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When Most Racing Stopped in 2020, Running Was Not Canceled – Advice from Two Times Olympian Kim Conley on Running Faster, Smarter, and Happier

September 3, 2020 carmenmicsa Leave a comment

“The lesson I have taken from this year is that there can be unexpected silver linings if we choose to see them. ” Kim Conley, two times Olympian 5,000m runner

Kim Conley, two times Olympian Sacramento local runner running with joy!

I will start my blog with a confession: I did not know anything about the wonderful, speedy, impressive, intelligent, and down to earth Sacramento Olympic runner Kim Conley until last year when I was doing a hilly, solo run around my neighborhood and listened to Deirdre Fitzpatrick’s informative and fun podcast Dying to Ask podcast Kim Conley, Olympian. Make sure to also listen to this year’s podcast How to Think like an Olympian during Covid-19. Needless to say, I was so impressed to learn that
Kim Conley is a 2012 and 2016 Olympian at 5000m and professional runner for New Balance. She grew up in Santa Rosa, California, graduated from UC Davis in 2009, and has lived in Sacramento since then. The more I listened to her talk, the less fatigued my legs felt.

As soon as I got home from my run, I followed Kim on Instagram and became an instant fan. Shortly after that, I started to see her run with speed, intensity, and indelible joy on the bike trail. I greeted her often, but I could tell that she was in floating mode, or what I call levitating between being and nonbeing from the tough speed workout that she was doing that day. A few times I noticed an slight nod, which was enough for me, as I was more focused on admiring her flawless gait, her inner strength, athleticism, controlled buoyancy, and, of course, her smile that obliterated pain, any negative thoughts that we runners experience so often, and any doubts about completing another grueling workout with confidence, poise, and determination.

Kim Conley has built her professional career on the American River Bike Trail

Kim Conley winning the 2014 USATF Championships 10,000m in Sacramento, her first national title, which will always be a special and favorite racing memory.

Kim Conley and her husband Drew, who has also been her coach for 12 years.

Kim Conley’s Advice on Becoming Happier and Faster Runners

Kim Conley advises runners lacking motivation right now due to most races being canceled to create a goal, even if it’s not tied to a virtual race, as it will give us something to work towards. She added: “Goals make me feel like my training has purpose. When the pandemic first shut down normal life, I built up my long run to 2 hours and then sustained a ten-week streak of long runs over 2 hours. It was very different than a race, but it still felt satisfying to accomplish.”
Sign up and support virtual races, such as the ones put together by our amazing running store Fleet Feet. I signed up for their Running is not Canceled race, love the T-shirt, and obviously have included their slogan in the title of this blog. Conley has done some virtual races with organizations she wants to support, such as Running for Office Challenge. Although virtual races are not the same as the real ones, Conley believes that race organizers need our support to get through this time and that it’s no different than ordering takeout from a restaurant where you would normally dine in. The experience isn’t the same, but if we want the restaurant or race to exist when we get through this, we need to help sustain them in the meantime.
Find joy in running means continuing to do what we love! When the Olympics got postponed, Conley acquiesced that the rigors of training and the satisfaction that come with the afterglow of a hard workout, or a long run were enough to overcome her questioning to why she was still pushing herself. Additionally, she used the time to explore new trails (Conley also trains part of the year in Flagstaff, AZ) and develop her training together with her husband and coach Drew differently than they would have done it during a normal racing season.
Find hidden meanings in this year’s low to no racing environment. For instance, when the Tokyo Olympics were postponed, Conley decided to view the extra time as a gift. She has allowed herself to build up mileage again and reduce the amount of cross training, since she had a frustrating injury in 2018 and had to run cautiously in 2019. However, in 2020 Conley has really enjoyed being able to sustain a higher volume of training again, which she hopes that it will yield dividends down the road.
Work on Speed by trying out two of Conley’s favorite workouts by building up to them first, so that you don’t get injured. First workout: 20x400m with 1 min recovery, divided into five sets of four. The first set begins at tempo pace and each set cuts down in pace. The last set is at 3K goal pace. This is a great workout, because it teaches us how to shift to our race pace. Additionally, at the end of the workout a runner accumulates five miles of work. Second workout: 3-4 cut down miles with 3 min rest. There are no set paces for this workout, but Conley is basically running 5k effort. For us mortal runners that would simply mean starting at a pace that we can cut down from in the next mile. The final mile is pretty much all out, as if finishing a 5k. This workout prepares Conley for the mental and physical demands of the 5k. It’s really hard, but having a good day for this workout always boosts any runner’s confidence going into a 5k, 10K, or half marathon race.
Consistency is key. Conley strongly believes that having a coach and a training plan can help structure the training optimally, but ultimately it’s up the individual to get out the door every day and do the work.
Make recovery a priority. Conley sees Dr. Justin Lau at Elite Spinal and Sports Care often, because she is the happiest when she runs pain free. She also enjoys eating a good burger and drinking some good beer for recovery.
Cultivate your Mind with good books. In high school, Conley’s parents gave her John L. Parker’s Once a Runner for Christmas, and she loved it. In her most recent reading, Conley realized that the book is a little outdated and sexist, but if you are willing to overlook that, there is no other book that captures the beauty of the endeavor in the same way. Another of her favorite books are Deena Kastor’s Let Your Mind Run and Becky Wade’s Run the World. I also have learned so much from Deena Castor’s book and absolutely relished the intense and beautiful writing of John Parker’s book. For training insights, Conley recommends Joe Vigil’s Road to the Top and Jack Daniel’s Running Formula.
Let your mind run, which to Conley means to feel the joy of running the workout you are doing that day, instead of worrying that there are no races to run for now.
Run with gratitude. Conley loves that Sacramento has great resources for runners. She has traveled all over the world for training and competition, but has always felt that Sacramento has everything she needs to be successful and that is why she has been able to build her career here. Conley added: “It can be easy to take things for granted when they are right under your nose, but every time I return to this area, I am reminded of what a gem the American River Parkway is. Not many places have so many uninterrupted miles of traffic-free bike path with soft surface options right alongside.”

