day #4: one of THOSE runs!

Today was one of those days where the fact that you even have to put on your shoes feels like an enormous injustice. I was so upset and genuinely feeling quite wronged by the fact that I had to go on yet another boring run that I wanted to cry. My boyfriend ended up telling me, “Sweetie, just don’t go today, take a break!” As you can imagine, this just made me even more bummed.

does anyone run barefoot … ever?

I’ve heard a LOT about the benefits of running barefoot but can’t even think about trying it because there are stones, broken glass, sticks and miscellaneous pieces of crap (including cow dung) all over the roads where I run. Recently I’ve been contemplating buying a pair of Vibram five finger shoes (at least, I’m nearly sure that’s what they’re called!) to try and simulate the whole barefoot experience. Anyway, I just came across this really great video that shows posture when running in shoes vs. barefoot.

Could running barefoot really make that much of a difference? I hear it puts less stress on your knees/shins etc? I’m super aware of injuries because my sister has two shot knees from a car accident and can’t do any high impact sports at all (she used to be a tae kwon-do instructor). No running, no gymnastics, no martial arts, no soccer, no tennis, you get the idea. She can swim and cycle and that’s about it. I know I need to take care of my body if I want to keep putting it through the wringer, day in, day out. So could running “barefoot” with a pair of special shoes really be the answer? Check out the video from egoscuewestchester after the jump.

day #3: polish man STILL washing his car

Seriously, I don’t know how he hasn’t rubbed a hole in it at this stage. He seems to alternate between washing the outside and cleaning the inside. Either way, when I ran by today he was hiding away inside with his vacuum cleaner so I didn’t get my usual wave.

day #2: success!

Alright, I did something incredibly dumb and completely forgot that I had to run today.

I’ve gotten so used to not factoring in time to run that today was no different. When I realised I needed to run, it was almost too late. I did squeeze in a really quick 2 miles, so I’m hoping tomorrow I’ll have more than 15 minutes to run before it gets waaaaay too dark.

preparing for day #2

So today was day one and I while I didn’t exactly nail it, I think I showed it I could take a beating just as much as the next out of shape, old gal. Tomorrow should be easier because I’m eager to go already. Then again that could just be because I spent the evening making double cream carbonara (not as good as my sisters, unfortunately, but still great) and then, wait for it, I coerced my man-thing into helping me make about 100 oreo truffles.

day #1: complete!

I did it. I finally ran and it was amazing. Without sounding all day-time TV, it felt so great to be able to move! I didn’t run for long because I was so busy today. I actually had to combine running, going to the shop for groceries, and collecting my old roommate’s bike. I ran down to the village, collected the bike, cycled to the shop and cycled home again. Not to mention the cycle to the shop I did this morning. While I may only have run for 20 minutes, it totally counts and I am fully cashing in on all that cycling as part of my exercise.

[updated]shut up…

… that’s why.

“the wagon is leaving and you may or may not be on it”

I’m considering jumping falling off the wagon. I didn’t get very much sleep last night and I want to nap very badly. I also have not eaten right today. Running may be an issue because I do not have the proper nutrition necessary to sustain that kind of fluid motion for very long. Oreo truffles and chocolate rice crispie buns aren’t something I consider, “Good runnin’ eats.”

Rest assured the less evil side of my brain knows this is all bullshit and will probably force me to go for a run anyway. I have tried to remind this part of my brain that laziness pays off NOW and people with “projects” and “challenges” have too much time on their hands and therefore no friends but it won’t listen. Apparently I have to go because, “The wagon is leaving and you’re not even on it! MOVE!”

Fucking hardass, it’s like being married … to myself.

“No one wants a fat wife,” is probably the most motivating thought the evil side of my brain has had all day. Great, it’s ganging up on me. Fine, I’ll go.

taking on new projects

I recently ran the Dublin City Marathon. It was hard and it took me a very long time to complete the course. I did complete it, though. I started running in February/March and hopscotched between dedicated runner and dedicated slacker in the months that I “trained.” As October loomed I took a long break from running. Whether this was a good idea or not, I don’t know. Five weeks rest before a marathon is not a good idea but mentally, I think it did me a lot of good. Physically, it was a huge mistake (of coooourse).