JustRunJustLiveJustBe

Though it’s hard to believe because, you know, the sun is just barely beginning to rise, I’m already up and happy about it.  Really happy, in fact.  On the verge of annoying happy, actually.  It’s true, and someone may slap me for it before the day is done.

I don’t have any super secret reason for my happiness– nothing to reveal.  It’s just this morning, before the sun came up, before I really had a chance to think about the rest of the day, before I let myself worry about anything, I ran.  And it was good.

A lot of my time spent talking about running is analytical (some may call it complaining).  I wonder what can improve, what went wrong, why, with all the mix of cultures I have in my bloodstream, isn’t one of them Kenyan?  I contemplate these things to death under the guise of my love for running.  Today though, on this early morning run, there was no guise.

I’d set out for five miles.  It’s something I can do comfortably in well under an hour, something I’m comfortable with in the morning.  I was surprised how early into the run I felt good.  Usually it takes a mile or two before I am not making myself run.  Usually I need warm up time.  This morning the temperature and my mind and my body must have been just right though.  It felt, dare I say, easy.  And now that I’ve jinxed myself by calling it easy, I might as well seal the deal and say that this was the best run I’ve had in months, possibly a year.

So when people see me later, and I have this air about me as though everything is wonderful and nothing can go wrong, when I look like I’m just seconds away from tossing my hat high above my head because gee, I AM GOING TO MAKE IT AFTER ALL, they’re just going to have to ignore me.  I don’t expect anyone to understand how one run makes all the others worth it, how one run makes you remember why you love it. They should just roll their eyes and carry on, because it will be too hard to explain why this is a big deal.  It may not happen again and I may forget this feeling tomorrow, but today, today it is enough.

My long runs are getting a little longer right now. (Or is it harder? Sometimes I get confused.) I’m trying to go easy on myself because not only do I want to remain uninjured but should I decide to actually participate in a race beyond a 10K this year, I’d sort of like to wait until I have set that goal. If I just start increasing mileage now for no real reason then when it comes time for it to be for real, I might burn myself out. Part of me is not sure if that’s a reasonable person talking or if it’s a lazy one. Ah, yes, do not run too much. No. Wouldn’t want to burn out before something that may or may not happen. Yeah. I’m gonna go with: it is wise.

Anyway, yesterday my long run (which is, of course, relative) was just over eight miles. In a lot of ways, I’m a different runner than what I was a few years ago. Nothing is really new, I know everything well enough to know what to expect. I’ve learned to take it as it comes rather than wanting every run to be perfect. Still, there are also some things about my running that haven’t changed. For one, I like to be entertained on a run. Scenery, music if I’m running inside, or conversation all help me get through this grueling task I do completely by choice.

I left my house yesterday morning and headed for a local trail. For about a mile, before you cross to the trail, you have to run down this tree-lined sidewalk. It’s cool and shady and, during this time of year, very loud. There must be a hundred bird’s nests in those trees and I think every single egg hatched on the same day. Now, as you pass them, what sounds like 500 baby birds squeak and scream. Yes, it is a very cute concept, I suppose. The not-so-cute part, however, are the parents. The adult birds, ever-present and even louder than their offspring, do everything they can to let you know you are in the wrong place. Apparently missing the fact that I don’t have wings, anywhere between five and fifteen of them are flying no more than a yard or two over my head in this frightening swooping pattern. They have this oddly loud chirping/warning signal and it is all no doubt a carefully constructed play probably called Get This Human Out of Our Territory. You know, like a Sweep but more intimidating. And more dangerous.

Thankfully, this was the most eventful part of the run. For as often as I choose to whine about runs that don’t go well, I try to remind myself to appreciate the ones that do, even if they’re just okay. A lot of things are either changing or about to change in and around my life right now, and if a good run wants to come along in the middle of all that, well by all means. Sometimes things can get so distracting or weigh so heavily on my mind that they get in the way of running. It’s nice to have running interfere with everything else once in a while.

*Update* Thank you to everyone who offered suggestions (and even emailed me helpful links).   I have a lot to think about, including why I love the Internet. 

