Diary of A Slogger, issue 6

I had a bad run today. Those ones where you aren't going any farther or faster and yet your body feels like it's doing double time. I am not sure if this happens to everyone, but it happens to me every once in a while and it sucks. Today was not one of the days that motivate me to keep running, it just gives me sympathy for those who say running and exercising sucks.

I always try to think of what I did wrong. Not enough of a warm up? Not enough or the wrong kind of food? I can never really put a finger on what is going on. This weekend we hiked quite a bit and my legs have been a little sore, maybe that has effected their ability. I also hadn't went for a run since Wednesday, I've been trying to run Monday, Wednesday, Friday every week.

I know that for me the trick to make myself keep going is two fold. First, set up a goal, like "you only have to go to the next intersection", once I get there I set up another. Yes it is lying to myself, but it certainly works. Second, I remind myself that the more days I put between this run and my next one, the harder it will be.

Do you ever have "bad runs"? What causes it? What do you do to keep going?

Relapse - Part 2

I had finally gotten a handle on my last relapse. I was doing P90X again, biking, climbing; it was wonderful. Then we decided to move and everything got all gummed up.

Thankfully California is a great place to get back into healthy habits. Ben and I have been biking, walking on the beach and visiting some great hiking places around. All of which would not be normal middle-of-January activities. More importantly I have getting myself back into the normal routine of activity. I don't have any new "advice" to share since my last relapse, but I still wanted to post on this maybe just for some level of camaraderie.

After going back and forth about whether or not to run again, I finally decided to do it. For me running feels good. Today as I ran only about a mile I remembered that it makes me feel like I am going and getting somewhere. My lungs were burning and my legs were saying B**** please, but I keep telling myself that was because I haven't ran in probably 6 months. Soon the burning will dull and my legs will remember what it's like to work. As long as I keep pushing myself, keep getting out there, keep going. Maybe a great analogy for many things in life.

Hopefully this will be your encouragement to get out there and just do it, no matter how little or long, how slow or fast, how far or short. Thanks to my running friends for your unknown encouragement, especially Lauren and Jen.

"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is today."

Diary of A Slogger, issue 5

...Or why you should change it up.

I usually do my slogs on a city trail. One that is paved with just a small section of crushed limestone. But I decided to run in Frick Park last week. For those not from Pittsburgh, Frick Park is a city forest-y park that has dirt and crushed limestone/rock trails. I chose to do this the day after Pittsburgh precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, mist all in one), good idea right? Most of the trails looked like this, but add an incline:

For those of you who don't know, I fall a lot. Correction, slip a lot. I have good balance, but if there is ice or slippery conditions, there is a good chance I will slip. But I wanted to take the challenge. I had decided to go to Frick because it isn't flat and it makes me feel like I am in a forest. Slogging in Frick, under these conditions, was like my own version of Mt. Marathon Race, which a fellow blogger just entered the lottery for. Okay, maybe not that intense, but certainly took more effort and thought than running the flat, paved trail my body is becoming use to.

It was also great interval training. The inclines would go until I almost couldn't take it and then they would top off. And when I was just getting too relaxed that I didn't feel like I was exercising anymore, another hill would start.

I am not sure how far I went, even when you think you know what trail you're on in Frick, you really have no idea. But I had fun and I worked. Muddy work.

How do you try to break your routine?

Diary of a Slogger, issue 4

...Or why you should run with friends, at least some of the time.

I had the joy this past weekend to run with two of my fellow blogger friends, Heya Sparky AKA Lauren and Primus Libellus Digitus AKA Jen. All of us are at different levels, and have different goals, but I had a good time running with company. Why?

No iPod

This is kind of a lie because Lauren did have one on. But in general, it gives you a time to unplug. Though I believe playlists can help get you pumped and motivated to run better, you also miss what's going on around you. Sometimes it is nice just to hear the sounds of the world.

Push You

When you run with others, you often go farther than if you were by yourself. On this particular run we had the purpose of helping Lauren train for the Pittsburgh Marathon Relay. Lauren said okay "let's go to this street" and then as we got closer Jen said "let's push it out to that street". Friends also help you pace, you begin to run all the same speed or speed up when you start falling behind.

