Commencement of Pikermi Training

So...Today I registered for my 2nd half marathon! I'm getting excited about it.

I found a website database that has all race times complied. So if you have ever signed up for a race online, this database has what race you ran and your time.athlinks.com Good thing because I don't remember my times. The first and only half I ran was at a turtle pace of ~11minutes, a total time of 2:22.
That was in 2010. Two years later, I'm in much better shape. After having lost 30 lbs and being purposeful with working out, my mile pace is around 9 minutes!

So, goal for this half in October: 2 hours or less. That would be a mile pace of 9:15. It will be a personal best!

Excited!!

Zumba

I know this isn't about running, but I figure this blog is about all my exercise adventures and blunders.

So...I went to a zumba class today and....yeah........

In zumba I would like to look a certain way. Like this:

But in reality I look like this:

I think there should be a dance exercise class where we all look goofy...where we all are suppose to look goofy. I think that would improve self-esteem. Just an idea.

"Pressure Pressure Put It On Them"

Since I've made the switch to forefoot running and swimming and cycling alot more, my calves have been fatigued and tight all the time. I take official days off from working-out but still they were tired. What to do? Stretch...sure. Ibuprofen...ok. Still they were tired.

Lately I started see people around the gym wearing this shm-ancy knee high socks. I found out that what those people where wearing were compression socks. What?! They're not only for diabetics and the Silver Sneaker's Club?! That's right runners, triathletes and other worker-out-ers wear them to enhance their performance and for....get this....recovery for their legs.

So I search the internet about these socks..... SSccrrreeeecchhhh......$50 a pop!! When I found out the ridiculous price for A pair of these socks, I thought that my dream for my calves to be recovered and feeling normal had come to an end. Being undeterred by $$. I sought what I could do on the more thrifty side. Looking in Wal-mart in the diabetic/cane aisle I found compression socks for $8 and 2 come in the package. Steal!!

I've been wearing them to bed for the past 2ish months and it seems to help rest my legs. If nothing else I like the feel of the squeeze and prevention of varicose veins. Well, I'm not sure on the varicose vein thing, it could not be all scientifically but it makes sense in my mind.

Body Glide...Oh yeah.

Spring had sprung and the temperatures have risen and the running must continue. With the mileage and temperatures going up creates....let's just say I understand now why babies cry when they have diaper rash. NOT good...

I vowed that I would not run again unless I got Body Glide because well it's magic. It took me all but one day to acquire.Water-proof, sweat-proof, chafe-proof. My new best-friend. I will never run without it.

Run Like the Natives

So it's been said that when man began to run on the earth it was very minimalist on the shoe side and thus our ancestors ran on the forefoot as opposed to heel-strike. This type of running is said to be the more natural way of running. It minimizes jolting impact on joints....blah blah blah...Bottom line, it's a better way of running.



I started forefoot running in January after a friend's husband introduced me to the subject. I decided to give it a go because my knees screamed at me on long runs and I wanted to improve my running time.
I started gradually, alternating 1/2 mile forefoot then 1mile heel-strike; then building forefoot mileage as my feet and calf muscles got use to the idea; even though I have awesome calf muscles.
WARNING: if you don't start gradually and build up, you WILL hurt yourself and then you'll be out of commission.

Now, after about 3 months, I'm running all my miles forefoot style. My knees are gleaming, my mile time has improved drastically and I look like a gazelle.
I don't think I can ever go back. I won't go back! It's like meeting Jesus and realizing what he's done for me; I can never be the same as I was before.

Subject...Dog Bites.

So from recent events of a dog attacking me (yes attacking b/c he didn't not pause) it's come to my attention that I don't know how to deal with dogs while running or at all. I know that I don't know b/c well...I got bit. If I knew what I was doing I wouldn't of gotten bit.

What I did: stopped running, looked at my feet, brought up my hands, and didn't not move.

What the dog did: BIT ME!

Normally this technique has worked for me, but no more will I resource to it.

I asked a forum of local runners what they do.

1) Bring a water bottle and squirt them.

2) Yell sharp commands like "NO" "STOP" and act big. In other words, be the Alpha.

3) Run with pepper spray. Some agree with this others have said that it makes dogs more aggressive.

4) Run with a stick. I don't think I agree with this. With my luck, I'd probably impale myself.

I'm really not sure if there is a good solution. Maybe...trainings for dog owner on how to properly leash and gate their responsibility. This runner would greatly appreciate this.

First, There Always Has to Be a First

So in desperate need to talk about my running and other exercise habits, I've turned to blogging. My sister use to be my outlet, but since her moving I have yet to find another to share in my excitement and complaints of these habits.