Run, Janelle, Run!

Raleigh Dirty Girl Mud Run

I spent the majority of my Saturday volunteering at the Dirty Girl 5k Mud Run in Raleigh, NC. This women-only, un-timed 5k obstacle course brought out all sorts of crazy and ridiculous team outfits and a warm camaraderie, despite the chilly weather.

To top it off, proceeds from the race went towards a great cause, the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). While my participation was limited to helping runners check in and check out their bags, I managed to have some wonderful conversations with a diverse, friendly group of women. From mother and daughter duos to co-workers, grandmothers and breast cancer survivors; it was a great event to be a part of.

About Dirty Girl and the National Breast Cancer Foundation

In 2012, Dirty Girl provided the National Breast Cancer Foundation with over $250,000 in monetary and in-kind support. In 2013, the goal of Dirty Girl organizers is to deliver over $500,000 in support to NBCF. In addition, Dirty Girl will continue providing cancer survivors free registration at each event.

Below is one photo that I managed to snap. To see the full set of photos, stop by RJR’s Facebook page. You can also see select photos by visiting RJR’s Tumblr, or via Instagram.

If you happen to spot yourself in one of the photos I took and would like an original copy, please email me: janelle@runjanellerun.com, and please include “Dirty Girl 5k Photos” in the Subject line.

To Meat or Not to Meat

The following is a guest article, submitted by one of RJR’s readers. If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please email me: janelle@runjanellerun.com, and put “Guest Article” in the subject area.

I don’t know about you- but I grew up eating meat. And now that I am an adult who is maintaining my own household and making the meals for my husband and me, I find it really challenging to come up with “meatless” meals. I used to think going “meatless” was some annoying task we had to do every Friday during Lent, but now it’s like Lent every day in my house!

Growing Up Meaty

I was born and raised on Long Island in the 1980s and 1990s by my mother and grandmother who both worked full time. Despite their busy schedules, my grandma always took the time to prepare a delicious salad each day (and I mean the good kind with a colorful variety, complete with at least 7 different types of veggies). And I could always count on her salads to be prepped and waiting for me as soon as I walked in the door from track practice.

After cleaning up and doing some homework, we would sit down to dinner as a family; and the meals varied widely. I enjoyed my mom’s lemon chicken and my grandma’s homemade chicken soup as well as beef dishes such as meatloaf, burgers and pot roast (well, not pot roast so much!). We also ate plenty of seafood, and to this day, I have a love affair with shrimp! Not all meals were extravagant; some were simpler, such as turkey and bologna sandwiches (typical for a school day).

Meat was not always the main attraction as we definitely had pizza, eggplant parmesan, and pasta mixed in as well; but overall, it seemed like we had meat (or at least some form of animal protein) every single day.

Removing Meat from the Rotation

Until almost a year ago, rotating meat dishes was how I came up with our weekly menu at home.

It’s funny because I never thought that, at 29 years old, I would change my entire outlook on eating. In my quest for living a healthier life (the definition and scope of which has changed dramatically for me over the years), I have changed many things about my diet. Perhaps the biggest change, however, has been slowly stepping away from meat and most animal protein.

Despite the fact that eating a salad every day is still ingrained in me from when I grew up, I’ve discovered that eating veggies is still, for the most part, a foreign concept. That said, making the switch over to entirely plant-based meals every day, three times a day has been a challenge that has taken time and patience, but it has also been an extremely worthwhile transition.

I don’t label myself a strict vegetarian or a vegan; I still eat fish (I love the Omega 3’s in Salmon), and I still choose to indulge in eating chicken every once in a while. A good example of when I choose to eat chicken is when I’m in a situation where my choices are limited. For example, if I am at a restaurant and I have to choose between eating fried and battered vegetables versus a local, organic, grilled chicken, I’m gonna’ order the chicken!

What Are You Eating?

So if I’m not eating meat, what am I eating? Believe it or not – a ton of mostly plant-based delicious meals!!

Veggie burgers have entirely replaced ground beef, and the best part is that we don’t miss the animal fat! Some of my veggie burgers include ingredients like lentils, mushrooms, garbanzo beans, black beans, brown rice, and even eggplant. Other popular dishes in my house include: kale salads with homemade dressings, vegetable based soups (such as butternut squash, mushroom, and cauliflower soups), vegetable lasagna loaded with veggies, and zucchini spiraled “pasta.”

