This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Benefits of running with a group.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I’ve been running on my own for the past couple of years.  I like it and will write about it next week.  However, I’ve run with a group as well.  There are benefits for both.  This week I will write about running with a group.

BENEFITS OF RUNNING WITH A GROUP:

➡️ Motivate each other.  I ran with CARA while training for my first marathon.  The runners and pace leaders were wonderful.  I remember a couple of runners in my group were also training for their first marathon.  We all motivated and encouraged each other.  I also remember that during the marathon my feet were hurting a lot and I wanted to quit.  Two runners that I trained with and were also running the marathon with me told me not to quit and to keep going.  I did not quit.  Glad I listened to them.  🙂

➡️ Accountability.  When you know others will be waiting for you at your set location, you will not be tempted to miss/skip your run.  I have paced several training groups and it was very important for me to show up because I knew others were counting on me to be there.  

➡️ Safety.  If anything were to happen to you, at least you will have someone to make sure you’re OK.  One time I was running with a friend and I fell.  Luckily it wasn’t serious and she helped me get up and made sure I was OK.  Then I think I cried and then laughed.  She laughed with me too.     

➡️ Social networking.  When you run with a group you meet other individuals with the same interests.  You will make new friends.  There will be fun events to go to and more fun things to do.  I love reading Darlene’s posts because she always does many fun things with her running friends.   

Do you prefer to run with a group or solo?

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Funniest fitness myths you’ve heard.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

We’ve heard them all.  Sometimes they’re good enough to convince us and other times we roll our yes.  I used to believe them but now I roll my eyes and/or laugh.  Read along to find out a few of the fitness myths that make me laugh!

🤣 Carbs are bad for you.  OK, so maybe too much might be.  My doctor once told me I was pre-diabetic and I blamed it on the carbs.  It could have been the sugar too.  However, carbs are needed in order to train and recover effectively.  I love carbs!  Remember my mashed potatoes and wine dinner?  

🤣 You cannot run if you’re sick.  It depends on the symptoms.  If the symptoms are above the neck (sneezing, runny nose, etc) then it is OK to run as long as you feel good.  However, if they’re in or below the neck (sore throat, diarrhea, body aches, chills, etc), then skip the run.  Kim and I wrote about this topic a few weeks ago.

🤣 If you are not sore after a workout then you did not work out hard enough.  During the week a few of my workouts are hard workouts.  My heart rate goes up and I hit paces that I don’t see all of the time.  Afterwards I am not sore but I do feel tired but also good! 

🤣 Running is bad for your knees.  I am sure you have heard this one many times.  My knees have hurt a few times but the doctor never told me running was bad for them.  In my case it was due to weak glutes and hips.  Clamshells, bridges, and lunges are a few exercises that he recommended I do to strengthen them.

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Things you saw on your last run.  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Last night the phone alert woke me up and scared me.  It was loud!  There was a storm coming my way.  I looked out the window and all was calm.  Another alert went off.  There was a tornado warning in the suburbs.  A few minutes later there was rain, wind, and thunder.  I was now wide awake and checking out the weather app and the TV to get more information.  Still raining with thunder and rain.  Eventually it calmed down and I went back to sleep.

The tornado was devastating.  It was an EF3 and destroyed many houses.  Fortunately no one died but a few were critically injured and were taken to the hospital.  I cannot imagine what those that lost their homes and/or family members are going through right now.

This morning I did my run with Matty to celebrate my 250th run.  It was a fun run!  I took it really easy and walked too.  The weather was pleasant but it was windy and humid.

I did not see too many interesting things along the way.  There was more trash than usual.  Lately I have noticed there is a lot of it in my neighborhood.  The trash could have been from the storm or from Father’s Day celebrations.

I did see the following:

👀  Flowers

👀  Little Free Library

👀  Fallen branches

Some random things I’ve seen on other runs are pigeons, squirrels, bunnies, condoms, and bottles with yellow liquid.  The last two gross me out.  Well, more the bottles with the liquid.  Some people are just plain gross.

Surprisingly I did not see any dogs walking their humans.  😀 It was actually very calm.  Matty made me laugh (as usual) during the run.  He talked about how in his parent’s house in RI they don’t lock the bathroom door.  Whatever business you have to do there, make sure to do it fast before someone opens the door!

Not running related but before I left for work I checked again on the mama pigeon.  One of the eggs has hatched but there is still another one in the nest.  I also checked on Mateo.  It was another exhausting night for him.  He was in the same spot during the storm.

This week’s Tuesday Topic is:  Do you run when you’re sick?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Today is day #291 of my run streak.  I’ve run in cold, freezing, humid, and hot weather.  I’ve run in the snow and in the rain.  What will actually make me NOT run?  It will either be an injury or being sick.  But exactly how sick will I need to be?  Let’s find out.

Let me start by saying that I rarely get sick.  I guess working 12 years with students has paid off.  😀 When I do get sick, I get a cold that lasts 3-4 days and it usually happens 1-2 times a year.  The last time (that I can remember) I got a cold was in January 2020.

To run or not to run?

I’ve worked with several coaches and they’ve told me that if my symptoms are above the neck (sneezing, runny nose, etc) then it is OK to run as long as you feel good.  However, if they’re in or below the neck (sore throat, diarrhea, body aches, chills, etc), then skip the run.  For the former, it should also be a personal choice.  If you want to skip it then go ahead.  Nothing wrong with taking a rest day.  If you do run, keep it easy or run fewer miles than what is on the plan. 

If you have a fever, then you should not run at all.  Running will raise the body’s core temperature and in return could increase the risk of dehydration or delay recovery time.  One or two rest days to bring the fever down is better than days or weeks that you may need to take off if the situation gets worse.

The last time I felt sick enough to skip a run was the day after I received my 2nd vaccine.  I ran in the morning and then used the Peloton bike.  It was later in the morning when I had chills and my whole body ached.  I was working from home (thank goodness!) and somehow made it through the work day.  No way could I run after school and am glad I ran that morning.  See, another reason why I don’t like to procrastinate!  I did feel much better in the evening and ran again the next morning.