I like running. I do. Anyone who has met me in the last four to five years knows me as a runner.
But five years ago, in 2004, I was not a runner. I aspired to be one. I couldn’t run a mile or even around the block. I ran my first 5K in October 2004 and it was one of the toughest things I had ever done in my life at that point. It took me nearly 35 minutes and an 84-year old woman beat me! I’m not kidding. And, I was very sore the next day, mostly in my core.
After that, I realized I could do this running “thing” and since then, it has taken off for me. But, I feel I must comment on the “all you need is a good pair of shoes” thing.
Of course that is the first thing you need, a good pair of shoes. If you are lucky and you have “normal” feet and a “normal” stride, etc., then a pair of regular running shoes will do. Please note, I’m no shoe expert. I don’t have normal feet, stride, etc. I'm an over-pronator and I need special shoes.
I go to the specialty running shoe store and run on the treadmill, get video taped, and go through three pairs of shoes before I get to the right ones. To buy those shoes (nearly 5 years ago) it was nearly $100. I’m told to replace them every 300-600 miles. I wonder, "How the heck am I supposed to know that?"
I have a
good pair of running shoes now, but I’ve evolved to the $135 pair as I discovered better shoes for my feet. (Note: it's also good to have a good podiatrist to deal with the toenails - "good" in that s/he is a runner too.)
I run. And run, and run. But I live in Albuquerque, which is 5,285 feet high – close to the sun. So before I go out each time, I make sure I have my
hat,
sunglasses, and
sunscreen (SPF 150).
I also need
water if I’m going out for more than 30 minutes;
sports drink if I’m going out for more than an hour. So, now I need a way to carry this stuff. They have special
fluid belts for this. Check.
Also, when you sweat, cotton is just awful, so the sweat wicking material is best. I get the
“dry-fit” clothes (sports bras, long-sleeve shirts, short-sleeve shirts, shorts, pants, socks). Personally, I like the bike jerseys personally because of the nifty pockets on the back to stash stuff.
We also have some crazy drivers in Albuquerque, besides, you never know what could happen out there even without a crazy driver. So, I need my
RoadID.
Music – hello – how can I live without music? I know some purists insist on going without it, but I
need my iPod - thank you Marky Mark, The Offspring, Green Day, and Tony Basil.
And to know how many miles I’m going, how fast I’ve gone, or just how long I’ve been out there – the
GPS. I’m not picky, so the
Forerunner 101 is just fine for me. I also need to know when to replace the shoes and if I get lost I can find my way home. If I can figure that part out.
Two final things: for the really long runs for 90 minutes or longer, the
gels or sports beans are a must to fuel me all the way home.
Finally:
cell phone. I don’t always take it, but for the longer runs, it is important. I got a stress fracture one time, and was four miles from home. I had to walk/run home since I was without the phone that time. I don’t answer calls, but it is good to have in case you need to make the calls, especially for a woman who runs alone.
This is for running in the daytime. Early morning runs that are just before sunrise, I get away with skipping the sunscreen, but need to add a
reflective strap or a
flashing light.
Don’t get me started on my list for cold weather running.
Now, where are my shoes?
Tomorrow - just a few things needed for the bike ride...
Today’s accomplishments: Outdoor windy
run: 9.02 miles, 1 hour, 27: 42 minutes, 9:43 minutes/mile.
Stretch 15 minutes following.
Yesterdays accomplishments (Mar 6): DVD
Upper Body Sculpt where heavy weights = 10 pounds, medium weight = 8 pounds, light weights = 5 pounds, 12 pound body bar. Crunch
Pick Your Spot Pilates
Thursday’s Accomplishments (Mar 5): Treadmill
Run: 3.58 miles, 34:30 minutes, 9:37 min/mile avge pace; DVD Crunch
Boot Camp Training with 8 pound weights.
