Thursday, February 25, 2010

It's All About the Shoes!

All you first time runner’s out there, pay close attention. If you think running is not about shoes, it shows you have a lot to learn. The right shoe is essential to a runner’s success as well as keeping your feet from resembling that of an alligator.

My first marathon, I thought I could run in a pair of Nike cross trainers that were too small, and I’d never run in them before he race. I strictly used them at the gym
Mixed with a new pair of cushy socks I bought at the marathon expo the day before the race led to a super snug pair of shoes. Before the race began, I could barely feel my toes. I thought hey, this is the way it should be right? Wrong, wrong, wrong! 8 miles into the race, it felt like someone lit a match and placed it between each one of my toes. Since my legs had already gave out at mile 6 due to dehydration (a story for another blog), I’d had already started walking the marathon and step by step, my feet burned, ached and begged for mercy. I so desperately wanted to take my shoes off, go sit down, and call it a day but I kept on walking and finished the race in fine turtle fashion.

When I got home, I removed my shoes and socks and I knew it was bad but I didn’t expect each one of my toenails to resemble the color of an eggplant and I had blisters between each toe. We’ll discuss what to do about purple toenails in another blog but for now, if you don’t want to spend a month wearing clogs like me, make sure you select the proper shoes for your feet.

First, go to a good running specialty store like Top to Top or Front Runners and have them check out your feet. Some people like me have flat feet so certain running shoes kill my feet. I’m also as pigeon toed as a pigeon so I overpronate. Don’t expect me to explain that to you but it just means I need shoes that have more support than not. You’ll find that you may have to go through several shoe models and styles before you find one that really works. Always use this little wisdom: when you try on a shoe and you feel anything that feels uncomfortable, that feeling can intensify the longer you run which just equals more and more pain. Some shoes are not built for 26 miles and believe me, you’ll find that out real quick. The goal is to find a shoe that gives you the space you need in the toe box but not so much room that your foot is sliding around when you run. This causes bruised toenails just as a tight shoe will because your toes will constantly hit the front of your shoe. If that isn’t bad enough, you can start to develop blisters on your heel and then you’ve got some serious trouble ahead. Word to the wise; when you find a shoe that’s like magic, make sure you invest and buy more than one pair because trust me, shoe companies are in the business of making changes to your favorite models and it’s usually the smallest changes to that shoe model that will affect your foot in the strangest ways. And please ignore cost. Just because a shoe is more expensive, does not mean it’s a good shoe.

Losing toenails is a badge that says you’ve endured a marathon but wearing a medal around your neck says the same thing!

Save the lives of Toenails!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

29 days...no need to worry!

When I said this is the road to my running my 7th consecutive LA marathon, I truly meant it. Each time I’ve run the race it’s has been a challenge more so leading up to the race than the race itself. Some year’s it’s has been injury, other times it has been a lack of training but whatever the reason, it makes completing the race even sweeter.

We’re 29 days away from the marathon and I’ve spent the last 2 weeks as sick as I’ve ever been so needless to say, all training and endurance built up has just gone right out the window but I’m not worried, just a little upset at the timing but I guess I should be happy. In 07, I mysteriously caught the flu the week of the marathon and ignoring any advisement and my body, I refused to dismiss the idea that I wouldn’t be able to run the marathon. I took everything cold medication possible to help me get better but still felt like I was run over by a train the day before the race. I could barely see straight but my plan was to go to the race, and join the ban of old ladies who take their sweet time and walk the entire race but when I got down to the race that morning, I ran into my friend Tendo who was running his first marathon, then I ran into another friend and before I knew it, I was damn near the start line of the race.

When the gun went off, it was as if I got a shot of adrenaline. I forgot about being sick and just ran. I ran the entire race with a rosary in my hand that I bought in Brazil. Something told me to carry it in my pocket during the race but I took it out before the race and carried it the whole way. I made it to mile 19 before my body decided it had enough. I struggled to the finished and was just thrilled to be alive after the race.

