Why It's Great to be a Woman

This is a lovely essay written and read by Kelly Corrigan, an author. To me, its a great reminder of why it's great to be a woman and how blessed we all are. Happy holidays!

The Best Holiday Gift Ever

Where did Thanksgiving go, and why are there twinkle lights in my neighbor’s bushes and inflatable snowmen in her front yard? With all my focus on ZOOMA Atlanta over the past couple months, the holidays have crept up on me like never before. Which causes me to stress out a little.

My sister and I have been trying to coordinate Christmas Eve and Christmas day family visits. We have about 48 hours to squeeze in visits with three different family branches, between the two of us. Not to mention sleep, travel time, and a break to breathe. Then there are the presents! There are, admittedly, some amazing recession-sales out there, but still it’s a difficult task to find the perfect gift for eight family members. And the holiday cards. And the holiday parties. Oh… the holidays!

And I’m sure many of you are struggling with even more distractions than I am. So, I’m proposing a new strategy. I’m going to give myself the best holiday gift ever.

The holidays are supposed to be about enjoying friends and family. They are about reflecting on the good things in our lives, and giving gifts to others because we love them and want them to feel happy and appreciated. I think that we all have one major problem when it comes to the holidays – we try to do too much. The holidays can really only be enjoyed if we are relaxed, de-stressed, and feel prepared and organized. How can we enjoy our friends and family members if we are stressed out with trying to see them all and with buying the perfect gifts?

The best gift we can give ourselves is to know our limits, and work within our own parameters. I refuse to sacrifice myself for the sake of a “perfect holiday.” Instead, I’m going to drastically take control of my holiday this year. I might schedule a massage for myself. Make time for yoga and running with friends. Focus on the small things. Scale back on the gifts if the effort is stretching me thin. Give myself permission to decline a holiday party invitation if I’d rather stay home and watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Pace myself. This holiday season, I'm going to treat myself.

I'm taking back this holiday... and creating a happy, relaxing, joyful and soulful few weeks. And, from the bottom of my heart, I wish you all the same!

Brae

ZOOMA Austin Training Kick-Off!

Thursday, January 8 at 6:00 pm
Rogue Equipment, 500 San Marcos St, Austin, TX

• Meet Kristin Armstrong, Runners' World contributor, and ZOOMA Women's Race Series founder Brae Blackley
• Learn about LifeWorks' single mothers' shelter and how you can help by running ZOOMA, from Susan McDowell, LifeWorks' CEO and runner
• Enjoy wine, bra fittings, product demos and free giveways from ZOOMA sponsors
• Kick your ZOOMA training off with a short run with Kristin, Brae, Susan and other ZOOMA runners!

Participation is free! Reserve your spot by RSVPing at www.zoomarun.com/news.html

Training Kick-Off is limited to 50 participants, so reserve your spot today!

ZOOMA Atlanta 2008

THANKS to all the ZOOMA Atlanta runners and walkers who braved 35 degree weather to challenge themselves with a 5K or half marathon. Nearly 1,700 women signed up for the inaugural race. Thanks for welcoming ZOOMA to Atlanta! We'll definitely be back next year.

And thanks to those of you who shared your good experiences with me. Here are a few of the sweet emails I have received over the past couple of days:

I just wanted to thank you for making my first 1/2 marathon such a wonderful experience! I had so much fun. The race was very well organized and the course was great! I can't wait for the next one.

Thanks again,
T. Proctor

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I just wanted to thank you for putting on an incredible race. No doubt the course was difficult, but a blast. For it being an inaugural event in Atlanta, it seemed to go off without a hitch. Kudos to your water/Gatorade cheering crew - they definitely kept us motivated. This was my first half-marathon and it definitely won't be my last! Looking forward to next year!

E. Zwigart

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GREAT race! Everything was so smooth and the event was a delight. It was my first half marathon and I loved it. See you next year and God bless your work.

Ginger

(P.S. Women liked this race especially because it gave them a chance to do a Fall half marathon before Thanksgiving. Women do the Atlanta Thanksgiving half, but it makes it hard for them to host company for the holiday. I heard one women commenting that Zooma will be her new November tradition and then she can relax and enjoy her Thanksgiving.)

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I participated in the Atlanta event yesterday, it was fantastic. Thank you for the wonderful race experience. The food was good, the vibe was great and the necklaces are too cute. I just wanted to say thanks, we had a great time…keep up the good work! See you next year!

C. Genter

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One of the BEST races I've been to!!!!! I WILL be there next year!! Good job!

