Each of us will face the inevitable voices that bark at us while running. Its a taboo topic to ask your running buddy, "What are 'they' saying to you?" They may want to have you evaluated. Regardless, if you have ran for any time, "negative-self talk" has crippled your forward motion.
Here are the three most frequent messages rattling around my head when running.
1) "You are not strong enough to finish this distance." Solution: Shorten the distance to a single step and respond, "I am able to finish this distance."
2) "You are not running fast enough and 'those' people will think you are weak."Solution: I have chosen to compete against myself. Rarely can I ever identify who 'those' people are. In fact, 99.9% of those observing are proud of your progress and are cheering you on. (Maybe someday I'll talk about the .1% who are not pulling for you.)
3) "That pain is going to cause a life long injury."Solution: Running is an ongoing dance with comfort and discomfort. There is a big gap between percieved pain and phantom pain. Pain needs to be seperated from injury. Running for 30 minutes, 3 hours or 30 hours can cause discomfort or pain. But it may not be injury. It may be your mind trying to throw a mutiny on you. Press on and see if it subsides. If it is there for more than a couple runs, get it checked out.
Around each of our necks is a keyboard. Those who we allow to get close enough to us will have the ability to type messages (verbal and non-verbal) into our mind's hard drive. Surround yourself with people who build you and value your effort.
RUN (no pun intended) FAR FROM THOSE WHO TEAR YOU DOWN.
Peace,
jas
Showing posts with label Taboo Tuesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taboo Tuesday. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Day 71: Taboo Tuesday: Chaffing
Running along, I could feel my UnderArmour under shorts rubbing oddly on my inner thigh. I know, taboo topic. Yet, I could feel the hot spot of chaffing starting to occur. And at some point it will happen to you.
This past weekend, I was approaching my Mile 2 of Way Too Cool 50k. Down a steep grade, each runner waited patiently to cross a rushing creek. Knee deep run-off was freezing and splashing. The next 28+ miles would be ran in sloshing shoes, wet shorts, and an anxiety riddled question that kept bouncing in my mind "how many creek crossings would there be?"
The bigger question was actually, "will I be running in wet clothes all day?" Yet digging deeper was I was really asking, "will I blister and chaffe on my feet, legs, thighs, etc?"
I know taboo to talk about.
Chaffing is the skin's natural reaction to prolonged exposure to surface irritation such as friction and/or pressure. Typically, chaffing can be caused by a variety of normal activities and should not be cause for concern unless it is extremely severe. We have many layers of skin, and while our cells regenerate and repair themselves over time, chaffing can occur over the space of a day, or even hours. Add moisture from creek crossings and you are in for a long day.
Chaffing can be brutal. (Not for the faint hearted. This is a Western States Runner's Chaffing.)
So how to fix it.
1. Don't cross the creek.
That is not an option but often you can follow a path that others won't look for and move up or down creek a bit and often find a place that is a little more shallow. Stay dry above your waist at all cost.
2. Carrying a dry pair of socks?
If it were only one crossing, perhaps. However, by race ending, we had crossed at least ten creeks...or it seemed. If running in dry shoes is not an option, prepare to doctor blisters on the fly. Two things we can talk about later....blister care and dry fit socks.
NEVER WEAR COTTON SOCKS. COTTON IS ROTTEN.
3. Carry a Glide Stick.
Perferred is Body Glide.
Body Glide is the best remedy for chaffing and possibly blistering.
Regardless, just keep running.
jas
This past weekend, I was approaching my Mile 2 of Way Too Cool 50k. Down a steep grade, each runner waited patiently to cross a rushing creek. Knee deep run-off was freezing and splashing. The next 28+ miles would be ran in sloshing shoes, wet shorts, and an anxiety riddled question that kept bouncing in my mind "how many creek crossings would there be?"
The bigger question was actually, "will I be running in wet clothes all day?" Yet digging deeper was I was really asking, "will I blister and chaffe on my feet, legs, thighs, etc?"
I know taboo to talk about.
