Thursday, June 9, 2011

Running Things on Thursday

I started running through a local running store's Walk-2-Run program last year at this time. When I say I started, I mean that I started. I have never run in my life, not even in high school. I thought it was a funny that these people thought that I would one day run for 5 minutes straight. I have now run several 5ks, including a mud run. I have run for 4 miles. I have run for 40 minutes straight. Running is the only thing that has helped me lose weight, since my son was a baby, and it makes me feel good (after I run, not during, lol).


Yep! That's me!

Anyhow, I need to keep myself accountable, and also I want to learn more about it, so i'll be posting about running once a week. I'll start at Monday for this week, since I can't remember it all from last week (though I did do a 40 minute 4 mile run last week... my best time/longest distance!).

This week's runs (I won't run 2 days in a row):

Monday: Ran with the Walk-2-Run group, 30 minutes of running (the last day of the session). It was hot & humid.

Wednesday: I only ran 2.7 miles, but it was 90 degrees & humid, i'm still getting over a sinus infection, I have seasonal allergies, and I was pushing a 5 year old in a stroller. There was a lot of hills, and little shade. A great morning run, all things considered!

My face gets beet red after running, except for around my mouth... kind of like a reverse clown face. It's awful, but it always happens after running, even in the winter. I did some Googling & there may be a link between that & low blood pressure. I'll have to look into that more. I was also occasionally getting headaches after running (also, talked about being associated with low blood pressure, but not proven or fact). I thought it was the most likely culprit, not hydrating enough, but I weighed myself before & after running, and came back 6 oz. heavier. That means i'm taking in more than i'm sweating out, so i'm good there. I also read low sodium, from sweating, can cause that. The last week, I have been putting a little sea salt in my after run milk (can barely taste it), and I haven't had a headache. It could be coincidence, but I think i'll keep putting salt in my milk.

Any pearls of wisdom for a new runner?

4 comments:

  1. I started to run at the same time (last may) and I am a real 'new' runner too. When I go on long runs I like to put a tablet of Nuun in my water. It's just electrolytes, no sugar. It also helps to hydrate before the run (the day before and on the morning of the run).
    I also found this list of recipes for natural homemade nutrition for long runs (http://ultrarunning.co.nz/content/chia-seeds-running-food), I didn't try yet but it looks interesting.
    This mud run looks really fun!

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  2. I tried running last year but it didn't work out. I would love to find a group to run with in my area!

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  3. Kris, anyone who starts running is such an inspiration to others! I am so glad you posted about it! I use Amy and Brian's Coconut water to hydrate with before a run...like, why do coconuts grow in tropical climates, right?
    The biggest lesson I've learned over the years, (8 years ago I started distance running) was eight years ago when I decided I wanted to run further than 3 miles, was this: it is okay to walk! Ha! Easy! I was always afraid if I stopped I would never get started again...but now I know...I will and do get started again! Also, seems you've already got that one nailed, MODERATION! I won't do a marathon because I know my hips can't do it...I do maybe one or at most two 1/2 marathons a year, just for a goal, and to complete one, you really only need to be able to run for 90+ minutes. I know that sounds like a lot, AND in my last race in May, the walk/runners, beat the crud out of me...grrrr...
    I encourage you to pick a fall 10k...do your regular running and once every two weeks, go for a 5, then 7, then 10, then 12 minutes more than usual. I like to do something like this:
    week 1: 40 minutes
    week 2: 45 minutes
    week 3: 40 minutes
    week 4: 50 minutes
    week 5: 40 minutes
    week 6: 50 minutes
    week 7: 45 minutes
    week 8: 55 minutes
    etc...be sure to back off the last week and always run an easy 2 miles the day before a race.
    Have fun! You go girl!
    Amy in Sebastopol

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  4. Thanks so much for your comments! Sorry, I didn't reply earlier, but I wasn't getting the email notifications, so I thought there were no comments! Thanks so much for your support & advice!

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