K. Johnson

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Thanks to all of you for continuing to motivate me in my own running. I saw many women running across the finish line holding up their hands in victory with a huge smile on their faces, and there is nothing more inspiring. Congratulations to ZOOMA Atlanta finishers! Keep up the great work!

Brae

Race Preparation: Gracie's Do's and Don't's

We are just days away from our race in Atlanta. I am so excited for all of you to achieve the goals you have set for this event. Whether it is to finish, run and walk, run the whole time, or run a personal best...You CAN and WILL be successful!

The best prepartion for ZOOMA has already been accomplished: your training. If you have trained consistently, the rest will fall into place and your best race is in front of you.

I always share some Do's and Don'ts before race day: Please leave a comment below and let us all know what has been successful for you or your worst nightmare so we don't make the same mistakes :-)

Do's:

1-Make sure you are hydrated all week. Drink water until you meet the pee test: If your pee is clear, then you are ready to rock!

2-Make sure you rest a few days before the race. Stay off your feet as much as possible the day before.

3-Stay positive. Start now visualizing the entire race, mile by mile...how great you feel..what pace you are going, the people cheering you on and of course the finish line. Spend the time to visualize the entire race...

Don't's:

1-Don't eat anything that you don't normally eat the night before or day of the race.

2-Don't do any extra activities that you don't normally do the week of the race. We don't want you to get hurt, pull a muscle and not be able to race.

3-Don't wear brand new shoes for the race. Make sure your shoes are broken in.

4-Don't let any negative energy or doubt go through your mind. You have worked hard for this and you are going to enjoy it!

You have done the training and now is the time to mentally focus on being and staying positive.
Please send me questions, any questions, you have concerning your training, the race, prep...anything! I am here for all of you.

I will be at the race and expo selling my gear! If you don't already have a gracie' s gear top, shorts, or capris, go visit the Big Peach or Phiddipides. Our new colors and line have just arrived and they are amazing!

Coach Gracie
gracie@graciesgearandtraining.com
http://www.gracies-gear.com/

Refuel Before You're Empty

Although gas prices do seem blissfully low, this blog post is not about pulling over to fill up anytime you see gas advertised for below $2.80 a gallon (although it is tempting!) It may be totally “square” but I admit that I am reading The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, the granddaddy of self-help authors. The book was originally published in the 50s and definitely has a Christian undercurrent, but its advice rinks true today for a broad audience.

Here are some of the topics covered: A Peaceful Mind Generates Power, How to Have Constant Energy and How to Break the Worry Habit. Maybe it would disappoint Dr. Peale to know this… but these are all very relevant problems for most people—60 years after he first published his book!

The basic message is that we create our own happiness, our own energy, our own sense of inner peace. This isn’t big news. The most interesting parts are how to actually find the happiness, energy and peace.

One piece of advice that stuck in my head is Dr. Peale’s suggestion that we take 15 minutes every day to empty our minds. Just think about… well, nothing. No multi-tasking. No reading, watching TV, answering emails, watching kids, etc. Just… empty.

When I first read this I thought it was a very, very cool idea. Then, my skeptical self kicked in and I wondered how I could actually sit still for 15 minutes and not do ANYTHING. Maybe this idea was outdated. After all, they didn’t have internet and blackberries in the 50s. People were surely much less productive. Finally, I thought – why not? Shavasana (a.k.a. corpse pose, or final relaxation when you just lay on your mat with your eyes closed) is my favorite part of yoga class. Shavasana is really little more than emptying my mind after working out. And yoga is decidedly not 50s-ish. Maybe there was something to this think-nothing-for-15-minutes idea.

I realize that 15 minutes may be a huge chunk of time for some people, and many of us may not have the luxury of 15 free minutes alone every day. But don’t we owe it to ourselves to refuel before the tank is empty? Being quiet and truly still does bring peace and energy. Peace and energy makes me happy, and probably makes you happy, too. Without energy and inspiration, I wouldn’t get much done and I wouldn’t be much use to the people around me.

For me, running serves as a peaceful time. It’s a time to pay close attention to the things around me, the sights and the smells. It’s a time to feel every twinge and strength in my body, and to sweat away all the stress and worry of the day. Not thinking – just noticing. In a way, running is a way to refuel.

We often focus on things like self-help books when we find ourselves in a bad place. (Totally out of gas and AAA is on its way.) Doesn’t it make more sense to refuel before we’re empty?

Have a great week –

Brae

Be Caveman Sexy

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about weight loss and running. Weight loss is a stressful issue on the minds of so many women and is actually the top reason women start running. Healthy living is something I feel passionate about and is the reason I founded ZOOMA—to inspire women to have fun with a healthy lifestyle.