Chaffing is the skin's natural reaction to prolonged exposure to surface irritation such as friction and/or pressure. Typically, chaffing can be caused by a variety of normal activities and should not be cause for concern unless it is extremely severe. We have many layers of skin, and while our cells regenerate and repair themselves over time, chaffing can occur over the space of a day, or even hours. Add moisture from creek crossings and you are in for a long day.
Chaffing can be brutal. (Not for the faint hearted. This is a Western States Runner's Chaffing.)
So how to fix it.
1. Don't cross the creek.
That is not an option but often you can follow a path that others won't look for and move up or down creek a bit and often find a place that is a little more shallow. Stay dry above your waist at all cost.
2. Carrying a dry pair of socks?
If it were only one crossing, perhaps. However, by race ending, we had crossed at least ten creeks...or it seemed. If running in dry shoes is not an option, prepare to doctor blisters on the fly. Two things we can talk about later....blister care and dry fit socks.
NEVER WEAR COTTON SOCKS. COTTON IS ROTTEN.
3. Carry a Glide Stick.
Perferred is Body Glide.
Body Glide is the best remedy for chaffing and possibly blistering.
Regardless, just keep running.
jas
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Day 64: Taboo Tuesday:Rotting Clothes
Amazing enough, but occasionally, you hit the trail with a group of guys. They are your buddies and they are runners. But as you head down the trail, the smell invades you. You pause and try to hold your breath, but its impossible to do that and succeed while running. At first you think the rot smell is someone having ripped off some gas. But as the yards turns to miles, the smell is constant.
Arriving at the out and back turn around, you each pause for a moment. And what you thought was a fleeting passing smell is actually a lingering smell hanging off of one of the guys, choking all who are around.
Its always a guy. Never a woman. But why?
Because realize the need to wash the running gear daily. But guys, no. They will peel the clothes off and throw them in the corner and wear them for each of their five weekly runs. By day two, they are ghastly. Buy day four, ghostly. By day five, deadly.
Taboo Tuesday talks about remedies. From "runner's tummy" to bloody nipples, solutions are offered.
The same is true today. Regular Tide may not work. Once the funk has set in, it is steeped in the clothes...
HERE IS YOUR SOLUTION
If you see people running far from you, take a whiff.
JAS
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Day 50 : Taboo Tuesday : Runner's Trots
For any runner, a stomach that starts to cramp and turn can spell panic. Rumblings and gas churning can cause the closest of friends to separate on the trail.
But what causes the gas, cramps, and unpredictable feelings of diarrhea? Here are some insights from www.time-to-run.com
Poopy Pants?
Running is good for maintaining regular bowel movements. This is one theory on why there is a decreased incidence of colon cancer among those who partake in running. BUT, it can also be said that it may be too much of a good thing.
Quite common : An estimated 20-50% of distance runners have "runner's trots" with a range of symptoms from cramping and nausea to bouts of flatulence and diarrhea. This can occur during or after their exercise.
Why : The reasons are not known for sure, and may be due to factors affecting people differently. One reason considered, is that the up and down motion of running stirs the bowels. The flow of blood to the intestines is diverted to your legs and which may 'trigger' the cramping and/or diarrhea. The underlying possibility of irritable bowel disease may be brought to light by the additional stress of the exercise. The added chance of dehydration on long training runs may also cause diarrhea. Lactose intolerance effects enhanced by the exercise.
Symptoms: Cramping, nausea, flatulence, diarrhea during or after exercise. This may produce painful cramping and the compulsory need to defecate.
Prevention :
Try to avoid eating for at least two hours before you exercise - the presence of food in the stomach will make things worse or contribute to the problem.
Try to avoid the intake caffeine and warm fluids as it is possible for this to speed up the movement of wastes through the intestines.
Make sure to limit your intake of dairy products, particularlly if susceptible to diarrhea
Limit high-fiber foods in the days before a long race.
Avoid the foods that you know produce flatulence or loose stools.
