The Things Nobody Tells you About Running That Every Runner Should Be Prepared to Know

I've been running for 4.5 years now, and in that time I've learned a lot about not only my physical strength, but my mental strength.  I've also learned how important good running shoes are, a good pair of ear buds, and nutrition.  Never underestimate nutrition.  But you know what?  There are other things I've learned that no one told me when I first started frequenting group runs, and that I don't even read about in the many running magazines I follow on social media.  And so I offer a few tidbits for those of you who perhaps have just come into running so that you can be warned, and perhaps avoid learning these things the hard way.  For you more experienced runners, perhaps you can relate:

• Never underestimate the importance of socks.  A good dry-wicking, fitted sock will go along way to lessen friction while running, which leads me to;

• Even more important, never undervalue the callouses that over time form on your feet.  They formed for a reason.  And, so unless you want to experience the "battle of the blisters" wherein you may find yourself wrapping your now horrible blisters in gauze, secured with medical tape, and then covered with mole skin before every run (I mean not that I'd know).  Trust me, leave them alone. They are your friends; 

• If either mid-run, or after a run, you find yourself in a public restroom: don't. use. the. toilet-seat-cover.  Trust me, it will not end well in a paper mache kind of way;

I swear, I was happy!

• Although you'll come away with an occasional stellar race photo, be prepared to have pretty much every unflattering angle documented in only the way running photos can;

• At one point or another you will have toenail issues.  One might turn black (I've yet to have that), if you run hills you might get a blister underneath your toenail, you might have one die and a new one grow underneath without pain or incident (two times and counting..).  Nail polish is your friend;

• Compression winter running gear is warm and snug.  Compression sports bras a great.  Sometimes compression running socks are a delight.  But, be warned, if you thought getting them on was tough, just wait until you try & get them off post-run...they pretty much sweat stuck to your body.  At this juncture, familiarity with yoga will pay off;

• And, last but not least, you will at some point or another swallow a bug.  I mean every bit of protein helps, right?

Well, I hope the above don't deter the the new-bee runner, but rather empower you to continue pursuit of the crazy, beautiful, magical sport we call running!

The Holiday Tree, A Bunny & a Nest

Yesterday was one of those runs which offered much to take joy

Bunny Foo Foo along the trail this morning.

in.  I'm not referring to a personal record; today was not my best running day--it felt like hell for most of the grueling 6.5 miles.  I'm referring to something much more special.  Yesterday I not only spotted a furry Bunny Foo Foo, but also spied an Osprey Nest, and my beloved Holiday Tree was all decorated for Memorial Day/4th of July.  

Osprey nest with Mom perched atop

What I love most about running is that you just never know who or what will cross your path, and you theirs.  Yesterday was one of those runs where every few miles I got to experience a moment of joy and awareness about the natural area in which I was running (and of course take a break from running to snap a pic).  Running is how I meet the world around me. 

Holiday Tree all ready for the Day of Red White & Blue

10 Cane Rum Run: PR Sunday

I ran in my first race in 2012, the Shamrock 5K.  My pace was around 8:45 min per mile, and I was proud as I was just recovering from an IT band injury 10 days before.  Fast forward to May 25, 2014, to the 10 Cane Rum Run by Energy Events.  My 9th official race, and 2nd 10K.  

Venue- Tualatin Commons offer a nice reflective view.

Today was awesome.  The weather was perfect, the venue was spacious and had a sense of calm despite 1,500 other runners/walkers, there were cute baby ducks, the course was a nice mixture of park, trail, and road, & I hit a personal record (PR). My first sub 8 minute 10K, heck race, ever.  

Official Stats
Overall time: 0:49:21 

Photo taken by John Ulrich

Pace (chip time) 7:46 min/mile 
Gender & Age (35-39, F): 3/67 
Overall 10K (M&F): 72/567
Overall 10K (F): 17/361  


Here's the thing, I didn't feel any different out there on the course today than I did when I ran my first race back in 2012, and that's the magical thing about running.  No matter your current ability, or in some cases your ability on any given day, running always just feels like running, and like a race against your last PR self.  

Out there today I started out strong at 7:26 min/mile, but at about mile 3 I decided to slow it down, and settled in on 7:55 min/mile.  Every now and then a fellow runner would pass me by, but I focused upon my settled pace, and enjoyed the course. For a few long minutes I felt like stopping, but persisted anyway. A long steady hill greeted us between miles 4 and 5, but shortly after mile 5 it was a low grade down hill, and once the left-hand turn to the finishing lap around Tualatin Commons was in sight, I bolted, passing a runner who had passed me around mile 4.5.  I gave it all I had straight to the finish. 

The course, as mentioned above, was a lovely mixture of park, trails and road.  The 10kers had 2 water stations (one at 1.5 miles and one at mile 4), and although it was not the toughest course I've ever run, it did provide some challenge with a long low grade hill near the end of the course.

The after-event venue was lively with music, great food, and the very popular beer garden. The atmosphere was family friendly, complete with a kids play area (including bouncy castle), I enjoyed my post-race peanut butter and bread treat, free Jamba Juice peach smoothie, and guzzled my water.  

The goodie bag each participant received was filled with not only an event tech shirt, but also a bottle opener, coupons, treats, and Advil, which thankfully I did not need!

Race Swag galore!

The only drawback to the event was that as the 10k and 5k finishers entered the final lap around Tualatin Commons to the finish line (each entering from a different direction), they bottle necked in a narrow space at a point when many runners were trying to bolt it to the finish. Several of us, myself included, got stuck behind some other finishers, but with some creative maneuvering we were able to get around and race to the finish.

It's safe to say, I'll be back next year.