It’s tough not to focus on weight loss with Jenny Craig commercials, Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty, and J.Crew catalogs with stick thin models bombarding me at every turn. Many of you probably include losing weight or maintaining your current weight as a major part of your ZOOMA Atlanta training goals. I have to admit that I run partly to maintain my weight.

Which makes me wonder… are we losing focus on the “real” goal here?

Is it beauty? We’re all aware of the prevalence of anorexia and bulimia with young girls, and the ridiculous weight standards People Magazine sets for us. Then, Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty encourages a “wider definition of beauty” by featuring non-typical-model-types in their ads. This campaign provoked some controversy, as several of the models would probably be described as “overweight” (medically speaking), and may not actually be all that healthy. Weight and beauty are undeniably closely related in the U.S.

Is it health? One of the newest Jenny Craig spokespersons is Queen Latifah, whose weight loss goal was to reach her “ideal size” and lose 20 pounds to lower her cholesterol. Queen Latifah’s focus was clearly on losing weight for health and not for looks. A good message, I think, but one that has not been heavily promoted in Jenny Craig’s marketing as far as I can tell.


I’ve heard a theory that the biological origin of the idea that “thin is beautiful” has to do with the fact that being thin is correlated with being healthy. I guess a caveman would want to shack up with a thin cavegirl because she would be likely to bear children and live a long life.

I think we all agree that being model-skinny is not a realistically attainable or healthy option for most women. But after we’ve left that ridiculous idea behind, what is the “real” goal? For me, I want to maintain a weight where I feel good about myself and am healthy. But what does that mean?

I suspect that the answer is different for each of us. And that is really the key here. Match up your “ideal size” and your healthiest weight. Your healthiest weight can be scientifically measured and has nothing to do with fashion models, celebrities or ad campaigns. You can measure your BMI and make sure your number falls within the healthy range. But BMI isn’t a perfect measure for everyone, so talk to your doctor, too.

Remember: The “real” goal is to be healthy, not to be as thin as your best friend, or to fit in a size that is too small for you! Would you be attractive to a caveman? Be happy in your own skin, have fun and be energetic, and find comfort in a lifestyle that makes you feel good about yourself. Show me that woman, and I will show you beautiful J

Have a great week,
Brae

Guest Post: Yolanda Leduc

ZOOMA Blog Guest Post#1: Occassionally, we meet a ZOOMA runner who is truly inspirational, and we ask her to share her story with you. Here is the first of our guest posts.

At some time in our lives, we all get asked that big question. What do you want to do with your life? My answer is always to love people with all my heart and help anyway I can. So, I spend my life doing just that. In the process, I forgot to love and celebrate myself.

I have always been a large frame,"big bone" they say. I used that excuse for as long as I could. I never wanted to own up to the fact that I was mistreating myself and my health. I continued to neglect myself, and year after year, child after child, the pounds packed on. I then spent many years trying to get the pounds off, fast!! As we all know, fast is not the answer.

I fast forward my life to January of 2006, 32 years old. I joined a small local gym, determined to break the "fast" cycle and create a lasting one. To my surprise, I weighed in at 292 pounds. I was devastated!! It was as if I had been blind and hadn't seen myself getting larger and larger. I said a prayer and asked for help then begged for strength. I then went to work, on me. I was successful at losing about 20 pounds.

A few months down the road, my body sent me a warning. Even with the success of losing some weight, my body had enough!! My blood pressure shot up to numbers I'm not proud of. There I was at 32 in the back of the ambulance with not one but two nitro tablets given to me and heart patches on my chest. I was lying there with the thought of, am I having a heart attack or a stroke? The thought of my husband and kids and my hopes and dreams possibly being gone, just like that, was enough.

Thankfully, it was a warning, not a heart attack or a stroke. I knew that I had to get more serious about my health. That was my motivation. It starts with "the will to live." I was determined to get it together.

Funny, I use to always see myself running for miles, even though my body couldn't keep up. I was not going to let anyone take this vision from me. I held on to it and started to run the best way I knew how. It took me weeks to get to the end of my block. I never entertained the idea of not making it. I put in my head a picture of myself running. I then told myself, I will do it one pound at a time.

My husband and kids didn't know it yet but life in our house was about to change. You see, we women set the stage in our homes. We have the gift of setting the mood. We are the pillars of our homes. I wanted not just myself to be healthy but all of us. You can never be too healthy!! I started changing the way we ate and the types of foods that we ate and added more activity than before. I began to put myself through my own boot camp. I applied many types of excercises and I ran and ran.

I am now able to walk 7 miles and run a litttle over 3 miles. I am now 34 years old and 84 pounds lighter and still going. I have 53 pounds more to go but to me it feels like 10.

