Jogging

Tuesday focus--- exercise/personal growth

Me after running, nice and red.

Well I did it! I jogged 10 miles last week! I am moving slow, but getting into shape. I am happy about that.

Observations about Jogging

• I do it first thing in the morning. My alarm is set for 6:30.
• I HATE it for the first .25 mile.
• Then I like it---until about 2.5 miles. Then it is really, really hard.
  
• When I run in the morning, I am happier the whole day.
• I AM RED- and not "glistening"--- I'm SERIOUSLY sweating, lovely, I know!
• It does burn a lot of calories, but still I am 40 pounds overweight.... if i only jog to loose weight and do not change my diet--- I would have to jog about 35 miles to lose one pound.
  

Interesting isn't it? About 100 calories per mile. It makes that 100 calorie snack pack or that piece of candy seem LESS appealing. Do I really want to eat this and have to jog a mile to get it off my hips?

Other thoughts---

• I am a weird runner.
• I have short duck-like legs- nice visual.
  
• My feet have high arches--- which according to running shoe gurus should mean I land on the outside of my foot. I don't- I land on the inside of my foot, especially on the right heel- hard.
• My toes don't like socks or sweat!
• My shoes are too small and/or old!
  

So I shopped for running shoes online-

• They don't make shoes for people that have high arches and hit on the inside of their foot.
  
• There are WAY too many choices
• They are TOO expensive
• It is scary to buy a shoe in that price range without trying it on.
• I really don't wear an 8 anymore, I don't wear a 9 (at least for running) I wear a 9.5- SAD, OK, not really! ;)

Since they don't make shoes for people with my foot type, I did some other research. I came across articles on barefoot running (which I will not do) but it was interesting.

Did you know the running shoes was designed by a coach in the 70's that wanted to help runners lengthen their stride by hitting on the heel? Did you know there have NOT been less running injuries since the running shoe was designed?

Stand up and jog a few steps with no shoes on if you want to see something interesting. Where does your foot hit? On the middle/ball part right?

The barefoot running people say that's how you are suppose to run to reduce injury. So I tried it, I ran in my summer Teva-like sandals with no socks. Yep, I like it. No blisters on the toes, no shoe to hit in the front on my toes.

But not a long term solution, so I ordered the Nike Free and some funky microfiber toe socks. The Nike Free is supposed to allow you to hit in a natural part of the foot and strengthen foot muscles.
Supposedly each of those sectioned areas moves separately and so your foot is really flexible, yet there is arch support. The top is made of microfiber too so it doesn't smash the toes.

These socks are supposed to be magic socks that wick moisture and stops blisters. We'll see. I will have to treat these socks like they were made with golden thread and only wash by hand to make sure the dryer doesn't eat one of these precious babies. I could have bought 24 pairs of socks here for the price of this technological wonder!

OK enough, sorry this was so long. I should save this for an essay for some PE class someday- :)