Running
Your Groove Thing
I love hitting your groove with something. It can be at a job, as a Mom, in the pool or as a runner. What that groove is differs for each person, and from day to day for any one thing.
Over the years I’ve had some amazing grooves as a runner. Truly amazing seconds. Truly amazing workouts. They will always stay with me…motivating me to find the next good groove. When things just click and everything seems magical. When you feet aren’t even touching the ground. I likened the feeling once in college to flying…everything is so right that you feel weightless!
I’ve just hit another groove…nothing stellar in the world of running, and really nothing super-new for me. But it is a place I haven’t been in a long while.
Today I hit the running consistently groove. I’ve been running consistently enough that I feel like I can hold my own on longer runs and that feels so great! So today I’m enjoying that groove thing feeling! And I’m hoping you are hitting your groove this summer too…whatever that may be for you.
Ah, Summer! What’s Your Pace?
I love the slower pace of summer! Less kid activity, less school activity, warm weather and more time during the day to do the things you want to do. And, this summer pace also applies to running.
During the school year there is always something to get back home for…a conference call, carpool, someone’s soccer game…but during the summer, I’ve found the running pace can be a bit slower since there is a touch more time to actually enjoy the run itself as well as getting the benefits of the exercise.
Last weekend I did a long run — not a super long run, but longer than I’ve gone in a while. I was with two very fast, amazingly talented runners, who’s company I absolutely enjoyed and who’s presence, when they could have been miles ahead of me, I so appreciated. Our pace was slow-ish and got progressively slower as we got towards the end. We were enjoying the conversation, and the slow pace helped ensure I didn’t have to stop and walk, which I do not like to do. Knowing these gals are speed superstars and yet they were humble and happy to go at my pace meant so much to me. Thanks Gals - you made my day! Here’s hoping next weekend I can do the same distance - a little faster!!
Don’t Try This At Home…
Or on your next run. I recently wore a stylish and fitted workout top I found at the bottom of my drawer. Looked hip and cool at the outset of the run….by the last mile I was hurting. And later that day, I looked like this:
Three sleepless nights later, it finally started to heal. I am happy to say I gave the top away, and have heard from a number of runners that Body Glide is a great way to prevent this. I’ve used it with my wetsuit for easy triathlon transitioning, but not thought of this!
Happy running!
I Run Because I HAVE TO
Really and truly, running is a part of my genetic coding. I have pictures of myself running the track as a third grader. I knew running before my husband, my kids, my career and most of my friends. And when I get to a place in my life where things seem too intense, or overwhelming, too much, not enough, too loud….I have to run.
Yesterday was one of those days when my husband sent me out to door, despite my protests (things to do, kids to pick up…) and told me not to come back for a while.
What generally happens on days like this is that I start running and immediately feel a tiny bit better. I seem to find myself speeding up through the run until I realize I’m sprinting. Then, of course, I have to embrace the sprinting and run until I can’t anymore. Then I walk until I can breathe and do it all again.
I did this sprint workout yesterday. It saved me. I came back home exhausted and feeling in control of things. So as much as I LOVE to run and do it because I enjoy it and the benefits I get from it, sometimes I truly run because I have to.
What Running Tastes Like…And Other Fun
On today’s menu, bugs. Lots of bugs. Big bugs, little bugs, icky, icky bugs.
First up, Mr. Helicopter: something flying fast and with an ample wingspan flew directly into my mouth. Luckily, I was able to get rid of him before he was able to kamikaze down my throat. Not more than a minute went by before I inhaled some other gross thing that I didn’t even see coming and this one tasted BAD! Let the spitting commence.
A few miles went by without further incident, but I did get to enjoy the smell/taste of freshly cut grass which is one of those childhood memories most of us have, but mine is a direct association with track in-fields and field hockey fields ready for some fun.
And, while I’m happy to say I have no idea what this tastes like, I did come across (I am NOT kidding) a guy dressed in a hot pink gorilla suit climbing out of his car. Yes, I stopped. Yes, I stared. And as those of you who know me will of course expect, yes, I had to talk to the guy. Turns out he goes to birthday parties, office parties and does singing telegrams…dressed as a hot pink gorilla. ummm. I think I’ll stick to the bugs part of the run next time!
A Bedtime Story, For Me
Getting out of bed early to run, after the recent time change, has been mighty tough for me. I’m a night owl, so dark, cold mornings are challenging enough. Toss in a time change and I am just about a lost cause. Or, really, a complete lost cause. But there’s hope! My Favorite Lane Mate has offered to pick me up. And not only that, she said she’d come over the night before a run, take away my list of things to do, tuck me into bed and read me a bedtime story. I love having such wonderful and motivating friends!
I think I’ll skip the tuck-in, but I just might have to take her up on the early morning ride! Thanks, friend!! Whose afraid of a little cold and wind with friends around? Not me.
And, Running Stuff, Of Course!
Lest you think I forgot about the running list, I did not! Some of my favorite things in the whole world are running things. My favorite STUFF!
~ Most importantly, my required shoes, the Asics Gel Nimbus. I ran in the Asics Gel Light in college and have been a huge Asics fan ever since
~ My favorite shorts are these Nike Tempo Shorts….LOVE them. And Nike just came out with a new style that looks very retro, with a wide waistband and pockets - COOL!
~ Life is no fun without these Balega socks…which I run in and wear for every day socks too - they are the BEST and will treat your feet like the rockstars they are
~ Runs are just a tad more fashionable (and, very truly, comfortable!) with one of these Nike running skirts, which just happen to be on sale at the Nike online store right now…
All of these things can be found in my favorite running store, Fleet Feet Davis, or online for you non-Norcal folks. Happy Running!
Loran Wyman
is CEO and Founder
of Snug Bug Bag -
a Mompreneur based business
creating warm, hip and functional
fleece stroller/jogger blankets