One of my dreams is to run in some type of marathon. I began searching for one on the computer and found ZOOMA. Now, here I am starting with the 5K. Although I haven't run the race yet, the thought of entering another run after this one is amazing!! I owe it to myself, we all do.

In this whole process, I have not only gained a new lifestyle along with the added bonus of a transforming body, but I have learned to love and celebrate me. Do I still love people? More and more each day, me included. I have the will to live!! The question is, do you?

Thank you,
Yolanda Leduc

Strength Training Challenge

In the first six months of this year, I was totally side-lined by a random injury - mostly due to my lack of strength in critical running muscle groups. Until last January, I had never had an injury that had kept me from running for more than a week or two. My mood changed, my weight fluctuated... I was totally lost!

Thankfully, now I am back on track. (Just did a half marathon last weekend!) But not without learning an important lesson. Those 20 minutes you can spend strength training every few days are not wasted, and can actually be more important than running...

We're expecting a lot from our bodies, and we need to give our muscles and joints the tools they need to be able to perform.

Despite my best intentions, with busy schedules, etc., I've been having a hard time committing to a strength training program. In the weekly training program that goes out today (Sept 26) at noon EST, I challenged ZOOMA Atlanta runners to commit to a 4-week strength routine. The rules:
1. Do each of the exercises demonstrated on this video at least once a week for four weeks.
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/bettertv/members/?lid=823483079
(Ignore the part about it being a "miracle workout." You and I know there are no "miracles" when it comes to getting in shape!)
2. Comment on this entry to show your commitment to the program.
3. I'll be honest about my progress - check back on the blog to see how I am others are doing.

I think we will all see real results in four weeks... it doesn't take much. Prepare yourself for the challenge of ZOOMA Atlanta (or whatever your next adventure) with strength!

Good luck!
Brae

The Freedom of Being Healthy

Dear ZOOMA Runners and Run/Walkers,

A couple nights a week I coach a group of women who are just getting into (or getting back into) running. Last night, as I worked with my run walk group, I realized something--for the woman who feels so miserable in her skin because she has let herself go, the courage it must take to get off her butt and exercise is incredible. As I hugged each new member of my group, I told them how amazing they were to be out there sweating with me.

We had women in their 20's to women in their 60's learning how to run. To be honest, half of them seemed very uncomfortable being there last night. As a professional coach and trainer, I do understand how they must feel. I know some wouldn't think I have ever felt this way because I have always been active and I am an avid runner. . . but the same type of intimidation has been a barrier for me only in a different way.

As a collegiate athlete, it was very intimidating approaching the start line of a race with world class runners . . . but I did it. Once the gun went off, it was just me and the watch and the intimidation was gone. Don't let intimidation be your barrier to the freedom of being healthy!

One of the women really stood out to me last night . . . Before we even got started, she stated that she would only be able to run two 30-second intervals and that she would walk the rest. She was very intimidated and nervous, but I told her she could give me more than that and to test her body. With a little motivation from the rest of us, she ran 10 intervals of 30-60 seconds of running. Afterwards, she was smiling ear to ear and couldn't beleive she did it.

Going into your training plan with a really positive attitude or finding others to exercise with you for the encouragement will change EVERYTHING about your workout. YOU are the one that needs to make the time to exercise. YOU are the one that needs to stay consistent or get back on track. And . . . YOU, your family, your job, and your relationships will reap the benefits of your health!

Keep up the great work with ZOOMA. This hard work will pay off!

With love and inspiration,
Gracie

Exciting ZOOMA News for Today

Two pieces of Exciting ZOOMA News today:

FIRST: Registration for ZOOMA Austin is open! We are super excited about this race. The race is on Saturday, April 4, and is hosted by the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort and Spa. The course is rural and so peaceful and beautiful, and the post-race party is right on the banks of the Colorado River. April in Austin is fab-u-lous. Our official charity is LifeWorks, a local Austin non-profit that does amazing social services work with youth and families in need.

If you're looking for the ideal active girls' weekend trip... this is it! Here's why:

1. April weather most everywhere besides Texas is iffy...

2. The Hyatt Lost Pines is beautiful and luxurious, and we have a great rate for ZOOMA runners that you won't get any other way... (It's the peeerfect place for a pampering girls' weekend.)

3. The race is on Saturday morning, leaving the rest of the weekend for spa treatments, magaritas and guacamole :) (You won't get better Tex-Mex. I have never had a bad meal in Austin!)

Click here for details and to register: http://races.zoomarun.com/austin.html

SECOND: Andrea and I successfully finished the Philadelphia Distance Run on Sunday. Injury free. AND, we had a ton of fun! (If you can't make it to a ZOOMA half marathon, I highly recommend this race.) Check us out below...

