Category Archives: gear

Just a little patience….

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We are now in North Carolina visiting my parents. So I’ve added running in Illinois and North Carolina in the last week. And a short hike in TN as we took the kids through the Great Smoky Mountains.  (Our 1/2 mile hike up to Clingman’s Dome made it clear to me that Leadville and Western States are never in my future!)

My runs as of late have resulted in some major blisters on my right foot – and I’m clearly pushing the limits of what my little cross-trainers can accomplish. I’m counting the days till we get home and I can hit Fit2Run for a new pair of running shoes. But in the meantime, I’m willing to risk a few blisters to keep up my runs. I’m not really pushing for any long runs – I’ve learned the limits of my moleskin and band-aid fixes – but I’ve managed to work on my pace a bit and keep the legs working.

As I was running this morning – I was considering how impatient I am for new shoes….and for more weight loss….and for my official training plan to start….and for my pace to improve…and for my long runs to get longer….and for the Disney weekend…..and and….you get the picture.

Yet about 1/2 a mile later – I realized how many good things come with a bit of patience and time.  I know I know – old cliche. But so true. Here I am just about 6 months from when I started Couch to 5K and I’m powering through nasty blisters to make sure I get in 3 miles this morning.  Really?  When did that happen?  Well – not overnight that’s for sure. It has taken lots of miles – and sweat and patience – to get to this point. And the same is true for the next steps….I want them to come fast – but the reality is that it takes time.

So as I made it towards home, I considered all the ways that I’ve come pretty far since I’ve been running…..the fact that I feel more fit (even if the scale disagrees) and that my clothes fit better (mostly) and that I have more stamina and energy.  My mental focus has improved so much in the last few months. Not necessarily gaining IQ points – but certainly slowing the loss of neurons!

You sometimes have to sit back and take a long view of what you’ve done….and where you’ve come from. And so far – it seems like I’m definitely on a good path.  So I need to keep in mind one of my favorite quotes to put on my syllabi for my college students:

A lot of people want a shortcut. I find the best shortcut is the long way, which is basically two words: work hard.    — Randy Pausch 

Quick run by…

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We’re still visiting family…and still working runs in here and there. I’ve ditched the worn out running shoes (well – saving them to bring to our favorite running store to discuss the issue) and am attempting some mileage in my old cross-trainers. Guess what – same wear pattern.  And now I’ve had several blisters come and go this week. Ouch. Clearly there is a flaw in my right foot. Ha!  I might just have to become a barefoot runner.

I did go to a local sports good store and looked at shoes. Found a pair of Asics that I loved…but I really want to get a good pair and I really trust the staff at Fit2Run – so I’m suffering for a few more runs before we get home….just so I can get a good foot analysis. Meanwhile I’m just going to suck it up so I get at least some miles under my belt. Cause I’ve discovered that I hate not running!  Pretty cool!

Birthday and blisters

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So yesterday was my birthday – 41 feels better than 40 did.  For some reason….oh wait yes that’s right – cause I’m more active than I was at 40!

Family gave me Galloway’s 1/2 marathon book and a Nathan fuel belt.  Now that is not what I would have predicted a year ago!  🙂

And of course I started the new year with a morning birthday run. Got to run with my husband….and he was very sweet to slow his pace to stay with me for the whole 3.1 miles.  We’re in his hometown visiting his family and he has run these streets before so he has a better sense of distance than I do. But I was touched that he slowed down for me….and cheered me the whole way. I’m very very blessed – to have a birthday to celebrate with an awesome husband and wonderful kids and family.

Today I planned a 6 mile run – testing out the new belt.  Well the belt works but my temporary fix for my shoe blow out was a bust. I’m not sure why my one heel wore out so quickly and so badly. But my fix with moleskin and some padding on my foot did not work. I was doing so well today – had shaved 20 seconds off my first mile. I was so excited…apparently the run with Steve had inspired my legs.

