Out of the mouths of babes:
Today’s Running Tip: Running your first race!
Even though you might think everyone around you will be able to tell that this is your first race, you can be assured that no one cares! One thing about runners is that they are a very supportive constituency, most just want to share in their joy of running and help other runners out. We don’t discriminate against any level of runner!
It is certainly no secret around here that I thoroughly LOVE summer. Without a shadow of a doubt it has been my mostest favorite season since I can remember. (That typo was done on purpose!)
During my childhood summer meant endless days of adventure: bike rides to the lake with friends, roller blading, climbing trees, hot days spent at the public swimming pool, reading under our big fruit trees in a hammock, vacations in Spain, Italy, and Austria, but mostly Spain, hanging out with grandpa, dinners outside, picnics, ladybugs, and running through sprinklers.
A college summer meant studying hard for finals, weekends at the lake, evenings in a bier garden, potlucks at my friend Annette’s Olympic Park bungalow, daily bike rides to class, open windows, and (alpine!!!) summer storms.
Summers were full of promises and always over way too soon. There is a reason I choose to live in a place that is usually highlighted on the National Weather Service map as the hottest spot in the country. An area where summer stretches out for 6 months out of the year. I never get tired of the endless sunshine and extreme heat, and over the years I have even adjusted to running outside year round.
These days summer means
~ runs at sunrise and late night strolls with Nelson
~ freckled noses and sun kissed hair
~ napping in the shade and splashing in the sun
~ frappuccinos and iced tea lemonades
~ endless blue skies and starlit nights
~ popsicles for breakfast and chilled watermelon for dinner
~ sundresses and bare feet
~ neighborhood parties and open air movie nights
~ bronzed skin and white tank tops
~ visits from friends and family who live in cooler climates and heading to the beach
~ Vespa rides and road trips
~ dry heat and monsoons
~ early morning trips to the farmers market and late evening outings to the frozen yoghurt shop
~ BBQs and wheat beer
and always going to sleep knowing that tomorrow will be as glorious as today
…and next year? Next year summer will mean campaigning once again!
Today’s Running Tip: Cool off before your summer run!
Before you head out for a run during the warm summer months, eat a popsicle or sip an iced drink. This will allow for your body temperature to stay low for longer and you will be able to run longer!
Small update, as I am sure you all want to know! Remember where I said that the worst was behind me? Yeah, me neither!
Yesterday was rough but I am slowly starting to feel human again!
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Well, it was all going splendidly. Here I was running along on a daily basis! That’s right! Daily!!!
After the initial venture back into running last month and the on and off again affair with Plantar Fasciitis I was back to daily runs with not as much as a thought of pain in my right foot. It had all but disappeared and I was trotting along for 5 to 6 miles and even managed my first tempo run since August (!!!) last week.
The weather has been perfect for late morning runs: sunny and cool with a slight breeze. It all was almost seemed to good to be true and it was.
Because as of Tuesday night the plague has descended on this house. No sooner had I talked about not catching David’s cold last month and discussing the merits of getting hit by the common cold every so often – I am in true believer in minor illnesses actually being good for your immune system and helping you fend off more serious ailments – with one of my neighbors during a dinner party, did I feel the tell tale sign of the scratchy dry throat (I hate it) and the watery eyes (I hate them too). Tuesday I still tried to ignore the inevitable, even went to the movies to finally watch “Black Swan” (WOW!), but the lack of appetite was a sure sign of impending doom.
And then yesterday it hit me full blast: runny nose, scratchy, DRY throat! For me it is always the very first night once the cold is in full force that is the worst and it is thankfully behind me. I also wake up really pretty, no really! It’s a sight to behold! Ask David! Where is he anyway?
Today the stuffiness has set in and my head feels like it is wrapped in cotton. No body aches however and I almost went for a run. Now that I got back into the swing of things it is hard to be sidelined again, but I thought the better off it and am just walking instead.