Drink plenty of fluids. It is best to drink a full 16 oz. of water an hour before your workout, giving the excess fluid time to pass through, and start off well-hydrated.
Be aware of your bowel habits and try to time your workouts for after such movement times.
If all other precautions fail, for races or special events where you know toilets will not be readily available, consider the use of an over-the-counter anti-diarrhea product such as Imodium. Studies have shown this has reduced problems related to those prone to exercise-induced diarrhea. It is not recommended to use this on a daily basis.
Design your training routes to include a restroom. If you develop the urgency while exercsing, you will be able to plan your route accordingly.
***
As for me, let me add a couple.
1. Carry Handi-Wipes in your Camelback. Include an extra zip lock to "pack out" your used wipes. DONT LEAVE A TRACE BEHIND.
2. Carry Purell Hand Sanitizer. Use it generously on when you are done.
3. Don't be shy. Hollar out to your running friends that you need to jump off the trail to handle your business.
4. Look around. Be aware of Poison Oak, Stickers, and Snakes.
5. Be sly. Don't drop down in the middle of the trail. Be discreet. Find a curve in the trail and once through the curve jump off. Runner's coming along in either direction are pre-occupied with the curve, not the crapper.
Smile, its Taboo Tuesday.
Topic is done.
JAS
But what causes the gas, cramps, and unpredictable feelings of diarrhea? Here are some insights from www.time-to-run.com
Poopy Pants?
Running is good for maintaining regular bowel movements. This is one theory on why there is a decreased incidence of colon cancer among those who partake in running. BUT, it can also be said that it may be too much of a good thing.
Quite common : An estimated 20-50% of distance runners have "runner's trots" with a range of symptoms from cramping and nausea to bouts of flatulence and diarrhea. This can occur during or after their exercise.
Why : The reasons are not known for sure, and may be due to factors affecting people differently. One reason considered, is that the up and down motion of running stirs the bowels. The flow of blood to the intestines is diverted to your legs and which may 'trigger' the cramping and/or diarrhea. The underlying possibility of irritable bowel disease may be brought to light by the additional stress of the exercise. The added chance of dehydration on long training runs may also cause diarrhea. Lactose intolerance effects enhanced by the exercise.
Symptoms: Cramping, nausea, flatulence, diarrhea during or after exercise. This may produce painful cramping and the compulsory need to defecate.
Prevention :
Try to avoid eating for at least two hours before you exercise - the presence of food in the stomach will make things worse or contribute to the problem.
Try to avoid the intake caffeine and warm fluids as it is possible for this to speed up the movement of wastes through the intestines.
Make sure to limit your intake of dairy products, particularlly if susceptible to diarrhea
Limit high-fiber foods in the days before a long race.
Avoid the foods that you know produce flatulence or loose stools.
Drink plenty of fluids. It is best to drink a full 16 oz. of water an hour before your workout, giving the excess fluid time to pass through, and start off well-hydrated.
Be aware of your bowel habits and try to time your workouts for after such movement times.
If all other precautions fail, for races or special events where you know toilets will not be readily available, consider the use of an over-the-counter anti-diarrhea product such as Imodium. Studies have shown this has reduced problems related to those prone to exercise-induced diarrhea. It is not recommended to use this on a daily basis.
Design your training routes to include a restroom. If you develop the urgency while exercsing, you will be able to plan your route accordingly.
***
As for me, let me add a couple.
1. Carry Handi-Wipes in your Camelback. Include an extra zip lock to "pack out" your used wipes. DONT LEAVE A TRACE BEHIND.
2. Carry Purell Hand Sanitizer. Use it generously on when you are done.
3. Don't be shy. Hollar out to your running friends that you need to jump off the trail to handle your business.
4. Look around. Be aware of Poison Oak, Stickers, and Snakes.
5. Be sly. Don't drop down in the middle of the trail. Be discreet. Find a curve in the trail and once through the curve jump off. Runner's coming along in either direction are pre-occupied with the curve, not the crapper.
Smile, its Taboo Tuesday.
Topic is done.
JAS
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