But at about 1.5 miles I realized my foot was hurting in not a good way. I kept going for another .5 mile but it only got worse. All the padding I had stuck in there was wiggling up and down with my foot falls – and a good blister was forming.  (It hadn’t bothered me yesterday – which was good….) So I finally had to admit defeat otherwise risk a really bad blister. I loosened the shoe and hobbled home about 1.5 miles as well as I could.

Honestly I nearly cried. I had been feeling good and going strong.  (I had tried to measure my cadence as per Galloway’s book and I was getting a bit faster with each trial.) But I really didn’t want to injure my foot unnecessarily. So off to hunt for new running shoes….not many running stores here in my husband’s hometown. But there are a few options….cause NOT running is NOT an option.  🙂  And how incredible that is from where I was a year ago…

 

Ugh…worn out shoe…

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I’ve had a major blister on the back of my right foot for two days. I wanted to shake my finger at June and the group run I did on Saturday. They worked me to a blistered state!

But nope – just a case of my running shoe being worn out in the back of the shoe….so worn out that there is actually a hole. And a piece of plastic is poking out.  Hmm…might be the source of the pain.

Not happy about how quickly these shoes (or at least the right shoe) gave out.  I’ve put 166 miles on them according to Nike+….although I ran in them for a few weeks before that…and I’ve occasionally worn them to the gym and grocery store. So probably closer to 200?  220?  Not sure…

I’m a bit confused how I wore out one shoe and not the other….but no time for confusion. We are packing for our trip to visit both sets of grandparents over the next 2 weeks. (We have it backwards in our family – it’s supposed to be the grandparents who live in Florida and you go there to visit them….not us. We leave Florida to go visit them. Hm…) I’ve packed all the running gear and clothes…and I’m going to have to make these shoes work. Packed some moleskin which should help – I hope. (Learned about moleskin from a friend who was a ballerina.)  I’d prefer to not have to find a running store and new shoes while we’re visiting family….

Anyway – here’s hoping I can get miles and blog posts in while gone…..with few blisters as a result!

 

“…better than falling back.”

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When I came up with the name for this blog – I just sort of pulled it out of the air. I wanted it to be “Confessions of a Former Nonrunner” – but Steve said that sounded like a description not a title. So somehow I just came up with “Stumbling Forward” right then and there – no idea what inspired it. But as I’ve written I’ve realized that I like the name – it describes how I sort of feel about how my running is improving as well as how I sometimes feel in those crazy mommy days when the laundry is piling up, the kids have to be in two different places, and dinner is still not defrosted. I just kind of stumble along until bedtime.

But I got a reminder yesterday that I was paying too much attention to the “stumbling” part and not enough to the “forward” part.  I started following @GoSportID on Twitter and got a nice mention from them:  “@formernonrunner Thanks so much for the follow, stumbling forward is always better than falling back.”   Okay – cool to get a mention from a new company – but more importantly – the reminder I got.  The direction in my blog title is clearly the more important part of it….and it’s also the right direction to be moving in.

As for GoSportID – cool sounding new company.  I read about the id band via KatieRunsThis‘ review. First off – give her a follow on Twitter (@katieRUNSthis) and then go read her blog.  Great stuff there.  Her review of GoSportID’s new product makes me want one. (And she’s giving one away this week (please pick me!) – check her out and how to get one.)

If you don’t have id on you when you run (or bike) outdoors….consider getting something. You never know if bad luck is just around the corner and someone is going to need to get you help or get you home.  I (hanging head here) do not have an id band….yet.  I do have my name and info in my iPod and tucked in my handheld water bottle – but clearly those could go flying should a car hit me. So I’m looking forward to GoSportID’s official launch this month.

And if you do have another brand of sports id – isn’t capitalism awesome?  We get choices! There’s not just one type of water bottle, or one type of running shoe, or one type of energy gel. We all can pick our favorites….and I’m sure from Katie’s review that many will make GoSportsID their new fave.  Welcome GoSportsID – looking forward to checking out your product! And thanks for the reminder about the direction we all should be moving in!

Not that kind of psychologist….

