Archive for October, 2008

Pedicures and Running

Thursday, October 30th, 2008 at 8:58 pm  

Even runners like to have nice looking feet even though we abuse them regularly during our runs.  Are pedicures something that runner’s foot appreciates?  The runner definitely appreciates them, but do your feet? 

What your feet DO appreciate - Pedicures can enable proper blood circulation, maintain healthy feet and make you feet look and feel good.  The following treatments during a pedicure are welcomed by any foot:

  • Feet getting soaked and cleansed;
  • Toenails cut and shaped and cuticles trimmed; and
  • A nice foot and lower leg massage

What your feet DON’T appreciate - The following treatment is an area to approach with caution:

  • Removing dead skin, calluses, hard skin and/or bumps;

    • Calluses and hard skin areas are very common to runners as calluses are caused by repeated contact or pressure, which is what us runners subject our feet to on each run.  Removal of calluses can leave your feet very sensitive and if it’s done too aggresively can also cause blistering, especially if it’s done too close to a long run or race.

    Best to schedule your pedicures either well in advance or after a long run or event.  Let the pedicurist know that you are a runner and to buff the rough spots gently.  Don’t let them shave your feet as this can lead to infections.  If you have problem areas on your feet, best to see your doctor.

    Staying Motivated to Run

    Friday, October 17th, 2008 at 9:00 am  

    I have almost always been motivated to run. The simple fact of knowing how agonizing it is to take a break and then get back into running motivates me to run. However, you probably can’t always call it running. The ground may be moving underneath my feet, but I’m not sure if you can call it running.

    Here are a few tips if you have taken a break from running and are just finding it too tough to hit the road.

    1. Schedule Your Run or make a date with yourself to run. Write those days down on the calendar and the time frame, so that nothing else get’s scheduled in place of your run. Make it a priority above all else. I love to run first thing in the morning. When I arrive back from my run, I shower, have my coffee and start my day. Nothing can replace the euphoric or invigorating feeling that gives me. When I’m struggling to get going on my run, I think of how great I’m going to feel when it’s done.
    2. Find a running partner or easier yet, join a running group in your community. Running groups aren’t hard to find. I live in a small community that has three running groups. They are either free or nominal costs. Running groups are welcoming and offer a healthy social outlet.
    3. Sign up for a race – personally this works well for me. As I mentioned, I’m usually motivated to get my running shoes on and get out for a “so-called” run. But signing up for a race really motivates me to train, which ultimately makes my running easier and feel much better.
    4. Set goals that are achievable – this could mean signing up for a race, or it could mean that you are going to set a goal to run “??” times this week for “??” minutes on each run. Or, you may want to challenge yourself further by incorporating speed bursts or fartleks into your run. It could be by the clock or from telephone pole to telephone pole. You be the judge.

    Victoria Marathon Race Review

    Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 6:02 am  

    Sunday, October 12, 2008 – the 29th running of the Victoria Marathon.  My 3rd running of the Victoria Marathon.  Along with the marathon, there was also a 8K and half marathon events taking place.  The marathon started promptly at 8:30.  And prompt it was, I know because I was still sitting on the porta potty.  That was a first for me.  The lineup for the porta potty just didn’t go quick enough even through the encouragement of the fellow marathoner standing in front of me as he called out to those in the porta potty to “pick up the pace”.  It didn’t matter too much, as by the time I got out, scuttled across the racers (as they were moving forward) to meet my husband on the other side and run through the starting gates, only 1 minute and 40 seconds had lapsed.  Because we were using timing chips, it was all irrelavent.

    Other than the shaky start – the race day itself was beautiful.  I had heard that there were 10,000 racers out that morning.  We were treated with sunny, clear weather and phenominal views!  The race course itself winds, twists and undulates and was much more challenging than I had remembered it being in 1997.  Runners run through downtown Victoria and Beacon Hill Park before hitting the coastline and smelling the salt water and feasting their eyes on stunning water views.

    Personally, my race was great.  I was pumped and in a very positive frame of mind.  After the half-way mark, I was still feeling great, so I just kept my pace up.  I passed runners who were starting to fade and I have to admit that it felt great and fuelled my fire even more.  My goal for this race was to beat my Vancouver Marathon time earlier in the year (4:24), I didn’t care how much I took off, but I knew that I had trained more for Victoria and had the distance under me.  You can only imagine how proud I felt when I came through the finish line at 4:04 – a whole 20 minutes off my Vancouver time.  Next year my Boston Marathon qualifying time is 4:05 – I now think that I can do it!

