If you had told me even a year ago that I would enjoy running, I would have laughed at you. I've never been a runner. In the 8th grade, I decided to go out for the cross country team because a boy I liked was on the team. I think I ran twice and gave up. Even when I was fit and worked out every day in college, I never liked to run. Too much work and too sweaty.
But this year? A total different story. I read an article on SparkPeople written by a woman who considered herself a "fit fatty." I don't like the word "fat," but I do like the concept of being a fit fatty. It doesn't matter what the scale says as long as I am healthy and living an active life that includes running. So that inspired me to try running (I still like to call it "wunning").
I like the endorphins, I like the alone time, I like pushing myself. And yes, I even like getting sweaty. But since running is a new sport for me, I have a couple of questions.
First, I'm running a 5k in October, so I am going to start training in August. I like running with music, but I've just been using Pandora. I definitely see that slower tempo songs mess up my rhythm, so I try to keep the music upbeat. Should I make a "running mix" and use that for training as well as for the 5k?
Second, maybe this has to do with running, and maybe it just has to do with the fact that I'm a woman approaching 40. A couple of times when I've come back from running, I can't hold my bladder. I usually have about 8 ounces of water before I run, and I've emptied my bladder before I go. But this morning when I got home, I couldn't hold it. What's up with that? How do you run longer distances, stay hydrated and NOT pee yourself?
That's all for now, but I'm sure I'll have more questions as I get into training. (By the way, I am using Janice's {@fitcheerldr} training plan.) Thanks for your input!
Photo Credit: stock.xchng (not a picture of me)
No advice here, just being an awe of the fantastic job you're doing! Can't wait to hear how you do in your first 5k later this year. You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteI would say, yes, make a play list of songs you like. I particularly like TobyMac for running.
ReplyDeleteI had to wean myself off water while running. If I knew I was going to run, I would focus more on hydration through the entire day before. I made sure I went to the bathroom before I started my run, and then after my run, I guzzled the water. It seemed to help, but I think part of the issue is having kids, and there's only so much impact-based exercise you can do post-children without certain issues.
I'm glad you're running, it's such a great cathartic exercise!
ReplyDeleteI like to have a playlist of my best running songs. While I'm training, I'll have a larger playlist and have it on shuffle so I don't get bored with the music. Closer to race day, I'll tailor the list to the race I'm running so certain songs play at certain times in my race (I'll usually have a "power" song about 3/4 of the way through when I'm getting tired, to give me a mental boost)
I haven't experienced your other issue but it is pretty common post-child birth to have. You could try doing Kegels to strengthen. Another option is to try an drink less water (but be careful doing that, you really need to stay adequately hydrated, especially in the summer months). Another option would be to plan your route so that at the halfway point in your run, you pass a place where you can use the washroom if you need to.
Good luck! I can't wait to hear about your first 5k race!
Steph (@stephhamm154)
Kegels. Really, you can't do enough of them, get in the habit of doing them at stoplights or some other fairly regular occurence. Do not do them while voiding your bladder as you can trigger a UTI.
ReplyDeleteAfter 3 kids, I *knock on wood* can still run unless I really have to go
Running naturally forces you to do Kegels - over time your bladder will get stronger. I wear a poise pad because my bladder almost empties on me during my 1st km. The more often I run, the stronger it gets and the less I have to pee. Pregnancy has screwed up any strength I had tho :(
ReplyDeleteMusic - yes a running playlist will help, they say to occasionally run without it so that it has more of an uplifting effect when you do run with it. I generally create a separate playlist for a race than what I trained with.
Good luck in the 5K!!!
Have fun with your running mixes. If you are not on a track or gym try working towards running sans music (this is just my personal philosophy to stay safe and alert when running).
ReplyDeleteI can't help much with the water/running/peeing question. I just had my baby and have not run any major distances yet. There is a reason there are port-a-potties on courses though. Until then I agree with kegels and arrange your runs so there are bathrooms along the way.
If you go to itunes, click on podcasts and search for Motiontraxx. You can download 40 different workouts for FREE. I think they have 9 interval workouts. These are designed for running/walking or "wunning." You might try 4 oz before you run and then drink another 4 every 15 minutes or so. I had the same problem but I notice the more I sweat the less I have to pee! lol - I'm taking a running boot camp so I'm learning as I go. If you look up Greg Durham on Facebook or friend me on facebook you will see him on my wall. He is my trainer. He's fantastic to learn from.
ReplyDeleteI'm running my first 5k in October also! Good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that I practically peed myself when I started trying to do Jillian Michaels's workout video a couple months ago. (After not doing anything for way too long.) I think it was the jumping jacks that really got me. And I will chime in, even though it's been said, the kegels really helped. I'm running and doing Jillian Michaels' workout now and I have no problem, no matter how much I drink.