I don’t know why I’m trying so hard to figure this out, but I am. For one, it’s pretty boring. Two, well it’s not like I’m some scientific runner who meticulously calculates speed and distance and bodily reactions. I’m only mildly concerned with any of that, which is probably due mostly to laziness. I am sort of stumped, though, and I’m thinking someone out there might have some insight. Maybe. Possibly.

For the last several weeks, you see, I’ve been gradually increasing the distance of my long run again. Gradually being the key word there, of course. (Yesterday I did 7 miles.) For the most part they’re going well. They’ve turned out to be pretty okay runs where I’m thankful, most of all, for feeling good (read: no knee/leg/hip pain). The weird thing is, my heart rate. It’s crazed, y’all.

What I mean by that is, it seems very abnormal. Or at least for part of the run, particularly the last part. A “normal” long run for me means a steady pace with my heart rate between 150 and 155. However, over the last few weeks and only during the long run, my heart rate increases to 165+ during the last 2-4 miles of the run. No matter how I try, I can’t get it back down. Once it’s up there, it stays- at least until I have to walk just to get it under control.

Now, for starters, I don’t even know if around 150 is okay to start with. I just know it’s generally where my heart rate stays when running at a comfortable pace. But I don’t know if that’s (again) “normal” I just know it’s been normal for me. Is it too high? I wouldn’t know.

Sheesh! Who’s bored? (Me. Sorta.)

So, anyway, I’m thinking my heart rate goes up like this because:

I know I’m getting close to the end of the run and I subconciously get too excited about that? OR…

I’m too fatigued from earlier in the run? OR…

I’m too fatigued from whatever I did the day before? OR…

This could be something to worry about and I should be asking a doctor? OR…

There’s a guy running in front of me with a nice butt.

I joke about that last one because if that were the case, well, heartrate schmeartrate, but I’m hoping anyone with any type of heart rate knowledge/insight/know-how has an idea. Or at least some questions I need to ask myself to better understand what’s going on. And I hope it’s something simple like “you’re not in good enough shape yet, keep going and find a nice butt to look at to distract you.” But maybe there’s more to it? What do you think?

Have I mentioned that running has been very good to me lately?  Probably not.  I am like a relationship between two sixteen-year-olds when it comes to running:  when things are going well, you  hear nothing of it, but when they’re not and we haven’t talked on the phone for two nights in a row, all I do is whine and complain and freak out that THIS IS THE END.

But that’s not the case now, because it’s been good.  Increasing speed and distance has been gradual but, dare I say, easy.  I have a lot of theories for this, but I can’t get into that now.  It’s 5:30 in the morning, and I’m about to go get on a scale and let someone else tell me what I weigh.  This is no time for deep, reflective thought.

What it is time for, though, is some outside inspiration.  Because this morning, while running and sweating and actually liking it at 4:00 a.m., there was not one song of the 4,000 or so I own that I actually wanted to hear.  Every song was just irritating and I think I scrolled through about 40 of them before I chucked my ear phones down next to the treadmill and just ran in silence.

So the conclusion, of course having nothing to do with me nor with my impatience, is that I need some new running music.  While I don’t run with music all the time, there are some Friday mornings at 4:00 a.m. when I am like, dude, why don’t I have more Beyonce on my iPod?

Here comes the part where I ask you what music you like to work out with?  What would be your top, let’s say, three songs that make you want to run/walk/spin/whatever?  Or at least a song that distracts you long enough to forget your elevated heart rate.

Help me.  I need a new 4:00 a.m. playlist.

Yesterday I ran outside in the hot afternoon sun, and almost threw a party for how great it was.  The warmth, all the people, the sweat. Of course, most runners sweat but this is just different. It’s not just sweat caused by my movement; it is outside elements. The elements. And I can’t help but get excited about it, because it feels so good.

