hanandbecslivefit-blog

[hanandbecslivefit-blog]

This is my life for the next few days.

2014 US NATIONALS COMPETITION AND LIVESTREAM INFO

August 21: WAG Day 1

Juniors competition: 1:00 pm EDT (direct stream link)

Seniors competition: 7:45 pm EDT (direct stream link)

August 22: MAG Day 1

Juniors competition: 1:00 pm EDT (direct stream link)

Seniors competition: 7:15 pm EDT (direct stream link)

August 23: WAG Day 2

Juniors: 2:00 pm EDT (direct stream link)

Seniors: 8:00 pm EDT (NBC TV coverage; NBC live stream)

August 24: MAG Day 2 Note: seniors compete in the afternoon session.

Seniors: 2:00 pm EDT

Juniors: 7:30 pm EDT (USAG stream)

Livestream:

USAG: all sessions will be streamed except for Day 2 senior sessions. Watch on the PGChamps.com Live page or USAG’s YouTube channel. Samantha Peszek, Raj Bhavsar, and Evan Heiter will commentate.

Note: the USAG stream is free but geolocked; use a proxy like Zenmate to view if outside the US.

NBC: NBC official stream (sign-in with cable/satellite provider required) for Day 2 senior sessions

TVPC: one of the NBC/NBC Sports streams may work. This post will be updated with alternative livestreams should they become available.

TV coverage:

Aug. 22, WAG seniors: 7:00 pm EDT, tape delayed on NBC Sports

Aug. 22, MAG seniors, 11:30 pm EDT, tape delayed on NBC Sports

Aug. 23, WAG seniors: 8:00 pm EDT, NBC live

Aug. 24, MAG seniors: 2:30 pm EDT, NBC live

Start lists and scores:

Start lists and results

Live scoring (unless it goes down mid-comp lol UGH)

Social media:

YouTube (USAG will post every competition routine after the competition, plus PT clips and interviews)

Twitter (event hashtag: #PGChamps)

Facebook

Photo credit: Elise Amendola/AP

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Yessssss! The gabby Douglas story is on netflix and everything is amazing.

The Gabby Douglas Story is now on Netflix for those intereseted

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5 Minutes Into My Distance Runs

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My dad! Great guy! Happy day! HR

Happy Father’s Day Rich! Thanks for all that you do. #fathersday

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Me at the finish line.

nicole richie is everything to me (x)

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The other PB

I ran the Longest Day Road Race 10k with a friend today and beat my personal best of 58:3... and my goal of 57:00! Y'all I ran it in 55:50 (I think those were the seconds). Feeling drained but pretty impressed with myself. HR

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Week 4!

Being fit and healthy is easy. Staying fit and healthy for longer than an hour is hard work! I’ve been trying to follow the Seawheeze training program, but without anyone making me get out of bed and turn off Orange is the New Black, I’m finding it hard to motivate myself. I’ve essentially done only 75% of the program so far, which isn’t too shabby. Right? HR

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Here’s what the rest of this week looks like. Plus I need to do a yoga class on Friday because I gave myself a rest day on Monday. Nothing like starting the week on a low note. HR

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Again again again

Registered for the Seawheeze in the winter and today I officially started training. Just a short lil jog on the seawall and a long long rest on the couch. Strong legs here I come! -HR

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Saturday was the run and let me just say, I finished it! My goal was to make it under 2:15, which I did. My secret goal was to make it under 2:00, which I didn't. However, I stuck to my race plan and really pushed myself to stay on pace. Ultimately, I'm proud!

I started my day at 4:30am with a big bowl of oatmeal and then quietly got all of my stuff together. I got a ride to a building a couple of blocks away from the start so that I could meet up with my running group and instructor. We had our last minute pep talk and chatted about how nervous we were. It was fun to know that most of us were running a half for the first time and had some really similar feelings about what was to come (namely: fear and excitement with a little bit of regret that we had ever actually signed up to do this to ourselves).

Next I headed to the port-a-potties because I got a serious case of the nervous pees. I probably peed about 6 or 7 times that morning (that is not an exaggeration). Then I headed to the starting corral with two girls from the group. I couldn't find BJP at the start, but we wished each other luck via text. Then we were sent past the start line and off on our way to run 21.1km. 

