I just so happened to stumbled upon this website with Jeff Galloway’s Five Stages of A Runner earlier today; he was spot on with the stages. If you are a runner, I suggest checking it out.
Now What?
30 Sep 2010 Leave a comment
in cycling, duathlon, Running Tags: Running
The weather man was right about the weather today: there’s a lot of rain–which is a sign fall really is approaching. I know I’ve mentioned all the positive features of fall, and activities that are fun to do in the area, which all fine and dandy, but what does the change of seasons mean for duathlons and racing? It means the racing season has come to an end–the next duathlon/triathlons in this area are not until the spring of 2011. But fear not, fellow men and women who need to satisfy their racing addiction. There are still loads of road races you can compete in and help prepare you for the running portions of duathlon/triathlons next year!!
Unfortunately, my work schedule does not seem to give me much flexibility in terms of weekend races–nor does working at night. But, really, do I let things stop me? Nahh. I still plan on running in local 5/ 10k’s this fall, like the Harvest Half in October. I guess this means I’ll need to start running more again. I’m treating these as preparation for the running portions of duathlons next race season. Running in the USA has plenty of races that you can sign up for, depending on where you are living.
Thankfully, I’m not one to let the weather stop me from doing things outside. What happens when it’s raining, like today?Just wear a hat and waterproof jacket. I’ve found myself more often than not running or biking in torrential down pours. All you need to do is mentally prepare for the fact that you are going to be drenched and cold by the end of your workout. And make sure you do not skid into cars if on a bike.
Just because winter is approaching, does not mean you need to ignore your bike and store it in the back of your garage to get dusty. I cannot seem to part with my bike–it means too much to me (remember: it’s part of my family now). It has been awhile since I have had to bike in cold conditions–“while” meaning years–but you can get winterized cycling clothing to wear to keep you warm, and wear gloves. There are also indoor cycling trainers that you can get and put in your garage, or barn, or if you have no other space, in your living room, so you can spend time in the saddle when the weather is yucky. If you are a hardcore cyclist, you can get studded tires to ride in the snow and ice. I’m not sure I’m that hardcore, and we still are far away from snowy weather, hence I haven’t needed to consider that option yet.
The same thing applies to cold weather running. I found myself last winter running in sub-zero weather, dressed like I was about to ascend Mount Everest–it helps when you have mountaineering apparel.Honestly, though, I feel when it reaches a certain temperature, you are allowed to go and run on a treadmill, as breathing is very painful, even when you are bundled up and wearing a micro fleece balaclava.
So long, summer.
Pumpkins- a sure sign it's fall
Music Selection
21 Sep 2010 1 Comment
I know I criticized people for always listening to their ipods in this post, but the thought of running without music is an unappealing one for me. The only times I am not listening to music is when I go on trail runs, or bike. It’s simply too dangerous to listen to music while riding, and I find with all the changes in scenery on the rides, and the constant changes in elevation on trail runs, that I do not need to be listening to music. Whilst running along the road, however, I tend to get bored quickly and music helps keep me going.
What do I listen to? Everything. I grew up with music, singing or either playing some sort of instrument, and it’s something I really enjoy. Nothing like going to see a live band for sure. The European in me listens to crappy techno/dance songs (okay I admit it!), which have the perfect beat for fast runs (and perfect for people who cannot dance to dance to). I also have lots of accoustic guitar–stemming back from my guitar-playing days with Francois Marie Austin Scarlet II. Yes, I named my guitars. I’m crazy, remember?
I started my first marathon, and conincidentally finished the marathon, listening to Robert Miles’ “Children.”
MDI’s was to Cary Brothers “Ride.”
Boston‘s was Mika
I know, its weird that I remember where I was when listening to music. I guess it is just one of my many talents: telling you my location with songs I’ve listened to.
The song below is great for keeping your tempo up, and might be one of my favorite songs period. JB is brilliant–watch the video and you will not disagree, believe me.
If you are running up a long hill, Fort Minor has a good lyrics to keep you going. I’ve spent many uphills listening to it. I think it’s the only rap song I have (I’m not a huge rap/R&B fan).
I recently went for a run listening to Rusted Root’s “Send Me On My Way,” trying to decipher the lyrics. The run went by quickly, but after listening to the song about fifteen times, I could not listen to it again.
And I leave you to Keep on Running.
Why?
17 Sep 2010 Leave a comment
in cycling, duathlon, Running Tags: Running
I wrote a small blurb once about why I run in my “introductions.” Any activity, if you do it enough, becomes a part of who you are.
The endorphins released during cycling or biking are definintley play a factor in why I do them so much. If you’ve finished a long run, or an exceptional bike ride, you can identify with the feeling of satisfaction you have once you finish. It’s hard to recreate in other situations.
The year after I was told by a neurologist I was to stay away from anything which was “dangerous,” I took up climbing. Every Thursday night you could find me with my Belgian climbing parter, Jacques, climbing. I went on to climb the highest peak in Europe three years later.
