I've been feeling it coming on for a while now. Been reasoning with myself, telling myself that I can handle it. Reminding myself of all my long term goals and how letting it take me over will cause them to take even longer to achieve.
I have a case of Wantitus.
As the weather is getting nicer, and darkness falls later, one particular area is really strong.
I've been running on a treadmill 3x a week for the past few months doing the Couch to 5k program. I'm starting to make some real progress - actually able to run for 5 minutes at a time before taking a walking break.
But . . . I'm hankering to get outside and whet my feet on the turf. See if I can make it out in the fresh air.
While I've been thinking about going outside, I've also been reading about things you "need" to run outside.
A GPS device that also can track your run/walk intervals, pace, distance, etc.
A way to keep yourself hydrated hands-free:
A way to help roll
out the aches and pains after running:
You Tube - How To Use Foam Rollers
Then of course there's the clothing - wicking shirts, wicking shorts, wicking bras, wicking socks . . . Oy Vey!
Of course if I really get into all this there's going to be new running shoes and if I *really* get into it . . there'll be race entrance fees . . fuel gels . . . energy bars . . etc., etc., etc!
Save me from myself! Ahhhh!!!
Ok, ok. The two things I really am interested in right now are the foam rollers and the garmin.
I think I would really use the rollers, and they aren't that terribly expensive.
The garmin . . . I already have a wireless heart rate monitor/watch with a stopwatch function/calorie counter - which I haven't used in nearly a year because the chest strap kept unhooking while I exercised. What I'm really wanting the garmin for is the ability to have it track my pace and distance outside, and to be able to set little alarms to tell me when its time to increase or decrease my pace. The geeky part of me also really likes the idea of being able to upload all my data into a website and manipulate away.
Help me out please! Anyone have ideas on how to alleviate this horrible disease? Or maybe ideas on how to get what I'm wanting for less??
March 12th, 2008 at 02:35 am 1205289308
Oh, right, I'm suppose to help you right? Hmm. Well, if you're broke like me, it helps.
Ironic in a way, because my debt has "saved" me many-a-times, and yet, I am debt-free as of this year! So, I'm not sure what I am going to do when my Wantitis inevitably acts up.
Anyways, back to your situation, I would probably go ahead and compromise.... For example, the Garmin you want is... well, it's pricey compared to the camelbak (a little surprised they can be that affordable). My justification would be because you can live without the the Garmin, but you most definitely want to keep yourself hydrated. That there's a health concern. I would then take the rest of your available money and drop it into a debt if you have one.
What do you think?
March 12th, 2008 at 02:35 am 1205289316
Get your running clothes on sale at your local sporting goods or running store. I get most of my running gear (aside from the shoes) at end-of-season sales. (The wicking stuff does make a difference, but initially you can run in whatever you have.)
As for the shoes, that's where you want to make the greatest investment. My shoes (Asics) usually run about $125-$150 and I replace them every 3 to 6 months depending on how much I'm running. Initially, you probably won't spend that much, especially if you're just doing a 5K, but if you get serious about it you'll see that your body will appreciate the investment.
About that roller thing ... don't bother. You can stretch out with nothing more than a wall or tree to lean against. I've run marathons and then plopped down in the middle of the road and stretched out with nothing more than the help of my own body.
March 12th, 2008 at 03:12 am 1205291540
March 12th, 2008 at 03:49 am 1205293798
My problem is that I don't have any debts to drop money on.
CD,
Thanks for your insight.
The thing about the Garmin . . . I'm really wanting to know how far I've gone. I probably could get the stopwatch to do intervals - but the only other way to do distance would be a pedomoter, and they aren't terribly accurate. Ugh - I'm still trying to talk myself into this one I think.
You're def. right - I can stretch out just with my own body and nothing else. Maybe a rolled up towel could do a similar effect?
Oh, what would be considered end of season for running? End of summer?
Boo,
That is a good idea - maybe I should try it outdoors for awhile then see if I really "need" any of these things.