Andrea on left, Brae on right. Still standing (and smiling) after crossing the finish line.

Congrats to Andrea for dominating her first half! Now its onto the next adventure... (ZOOMA Atlanta, here we come!)

"Playing" for Adults

My last three workouts have been a mixed bag. One 10-mile run cut short around mile 7 because I was dehydrated and felt like I might keel over at any moment (my fault, I know). One half hour run that felt like an hour and a half. I was reluctant to do go out again – my last two attempts had been totally miserable and decidedly not fun. Could I find that spark again? And finally… a decent short run yesterday. Thankfully, the weather was cool and crisp, night was approaching, and kids were practicing soccer, tennis, and cheerleading on the fields along my route. My mind was in the right place. It was fun.

Apparently, other women are feeling the same way. Today I finally got around to reading the annual report on the “State of the Sport” by Running USA (runningusa.org). It was interesting to see the chart showing female runners’ “primary motivators for running.” According to the survey, the top motivators are (in order of priority): staying healthy, staying in shape, relieving stress, meeting a personal challenge, controlling my weight, achieving my goal, improving my state of mind… and finally… having fun.

This got me thinking: Are we forgetting that running is fun? Running is fun! Not all of the time, but it is definitely mostly fun! Right? This could start to explain why so many people have trouble staying with an exercise program, and why 64% of adults in the U.S. are obese. They aren't having fun.

The ability to run or walk is a real gift – no matter how fast or how slow we are. The ability to lace up our shoes, get outside, people watch as we zoom by, participate in races with friends, sleep well, just think, be alone for awhile, and be healthy is a good thing. Breathe in the crisp fall air. After all, running is really just playing for adults. Invite a friend to “play” with you, and inspire each other to run...for fun.

Train SMART!

I follow FitMom on Twitter and yesterday she tweeted about a guest post by Coach Al Lyman. Since most of you in are in the middle of your training for ZOOMA Atlanta (me and Brae, end of our training for the Philly ING Half Marathon next weekend!!), I thought I would share with you his great advice about what to do if you get injured and the importance of paying attention to your body while training!

http://fitnessformommies.net/2008/09/12/marathon-training-running-coach-al-injuries-athletes/

If any of you are on Twitter, find me! Andreajm

Treadmill vs. Outside Training

Is there a difference between training on the treadmill vs training outside? I have been getting this question a lot lately.

There are many pros and cons and differences in training on the treadmill vs training outside.

I will start with the Pros:
1-You can run no matter what the weather is outside.
2-You can watch TV and catch up on your shows while training.
3-The pace is exactly what you register it to be.
4-You're never alone unless you want to be.
5-Water is right there when you need it and you don't have to hold onto it.
6-You can add a hill whenever you want.
7-You can run anytime of the day (very convenient for our busy women).

Now for the Cons:
1-You are not racing indoors, are you?
2-You will feel like you are flying on your interval days (adjust the treadmill to 0.5 grade)
3-You won't get used to outside environmental factors such as weather and changing terrain.
4-Can get boring on those long runs.
5-The lack of wind resistance and the assistance of the moving belt make treadmill running slightly easier than free range running. When running on the treadmill you are running in place. You are not moving through the air. When you run outside the air creates resistance. Studies have estimated that outside air resistance creates an increase in your workload of between 2% and 10%, depending upon your running speed.

So in conclusion, I recommend that you vary your workouts and try to run outside at least one day a week to get used to the environmental factors and ever changing terrain.

If you need to pick which day to run outside, try and fit in the weekend runs outside.

Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have concerning your training!

I believe in all of you and am SO proud you are taking action in being active and reaching your running goals!

Don’t forget to get your training gracie’s gear with pockets from Big Peach Running Co! They are now showcasing gracie’s gear and you have finally listen to your iPod hands free :)

Coach Gracie

Lost in Motivation

It's 4:50 am as I write this and I'm still suffering from jetlag from two weeks in Israel. Not only do I suffer from jetlag, but as a result of this trip, I've lost my motivation to workout. Surely I'm not alone in this feeling. With the end of the summer comes a change in routine which requires readjusting (I hate change and I'm sure I'm not alone). Some of you may feel like you've hit a workout pleateau, you're restless in the gym (no killer playlist can cure that), or you're just not inspired. During my two weeks away, I was constantly active - riding camels, swimming in the Dead Sea, and hiking in 100+ heat - as intense of a workout as I can imagine. BUT, now that I'm back, I've only been able to lace up my shoes once! This is not good at all since Brae and I are running the Philly ING Half Marathon in less than two weeks!

