Tuesday, June 17, 2014

"I just need a cookie on a string in front of me and then I couldprobably run ultra-marathons."

That was the subject-line of an email I received from a close college friend, but we'll get to that in a moment.

I've been dutifully cranking up my miles; you'd think I'm running in the double-digits based on the amount I'm sweating these days, but it's just the humidity. 
Mm, sweat! The sure sign of a good run!
Am I the only one who thinks the more she sweats, the more accomplished/cleansed she feels?
This was what the sky looked like - without any editing or effects - before my run. I've never seen clouds like that!
After my run last night, I tried Vega Sport's recovery accelerator drink in Tropical. I really loved the flavor, and I'm definitely less sore this morning than I expected to be based on how I felt post-run. This is probably something I'll try again.
Alright, onto the real topic of today's post. My friend Caryn has just recently gotten into running. She has a certain way with words; after receiving this email from her, I just knew I had to share it with the blogging world. Her questions are in black, and my responses are in purple:

In response to [this blog post]: THINGS I WISH I KNEW NOW, BUT I AM SURE THEY WILL EVENTUALLY COME TO ME IF I JUST KEEP RUNNING Yep. Rule #1 - keep at it, don't give up; it'll all come to you in time.

1. When will I figure out the breathing rhythm? You could actually research HOW to breathe while you run, but counting breaths confuses me. I recommend that when you start to feel your shoulders getting stiff, or if you're hyperventilating and feel winded, take a DEEP, SLOW breath and let it out SLOWLY. Breathe like that until you feel better. Fast steps =/= fast breathing.

2. I am clearly not stretching enough beforehand, but when will everything stop hurting as soon as my running shoes touch the pavement? I am fully aware of the location of the following muscles/tendons: Achilles tendons, vastus medialis, and tibilais anterior. I know their names, because I made Alex teach them to me so that I may swear at them properly when they start to hurt. I am always polite to the body parts I insult. Don't stretch before. Stretching before is 90s gym coach theory and it's just plain wrong. Your muscles are getting accustomed to movement, so some pain is normal. Stretch AFTER a run, to keep yourself loose, and avoid sitting on your ass for hours after a run; move around a normal amount. Take rest days during which you stretch or do some yoga. Don't add too much distance too quickly. (Add about 5 minutes to your workout at a time, and don't add more than 10 minutes to your workout in less than a week's time. Go for time, not distance, when you're just starting out.)

3. Why are hills assholes? One cannot run down a hill comfortably in shoes or uphill without wheezing and straining. Assholes. They're assholes because they love you and want you to be strong. For now, walk hills. As your breathing gets easier, you'll be able to run them without a problem. Some tips: when you run UP, use your arms like you're pulling a rope. When running DOWN, lean forward into the angle of the hill, don't try to lean back.

4. Parking lots are flat, but also exceedingly boring. I must figure out a way to make them entertaining. Why the hell are you running in parking lots?! No wonder running is so painful. Talk about boring. Go park at a library or other public building that has some nice sidewalks and run there. Use google maps to figure out your route before you go.

5. Dogs under the age of five judge you on your pace. Dogs are assholes.

6. Running with your firefighter boyfriend is not a good way to determine a decent pace. Especially when he is 6'4" and you are 5'7". (ok, fine 5'6.5") An "easy" run should be at a pace that you can talk during. A "hard" run means you can only get a few words out and you're annoyed to be talking. Also, consider doing intervals. Run for a minute, walk for a minute, etc, for 30 minutes total. That way you're not expecting your body to just know how to run out of the blue. Intervals are freaking life savers.

7. Letting said boyfriend tell you that he will match your pace and believing him, because honestly, he is going to look like an injured gazelle, still graceful, yet obviously stinted by something, that something being you, and you will most likely end up feeling like a stubby-legged warthog, trying to escape a pride of lions; out of breath, sweaty, smelly, and suddenly aware that you could be dying at any second. (See above breathing rhythm issues, thus feeling of dying.) One day you'll be able to run with him. I like running with Matt because our paces are similar even if our strides aren't. I take two steps for his every one. Give it time; you'll get there. For now, maybe don't run with him because it's discouraging. Maybe he could bike or skateboard while you run, and he can go out ahead and come back a bit, etc.

8. Why can I walk correctly at a 20-inch step, and then when I start running,  cannot expand past what feels like a choppy jog, a fully reduced stride? Again, I shall refer to this as a warthog run. Proper form means you shouldn't be LEAPING. You want your steps to be small but quick. If you're listening to a metronome (go download an app pronto), a "normal" runner runs at 160 BPM. An efficient runner runs at 180. Small steps, fast cadence.

9. Dirty rap songs are motivating in a disturbing way. While I do not agree with how you treat your bitches and hoes (hos?), your deep bass and caustic rhyming keep me going, until my lungs refuse. DMX Party Up is like, my favorite running song. Other weird music habits: sad 90s ballads and musicals. If you know ALL the lyrics and can sing along and zone out, the run is a lot more fun.
10. Remember death metal is scary at night. DO NOT LISTEN TO IT ANYMORE FUTURE SELF. Only in car rides. While holding hands. During the day. Also no scary audiobooks.