March 12th, 2008 at 04:07 am 1205294879
Also, to cut down on wear and tear on your body -- and thus medical bills, I recommend trail running over street running if you have an accessible trail nearby. And, most importantly, stay off the concrete sidewalk.
I buy my light-weight running gear in August and all the way up to Christmas on the clearance racks. Then I buy my heavier winter gear in the spring and early summer. You don't need much either, assuming you do laundry on a regular basis.
Also, some of the most comfy running clothes I have is made by Champion. It's cheaper than the Asics, Nike, etc. stuff and they make a lot of seamless clothing, which puts an end to chafing, plus no labels, which tend to irritate me to no end.
To make your running shoes last longer, keep wearing them only to run in. And, I would steer clear of the camelback if you have back issues at all. (Plus, do you really want that big sweaty thing on your back as you run outside???? YUCK!)
Oh, and try sticking a couple tennis balls in a sock and rolling on that instead of the foam thing. It works just as well.
March 12th, 2008 at 04:32 am 1205296361
Thanks for the tips!
How would you suggest carrying water? In my 30 minutes on the treadmill, I easily go through a 32 oz water bottle - so if I was outside, I imagine I'd go through more than that. (I'm thinking of doing outside runs on Sunday mornings - maybe be able to do 45 - 60 minute runs which I don't have time for during the week.)
As far as where I was planning on running - I had thought about a park near where I used to teach at. There is a pretty loop around a lake/grassy area and then heading out into the neighborhood area around it. But it would all be sidewalk. I'd have to do a search and see if there are any running trails near me that aren't sidewalk.
My sports bras are both Champions - so def. agree with you about their comfort.
Oooh! Tennis balls ina sock! I like that idea - will have to try it.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:30 am 1205321437
March 12th, 2008 at 12:04 pm 1205323473
Likewise, the only thing that came to mind was making a budget for running gear. If you want all this running gear, buy the most important first (the good shoes). Then slowly you can build up with time. If you allow x dollars per month. Of course the nice thing about this, is in the meantime you realize you can probably live without most this stuff anyway. Or the desire dwindles with time, regardless.
I was just thinking in those terms because I saw a similar post on the sa blog about how expensive exercise was. I giggled and thought, gosh, it sure is as expensive as you make it.
As for me, the only thing that fits in my budget is running shoes. Or walking shoes I should say. I just wear old clothes to the gym. At some point dh bought me a cheap pedometer. But, well it works. The rest is so completely unecessary, and so I rather put my money elsewhere. I know I am not going to look back in 10 years and say, oh I wish I had spent hundreds on new gym clothes so I looked flashy in the gym.
You have to find your own priorities, but that's my 2 cents.
March 12th, 2008 at 01:33 pm 1205328814
Check to see if there's a local running club in your area. They usually know all the best running routes. Also check at your local running store to find out where the employees run. I would stay off the sidewalk as much as possible because that concrete just pounds away at your joints. In most neighborhoods, you can run on the streets safely.
March 12th, 2008 at 05:12 pm 1205341940
I also think I just need to see if I'll really actually get myself outside and run - or if I'll keep talking myself out of it.
March 12th, 2008 at 05:13 pm 1205342031
March 12th, 2008 at 05:43 pm 1205343820
For sanitary reasons, Camelbak's container needs to be washed out once in a while, and if they ever need replacing, they can get kind of expensive.... Well, compared to regular plastic bottles anyway, which is available in all shapes and colors. Belt packs also have the added benefit of carrying other gear for you, such as your car keys and a cheap cellphone in case of emergencies....
March 13th, 2008 at 04:07 am 1205381259
You're right.
BA,
I was reading about all you have to do to maintain a Camelbak - there were all sorts of "extras" such as these tablets and a special brush etc. I think I may have a belt pack . . . somewhere. And I do have two water bottle holders (with a zip pocket) that could latch onto the belt holder - but they do a lot of bouncing even when I am just walking.