Monday, April 20, 2009

Setbacks, Sun Protection, Congrats and Reese's Run!!

Another random ramblings post:

Random Rambling 1: Running Motivation

First off, I apologize for abandoning my blogging duties for so long... I haven't felt much like blogging as I hadn't been running much and just had an overall blah-writers block kinda feeling.

Last week I ran a 10 miler Good Friday race that was pretty slow, about a 9:14 mile pace. It was frustrating when I had ran a 8:38 mile paced half marathon only a few weeks earlier. It is scary how a cold can totally wreck your fitness so quickly. I just haven't felt great, but then this past week I kinda snapped out of it. I told myself to quit feeling sorry for myself, so many people can't run, or have been setback with major injuries (our girl Lily is forced to hang up her shoes for now-go send her some love) so SUCK IT UP Marci!!!

I think getting a little mad at myself worked because I ran 40 miles, the last four days and ran over 20 miles on Sunday. I am still recovering from the cold, but my pace is slowly getting better. Hopefully I will be race ready by mid May. I am targeting either Mississauga or Cleveland marathon.

I know some of you have had setbacks much worse than my silly little cold, how did you come back? What kept you motivated/sane??

Random Rambling #2: Sun Protection

Like many of you, I started running to lose a little weight, and while it has turned into much more than this, lets face it, having strong legs and maintaining a healthy weight certainly helps keeps me running (most of the time, see r.rambling #1).

Unfortunately running also exposes runners to excessive amounts of UVA/UVB rays. I remembered this when I returned from my first lovely sunny spring run this week with a red nose and bright red thighs, despite wearing sunscreen.

I couldn't help but thinking about the damage I must being doing to my skin, so I thought it may be a blog-worthy point of discussion.

Here are some tips to consider to protect yourself from the elements:

- Wear a white running hat with a rim. The white reflects the light. It may not be fashionable, but neither are wrinkles
-Sunscreen, sunscreen, and sunscreen. With my water drop, I will also drop sunscreen. I like the sports spray on sunscreen for longer runs when I am less co-ordinated and bending down hurts.
-Hydrate. Really this is year round advice, but I think it is especially important in warmer weather.
-I did find this site, that makes UV protectant running gear. I remember seeing a company at a running expo that makes these types of clothes. Anyone had any experience with these?

Any other tips? Please share!!

Random Rambling #3: Congratulations

Congratulations to all Boston Marathon Event finishers!

-Marlene
-Lam
-Frayed Lace
-N her Shoes
-Running Dude Bill
-ND runner

And anyone else I missed. Congratulations, you are all inspiring!!

Random Rambling #4: Reese's Run

I can't believe Reese's Run is this Friday!! Wow how time has flown. Its not too late to sign up, there are great prizes.

Just to recap the event in case you are not familiar. It is a four mile virtual organized by myself and Christy in honour of her daughter Reese's fourth birthday. Reese suffers from Juvenile Arthritis. 100% of your registration fee (donation) goes to the Arthritis Society. We also have amazing prizes!

Looking forward to catching up with all of your blogs! Thanks for reading!

46 comments:

Jo Lynn said...

It does suck how quickly fitness levels go to the pooper!
Thanks for the reminder on sun protection. I try to be good about it, especially on my face. ;)

FLYERS26 said...

Good stuff on your post today.
I need to do a better job with sun protection. I run early on the mornings, during the summer, and don't use anything most of the time, and I should.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

glad you're back and feeling better. Great reminder about sunscreen too!

Lindsay said...

ahh i need to be better about sunscreen. at my rate i'm going to be a leathery 30 year old here in a few years. ;) let's hope not!

glad you are feeling better. just keep putting your shoes on and heading out for a run - you'll get back in your groove!

Unknown said...

training runs aren't supposed to be as fast as races. don't sweat it.

good reminder about sun protection!

RunningLaur said...

It is sad that a sickness can set us back - drink plenty of water to replenish!

I think I need a sunscreen reminder stamped on everything - I really need to do that more.

Felice Devine said...

Thanks for the sun protection reminder. I'm pretty good about putting sunscreen on my face but I usually forget my arms and end up with a sunburn. Yuck.

Yay for the race this Friday!

No Longer Using said...

Aggh sun protection... there's so many things to be responsible for just to not deteriorate :) i just wanna run! but at least now i am stretching and foam rolling...

tfh said...

Sorry to hear about the low motivation/ feeling slow. You've achieved such a high level of fitness I really don't think it will be long before you're back to your old paces. In my experience once you get the rust out it's not too bad. Stay positive!

Thanks for the sun protection reminder-- it's true, at races I often see runners with the bodies of teenagers and the faces of seventy-year-olds, probably the combo of lowlow body fat + sun damage. I find the spray-on sunscreen makes it easier.

J said...

I have had bloggers block as well, I think it is the constantly changing weather! I wish it would just start being summer!!!

Aron said...

glad you are feeling better!!! just keep builing back up and your speed will come.

yay for reese's run! i forgot it was this week! time is flying :)

Heather said...

Glad you're getting back into the swing of things. I'm terrible about sunscreen when running. It's really something I need to work on.

Nitmos said...

Yeah, the sweat is just like Crisco on your face too. A nice baking aid.

RoadBunner said...

I used to only halfheartedly put sunblock on the tops of my cheeks, nose and shoulders. Now I put it on every exposed inch of my skin even when it's foggy out. I also use lip balm with spf.

MCM Mama said...

I'm a sunblock addict. I have it on ALL the time. I'm not a big fan of the spray on stuff as I've had enough burns to tell me it doesn't cover as well as smearing stuff on. I really love the Badger brand sunblock, but it's a barrier based sunscreen and can leave you looking a bit white.

Glad to hear your mojo is coming back!

Ali said...

Great tips, I burn so easily in the summer.

Jamie said...

It really stinks how quickly getting sick can wreck your fitness level. stick with it and it will be back before you even realize.

Run Cleveland! I'm running it for the first time this year.

SuperDave said...

I'm sure the first few runs are harder, but your in tip-top shape and will flying at your normal pace in no time.
Sunscreen is supah important- I had skin cancer cut off my ears in the past due to not wearing sunscreen or wearing a hat during runs.

Jess said...

It's a tragic irony that runners can be in great shape but then die of skin cancer. Thanks for the reminder about sun protection!

Lily on the Road said...

Having a cold is your bodies way of telling you to slow down. Seems mother nature always gets her way.

Runner's have the highest rate of skin cancer, (scary but true), so yes, sunscreen, hat, sunscreen and I tend to run with a long sleeve shirt even in the summer. Don't forget your sunglasses too!!

thanks for reminding us about sun protection and I'm also glad to hear you are starting to feel better!!

Marlene said...

I had a bad case of the blahs when I was out with my shoulder. I think I found motivation by reminding myself that the longer I was feeling sorry for myself and making excuses, the longer it would take to get back to my pre-injury fitness level. Glad to see you getting back on the wagon! You have a lot of mileage under your belt so I know you'll get back there soon. Glad to hear that cold is FINALLY subsiding!

Can't wait for Reese's Run!

Thanks for the great reminders re: sub protection. It's something I don't pay nearly enough attention too. I did pick up a really cool white mizuno cap at the Boston exop. :)

X-Country2 said...

That is some serious mileage! And yes, sunscreen is essential. I sweat most of mine off in the summer.

Runner Leana said...

Whatever cold has been going around has been nasty. Hangs on forever, then takes all of your fitness with it. You definitely weren't alone on it.

Good reminders about the sun screen. I'm fair and burn so quickly. I've found the Kinesys spray on stuff is the best!

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