Talking

It gives you a time to talk to friends, sort of. It usually leads to very breathless conversations that have too many awkward pauses, but it's conversation nonetheless. Also, if you are able to hold a conversation, you are said to be running at a good pace.

Fun

Period. I do laugh to myself when I am running alone, but when you are running with people laughing together, you look more legit. (Or more like a fitness commercial) You joke around more, get excited about Redhead Ducks

Or something, Jen will correct me

or silly running

Overall it just makes running more pleasurable. It isn't an all the time thing, but a sometimes slog.

Do you enjoy exercising (slogging, weightlifting, biking) with others? Who do you go with?

Diary of A Slogger, issue 3

...Or why you should shop at Elite Walkers and Runners.

This past Thursday was just one of those runs. I don't know if I had eaten poorly on Wednesday, or if the warm weather threw me for a loop (though I would never complain of the blessed sunshine of wonderfulness), but I wasn't having fun. I kept repeating the Jillian Michael's mantras, "Pain is fear leaving the body" and "When it starts getting uncomfortable, those are the ones that really count", and "We don't get to the finish line and stop, that's when we push even harder".

I focused all of the pain I was feeling on the fact that I needed new shoes. I am a very conscious shopper. I often do a lot of research on the products I buy, especially big purchases. I also hate consumerism in general and get very anxious when buying anything. I will have arguments with myself in the store: "Do I really need this?", "Is this going to help my life?", "Is this clubbing baby seals to make my life easier?", etc. Needless to say, I don't like buying new stuff, especially when they are things just for me. So I wasn't too excited about the idea of buying new running shoes. I mean they looked fine. There weren't any hole; the soles didn't seem terribly worn. But my knees, and even lower back, were beginning to hurt. After being horribly frustrated by a painful run, I decided it was time to finally get new shoes.

My Spiffy New Shoes

It is a rule of thumb to replace your running shoes between 350-550 miles of use. For me that is about 4-6 months, at my current running pace. That seems like an awful lot of shoes. However, I keep telling myself that it is an investment into my future. By using running shoes I am making a happier, healthier me, as corn-tastic as it is. I am preventing diseases such as diabetes, which would cost myself and my insurance significantly more than $150 a year. Also, when it comes to exercising activities, running is one of the cheapest. The only equipment you really need is shoes.

Now that you are convinced you need new running shoes, you should go to Elite Walkers and Runners. Elite is a great local shop. The staff are incredibly friendly and there to help you with whatever you need. Though they are all skilled in delivering you the perfect pair of shoes, they don't flaunt their abilities to make you feel bad. I know nothing about running and probably asked some pretty stupid questions, but Erin, the lady helping me, didn't make me feel as dumb as I sounded. She answered my questions kindly and made me feel comfortable. They are able to look at your old shoes and suggest what new ones might work. They also watch you run to see if the shoes are working properly. One of the pairs I tried on was making me push-off my big toe, which apparently is bad.

They also have an interest in the community. From their mission statement:

Our mission is to be the central hub for the Pittsburgh running community and to spread the passion that the staff has to get people out and moving. We have moved forward with this mission through our involvement in the development and sponsorship of races around the Pittsburgh Region; educating the community through wellness clinics, health fairs, good form running classes, and corporate nights. We have also encouraged our youth to get involved in Track and Cross Country through education about running, injury prevention, and through team nights held at the store.

This is exactly what I want in every business I use. This inspires me to want to support them. They even have a Soles 4 Souls donation box for your old shoes.


And that is why I have been shopping rather exclusively at Elite Walkers and Runners for all of my slogging needs.

It was somewhat serendipitous that the right shoes for me happen to be New Balance. I apparently really like their shoes as I have bought about 3 pairs in various styles from Goodwill over the years. Also, they are a pretty cool company, not amazing, but cool. Here is what they call 'Responsible Leadership'

Diary of a Slogger, Part 2

...Or how to tell Grandma to suck it!

As I stated yesterday, running outside means that inevitably you get passed by other people. While on the Jail Trail, there are cars that pass you, completely forgivable, they are cars on the parkway, come on! Then there are the bikers, excusable, I can bike like three times as far as run. The Bladers, oh 90s, okay they are still on wheels. The super fit He-runners, well clearly. The middle-aged joggers, okay fine they've been running their whole lives. Then it happens, the grandma passes you. And there is nothing you can say to yourself. Nothing. You have a look of disbelief on your face, even though you smiled politely at her as she passed, you are questioning everything you know. Why am I here? What am I doing? Do I even know what running means? Am I able to move my legs in an efficient motion? And you want to crawl home and cry yourself to sleep in a corner, telling yourself "Well, I bet she can't do The Shred!"

