Tricks of the trade

There are a few things to know when it comes to running, and that's what you need to find out before your race. What do you like to have on you? What don't you like to have? What outfit is comfortable? And where do you stash your keys?

I've developed a few do's and dont's for my races and I'll share them all with everyone. I'm nice like that.
Dont's:

• Wear a fuel belt. I find they ride too high on my torso which annoys me. Plus, if you are in a race where there are aid stations, you will not lack for liquid. You should also be able to stash enough GU's in your shorts, bra, where ever, to not need a fuel belt. I've worn them twice. The first time I needed it for a tampon holder, and the second time I wore it to keep a phone on me. It was okay, just not my favorite. The second time I wore it, it ended up rubbing my side raw. OUCH! Not fun to deal with in a marathon. The only time I have really had a desire for a fuel belt that holds water, is when its 90+ degrees outside and I'm running a trail with few water fountains.

Apparently I have a firm view of fuel belts. I just hate that it bounces up and down with every step!

Do's:

• Vaseline your toes. This will help prevent blisters...oh how I love vaseline on my toes. Slap it on, and dont use it sparingly.

• Take an 8 hour tylenol before your race. I love this stuff--I swear it helps. Just make sure you try it before you race with it.

• Music. Always have it, even if you might not use it. There are times when you need to focus your mind on something else besides your body--use music to distract your mind from the aches and pains. Other times I find that music drives me nuts and its one more thing for my mind to listen to. I still like to have the option of using it, so I take it with me.
  

• I've never used Body Glide, but I hear it works well for spots that rub. I may be investing in some if I don't slim my thunder thighs back down to small.

Apparently I don't have any more advice. I'm a minimalist by nature, and try to run that way. My best word of advice is to find what works for you. And use vaseline on the toes, it's wonderful.

Hydration and why you should listen to your body

There's a lot of talk on hydration. I've heard from coaches to drink, drink, drink. I've read in articles that the average person needs 20-30 ounces of water per hour during exercise. I've also read about horror stories where people over-hydrated (dilutional hyponatremia) and either get extremely sick and even die (very few times, but its happened).

I don't really have a recommendation. I am naturally an under-drinker, and struggle with keeping myself hydrated on days that I'm not putting in a long run. However, there are a few things I've learned.

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. It's amazing how far this little advice can go. Before my husband was my husband, or my boyfriend, and we were just friends he came to me asking for training advice. I listened to him, and gave him this same advice. He was watching his pace so closely, and every day trying to run faster, that his runs got worse and worse. He couldn't figure out what was going wrong. I advised him to run hard on days your body feels good, take it easier on days your body is struggling. Let your body guide you. He took my advice, and his running actually improved.

In a race I let my body guide me. I listen to it to tell me if I want water or gatorade at the next aid station. Sometimes I want both. For the most part I will stop at every station and take a swig of something. I think it would take a lot of water to actually over-hydrate, and the body needs fluid in intense activities. I will admit that I always skip the last aid station in a marathon. Usually I'm afraid if I stop to take a drink, my legs might not start running again.

This probably wasn't much help. Hydration depends on so many things, the weather, your intensity, your body, etc. My advice is to listen to your body and drink before you are thirsty and keep sipping on something to keep you hydrated.

Did I mention you should listen to your body?

Fighting the treadmill boredom

Its winter. Its cold. The sidewalks are covered in snow and ice. I ran outside a couple weeks ago armed with my under armor and although I was toasty warm, the slippery running was not ideal. So I've headed back to the gym and back to the mundane repetition of a treadmill. In the January issue of Runners World they gave a hint to saving your sanity on a treadmill.....hitting a button every 1/4 mile. I thought it was a lame idea, although I already knew when I did intervals my time went faster, but I was usually only changing every 4 and 2 minutes. So last week I took their advice and hit a button every 1/4 mile. Although I was skeptical, the result was amazing. I was out to do a 4 miler and at 3 miles my husband who had finished his run asked me how much I had left. I looked down at my mileage and gave it an extra stare because I did not believe what it said. I only had one mile left and was amazed how quickly my run went. Even though I had been watching my quarter miles tick by I hadn't been paying attention to the overall mileage. My run was fantastic, and since then I have been hitting a button every quarter mile and watching the miles speed by.

Here's what I do: the first 1/4 mile I just run a regular pace. The next 1/4 mile I up the incline to .5, then to 1.0 on the next 1/4 mile, then back to 0 incline to finish up the mile. Then I do the same with speed, up it, up it, up it, then a last easy quarter mile. Then I switch back to the incline, only I start off at 1, then 1.5, then 2, and end with an easy 1/4 mile. Then I switch to speed and start off harder than I started previously and up it, up it, and up it. So not only have I found that I am fighting boredom, but I am getting some short interval training in both speed and hills.

It works. Try it. You'll be impressed.

3 days down, 397 to go

Today marks my second day of marathon training for the SLC Marathon on April 18th. I am following a program by Hal Higdon, and adding an additional 2 weeks to his 18 week program. I figure I need all the extra preparation I can get. Believe you me, I need all the help I can get.

So what helps me get to the gym to train?
The promise of Spongebob Squarepants on channel 27 from 6-7 p.m.
My husband's encouragement
The promise of Spongebob Squarepants on channel 27 from 6-7 p.m.
Looking forward to breaking my last SLC time of 4:02:57
And on those rare occassions I make it into the gym before work, the promise of Spongebob Squarepants on channel 27 from 6-6:30 a.m.

What keeps you motivated on cold winter days?

In The Beginning

I'd like to dedicate this blog to all of those who feel the need to run. Young, old, fast, slow, tall, short, first time runners, long time runners and all those who fall somewhere in between.

Running has not always been my passion. Even then I find that our relationship has its on and off days, weeks, and sometimes even months (as much as I don't like to admit it!) I still love to run. I started to find health, instead I found myself, my identity and most importantly I found my capabilities. I have reached to the depths of my soul and found strength when I thought pushing on impossible.

I want to share all of my running with you, and in return I hope you share it all with me.

And in case you are wondering...my favorite part of a race, besides crossing the finish line is the pounding of feet on the roads after the gun goes off. Those are the feet I want to meet.