When I was young, I did very little stretching before running. I may have gone through the motions, imitating other runners, but it was all for show. I didn't really work at stretching anything.
Then, one day as I was running, the front of my leg tightened up. It didn't hurt much but the pain returned the next time I ran. After that, I began stretching that specific muscle group before running. It helped.
And I was good for a few years - stretch the quads, go for a run.
Until my shoulders and back started aching. You wouldn't think you'd need to stretch your upper body too much when you're running, but it turns out you do. Another stretch.
Once again, I was good - stretch the quads, stretch the back, go for a run.
I think my calves were next to complain. I recall this being the most sudden and jarring pain, bad enough that I couldn't finish the run. Yet another stretch.
And I had a new routine - stretch the quads, stretch the back, stretch the calves, go for a run.
This served me well for a number of years. Sadly, one day as I was finishing my run I felt a twinge in the back of my leg. Before long, my hamstrings were crying for help. I added them to the mix.
At this point, I felt like I had everything covered - stretch the quads, stretch the back, stretch the calves, stretch the hamstrings, go for a run.
After a couple of years of running, my inner thighs realized everyone else in the leg was getting attention and demanded some as well. It was true, I'd neglected them too long. I remedied the situation.
My present routine is stretch the quads, stretch the back, stretch the calves, stretch the hamstrings, stretch the inner thighs, go for a run.
Some days, I spend more time stretching than I do running. This wouldn't concern me if I thought I was really done adding stretches. History tells me this is likely not the case. In fact, I have a new pain that's been showing up despite all my current efforts. The pain seems to be in my hip, or maybe my butt, or maybe my upper hamstring. Anyway, I haven't quite figured out how to contort myself to stretch it. When I do, I guess I'll add it to the mix.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Scent Ninja
Yesterday, I brought my own soap to the gym. I have nothing against the soap they supply but I had a bottle of "body wash" I'd received as a gift just sitting on a shelf. I decided I should use it up. I'm not a huge fan of liquid body soaps - I'd much prefer a good old-fashioned bar, which is what I use at home. I guess I kind of like that buffer between my hand and my body. Liquid soaps require much more contact than I comfortable with. Still, I had this bottle and it was easy enough to bring it along. The soap at the gym is also a liquid body wash, so there's not that much of a difference.
There are a couple of things that I immediately noticed about my new soap. First, was its color: bright purple, almost iridescent. Second was its scent: strong, spicy, and vaguely familiar. I lathered up liberally, not terribly concerned with running out - after all, that was the point of bring it in the first place. It's called a body wash and I took that quite literally, applying the soap from head to toe.
I go to the gym a couple of times a week, during my lunch hour. It takes the full hour to get to the gym, run, shower, and get back. I have time for everything on my lunch hour except lunch. I'm usually a little damp as I slip back into my cube. I'd like to believe this is because I didn't towel off well enough. I know it's really because my body is slow in switching out of "sweat mode". Yesterday, I was again rushing to get back in time.
As I drove back to work I was aware of my new scent. I tried to convince myself that I was smelling the towel in my gym bag, but I knew that wasn't the case. I sniffed an arm and confirmed that, indeed, I was the source. The smell wasn't overwhelming but it was definitely noticeable. I typically try to be scent neutral, to not contribute any odor be it offensive or not. I don't always succeed at this but I try. I know guys whose cologne announces their arrival seconds before you see their face. That's not who I want to be. I'd rather be a scent-ninja, invisible, in the shadows.
As I settled into my chair, I sat there, smelling myself, waiting for the odor to wear off. Instead, the smell seemed to be getting stronger. I hoped that, as my moist body dried, the odor would abate. I closed my eyes and tried to remember where I'd smelled this smell before - it was certainly familiar. Then it struck me - this was the same scent as the deodorant I favored back in high school, back when I was no scent-ninja. A flood of memories and emotions washed over me without rinsing out this odor from my past.
There are a couple of things that I immediately noticed about my new soap. First, was its color: bright purple, almost iridescent. Second was its scent: strong, spicy, and vaguely familiar. I lathered up liberally, not terribly concerned with running out - after all, that was the point of bring it in the first place. It's called a body wash and I took that quite literally, applying the soap from head to toe.
