know even more of you out there in the blogosphere.
So, a few months ago, when I saw on Twitter that Robin was looking for guest posters I jumped, or ran, for the chance!
Check out my post on Pilates and Running here.

Also, I want to know:

What has helped you with your running?

What has Pilates helped you with?  Do you run faster,  sit more comfortably, hike farther thanks to Pilates?

Snow Running

After one mild winter last year, this year Kansas City is getting snow.  And lots of it!  I love getting outside in all types of weather.  It's fun to see the changes in the landscape and, of course, to get fresh air and move around, no matter the temperature.
So, when we got around a foot of snow last week I just had to get out in it.  The same day of the snow fall I began fighting a yucky cold, so my plans of shoveling and running were somewhat diminished.  I did make sure to get out each day.  Shoveling, walking, running a bit.  This could be why I still, 5 days later, am fighting the cold.  Haha.  No way!  Getting outside helped.

Video from the first day after the big snow.  I had to try running!

Thanks to Facebook I was able to see that many of my running friends were out in the snow.  3 mile runs, 5 mile runs.  I was jealous.  So when we went out yesterday I decided I was going to do some trail running.  I was back in the woods at my in-laws where the snow is at least a foot deep in most places.  I ran maybe 1/8 of a mile and was so very exhausted.  Panting, sweating...and this is me, guys. I run 2-5 miles a few times each week, do at least 3 cycle classes and interval training, too.  So, I don't know if it was the depth of the snow, my cold, or my shoes, but there was no way I could keep up with the miles logged by others.  I did continue to walk in the snow, which is quite a workout, too.  When your foot plunges into a foot of snow, walking or running, it throws off your balance.  Then to lift your leg back up gives a nice resistance aspect.  Snow, for most of us, isn't on the ground very often each year.  I am definitely now a fan of working out in the snow!
I enjoy walking and running in the snow.  For me, though, if it's deep snow I will be doing a walk/run combo.  It's easier for me to keep pace that way, err...not die, and my family can join in, too!

Walking in the snow.  I could do this for hours!

Running.  So challenging but also exhilarating.
I can't go for long, but it's such a great experience!

What I wore:

• Running tights topped with lined workout pants for water-resistance
• Cotton t-shirt topped with a thermal shirt
• Down coat
• Running gloves that are water-wicking lined with fleece
• BOGS all-weather boots

^^^^ the boots probably also slowed me down a bit BUT I don't like cold/wet clothes and I especially don't like frost bite.

Probably not the best "running shoe" :)

I asked some friends what they thought of their experience snow running:

"Snow trail running is to trail running what trail running is to road running."
     -Danny T.

"Embrace the elements, they make you feel alive."
     -Sally B.

"Get outside.  Whether it's for 5 minutes or 50.  A little bit of fresh air, no matter the temperature, will do you good!"
     -Me

[When asked what I should wear in the snow]
"Depends on how long you want to try to keep your feet warm...either way they will get cold and wet, but you will survive."
     Ed H.

"Rain, Snow, or 20 Below."
     -Crystal L.

"I'm like an addict looking for a fix. AKA, what streets are clear enough for me to get out and run?!?!"
     -Callie S.

It's not too often you get running scenery like this!

One more quote that I definitely repeated to myself while running: 
"Don't quit when you are tired, quit when you are finished."
This SO helped me to keep my legs running when I desperately wanted to stop before my designated "finish line" out in the woods.

Bottom line:  get out in the snow!  Experience the outdoors and don't fret about the weather.  Safety first, of course.
If you have snow on the ground make sure you get outside!  Whether its to see how you do running in the snow or if its for a walk around the block, I highly recommend it!  Let me know what you think!

Have you ran in the snow?
How was it?
Do you call it "snogging" jogging +snow?  I want to but I can't and not giggle.  Across the pond "snogging" is making out!

The Groundhog Run

In my 15-ish years as a runner I have done a pretty good amount of 5K races.  On Sunday, January 27 I did my first 5K in a cave!  The Groundhog Run has been a tradition in Kansas City for many years, but I always seem to miss it.  I was anxiously awaiting what running in a cave would entail.

Sunday morning was dark and drizzly and, even though the temps were high for January, it made running in a cave sound ideal.

The cave is part of an underground industrial area that is home to businesses and storage facilities.  

Just below those trees is a giant, miles-deep cave complex.

The starting area is fairly close to the opening of the cave so it didn't seem too claustrophobic.  I got there with only about 10 minutes to spare, my favorite way to arrive at a race.

Getting ready to start!

