Life in the Cheese Drawer

my blog posting month has been really bad lately! i think this is the worst i’ve done for a kablpomo. ah well. stuff happens.

it’s 2021. that means it’s been 10 – TEN – years since i started running. color me impressed with myself. i was actually just on the treadmill having a beast of a time because i got my covid booster* and am feeling ultra sluggish today, but thought i’d give a run a go.

not going well, but i’ll do it in pieces.

so, to celebrate 10 – TEN – years running, here are my 5 top takeaways and tips.

1. shoes matter. i don’t care if you need a barefoot shoe, a complete support shoe, a neutral hot pink shoe, or what, but you need to find the right shoe for you. and sometimes you need to reassess what your feet need. i had to change my shoe type 2 years ago due to a wonky nerve heel issue, and i went from a 13mm heel drop to a 5 or 0mm heel drop. that somehow miraculously cured all my foot ailments after years of dealing with plantar fasciitis. i wish i had done that sooner. try out different shoes.
2. support matters. meaning in the underwear department. spend the money on a good bra if you’re a lady.
3. i can tell if i’m going to have a good run within the first 5 minutes. my legs are either cooperating or they aren’t. i know a lot of people say the first mile is a lie, and it is to an extent, but for the most part i will know sooner rather than later if this is going to be an excellent run, a mediocre run, or an awful run. most runs fall in the mediocre camp.
4. i’ve said this so many times, but slow down. this isn’t a land race. so many runners starting out think they need to run a 9- or 10-minute pace. no wonder you hate running and rage quit! slow down and it’ll be a lot easier on the legs and the lungs, not to mention your head. focus on distance instead. i started at probably a 14-min mile and have worked my way up to an average 12-min mile. if i’m having a great run, it’ll be 11:30. i can count on one hand the number of times it’s been close to 11-min miles. slooooooow always wins.
5. enjoy it! sure, have goals, too, but the best way to get them is to take a moment to enjoy it. i run through the woods. i like to have a running buddy for half marathons. run in the springtime next to ponds and marshes to hear the frogs croak. stop to take a pic of the sunset. wave at the other people you see along the way. run past houses and admire the architecture (or lack of). if your legs are willing, run as many miles as they like and zoom down the last decline on your way back from the long run.

* i am super scared of getting covid and then coming back from it and trying to run. i’ve heard horror stories and know the problem with lungs. i’ll try to avoid that, please.