I go to the gym a couple of times a week, during my lunch hour. It takes the full hour to get to the gym, run, shower, and get back. I have time for everything on my lunch hour except lunch. I'm usually a little damp as I slip back into my cube. I'd like to believe this is because I didn't towel off well enough. I know it's really because my body is slow in switching out of "sweat mode". Yesterday, I was again rushing to get back in time.
As I drove back to work I was aware of my new scent. I tried to convince myself that I was smelling the towel in my gym bag, but I knew that wasn't the case. I sniffed an arm and confirmed that, indeed, I was the source. The smell wasn't overwhelming but it was definitely noticeable. I typically try to be scent neutral, to not contribute any odor be it offensive or not. I don't always succeed at this but I try. I know guys whose cologne announces their arrival seconds before you see their face. That's not who I want to be. I'd rather be a scent-ninja, invisible, in the shadows.
As I settled into my chair, I sat there, smelling myself, waiting for the odor to wear off. Instead, the smell seemed to be getting stronger. I hoped that, as my moist body dried, the odor would abate. I closed my eyes and tried to remember where I'd smelled this smell before - it was certainly familiar. Then it struck me - this was the same scent as the deodorant I favored back in high school, back when I was no scent-ninja. A flood of memories and emotions washed over me without rinsing out this odor from my past.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Chasing Rainbows
Last Saturday morning I ran a 5K race. Actually, it wasn't really a race, it was a fun run. Most of the organized runs I do are billed as fun runs or run/walks. This particular race drew a few thousand participants, many in costume. The race began by crossing the Stone Arch bridge in Minneapolis. It's a beautiful place to run, but the bridge is considerably narrower than the street, where everyone lines up at the start. Traffic jams are inevitable. The situation is often exacerbated by large costumes. But, hey, it's a fun run.
I've run this event in the past and I like it for a couple of reasons. First, I enjoy seeing the costumes. There are some pretty creative folks out there. I would never consider running in a costume myself, but I admire those who do. It's not that I have anything against costumes, it's just that I feel like I'm on the edge of being able to complete the run as it is. I once had a bad run because the collar on my T-shirt felt weird. I can't imagine how poorly I would do if I were in a gorilla suit.
I admire the costumes, but I also make mental notes of any that I want to avoid at the starting gate. As I mentioned, the race start is very congested, wide or multiple person costumes only make things worse. On Saturday, there was one group that I noticed in particular. It was comprised of two fellows in leprechaun outfits and their buddy dressed as a rainbow. The rainbow arched out on each side, like monstrous shoulders. Alone, he took up the space of three people. I decided it would be best to line up either beside or in front of him.
As we gathered for the start of the race, I lost sight of the rainbow. I chose a spot in the middle of the pack and kept watch. Too late, I noticed the rainbow and his friends near the front of the group on my side of the street. They appeared to be drinking beer as they waited for the race to start. The street was packed and I had no choice but to stay where I was. The race was started. Everyone took four steps forward and compressed the crowd. Eventually, I was able to start again, walking at first.
As I moved along, I forgot about the rainbow. I remembered the other reason why I liked this race, the crowd. Normally, I'm not a crowd person - I find crowded parties absolutely draining. But, I love running in a crowd. I enjoy dodging around other runners, looking for open gaps. The crowd is like a gentle tide, pushing me along to the finish. Gradually, the field opened up as the faster runners stretched out ahead. Even so, I ran the entire race with people around me and it was nice.
About half way through the race I spotted the rainbow ahead of me. My immediate thought was "I am not going to get beaten by a rainbow and a couple of drunk leprechauns". It was a hot day and I was feeling exhausted - this was just the motivation I needed. I fixed my gaze on them and matched their speed for a short distance. Then I quickened my pace, ever so slightly. Slowly, painfully slowly, I was gaining on them.
As I mentioned, this is a fun run. The race is sponsored by an Irish pub and your registration fee also entitles you to a couple of beers. The beer is available at finish line or at a beer garden set up about 3K into the course. I was just making my move to overtake the rainbow when he and his buddies veered into the beer garden. I marched on, semi-triumphantly.
