Muscle Gridlock

Well today I was supposed to run 40, rest 1 and run 20.

This is the first session for Week 11 out of my 13 week program.

Up until this one, other than missing one workout, I've been able to follow the program.

But I could not make it 40 minutes without resting.  I don't know if I didn't warm up enough or stretch out enough, it could have been either, but after the first mile, I had to walk for a few minutes.  I couldn't take the muscle gridlock any longer.  It felt like running in wet cement.  I thought of all the people who don't like running and I thought, this is why!   If this is the feeling you get and you don't know there is something else then I wouldn't like it either.

I'm glad I know there is something else.  There are the days when the legs seem to move almost effortlessly, like they want to move, like moving them is releasing pent up energy!  When the rhythm of the feet seems light, like a race horse as opposed to plodding, like weighed down oxen.

My pace was also so slow I wondered if there was really a point in keeping up the "running", or as some would say, jogging form.  I thought of all the slow runners I've seen and have thought, well at least they are out there making an effort!  Well today I hope that is what many were thinking when they drove by me.

To be running so slow is actually really hard on me.

I had hoped by this point in my training I would be doing a lot better than I am.

I had hoped to be doing around 10 minute miles.

This is what I remember my pace to have been in the last 5K and first 10K that I did several years ago.

I haven't posted my race results to the side because I don't know them exactly.

But I remember doing the 5K in 29 minutes and something and doing the 10K in 63 minutes and something.

Well I need to get the notion of matching that time in this upcoming 10K out of my head but it is really hard.

I need to realize that for whatever reason, age or achilles issues or whatever, I'm just not there yet.  And then the added issue of higher altitude is really going to make the race more challenging.  And I need to be OK with that!  And I need to be OK that my daughter, DaLynn, is going to leave me in the dust and my sister-in-law who is also going to run will too I'm sure!

I need to be OK just running my own race, whatever it is that day!

But it is hard for me.  Hopefully writing this post will help me accept the fact of the matter!

I need to be happy just to be able to run!

I couldn't do that last fall!

Yeah, I can run!  Albeit some would call it a jog.

And although I would love to say I am up for the St. George Marathon!

I am not.  I need to keep my distance down while my achilles is still healing.

But I think it is healing, although very slowly.

And while it is healing, I am grateful that I can run.

Very very grateful!

Because there are mornings, although it didn't feel this way this morning,  when it feels so good I think I never want to stop!

Track Work

It makes me feel good to drive by Lisa or Cynthia or Bronwyn on a thursday morning, an hour or two after morning track work. Ill pass them going to or from Islands Elementary, because we are dropping off our kids for school. Im probably still in workout clothes, with my hair still matted to my head, stuck there with old sweat. But at this point, Lisa will look like a movie star- hair done and sunglasses on. Ill drive past one of them, thinking "nobody would know what we all did this morning..." but we know. We know.

Goodies, Gadgets and Helpful Stuff from a Running Geek

Call it my marketing blog. This post is for some good tips on all of the things that I use or have heard about that can help your running experience all around. It dawned on me during the Bodyglide posts that we might want a little forum to share our useful secrets. I'm just a bit of a techie, so anything that I can get that helps along the way I'm all about it. Surprised at myself for taking so long to get the Garmin! ;) Each heading is a link to more info. Just let me know if you can't get to any of them. Please leave comments or another post about what some of your favorite things are!

