Runner's Almanac - Day 8

Today I didn't make it for a run. I was supposed to go for a walk - A nice long walk - After yesterday's long run. And it would have felt good. But I relented to the comfort of my couch in the late afternoon while something unbelievably funny was on the television. It doesn't matter what was on. That's not the point. Only that sometimes the lure of the couch beats the lure of the road, and well, there is really nothing we can do about it.

I did get in some virtual running this morning, however, watching parts of a documentary on the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. That was the inaugural year the women's marathon made it in the games. Maine native and Bowdoin college alumni Joan Benoit was the event's first ever gold medalist. As Benoit did a commentary about that day, running through the tunnel that opened up to the LA Coliseum, she was shocked to see so many fans fill the stadium seats, waiting to see her and about 50 other women achieve such a goal. Who would come out to see a woman running, she had thought? Benoit continues to participate in the sport, even having trained Lance Armstrong for his recent marathon efforts. I later watched a segment on the Joyner siblings and their story growing up in poverty-stricken conditions in East St. Louis, Illinois to achieving track and field glory in their careers. Although I was living in Los Angeles at the time of the Olympics in 1984, my memory of it is mostly of Mary Lou Retton - It was a very popular costume that Halloween for us kids. Who knows, maybe they'll bring the games back to L.A; revamp the Coliseum, for another history making running event.



Happy running!

Runner's Almanac - Day 7

Now that my long runs are early on Saturday, my Friday nights consist of little more than reading a book and taking it easy. I am still getting accustomed to this - not to the early nights, but to the early Saturday runs. For a while, Saturday mornings were golden - I could sleep in or watch TV. Now that I get up early, I need a nap after my morning exertion. Then the day is halfway shot. But today, I was a little more productive. I went to REI and purchased some resistance bands, restocked my kitchen, and partook in the ubiquitous Saturday acitivity of walking around third street Promenade. All of this after a 7:20am run start time. I also did get in that nap.

I ran today with the LA Legger's 12 mile/hour pace group. It's beautiful running by the ocean, and that initital view running down toward the Santa Monica Pier with the sleepy ocean view makes it all worth it. Since we just started the training season, we are only at 6 miles - plus the half mile I jogged to arrive at the start on time. The weather has been really beautiful this time of day - overcast and cool. We started off fast and ended slow, with a little bit of drama in between. Two runners (one being Leslie to my left) tripped and fell sometime after a large black dog walked by us. The action seemed to trigger another runner to fall further ahead of us. Note to readers: Always handy to have some Band-Aids just in case. They are useful for blisters or for unexpected cuts.

The run south toward Venice Beach is really crowded even just at 8 in the morning. The path is jammed with various running groups, walkers, bicyclists right next to us, dogs and their masters, and the requisite homeless population. Leslie was a trooper, and even though she had a cut on her hand, she got it taped up and caught up with us. I've fallen once or twice myself - It's one of road hazards of being a roadrunner.

So I tried the peanut butter and jelly snack from Bonk Breaker I mentioned on day 5. Prior to my run, I could only rummage some toast (hence the need to restock breakfast supplies mentioned earlier), so I ate about 3/4 of the Bonk Breaker. The outer crust reminded me of those commonly found on Nutrigrain bars, but a bit thicker. It has a nutty taste, but there isn't a lot of peanut butter. It's not slopped on the way I would normally eat a PBJ sandwich. But that's what makes this a twist on the lunchtime favorite. In fact, the bar (which is about half the size of a run of a mill bar but wider) is very compact, and the lack of excess peanut butter goo proved to be a good thing. I couldn't even finish it and found it provided enough to sustain the 6 miles. So I would recommend it. I also had half a Gu about 50 minutes in (tri berry!).

Good luck to anyone doing a race tomorrow. Happy weekend.

Runner's Almanac - Day 4

When I first started running habitually, my schedule consisted of a morning run 4-5 days a week. I liked the routine of it and found that running consecutive days made it easier to keep up the practice. Run every other day, and it's just a pinch harder to get going. However, I soon developed some painful shin splints and learned the value of alternating run days with other cardio or strength training activities. For a while I was doing mat pilates and loved it. I haven't been doing as much strength training in the past year though, and my 2.5 miles yesterday reminded me of the importance of this. After my morning run, I noticed some slight discomfort that was a bit out of the ordinary. It wasn't the normal ache and pain, but something a bit more internal. Just recently, I spoke with my medical doctor about the effects of running on women's bodies. She told me that it affects the thin natural support system in the breast tissue - therefore requiring a very supportive bra (or two at a time in some cases) and can also affect the pelvis and bladder through pressure created by the constant impact of running.

