I got this new pair of running shoes to combat a few issues I've been having recently. Mostly, running in worn out running shoes. You see, I ran a half marathon a few weeks ago. I finished, which was my ULTIMATE goal, but I could have done it with a lot less pain if I'd done a few things differently. So, New Year's is a few weeks away at this point, but let's come up with 3 Resolutions for 2014, because it's never too early to start.
#1: I could have trained a bit better Smarter.
Let's face it, we could all train better. I did the majority of my training during the heat of the summer, which isn't the worst part of it. Millions of runners run during the heat of the summer. Of course, millions of runners live where it's never not hot so I guess there's that. Anyway, I never seemed to get out of bed early enough to get running BEFORE it got too hot; there are a lot of reasons for this, but it boils down to not making the effort to train right. The consequence of this means I ended up doing my training runs at lunchtime or so. I ran at the hottest time of the day on the hottest day of the year this year. Not the smartest move. Making a small amount of more effort could have saved me from running in the most taxing time of the day meaning better hydration, better muscle performance, better recovery, and about a hundred billion other things.
#2: I could Have Run in "Newer" Shoes and Paid Attention to my Body.
Let's face it: I'm not a light guy. I run with some poor form and though I know I should have a good mid-sole foot strike, I end up with a lazy heavy heeled plant. Not the best on my knees. Or ankles. Or hips. Really just not efficient and will ultimately lead to new knees and hips in my 60s or something I'm sure. Anyway, based on my inefficient running pattern I need to, or should, replace my shoes around mile 300 or so. I ran my half in a pair of shoes that had ~350 miles on them. They were pretty worn out and they had been causing me some issues already, but I ran in them anyway. So this was my downward spiral: worn out shoes on tired legs -> Still not fully recovered from training the week before in the heat -> A little dehydrated, a little underfed before the race -> my tired right knee aches and hurts, so I compensate by using my weaker left leg to take some of the pain away -> my left leg cramps from over use as a lead leg and dehydration -> my right leg cramps after that because now I'm coming back to it -> I fall -> eventually I hobble across the finish line, cramp legs and limp and all.I get a new pair of shoes, go for one training run in them and it was like the clouds parted on a rainy day and sunshine came through and smacked me in the face. My ankles felt great. My knee soreness, while not gone, was definitely diminished and the whole rehab run went so well. No pain, no cramps, nothing. Lesson learned: use newer shoes for races. Got it.
Check.
#3: I could have Eaten Better.
Okay, so basically this is everyone outside of Olympic athletes. More fruits and vegetables, less saturated fats and bbq and all those calorie dense delicious concoctions the food scientists from Geneal Mills and InBev and McDonald's and basically every food conglomerate or processor that puts food in a box or at a restaurant. It's all so tasty I know. I'm with you. Okay, maybe not all of it, but there are plenty in there to keep me happy. You too, I bet. I don't NEED all of that, though. I love bananas. I love spinach. Shrimp, chicken, fish, beef, pork, most animal meats, really, are all delicious to me. I don't NEED to eat a whole cow even if I CAN eat a whole cow. This is one of those things that being an adult is trying to teach me: moderation. *A* burger is fine as long as there's plenty of salad and fruit to go with it the rest of the day. *SOME* pork chops are great as long as there aren't 4 pounds of sugary baked apples on top of them. At that point am I eating pork chops with baked apples or am I eating baked apples with a pork chop? Better diet. That's gonna be key in 2014.
So my list is short but pretty concise:
- Train Smarter
- Pay Attention to My Equipment
- Eat a Better Diet
What about you, Dear Runner? Do you have a list of lessons learned from this season? Things that are always on your list? What do YOU need to work on to get better, faster, stronger? Let me know in the comments below and let's work on them together.
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