I wrote this about ten days ago or so….sorry it didn’t get posted till now!
What a glorious day it was today. For the first time this year I went running without my running jacket! Clad in my new running shorts and the electric blue short sleeve running shirt I bought just after Christmas, I headed out for what I knew was going to be a good run. I had finished listening to the book “Sea Glass” by Anita Shreve so I took along my mp3 player loaded with my running songs. I was listening to Melissa Etheridge’s “Breakdown” -one of my favorite CD’s to run to.
So after my beautiful sunny day run it occurred to me that I could share some spring running tips I have found useful over the years.
You might think about putting on some sun block before heading out in your running shorts and short-sleeved running shirt or tank top. Having run in running tights or running pants all winter, exposing much more skin to the sun can cause some discomfort the next day. But make sure you don’t put regular sun block on your forehead. You will be sorry when you start to sweat! You don’t want it burning your eyes while you’re trying to get a good run in. Believe me, I know! You can get one of the no-sweat sun blocks that won’t burn your eyes. Click Here Now to check out Coppertone’s no-sweat sun blocks
Spring Running Tips number two: Check the weather.
If there is a chance it might rain…or snow, make sure you bring your running jacket just in case. I always bring along a snack size Ziploc plastic bag with a rubber band around it, too. If it starts to rain I slip my cell phone into it and secure it with the rubber band. It clips right back into the belt clip…albeit a much tighter fit.
Spring Running Tips number 3: New pair of running shoes.
If you have been running outdoors all winter, your running shoes have probably seen better days. And don’t you want to look good when you put on your new spring running clothes? Seriously though, your running shoes wear out faster after being worn in the snow and slush. They lose their form and don’t fit properly anymore, exposing you to all sorts of unnecessary foot and leg pain.
Spring Running Tips number 4: Leave the running songs.
If you normally go out running with an mp3 player, leave it at home for a change. Give yourself the chance to listen to all the cool sounds of spring, like the robins singing and people out enjoying the nice weather. You may even hear the buds starting to come out on the trees…well maybe not, but the sound of your feet hitting the path, and the rhythmic sound of your breathing will make your heart soar and put a smile on your face. Take in some deep breaths and just savor the taste of spring and the smells of new life all around you.
Hopefully you can use some of these spring running tips to your advantage!
I’m not sure why, but about two weeks ago a highly unexpected thought entered my head. “Maybe I should start training for the Missoula Marathon in July.”
What? Not the half-marathon that I had already planned on shooting for, but the full 26.2 mile run.
I’m not quite sure what got into me. I dunno. Maybe it was the beautiful spring day, or the fact that my sciatica seems to be on the mend, and I’m feeling like I’m getting back to my old self again? But I just couldn’t shake the thought.
To test my resolve, I told T I was maybe thinking about running the full marathon. Her reaction was one of surprise and confusion. “What has gotten into you?” she asked. After all, I had barely started running again, and only 3 miles at that. Not one to discourage me, she just let me sort out my thoughts on the matter, supportive of my decision, either way.
If I could get my weekly mileage up by April 15th, I could start the marathon training schedule. It would be hard, and a lot would depend on the weather and my sciatica, but I was seriously thinking about it, and getting excited about it, too.
The next day, enthusiastic about my new plan to run the marathon, I was determined not to let a mini-blizzard stand in my way. So as I dressed in my spandex shorts and heavier running tights, along with my long sleeve running shirt, and new warmer running jacket, I nestled my fleece hat onto my head and took the plunge into the cold, wind-chilled day. It only took me, oh about a minute I’d say, to come to my senses! It was freaking cold out there! The wind was blowing the fallen snow, and I couldn’t see a thing! I went back inside, a bit dejected, but glad I was wiser than years past.
The next day was cold again, but the sun was out and the wind had stopped for the most part. Again, I dressed warmly. Zipped up, I once again headed out the door, this time relieved to find my body was responding nicely to the 10 days of inactivity. My right leg felt pretty good, and my lower back did not hurt at all. I was only able to run about 3 ½ miles. I was feeling heavy on my right side and had to stop and walk a few times.
Later that day, my thighs hurt from the run, but that was just normal aches and pains from not having run in a while. But my right calf was very tight, like when I first started running again about 4 weeks ago.
Knowing the tightness was from the sciatica, I was disappointed.
Don’t get me wrong. I was very happy about how my body was reacting to my running, but I knew there was no way I could do the mileage necessary to get me up to where I needed to be to start the longer marathon training runs by April.
I truly hadn’t been planning on running the full marathon this year, anyway. I just got struck by a whim that took a few days to wear off. So I gave myself permission to take it easy on myself. After all I was making good progress with my back and sciatic nerve.
