As you know, I recently registered for my first 10-miler. I know, I know… it’s not a half marathon. Whatever. 10 miles is still far. It’s far enough that I have to actually train for it. I’m very nervous. I’m not sure what the problem is, really. Maybe it’s because I’m stuck on the treadmill? Or maybe because I had a bad run this morning. That must be it.
Training was actually going really well until this morning. And even this morning can’t be considered much of a setback. It really wasn’t at all. My head just wasn’t in the game. If you’re a runner, or any sort of athlete, you know that your mindset is crucial to success. I woke up this morning, ready to take on the world, and then had a wardrobe malfunction. I have several pair of running shorts, and these ones in particular are just a touch too big. I actually purchased them while pregnant so I could continue running without completely stretching out all of my expensive running apparel. Well, so fine… this pair are more than a touch too big. But they are (were) super comfy, so I figured I would wear them today.
I was .31 miles into my run when I just couldn’t take it anymore. I leapt off the treadmill and changed my shorts into the pair I wore yesterday. Judge me all you want — yes, I know, it’s gross — but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. So I continued and finished my run in PWA (previously worn apparel). (Look, if everyone else can make up these three-letter abbreviations that actually make no sense at all, then so can I!)
I’m not sure if it was coincidence or not, but the last two laps of my four miler this morning ended in mild to moderate chafing. I’ve never chafed before, and let me just tell you it hurt!! But when the treadmill says 3.65 and the goal is 4, you just push through. And so I did. I finished my 4 almost in tears.
Did I chafe because of PWA? Did I chafe because it was just my time to chafe (never have before, why not now)? Or maybe I was running funny because I was tired and hot and bored and annoyed? Who knows. In any event, I put a trip to Dick’s Sporting Goods on my to-do list to invest in some Body Glide. Unfortunately I got completely sidetracked while there and never ended up looking for Body Glide. BUT, I did pick up some Sport Beans to test out on my longer runs coming up.
I’m also on the case for finding a new sports bra. The ones I used to wear, pre-pregnancy, were cheapo Champion ones from Target. Not that there’s anything wrong with them. I actually love them a lot. But then I found Moving Comfort during pregnancy, and now I’m hooked. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to purchase another Moving Comfort sports bra, however, because I can’t seem to find the style that fits my size. I think I’ll have to hit up an actual running store for help in that department.
Tomorrow my compression socks should be arriving. I’m really, oddly, looking forward to trying them out. I’ve actually been debating between five or six different brands of compression socks and I finally made a decision and purchased a pair online. I hope I made the right decision. At $60 a pop, it’s a hard pill to swallow!
This week my long run goal is six miles. Should be no problem unless today happens again. I’ll just assume it won’t.
On another, more somber note, I will be dedicating my miles this weekend to Meg’s Miles. Meg Menzies was a runner and mother of three, who was killed while on her run this last Saturday. At this time, more than 42,000 people have responded to the Facebook page inviting us to run on Saturday in honor of Meg. Amazing. For more information on Meg’s Miles (#megsmiles) click here.
Stay safe and happy, friends.
Happy Hump Day!
