After several days of not running (of not really doing anything at all) last week, I finally had my energy back and was feeling like giving running a try. So I set out for the water park on Saturday morning. For 12 miles, I remembered why I love running. My legs felt good. There was lots of shade. My potty/water stops were spaced perfectly. Even with my lungs not at 100%, runs don't come much better than this. My family picked me up a little over a mile from the water park so we could stop and get some chocolate milk and I could do a quick change into my bathing suit (in the car - I'm skilled like that).
While I was running, I realized I could compare my run to the wedding tradition...
Something Old - I have a pair of SmartWool socks that I've had for a few years and have worn off and on. I wore them for a long run last month and have worn them for every long run since. I love them. I always thought my WrightSocks were the best for blister prevention, but my SmartWools are even better. I have noticed a few hot spots, but they haven't turned into blisters even on my longest runs. And they actually keep my feel pretty cool and dry, in spite of being wool!
Something New - I haven't been listening to music on any of my outdoor long runs. This is a first for me. I have always listened to music indoors and outside and racing. It has been surprisingly nice. I have been amazed at how steady my pace stays and how easily the time and miles pass without it. Now I just have to decide if I will run with or without it during my half on Saturday.
Something Borrowed - On one of my DailyMile posts, Becky L. suggested paying attention to my cadence to help my ITB issues. I discovered I already have a pretty quick cadence, but paying attention to it and keeping it steady at a 170-180/min really seemed to help. My IT band was considerably better on this long run than on the past few. I have also been doing the ITB rehab exercises Lydia H. recommended in the same post comments.
Something Blue - I am digging the Mountain Blast blue Powerade. Hopefully this will make it easier at races because I have seen it at a lot of them. Too often there hasn't been something my stomach can handle, so I've had to stick to water or take my handheld.
What is something old, something new, something borrowed or something blue in your running world?
**If there is anything you just need to know about me, now is your chance. Be sure to ask me your questions on my Q&A post. **
While I was running, I realized I could compare my run to the wedding tradition...
Something Old - I have a pair of SmartWool socks that I've had for a few years and have worn off and on. I wore them for a long run last month and have worn them for every long run since. I love them. I always thought my WrightSocks were the best for blister prevention, but my SmartWools are even better. I have noticed a few hot spots, but they haven't turned into blisters even on my longest runs. And they actually keep my feel pretty cool and dry, in spite of being wool!
Something New - I haven't been listening to music on any of my outdoor long runs. This is a first for me. I have always listened to music indoors and outside and racing. It has been surprisingly nice. I have been amazed at how steady my pace stays and how easily the time and miles pass without it. Now I just have to decide if I will run with or without it during my half on Saturday.
Something Borrowed - On one of my DailyMile posts, Becky L. suggested paying attention to my cadence to help my ITB issues. I discovered I already have a pretty quick cadence, but paying attention to it and keeping it steady at a 170-180/min really seemed to help. My IT band was considerably better on this long run than on the past few. I have also been doing the ITB rehab exercises Lydia H. recommended in the same post comments.
Something Blue - I am digging the Mountain Blast blue Powerade. Hopefully this will make it easier at races because I have seen it at a lot of them. Too often there hasn't been something my stomach can handle, so I've had to stick to water or take my handheld.
What is something old, something new, something borrowed or something blue in your running world?
**If there is anything you just need to know about me, now is your chance. Be sure to ask me your questions on my Q&A post. **
What a clever post! I'm glad your IT band issues have been better and that you've found a good drink. Good luck on your half this weekend!
ReplyDeleteLove the smart wool. I do my laundry in the winter around those socks.
Something old... old navy bra. Love it. I do my laundry around it as well. Of course I don't have some big girls to support either.
Something new... shorts that I bought at the Utah Valley Expo. I am in love with them.
Something borrowed... while you're going without music, I've been borrowing tunes off of others playlists.
Something blue... hmmm. that's a tough one.
Something Old: Socks. I have these (I'm assuming) cheap-o athletic socks that I have no idea where I got or anything, but they're my favorite for running. I have never had problems with them.
ReplyDeleteSomething New: Garmin 305, with which I am quickly falling in love, haha.
Something Borrowed: My running skirt, which technically wasn't borrowed; it was given to me. Most of my music is "borrowed" from my brother, so there's that, too...
Something Blue: Hrmm... Blue stripes on my adidas shoes :)
fun post! okay...you need to tell me more about the ITB stuff on Saturday when I see you...I am totally needing some new stretch ideas + some ideas for my training runs so as not to aggravate it as much as I do now.
ReplyDeleteSomething new: just got new shoes!! woo hoo!
something borrowed: workout ideas!
something old: sports bras...i need some new ones. haha!
something blue: powerade 0! yeah!
So glad I read this it reminded me to plug in my ipod for my long run today, I am hoping my legs aren't feeling tired anymore too! Something old? My music sometimes I like to listen to 80's music or old school country
ReplyDeletenew- my sports bras are all handfuls these days
borrowed? tips from other bloggers
Blue my shoes!
Love this post Candice! As far as the music dilema goes I go through the same thing with every race. I train without it for the most part but for the last few races I have taken it and started without it. If I need it it is there and if not I ran without it. Sometimes when you are hitting a wall at the end of a race it can be a good distraction.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to see you in the am! :)
It is great that you can run to a water park, good motivation and nice spot for recovery.
ReplyDelete2 summers during college, working as a lifeguard, I perfected the change-in-car routine. Now, I wonder why I didn't just get changed once I got to the pool?
I've only run once in the past 2 weeks so I can only say Something New: Another ultra in about a month, if Life agrees with that idea.
Be kind to your ITB today and have fun at your race tomorrow!
I was having IT Band issues and started watching my cadence for another reason, but now that you mention it, I'm realizing my IT Band hasn't hurt all week! Have fun at the half!
ReplyDeletehappy your itb issues are improving. I'm struggling with mine right now, heading off to check out others suggestions
ReplyDeleteITB issues are the worst, congrats for figuring yours out!
ReplyDeleteIt was so great to meet you in person! And now you have another follower as well. And I'm glad that the cadence thing worked out for you a bit! It certainly has worked magic for me!
ReplyDeleteGEEZ!
ReplyDelete12 mile run! I wish I could do that! I also remember drinking that powerade! AND I will totally be adding you as a friend on Daily Mile! AWESOME you belong to it! PS hope your race went well this past weekend!
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