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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Running Injuries

I think I have a running injury. I say, "I think" because I am not certain about it. Plus, I'm good at practicing denial and avoidance. I don't want to believe I have a running injury.

I was dressed, ready and psyched for my scheduled 7-mile run today. I walked about one minute for a warm-up and then, began to run. Except it wasn't really running. I would call it an Igor-sort-of-sideways lope. That's because I was compensating for the intense pain I experienced in my right knee just then. Yow!!

I stopped and walked again thinking that I just needed to warm up some more, but that didn't help either. There seems to be some kind of sharp pain just behind my kneecap at the moment of foot strike. I've never had this happen to me before. I could have cried if I hadn't been in shock.

On my way home, I stopped by my local Running Center. I knew the runners there would understand and they'd be able to give me some sound advice. My friends at the Running Center didn't let me down. Taimi commiserated with me and Tony came out and asked about where it hurt and how it happened. He gave me a flier all about "Runner's Knee." I haven't read it entirely yet. I stopped reading when the prognosis didn't look so good (keeping up with my denial tendencies).

The thing is, by the time I walked into the store my knee wasn't hurting anymore. I was hurting more on the inside, perplexed and disappointed, the words, "What happened?" bouncing around in my head. It was nice to know I had a place to go where the people understood how I felt and cared enough to talk me through some possibilities. Most runners have experienced similar disappointing injuries in the past and these people really helped me through this one. It's nice to know we have a place supporting our local runners like that.

Posted By Natalie At 11:25 AM • Comments (0) Trackbacks (1)

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

2010 Asics Shoes

Hi, guys. It's that time of year again - early releases on many of our favorite Asics shoes are here! While it's very exciting for most of us, some of you get worried that the version that you loved all year is about to go away forever and you have to get used to something new. Luckily, Asics is very good about sticking with what works. They do, however, put a lot into their R&D and will make updates based on new technologies and customer input. Here's what you can look forward to with the new models...

Asics Gel Kayano 16: the addition of new technology in the Guidance Line which allows for enhanced gait efficiency, a reduction in the overlays for less chance of irritation, and the women's Kayano 16 has an increased heel height (3mm) to alleviate strain on the Achilles tendon and the addition of Softop Duomax (provides a softer landing)

Asics Gel DS Trainer 15: same tooling as the DS Trainer 14 (yea!), but with a 1/2 oz reduction in weight, and a sleeker look...fast!

Asics GT 2150: Asics knows to keep the changes to this bestseller very minimal so the biggest news on this one is the heel collar has been dropped slightly to help with ankle irritation and a 1/2 oz weight reduction = better performance.

That's all for now. All of these are available in stores and online at www.runningcenters.com.

Posted By Nikki At 11:13 AM • Comments (0) Trackbacks (4)

Monday, November 09, 2009

Best Running Shoes

The most critical purchase you will make in running is: SHOES. (Running bras are also critical, but I will save that for another blog). I cannot stress enough how important it is to see a running shoe specialist when you are about to begin a training program of any kind. It may be that you just want to start walking or lose weight. It may be that you have been running for years and you simply want to try out the latest features in running shoes. At either spectrum, it is most beneficial for you to go to your local running shoe store.

I've been running for six years, and I'll be forever grateful to the advice I received early on about going to a specialty running store. I drove two hours one way to find it, and while fighting traffic, I grumbled under my breath, "This had better be worth it," and "This had better not cost me an arm and a leg."

Later, I would be entirely pleasantly surprised because the drive down there was priceless for what I gained in expertise and service. Plus, the shoes themselves were not that expensive. Another bonus, the store owner, upon hearing about how far I'd driven felt compelled to give me a discount.

I was self-conscious as soon as I entered the door. A running specialty store is not a big box warehouse. It is not like shopping at Kohl's. There is no anonymity here. Be prepared for individualized attention!

At once two guys came over to help me. I was their only customer. I don't know why I suddenly felt so embarrassed (did I mention they were cute?). Maybe because I'm not used to so much fuss being made about my...feet?

