Winter Running

I went to a clinic the other night at Salt Lake Running Company about winter running. I thought I'd do a recap of the clinic on here because I learned quite a bit. I hope I can do it justice.

One of the first things they tell you is if you wear underwear while running DO NOT wear cotton. I've never had a problem wearing cotton, but the longer the run, I can definitely see. Cotton absorbs the moisture and doesn't wick it away, therefore it can cause a rash, infection, etc. :( That's no bueno in my book. They highly recommend either wool or synthetic underwear. I don't know about you, but when I think of wool underwear, I think of itchy scratchy heavy duty wool socks, but they had a fashion show at SLRC and the underwear looks REALLY nice.

SLRC has a layering system that they call S-VIP.
S = Support - Elminiate chaffing and aid in moister transfer {non-cotton underwear}.
V = Ventilation - Keep the skin dry. Wear wool or fabric that will wick the moisture away.
I = Insulation - Manage your body temperature (read further down).
P = Protection - Shield the skin from the wind and elements. Usually people wear shorts over tights.

Manage your body temperature: If you get hot, take off your gloves. Your hands cool down the fastest on your body and if you take your gloves off, it will help cool your body down quickly. Also, try & get tops that have zippers, but only have a 1/2 zipper so that when you get hot, you can unzip and then when you get cold again, zip right back up.

I found it interesting that they said that neon yellow & green are best with if you aren't wearing a reflective vest. Your eye will gravitate to that color fastest. But ALWAYS wear a reflective vest if your running in the early morning or evening. If you have a headlamp, wear that as well. They said that if you have freshly fallen snow, black is a good color to wear because it stands out against the white.

Last but not least, they said to run with a HOT water bottle. By the time you get out and running and need a drink, because it's cold, the hot water will have cooled down and you'll have a cold beverage.

You Might Be A Runner If...

My local running store, Salt Lake Running Co, posted this on their blog and I found it VERY true and pretty funny, so I thought I'd share it with you guys.

You Might Be a Runner If...

If you know you actually have two shoe sizes.

If you wish all your pants, shorts, skirts had a soft liner so you could go commando everyday.

If you use words like hydration, chafe, wick, race pace in everyday conversation.

If your legs are really tan, but your feet are super white.

If you put more miles on your running shoes in a week than you do on your car.

If you refrain from getting pedicures for fear the lady giving it might pass out at the sight of your feet.

If you shoot snot rockets with gusto and rejoice when you don’t have anything on your face after.

If you use the words “easy,” “run” and a 2-digit number in the same sentence.

If you know a ‘fartlek’ isn’t an insult.

If you are totally comfortable wearing shorts that are entirely too short for your gender.

You planned your wedding around your Summer race schedule.

If your calves are bigger than your biceps.

If you are willing to dig through the smelly dirty clothes hamper to find your favorite running shirt.

If when traveling, your suitcase is full with running stuff before you even start packing regular clothes.

If you have a shirt that says “Stop Pre”.

If your drawers are filed with more race shirts than regular shirts. Most of which you have never worn, and probably will never wear, but you keep them anyway.

If you have left socks and right socks.

If you drink more water than anyone you know and still have yellow pee.

If your cupboards are filled with gu, electrolyte supplements, protein shake mix and hundreds of water bottles.

If you have spare gels in every bag you own.

If you know charity “Fun Runs” are actually fun.

If you know 1, 3, and 5-mile routes from your house and work in every direction.

If you check the weather hoping it will rain on your run.

If you can eat an entire loaf of bread and not feel bad about it.

If you think it is appropriate to stretch in public places.

If you have diamond cut calves.

If ‘google maps’ or ‘map my run’ is bookmarked on your computer.

If you can’t wait to share your run stats with someone when you get done.

If you shave your legs, and you are a man.

If you know your running shoes are worn out, even if they look brand new.

If you talk to your bowels encouraging them to do their ‘thing’ before your run! -Lesli

If sleeping in on a Saturday is anything past 6:30.-Asa

If when boys get your number they save your name in their phone as “manda runner.” Yeah, NBD. -Amanda

If you judge others by their shoes instead of their clothes.-Dan

If one of your favorite things about going out of town is running someplace new! -Tanya

If you have more shoes than your wife… and you have lost ALL of your toenails ~ Scott

If you are afraid to eat dairy products because you have a long run tomorrow. -Rendi

Running Issues

I've been having serious running issues lately. I can do distance running, but my running pace SUCKS!!!

