Nike Running Shoes vs The Rip Stick

So . . . since my great accomplishment of March 13th (the Half Marathon) . . . I've been Half Hearted.

Not to say that I haven't been running (although nothing over 3 miles) and that I haven't been swimming (although nothing over a half mile) . . . but definitely Half Hearted.

And then tonight . . . I had FUN.

I decided to invite my 11 year old son and 8 year old daughter with me on my twilight run. My son hopped on his Rip Stick (variation of a skateboard) and my daughter hopped on her bike and away we went.

First, let me say that when you are running along side a bike and a Rip Stick, you just naturally run a little faster. So I was feeling pretty good about this little family exercise outing. And then my son challenged me to a race going uphill on his Rip Stick.

When was the last time you raced an 11 year old doing anything?
It's kinda fun.

I will tell you the Nike Running Shoes won . . . although I'm pretty sure my son got the better workout. On a Rip Stick, you almost exclusively use your abdominal muscles to power yourself forward. Using your legs to run is far easier.

Tonight, I was reminded of a great piece of fitness advice I once heard: Have Fun! If it's not fun, you won't stick with it.

So, I stopped thinking about my pace, my form, my old bones and I just had good, old-fashioned fun.

Who knew?

Because I Can.

Yesterday, I ran 13.1 miles . . . on purpose.

Yesterday, I was full of complaints . . . how my IT Band ached, how my knees felt like they wouldn't bend even one more time . . . how I was going to throw my stupid running shoes in the garbage can when I got home - what had I ever been thinking?!

But today - the only thing I will throw in the garbage is all my complaints.

How BLESSED am I to have a body that can run 13.1 miles?

Sure - I felt like I needed to throw up after it was all done, but I still did it, didn't I?

Sure - after 8 miles I wanted it to be over, but I kept going, didn't I?

Sure - I couldn't walk when I woke up this morning, but I still got out of bed, didn't I?

Why?

Why do I run (a good friend asked today)?

Because I can.

Because I still have breath in my body and spring in my step.

Because someday I may have to admit that I can't anymore and I don't want to look back and regret one moment.

Because I can.

Thank you, God, for all the "cans" in my life.

"You can do anything you set your mind to, man." - Eminem

March 13, 2011.

Raley Field, West Sacramento, CA.

Shamrock'n Half Marathon.

Oh, it's on like Donkey Kong!

Of course . . . I don't look exactly like this picture. My race day pics will include IT Band braces, knee braces & bunion windows on my shoes . . .

BUT I WILL FEEL LIKE A WARRIOR PRINCESS ON THE INSIDE!

(Stay tuned)

New Shoes, Double-Digit Mileage and Other Good News

Since my last update - a few things have changed.

First - NEW SHOES. Check out my new Nikes, equipped with . . . . wait for it . . . .BUNION WINDOWS!! (The Bunion Window is the oval shaped mesh.) So, my feet really love these shoes. No throbbing bunion pain after running and they are super lightweight (which I need because the rest of me is not super lightweight!). And let's face it - when you're wearing Nike gear, you "JUST DO IT", right??

Second - since my last update, I have completed TWO double-digit runs. Last Saturday I ran 10 miles and this morning I ran 11 miles. INSANITY!! But I did it! And I must say, my pain reduction regimen seems to be working. Motrin, Ice, Stretching, Foam Roller (getting easier). I use the foam roller right before my run and I think that helps! Now . . . I'm not saying that I am pain free at the end of 11 miles. But in comparison to my 9 mile run - it's about 80% reduced! So, I can manage that level of pain. I did give birth to four children, after all . . . three of them without even ONE Motrin! So, c'mon . . .

On a side note - can I just say that I love my doctor?? After my office visit, he mailed me some information on how to avoid running injuries. How sweet! But I had to laugh out loud while reading . . . it said not to run more than 45 miles per week . . . ummm, NO PROBLEM! I'll cut back right away, Doc.

Another side note . . . I burn 1239 calories when I run 11 miles. So . . . there was a Girl Scout cookie or two on my lunch plate today . . . I'm just saying, I earned it!

We're 2 weeks out from the big day . . . next week is my 12 miles run . . .

I'll keep y'all posted!!!

