Saving my Skin

Since amping my mileage to train for these half marathons, I’ve noticed it stressing my skin… so I slap on a little sunblock and keep my face clear of sweat (by wiping it down every 3 minutes), but my feet haven’t been so lucky. I keep my toenails painted pink to help out, but my poor feet are covered in blisters and and finally calluses. Thankfully I’ve been saved from the notorious fungus that runners usually complain about.

Since I wanted to run trails, I ended up buying an awesome pair of Salomon XR CrossMax 1, which are incredibly stiff and gave me huuuuge blisters for two months after running in them. I read in my awesome Runners Word magazine that I needed thicker socks, so I proceeded to steal my husbands on a regular basis since I’ve given him about 100 pair of running socks over the last year and a half. He thinks this gives him free reign to tease me about everything of his that I “borrow”. Like his sweatpants that have had their ownership transferred to me. I can’t help it I’m always cold. Or his sweatshirts when we’re on the boardwalk. Or his shirts to sleep in. Now his socks.

In my opinion, he has absolutely no grounds for his teasing.

Anyways, about protecting our skin and feet. Apparently if they get wet (from sweat or mud or rain), the trapped moisture can cause maceration (when the skin looks paler than the surrounding skin) and is prone to fungal infections (Runners World). Ewwww (Just did a foot check to look at my between-the-toe-skin-color. I’m safe.)

The most helpful thing I can pass along is keeping clean, Keeping the running clothes and socks clean. Products like Blister Aid (Mission Athletecare blister Armour Anti-Friction stick) will definitely help with the blisters! Annnnnd lastly, Stuff the shoes with newspaper to dry them out between runs.

My New Pink Shorts!

Oh my goodness, this week has FLOWN by! I’ve realized, besides being the worlds worst blogger (haven’t posted in a week), I’m also the worst runner in the world. Haven’t laced up my super sweet running shoes in also a week. If I was biking or rollerblading or engaging in other physical activity, it wouldn’t be so bad. But I was literally sitting on my butt. All day. And all evening.

This isn’t a good idea with our next race a mere 15 (well, technically 16) days away!

So, we are heading to Williamsburg this weekend to scope out the trail (well, like 2 miles of it) and enjoy ourselves instead of running a 12 mile run like Hal Higdon advises! ;) I’m excited about the hot tub, walking around the quaint city of Williamsburg and eating unhealthy food.

 

Yesterday, my husband texted me during the day… telling me he had a surprise for me :) Of course, being the inner 5-year-old that I am, I was ecstatic! I LOVE surprises! I came home and he whipped out a CUTEST coral pink running shorts from lululemon you ever did see! I included the link for your enjoyment. It’ll probably be active for about 4 days because they sell out of everything so quick.

Naturally, this was all it took to get me out of my FUNK and out running during the gorgeous weather and on the boardwalk :) I did a quick little 4 miles to get back in the groove and sat at Starbucks with my husband on Facebook for an hour on his awesome iPad. Yes! I LOVE break week!

What do you log onto Facebook with? Your phone? Laptop? iPad? I usually log on with my phone, hence the short messages and likes I do… and occasionally (like yesterday) on a machine with a keyboard so I can actually write a novel that people are hoping I’ll send as a message!

Are you guys experiencing the same schizophrenic weather we’ve been having?! It’s seriously muggy and GROSS in the morning, gorgeous in the afternoon, and rains all evening. And then the next day it’s FREEZING. Repeat. Then back up to 85F… (which is not awesome to run in) hahah

My goal: 50 miles in April

We had a lovely weekend. It was warm and breezy, and we spent the majority of it outside! On Friday evening I went running with a friend and almost logged 8 miles! We ran straight to the beach, on the boardwalk, and back in a little over an hour. Talking with a friend while running makes time fly! She told me about getting a bike this weekend, so hopefully we can ride around this summer together.

Since I got a good run in the night before, I was a little sore for my Saturday run that I did with some girls from school in the park. The pollen was out and I could hardly breathe… so I took a few walking breaks I our 5 mile loop… slowing down the pack L so sad! I seriously tried to keep going, and I did my best, which is all I can do!

I’ve been wanting to amp up my mileage, and my goal is to run 50 miles this month! I’ve already run 30 miles, which is 62% of my goal in 14 days.  I’ll be so excited to hit another 50 mile month, which will be my second this year. For all you runners out there who are running with increased heat (or pollen), don’t forget to hydrate! I’ll be running with a water bottle on my long runs where their isn’t fountians… even though I hate running with one.
And another amazing pin I found on pinterest… always running… I’m glad I CHOOSE to run because I love it, not because I’m being chased!

A HUGE shout out to all those Boston Marathoners out there today! Best of luck to all of you :) Drink tons and take it slow in the heat!