So, I did a zippy internet search and found this posting recommending the importance of core strength to balance out the effects running can have in this respect. I knew I was not on top of my strength work, so last night I took out my favorite Denise Austin pilates dvd that hadn't seen the light in a little while. I dusted it off, popped it in, and did some core strengthening exercise. I even did some yoga this morning. Now if the discomfort persists and starts to melt into more of a pain, seek medical advise. Otherwise, remember to strengthen your core about 3 times a week, and also take days off regularly during your running. Your body will thank you for it.

Runner's Almanac - Day 2

It's a great ambition to be an early morning runner. I've done it a few times - Wake up at that delicate cusp between night and dawn, venture out into the morning chill and plop one foot in front of another. Hey, if you're still half asleep, how hard can it be? If you go out early enough, you may even require some sort of head lamp or light. This is my lofty ambition - To run early enough that I would need a head lamp. Out by 5:30am, back before 7:00am. Now that is hardcore.

I used to get out to run at 7:00am, but now that my work schedule has changed, my alarm goes off around 5:30am for a scheduled run. Alarms aren't fail safe, however. They can go off when they are told, but we humans can be stubborn.

I put on my alarm clock this morning so I could run before work. I had plans afterwards so I knew this was my only chance to do so. I've read that the only way to get out of bed when it is just more comforting NOT to do so (especially on a Monday morning) is to do it without thinking. Hear the alarm, jump up, put your clothes on, and get out. Well...better said than done.

Needless to say, I didn't make my early morning. But I knew I had to get some running in today, so I packed up a bag for a lunch time run. Now, one person's lunchtime run can be totally different from the next person's. Depending on your place of employment, this can be a relatively easy mid-day activity or completely the opposite. I think that an hour and a half is the perfect amount of time for a lunch time run - But unless you live in France where mid-day breaks range up to two hours, or if your schedule isn't monitored closely, your lunchtime activities usually need to wrap up in about 60 old fashioned minutes. It may seem like enough, but like any efficient machine, this too needs to be planned out efficiently.

First, decide - Will you run outdoors or at the nearby gym (if you have one). What do you actually do about lunch, since you are technically spending "lunch" running? How about afterwards - How do you magically revert back to your pre-running non-sweating work-attired self?

It was around noon, and I was having seconds thoughts about this. I had intentionally left my running clothes in my car, which is parked about a 10 minute walk away from my place of employment. My plan was to grab my bag and walk to the nearby gym, run on the treadmill for 20 minutes and head back. The only glitch was that I hadn't really thought about lunch. So, for any mid-day runners at work, Tip #1 - Please remember to pack a lunch and bring it with you. Preferably something handheld that is easy to eat conspicously while you finish your work. I ended up purchasing a tuna sandwich that was heavy on the tuna and mustard (FYI - Not recommended).

Since I had already purchased and ate the sandwich at the desk, I didn't want my hastily eaten lunch to be in vain. The purpose was to eat now so I could run later. So I promplty left work, walked to my car, grabbed my bag, and headed to the gym. Once I entered the airconditioned sanctuary and swiped my card into the ID detector, I felt deeply satisfied by my decision to do so. It was a welcome break in a busy day.

Now, for a short 20 minute run, I would recommend throwing in a fast 5K paced segment for about 10-12 minutes to challenge yourself in the short amount of time that you have. I did 10 minutes at close to my 5K pace (about a 10 minute mile) and mixed it with 11-12 minutes a mile. I ended up running just under 2 miles. It provided a spurt of energy that made going back to work more than bearable. Go to a sit down meal for lunch and end up with a food coma. Run during your lunch hour and it's like a jolt of caffeine, that hopefully leaves you with enough energy into the night.

So my conclusion about lunchtime runs? They are a good thing. Just plan ahead. What do I not recommend? Eating your sloppy tuna salad sandwich while running. Now that would be a road hazard.

Happy running!