Medieval Torture Devices and other interesting developments

Well, my little blog community , Saturday's run did not go so well.


At. All.


IT Band was on fire by mile 2. The next 7 miles were pretty ugly, but big thanks to my running buddies in the back of the pack who "leave no man behind"! I made the whole 9 miles, but it was definitely time to regroup and come up with a new strategy!


My running coach wants to "re-fit" me for my shoes (oh! Keith, were you wrong?Say it isn't so!). That happens Tuesday morning.


This afternoon I saw my doctor to confirm the self diagnosis of IT Band syndrome - and, yes! I have one unhappy IT Band. Are you wondering what the heck is an IT Band? Glad you asked - see the lovely pic below:

The part that's circled, that's the part that's ON FIRE when I run. (And P.S. - I wish my gluteus maximus looked like that! ) So - what are the wise words of my running coach and doctor?

1. Rest the inflamed soft tissue (check, haven't run since Saturday).

2. ICE the inflamed soft tissue (check, but this stinks because ice is cold and I hate cold).

3. Stretch!!! (check - and no complaints, it feels good)

4. Foam Roller . . . otherwise known as a Medieval Torture Device. Don't know what this is? Take a look:

I don't care how innocent it looks . . . it is a little cylinder of evil. You lay it on the floor and then you lie on top of it, with the offending muscle against the foam and then you roll the foam along the muscle, with your body weight as the pressure. Like deep tissue massage you give yourself. It works but it sucks.

5. NSAID or Motrin (Check, check, check - but no more children's chewables - those are another form of evil).

Today, my doctor said that if all these things don't bring pain relief, he can always give me a shot of steroid into my hip, right where the IT Band begins, before the big race. UUUmmmmmm????

Probably won't be choosing this method of pain relief.

The only bright moment in all of this? My doctor referred to me as a "high performance athlete" today. OK, I was laughing because HELLO!! I'm no Lance Armstrong . . . but it still felt good to hear . . . bless him.

The lesson in all of this for ya'll: STRETCH your soft tissue people.

The Shoe Saga continues . . .

These are my new, "passive-stability" New Balance running shoes . . . no Bunion Window. *sigh*
I expect a blister or two since I will be running 9 miles in brand new shoes tomorrow morning, but hey - blisters are better than a crippled knee (IT Band).

And if I have both blisters and a crippled knee after tomorrow's run . . . . well, you'll read all about it in the next blog.

Keith, you better be right about this . . .

Bunion Window?

The last I checked in with y'all, I was wallowing in self-pity after my agonizing 8 mile run.

My right knee, in particular, was on fire. And then there was the whole chafing issue . . .

So, tonight was the speed workout . . . average of about 3 miles on Thursday nights, so I figured I would be safe from harm.

WRONG!

At about mile 2, I felt like someone had just KICKED ME IN THE SIDE OF MY KNEE!

$%&**&*%@!!!!!

Sorry, had to get that out of my system.

OK, OK!! I cry uncle. I'll buy the freakin new shoes!

So, I walked from the UC Davis track back to Fleet Feet - prepared for the new shoes, but not happy about it.

Enter Keith - shoe salesman extraordinaire. He really knows his stuff and spent 30 minutes educating me on a lot of things. Here are some things I learned:

1. I over-pronate when I walk (roll my foot slightly in)

2. I DO NOT over-pronate when I run!! I am a more efficient runner than walker. I guess I should run everywhere . . . NOT!

3. The pain in my knee probably stems from my IT band - which needs better support.

4. There are running shoes with a Bunion Window!!! How AWESOME is that?? A little comfy window (soft mesh) for my big ol bunions. I am in love.

But OF COURSE they didn't have my size in stock in any of the shoes with a Bunion Window.

Of Course.

Keith did fit me in a very nice New Balance shoe, perfect for a runner who does not over-pronate. I can special order the lovely Bunion Window shoe, but it will take one to two weeks to arrive and my knees don't have that kind of time!!! Such a dilema! Fleet Feet has a 90 day return policy . . . what do I do???

I left Keith and the New Balance shoe at the store (on hold). I will sleep on it tonight.

To Bunion Window or Not to Bunion Window? That is the question . . .

