From the monthly archives:

December 2009

5 Miles and Lubing Your Toes

by admin

This new runner did her first 5 miles last night! I was thrilled and amazed at how good I felt this morning. I was exhausted when I finished last night, but amazingly – I’m not sore at all this morning. I credit the changes in my posture from Chi Running and the stick honestly.

A few weeks ago, even running half of that distance – I felt it in my legs big time. Now, it’s pretty much a slight afterthought. How is that even possible? Crazy, right?

Anyway, one of the things I’m coming to understand is lubrication. I feel silly as a 42 year old woman talking about lubrication, because let’s face it, the mind wants to “go there” and giggle. Go ahead, get it out of your system – giggle, then we’ll talk about what I really mean.

The longer my runs get, the more I need to lubricate my body to be chafe free. On this last run I’ve used BodyGlide and slathered Vaseline between my toes. While my legs aren’t sore this morning, I see vulnerable areas I should have lubed more and are benefiting from my use of A+D Diaper Ointment! LOL

So while many think of running and a shopper’s list as – RUNNING SHOES…If you’re new to this thing, pick yourself up some BodyGlide, Vaseline and some A+D and you’ll be glad you did.

I’m sorry, but even as a mature woman, I still giggle to think that I chafed between my rear end and my thigh, I mean…who knew, right? Thankfully, I’ve got my lubing and oops forgot to lube there ointments on hand, so I’ll be okay! Thanks for the concern…you were feeling for me, right?

Okay – so here’s the BodyGlide stuff – awesome for places like between thighs, bottoms of your feet, where a sports bra might chafe and other places…

BodyGlide Anti-Chafing Stick

Now the Vaseline, I like to blob between my toes. I only learned to do this recently. I tried the glide thing, but honestly – it’s not easy to get in crevices – so that’s where Vaseline comes in. Slathered this between my toes and friction was a thing of the past. No blisters for me today!

Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly, 13-Ounce Jars (Pack of 3)

Lastly, here’s the A+D – you can find it in the baby section at your local big box or department store. It’s sort of known as a diaper rash cream, but just ignore that part – this stuff helps you AFTER you missed a spot and have that raw, chafed feeling — mmhmmm, keeps things okay dokey! Good thing to keep on hand…

Vitamin A&D Original Ointment Tube for Diaper Rash & All-Purpose Skincare Formula – 4 Oz (2 pack)

Anyway, I want to say that I am thrilled and amazed I pulled off 5 miles. There was a small piece of me that didn’t think I’d do it…luckily, there was a bigger piece of me that thought I could. And I did!

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Chi Running is Impressing Me

by admin

chirunning

ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running

What exactly is Chi Running? It’s about taking running from a chore, and making it feel more effortless, more comfortable and well – it’s posture, it’s about using your body’s structure, and it’s about energy. It uses basic ideologies from Tai Chi and incorporates them into running.

I am still reading and learning more, but I did start playing with this concept this week. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube and I’m reading the book….

Okay – so I’m working on changing my posture just a bit – and I’ve got to honestly say, WOW! I’m a new runner as it is, so I’m still learning as I go. What was cool though, was that by simply changing my posture a little bit, it’s taken the muscle soreness out of my legs! I ran 4 miles last night (a lot for me!) and my legs aren’t sore at ALL today. It’s crazy…before a day after I ran, I’d feel it in my legs. I’m telling you, between this shift in my posture (and my beloved STICK – I use the travel size one below, perfect for me) – my legs feel nothing!

stick

The Stick Travel Stick

I also felt as I was running, it took less effort on my part. I’m excited to keep learning, keep reading, and work on finding my perfect position – because I think this is going to help me in the endurance and speed area down the line.

When I first got involved in running again, if you scroll back through my blog, I was buying up books left and right. This is a book I had marked to read, but forgot about for a short bit…and then I was on my favorite running forum, and somebody had mentioned this book again. It caught my attention, and I decided to pick up this book after all….man, I’m glad I did.