My shoes were waiting in the store for me
There is no question. If I let circumstances govern how I live my life, I would never have used crampons or ice climb or face my fears of heights. Yes, I have a huge fear of heights, and I love to rock climb. Kind of weird. Rock climbing is as much mental as it is physical, which is appealing. It’s like completing a puzzle–where do I place my foot? That crevasse is just large enough to squeeze my finger into…Jacques never ceased to tell me, “Trust your feet.”
If I listened to people who told me I would never be able to finish 26.2 miles running without training, I never would have completed my first marathon. Nor go on to finish a second. Or third.
And, I admit, there is a sense of accomplishment when you can say, “I’ve completed three marathons” before you are in your mid-twenties.
After completing two duathlons I can see how triathlons and racing can become life consuming, and how easy it is to become drawn to the sport. I’ve run in more 5k’s than I have fingers, and always ran them because I enjoyed them, not ever to attempt to win. Then the little competitive me sprung into existence with the duathlons–one I never knew existed–and whose “birth” so to say goes hand in hand with the fact I was able to place in my age group in the races I did. Mind you, the races were small, so it was easier for me to do well. Furthermore, from what I’ve noticed, most triathletes tend to be in their late twenties to mid forties or older. Hence it was easier to do well. Now, I’ve found when I enter these races, my motivation is to see how I’ve improved. What has changed? What can I improve upon?
In the past, I’ve done things to prove people wrong (you are treading on eggshells if you tell me I cannot do something, I kid you not). Now, I do things for me. When I’m clipped into my pedals, I’m whole. When I’m pressed up upon a rock face deciding where to move next, I feel complete. As I unlace my sneakers after a run, I am at peace.
Graveyard shifts and marathons
16 Sep 2010 Leave a comment
in Nursing/Medicine, Running Tags: Running
The time has come for me to start what I was originally hired to work: the dreaded night shifts. I honestly do not mind working night shifts–in the ICU you are kept so busy that you can stay awake. Well, that, and lots of caffeine. Night shifts are tough on your body, because you lack normal sleeping hours, and your days off are spent trying to catch up on sleep.
I’ve found that there are advantages, and disadvantages to night shifts. I think the negatives definitely outweigh the positives. For example, you sleep during the day–when it is light–so unless you want to skimp on sleep (which I do anyway), you will not see much sunlight. Most of the rest of the world is awake when you are sleeping. Doctors offices are closed, and it is sometimes more of a chore to speak with people when you need to when you are working at night. Personally, my nose starts to run like a faucet when I’m tired, which is not good when you are trying to give report to someone and constantly blowing your nose.
Advantages are that your fellow staff work much more closely together (they have to), and you become like family. There are fewer people cluttering the hallways, so you have more room to work. There is pay differential–if there wasn’t, it would be cruel. Weekends are considered Friday and Saturday, instead of Saturday and Sunday. When you leave work and go home, you can think as you pass other cars, “Haha, you have to go to work, and I get to go home and sleep.” Because you sleep less, you are more productive–now since there is a bit of light left before the sun sets at night, I can get in a run before work.
Although thus far, I’m not sure my body has adjusted to the night schedule yet. It’s tired. My muscles feel workouts. A five mile run feels like a fifteen mile run. A thirty mile bike ride feels like fifty.
I keep debating on whether or not to do the marathon in a week–after three shifts in a row, going home saturday morning to take a nap then drive up in the afternoon to run 26.2miles on Sunday morning, and have to drive back that afternoon as Monday I’ll need to return to work. I think any rational human being would think twice about that decision.
Here, have some juice…
04 Sep 2010 1 Comment
in cycling, Nursing/Medicine, Running Tags: Running
Hypoglycemia is a medical issue that many endurance athletes are faced with, and if not treated, can lead to seizures, coma, and death. Being in the medical field, I know how serious it can really be if untreated, and I wanted to share some information with you about the new American Diabetic Association guidelines. Hypoglycemia is not something only diabetics have to worry about, either. I have issues with low blood sugar, and must have received that from my father, who has severe hypoglycemic episodes, especially when he goes for long runs and rides.
As an athlete, and you know if you have issues with hypoglycemia, it is a good idea to buy one of those little glucometers- the little machines that take a sample of your blood and can see the glucose levels in your blood. I bought one, just in case my levels ever get too low. You can purchase them in any drug store.
The ADA 2010 Guidelines defines hypoglycemia as anything below 70mg/dl of glucose in the blood. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include pallor, diaphoresis, shakiness, palpitations, tachycardia, increase in systolic blood pressure, headache, irritability, and hunger. The second phase of the hypoglycemia response in the body is Neuroglycopenic, which is when the brain things it is being deprived of glucose at peripheral and central sensors. This results in cognitive behaviors, psychomotor abnormalities and as the BS continues to drop, seizures, coma, and brain death occur.
Signs of low blood sugar
So, low blood sugar can be a big deal for those who have issues with it, esp. athletes. Each contraction of the muscle fibers requires energy–sugar basically–in order to function. And when you are going for long runs or rides, you body is using up all its sugar stores. This article isn’t about weight loss. It is to tell you what to do incase you ever find yourself having a “hypoglycemic attack.”