Battlescars from my 8 mile run - alternate title: Aquaphor, A Love Story

On Saturday morning, I set out on an 8 mile run. The longest run I've ever attempted, so I was excited and intimidated at the same time. I had purchased a water belt and packed some PowerBar gels to chew around mile 4 - for that extra shot of energy. I felt very prepared. I even left my ipod at home, seeking to train like it was race day, where ipods are banned.





It didn't feel like February at all, the sun was shining and the crisp air felt more like Springtime had arrived. By mile 4, I was feeling great! My muscles were warmed up and I was in my groove. I was thinking, "Maybe I am a runner!".





Then, at mile 5, my right knee began to throb. Actually, the tendon to the right of my right knee began to throb. This is an old injury that I picked up last summer when I competed in the Donner Lake Triathlon and biked up a freakin MOUNTAIN. And usually, between mile 5 and mile 6, this knee starts to give me a little pain. But I kept running.





Then, around mile 6, my left knee began to hurt. What the . . . .????? And the right knee began screaming. By the time I reached mile 7, I was reduced to 3/1 intervals (running for 3 minutes and walking for 1 minute) because my knees couldn't handle it. I was limping!





By the time I reached the end of the route, I felt so discouraged. If I couldn't make it 8 miles without falling apart, how am I supposed to run 13.5 miles next month??





One of my running coaches immediately suggested I get fitted for new shoes. This may in fact be the problem, however, the skeptic inside of me also recognizes that my coaches are also employees of Fleet Feet and shoe saleswomen. And their first solution to everything is "buy new shoes".





When I got home, I told my sad story to my husband, Mark.


He laughed and told me I am getting old - but I am in luck because he has every knee brace/support known to man and I am welcome to use them!


*sigh*





I then move on to the shower, to wash away my defeat and sweat.


It was then that I discovered that I AM GETTING OLD, because my memory is apparently shot!





One of the lessons learned from my Triathlon: Apply GLIDE anti-chafing stick to multiple areas or live to regret it!





Because I have a co-ed readership, I will refrain from detailing exactly which areas of my body were chafed from 8 miles of clothes rubbing, etc. But I will say that my shower was VERY PAINFUL and I literally have scars.





Aquaphor to the rescue!

Post shower, Aquaphor soothed my wounded skin. It is a miracle in a jar - God bless the folks at Eucerin. Aquaphor was the only spot of sunshine in an otherwise very disappointing experience.

This Saturday is 9 miles. It will include GLIDE and a knee brace or two . . .

My Grandma's Training Program

Last Friday, I attended my Grandmother's 80th birthday party.

80 years! What a blessing . . . and if you knew my Grandma personally - you would know that we're the ones receiving the blessing.

My Grandma is my hero, my inspiration, my role model.

Can you believe that at 80 years old she takes no medications? That she has only been in the hospital when her children were born and when she was in a car accident? She is as healthy as an ox - and as strong as one too! She has been "retired" for many years, but continues to work for hours each day, volunteering her time at her local Food Bank, helping others.

My Grandma is always helping others.

When I decided to begin my triathlon training, I was seeking to improve my heart health . . . lose weight . . . build muscle, etc. I am humbled by the knowledge that at 37 years old, I haven't always treated my body as a temple of God. This body that God has blessed me with and all of the amazing wonder of it's inner-workings . . . I have taken for granted.

I would bet good money that my Grandma, at 37 years old, would have been able to complete a Triathlon - piece of cake! There is a woman who has always treated her body as a temple of God - she has never so much as pierced her ears. I've never seen her over-eat (she probably doesn't eat enough). She doesn't keep late hours and gets plenty of sleep. And goodness knows she gets plenty of exercise . . . she is in constant motion. My brother and I used to call her Speedy Gonzalez when we were kids.

What if I lived my life like her? Worked hard . . . even after a full day at work, came home and cleaned my house, cooked for my family, ironed my husband's shirts? What if I went to bed and let my body rest and rebuild instead of staying up late and watching Netflix? What if I ate only what my body needed? What if . . . I lived as a woman of Proverbs 31?

What if my everyday life was my training?

Food for thought.

I love you, Grandma. Your life inspires me in so many ways and I pray that just a little of your strength is somewhere in me . . . I'll need it to get through 13.5 miles!