I have come to realize that getting myself aligned and healthy will allow me many more years of running. I need not hurry the process and take the risk of re-injuring myself just because I want to prove something to myself: That I could come off a debilitating back injury and run a full marathon in the same year.
Well the heck with that noise. I’m proud of me right now for not allowing the pain and fear of re-injuring my back keep me from running, like it does so many other people. Even if it’s only a few miles at a time, I will keep running and continue to listen to my body.
The most important thing for me to remember is: I run for me. And me says, “Be gentle with yourself; I want to keep running for many more years to come!”
How ‘bout it?
-Vision Runner
P.S. Special Happy Birthday message to T’s mom!!! Hope it was a Great One!!
This winter is starting out with a bang! I’ve been spoiled the past couple of years with relatively good winter running weather. But this year, so far there’s been lots of snow and cold temperatures since mid December. Being a blind runner and requiring a clear controlled path to run on, as long as there is snow and/or ice on my winter running trail, I’m forced to find different ways to get my cardio workout in and my heart pumping.
As mentioned in my blog from the other day “The Dreaded Treadmill,” I use running on a treadmill at the gym to compensate for not being able to run outside. And up until a few days ago, I had also been shoveling lots of snow, and that certainly gets my blood pumping!
But by far, the biggest reason I really love running is because I can be outside. I love being outdoors, running at a comfortable pace. I’m not too much into running fast or doing hill work; I just like to run. And it’s incredible when I’m in “the zone”, that cool spot where everything is working in unison…my breathing is in sync with my stride…I feel like I could just run forever. But unfortunately I’ve never been able to hit “the zone” on the treadmill. Maybe that’s because I just haven’t given it a chance, but I personally believe it’s because the treadmill surface is not as forgiving as running on the ground. Plus, there’s no variation as it just keeps you running at a consistent pace.
When I am able to run outside during the winter, there are a few things I do to make sure that my winter run is as safe and comfortable as possible. To start with, I tend to run in temps above 20F degrees. Primarily because when it’s colder than that, I have to use a scarf or something over my mouth to warm the air before it hits my lungs. I find it too constricting and a bit claustrophobic, not to mention the material gets all wet from the moisture from my breath, and then I get chilled from it touching my neck.
The other reason I avoid temps below 20F is my inability to run for long distances since the longer I’m out in that kind of cold, the harder it is to keep my body warm.
So when everything is aligned, the temperature is right and my winter running path is clear, I will venture out for a winter run. I always dress in layers. This includes a long-sleeve running shirt and my running jacket. I bring along a fleece hat and Turtle Fur neck wrap, along with my running gloves. I wear my running tights, and sometimes I will put on a pair of spandex running shorts under them for extra warmth for my thighs, as I need to keep my leg muscles warm. I prefer to have a few extra items to wear and carry then to not have them with me and end up getting chilled.
One of the nice things for me is that the controlled path I run on is asphalt. So when the sun is out, the snow melts fairly quickly. This gives me a black running surface, and the snow provides a white border, and because of the high contrast of black against white, it makes it much easier for me to see the path.
Some of my favorite runs have been winter runs. There is just something about a winter sun that makes me feel nostalgic. I still haven’t quite figured it out, but I get this positive feeling of the past for just a split second then it’s gone, but the general feeling remains and I feel happy and content.
My winter runs are usually shorter than and not as frequent as in other seasons, so I use the winter months to let my body recover from my more strenuous training seasons.
One thing that I need to remember while running in winter is to keep hydrated, as well as eating to replenish my glycogen stores after a winter run. It’s easier to forget, as I’m not as thirsty or hungry. But even though it’s winter, I am still burning energy and sweating.
I always keep my belly covered up with a Turtle Fur neck warmer. This keeps my core from getting cold and allows me to run longer as I don’t get chilled as readily.
In the winter, my long runs tend to be about 5 to 6 miles depending on how well the trail is maintained. There have been times when I have turned around and run the same stretch of path over again because it was already cleared of the snow and ice, just to get my miles in.
I’m hoping by mid January to be able to forego running on a treadmill and be able to do my winter running outside again. And even if it is just for a couple of days at a time in between the colder or snowier spells, that will be enough to keep me from getting cabin…err gym fever.
I'd like to donate a cuppa coffee to Vision Runner, as I understand that all that running and writing requires a great deal of strength and energy and focus......
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I'd like to send Vision Runner $10.00 so that she can get a gift card for her favorite coffee establishment.
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I'm feeling very creative and I don't want to be inhibited by someone else's choices. I'm going to pick my own dollar amount...cause what if I want it to end with 46 cents or something?
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What about me? I need some for me..... (Go ahead. Order some for yourself, why don't ya?)
