Resistance Training

Those two little words.  I'm sore just thinking about it.

As much as I hate strength training, it made all the difference in my marathon training.  Now, I do NOT claim to be fast.  I'm not fast, so for me this wasn't about speed.  It was about comfort and not getting injured.  When I trained for half-marathons in the past it always killed my joints.  I'm talking serious knee and ankle pain.  However, doing resistance training twice a week while I was training for my marathon was great.  It really relieved a lot of pain in my joints and I felt so much better while I was running.

Because I had such success with it, I called up my trainer this week and have decided to start resistance training three days/week this spring.  Did I mention I asked for the 6 a.m. slot?  What is wrong with me?  So, starting Monday, I will be hitting the gym at 6 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Lord have mercy on my delusional soul.  

Running Quirks

We all have them.  Right?

Alright, well I don't actually know that we all have them, but I'm kinda hoping we do.  If I'm the only one who has weird things I have to do before/while I run, then this post is going to be pretty embarrassing.

So here are a list of my running quirks:

1. I must wear earrings.  I know this is really, really weird.  Believe me, I know.  Now, I'm not talking about big, hoop earrings or anything like that.  Just little studs.  The weird thing is, I know exactly how this started too.  I was running my first half marathon, and it was a hot day, so I decided I would wear a hat.  But with my hat on and my hair up, I felt like I looked like a boy.  My solution?  Put on some earrings.  Ever since then, it's been a superstitious kind of thing.  I cannot run without earrings in my ears.
2. I bite the inside of my lip while I run.  This one may need to be moved from the "running quirks" column over to the "terrible habits" column.  I have no idea why I do this, and when I realize I'm doing it, I always make myself stop.  It's always painful after a run because I've been biting the inside of my lip for Lord-knows-how-long.  My mouth was hurting big-time after my marathon as I had been biting my lip for 26.2 miles.  This one needs to stop.
3. My socks must be the same brand as my shoes.  That makes absolutely no sense.  I know.  But it's true.  Since I have worn Asics running shoes for years, I have quite the collection of Asics running socks.  Again, can we say superstitious runner?
4. I check, double check, and triple check all shoe laces and hair-ties before I start a race.  When I'm lined up at the starting line about to start a run (marathon, half, 10K, doesn't matter), I suddenly get extremely nervous that my shoe will come untied or that my braid will fall out.  This is insane for many reasons.  (1) It has never happened before.  (2) What is the worst-case-scenario if it does happen?  I retie my shoe?  Terrifying right?  But I will spend approximately 10 minutes checking these things.  I have issues.

I think that about rounds out the list, for today.  I'm certain I will think of more and feel the need to come back and add them on.

'til next time!

  

Pants on the Ground

I've been wanting to write a blog about running for a long time.  I woke up this morning and decided "today is the day."  And so, I thought, "Today, I'll go running and blog about some of my new running gear that I got on GREAT sale."  So, I jumped out of bed, took some pictures of my awesome running gear, and headed out the door.

(also please note I still have my Dtag on my shoe from marathon.  Not quite ready to let go of that little guy just yet)

I always, I repeat, always, wear running tights (either capri length or pants length).  I hate wearing shorts running.  So I got these great Nike running tights, originally around $60, for $15.  I was pumped.  But here's the thing, I didn't try them on.  So, today I went out for a short little run.  I'm trying to ease back into a training schedule after my marathon (my marathon!  Wheeee!  I will post more on that later).  Well, these pants are WAY too big at the waist and there is no drawstring.  FML. Seriously, I could not hold the pants up and was having major issues.  So, I cut my run short, held onto my pants, and walked the mile back to my car, head hung in shame.

So, in sum, I cannot comment on the effectiveness of these Nike running tights.  However, I now have an excuse to buy other running tights (that do have a drawstring).

Here's to a better run tomorrow!