Diary of a Slogger

Let me first explain the term "slogger". So there is walking, jogging and running. But then within these categories there are various speeds or intensities, right? Clearly going for a leisurely stroll isn't as intense as a brisk walk. Therefore with jogging, there is slogging, mogging, and fogging; slow, medium and fast.

When we got to China, I decided to start running. I thought it would be a great way to have a goal to achieve, plus I have many runner friends who I figured would be nice to run with once I got home. I went online to get a schedule for how to train for an 8k and went to work. I have been enjoying it quite a bit. It is nice to see your progress and to have a tangible goal. I am not yet a "runner" per se, but I am okay with being a slogger for now.

While in China, our hotel had a fitness center. I used the treadmill there, which was nice since you shouldn't run outside in most cities in China because of the pollution. Now that we are home, and since I don't have a gym membership, I went for a jog outside. As I was jogging, my mind was thinking of the comparisons between using a treadmill and using nature. These opinions are listed below.

Treadmills vs. Outdoor Running

The "Outside" opinions pertain to one experience using the Eliza Furnace Trail, or the "Jail Trail". The "Treadmill" opinions are of a treadmill inside a gym, not necessarily one in the comfort of your own home.

Speed Regulation Winner: Treadmill

Treadmill - You can set your speed and know exactly how fast you are going.

Outside - Much more difficult to judge, though this is dependent on the next factor.

Distance Winner: Treadmill

Treadmill - You are able to set exactly how fast or slow you would like to go.

Outside - I went online to look up how long the trail was, all the sources stated 2.5 miles. However once I got on the trail there were conflicting signs, and I wasn't exactly sure where the trail started and ended. Also, there is currently construction on the trail, and I wasn't sure how the detour factored into the distance.

Incline Winner: Both

Treadmill - You can set how steep you want to go (note: when using a treadmill you should always set the incline at least on 1% as anything less is akin to running slightly downhill)

Outside - Though you can't set exactly what the incline is, there are "surprise" downhill sections. Also, I was running on a rails-to-trails trail, so there weren't any steep areas. This would not be true for the entire rest of Pittsburgh.

Temperature Winner: Both

Treadmill - Usually in gyms the temperature is constantly set on a nice temperature that makes it pleasant to exercise in. (note: the gym in Shanghai was extremely warm, because the heater was always on, or really cold, when the windows were open to combat the heater)

Outside - While in the summer or winter it can make exercising outside sometimes unpleasant, the fall and spring offer nice breezes and good sun intensity.

Pollution Winner: In this case neither, but it should be both

Treadmill - Non-existent, except when the windows have to be open and you are in China.

Outside - I usually use this trail quite often for biking. I never thought of it until yesterday, but since the trail runs right between the parkway and 2nd Avenue, two major and busy roads, the air quality is far from pure.

Fellow Health Enthusiasts Winner: Treadmill

Treadmill - Though you can tell when others are going faster or slower than you, they still never physically pass you. Also, while I do go at a slower pace, I usually end up going for a longer period of time than my other zealous runners.

Outside - You get passed by other runners, this doesn't feel good. Unlike with the treadmill, I don't know how long they have been running at this speed and therefore assume that it has been for days and I suck at life. (More to come on this in my next post)

Scenery Winner: Outside

Treadmill - Running on a treadmill gets really boring. I mean really boring. Even with a television or music.

Outside - There is so much to look at! I was amazed by how much more pleasurable it was to actually feel like I was going somewhere and seeing something. Also, you're outside!

By votes, treadmill wins. However, most of those were dependent on the specific experience I had on the Jail Trail and not an overall running outside experience. I also want to give outside extra points for scenery, because, in case you couldn't tell, it was really great. I guess that makes it more of a tie. Though, since I am not getting a gym membership and it is only going to get nicer out, all of my future slogging will be outside. That is at least until we leave the country again and even then it will depend on the city.

Yay Nature!

For those joggers/runners out there, which do you prefer? Are there other factors I haven't considered?