This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Funniest fitness myths you’ve heard.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

We’ve heard them all.  Sometimes they’re good enough to convince us and other times we roll our yes.  I used to believe them but now I roll my eyes and/or laugh.  Read along to find out a few of the fitness myths that make me laugh!

🤣 Carbs are bad for you.  OK, so maybe too much might be.  My doctor once told me I was pre-diabetic and I blamed it on the carbs.  It could have been the sugar too.  However, carbs are needed in order to train and recover effectively.  I love carbs!  Remember my mashed potatoes and wine dinner?  

🤣 You cannot run if you’re sick.  It depends on the symptoms.  If the symptoms are above the neck (sneezing, runny nose, etc) then it is OK to run as long as you feel good.  However, if they’re in or below the neck (sore throat, diarrhea, body aches, chills, etc), then skip the run.  Kim and I wrote about this topic a few weeks ago.

🤣 If you are not sore after a workout then you did not work out hard enough.  During the week a few of my workouts are hard workouts.  My heart rate goes up and I hit paces that I don’t see all of the time.  Afterwards I am not sore but I do feel tired but also good! 

🤣 Running is bad for your knees.  I am sure you have heard this one many times.  My knees have hurt a few times but the doctor never told me running was bad for them.  In my case it was due to weak glutes and hips.  Clamshells, bridges, and lunges are a few exercises that he recommended I do to strengthen them.

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Things you saw on your last run.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Last night the phone alert woke me up and scared me.  It was loud!  There was a storm coming my way.  I looked out the window and all was calm.  Another alert went off.  There was a tornado warning in the suburbs.  A few minutes later there was rain, wind, and thunder.  I was now wide awake and checking out the weather app and the TV to get more information.  Still raining with thunder and rain.  Eventually it calmed down and I went back to sleep.

The tornado was devastating.  It was an EF3 and destroyed many houses.  Fortunately no one died but a few were critically injured and were taken to the hospital.  I cannot imagine what those that lost their homes and/or family members are going through right now.

This morning I did my run with Matty to celebrate my 250th run.  It was a fun run!  I took it really easy and walked too.  The weather was pleasant but it was windy and humid.

I did not see too many interesting things along the way.  There was more trash than usual.  Lately I have noticed there is a lot of it in my neighborhood.  The trash could have been from the storm or from Father’s Day celebrations.

I did see the following:

👀  Flowers

👀  Little Free Library

👀  Fallen branches

Some random things I’ve seen on other runs are pigeons, squirrels, bunnies, condoms, and bottles with yellow liquid.  The last two gross me out.  Well, more the bottles with the liquid.  Some people are just plain gross.

Surprisingly I did not see any dogs walking their humans.  😀 It was actually very calm.  Matty made me laugh (as usual) during the run.  He talked about how in his parent’s house in RI they don’t lock the bathroom door.  Whatever business you have to do there, make sure to do it fast before someone opens the door!

Not running related but before I left for work I checked again on the mama pigeon.  One of the eggs has hatched but there is still another one in the nest.  I also checked on Mateo.  It was another exhausting night for him.  He was in the same spot during the storm.

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Do you run when you’re sick?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Today is day #291 of my run streak.  I’ve run in cold, freezing, humid, and hot weather.  I’ve run in the snow and in the rain.  What will actually make me NOT run?  It will either be an injury or being sick.  But exactly how sick will I need to be?  Let’s find out.

Let me start by saying that I rarely get sick.  I guess working 12 years with students has paid off.  😀 When I do get sick, I get a cold that lasts 3-4 days and it usually happens 1-2 times a year.  The last time (that I can remember) I got a cold was in January 2020.

To run or not to run?

I’ve worked with several coaches and they’ve told me that if my symptoms are above the neck (sneezing, runny nose, etc) then it is OK to run as long as you feel good.  However, if they’re in or below the neck (sore throat, diarrhea, body aches, chills, etc), then skip the run.  For the former, it should also be a personal choice.  If you want to skip it then go ahead.  Nothing wrong with taking a rest day.  If you do run, keep it easy or run fewer miles than what is on the plan. 

If you have a fever, then you should not run at all.  Running will raise the body’s core temperature and in return could increase the risk of dehydration or delay recovery time.  One or two rest days to bring the fever down is better than days or weeks that you may need to take off if the situation gets worse.

The last time I felt sick enough to skip a run was the day after I received my 2nd vaccine.  I ran in the morning and then used the Peloton bike.  It was later in the morning when I had chills and my whole body ached.  I was working from home (thank goodness!) and somehow made it through the work day.  No way could I run after school and am glad I ran that morning.  See, another reason why I don’t like to procrastinate!  I did feel much better in the evening and ran again the next morning.

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Tips for running in the rain, cold, or hot weather.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Over the past couple of months I’ve been very consistent with my running and have run in many different weather conditions.  Some have been better than others but I’ve managed to stick with it.  

Running in the rain

🌧️ Use Body Glide.  Chafing is the worst.  Make sure to apply it under the arms, inner thighs, or areas where you are more likely to chafe.  I’ve been using Squirrel’s Nut Butter and while I am not too crazy about the scent, my thighs have been very happy.

🌧️ Wear a hat.  Your hair will still get wet but at least it will keep the rain out of your eyes.

🌧️ Jacket is optional.  Running in the rain on a warm/hot day feels wonderful.  No jacket is required.  However, it is different when it is cold and windy.  My favorite one to wear is the Oiselle Reflective Vim Jacket.  It is lightweight and windproof and.

Running in cold weather

🥶 Wear gloves and a hat.  Those two items along with a warm jacket are what makes my runs more comfortable.

🥶 Wear moisture-wicking technical clothes.  These will keep you warm and dry.  I have a couple Oiselle wazzie wool long sleeve tops that I love.  I wear them a couple of times and they still will not smell.  However, after 4-5 times then it is time to wash them (too gross).  

🥶 If it is too cold or too much snow/ice, skip it or run on the treadmill.  This past Winter was just really bad.  It seemed like we had snow everyday for 2 months along with a few very cold days.  I did run on the treadmill once but it was very uncomfortable running with a mask (I was at the gym).  I am doing a run streak so I just made sure to run one mile.  

Running in hot weather

🥵 Wear a hat.  Last Saturday I got a really bad headache after my run.  I didn’t think it was that hot (70s) but it was sunny.  I paid for it dearly because it took me a few hours to recover.

🥵 Hydrate.  During the hot weather we dehydrate more quickly so it is a good idea to carry water to drink along the way.

🥵 Adjust your goals.  The pace might be slower and you may need to walk more.  That is OK.  If you need to stop then stop.  Make sure to listen to your body.

🥵 Start running early.  The earlier the better and if you can start running when it is still dark.  A few years ago I did a few long runs with a friend and we would start at 4am.  Our reward was going out for breakfast afterwards.  

What is your favorite time of year to run?