Keiko the Runner 1/3/15

Happy New Year!  Year 2014 was a breaking year for me as an athlete (!), who enters races (!).  This blog is to thank many Spinervals teammates for advice, answers to my questions, lots of encouragements and guidance and provide updates.  We have incredible runners, who offered generously their expertise in the group.  THANK YOU!

1: Tri Shorts

As I always rode with thick padding with cycling, I was very skeptical with thin padding.  Guys and gals came out and said that would be fine.  I haven’t ridden Hardcore 100 in them, but I have used them to race Du and in training.  Now I have quite a collection!  Compared to cycling, the gender inequality is better in multi-sport and running.  Women’s clothing gets enough attention and catalogs are like fashion catalogs.  With Tri Shorts, not only I can do brick workouts, but most cycling workouts (I have done up to 90 min. aero as well as short/hard workouts), strength workouts.  And what is best is I can wear the shorts under my work pants and as soon as I come home, I take out one layer, and ta da, I am ready for a workout!

2: Safety lights

Because Flores Training Facility doesn’t have a treadmill, if I don’t feel like making a trip to a gym to run, I have to run outside.  Here in Texas, most months, it should be done in the dark.  I prefer early mornings and that is what I did during summer months.  I had a good recommendation for Blackdiamond ReVolt Headlamp from mountain biking experts Mendozas.  David Smith recommended LED Flash light vest. (AmphipodXinglet Flash LED Vest) David Smith recommended LED Flash light vest. Tony gave me Nite Ize SlapLit LED Bracelet.  Those tools kept me safe running in the dark.

3: GI issues, #1 and #2

People can freely talk about what to take in, but not exactly willing to talk about the other side.  As embarrassed as I am, this was a HUGE issue to learn for running.  In cycling, I just have to make sure portable bathrooms are my handy friends, but in running, I faced a few incidents that I could not even tell Husband.  First, #2.  If I had good amount of dinner the night before, I have to make sure I have a good bathroom visit before the run.  I usually keep the coffee from the night before in the fridge and with small amount of food, usually a banana or an apple, I get a guaranteed good bathroom visit.  But if this is not happening, I found instant Starbucks iced coffee works wonders.  At the same time, I have to be careful not to overload with liquid. Teammates also commented that before going out for a long run, they have a few loops around the house.

But my #1 issue remained.  Even jumping jacks during StrEndurance causes “Athletic Leaks”.  I wore extra layer, used panty liner and regular women pads.  All helped, but my latest recovery is the pads just for active women during exercise, JustGoGirl.  I only used it once, but it worked as advertised, so I ordered more. 

4. Running form advice

As an old start over runner, the ultimate goal is to be injury-free.  Tony found numerous running form videos online (my YouTube channel) and James Bailey loaned us Chi Running video and EvolutionRunning.

 

There are many things I have to keep in mind, but so far I have kept running cadence advice.  I got a free appfor metronome and I listen to cadence 180 while warming up.  This process has been successful keeping cadence up.

As you may have noticed, my 2015 goals and plans don’t include Half Marathon, but that doesn’t mean I am slacking on running.  I believe adding running in 2014 was a very good idea and I will continue.  Thank you, Team for cheering and guidance and keep an eye on updates for 2015!