Fixing the Antique.

I'm sure you have been wondering all day... What did the Once and Future Runner do yesterday, since he (probably) still can't run, and is incompetent when it comes to basic bike repair?  Did he do another long boring walk?

Well, Wonder no more!  I am here to answer ALL your Once and Future Runner questions.. Yesterday, on the way home from work I decided I would stop and get a new tire tube for my bike.. After all, Max pointed out that a flat tire doesn't mean you need a new bike and I suspect my wife would have agreed with her so it seemed the logical thing to do.  I had gone to one LBS  (that means local bike shop according to Max.  She is my new unpaid consultant on all things bike related) a while back, and wasn't all that impressed.  They were condescending, and difficult to get any real help.  Plus they seemed far more interested in up-selling, rather than helping us out.

Well, yesterday I headed out to a different one to see if that was the norm, or if they were more friendly.

[caption id="attachment_2707" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Local LBS[/caption]

I went into the Bike Doctor, and almost immediately was welcomed by one of their employees. 

Freaky Friday - Bizarre Things found on the Interwebs! - Strange Exercise!

This weeks' dose of bizarre interwebness (I just made that word up...) - Odd Exercises!!!!!

[caption id="attachment_843" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Paddle Board Yoga!!!!"][/caption]

We have ALL heard how good yoga is for you. Its relaxing, strengthening and zen-like in its benefits. Having tried it - I can assure you it really is!  Plus it will increase your flexibility - helping you to avoid a string of pulled muscles like I have made my new hobby!

One group of people have found a way to make the "Working on Balance" part of yoga - FAR more important.  If you were to perform your Warrior Pose, and Downward Facing Dog on a Paddleboard!! Mess up? GO SWIMMING!!!  I can definitely see how being on the water would help with the relaxation and help you avoid distractions.

Rocktape.. Another new experiment.

I have mentioned my calf pain here - and how it has limited my distance.  For example I can do 4 miles in conventional running shoes - This will lead to muscle fatigue and soreness the next day -but not major pain. 2.5 miles in the Vibram Five Fingers puts me limping that day, not running the next day, and possibly the following one as well - but only in one leg.

I posted on a Vibram site and someone suggested I try "RockTape"  - based on what i have read online this is some snake oil..  There are alot of claims that it has helped various people with various types of pain. Their website shows how to use it, and explains that you should leave it on for a couple of days as it works during the work out as well as helping you recover (now doesn't this sound like good 'ol fashioned Kilmer Swamproot?)  Not being one to really believe such claims, but also WANTING to believe such claims - I conintued to see what i could find online.  And Woo hoo!! Free sample!  On the daily mile - Greg from RockTape said:

"So here comes the spam (i prefer offer)! Send us an email to admin at rocktape dot com and we'll let you try it for free. No scam, no money, no nothing. Totally free."

Only it was 11 months ago.  So I sent an email off - as if i can try it for free it is definitely worth looking into!  Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be sold locally. Their Prime competitor seems to be "KT Tape"  Which doesn't seem to sell itself as the cure-all that RockTape does.  That is sold locally at Dicks Sporting Goods - so I may try and pick some of that up to try it as well.  Apparently the basis of both is kinesio tape, used by physical therapists and chiropracters to help treat ailments, and athletes to help with recovery by helping to support and stabalize joints and muscles.

Hey, if it lets me run further with less pain - its certainly worth looking into!

Running.. it isn't enough..

So, I have been running lately - but I don't htink that is quite enough to really prepare myself for the marathon.  So here are some other things I have been contemplating:

Dieting - It is easier to move a lighter weight, then a heavier weight (see what public schools taught me?)  So, I have started using "calorie counter" on my phone to track what I eat.  This way I can try and get rid of the spare tire I have been working on.. After all, spare tires are for cars and bikes - not runners.

Core Strength - Well, like most people - I hate situps and pushups.  But they are two great methods for working on core strength so I am beginning to implement them into my daily routine.  I have tried the "hundredpushups.com" and "twohundredsitups.com" challenges in the past - but never finished them.  I think it is time to revisit this. 

Other workouts - I won't join a gym at this time - because I don't think I will go.  When I can consistently get up and run at 5am every morning (or 3-4 times a week), I will revist the idea.  But, we do have EA Active 2 for the PS3.  Suprisingly this does a great workout - including core as well as various muscle groups.  This is going to become my non-running day workout.

Overall, I hope that the marathon preparations will not just let me run 26.2 miles - but will put me in fantastic shape!