I recently read an article entitled 21 secrets runners won't tell you, and it was pretty interesting. But I do not think it went far enough, so I will elaborate on a few of them. I am not going through all 21 secrets, but here is my 2 cents...
1. Running rotates around your pooping schedule. This is so true that it made me laugh, Nothing makes me go to the bathroom more than saying the words, "I think I am going for a run" I need at least 20 minutes to "prep" for that run because there is nothing worse than running and having to poop, except maybe biking.
2. Shoes do matter. Wholeheartedly agree with this one. My feet take a beating from running and I like a comfortable shoe. I bet I spend more on my running shoes that I do for dress shoes!
3. You can lose half your weekend to long runs. Yeah, the weekend used to mean a time of sleeping in, but when training it is more of a scheduling conflict that you can imagine. You have to determine how early you have to get up to get your run in so that it doesn't mess up your weekend time with kids and family! It's a scheduling nightmare, which usually involves this question to my wife, "So when would be a good time for me to run?"
4. Running is boring. Yes it is, even with headphones. I have always told people that running is a mental thing. Usually if I am honest, the most fun part of my run is the last mile or so. I do think it is fun to run in the rain, but only if it starts raining during the run, and I like trail running once in awhile, but soon it all comes back to running. This especially applies to the long runs.
5. You always feel great post run, but the runner high is pretty elusive. I can't say that I have gotten that "runners high" euphoria many times. I am not even sure how to describe it. I rarely run into my driveway high fiving my kids after a run and find I am enlightened. I normally want to shower and eat...everything.
6. Even if you run long distances, the first mile is still tough. Every run I do, every run, I have to tell myself to get through mile 1. I make no decisions about that run until I am through that first mile. You see, my body lies to me, and especially my brain. Many time the first mile feels like mile 10, and I am usually trying to talk myself out of stopping and going home.
7. Losing a toenail is a possibility. Happens to me every marathon I run, never during training for the marathon, just the race itself. Go figure!
8. Your running clothes will smell like death, but for some reason, my cat like to roll around on my clothes like its catnip. It is truly a gross sight. I think sometimes I should just walk right into the shower with clothes to try and contain the smell.
9. You get extremely specific about your running conditions and the smallest annoyance can ruin a run. Mine is this, it bugs me when I am listening to my headphones and the cord does not run down the middle of my chest. I like to run the headphone cord down my shirt, and if I feel it more on one side than the other, it drives me crazy!
10. Gu and chomps don't really taste that bad, but it is not that great either! Every SWAG bag I have ever gotten that has Gu in it has the experimental flavor that was an obvious screw-up that no one wants! (banana, orange, espresso, etc...)
11. We spend way to much money trying to figure out a way to carry fluid. I hate handheld water bottles and I hate running carrying anything, but I guarantee you I could find at least three hand held water devices in my house right now without breaking a sweat. I finally got to where I was dropping off water along my route just so I wasn't carrying it.
12. We are obsessed with Garmin. Why would we not be is a better question? That thing is awesome. I admit that sometimes I get a little geeky when it comes to that data, but there have been times when I don't want to run anymore because I forgot to charge my Garmin. To be honest, I don't even use all the information it gathers!
So which ones apply to you, or are there ones I forgot????
Showing posts with label running shoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running shoes. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2016
Friday, February 5, 2016
How To Get Your MOJO Back???
I don't know about you, but I have a daily battle with motivation. The motivation to get up from a nice, warm, comfortable bed to going out into the cold, dark morning and running or swimming. Or maybe it is the motivation to hop on the trainer at night, watch a TV show, but you fall victim to that nice comfortable bed...again.
Well if you read this blog, then you know I battle motivation constantly. Ever since I did Ironman (have I told you about that?) things have been different. I still that the desire, but not the "physical want to" like before, so how do I motivate myself? Let me share...
Blog About it! Nothing motivates me more than to write on this blog about my workouts. This entire blog was designed to be an accountability piece for me long before I published it and thought anyone would read it. After writing a good blog piece, many time I realize that everything I say is keeping from getting out there is just an excuse (and that I can be a weenie sometimes), so talking it out on here will motivate me to get out there.
Shaving!!
I know, self explanatory right?