Okay, so what do we do when we lose our motivation? In my head, I'm setting goals to get back on track with the regimented routine I had before I went away. Next, I'm going to take those thoughts in my head and put them to paper. That way I can hold myself accountable. For the short term my goal is: "I have crossed the finish line in Philly with a smile on my face." Today I will start to put that goal into action. In addition, research new classes or running clubs in the area and check it out. With the start of fall, there are sure to be tons of new happenings in every area. Don't just think about doing it, write it on your calendar and go!

If all else fails, find a friend (dogs are okay) and find an hour and go enjoy their company outside!Let me know if you are struggling with motivation too. We can overcome it together!

Fall is a Great Time to be a Runner

I don’t have any children of my own, but my neighborhood is home to an elementary school and so I feel in sync with the school kids’ schedule. Just this week, the weather changed. The humidity has gone south for the winter, and a few leaves have decided to fall from their lofty summer homes. Yellow school buses are rumbling down my street early in the morning. Yesterday I flipped the calendar ahead a month to September. Reluctantly, I must face it… the change in seasons is upon us and fall is here.

While I do lament the end of warm nights and summer activities, unlike school children who dread the end of summer fun and the start of waking up early and homework, runners have many reasons to be excited when they feel the first nip in the air. Fall is a fantastic time to be a runner, for many reasons:

1. Fall races are better than summer races. Some of the best races around the country happen in the fall… One of my favorites is the New York City Marathon in early November. If you’ve never watched the NYC Marathon, you’ve missed one of the most spectacular running events in the world (in my opinion, at least!) The entire City rallies for this event, with orange and blue paraphernalia on seemingly every street corner. The excitement surrounding the NYC Marathon is completely contagious, and it would be hard to leave there not vowing to run it yourself next year. And, of course, don’t forget ZOOMA Atlanta on November 16 – the newest fall tradition in the southeast!

2. Running in the fall is more pleasant than running in the summer. It really doesn’t really matter where you live. Running when the air is crisp and clear in the fall beats the heat of the summer.

3. Turkey Trots and Gobble Jogs. Nearly every local running club puts on a Thanksgiving Day race. These races offer a great opportunity to bring the whole family out and be active before gorging on turkey and pie later in the day. Inspire your aunts and children and start a new family tradition this year!

4. New season = New gear. The change in seasons also just happens to be a great excuse to stock up on new cold weather running gear. Particularly in the colder months, it is essential to have proper gear. Having run at different times in my life in bulky sweats and sleek running tights, I can tell you that proper gear makes a huge difference to your ability to run comfortably in sub-optimal temps.

Fortunately for us, runners can easily graduate from the school age dread of the end of summer. Don't be sad... Fall is a great time to be a runner!

Which ZOOMA Training Program Should I Choose?

Hello all runners and run/walkers,

I am very proud to be your coach for the ZOOMASeries and am here for ALL of you. The programs we designed are for all levels; from beginner exercisers to those more experienced runners wanting to break their time goals!

I have trained thousands of women runners and I always get the same common question: What program should I follow? Well, what are your goals and where are your fitness levels now? If you are starting from scratch and have never run before, then I suggest you follow one of my beginner programs. If you have been running for a while now and really want to improve your time, try one of the more advanced programs.

The best part of this opportunity is that this is your goal and your training. You can always try one program and then after a few weeks if it is too easy or difficult, simply send me your progress through the “askgracie” section and I can help you decide on how to progress accordingly. Any distance is possible if you commit to the training and stay consistent!

This is what ZOOMA is all about: YOU and improving your running ability.

I would like to encourage everyone to ask me a question about training this week through the ZOOMA Trainer. The Trainer is free! Register at http://races.zoomarun.com/train.html to access the "askgracie" space. Please allow 48 hours for me to answer all questions as we travel a TON with my sports apparel line, gracie’s gear. (www.graciesgearandtraining.com)

Gracie’s Gear is changing the way women work out and what we expect from our workout gear! We are proud to announce that Big Peach Running Co and Phiddipies in GA are now carrying our line. Please enjoy the experience and check us out!!!

I look forward to working with all of you these next few months,

Coach Gracie

Some Things Never Change (and Some Things Do)

Last Saturday morning I arrived at my old high school track around 7:30 am. It was my high school cross country Alumni Run, an annual tradition in which I had not participated since it was a required event for me and my teammates. Every year I receive a notice in the mail inviting me to participate and asking for a donation, and although I usually happily donate, I never attend. This year, I happen to be in town during the Run and decided to revisit old memories.