The cave is climate-controlled so I could have worn shorts and a t-shirt, but I was pretty comfy in running tights.  I got warm at one point, but the course switched directions and there was a breeze.  It was fun to run around the cave walls think about how deep the cave goes.

Running in a cave = no hills so my time was pretty fast since I typically train with hills.  I averaged 8:55 miles and my time was 27:55.  Not the fastest, but pretty darn fast for me!

In addition to being my first cave run this race also marked my first official race alone.  I did the Hospital Hill 10K alone, but had spent the night at my bestie's house only a few blocks away so it wasn't like driving alone.

The least blurry of my course photos.  Cave-like without being oppressive.

I have decided I actually prefer to do races alone.  I can arrive when I want, do the course and then leave.  I am not a huge fan of dragging the day out with a post-race meal.  I also HAVE to listen to music when I run so it spares the anti-social "hey, I am glad we rode here together, but I gotta put my ear buds in now" conversation.

I arrived feeling kind of like a weirdo because 5K races have become such a social event for some.  But as I was leaving I had a nice chat with an older gentleman that runs races alone all the time.

At the finish, sporting my Shwings.  Stay tuned for a giveaway!

**funny side story** I spoke with my therapist about my feeling like a weirdo about going to races alone.  I mentioned how I didn't personally think it was weird but how it did feel sort of like junior high, with the people that show up in a big group and run it all chatty and together.  He agreed with me that it doesn't have to be a social event, especially for someone that prefers to run alone and make good time.  BUT.  Guys!  I think I saw him walking into the cave the morning of the race in a group of chatty people!  What's worse than showing up at a 5K alone?  Showing up alone and seeing your therapist, that you just lamented to a few days ago about feeling like a weirdo.  So, I did what any well-adjusted, totally mature person would do.  I put my hood up, ear buds in and ran past the group with my head down.

Keeping these in my car forever!

**snarky side story**  I think it's great that so many people are running 5K's these days.  It's come a long way since my first race when I was 19.  HOWEVER.  There are runners and then there are 5Kers and the latter just ain't that friendly.  I ran into several people on my way in and asked for safety pins because I didn't have any in my race packet.  I, of course, have a metric ton at my house, but didn't think to grab any.  How do you find a runner at a race?  Ask for pins.  One guy looked nervous and told me his wife had the safety pins.  Another lady said she couldn't spare any.  (you really only need two, duh.)  When I got in the cave I found some ladies that were runners and they totes shared their pins with me.

Wanna blend in with the runners?  Be friendly!

Okay...Q&A time

Do you have caves in your area or is this a Missouri thing?

What is an unusual race you have done?

Do you hide from people to avoid awkward conversation?

Would you have shared your safety pins with me?  

Pilates as an Olympic Sport

I love the Olympics!  Summer, Winter, I love them both.  I get so excited for the opening ceremonies.  I watch as many events as I can.  I remember during the Barcelona Olympics nearly crying when they came to a close.  I used to fantasize about being an Olympic gymnast, figure skater or swimmer.  Now with the start of the London Olympics and my involvement in Pilates, it got me thinking: could Pilates be an Olympic sport?


At first it sounds silly.  But then, think about it.  True Pilates follows a specific order.  You have Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Mat Work, Tower Work and Reformer Work.  In order to obtain a Pilates certification you need to pass a practical exam, where you follow the specific order, reps, rhythm and form.  So, couldn't that be an event?  The competing athletes would have to perform the various orders on mat, equipment, etc.  Points would be given and deducted based on performance, just like in the test out to become certified.

Arabesque II - I give myself the Bronze :)

I mentioned this idea to my students during class the last couple of weeks.  At first they laughed, but once I explained it like I did above, they started to get really excited about the idea.  One class brought up that there could be the more strict competition of following specific orders and then also a more "freestyle" competition where the Pilates athletes could add a little modern flair.  It would be several days of competition, just like with gymnastics.


It is also very exciting to think about the fact that so many Pilates practitioners are older, especially in Olympic years.  In my opinion, men and women in their thirties, forties, all the way through their sixties (or nineties!) are much more advanced in Pilates work than their younger counterparts.  How inspiring that a Pilates Olympian could potentially be someone in middle to senior age!


I could really go on and on about the potential of Pilates being an Olympic sport.  True, REAL, Pilates would also be shown to the masses, clearing up so much of the misinformation about what Pilates is, and once again showing the genius of the work that Joe and friends cultivated.  I love watching people do Pilates.  It's beautiful and has such a nice flow to it.


What do you think?  I would love to hear your ideas on what Pilates as an Olympic event should look like.  Would you watch?  Would you train to compete or coach?  Do you think it would help or hinder Pilates practice as a whole?