Focusing on the rainbow had been such a nice distraction. It helped get me through a difficult time when my body wanted to quit. But now, here I was in the final phase of the run and suddenly once again aware of my aching legs. I scanned the crowd looking for someone, anyone I could latch onto and keep pace with. Too many of the people around me looked too fit - I feared I would not be able to keep up with them. Finally, I spotted an old guy with a few extra pounds - my clone. I came up within a few yards of him and then matched his pace. We ran like that for almost 2 kilometers, sure and steady. Then, with about 100 meters to go I saw the finish line. I broke into as much of a sprint as I could muster, passing my pace-clone. He made a token attempt to run with me but then dropped back to his former pace. I crossed the finish line utterly exhausted.
Later, as I was waiting in line for food, a woman approached me and asked me if I knew my finish time. It turns out she had been running just behind me for the last part of the race. I had been so focused on the guy in front of me but it hadn't occurred to me that someone could be using me for the same purpose.
I've run this event in the past and I like it for a couple of reasons. First, I enjoy seeing the costumes. There are some pretty creative folks out there. I would never consider running in a costume myself, but I admire those who do. It's not that I have anything against costumes, it's just that I feel like I'm on the edge of being able to complete the run as it is. I once had a bad run because the collar on my T-shirt felt weird. I can't imagine how poorly I would do if I were in a gorilla suit.
I admire the costumes, but I also make mental notes of any that I want to avoid at the starting gate. As I mentioned, the race start is very congested, wide or multiple person costumes only make things worse. On Saturday, there was one group that I noticed in particular. It was comprised of two fellows in leprechaun outfits and their buddy dressed as a rainbow. The rainbow arched out on each side, like monstrous shoulders. Alone, he took up the space of three people. I decided it would be best to line up either beside or in front of him.
As we gathered for the start of the race, I lost sight of the rainbow. I chose a spot in the middle of the pack and kept watch. Too late, I noticed the rainbow and his friends near the front of the group on my side of the street. They appeared to be drinking beer as they waited for the race to start. The street was packed and I had no choice but to stay where I was. The race was started. Everyone took four steps forward and compressed the crowd. Eventually, I was able to start again, walking at first.
As I moved along, I forgot about the rainbow. I remembered the other reason why I liked this race, the crowd. Normally, I'm not a crowd person - I find crowded parties absolutely draining. But, I love running in a crowd. I enjoy dodging around other runners, looking for open gaps. The crowd is like a gentle tide, pushing me along to the finish. Gradually, the field opened up as the faster runners stretched out ahead. Even so, I ran the entire race with people around me and it was nice.
About half way through the race I spotted the rainbow ahead of me. My immediate thought was "I am not going to get beaten by a rainbow and a couple of drunk leprechauns". It was a hot day and I was feeling exhausted - this was just the motivation I needed. I fixed my gaze on them and matched their speed for a short distance. Then I quickened my pace, ever so slightly. Slowly, painfully slowly, I was gaining on them.
As I mentioned, this is a fun run. The race is sponsored by an Irish pub and your registration fee also entitles you to a couple of beers. The beer is available at finish line or at a beer garden set up about 3K into the course. I was just making my move to overtake the rainbow when he and his buddies veered into the beer garden. I marched on, semi-triumphantly.
Focusing on the rainbow had been such a nice distraction. It helped get me through a difficult time when my body wanted to quit. But now, here I was in the final phase of the run and suddenly once again aware of my aching legs. I scanned the crowd looking for someone, anyone I could latch onto and keep pace with. Too many of the people around me looked too fit - I feared I would not be able to keep up with them. Finally, I spotted an old guy with a few extra pounds - my clone. I came up within a few yards of him and then matched his pace. We ran like that for almost 2 kilometers, sure and steady. Then, with about 100 meters to go I saw the finish line. I broke into as much of a sprint as I could muster, passing my pace-clone. He made a token attempt to run with me but then dropped back to his former pace. I crossed the finish line utterly exhausted.
Later, as I was waiting in line for food, a woman approached me and asked me if I knew my finish time. It turns out she had been running just behind me for the last part of the race. I had been so focused on the guy in front of me but it hadn't occurred to me that someone could be using me for the same purpose.
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