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Got my new t-shirt from Cafe Press today.  Love it!  Two truths related to the shirt: a) I actually am a psychologist and 2) I’m not that kind of psychologist.  Not everyone who gets advanced degrees in psychology listens to your problems.  (For the record, my degrees are in developmental psychology – I study how kids think – and I teach college psychology classes part-time. So while I might seem nice – I’m not licensed in any way to dispense “official” advice.)

Nevertheless, I do love my shirt. At the end of my runs, I not only feel better physically but mentally as well. This week’s runs were particularly good. Hoping next week is as good.

4.53 miles

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Another long run day – powered by Clif Shot Energy Gel – Vanilla flavored (YUM!  tastes like vanilla pudding!). Forgot to stock up on coconut water so had to go to the Gatorade standard.

Not a bad run – but quite hot. As hubby and I both do long runs on Saturday mornings, we trade off who gets the earlier (cooler) time. This morning I offered to take second shift as I wasn’t quite awake first thing.

The heat wasn’t all that bad – but I was dripping in sweat. I felt bad for all the people driving by (or walking, running, biking, etc) who have caught a glimpse of my belly fat as I’ve picked up the bottom of my shirt to wipe my face. Perhaps it’s time to visit the old “head sweatband” look a la Olivia Newton-John….or better yet I might try to find a good moisture wicking headband.

So what did people think as they saw me wiping the sweat? What were they thinking when they saw me during a walking interval rather than running? Did they think I was incredibly slow when I was actually running?

As someone new to running, I am rather self-concious about everything about my running….which, yes, is silly. Sure there are some really athletic people who run by me in the morning.  (Although truth be told – they all got their runs in my earlier in the morning!) But they are probably in their zone – and don’t care about me panting my way around. Just cause they might say “hi” as we pass, they probably aren’t criticizing my pace or my brand of shoes.

The farther I ran, the more I thought about these moments that flash by in which we see someone for just the briefest of time. Sometime we meet people when they are running hard and looking strong.  Sometimes we meet people in their lives when they are just struggling to make it the next little bit, sweating and panting.  And sometimes, even, we see glimpses of people in moments that they might rather we not see.

Yet that all doesn’t matter. It’s the people who run alongside us, the people who see us at all those moments as well as the ones in between – those are the people who care about us – and how we’re doing. Someone passing us when we’re at a low point in our lives may stick around to see us at a better moment. But it really doesn’t matter if they don’t. Cause we cross paths with so many people in our lives that we’re always seeing people at all those different moments.

Okay – so maybe this post sounded better in my head….but I wanted to reassure myself that even if I’m not flying by people in the neighborhood – it doesn’t matter whether they see me sweating or walking or actually running…..I need to focus on me and my run….and on getting back home to my family – who run with me in all those moments.

2.63 miles plus accessories

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The tools of the suburban running mom

Not a bad run this morning – a little hot but it is May in Florida after all.

Was better able to hear Jeff Galloway’s encouragement, thanks to new ear buds for the ipod. And didn’t feel as hot as I carried my new Nathan hand held water bottle full of ice water. Add of course the sunglasses and the ipod and the hair band – I’m practically a sherpa of running gear.

If you search the internet for “how to start running” the only thing they tell you that you really is a good pair of running shoes and comfortable clothes. All the other accessories are just the whipped cream and drizzle on the cafe mocha. You don’t really need it but it seems to make things look more complete.

Of course maybe the runners who just throw on shoes and pound out miles without a thought about music or apps or hydration probably have it correct. Just run for the sake of running, no equipment, no fancy gear – just your feet moving along the ground. I have to admit that sprinting with my kids at the events at field day the other week was fun – just running for the sake of running.  But for now, I’ll stay tethered to my accessories…..

For all the ladies out there…

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Any male readers of this blog may want to avert their eyes for this post.  It’s not an advertisement for tampons or feminine itch – but it’s still a very female topic.

So ladies, does it hurt when you run? You know what I mean.  Do you bounce around on top like there is an out of control pair of oversized hacky sacks attached on your front? Welcome to what I think is the number one problem for women who run – being *ahem* blessed at the breast (batb for short).