While You're Out There:
Bodyglide
Anti-chafing stick to use anywhere! They even have one that has sunblock built in.
Aquaphor
Great for healing and prevention of chafing. Works great as lip balm and also helps moisturize dry skin.
Bauerfeind Genutrain Braces
If you've got knee issues at all, these are great! I posted a blog on this specifically last month.
RoadID
Please, ladies, take the time to order one. It could save your life one day. It only takes a minute. You can even buy gift certificates for them - perfect birthday or holiday gift for your running friends if they don't have one.
Balega Socks
Great socks make all the difference! I just decided to give in and pay the extra money for some good socks...AMAZING. Make the sacrifice. It's worth it.
Nike Tempo Shorts
Can get these just about anywhere in all different colors. Great shorts - super light, dri-fit so you stay cool, small pocket inside, have underwear built in. I have at least 10 pair of these! I also love Nike Dri-Fit Sport Tops. Good support.
Goody Stay-Put Hairbands
They always pass these out as freebies at races and I love them. They do exactly what their name says - Stay Put! They are all over my house because as it turns out they double as cat toys. LOL
FuelBelt
A great water belt that doesn't bounce all over the place. I never leave home without it! Definitely lasts forever - I'm using Tim's old one and it's got to be more than 7 years "in the running". ;) Now they have all different colors with a bit of a bigger storage pocket than mine, so I'm thinking of getting a new one.
iPod Shuffle
Small and compact, and holds enough songs for any race. Not too technical of a device and not clunky! I have an older one without the voiceover, and I think it is perfect because at that size you don't feel it, it doesn't bounce, and you don't need any arm straps or holders. It just clips to anything. The new one is even better for song navigation, but if you can get an older used one for cheaper, go for it! My 1GB is just fine for any race.
GasCap
I don't have one, but it may be one of my next purchases. Holds gels on the sides of your hat! Very cool!
Rocktane
Just tried this new gel a few weeks ago and the flavors are pretty tasty. Also is the ultimate super booster!
Jelly Belly Sport Beans
A yummy treat - think of gatorade in a candy. I like all of them, especially the red ones. :) They also make Extreme Sport Beans that are not as flavorful but they have added caffeine.
Neutrogena Sport Sunblock Spray
Good stuff! Goes on with a nice cooling mist and works great. Doesn't have that bad smell and greasiness that other sprays have.
Timex Ironman Triathlon Watch
Not ready to jump to the Garmin? This one you can find on sale from $35-40 and does a great job with everything you might need for the basics. Water resistant for swimming, alarms, interval timing, splits, multi-lap, storage of your times, etc. Helpful and can wear it all the time if you wanted. Comes in lots of colors!
Garmin Forerunner 305
First, let me say that I don't recommend the newer model - the 405. Expensive price tag with bad reviews. The 305 has come way down in price and seems to do a great job according to reviews and friends that have one. Comes with a heart rate monitor too. Mine will be here tomorrow! Yay!

Healing and Prevention:
Foam Roller
Stretches and masages your larger muscles. Many injuries and soreness can stem from not stretching your iliotibial band (IT band) and this is the perfect tool for doing so among other awesome uses. Here's an article about the benefits.
The Stick
This thing is THE best for sore muscles. A must have! I have the small Travel Stick and can take it with me for Ragnar or leave in the car for after a half. Can even gear check it to have it right after the race.
Foot Rubz
A cheap lifesaver, well, footsaver at least! I love this thing for massaging out the foot cramps. Also works on hand cramps. The makers of The Stick also make the FootWheel and that works well too, but it is more expensive and the Foot Rubz just feels neato. ;) I'll let you try both if you want. LOL
AquaJogger
Sore but still need to get a run in? Sick of running in the heat? Head to the pool and get a non-impact run in. You'll work up a sweat but still stay cool in the water.
ACE Hot/Cold Compression Wrap
Think icing after a long run gets to be a pain? Keep a couple of these in the freezer and it will make the perfect solution for both icing and compressing. The best part...no leaky ice packs and you can still get up and walk around while wearing them because it's a wrap!

Planning Your Next Adventure (Long or Short):
Active.com
Active helps you find all of your local races and training groups. Most races you can register for right on their site. They also have great team and fundraising capabilities. Ask me if you need any info on teams and raising money.
GetSetAZ and GetSetUT
Lots of local races, sometimes list the less common ones that you won't find on Active. I sign up for their newsletter and they send updates for upcoming races.

Education and Progress Tracking:
Runner's World Subscription
Need some good bathroom reading? Good magazine to have around for motivation, shoe reviews, training tips, etc. If you don't want the subscription, definitely check out their website for some great articles, tricks of the trade and more.
Runner's World Training Log
If you don't log your runs, no better time to start than now. It's free and you can track everything down to mileage on your shoes! I love it. Nice reporting features too to see how you've progressed. I enjoy that it totals your hours of running. You will know how many complete days of your life you spent running. ;)

Shopping:
RoadRunner Sports
Great store online or in the local store. Sign up for their VIP membership and you'll end up saving a good deal. It will likely pay for itself your first purchase's savings. They have a 60 day shoe guarantee new or used. So test those new shoes out for a couple months - if you hate them you can exchange them for a different pair. No questions.
Dick's Sporting Goods
A few of these have popped up here in AZ and they've got good prices in store and online. Nice store with lots of stuff!
Amazon.com
No explanation needed - they've just got good deals!