A lot of runners don’t like this. Running in the heat is not their idea of fun. But it is mine. While I wouldn’t say I’d like to run in the desert in August (heatstroke = not fun. Dehydration? Also not fun), somewhere around 67 degrees and bright sun is perfect for me. Even hotter, if that’s how it turns out.  Which is why I’m so annoyingly happy now. Yesterday was that perfect day. My perfect running weather has arrived, albeit fleeting, and I am once again allowed to be a sweaty, happy mess. It was just five miles, but, man, was it good.

I felt like all the first breaths of summer were packed into those fifty minutes. For the first time this year, I felt reassured that yes, I am a runner, and that, without a doubt, summer is coming. I could smell the barbecue, I could hear the motorcycles hitting the road, I could see a Saturday night at the ballpark, I could watch the kids on their bikes, and I could wave to the others out enjoying it with me. Now, finally, I can see the light at the end of winter’s tunnel. And it is bright and hot, and it tastes like salt.

About once a month, I receive questions either in email or comments asking my opinion on some running-related topic. As I’m no expert coach or medical professional, I am much more comfortable with opinions rather than advice. Advice means something. Opinions, it turns out, are not like those, ummm, other things (ahem!). They are more like socks– there are lots of choices. If this applies to nothing else, it applies to running, because though I am hardly a veteran or even close, I’ve learned this much: runners are some researching kind of folk.

It seems, though, that instead of just responding in email it would be even better and more fun to post these questions. That way, we can open up the question to even more advice and opinions, advice and opinions that we’re actually asking for (as opposed to those when we’re not, but we get them anyway. Well-meaning, of course). Great, right?So here we go, the JustRunJustLiveJustBe: Opinions Are Like Socks.

You may remember the last time I did this. Well, my, oh my, did the questions pour in after that. Like, by the millions or so. Minus about 999,999. But still! I received a shoe question a couple days ago and we all know I can pass that up about as easily as I can not laugh at someone tripping and falling down. As long as they’re okay, of course. Yeah, so I’m a little mean. We can talk about that another day. For now, we have a shoe question!

Hello The Just Run!

About a month ago I decided to start running on the treadmill at my gym. I am in the process of losing weight on Weight Watchers (you are too right?) and I think running is the best way to work out hard in the least amount of time. I don’t know if this is right or not but it sure feels that way. So anyway I have been running about twenty minutes at a time and it is going alright but I feel like my shoes are not supportive enough. These are shoes I bought when I first started Weight Watchers and wanted to get to the gym. I got them at Big 5. If I want to run more and start trying to run longer, what kind of shoes should I get?

Thanks!

Audrey

Hi Audrey,

Okay, a couple of things: First, I adore the name Audrey. It is so pretty. Second, thank you for calling me “The” Just Run. I like the idea of adding “The” in there. It’s like I’m a super hero or something. You know, like The Crusader or The Lightning. Or something cooler, but you know what I mean. I’m going to make people start addressing me using The all the time now. Awesome.

Oh, and before I forget, yes I am doing the Weight Watchers thing too. So far, so good. I like it and I don’t really feel like my life has been affected that much. Well, except for my pants, if ya know what I’m sayin’. And I think ya do. Good for you, too!

Now, for the running. So yes, yay for running! I am so glad you’ve found that you a) like it and b) want to do it more. I tell ya, these days there are few things that get me more excited than a new runner. I’m so glad you are thinking about shoes at this stage. That is smart smart smart because you’re going to prevent lots of potential pain, injury, and/or confusion in your future.

My answer (the beginning at least) is simple: Get thee to a running store! Pronto! No joke. I know being new to running you may not really feel like a runner, but that is okay. We all start somewhere and those of us who are smart want to stay pain and injury free start at a running store. They are there to help you, and in all my years of running and hanging out with runners, I’ve never heard of an unwelcoming running store (if that happens, leave. I really doubt it though.). Depending on where you live, you can just open the phone book and check it out. Should you be in a smaller community, I’d even go so far as to say plan a road trip to the big city. At least for your first pair, it is that important.