Only three of my teammates were there as alumni participants, and we all lined up on the start line behind the mass of student runners for the short two-mile event. We chatted and cut up just like old times – only this time, most of us are wives, and a few of us are mothers. Still, as we toed up to the line and waited for the starting cannon to fire, I felt like a nervous high school athlete, eager to impress my coach and to keep up with my talented friends.

The cannon fired and we all jumped… then, sprinted off from the start. These girls lied about what sort of shape they are in! I thought. I prayed that sanity would creep back in and the pace would slow. It did, thankfully, but I still felt good. I stayed on the shoulder of a girl, now a wife and mother, who during our day held the school record in the two-mile distance. We chatted, but mostly we ran. We scampered down and up through muddy ditches. We hugged the fence by the baseball field. (Remember speeding up past the boys as they practiced?) I started to feel the old familiar burn in the pit of my stomach somewhere around the 2.5 mile mark.

I passed two student runners, struggling with their breathing and their mental toughness. They still don’t know how much they really have in them, I thought. I felt almost as if I was looking back in time at myself. If I only knew myself then like I know myself now, I thought. I passed on the outside with a word of encouragement.

Finally, the sprint to the finish. I lengthened my stride and finished with a slightly negative split. Afterwards, my old high school coach congratulated me on a good race… in front of everyone. I was on cloud nine.

Funny how some things never change.

Running Away from Home

As we near the end of the summer, everyone tries to squeeze in last minute vacations. Sometimes we have to pick up our training and take it with us.

The last two months, I have been traveling so often that I have been able to do only one weekend long run on my home turf. One Saturday, I woke up, scurried around the dark to find my running shoes, and tiptoed out of a beach house full of my sleeping friends for a solo 7 mile run. Once out on the roads, though, I was certainly not alone. I passed couple pushing jog strollers. Older couples strolling hand in hand. Families on bikes. I felt like I was part of a special club that knows the early hours of the morning at the beach. Despite the heat and incredible humidity (even in the early hours of the morning), I had a great workout. I returned to the beach house to smiling friends bearing coffee and blueberry pancakes. To me, the perfect start to a beach vacation day.

Another Saturday morning, I found myself in Austin, Texas, there scoping out potential venues for the ZOOMA Austin 2009 event. I set out early and parked near RunTex. From there, I found the Lake Austin trail and ran with the crowds of other active Austin-ites and their dogs. RunTex puts out water at a certain point for any-and-all who are thirsty. I saw Desiree Ficker training with two friends.

Yesterday, I ran from my mother’s house in an old neighborhood whose sidewalks I used to frequent quite often, when I lived at home so many years ago. A Team In Training group was stationed at a location about a mile into my run, and they invited me to join their water break – “The bar’s open!” they called out. I made a couple other friends, too – also out running solo and looking for some conversation to break up hour-plus long runs.

It’s funny how running makes you part of a community, wherever you are. To me, that’s part of the fun of running away from your home course. You feel like you are able to touch the energy of a place and experience its flow while cruising through its streets. I never travel without bringing my running shoes with me. To me, there’s no better way to experience a place.

Kristin Armstrong on Running Skirts

Who says you can't look and feel pretty while running?

"I believe that a woman is even more powerful when she feels pretty."... And we agree!

Check out Kristin's article on RunnersWorld.com:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-369-371--12796-0,00.html

Why I Run

Welcome all Zooma Runners and Run/Walkers!

First off congratulations on starting or continuing the journey of being a runner. Running is one of the most difficult yet amazing sports out there. It demonstrates a true athlete....it is so individual, uses every muscle in your body, and test all limits!

Everyone has different reasons for running: stress relief, convenience, good at it, the sense of accomplishment, social aspect. I started running at the age of 11. I was in the 6th grade and joined our track team. From there, I went onto to high school and found my sport. I ran very competively in university in Louisiana and ran long distance on a scholarship. We would train 3-4 hours a day...it was my life.

After college, I went onto running for fun and trying out these half marathons and marathons that I used to think were CRAZY!! Now that was amazing! The only difference was now with my career, I didn't have all this time to train. Soon I realized balance and running and decided to coach new runners and share my passion for balanced running. What is balanced running? I define balanced running as running and resting throughout the week. Your body needs rest and rest is one of the best preparations for your Zooma race.

Now as a mommy, entrepeneur (I am founder of gracie's gear--new functional line for you!--gotta get some at The Big Peach), running coach, and wife, my running needs to be very balanced. I run for many reasons: I am pretty good at it, I love the early morning runs that start my day, I love the way it makes me feel and look, and it is very healthy to stay fit. I find with running as part of my exercise routine I am a better entrepeneur, coach, mother and wife. As moms we tend to put ourselves last on the list...well my goal was to take some personal time for myself and that is exercise. Even on those tired or stressful days I make myself go out there and do strength, walk, or go for my run. Sometimes I take my daughter in the jogger (now that is a workout). Taking your kids at a young age really makes them enjoy this time with mommy.