Right away I started feeling a little rough. Before the 1km mark I got a foot cramp. I never get muscle cramps. Then after 2km my legs started feeling tired. By 6km we were climbing up to the Burrard bridge and I was feeling slow. My legs were getting even worse and I couldn't believe it was happening. I kept trying to think of what I had done the days before to leave me feeling so sluggish. I knew I had to keep pace with the girls I was running with, because we had similar time goals and they were timing the run/walk intervals. So, I became determined to stick with their pace so that I could finish within my goal time and follow their run/walk schedule. Just over the bridge I saw my mom and dad who were standing on the side of the road by a bunch of yellow balloons (my mom had tried to get banana balloons, but they were all sold out. Seriously though, how amazing is that?). I got to run past them a second time after I looped back and I nearly cried when I saw them. I think running long distances makes me emotional?

Next, I had to run back over the bridge and it was rough. The girls were pulling way ahead of me but I kept pushing myself to catch up. As we ran along the seawall I made sure not to let them get so far away that I'd lose them. I also saw a couple of signs that said "Run now. Whine later." which totally resonated with me. My inner monologue was essentially a long rant about how terrible my legs were feeling and I decided that I would just finish the half and then complain about it with my friends when I was done. And that, my friends, is how my running mantra came to be: Run now. Complain to friends later. 

I pushed past the 17km mark, the notorious distance where many runners hit "the wall." As I saw it approaching I braced myself, and what a wall I hit. It was rough but I kept going. I didn't let myself walk even though that was EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO DO. I saw my running instructor at about the 18.5km mark and he told me to keep going and that I was looking good (not in a creepy way, in a motivational way, guys!). At the 20km mark I ran past SMS which totally caught me by surprise, as I'd forgotten she was going to be cheering me on. I saw her beautiful face and nearly burst into tears again. She told me after the run that I had yelled, "I'M SO TIRED!" which seems about right.

Then came the last 1.1km, which was long and full of corners to round and I felt like giving up a little. Just walk for a second, I told myself. One second of walking then run some more. BUT LO, I DID NOT WALK. I ran like the wind (aka I maintained my slow shuffle) all the way to the finish line. I had done it: a half-marathon!

Along with other finishers, I was motioned towards a little aisle full of volunteers who handed us our finishing medals, some SWAG, a M*****F****** WATER BOTTLE, and a cold face towel. I just sort of walked myself, ever so slowly, through the crowd with a confused smile on my face while feeling really foggy, but very happy. I went pee (obviously) and saw a little sign on the inside of the port-a-potty that read "tinkle, tinkle, you're a star" and I thought, "ya, ya I am."

Next was a weird blur of hugs, congratulations, watermelon, walking, sitting, walking, more watermelon, water and a ride home from SMS that involved so much ego boosting I can hardly keep my feet on the ground. Man, I have some awesome friends.

Long story short, I'm so proud of myself and super pleased with my result. I'm also feeling quite excited to keep up with my running. I want to do another half and improve my time. Mostly though, I want to bask in the glory of this half and walk around feeling smug for the next week. I wonder if I can wear my medal to work?

HR

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I'm back! The trip was beyond amazing! More on that later. For now, I just want to say that I'm really nervous and excited about the race on Saturday. So far, for preparation, I've been hydrating and I had a bath tonight to soak my legs and get them prepped. I wasn't able/kind of forgot to run on my road trip, so my legs are feeling quite well rested. I just keep telling myself that my knees will be happy with the week off from running! Right?

Tomorrow after work I'm going to head to the Running Room to pick up some last minute supplies and then do a little carb loading with SMS (not SCS, they're two incredibly different, yet super amazing ladies). I also have to head to BP's to pick up my racing package! I might go on a little 10-15 minute run just to get rid of some nerves and to remind myself that I can, in fact, run. 

It's all kind of happening and I haven't had much time to think about it because I've been so busy driving and singing along to country songs (turns out I can get into country so long as it's just the Dixie Chicks). 

I'm feeling ready for Saturday, and excited to see how it goes, but also nervous that it won't go well and I'll be disappointed. I guess I just need to focus on nutrition, hydration, relaxing and going with the flow. Whatever happens will happen and at the end of the race there's a free brunch, so I can't be THAT disappointed at the end. Hopefully.

Wish me luck guys!

HR

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Speed work

Yesterday was my first and last day back with my running group. I’m driving to California with some besties on Friday and so I’ll be doing the rest of my runs on my own from now until race day.