The reasoning behind this is a good running store will analyze your gait. Either by watching you run outside or on a treadmill, they will determine what sort of shoe is best for you. Have you heard of pronation? Well this is what the staff at the store will be looking for. You either over pronate, under pronate, have neutral pronation or a little of both, depending on the foot. A little complicated, no? So have someone who knows what they’re doing help you. This is your best bet in staying comfortable and injury free. Also, the running store will exchange your shoes as many times as may be needed if they’re not right for you after a couple of runs.

Another thing that might be intimidating about running shoes is the cost. Most runners I know spend between $85 and $120 on each pair of shoes. (Well, except my friend Tom who wears a size 15 shoe! Those suckers are expensive. I don’t know exactly how much because Tom and I don’t talk a lot while running due to the impossibly LOUD smacking of the size 15 feet on the ground. Heh!) That said, you don’t have to spend that much. Just go into the store (or even call), tell them what price range you’re looking for, and let them bring shoes to you. There are all kinds of opinions on shoes and cost, but you’re going to be most comfortable in a shoe that’s not only right for your foot, but doesn’t make you feel like you have to take out a second on the house every time you reach 500 miles (give or take)!

Which brings me to the next point: Tell the staff at the running store what kind of running you are doing, and what you hope to do in the future. This will also help them gauge the best shoe for you. Depending on if you’re going to stick with the treadmill or get out on the road (weather getting nicer! Must celebrate! Must soak up sun!) or even a local trail will effect the shoes you buy.

Finally, I agree with you regarding the cardio benefits of running. There is, in most opinions, no better way to get the amount of cardio fitness in you’ll get with running in the same amount of time. This is not to say running is the only thing you should ever do, but it’s going to work you the best. And in the right shoes, you are going to be just fine.

Thanks so much for your question and have fun!

“The” Just Run

Now let’s see what everyone else has to say…

(If you happen to have a question, go ahead and email it to me. (justrunjustlivejustbe [at] gmail [dot] com) I don’t expect a barrage, but you know, just in case.)

It is getting a little warmer around here this week. While I know it won’t last (more snow on the weekend. Yay.), I can’t help but feel very thankful. This, for now at least, is because I was able to get out for a run. Running outside when it’s not freezing, where I can sweat from the heat of the sun, is what makes me feel like a runner. What it comes down to is I like dried salt on my face. It’s really quite simple.

What I didn’t realize about yesterday’s run, though, is that I got a little bored even with the sun and the fifty degrees. I’m running along and I just can’t seem to get my head into it. I think about stopping, about just walking. I’m annoyed and really not feeling it. I tell myself this is okay, then I come upon a flight of stairs. It’s about twenty steps, nothing more. I stood at the bottom, looked up and thought run them. Then I did. We’re not talking Rocky-like steps here, but it really felt good. Running up and down those steps fifteen times made me feel better, it made me change it up. I needed that. It’s really quite simple.

As should be most things with running, after a while anyway. Like getting new shoes. I should know this by now, but last week when I started adding miles up on the calendar, I realized it’s been nearly six hundred miles since I’d bought new shoes. Is that even possible? That me, a runner, could forget to get new shoes? I mean, this used to be a religious practice. Every 400 miles is my limit, it’s what works for me. So no wonder my feet/knees/legs practically shouted with happiness when I ran in my new shoes today. I don’t know how I lost track of this, but I’m glad I’m back on. The running felt so much better. I mean, DUH, right? It’s really quite simple.

I guess, though, it would have really been nice to get my head into this run. It just didn’t happen. New shoes and shaking it up only took me so far. I would have liked to knock out six fabulous miles. That would have been great. I just couldn’t get there today. I think these days have their purpose, however. I mean, I’m not really one to feel guilty about having a bad run. I’d rather see the positive, that I’m out there. In the sun. Sweating. Might as well take advantage of it, right? Which is sort of what I did yesterday. Since time or pace didn’t really seem to matter, I didn’t feel the least bit guilty when I stopped on the section of the trail that goes by the lacrosse fields down at the college. It was here, after three miles of half-hearted effort and some stair running, that I took a good ten minutes out of my run to watch the men’s college lacrosse team score a couple goals. After all, I’m just a girl. I couldn’t help it. It’s really quite simple.