As someone who is batb – I know it’s one of the many factors that made me a non-runner for all those years.  While I can fill out a strapless dress nicely, physical activity is not what those puppies are designed for. Who wants to run around and potentially whap yourself in the face with a free-flying body part? The drag of gravity in front can be just downright painful.

The worst is that traditional sports bras are just flat out not made for large chested women.  Occasionally, places like Active.com and Runner’s World will post reviews of the “3 best sports bras” out there.  Ha. Those are all designed for those lithe little things who run like woodland nymphs. Anyone who is batb and who has tried out those bras can attest to the horror and experience at the sporting goods store. I once got my arm so wedged in the straps that I was afraid I was going to have to scream for my husband to break down the dressing room door or die an embarrassing death. (Strangulation by awkward sports bra moment is probably not going to be a winner of an episode for CSI.)

But all has changed.  Clearly someone has got the right idea.  Lynx Sportswear has developed the most amazing sports bra ever. (And no I don’t get a cut of their sales….but I strongly recommend their product!) You can even “like” them on Facebook.

I first saw Lynx Sportswear at the running expo at Disney in January.  (See all good things come from Disney…) They were talking all about the no bounce bra – and the product seemed really good. There was a stall for you to try one on – but our time at the expo was limited by the emptiness of the kids’ stomachs. I took a flyer (with coupon!) and ordered one a few weeks later.

The difference is incredible. When I ordered it – it was merely for going to the gym. The material, the cut, and the look all work together for an amazing fit.  The fit and the support were helpful in my decision to start running. No other sports bra stops the jiggles as effectively, as comfortably, and in such a light weight fashion. If only they made underwear to stop the jiggles on the other end…..but I digress.

If you are a woman who is batb – definitely check them out.  And if you are a lithe woodland nymph like woman – I totally envy you.  But I can run alongside you, now with 100% less bounce.  Finally!

This warrants a shopping trip…

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What a haul!

The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one.  ~Erma Bombeck

I’m thinking that Erma’s quote can be modified for the runner. “The odds of going to the running store for a pair of shoes and coming out with only a pair of shoes are three billion to one.”

Shopping!!  I love to shop (well, except for bathing suits of course…)

Steve and I headed out for a day of errands including a stop at a running store on the other side of town. Fit 2 Run is just a really cool store and if you live near one of their Florida locations – definitely check them out. (Side note: I obviously would not have made that statement just a year ago, but things change….)  Steve had logged almost 500 miles on his old pair of running shoes so a new pair was definitely in order.

Fit 2 Run has two stations to help identify what types of shoes would work best for you. So he first stepped up on the “footsie-tootsie” analyzer (okay not the official name but better than “black box you step on”).  This analyzes how evenly balanced you are, where all your pressure is, and what your arch is like. Can you spot the issue in Steve’s feet?

Analysis of Hubby's Feet

It seems that he has no middle to his feet – just a really high arch. There’s clearly pressure at the ball and heel and just black holes between those two zones! Hence the guy suggested an orthotic insert (of course they sell those).

The next step was analyzing his gait on the treadmill. My husband is not one for treadmills but he managed to pound out a minute or so – while wearing some new shoes they loaned him.

Treadmill time!

After a discussion of his pronation type (I don’t know – I wasn’t paying attention)….they found a few options for him to try on. Found a pair of New Balance that he liked a lot – and they felt even better with the orthotics inside.

Given my recent plantar pains, I asked the guy if I could get my foot analyzed for inserts too.  Turns out that I do not have black holes between the balls and heels of my feet – but I could definitely pick up some inserts to help with my arch support.

Of course one pair of running shoes and two sets of inserts seemed so little when there were so many other cool things to look at in the store. Also picked up all 6 flavors of Clif Shot Gel (razz, citrus, strawberry – Steve; vanilla, mocha, and chocolate – me), 2 dri-fit shirts for Steve and a water bottle for me.

Can’t wait to run on the treadmill when I need some new shoes….but will give the credit card a break for a bit…