Kim Conley running the 5000m at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Conley plans to move up to the marathon distance by 2024, but for the near future, she is preparing to run in the Tokyo Olympics next year, so let’s all wish her good luck! We are all cheering for you, Kim, and wishing you to run like a savage! A million thanks for sharing your time and resources with all of us mortals!

For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Also mention this blog and receive a great offer whether buying (credit for closing costs) or selling (commission discount). Running for real estate with joy!

Adding Speed to your runs, Hill workouts, Hills, Marathon PR, Marathon running, Perfect workout for strong running, Progressive runs, Running, Running keeps us younger, Running Marathons, Running Strong and Injury free, Running strong at any age, Speed Workouts, The joy of running, Tips on training for a faster marathon, Vegan Runner, vegan running

Six Fun Ways to Add Speed to Your Training and Hit Those PRs

June 24, 2019 carmenmicsa 9 Comments

After I ran California International Marathon, my first marathon, in 2015, I started playing with my speed doing all kind of creative workouts. I lowered my 9-minute pace to low 7s and I PRed in three 5K races that I ran in three months with two 5K back to back races. I am still working to break my 21:56 minute PR from Run to Feed the Hungry that I ran in 2016 in preparation for my second CIM marathon.

I dedicate this blog to my awesome trail runner friend Jeremy Payne, who recently asked on FB how to get faster on his own before hiring a coach. I highly recommend doing two speed workouts a week, but starting with one depending on your goals can work, too. For advanced runners looking to run faster, short distances from 5K to half marathon race, I recommend three workouts a week, especially because some are much shorter and not as intense. Advanced marathon runners can also swing three workouts, as they will have some included in their long runs, too, but ideally due to mileage volume, I suggest keeping the speed workouts to two a week.

1. Track Intervals and Ladder workouts

When I was a new runner, I discovered that I was 2.5 miles from a high school track and I started copying workouts from my runner friends that they were posting on Strava. The first time I hit a sub 7 minute in my track workout, I was elated and simply fell in love with running around the track, while I kept pushing the pace and tried to catch my breath during recovery between intervals. As far as track workouts and intervals go (click on the link to get a mix of intervals to use in your next training), we can always do them on our own, but it’s better with friends who can push us.

When it comes to track workouts, there is no reason to ever get bored, or to keep repeating the same ones. In addition to our typical interval workouts, such as 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,200, 1,600m, we have pyramid workouts, which start from low to higher and come back down (e.g. 200, 400, 600, 400, 200), and ladder workouts, which are my favorite, as they keep me focused, excited, and motivated (e.g. 400, 800, 1,200, 1,600).

My best friend and training partner Andrea Brizendine and I doing a jumping picture at the end of a fun ladder track workout on a rainy winter day.

Some of my favorite track workouts are:

10x200m with 200m recovery in between.
8x400m with 200 or 400m recovery.
5x300m, 5x500m, 5x400m ladder, which is one of Desiree Linden’s favorite track workouts, according to Runner’s World Magazine.
4×600, 400, 200 starting at 5K and ending at 1-mile effort with 200m rest between the distances and 400m rest between the sets.
800m, 1,200m, 1,600m, 2,000m, 1,200, and 800m. with 400m recovery. The 800m are done at 5K pace and the rest are done at 10K pace.