I TRULY think this book is going to make a big difference to my running, and how I feel not only as I run, but how I feel after I run. In only one short week – I’ve noticed differences – now they weren’t HUGE, MASSIVE, OH MY GOSH differences, but they were CERTAINLY there, and I noticed them. More notable, I don’t notice my legs today…no soreness at all!

This is something you may want to check out. If you aren’t into reading – I’m an avid reader, so I absorb this stuff, at least take a moment to check out a video or two. Cool stuff…

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Just Keep Moving – New Runner Woes

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runninghippo

As a new runner, one of the things I have to do is continually push myself to keep going. When my body and mind say, “I think I’ve had enough now”, I have to keep fighting back and go – “NO! We’re not done yet.”

Wednesdays mark my endurance runs, and yesterday was a 4 miler. Next week I get the pleasure of adding yet another mile and attempting 5 miles. I’m still shaking over the 4 miles I attempted and finished. As I continue running, I’m learning a lot about myself – good and bad.

1. I’m not a good runner – I want to give up way too easily. This is a struggle.

2. I’m slower than I want to be. I’m slower than probably 90% of the other runners out there! Luckily, I only need to worry about me – phew, and improving as I can.

3. I’m losing more weight than I thought – my running skirt started sliding down my hips at one point!

4. I found a new spot that can chafe. I need to body glide around where my shoes touch my ankles! Go figure…

5. Different fueling choices really do react differently in my body.

I’m in the training process for my first 1/2 marathon in March – and was told to start testing fuels and such now, so that by the time I get to the 1/2 marathon, I’ll know what works for me. Man, am I glad I’m taking this advice. On my shorter runs I don’t bother, but on Wednesdays, my targeted longer running days, I’ve just started to do this.

The first time I had some Clif Shot Bloks, and had no problem with them. I’ll definitely be able to use these. When I tried a GU Gel (chocolate – which the taste and texture were totally cool with me) – it went STRAIGHT to my head! I should mention I am a Diabetic, so it’s really important for me to know how these will react. With the Shot Blok, I only felt a difference in my legs where I wanted/needed it. The GU went to my head and made me feel like my bloodsugars were sky rocketing. I didn’t feel it in my legs, only in my head…go figure!

shotbloks

Clif Shot Bloks

gu

Gu Energy Gel

So while they may all look similar, take experienced runner’s advice, and try them out – because everyone is different. What may work for me – may not work for you, and vice versa. I’ll be trying Sport Beans next week. (I bought 4 different items to experiment with, but since I had good luck with my first attempt with the Shot Bloks, I may just rely on those for longer distances.)

Anyway, my desire to quit running after 2.5 miles is an improvement. I think I wanted to quit after 2 miles last week. Don’t worry – I kept going…kept going, kept going, kept going and hit my 4 miles. They weren’t pretty, they weren’t graceful, but they were mine. :)

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Local Running Groups

by admin

team

I live in NJ and went looking for local running groups. I found a page that listed a ton, but I could never seem to find one local. So far the one that looked the “closest” still had me driving 45 mins to 1 hour to do the “local” runs. It was actually convenient for me this way…I had a reason not to join a group locally. Too far, wouldn’t make sense…..I’m really good at this excuse thing.

I must be searching for them for a reason, because I went looking for a “more” local running group, and accidentally came upon one. Damn! I didn’t mean to actually find one that was closer.

I found a group that actually runs 10-20 mins from here. Crap, now what? Does that mean I have to join them? I’m so not ready to join a running group, but I was actually happy to see them. What to do? What to do?

I think I’m going to put it on my list of things to do….and when I’m a little farther along, I may look into actually joining the group. I honestly don’t think I’m ready to jump into that just yet. They’re “slower” pace is still fast for me. I also am a pathetic wimp when it comes to running in the cold, and would whine and whimper in the cold and snow…no need to start off with such a pleasant manner.

I am going to put it on my calendar. I have my first “official” run/race in March – and I’m going to see how I handle this. When I come home from being part of that – I will look into, and possibly (don’t hold me to it yet, can you see me backpedaling all ready?) joining the group I found.