The Meat or No Meat Dilemma: Figuring Out What’s Right For You

So how do you know if avoiding meat is right for you? I don’t necessarily want to preach that everyone has to stop eating meat. However, I do support incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet. Vegetables are SO beneficial, and they are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it is definitely worth trying to make them the main dish and having the meat on the side. Finally, always shop sustainable, grass-fed, hormone-free, and organic when you can!!

About the Author:

Kristin Horstman is a 30-year-old nutrition and fitness enthusiast who resides in Arizona with her husband. She enjoys trying out new, meatless meals as well as attending classes and seminars pertaining to diet and fitness.

Quiet Races on Deserted Runways

Early on a quiet, Thursday morning, we turn left onto a deserted field. Pavement cracked as we weave our way around under cloudy skies. Just past the sign where it says ‘No Motor Vehicles’, we make our way towards a minivan and a lonely, white table parked in the distance. Off to the left, a couple of cars have been abandoned against the frame of a grassy field. Their former occupants, two cyclists, are riding around, tightly clothed as they loosen up before the race. We’re a little early as I begin to wonder whether more people will show up to this cycling race that is only 20 minutes away from starting…

We take our place alongside the other vehicles, backed against the edge of the field. As my younger brother heads in the direction of the minivan, I notice that there is now a young woman seated at the check-in table. A tent is being put up, along with checkered flags, a bell and a lap counter. A brief time passes. More cars begin appearing. Cyclists materialize from parked cars. In front of the young woman, a short line begins to take shape as smartly-suited men of all shapes and sizes and ages wait to receive their bib numbers.

The cyclists gather. Old friends, new acquaintances, loners. The camaraderie is warm, and the buzz of voices quiets down as the race announcer provides some final instructions. Seconds later, a blur of wheels and spandex, sunglasses and cleated shoes snugly clipped to pedals. While the cyclists race, I run along the outside of the course. A simple series of loops (7 total) laid out by brightly colored orange cones. The minivan speeds past while the cyclists give chase only seconds later. I manage to pick my brother out from the pack before they disappear around the second turn.

I count the laps in my head each time they pass by and decide to head back to the finish line. The race concludes as unceremoniously as it began. The atmosphere is still laid back as the race director prepares to start two more races. Some of the cyclists from the first race gather around to display a show of support and encouragement to the next wave of riders who are competing in a faster class.

The sun begins to peek through the clouds as we pack up our things, say our goodbyes and ‘nice to meet yous’ and navigate nameless stretches of pavement to find our way out.

On a quiet, Thursday morning, we turn right, out of an old airport runway in Brooklyn, and head home- with a 3rd place medal tucked away.

[Floyd Bennett Field]

**To see additional pictures, click here.

15 Interesting Facts About Horseflies

Like most other runners, I LOVE trail running. There’s just something incredibly soothing to it all once I feel the tread of dirt and gravel beneath my feet. And on most days, I’m left alone to enjoy the peace and quiet- until the warmer months start to hit. That’s when I really start picking up the pace of my trail runs…partly because of the euphoria of my runner’s high, but mostly because I’m being chased by vampire-like, blood-sucking demon flies.

When we run, we put up with a lot of annoying things, but nothing is more annoying (and painful) than horseflies. And chances are pretty decent that if you’ve been running in wooded areas lately, you’ve been chased and assaulted by these archfiends. All of the pain and swelling aside, the following are some interesting and perhaps useful tips that I’ve managed to compile about these painfully pesky pests.

[image by Thomas Shahan on flickr]

I bet you didn’t know that….