At American River College track after 6x400m at 5K pace, as I am working on speed and to PR in a future 5K race. I am wearing my RADrabbit top and proud to be part of the RAD rabbit community of runners around the world, as well as my amazing Sacramento team Arete.

2. Fartleks

When I was a new runner and I first heard about Fartleks, I laughed out loud, as it was too close to another word that is not associated with speed at all, but something that we all do every day in private or public- ha!ha! However, from the first time I did Fartleks, I fell in love with the workout and the sheer exhilaration that they brought to my running. Doing Fartleks is my most favorite workout, because they bring out the inner child in me. Fartlek is a Swedish word meaning “speed play.” It is applied to a relatively unstructured form of training over natural terrain. It originated in Scandinavia where structured training during the snowy months of winter is difficult.

Super important note to all runners: Fartleks are best done for up to a month before starting intense Interval training on the track. They will increase your speed and endurance and will prepare the body for more intense and structured workouts.

Some of my favorite Fartlek workouts:

Running 10×1 minute faster than 5K pace at about 90 to 95% full effort with 1 minute recovery in between.
Running 8 to 10×2 mins with 1 min recovery in between at an effort of about 80 percent of full speed.
Running 8×3 mins with 2 mins recovery in between.
Running 4×5 mins with 3 mins recovery in between.
My very favorite Fartlek workouts that my awesome coach Jenny Hitchings makes me do at the beginning of a training cycle: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 minute with speeds varying from half marathon pace to faster than 5K pace, which is usually 6:30 for me. Recovery can be 2 minutes in between.

Best place to run Fartleks is on the bike trail, or any flat and not busy road. I love running on our American River Bike Trail.

My coach Jenny Hitchings does most of her training runs on our beautiful American River Parkway, a place where runners, bikers, and walkers share the trails. I am always running faster when I see her on the trail. Super happy to have her as my coach to keep me accountable and help me reach my goals to break 3:30 in my St. George Marathon in Utah that I will run in October, if I stay healthy and everything goes according to plan.

3. Tempo Runs

Tempo runs are the ideal workouts for any kind of distance, but they are especially beneficial to runners doing half marathons and marathons. Tempo runs are run at sub-maximal pace and done as anaerobic threshold workouts made popular by coach Jack Daniels, Ph.D. Tempo runs should be done at 20 to 30 seconds slower than 5K pace and for a minimum 15 minutes all the way to 60 minutes for advanced runners.

Types of Tempo Runs:

Sustained Tempo done with no break or recovery for 3 miles to 9 miles, depending on the runner’s experience.
Tempo repetitions can be done slightly faster, as they include recovery, which will help clear more lactate.
Tempo Circuit, which I have only done once with coach Henry Hawkins, the head coach of Total Body Fitness Training – click on the link to see what a tempo circuit involves and why it gets us stronger and faster. The workout I have done included 400 meters followed by push-ups, lunges, squats and dips at different stations off the track. I ran one of my fastest intervals that day and it was so much fun.

4. Hill Repeats

Running the hills around my neighborhood in preparation for Boston marathon, which I ran on April 15h this year.

As we all know, hills not only make us stronger and faster runners, but they improve our running form. I love running hills to get stronger and to avoid injuries. I have a great running route through Ancil Hoffman Park that I like to do on my recovery days, as it has some hills and the trails keep me slower.

My awesome, speedy SRA vegan elite runner friend Jedidiah Soliz and I running through our slice of Paradise, keeping the pace easy, but also running the hills.

My awesome friend and Arete team mate Christina Wills jumping with joy at the end of a hilly long run, which included the Johnny Cash trail.

Some of my favorite Hill repeat workouts:

Warm up for 2 to 3 miles and then do 6 to 8×30 seconds sprints uphill.
6×60 seconds sprints at the end of a 3-mile tempo run, which I am excited to do soon, curtesy of my coach who put it on the schedule for me.
Long hill repeats, which are great at building aerobic and muscular endurance. They should be done at 10k, or faster pace depending on your goals.
Long hill runs, which I do quite often, as I created up to 20 mile hilly route around my neighborhood.
Downhill running, which increases quadriceps strength through eccentric contraction. Open your stride, lean forward, and don’t fight the gravity!