Yes, the unspoken part of triathlons. Sometimes...ok, a lot of times I will go ahead and shave to get me back in the right track of mind. (I don't think I have ever blogged about shaving before). Something about it makes me feel like an athlete, makes me feel fast and awesome. I will cut my hair short, shave my legs and body and then I am ready. Does it make me faster? Heck no, but I feeeeellll faster and that is the important thing!
and finally...
New Gear!
Who doesn't like new stuff? New shoes, new running shorts, new watch, anything, it doesn't matter! Luckily, I had a Sports Academy gift-card from Christmas and I went and got new compression sleeves and new goggles! I love swimming in new goggles! I like to go out and purchase motivation when I can. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it has to be something related to the sport.
So those are my "get out of a funk" tips. Tell me yours, what do you do to get yourself going again??
Well if you read this blog, then you know I battle motivation constantly. Ever since I did Ironman (have I told you about that?) things have been different. I still that the desire, but not the "physical want to" like before, so how do I motivate myself? Let me share...
Blog About it! Nothing motivates me more than to write on this blog about my workouts. This entire blog was designed to be an accountability piece for me long before I published it and thought anyone would read it. After writing a good blog piece, many time I realize that everything I say is keeping from getting out there is just an excuse (and that I can be a weenie sometimes), so talking it out on here will motivate me to get out there.
Shaving!!
I know, self explanatory right?
Yes, the unspoken part of triathlons. Sometimes...ok, a lot of times I will go ahead and shave to get me back in the right track of mind. (I don't think I have ever blogged about shaving before). Something about it makes me feel like an athlete, makes me feel fast and awesome. I will cut my hair short, shave my legs and body and then I am ready. Does it make me faster? Heck no, but I feeeeellll faster and that is the important thing!
and finally...
New Gear!
Who doesn't like new stuff? New shoes, new running shorts, new watch, anything, it doesn't matter! Luckily, I had a Sports Academy gift-card from Christmas and I went and got new compression sleeves and new goggles! I love swimming in new goggles! I like to go out and purchase motivation when I can. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it has to be something related to the sport.
So those are my "get out of a funk" tips. Tell me yours, what do you do to get yourself going again??
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
If I Did Not Know Any Better...
I know it has been awhile since I last blogged, and I have always had good intentions on maintaining this blog, but since this blog is about training for triathlons, and since there has been little to zero training going on, I really have had nothing to blog about. So I haven't blogged.
However...
However...
- Last week I made a wish list of races I might be interested in doing in 2016. The main one I will always do, even if it is only for fun will be the Memphis in May Sprint triathlon in May, but as I was thinking about that race, other races caught my eye.
- I also signed me and wife up for a cross country winter race series that starts soon. It consists of a 3K, a 5K, and 8K and a 10K. Already registered.
- I did work up a training plan for the MIM sprint that I will start on Jan 4th. Since it is only a sprint race, it is totally doable in the mornings or afternoons and will allow me to stay in the weight room some.
- I did order new running shoes.
- I also found some old pictures of me racing that I actually liked and I want to look like I did back then...
| Sharpshooter Triathlon |
So if I did not know any better, I'd say I am on my way back!!!
Monday, October 19, 2009
It's gotta be the Shoes, Money!

Well, I made another discovery tonight while running. Jake had basketball practice, so I thought this is a great time to squeeze in a 3 mile run while he practices and I can still watch the practice (BBC has an indoor track). So I took off running, had a little concern about the feet, cause they have been a little sore, but after the first mile, I felt great. After mile 2, nothing noticeable. Mile 3, awesome.
Then it hit me. I had on different shoes. I wore my Asics to run in tonight, instead of my Nikes I have been using the last year or so. I still used my orthotics, but the feet felt good.
So, that made me think, how many miles are on those Nikes. One of the features on BT.com is call ed equipment tracker. All you do is add your equipment (shoes, bikes, goggles, swimsuit, etc...) and then you check it off when you log a workout and it will tell you how many miles you have used your equipment. So I checked on my Nikes.
I have 256 miles on those pair of shoes. Now most runners will debate on how many miles a pair of shoes can handle, but I have always gone with the 200-300 miles, especially since I have "foot issues".
So I write this to say, if you are having issues while running, check the shoes money!
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