Okay, so they’re on my radar – and when I have built a little more confidence, and this cold weather clears up a bit…it’s on my list of “things to do” in 2010.

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Running Fears

by admin

runners

As a new runner, I have some pretty silly running fears, but I figured if I tossed them out here, I’d be able to take a better look at what my issues seem to be…and be able to work through some of them. Aren’t you lucky I’m taking you along for the ride? LOL

1. Fear – I’m not a good runner.
1a. Shouldn’t matter – I’m moving which is more than I used to do.

2. Fear - I’m really slow.
2a. I’m exerting energy and breathing and my lungs appreciate the time I’m putting in.

3. Fear – People won’t take me seriously.
3a. They all ready do, get over yourself. It’s just in your head…runners run, and you’re running.

4. Fear - Every single runner in the world is going to be better at it than me.
4a. I’m running against myself, not against everyone else. It’s okay.

5. Fear – Running in the cold.
5a. Get a jacket and get over it.

6. Fear – Joining a local running group. I won’t be able to keep up.
6a. It’s okay to start somewhere. I’ll get better the more I run.

7. Fear – I won’t ever LOVE running.
7a. Doesn’t matter if you love it or hate it, it’s good for me, and I feel great when I’m finished.

8. Fear - I’ll run out of excuses.
8a. You just have….now lace up and get moving.

Just talking out loud I guess.

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Did I Just Run 4 Miles?

by admin

restarea

This new runner is working her program. I’m in the process of training for a half marathon, and while I’d like to say that I’m a graceful runner, or that I love every minute of it – I complain, whine and pant most of the way! LOL

Okay, so maybe it’s not THAT bad, but wow – 4 miles sure felt far. At about 2 miles I started reasoning with myself that 2 miles was halfway there, and honestly – I should just be proud of that….but I kept going. At 3 miles I think I was cursing a lot, and thinking that this running thing was a stupid idea. At 3.5 miles I was desperate to hang in there and just finish the dang 4 miles I had planned that day…and I did.

I was so damn proud to realize I’d just gone a distance of 4 miles. ME!

I did learn that I’m no fun to talk to after I’ve just run 4 miles. In fact – I lost all my personality for somewhere in the area of 3/4 of an hour. Yes, for all you math geeks, it took me a full 45 mins to regain my happy mood again. I was proud, tired, worn out – but just exhausted.

When I look at where I came from – not being able to run at all…to where I am now, I’m amazed. On the other hand, when I look at where I have to get to (13+ miles) I think I’m plum crazy and it’s just not going to happen.

I’m going to trust the training and know the build up is gradual and it will all fall into place. For the week, I get to smile and say I’ve done a 4 mile run. I’ll stop smiling when I have to do my next 4 mile run this upcoming Wednesday…

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Texting on the Run?

December 14, 2009

Some people are great at multi-tasking, and I’ll admit there are a few things I can probably do at once, but when it comes to texting – it needs my full attention. I am a S-L-O-W, really bad texter. Seriously, it’s scary to watch me try to type out a single sentence on a keyboard [...]

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Look at Her Go!

December 6, 2009

I was watching the Rock N Roll Marathon out in Vegas earlier on a live feed, and watched the winner (a woman! woohoo) pull up the final stretch passing the person she’d been following for the last 20+ miles. I got so caught up in the moment, I caught myself tearing up, water running down [...]

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Feeling Like a Runner

December 4, 2009

At what point do you call yourself a runner? Is it the moment you start running, or after you’ve been running for awhile? Are you just “trying it on for size” or is it official the first time you lace up your shoes? I don’t know about you, but today I had a moment where [...]

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Just Keep Moving…Slower!

December 3, 2009

I’ve been sick this week, and it’s really bummed me out. I think the biggest thing I’ve noticed is I was really in the zone previously, and this totally knocked me off course. Before this – my brain would say, it’s a run day and it doesn’t matter if you’re in the mood or not, [...]

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