The Truth Shall Set You Free

Earlier this month, I said goodbye to cookies and pie.

I said hello to Oat Bran, hard boiled eggs and the like.

The menu of an athlete in training.

Until yesterday.

Yesterday, I had a clandestine meeting with these . . .

"These" are Del Taco's Loaded BBQ Fries (my Pastor makes fun of people who take pictures of the food they eat - but a picture is worth a thousand words!). They are loaded with delightful goodness, along with one million calories and grams of fat. And they taste SO GOOD . . . so good that I kept eating them long after my body sent the signals that I was full.

And then I felt sick . . . not only from overeating, but my body was freaking out on the grease and the fat that it has been recently separated from. Poor Loaded BBQ Fries . . . I couldn't finish them all!

I guess the good news is that our bodies know what's good for us and what's trash - even when we don't. And even though those Loaded BBQ Fries were having a party with my tastebuds while I was eating them . . . I paid for it later, bigtime.

In the spirit of repentance, for dinner I ate this:

EMINEM - My Secret Weapon & Dirty Little Secret!

There are two schools of thought on the whole issue of running with music: Run with music or DON'T run with music. I understand where the people in the "DON'T" camp are coming from - because iPods, etc. aren't allowed on race day(s). HOWEVER, I am firmly in the camp of "Run With Music", because how else am I supposed to motivate myself through 6, 7, 8 miles of running?? C'mon.



On the first day of training with my Fleet Feet running group, Coach Chrissy said: "If you run with your iPod, people won't be able to talk to you - you'll kind of be isolated."

And I was thinking: That's OK, because 1) I cannot talk while I'm running, I'm just not that kind of running Rockstar and 2) I doubt whatever chit-chat my fellow runners have to share will motivate me as much as my good friend, EMINEM.








OK, OK, nobody kick me out of the Good Christian Girl Club just yet! Hear me out . . .

I know that's it's ODD that my playlist includes titles from Eminem, Miley Cirus (OK, OK, don't kick me out of the Almost 40 Club!) and Chris Tomlin. And I will further redeem myself by sharing that only ONE of Eminem's (am I the only person who thinks of M&M's when I say his name??) songs is on my iPod . . . but this song has a combination of lyrics and beat that bring out my inner WARRIOR PRINCESS with a fury and when my feet are pounding that pavement while listening to Eminem singing (and I use that word loosely here), I believe I COULD run a marathon!!

You know what song I'm talking about . . . you probably have it on your iPod too!

Lose Yourself from the 8 Mile soundtrack (good movie, too!).

I'll just share here the opening lyrics . . .



Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity

To seize everything you ever wanted-

One moment

Would you capture it

or just let it slip?

Yes, there is an obscenity or two . . . for the record, I don't sing along with the bad words. And while we're "on record", I'm also not a misogynist (that's my big word for the day). But I do love that song . . . .

It was a beautiful 6-mile run through the North Davis Greenbelt on Saturday morning.

And I enjoyed every moment of it, (OK, that's a lie - have I mentioned on this blog that I hate running??) while my motivational coach, Eminem, shouted in my ear: "You can do anything you set your mind to, man."

The Curse of the Monkey Toe . . . or Alternate Title: Ouch!

Some people have beautiful feet and toes. . . the People with Pretty Piggies.


*sigh*


I am not a member of the People with Pretty Piggies club. I belong to another sect, the Monkey Toe Tribe - perhaps you've heard of us?





After 37 years of living with my Monkey Toes, I have come to accept this affliction and even wear my open-toe shoes with defiant pride. After all, this is how my Creator made me . . . monkey toed.

The pretty blue toes would belong to my youngest daughter. The bright red monkey toes would belong to me. (Don't mention the bunions - that's an entirely different post!)

You might be asking yourself at this point, what do Sarah's toes have to do with anything? So glad you asked! I'll tell you.

Never before have my monkey toes caused me any pain beyond my vanity. Not until now. As I continue my Half Marathon training schedule, I have noticed the strangest ache (among the other aches I have come to accept). My second toe is killing me! Do you know why my second toe is killing me? Refer to the picture above and you will see how the offending Second Toe sticks out obnoxiously past the Big Toe (not really the Big Toe at all, is he? More like second fiddle in this band). As I run longer and longer distances, my toes are trapped in my running shoes for longer and longer periods of time. And my TRUE Big Toe . . . that Second Toe . . . is crammed up against the tip of my shoe and Second Toe NO LIKEY!