5. Progression Runs

I need to thank my good friend and Team Remo coach Robert Ressl-Moyer for turning me into the progression queen last year when I had my best marathon so far that I ran in 3:30:56 at Mountain 2 Beach. I used to run 10 to 18 miles progression runs, starting in the mid 9s and getting down to 7:40 pace, or faster. The purpose of progression runs is to teach us to run fast on tired legs and they can be done for 3 miles all the way to 20 for truly advanced runners, but ideally shorter so that you don’t burn out.

Another way to sneak in a short progression run is to run the last mile of a regular, shorter run at 5K pace.

Both Robert and I ran the Chanoako 50K race last year and I finished third female overall, running it in under 6 hours, which was my goal. Robert won the race and was very nice to wait for me at the finish line.

6. Strides

New runners should start with strides at the end of their easy runs before doing interval workouts. Strides should be done for about 20 to 30 seconds at about 90 percent running ability, but they can also be done at a lower intensity. According to a recent article I read on Runner’s World it is great to do strides the day before a tough track workout, which I did this week and I had a great speed session on Wednesday, so give it a try. Try to incorporate strides into your easy runs about twice a week and you will reap the benefits.

And when you have exhausted all these speed workouts, why don’t you take your long run on the trails, where the hills are ubiquitous and you will immerse yourselves into nature, soul bathing, or posing for a great picture on top of some rocks like my awesome friend and best training partner Andrea and I did just recently.

Andrea and I are soul bathing and posing during our trail run on the Foresthill Divide Loop.

Now that summer is here, I have special incentives for buyers and sellers, such as money back towards closing costs and reduced commission when selling, so please mention this blog and you will also receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.

To search free listings, please go to http://www.dynamicsacramentohomes.com.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446.

Running for real estate with joy! Happy feet!

Running and real estate, Running and Spirituality, The joy of running

The Serendipity of Running – How to Live a More Creative, Productive, and Joyous Life!

November 9, 2016 carmenmicsa Leave a comment

Running is serendipitous!

Ahh! You might exclaim! The author is trying to invoke serendipity to make us run more! Well, she will need to work hard to make this happen!

purpleserendipity_nob8

It might be just the opposite, I would add. One aspect of Walpole’s original definition of serendipity, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serendipity often missed in modern discussions of the word, is the need for an individual to be “sagacious” enough to link together apparently innocuous facts in order to come to a valuable conclusion. How many times do you go on a run expecting a typical run, but then things turn out serendipitous? Are you able to detect these moments easily, or do you just run along and miss them?

seren_def_nov8

Serendipity at Ancil Hoffman Park

For instance, I had a really fun run and hiking coincidence one weekend when I was still pretty new to running. Our kids wanted to relax and stay home with my husband, but I decided to go on a 2-mile run to Ancil Hoffman Park right after the cleansing rain. Once I got there, there was a group ready to go on a hike, part of the meet-up group Trail Mix. I asked them if I could join the hike. Our energetic and youthful guide, a man in his late 70s, who still does speed walking races and is super fit, said yes, so I went on a 4.5 mile hike all around Ancil Hoffman Park (my total for the day: 2-mile running and 4.5 mile hiking, which was just great). The people I hiked with were delightful and quite cheerful. We all enjoyed seeing deer, a jack rabbit, turkeys, and relished the scenery. I love exploring and experiencing new things, as well as being open to serendipity.

Another time, I woke up earlier than my normal time on a weekend, because I had a busy day, but I still wanted to get my 5-mile run in. I decided to run through my slice of Paradise, as I call Ancil Hoffman Park .http://www.regionalparks.saccounty.net/Parks/Pages/AncilHoffmanPark.aspx

As the sun gently pushed its way through the tree branches, the artist I listened to on my Ted Talk podcast said the following Egyptian proverb: “Anyone who wants to see the sunrise clearly needs to wipe his eyes well first.” At that moment, I stopped on the trails and took this gorgeous sunrise picture. I love the spiritual and meditative side of running.

As I ran down the trail, I turned around and saw this beautiful sunrise. I stopped and snapped a picture, smiling at the serendipitous moment.

Serendipity at Jensen Park

Another time, I went on a quick 4-mile run after finishing all the activities with the kids. I ran to my beautiful Jensen Botanical Garden. http://carmichaelpark.com/jensen-botanical-garden/

Once there, I noticed the colorful tulips surrounding the old oak tree in a circle of love. At that moment, I smiled sheepishly and came with my own diagnosis: ORD, obsessive running disorder- ha!ha!