    4 Day Marathon Taper to Victoria

    Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 at 8:00 am  

    …and counting.  What am I doing about nutrition?  One of the most important factors on my marathon taper for me is not to eat too much.  I’m not running the distances I was, therefore not burning the same amount of calories.  This would be a very easy time for me to put on weight.  I certainly don’t need to carry extra pounds over 26.2 miles this weekend.

    I’m going to make sure that I drink loads of water each day.  While I increase water, I will be decreasing wine (my vice).  Marathon taper and alcohol don’t fit together well be the alcohol will affect my glycogen storage which I would like to be as full as it can be by the time next Sunday rolls around.  By the way, glycogen is what will provide you with the energy needed to go the distance.

    Glycogen storage is a subject all on it’s own and can be complicated.  When we were participating in distance triathlons, we used to try suggested methods for increasing our glycogen stores, but these days, as an every day runner, we take the practical approach by increasing our carbohydrates about 3 or 4 days ahead of the race.  Again, I’m trying not to gain weight during my marathon tapering.

    Good sources of carbohydrates are potatoes, rice, grains, bread, pasta, oatmeal.  I believe the most important meal is lunch the day before a marathon.  Your body has enough time to process the carbohydrates into the much needed glycogen storage.  Dinner the night before the marathon won’t be big, spicy, high fat, high fibre or any other foods that my body may react to.  Since we will be out of town, we will probably go to a nice Italian Restaurant and indulge in pasta with a veggie/tomatoe sauce.

    The morning of the marathon – my personal tried and true favorite race (or long run) breakfast – about 2 hours before the marathon, I will enjoy a bagel (hopefully toasted) and peanut butter.  A good “stick to your ribs” breakfast before a marathon.

    6 Day Taper to Victoria Marathon

    Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 7:43 am  

    ….and counting.  So what has my marathon tapering run strategy been?  Let me try to put this in an organized fashion:

    3 Weeks Prior to Marathon - My weekend run was a half marathon race.  It was great for my speed as I really gave it everything I had (and felt great too).  During the week, I cut out one of my regular 6 mile runs to cut down on my weekly mileage.

    2 Weeks Prior to Marathon – the weekend run was another half marathon.  Only this one was a training run at training pace.  I took it easy and just put in the distance.  During the week I kept it at 2 – 6 milers (leaving my third 6 miler out).  I was at our home in the mountains, where it is difficult running because it’s both either up hill or down hill and you are training in altitude and always sucking wind (breathing hard).

    1 Week Prior to Marathon – the weekend run this time was approx 6-1/2 miles which I ran as fast as I could.  Again I felt great which is a real confidence booster for me with the marathon literally around the corner.  My mind is preoccupied with race day and the weather.  It’s been raining alot lately and I’m just hoping it’s not raining next Sunday.  This week I will do a slow 6 miler and then a slow 4 miler (2 days apart).  Then the day before the marathon I always go out for a slow mile run.  I swear by this as it gets the oxygen flowing through the blood and calms my nerves.

    There Had to Be a Better Way

    Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pm  

    That’s what the founder, Graham Henshaw of PaceTat said which ultimately led to the brilliant invention of what is known as PaceTat.  Runners that have been training hard to reach a goal time for their marathon can’t do without one of these marathon pace bands.

    A Marathon Pace Band in Tattoo Style

    As the name implies, PaceTat is a marathon pace band in the form of a removable tattoo that help keep marathon runners on pace during their marathon so that they can finish within their goal time. PaceTat (as pictured)  measures 1-1/2″ wide by 6-1/4″ long gets tattooed to the underside of your forearm.  PaceTat is made with 100% FDA approved ingredients, so should be safe for your skin.  PaceTat lists every mile split for finishing times anywhere from three hours to five hours. You can choose between 20 finishing times.

    Pacetat has made it easier than ever to keep check on your pace times during the race plus it gives mile splits as well as kilometer splits.

    There’s no issue about the comfort as it’s part of your skin.  Easy to take off with baby oil or rubbing alcohol after your marathon, but will easy last for a few days on your arm just in case you are thinking about back to back marathons.

    In the very near future, I would really like to qualify for Boston.  It will take some work and discipline on my part, and I will definitely be sporting a PaceTat marathon pace band as part of my running kit.

    Where Can I Find the Best Price for PaceTat

    We found the best price to buy PaceTat from Amazon.