As your Zooma Coach, I encourage you to ask me any question realated to running and training. I have coached for 9 years, I have my undergraduate and graduate degree in exercise science and I truly LOVE LOVE motivating and guiding women to be there best! Whether you are brand new to this sport or are an amazing runner. We can and will take you to the next level! Join me on this Zooma journey in Atlanta.

Keep movin'

Coach Gracie

About Me and ZOOMA

Welcome to the ZOOMA blog! I hope you enjoy reading about our trials and tribulations and learning about new industry trends and training advice. Before we embark on this fun new project, I thought it would be good to tell you all a little bit about me and how I ended up where I am…

I started out a lawyer… After marrying my college sweetheart in a beautiful ceremony on the beach in my hometown in Florida, we moved to north to Boston where I worked as a corporate lawyer in a big firm. After two years of not-really-connecting with my chosen profession, I decided to change directions.

Many people ask me – why such a dramatic shift and how did it happen? Most runners can understand when I tell my very common story about how running has helped form who I am, and changed the way I look at life. Running gives me an outlet, it’s meditative, and it allows me to be active and healthy and have fun at the same time. I can run anywhere, and, in fact, one of my favorite things to do is run in a new city. Running follows me wherever I travel. Training allows me to practice discipline, which is a skill that benefits me in many areas of my life. It also gives perspective, which is, of course, so useful when life feels tough or stressful. I sleep better when I run, and it makes me feel more balanced and even throughout the day.

I’m sure many of you can understand what I am saying… So, I have this relationship with running – and I am by no means an elite or competitive runner. I ran cross country and track in high school, but not in college and now I am certainly not a fast runner! In fact, as I write this, I am recovering from an injury and my training runs are pretty s-l-o-w. (Andrea smoked me in a training run on Saturday!) But, in general, I run purely for recreation and to stay healthy. I am a very ordinary runner in that way.

I feel passionate about introducing women to this great friend I have found in running… That partly explains how I came up with the idea for a national women’s half marathon races series.

(1) The half marathon is my favorite race distance – it’s challenging (most people need to train for it), but training isn’t totally overwhelming and time consuming. Most people in reasonably good health can complete a half marathon if they train for it at least moderately. And you really feel a sense of accomplishment after completing the distance, no matter how fast or slow you do it. I am not alone in this feeling – statistics show that the half marathon distance is rapidly becoming the most popular race distance. (Check out the New York Times article in the “links” column.)

(2) I feel passionately about introducing other women to my “friend” running. I believe that running and being healthy and fit can bring the same benefits to other women that it has brought to me. And a national women’s race series is one way I can do that.

After talking with friends and doing some research, I began to realize that there is something to an all-women’s race. Women are more social, supportive of each other, and interested in the total race experience. Women want to train together and are looking for advice and inspiration. Many women who are just entering the sport actually feel less intimidated by an all-women’s race, which some perceive to be less competitive than a typical co-ed event. Women also want to celebrate their accomplishments after the race. Finding time to train and actually have a day off to participate in a race is a great occasion for many busy women – and they want to live it up!

And ZOOMA Women’s Race Series was born! So far, it’s been really exciting. The first event in Annapolis on June 1 was a huge success, and we received awesome feedback from the runners. Now, we’re eagerly planning the Atlanta race for November 16. Early indications are that it will be a great event, as well! I recently returned from trips to Austin and Denver, and plans for 2009 events in those cities are in the works.

That’s a little bit about me and about ZOOMA. I’m really excited about our new blog project, and I hope that some readers will take the opportunity to comment on our postings and make this a dialogue. Ask any questions you may have, and let us know if there’s a specific topic you’d like us to talk about.

Have a great week of training!

Welcome to our Blog!

Can you ZOOMA?

We hope this is the start of another exciting way to keep in touch with our fantastic runners. As I write this, Brae is on her way back from Austin, TX with planning about to kick off for ZOOMA Austin in Spring 2009. In addition, we are working hard for ZOOMA Atlanta and if you want more information, check out www.zoomarun.com and mark your calendar for Sunday, November 16.

This blog will keep you up-to-date as things continue to progress for all of the upcoming races, along with sponsorships, post-race party participants and training ideas. I will also keep you posted as Brae and I train for our own half-marathon in Philadelphia in September! Hopefully, you'll be motivated to share your training experiences too.

So... welcome to our ZOOMA Community!

Cheers!
Andrea