1. Always bring a bottle of orange juice with you on your long rides (you only need about 4 oz to raise your blood sugar). Or if you need to stop at a gas station or shopping center to get something, drink 4 oz of regular soda (not the diet! because you want the sugar!!!), or 8 oz of Skim milk (it must be skim, because the fat in whole milk delays the body’s cellular uptake of the glucose). Or, you might be able to get Glucose tablets (which are what I have), that are 15calories and each tablet has 4g of carbohydrates. Powerbars and Energy bars with a lot of protein are good for keeping you going longer, but in the midst of an attack, eating one of those will delay the sugar uptake into the cells, which is what you are trying to avoid. A simple sugar like the tablets, or eating a couple Lifesavers will give you the sugar you need, and you will feel the results within minutes.
Lifesaver candies can be life savers. I know they’ve saved my life.
Today’s training Schedule
02 Sep 2010 Leave a comment
in cycling, duathlon, Running Tags: Running
Originally I meant to post my running routes and biking routes so, incase you are in the area, you could take a stab at them one day. A week later I’m doing just that!
This morning’s run was nice, there was somewhat of a breeze which decreased the chances of me passing out from heat stroke like the bike ride I did yesterday.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4008704
Above is my usual 10mi route. There are not too many cars on Mill road which means it’s more runner-friendly.
My bike ride today will be the below route. It’s a great, short, 30mile ride through rolling hills and farms…it reminds me of living in Luxembourg.
The Athlete Acknowledgement
01 Sep 2010 1 Comment
in cycling, Running Tags: Running
My years biking may outnumber my years running, but nevertheless, I cannot help but notice how runners and bikers in passing greet one another. It’s what I like to call the Athlete Acknowledgement. You know, the nodding and hand signals you do to greet others you pass. It’s an unwritten rule of sportsmanship and athletic poise and politeness.
My running nods and waves tend to change, depending on my mood, what I’m wearing, or how tired I am. When I’m wearing my infamous blue Red Sox cap running, and pass other runners or pedestrians, I will nod my head and smile, with a verbal greeting of some sort. My hand signals change, too. occasionally, I have a little flick of the wrist action if I’m tired, other times I’ll raise up two or three fingers and raise my lower forearm.When I bike, the same thing usually applies. I’ll nod with a “hi” added if the other cyclist is going slow enough to hear me. If they are zipping by, I’ll do a flip with a couple fingers, as to make sure I can still steer the handlebars of the bike.
No matter what, I always, always acknowledge the other person.
It drives me nuts when you pass someone and they do not say hello. I’m not sure if it is a generation thing–that young people nowadays are too encompassed in their Ipods or cell phones to be what I consider polite. Have you noticed this? Youngsters (I’ll take a stab and say in their teens) tend to divert their eyes and look at the ground when you pass and attempt to say hello. Whereas older folks are the complete opposite–they attempt to engage in conversation when they pass–even on a bike. I think they are simply grateful they can still move without an assistive device.
Now, what causes the other athletes to say hello to you? Is it out of true courtesy and respect, and they are happy to see someone with similar crazy athletic behaviors as themselves? Or is it something else?
Fresh air
30 Aug 2010 Leave a comment
I loved the feeling of freedom in running, the fresh air, the feeling that the only person I’m competing with is me. -Wilma Rudolph, four time olympic gold medal runner
Wilma is one smart cookie, and could not be more right–fresh air rocks. After working two fourteen hour days at the hospital, the sun is shining, the air is crisp, and despite only getting four hours of sleep last night, the place where I want to be is outside. And, of course, the place I currently live is not the most friendly running area–some roads have no shoulder whatsoever, the cars drive fast, and since I’ve been here, have found it hard to find places to run (biking is another story). Due to this dilemma, I’ve been traveling across the river (the big ol’ Hudson river) to Ulster County, and the New York State Park’s and Preserves over there. I’ve spent many hours in the Catskills and Shawangunk Mountains, running and climbing.
I find trail running more enticing than simply running along a road passing cars, not because I tend to trip over roots and rocks quicker than you can say 1-2-3, but because I find trail running more challenging. When you run in the woods, it’s just you, bugs, bears and rattlesnakes, and the trees. No toxic car fumes to inhale–only the sweet, pure air of Upstate New York.
Ahhh.
If you are serious about trail running, it might be a good idea to look into shoes that are designed for trails. These running sneakers are sturdier than road shoes, waterproof (usually Goretex), and may have a reinforced toe, to save your toes from all the rocks you kick and trip over. I personally have Salomon’s XA Pro 3D Ultra for my trail runs and let me tell you, you can trip and fall over all the rocks and roots you want, and your toes will be intact by the end of the two-hour fall-fest.
Plus, they have the elastic laces. So if you are lazy like me, just tug on the elastic and presto–the shoes are snug around your foot!
Praise be to the inventor of the trail running shoe.
A Rendezvous with Sneakers 