Now, I know what you're going to say: Sarah, you need new (by new, you mean bigger) shoes!

I have a few comments on that subject:

1. I should be able to get 300-500 miles out of each pair of shoes and I am getting my money's worth! Even if it kills Second Toe.

2. I don't need a bigger shoe . . . at least not all around. I just need a shoe that has a little extra space for my Big & Tall Second Toe. That would be a pretty funny looking shoe. Do you think they carry that at Fleet Feet?

So . . . I may give in and buy a new (and yes, by new I mean bigger) pair of shoes. We'll see - maybe the Monkey Toe Tribe is bigger than I know and there's an entire line of Big & Tall Second Toe shoes for me to choose from.

Stay Tuned . . .

Does Everyone in Davis RUN?

Dressed in layers to protect my poor lizard body from the cold, I did manage to meet up with my running group at 8:30 this morning. It wasn't pretty - or rather, I wasn't pretty.

And this is how I was feeling too . . .

But 5 miles happened at a very slow pace - let's just leave it at that. I think it was a wise decision to join a training group - the running routes planned out for you alone are worth it! Believe it or not, one of the biggest challenges for me is planning a running route. And once this training program is done, I'll still have all these routes for future runs (oh joy).

But I need just a moment here to ask a question: DOES EVERYONE IN DAVIS RUN???? There were so many people on the bike paths, on the roads, all running with their little hydration packs and talking cheerfully. They were everywhere! And as I was considering the population of Davis, CA - I'm pretty sure we have a disproportionally high number of runners. And now I'm one of them.

I'm one of them.

Zero to 5 miles . . . tomorrow!

Tomorrow morning at 8:30 am, I will be joining my comrades in craziness for a brisk morning run. A 5 mile run . . . *sigh*





Have I ever mentioned that running is my LEAST favorite discipline in the Triathlon sport?





The coaches told us that if you can easily run 4 miles, this training group is for you!


One runner asked, "What if I only run 3 miles, 3 times per week?"


One runner asked, "What if I'm running 6 miles, 2 times per week - is this group too slow for me?"


I asked, "What if I ran 6 miles 4 months ago?? Am I in the right group?"





Apparently, I am.





I hate being cold, that's the problem. I would rather run in 100 degree heat than be outside in the cold. I'm a lizard . . . I am coldblooded and I must be periodically laid out on a rock in the sun to warm up.





But anyway, this is happening in the morning. I am running outside in 50 degree weather. But remember, I swam in 58 degree water . . . so I can do this!


Of course, I'll need my wetsuit.





And the nutrition . . . oh the nutrition . . . when you are snuggled up on your couch every night of winter, you don't need nutrient rich food. All you need is food like this:

These would be my oldest daughter's chocolate mint-chip cookies. Yes, they taste as good as they look. I have eaten three tonight . . . because they're evil and call my name from the cooling rack.

But I need to go back to my dear Oat Bran with apple slices and hard boiled eggs and black coffee and lots and lots of water. I don't dislike these foods, they're the foods that truly fuel my body and make a 5 mile run possible. Chocolate mint-chip cookies won't get me around the block. But it's just hard to say goodbye to such dear friends.

Goodbye Cookies.

Goodbye Pie.

Don't worry, I'll probably be back by Thanksgiving.

Warrior Princess postponed.

OK, OK . . . I know in my last post I said that I would NOT miss the Davis Stampede Half Marathon in February . . . but it now looks like life has once again hijacked my plans.







SO! New goal . . . . SHAMROCKIN' HALF MARATHON in West Sacramento on March 13th. Yes, two months away . . . is that enough time to train for a Half Marathon? We'll see, won't we?

http://www.shamrocknhalf.com/registration

What has the Warrior Princess learned about herself these past three months? She is obviously motivated by goals, deadlines and other tools that hold her accountable.





Many of my co-workers at Vitek Mortgage Group will also be participating in this Half Marathon . . . so this should either be a lot of fun or painful public humiliation.





Stay tuned . . . .