The beautiful tulips surrounding the majestic and old tree in Jensen's botanical garden — The beautiful tulips surrounding the majestic and oak tree in Jensen’s botanical garden

Symptoms: increased happiness and productivity at work and life, lots of joy and satisfaction with life, tremendous energy and endurance, laser beam focus, increased concentration and efficiency, exploration of life’s many trails, routes, vistas, etc.

Cure: More running and more meditation in motion.

Time frame for cure: When patient turns 100 years old- ha!ha!

Towards the end of my run, I stopped and talked to one of the gardeners. She immediately offered to give me a tour of the community garden. As I entered the garden, to my left, there was the Misca family garden, which is not our family (we do not have a green thumb – ha!ha! and our name is spelled with a c before before the s), but another wonderful Romanian family. Right away, I appreciated the serendipity that running brought along into my life, as well as the sounds, the smells, the thoughts, and the people I met along the way. Pure bliss.

I pray that God allows me to kick up my heels till I’m 100 to enjoy the serendipity of running and to spread the joy. I also pray that you do the same. Happy feet!

Please post your serendipitous running moments under the comments for our contest. The best one will win a $5 Starbucks gift card.

For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!

Running and real estate

Speed Interval Workout Joys- How to Get Stronger and Faster!

July 9, 2016 carmenmicsa 1 Comment

I ran my very first marathon the California International Marathon in Sacramento in 2015 at the age of 42. I hardly ever did any intervals or speed workouts (see definition and types of intervals), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interval_training, as I felt running long and steady runs were the golden keys to unlocking marathons. Yet, in November while on vacation in Palm Springs, less than a month before the marathon, I discovered the freedom and joy of running intervals just because I didn’t feel too good that day and I wanted to do a short but speedy run.

As I kept running faster than 5K pace from one point to another on the winding path lined up with swaying palm trees and colorful desert flowers with short breaks in between, I realized that I was running my fastest mile in the high 7s at the time. I also came up with my own little poem that I wrote it in my mind while running and marveling at the speed of my thoughts intersecting the speed of my feet:

Running Dreams

“Best way to chase

dreams through course sand:

Quick feet, happy heart, and a resolute mind. ”

Enjoying the speed around Palm Springs, where I first discovered the power of interval training.

In 2016, I continued running intervals consistently about once a week. At first, I did not realize that we lived less than 3 miles away from a high school with a new track field, so I discovered a quiet app. 200 meter-path through Jensen Botanical garden, where I ran at full speed, squashing olives under my feet during the winter months. I usually did about two to four intervals there, accelerating through nature and marveling at my kick that seemed to get stronger and more assertive than the previous week’s workout.

The end of my interval run, a bench in Jensen's Botanical Garden — The end of my interval run, a bench in Jensen’s Botanical Garden

MUSINGS ON SPEED

With speed, came liberation and total joy.
With speed, I squashed fears and doubts about what I could do and could not do.
With speed, I could feel younger and stronger, kicking dust in death’s face.
With speed, I erased the wrinkles of time and recreated a new speedy Gonzalez: ME, as my tennis friends had already nicknamed me.
With speed, came the tiring of every fiber in my muscles, while the heart rejoiced in the new fountain of youth.
With speed, I became breathless at LIFE and its adventurous paths.
My perfect interval path through Jensen’s Botanical Garden

Towards summer, as I looked to expand my speed workouts, I decided to run to Del Campo High School (less than three miles away from our house) to use the track. Getting your muscles warmed-up before speed workouts is key. The first time I went to the high school, I asked an older gentleman about the distance of the track. I found out that four loops make a mile, so I decided to run 4X 400 meters, which was exhilarating. I blasted every lap and took a short break after each repetition. For more ideas on marathon specific track workouts, check out this article that will give you tons of ideas and ways to get faster!

3 Track Workouts Guaranteed to Kick Your Ass

I ran that mile in the low 6s and I was ecstatic! With interval workouts, there are so many possible combinations and variations: 200, 400, 800, 1,600 meters that you can repeat as many times as you wish, which is why I think interval workouts are one of the most exciting in running. They also burn the most calories. For an idea on a more advanced speed workout and how to stay fully focused when doing intervals, check out this article from Runner’s World.

http://www.runnersworld.com/workouts/engage-your-brain-to-boost-speed?cid=NL_QOTD_-_07122016_EngageYourBraintoBoostSpeed&smartcode=YN_0000988866_0001559983

Whether you do your speed/interval workouts on the track, at a local park running from one tree to another, on any trail, remember to go for speed and the results will astound you, as you will run faster and stronger. Kick it up a notch, and don’t forget to run a few 5K and 10K races to test your new speed!

For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!

RUNNING for REAL ESTATE!