I have to say that once I get over the disappointment of not exercising I actually enjoy the day off and resting.
But I do take back my thoughts about the common cold. It is something the devil invented! And it blows!
Today’s Running Tip: Running with a cold!
Most runners are aware of the “neck rule”. If your cold symptoms are only above the neck you can go for an easy run, if you feel them below the neck with chest congestion and/or body aches, take time off until you feel better. Be careful if you are running with anything more severe than a minor cold as it can easily escalate into something more serious like a respiratory infection. Also stay off your feet if you have a sinus infection, fever, and chills. Try to enjoy the break for rigorous workouts and take it easy.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous Holiday Season, no matter which Holiday you celebrate!
Today’s Running Tip: Want to get away from it all!
Running is a great stress reliever not to mention a great excuse to get some alone time! And who knows, maybe you will come across a reindeer or two!
Things have been a little rough around here this past week.
It all started when we went over to our friends’ house for a BBQ the week before and were told upon arrival that they were both coming down with a cold that one of them, a flight attendant, had brought back from… INDIA! Yes, that’s right, of all places he could have brought back something viral it had to be India. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am fascinated by India and everything Indian and it is on top of my list of places I want to visit. I want to see the sun rise over the Taj Mahal and set over Jodhpur, the blue city. What I don’t however want is catch something while there. And I especially don’t want to catch something from there when I have not even had a pleasure of visiting.
Well… clearly what I want or wish for is not relevant in the grand scheme of things because three days after our fun evening, filled with laughter, good food and plenty of wine, I felt the all too familiar scratch in the back of my throat. An itch that is neither welcome nor something I can scratch. At first I tried to tell myself that it was allergies as we had just been out for a walk with Nelson and Bailey, our neighbor’s cat (who walks with us!!!). That, however, only lasted for an hour until I could no longer deny that whatever came from India had set up residence in my respiratory system and was, by the feel of things, having a grand old party. A party I wanted no part of because the guests brought chills, booted up the temperature, and left me hanging all by my swollen achy self (yes, I retain all water in my face when a cold comes on. I know you need to know this because it is as pretty as you might imagine!). It was rough and forced me into finally taking off a week from all exercise, a week I had wanted to take off for quite some time but we all just know how hard this is for yours truly. Sometimes I just need that kick in the shins to make me realize it is time for some serious rest. And believe me the body aches that accompanied this virus felt like I had been kicked, and not only in the shins. As always it felt strange that first day when I did not immediately jump from bed into my exercise clothes but instead took a long hot shower. I was lost in a morning that had no routine to it (GASP!!!). But by day three I was over it and did no longer feel like a total sloth, which again reminded me how much of a head case the average athlete is. If it weren’t for those endorphins we are all addicted to… As fierce as this virus was when it first set up house, as fast did it decide to leave and to be honest by the third day I could have easily gotten back on my bike and resume the craziness that is my exercise routine (yes, I am still not back to running, because, the plantar fasciitis? It is one stubborn bitch!). But I had promised myself to lay low for a week and I managed to stick with it. But man did it feel good to go to Yoga on Saturday!
And then, just as I was getting over the Indian jewel, a man cold set up camp… Yes, even with all precautionary measures we took, David felt himself getting sick precisely one week after it had hit me. And you know what that means? The virus triples in intensity. How it happens is lost on me but thankfully we are now both on the mend and almost back to normal. Well, our normal! Because sometimes I wonder if our normal is whacked or if it is the other way around. Scenes like this leave me pondering:
Today’s Running Tip: Running while under the weather!
If you are like most serious runners you probably wonder when it is OK to run through an illness, specifically a cold, and when you should take it easy. The basic “neck” rule is a good way to gage your illness and whether you should run with a cold or not. Symptoms above the neck (runny nose, stuffiness, sneezing) don’t pose a risk to runners continuing workouts while symptoms below the neck (chest cold, bronchial infection, body ache) require time off.