What do a funny named shoe, a drag queen named Bianca, a scared garter snake and 2 miles have in common? Well it was all a part of my run today.
The goal as last time was to run 2 miles, as I slowly come back from injury after injury, and the dreaded weight gain. I have to remember not to be frustrated about doing 2 miles. It could be worse, I could be doing NO miles.
I headed to Westfield for a run north on the Monon. Off I went. Today I am running in my run only pair of Hokas. I have a pair for work, and one for running now. Hokas are an odd named shoe, that's for sure. While I don't believe in miracle shoes or products for running, this shoe comes close to it. It is built for long endurance runs like ultras, but you can wear this big bulky looking shoe for any distance. What will surprise you is how light it is - 10.8 oz. If you are a runner who battles injury, I encourage you to try this shoe.
So as I was slowly moving, I noticed movement a ahead. As I got closer, there it was - my arch nemesis - a snake. This was one of those so-called harmless garter snakes. It looked like he heard me coming, and the Earth was moving, because he was moving as quickly as he could to get out of my way. Yeah take that snake....run away from me.
The way back my knee was feeling a bit achy, so I tried adjusting my step a bit, and that seemed to help. Still once bad things happen on a run, you need to dig deep to get some inspiration to keep going. Today's inspiration came in the form of the drag queen Bianca Del Rio. Sorry, not just any drag queen, this is THE RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6 Winner, Bianca Del Rio. She is an insult drag queen. Picture a far younger, prettier Don Rickles, and you get my drift.
So how did Bianca inspire me today. I needed something to say to myself over and over again to get through the doubt, and desire to stop. My phrase was ....
"Not today Satan, not today."
Hey whatever works!
Overall I feel good about the run. I ran 1.7 miles and walked .3 today. Again, I will take that. Looking to do another 2 miles this week.
Charlie
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Friday, May 23, 2014
Without the Brace
Today the goal was to run two miles - without the compression knee brace. For the record, my knee feels about 75%-80% better, but obviously not perfect. Not where I need to be that is for sure.
For now my goals are pretty simple. If it feels pretty good - go run. If I can, run more than I walk. So today I headed down the Hagen-Burke Trail. I was running in the Hoka Bondi's today. It takes a bit getting used to, running in those shoes. I'm not used to CUSHION!
Overall the run was fine. I did manage to run more than walk. I figured I walked 1/4 mile of the two miles I ran. I was slow, but then again, why do I need to be fast now?
I thought about the people who make excuses that they "jog." Oh please, it's right foot, left foot, repeat. There is no great trick to this. If you run slow....do it proudly. If you run fast....then Run Forest Run!
The knee bothered me some, but I was glad to have the extra cushion of the Hokas. All in all a good run. If I feel good tomorrow....then I will do it all over again.
Charlie
For now my goals are pretty simple. If it feels pretty good - go run. If I can, run more than I walk. So today I headed down the Hagen-Burke Trail. I was running in the Hoka Bondi's today. It takes a bit getting used to, running in those shoes. I'm not used to CUSHION!
Overall the run was fine. I did manage to run more than walk. I figured I walked 1/4 mile of the two miles I ran. I was slow, but then again, why do I need to be fast now?
I thought about the people who make excuses that they "jog." Oh please, it's right foot, left foot, repeat. There is no great trick to this. If you run slow....do it proudly. If you run fast....then Run Forest Run!
The knee bothered me some, but I was glad to have the extra cushion of the Hokas. All in all a good run. If I feel good tomorrow....then I will do it all over again.
Charlie
Friday, May 16, 2014
This n That
This is a hodgepodge of items for this post, there isn't a common thread, other than the theme of running.... :-)
1) This week's running consisted of two miles. I'll take it. After NOT running since November, two miles, is two more than I have done in months. This is a slow process to get back into running. I'm not pushing anything, other than to do a 5K this year.
2) Hokas - When I was a teenager, there were the Earth Shoes. For me those were a miracle shoe. They were the first decent looking non-orthodic shoes I could wear comfortable, and felt no pain in my feet.
Flash to the Hoka. It's too early to proclaim a miracle, but these shoes are great, and I feel virtually no pain in them when I walk. When I run, I feel a bit tender in the knee, but not enough to prevent me from running. I will do a more complete review once I have put more miles on them, but for now, they are helping me run.
3) Special Olympics - A couple months ago I came up with the idea of offering Special Olympics athletes a 20% discount in my store. I worked with the area chapter, and they had a donor who wanted to give each athlete a gift card to purchase shoes. It worked very well, and now about 40 athletes are running happy with new shoes.
My latest idea is also coming true. We offer a training program in the Summer for Fall races. The local SO chapter is going to select one athlete to come and train for a 5K with me. My store will provide the training and find a 5K in the Fall to get us into(complimentary). The county director loved the idea, and if it works, we will integrate more of the kids into the training programs in the future.