Horseflies are among the world’s largest flies. They belong to the tabanidae family.
Horseflies are located around the world, with the exception of extreme northern and southern latitudes.
There are roughly 3,000 species of horseflies in the world, with 350 different species within North America alone.
Horseflies can be as large as 1 ¼ inches in length.
They are equipped with scissor-like mandibles that tear and cut. When viewed under a microscope, the mouth parts of a female horse-fly look like jagged saw blades.
The bite is painful because the females actually cut a hole into the skin in order to soak up the blood that comes out.
Horseflies are generally found near areas that contain water and/or livestock, both of which are food sources.
Male horseflies feed on pollen and nectar only as they do not have the mouth parts required for blood feeding.
If you are bitten by a horse-fly, it’s a female. Female horseflies feed on the blood of mammals in order to assist in egg development.
Horse-fly eggs are laid on plants in or near water. Once they hatch, they will spend between 1-2 years growing in moist soil or water.
Adult horseflies only live for a few days.
Left uncontrolled, 20-30 horseflies can drain almost a third of a pint of blood from their victims in as little as 6 hours.
Horseflies go by many names. In Canada, they are referred to as ‘bull dog flies’ while in Australia, they are referred to as ‘March flies’.
In the United States, horseflies do not usually appear in full force until the summer months.
You can avoid horseflies by running during the cooler part of the day as they are not as active. They are also less active on windy days.

[image by Radu P on flickr]

I never run faster than when I’m being chased by horseflies…kinda’ makes me think of the PRs I might have had in college if someone had released a swarm of those blood-sucking fiends at the start line… -jv

References:

Gift Ideas for the Runner in Your Life

Below are 16 excellent gift ideas for runners this Christmas.

Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor | $400 via REI | …provides accurate distance, pace, GPS position, heart rate and calories burned; it can also guide you back to the starting point of your run so you’ll never get lost.

Neck Gaiter | $25 via Smartwool | …Made from NTS Midweight fabric, this gaiter features the same soft, comfy feel. Perfect for the unpredictability of fall, winter and spring.

Running’s Life Lessons Magnet-10K | $5 via Cafe Press |…Add instant style to lockers, dorm rooms, workspace or the fridge while keeping your notes and reminders in view with an attention-grabbing Running’s Life Lessons – 10K Rectangle Magnet.

Sprigs Phone Banjees Wrist Wallet | $16 via REI | …This wrist wallet holds a cell phone, cash, credit card and a house key while you run, walk or ride.

Spirit of the Marathon DVD | $14.19 via Amazon | …Spirit of the Marathon is the first film to capture the passion, drama and essence of the famed 26.2-mile Chicago Marathon. Intimate, fascinating portraits of six runners from all walks of life unfold as the film follows seasoned athletes and amateurs alike in their preparation for the big race.

Men’s/Women’s Nomad Jacket | $100 via Saucony | …The perfect solution for running on a cold and windy day, the Nomad Jacket fuses a windproof viperlite front panel with thermo-regulating drylete on the back and arms.

Stuffitts for Shoes | $10 – $25 via Stuffitts | …portable drying system for shoes with a shaped foam forefoot offering complete toe-box coverage and a detachable carry strap idea for hanging or transporting pairs.

RoadID Bracelet | Starting at $16 by Road ID |…If you are a runner, cyclist, triathlete or just an active person, Road ID is for you. In the event of an accident, if you can’t speak for yourself, your Road ID will.

Running Start T-Shirt | $24 via Cafe Press | …Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton Running Start – Black T-Shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.

Born to Run Forced to Work T-Shirt | $28 via Cafe Press

Run Zip Hoodie | $40 via Cafe Press

Running Girl iPhone Case | $25 via Cafe Press

REI Men’s Airflyte Mock Top | $44.50 via REI | …Quick-drying, sleek and functional fabric wicks moisture while you exercise to keep you dry and comfortable

Motorola MOTOACTV GPS Fitness Monitor and Smart Music Player (8GB) | $250 via REI | …GPS tracks your speed and distance while you run, walk and bike outdoors; built-in accelerometer tracks your speed, distance and steps taken during indoor workouts. Unit is sweatproof, shockproof, rain resistant and scratch resistant to withstand your toughest workouts.

Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport LS Multisport Shoes (Men’s) | $110 via REI | …Stretchy uppers hug feet and offer quick-drying comfort; breathable stretch-mesh panels keep debris and grit out. 4mm Vibram outsoles are made of nonmarking Vibram TC1 rubber and feature traction pods that follow the contours of your feet and toes for enhanced traction

Women’s Silver Bullet Jacket | $150 via REI | …Super-lightweight run jacket packs a big punch with a high tech aluminum membrane so you can stay warm without adding extra layers.

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. -Kahlil Gibran