I’ve still been getting emails from my running instructor since fingergate 2013, so I knew what I had been missing (speed work) and what I had to look forward to for yesterday’s run (more speed work!). Basically, we ran 1.5k to a small park then divided up into our speed groups. All the people planning to run the half in 2:00-2:15 ran in the same group. We were told to run at a pace about 15-20 seconds faster than our race pace. It’s a way to compensate for running so much slower than our race pace on Sundays. We get to work new muscles and get a feel for going “fast." First, we ran around the park once (~400m) then took a quick break. Then ran it twice, break, three times, break, four times, break, three times, break, two times, break, one time, break. Then we ran back to the store. I ended up running about an 8 minute mile!

It was a really good run for me and I felt strong and comfortable. My instructor told me and BJ we did pretty well for out first day back with the group (BJ was in Hawaii for a couple weeks!). I was happy because before we started the run he told us that we didn’t have to do all of the speed work because it was our first day trying it out, but I totally did it all!

I have to say, hydration is totally key. I just bought a jug of Gatorade powder and I’m using it before and during my runs and I’m really noticing a difference in my stamina and comfort level during. As a chronic under-drinker, hydration is a tough thing for me. Luckily I like the taste of “blue mountain" or “blue cloud" or “blue whatever" Gatorade!

HR

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You guys! Hooray! The splint is off and I can finally go about my life making half wishes and silly looking fists with my left hand. Life is good and summer in Vancouver is awesome (see above street art).

Also, I’m loving this song: https://vimeo.com/68440901

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My Sunday, a photo-essay:

Sweet and lovely 10km with Kim. Skipped running group and did on my own - 8:30 ams on Sunday are a bit much for me.

Post-run breakfast on my patio - frozen fruit w almond milk, toast w cheese/peanut butter and coffee. So good.

Beerfest with friends. It was like a huge frat party, which terrified and grossed me out to begin with. But you know what, a few beers in, it turned into a fairly fun day! Perfect weather, lots of beer and Big Sugar (yah, go google them), who are now a reggae band.  Great day.

And that Gold Star?That’s for HR’s 20 kms. What a champ! Very very impressed!

RR

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I ran 20k, or 21.5k, or maybe just 10k. One never knows when one uses an Iphone app. But I'm pretty sure it's somewhere between 5k and 25k. Probably closer to 20. Ok, ok, let's just call it 30.

Last night I got home from work and decided I was going to do my run before work today. You know, getter' done before I could talk myself out of it. I wanted to make sure I was hydrated for this morning so I spent the evening chugging about a litre of Gatorade then lying on the couch in fetal feeling like I was about to vomit. I may have forgotten to mention that I also ate some Alfredo a la Michael Scott (Fun Run episode). Things felt a little terrible for a while, but then I made it up to bed for a solid 7 hour sleep.

I woke up at 6, ate some oatmeal, chugged some more Gatorade (this girl never learns, I tell ya), and watched last week's Degrassi, which was awesome. Then I basically had to throw myself out of my house to get my run going, because I kept thinking how easy it would be to just slink upstairs and cocoon myself under my comforter and sleep the extra 2 hours.

BUT I DIDN'T DO THAT. I really want to stress how crazy that is. I ALWAYS pick sleep over any other activity. Sounds sad, but it truly is the Adam-Rosenberg way. We nap. It's  kinda our thing.

Anyway, the run went amazingly! The first 10k felt fantastic. My Ipod was on shuffle and every song made me go "This song? I love this song!" The weather was ridiculous and the seawall was practically deserted. I love running in Vancouver. The run back was a bit rough because I was getting a little tired and my knees were starting to hurt, but I persevered and made it home in one piece with my parents congratulating me when I walked through the door. My dad mentioned that I'd only run HALF a marathon, not a full one, but my mom was super stoked and I'm so happy they support me... Is this sounding like an acceptance speech to you too?

K, I'll stop now. My fingers hurt.

HR

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Okay okay okay okay....

I'm still here! I'm still running!  I had been dealing with a ton of ankle and knee pain and was feeling very grumpy about the whole thing, but I got new shoes on Weds and am feeling much better.  I'm doing a 9-10km tomorrow w Kimmers, which I am looking forward to.

In general, I have to say I don't really love being part of a running group. I get that it's great support, etc. but I kind of feel like it's a big waste of time in my life because it's like, I stay at work until 6:30, then head over, then stand around while late people show up, then stand around for some talking, then go for a run on a shitty ugly downtown route that I hate.  I could have just left work at 6:30, came home, got my dog, gone for a nice run in my pretty neighborhood and called it a day.  I'm still going to go, but I've found it challenging to want to go.  And even if I don't go, I am still doing the runs and stick to the training schedule, don't you worry!

So happy to hear that HR is back at it!  20km! Whoot! Very exciting!

RR