11. When can I qualify myself as a runner? The minute you decided to try, put shoes on, and got out the door. Opinions differ on this, but I think I considered myself a runner when it became something I NEEDED in my life in order to feel fulfilled and complete.

12. Will you be my fairy"running"godmother? Is that too forward of an awkward question? I'm honored and humbled to accept this awkward and forward request. Do I get a wand?

What was your biggest obstacle when you first began running?
Why did you become a runner?
What words of wisdom would you offer Caryn, and other newbies?

ABK

23 comments:

  1. Ahhh that's so exciting that you have a friend taking up running AND that she's actually willing to take your advice!

    The other night I had a friend tell me she ran on the treadmill for the first time and ended up with a painful side stitch. I gave her some breathing advice and told her to take it easy and try Couch to 5K. She just said, 'maybe I'll try that some day' so I'm sadly assuming she is never going to run again :( It's hard to explain to people how rewarding running can be when the initial hurdle can feel so high.

    Go Caryn Go! Keep at it and listen to all of Ali's great advice ;) Also, dogs are SUCH smug assholes when it comes to running. Total showoffs!

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    1. You're exactly right, it's SO rewarding if people just stick with it! I wish there was a way to convince people of that!

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  2. How sweet!! I need to make my running godmother/mentor a wand!

    and #9?
    perfect!

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    1. Haha, #9 seems to be the most popular question/response. Who knew so many runners liked dirty rap songs?!

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  3. I love your '90s gym coach theory' comment! LOL...so true. Dirty rap songs DO rock on the run! ;) Is it hoes? LOL....now I'm wondering.

    p.s. I love the new colour scheme!

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    1. haha seriously, I'm beginning to think ALL runners prefer dirty rap on a run!

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  4. lol this is awesome. Caryn, you just stick with your fun/positive attitude... and run somewhere other than parking lots and you will love it haha! Ali I love listening to show tunes while running. I am so into The Book of Mormon right now. I flying through my neighborhood to: "I am a latter-day saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaint!"

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    1. I'm a big fan of Les Mis when running. It's just so moving! I'm running down the street belting "WHO AM IIIII, I'M JEAN VALJEAN!!!"

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  5. This post is fantastic. I just read the entire thing out loud to my husband (NOT a firefighter, but after 5+ years of running together, I STILL hate running with him. Our paces will never match, and I'm ok with that.)

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I certainly made me laugh, too.

      Sometimes we're just not made to run with our S.O. I'm lucky Matt's not really a runner, because when he bothers training, he's way too fast for me.

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  6. I totally feel Caryn's pain! After 3 months off letting my hip injury heal, I feel humbled by my beginner accomplishments again. I rode a bike for 15 whole minutes, yay me! I ran one whole mile, I think I deserve an f'n parade! My advice, focus on the accomplishments and be positive, don't dwell on what you can't do yet and the negatives.
    I second all the opinions of #9. I love me some dirty lyrics and a beat to keep me motivated. I also feel secretly like a 'bad girl' because people driving by think I'm just an innocent runner, but in my head I'm hearing some really inappropriate things!
    Also, if the BF runs faster, go do a track workout together, you can do intervals (400m run, 200m recovery, repeat). You get to see each other the whole time, and wave from across the track and then high five when you pass each other!
    Lastly, you friend needs to start a blog, she sounds hilarious!

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    1. Yes yes yes to focusing on your accomplishments, not what you can't do yet. You are playing your recovery SO smart, and I know it'll pay off!!

      Track workouts are a GREAT idea.

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  7. Her questions and your responses are so humorous and dead on! This seriously needs to be an article in a running magazine...submit that Ali!!!! Great job on the answers too!!!

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    1. hahaha I'm glad you found it useful and amusing!

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  8. OMG I love this exchange!!! Jajaja!! I died at the 90's rap question--it's so true!

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    1. Apparently dirty 90s rap is where it's at!

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  9. Absolutely love this.... I think I would have asked many of the same questions when I started out too.

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    1. Maybe you could offer some insight into how to run with a dog...Do you run with Axl or just walk him? I have no advice on that front haha!

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  10. This is great! Haha, I think you definitely deserve a wand. That's awesome your friend is starting to run. :)

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    1. I thinking running with a wand would be amazing!! I'd have to rig a holster for it though so I could have my hands free!

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  11. Oh my!! This had me laughing until tears poured down my face as I recognized myself in many of her questions!! So happy that I stumbled upon your site!! I will be back. I've been running since March and it has changed my life and the way I view it!!!

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    1. I'm so glad you stopped by and enjoyed the post! I hope you stick around. It's wonderful to hear that running has already changed your life and perspective within just a few months! Welcome to the tribe!

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