Five pound nemesis, racing in a borrowed watch and wins for tech

​FIVE pounds. When the PT handed me a FIVE-pound weight and was uncertain if it was too heavy, I knew I was in for a world of trouble. He knows I can deadlift a human person and my 45lb kettlebell is not dusty, but here I was, staring down the FIVE mini weight. Now I have ten days before my next appointment to practice standing with my back to the wall, seventeen cues of how to stand correctly in my ear, while I try to lift this thing PROPERLY with my hip (because I can do it super wrong super well!). And by the way, this is level negative one. I started at level one, spent 10 days trying it without success and now, whomp whomp, negative one. My goal is level one right now and I am not thinking about how many levels this game may have. 

I am not trying to get out of pain (feeling lucky right now) and I can run which is great. I am trying to fix a broken system where some stronger muscles bully the others into doing absolutely nothing. I am trying to figure out how to run longer without muscle imbalances slowing my run into turtles all the way down. So right now, watch out five-pound nemesis, we got WORK TO DO. 

Speaking of weights, hoping you have your five (and ten and 25 and 35) pounders dusted off for Strength Training for Runners. Join me on Wednesday night for a thirty-minute strength training session live to your screen and always free. Stay home, get strong.

We do single leg work to try and help you avoid the physical therapy cycle BUT, if you need a PT (or massage therapist) in Portland or Bend, I have a list here. 

WINS FOR TECH

• Blind runner navigates a marathon using smart glasses. WOW, this tech is amazing as your guide no longer needs to be as fast as you or even be a runner. The runner, Clarke Reynolds, used Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which have speakers and a camera, and the Be My Eyes app, allowing remote volunteers to see the path as he ran and guide him. 
• A robot in China recently won a half marathon finishing seven minutes under the human world record time. Now I am telling myself we are definitely using this tech for good in the world, RIGHT.  

RUNNING SHORTS

• Over 600 women broke the 3:00 hour mark at the Boston Marathon this year. Check out this chart of the exponential growth of super speedy women. 
• A few Chinese cities are offering property subsidies to marathon runners. Stimulate local housing markets? Neighborhoods with lots of runners sounds fun. You only get half if you don't finish the race. 
• Did you know there is an International Women's Sports Film Festival? There is and it is coming to Portland in May. Trail running content included. 

RUNNING WATCH

• The folks at Aravaipa Running are debuting a new movie dropping on YouTube April 23 called The Cutoff. I am not in love with the language describing those highlighted in the movie as "those fighting exhaustion, injury, and doubt as they race each checkpoint before the clock runs out." I mean, isn't that people at every finish point of the race, not exactly for the time running out but for their goal time to come and go.  Will hold judgement until I see it! 
• Watch the winner of the Boston Marathon, Sharon Lokedi's stride. Shoulders tall, big smile, huge kick, this is exactly what I look like in my dreams. Also, she is wearing some guys borrowed watch after forgetting hers and then he uploaded the race to Strava (with full transparency) which is rad. Watch had a PR for sure.