Race Stats

For those of you who haven't created a section on the right hand side of the blog for your race stats, feel free to do so. Didn't want to exclude anyone. You can post past races/stats as well as future races - so we can cheer you on!

How Much do I Love 2 Run? HMMMMM....

This is my first post - thanks for renewing the invite!  What have I done?  Am I hoping we don't get picked for St. George this year because I did register?  Actually, no, I am still hoping we do!  However, it is challenging my nerve.  Does anyone have a great program for "slow & go" runners to train from a 4-5 mile run to marathon?

I actually gave up running for a little bit with the "I'm too busy"  to do this and I don't really like it that much anyway.... after getting totally built up with stress and anxiety, I decided to go for an alone run...Oh my, I think I do like it!!  it was an epiphany - I actually NEED it - for sanity, for fun, to feel like I'm doing something for myself, to get away from kids hanging on my leg, to get to listen to music that I love and to forget about everything and think through things only I need and want to think through.  I am excited to have something to train for...heres to getting PICKED!!!

30 minutes of Joy & Agony, 1 minute rest & Repeat

I've been looking forward to this morning's run ever since I started this 13 week program for a 10K.

It is the first session of week 10 and it is the first time I get to string together 30 minutes of continuous running.

I think 20 minutes has been the longest thus far and that just doesn't seem like anything to me.

Being able to run 30 minutes continuously now that seems like a start.

So I've been patient for 9 weeks knowing the day would come when I could run uninterrupted for 30 minutes!

But in the meantime, while I've been running and then resting at the prescribed intervals I have also become apprehensive about being able to run for so long.  I think I had more confidence about being able to do it 9 weeks ago than this morning.

So when this morning actually came I felt a mix of

 

anticipation/excitement

and

nervousness/intimidation!

And of course to keep things really interesting I had to throw in a lack of laundry!

Which left me with a running skirt that I bought last fall (before I ended up resting to cure the achilles tendon) and hadn't worn yet.

I bought the skirt, not to look feminine, but to solve ONE problem!

And that one problem is shorts creeping into my crotch and abandoning my thighs to feverish friction.

I actually gathered up the nerve, took a deep breath, and asked the Running Store guy what some solutions to this problem were, while I reassured myself that I can't be the only one with this problem.  Gratefully he didn't seem shocked by my question and offered the Running Skirt and biking type shorts as solutions.  Well I couldn't fit into any of the biking short options so that left me with a Skirt that did seem to fit.

Well, I just have to say that based on this morning's experience,

the Running Skirt is NOT a good option for this problem.

It did seem to hide the problem from the public's view, which is a good thing,

but I still suffered albeit privately,

unless you were the lucky one to drive by while I was digging and retrieving the under shorts. Sorry!

Boy am I glad I didn't wear these for the first time on Race Day.

This morning I fluctuated between being grateful for the run

... to feeling like I couldn't get home soon enough so that I could stop the sand paper action going on between my thighs.

So it is back to capri like pants for me.  They have to be longer than my knees or the creepy action just gets going.  I've tried long shorts and they're just not long enough.  Perhaps if I lose the weight I'd like to I won't have this problem some day but until then it will be me and the capri's.

Support System

I was thinking about something to post this morning and my mind drew a blank. It finally just hit me as I was brushing my teeth tonight. How thankful I am for a supportive husband who allows me to enjoy something I really love. I went for a two-hour run this morning. The weather was cold and snowy (I know, it's April. When will the snow go away?) but my run went great. As I was driving home, I was thinking that a nice hot shower would be heaven but I would have to give my 8-month-old a bottle and then feed him baby food, clean up my other two boys' breakfast, wash bottles, get all three boys dressed, eat breakfast myself and then I could think about jumping in a hot shower.

When I walked in the door, my two-year-olds greeted me fully dressed and ready for the day. My husband had fed and clothed all three boys, cleaned up breakfast dishes, washed baby's bottles and my breakfast was waiting for me on the table. Ahhhhhhhh. All I had to do was eat and then a hot, hot shower was next. The shower was heaven. I love running and love that my husband supports me by jumping into Mr. Mom mode when I'm out for a run. With three young kids, I couldn't fully enjoy and love running without him.