I’m not expecting to have that sort of experience this time around but today was my first run in over 3 weeks and it felt good. I only managed 36 minutes but when coming back from a long layoff from any activity pushing hard too early, only leads to injury or in my case back in the sick zone. One would think that with only 29 days left till race time, I’d be pushing my luck but I beg to differ. I have a lot of ground to make up but I know that I’ll be ready March 21st.

Running Makes the word go round!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Excuses are for the Birds

“I can’t”! A word I hate the most, yet it’s probably the word I hear the most from most people when I try to get them to run a 5 or 10k running event. Listen up people. A 5k is 3.1 miles. You mention 5k to some people and they act like the world is coming to an end. I always tell people anyone, at any age, any weight, can complete a running event of 3 miles or 26 miles. It’s all comes down to commitment and desire to do something different and push yourself to prove you can do something outside your comfort zone.

I don’t expect everyone to have the same desire and passion that I do about running and that’s ok. That comes with time but what I refuse to accept is defeat before even trying. So many dismiss even trying. Let me just say this; at the age of 73, Ed Whitlock ran the Toronto marathon in 2 hours, 54 minutes and 48 seconds. Let me point out he’s 73 and no he’s isn’t walking, he’s running a time that most fifty years younger than him will never achieve. So there are no excuses to why someone in there 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s for that matter could not walk or jog a 3.1-mile race. The overall goal is to cross the finish line no matter what the time.

My advice to all new runner’s is just go out and run for a few minutes. Maybe your first day all you can manage is five minutes. That’s ok. The fact that you’re out there trying is the overall point. The next time you may be able to run for nine minutes. Before you know it, you’ll be able to complete a mile, then two, and then three. No one will be prouder of you than you. But don’t give up before you start.

Summer will be here soon. So if you’re looking to walk or run off those extra pounds you put on during the last few month, look for an event that catches your eye.
One of my favorite sites is raceplace.com
Check it out on your own time. www.raceplace.com

Stay Tuned

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Now you know Why I Run

Welcome to my running blog. This blog isn’t for everyone. Strictly for the running junkies or those looking to get started with their first 5k, 10k, half-marathon, or marathon.

It been six year’s since I laced up my tight nike cross trainer’s and went out an attempted to run the LA Marathon. A memory I tried to forget as soon as the race was over but the 9 purple toenails, and bruised ego just would not allow me to forget. It was that day that not only challenged me mentally and physically but it made me realize you don’t become a runner overnight. I read books, articles, consulted with other runners, anything to learn more and more about how to become a better runner but there was only one real solution. Lace up the shoes and run and that’s what I did.

From March 2004 to date I’ve completed at least 80 running events from 5k to marathon with a streak of six LA marathons in a row and I’m planning on making it seven in a row this March. What keeps me going? It’s the thrill of the running events that I love as well as the competition and the camaraderie you have with the running community. I run to inspire and to be inspired but the LA marathon and I have a personal bond that few know of. In 2004, my dad was in his 3rd year of battling colon cancer and I watched him battle day in and day out. I wanted to do something to show him I’d continue to battle with him. I told him I was running the marathon to lift his spirits. Why I chose the marathon, I have no idea because I’d never run more than 3 miles in my lifetime but it was a promise and I went out there and boy was it a battle. March 7, 2004 was the hardest day I’d ever had. In close to 90-degree heat, I battled for the entire 26.2 miles, 385 yards. Cramps, blisters, heat rash, dehydration tested me all throughout the marathon but I kept thinking, if my dad had to battle his cancer on a daily basis, I could suffer through the pain for one day and I did.

That was one of the hardest physical challenges I’d ever faced and I finished one minute shy of six hours but I never got the chance to share the accomplishment with my dad. He passed away the next morning. Running for me took on a whole new meaning. The LA marathon became my focus each year. As long as I can walk, I will be at the starting line regardless of my health.

My goal is to complete every LA marathon until I cannot run or walk anymore and along the way, I’m always looking to push, and pull anyone I can to join me because I learned back in 2004, that life is too short and if I can lace the shoes up, I’ll be out there.

The Road to completing LA Marathon number seven has begun. This blog is strictly about running. I’ll discuss everything from shoes, the best races, great places to run and more.

Get your shoes ready because here we go.

S