So it was a good week in my running world. Next goal - run 1.5 miles 3 times a week.
Charlie
1) This week's running consisted of two miles. I'll take it. After NOT running since November, two miles, is two more than I have done in months. This is a slow process to get back into running. I'm not pushing anything, other than to do a 5K this year.
2) Hokas - When I was a teenager, there were the Earth Shoes. For me those were a miracle shoe. They were the first decent looking non-orthodic shoes I could wear comfortable, and felt no pain in my feet.
Flash to the Hoka. It's too early to proclaim a miracle, but these shoes are great, and I feel virtually no pain in them when I walk. When I run, I feel a bit tender in the knee, but not enough to prevent me from running. I will do a more complete review once I have put more miles on them, but for now, they are helping me run.
3) Special Olympics - A couple months ago I came up with the idea of offering Special Olympics athletes a 20% discount in my store. I worked with the area chapter, and they had a donor who wanted to give each athlete a gift card to purchase shoes. It worked very well, and now about 40 athletes are running happy with new shoes.
My latest idea is also coming true. We offer a training program in the Summer for Fall races. The local SO chapter is going to select one athlete to come and train for a 5K with me. My store will provide the training and find a 5K in the Fall to get us into(complimentary). The county director loved the idea, and if it works, we will integrate more of the kids into the training programs in the future.
So it was a good week in my running world. Next goal - run 1.5 miles 3 times a week.
Charlie
Sunday, May 11, 2014
The Slow Road Back
Today was an important day for me. I've had the back issues. I still have the LCL issue, but I was determined to run for the first time this year. The goal was 1 mile. The place was a flat, flat, flat, did I mention flat portion of the Monon. The plan was to run 1/2 and walk 1/2 if I could.
I needed some tools though.... A few weeks ago I tried walking in a Hoka Bondi. If you have not tried these shoes, I think they are worth it, especially if you are prone to injury or issues.
As I walked in the shoes at work, I noticed one thing, my left leg didn't bother me. It was the first time in months I walked around not feeling pain on the left side. The Hoka rep was kind enough to give me a pair to test out. So today I gave them a spin.
The other tool also came to me last week. CEP, which is a leader in compression, has designed a knee sleeve. I've used this at work for a week, and I notice I feel little discomfort on that left leg. So I thought I should put it to the test and run with it on today.
I got to my spot in the center of Carmel. I stretched a couple of minutes, and then, verrry slowly I started. It's awkward to run in new shoes. These were no exception. The Hokas are very cushy. Most of the time I don't like that kind of cushion, but today was ok.
I started with a slow jog, for 1/4 mile. The knee area felt tender as I ran, but not too sore. I walked for the next 1/4 mile. My leg felt better. At the midpoint, I took a breather, then headed back to the car. This time I walked 1/4 mile. I ran the last 1/4 mile. Towards the end of the run, my main thought was not to push too hard. I could tell 1 mile was all the leg would allow today. At the end my leg was a bit sore, but not horrible sore. I stretched, and did a walk around the parking lot, then headed home.
Did I like the Hokas? I did. I'm not sure how they will hold up to my extreme supination. Time will tell. I was glad to have the brace on. Most important lesson....I need to have a doctor really look at this, and tell me what I need to do. $$$
The goal is to be able to run a 5K later this year. So today was a good first intro back. Felt good to be out there with the other runners.
Charlie
I needed some tools though.... A few weeks ago I tried walking in a Hoka Bondi. If you have not tried these shoes, I think they are worth it, especially if you are prone to injury or issues.
The other tool also came to me last week. CEP, which is a leader in compression, has designed a knee sleeve. I've used this at work for a week, and I notice I feel little discomfort on that left leg. So I thought I should put it to the test and run with it on today.
I got to my spot in the center of Carmel. I stretched a couple of minutes, and then, verrry slowly I started. It's awkward to run in new shoes. These were no exception. The Hokas are very cushy. Most of the time I don't like that kind of cushion, but today was ok.
I started with a slow jog, for 1/4 mile. The knee area felt tender as I ran, but not too sore. I walked for the next 1/4 mile. My leg felt better. At the midpoint, I took a breather, then headed back to the car. This time I walked 1/4 mile. I ran the last 1/4 mile. Towards the end of the run, my main thought was not to push too hard. I could tell 1 mile was all the leg would allow today. At the end my leg was a bit sore, but not horrible sore. I stretched, and did a walk around the parking lot, then headed home.
Did I like the Hokas? I did. I'm not sure how they will hold up to my extreme supination. Time will tell. I was glad to have the brace on. Most important lesson....I need to have a doctor really look at this, and tell me what I need to do. $$$
The goal is to be able to run a 5K later this year. So today was a good first intro back. Felt good to be out there with the other runners.
Charlie
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