But there we were analyzing the shape and size of my feet. Narrow? "Yes, but look at her ankles..."

I answered various questions. "How far are you running?" "Are you training for an event?" "Do you run on trails or concrete?"

They had me try on a "neutral" shoe, and then, they made me go outside to run down the sidewalk and back while they watched and discussed my running gait and pronation. I thought it was hilarious. I actually got the giggles. Surely picking out shoes can't be that technical!

I was wrong. It is because of these two knowledgeable guys that I was fitted with the perfect shoe. I tried on dozens that seemed to be made just for feet like mine: Narrow, flat-arched, Morten-toed feet. Even so, my heel slipped in such a way that my savvy guys didn't like. One of them left us and reappeared with THE shoe. It was an extra-narrow Brooks running shoe. It is the best running shoe in the world...for me. We all knew as soon as I put them on and exclaimed, "Wow! This is it. This is my shoe."

I have been able to run hundreds of miles injury-free because of my long drive to that running specialty shop. I really ought to send them a present, a thank-you card at the least because they set me up to run long term.

I always know it's time for new shoes when my knees feel creaky or my calves start giving me trouble, or my arches ache after a long run. Luckily, I don't have to drive so far! We have a running specialty store right here in town these days. I think it's time for some new shoes.

Posted By Natalie At 1:54 PM • Comments (0) Trackbacks (3)

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Listening to Your Body

No runner ever wants to abort a long run. (Actually, we hate to stop short for any run, right?) Last weekend, that's exactly what I had to do. I had to quit half way through. I still can't put my finger on why that happened. It could be that I simply needed the break.

The next morning would normally have been a cross-train day or a recovery run day. I was still apprehensive about why I couldn't finish my run the day before, so I went for a long walk with the dog instead. A great yellow moon lifted my spirits as I watched it rise. A relaxing brisk walk must have been exactly what I needed because I couldn't wait to get out the next day and really go for a run.

My Tuesday 4-miler was brisk and I took the hills with gusto, ones that normally would have had me huffing and puffing. I wondered if I would retain that feeling for the Wednesday 7-miler, and the answer?? Yes! And so it seems, I'm back with even more energy than I had last week. Yippee!

This goes to show how important it is to LISTEN to your body while marathon training. The schedule is a guide and sometimes, I get stuck thinking I have to follow it exactly. Not true. I have found without fail that if I listen to my body when I need a break, the comeback is twice as fulfilling.

Gotta go! I'm getting my shoes on for the Thursday 4-miler!

Posted By Natalie At 8:58 AM • Comments (0) Trackbacks (2)

Monday, November 02, 2009

The "Bad Run Day"

Saturday's long run called for a backdown in mileage so the run should have been a piece of cake. I was wearing my favorite running gear (the shorts that guarantee "no chafing"). I felt good, energized. It was a cool, breezy day, birds chirping in trees and such. I anticipated a great run. And then, for no reason at all, I had a "bad run" day.

Ask any runner. We understand that sometimes this happens. Scheduled for a backdown run of nine miles, this should have been so easy. I started out happy as can be, and for the first mile, I think I was even smiling. Then, the run turned into a slow, agonized lope. This happened gradually. First, I had to stop and walk for a minute after three miles. THREE miles! I thought: Well, now that you've walked for a minute, you won't need to do that again. Wrong! At mile four, I took another minute break. At mile four and a half, I walked again. At that point, I altered the route knowing that for whatever reason, there was no way I was going to make it the full nine miles. I rounded the corner to my house at 5.25 miles. Disappointed.

While I showered, I analyzed why this happened. Not enough fuel? The dry wind? Just plain burned out? Who knows. Perhaps there is no real reason except that I had a "bad run day." It happens. It has happened before and I'm sure it will happen again some day. The good thing is, at least I got out there and did what I could.

Posted By Natalie At 9:07 PM • Comments (3) Trackbacks (7)