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?

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  How will you celebrate Global Running Day?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.   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!

This year Global Running Day is Wednesday, June 2nd.  What is Global Running Day?  “Global Running Day is a worldwide celebration of running that encourages everyone to get moving.  This day plays an important role, reminding us of the positives that running can offer and the power of unification.  It’s mission seems more important than ever right now, as people everywhere attempt to stay active and healthy.  During these challenging times, many people are turning to running as a solution to help release anxiety, gain perspective, cope with cabin fever, and keep up wellbeing.

Our physical Global Running Day events may be paused, but it’s important that we all keep active in a safe and responsible way.  This year, Global Running Day 2021 will be digitally uniting people across the world in a global effort to encourage physical wellness and strengthen community.” (Source: https://globalrunningday.org/)

On Wednesday I am planning to do a speed workout for a total of about 6 miles.  I am excited but also nervous about it.

What can you do on this day?

👟 Participate in a virtual event.  There are many of them taking place so that you can get involved either by running or walking.  Below are the events listed on the Global Running Day website.  If any of these aren’t your thing, you can submit an event and others can sign up.

👟Sign up for a race.  Run Rock and Roll Marathon Series is having a 24 hour sale.  There will be races in various U.S. cities as well as in other countries.  You can pick from a 1 mile, 5k, half marathon, or marathon.

👟 Do your own thing.  Just do what I am doing and run.  Or go for a walk.  It may be a day of running but so what if you walk?  The most important thing is that you move and enjoy some fresh air.  

How will you celebrate Global Running Day?

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  How do you stay mentally motivated during a long 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!

Wow, long runs.  During marathon training a long run would be a run between 12-20 miles (to me).  I am not training for a marathon.  Thank goodness because I don’ think I want to run that long anyway.  Right now my long runs have been between 5-7 miles and those are long enough for me.  I did run a couple of 9 milers last year.  

So how do I stay motivated during these runs?  Let me tell you what woks for me. 

🏃🏽‍♀️ Break up the miles.  If I am running 8 miles I like to break them up in 2 milers.   When I am done with 4 miles then I remind myself that I am 50% done.  If that doesn’t work then I take it one mile at a time.

🏃🏽‍♀️ I get to run!  No one is making me do this.  It is my decision.  I know I’ve said this before but I am fortunate that I can run, walk, etc.  I hope I am still doing this for many more years.

🏃🏽‍♀️ Have a good playlist.  I like to run with music but have also run without it.  I am a huge fan of 80s and 90s pop/dance music.  Matty from Peloton is my favorite to listen to during my long runs.  He always has something exciting to say about him, the song, the artist, etc.  

🏃🏽‍♀️ Enjoy it and take it easy.  For me it wasn’t easy to run “slow” during my long runs (I wasn’t running that fast anyway).  I think it was last year that I learned to let it go and run slower.  No one is chasing me and I am not competing with anyone else.  My paces are usually between 12:00-13:00 minute miles and that is OK with it.

🏃🏽‍♀️ Change my routine.  I used to run by the lake and around the airport but haven’t been there in months.  I run close to where I live but vary the route depending on my mood.  Right now I like to do this to find houses that are for sale.  😀 

🏃🏽‍♀️ Reward myself.  It could be the tamales and coffee waiting for me at home.  It could also be the shower that I will take when I am done.  It could also be the nap that I will take after eating and the shower.  

Running long miles isn’t easy but it isn’t impossible either.  The key is finding the necessary tools to start, continue, and finish the run.