I've been running a 10 minute mile, if not a little longer. The other night after I rode my bike 22 miles, I went and ran 4 miles and it was at a 12 minute mile. Today I did my long run of 11 miles and it took me 2:06:00. What is my problem? I've been able to run faster than a 10 minute mile before.

Well, I figured out that part of my problem is my running shoes. They are CRAPPY!!! They are old and worn. I've put alot of miles on them. It was starting to hurt when I was running and I really hope this is the main reason why I've been running so slow.

So...today I went out and bought new running shoes. Of course I went to Salt Lake Running Co. I love that store! The people there are SUPER helpful and don't treat me like I'm a complete moron. So I walked out of there with these shoes:



They are a pair of Brooks running shoes. I've never had a pair of Brooks before. I've had Saucony and I've had Asics and I've liked those and but this time, I got a pair of Brooks.

The guy at SLRC put me on the treadmill and analyzed my running and I tried on 4 different pair of shoes and these were the winner. They've got awesome cushioning and support in the arch and in the ball of my foot. Plus, I will put an insert in my shoe that helps with the support as well.

I can't wait to break in these shoes and see if it helps my running.

My Dream Job

I've FINALLY figured out what my dream job is...kind of. How sad is this? I'm 31 yrs old and I'm finally figuring out what I want to do as far as my career goes.

I've decided that my dream job is doing something that has to do with triathlons and/or marathons.

Now, the problem is, I'm not fully sure how to get a job in this field. I can't really be a personal trainer 'cause I don't have any schooling and my current job doesn't really allow me time to go back to school.

I don't know if my dream job is working at a place like Salt Lake Running Company or working in a call center for a place like TriSports.

I just know that my passion is triathlons and marathons and losing weight. I want people to know that if I can do it, so can they!

If you have any ideas of how I can get a job in this field, please leave me a comment. I would greatly appreciate it.

New Shoes

Saturday I went out and bought new running shoes. I went to Salt Lake Running Co. This is an awesome store to go to. If it's your first time at the store, they'll put you on a treadmill and record you running for 30-45 seconds and analyze how you run and then put you in the correct shoe for your running style.

Up until now, I've only worn Saucony brand running shoes. I've LOVED that brand. But this time, when I went in to the store, BJ (yes, my personal trainer. He also works at Salt Lake Running Co) handed me a pair of Saucony's and then he handed me these Asics.

There are 2 reasons I went with the Asics. (1) the Saucony's were too big. They were an 8 1/2 and I wear a size 8. (2) The Asics are just WAY better. They just have better arch support and everything.

I even bought a pair of running socks. I didn't think you really needed running socks, but after tonight, I'm convinced that running socks are a necessity. I will be going back to Salt Lake Running Co soon and buying more than one pair. Lol. The running socks I bought have extra cushion on the bottom of the sock and then they have a lighter fabric on top that helps breathe so your feet don't get wet from the sweat, therefore preventing blisters.

Tonight I ran in my new socks and shoes for the first time and I am IN LOVE!!! They were SO insanely comfortable! I ran 7 miles and it was like running those 7 miles on big white fluffy clouds!

I Won!!!

Last week the Salt Lake Running Co post on Facebook that their Free Stuff Friday contest was going to be that they were giving away some entries to The Canyonlands 1/2 Marathon in Moab, UT in March.

My friend that lives up in Spokane, WA is coming down for the race. I hadn't registered for the race, so I thought I'd compete in the contest. I basically had to comment on SLRC's post about the Free Stuff Friday and get as many people to "like" my comment as possible. 1st and 2nd place winners got 2 spots in the 1/2 marathon and then 3rd, 4th and 5th place winners got 1 spot in the race.

I came in 2nd place!!! Wahoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm SO excited!!! My first race of the season wasn't going to be until April 2nd, but it's now been bumped up to March 18th!!!

My friend that is coming down from Spokane, she's going to let me ride down with her and stay in her hotel room with her. It's gonna be so nice to see her. I haven't seen her in probably 7 years.

Plus...I've never been to Moab. I've lived in Utah my whole life and never been to Moab. Well...I take that back. My dad tells me that I went to Moab when I was like 3 years old, but crap, I don't remember that. Lol. So, it's going to be like seeing Moab for the first time.

The day after the race, we're going to hike up to the Arches! I'm so excited. It's going to be a nice little getaway.

A HUGE thank you goes out to all that voted for me so that I could win.