Street Creepers and other Obstacles...

With day one of the semester behind me, I've found a few early morning minutes to get in a blog entry for this week.  As things become routine, I'm sure I'll find a more scheduled time to write!  Today, my morning run was cancelled by my aching feet.  Though heels might have seemed like a great idea on the first day of class, the after effects have shown otherwise.  Once again comfort will win out over fashion in the long run.

At any rate, today's post is something that I've been thinking about for the past week or so, and kept meaning to write up: My thoughts on running safety.  

You've read my rants about wearing the right gear and probably even wearing a Road ID bracelet, but there is more to running safety than just being properly outfitted for your run.  There are also "obstacles" to look out for, such as "street creepers."

What do I mean by street creepers?  Well, a while back...maybe a couple of months now...I noticed a large car slow to a stop in front of me while I was out running around the country roads.  The car then waited--for what I don't know--but the "suspicious me" was able to take a quick side jaunt around the lake drive to my left and duck into a wooded driveway for a moment until the car took off again.  It seemed a bit strange at the time, but I passed it off as my own paranoia and never saw the vehicle again.

However, the topic came to mind again recently when I ran into a running buddy who lives just down the road.  We often run the same route, though in opposite directions, and pass each other on our morning runs.  He told me he had a weird run-in with a van a couple times over the past few weeks, and thought he better pass the details along to me.  Basically, Rich saw a van do the same thing my car had done--in about the same location--as he was out running, but as he got closer, the vehicle took off.  The first time, he shrugged it off, but the second time it occurred to him, that from a distance, running, maybe he looked like me.  

Now, this is pretty darn creepy.  Yes, it could just be happenstance and confused people out driving and getting lost in the country--this does happen frequently as well...but what if there is something more to it?  What can I do?

This prompted me to think of "run safety" beyond just gear.  When I went to Louisville I took pepper spray with me for my morning runs.  I never had to use it, but it brought me peace of mind in an unknown city.  I hate to think that out here in the country I need to do the same, but I probably should have some sort of protection, just in case.  Until Glock makes a viable running holster, pepper spray it is--or I could start carrying a hammer like the one woman I always see out walking--both a nifty weight and protection.

Crime shows and 24/7 news coverage has led America to believe that the world we live in is much more dangerous than it used to be decades ago.  Studies have shown, it's actually far safer.  Television and society have played a mental trick on us, however, and we generally want to believe the worst.  This is not to say there aren't plenty of weirdos out there, however, so be cautious.

Upon reflection, I recommend a few things on this front.  Foremost, if you run

alone, carry protection.  Pepper spray is probably your best bet, and you can get a little can like the one I have, which straps onto your hand, so you barely think about carrying it, for around ten bucks.   That's pretty cheap for something that might save your life in the ultimate unthinkable scenario. 

Secondarily, carry a cell phone with you.  Now, I haven't done this in the past.  I have an iPhone and for all its technological wizardry, it's big.  Summer running gear doesn't generally have the greatest of pockets for that sort of thing and I can barely manage with my iPod strapped onto my arm, let alone the giant smart phone.  I always run near houses and generally figured I knew enough people along my route that if I ever ran into a problem (I was always thinking, injury), I could go to one of their houses for help.  Running into a creeper, however, is a different scenario where having a phone might be more immediately useful.  What to do?  

One could invest in one of those running belts with the gear pocket to store things like a cell phone, car keys, money, etc., but I'm beginning to think about all this stuff I'm strapping onto myself as over-complicating the pleasure of running.  Instead, I'm thinking about getting a TracPhone--the cheapo, tiny, flip model.  Perhaps they're not just for terrorists, murderers, and adulterers after all?  With the prepaid TracPhone, I can just get minimal minutes for that emergency call if I ever need it and the phone will "fit" on me somewhere, unlike the iPhone.

Finally, prevention is the best protection.   Best to avoid any situation where you'll need that pepper spray and phone if at all possible.  I'm certainly not saying to toss the running shoes in the closet, lock your doors, and flip on the police scanner--but to be aware of your surroundings while running.  

Turn down your music so you can hear cars and other things around you.  I'm all for sound quality, but that should not be confused with LOUD (Are you listening to me People driving around in Toyota Corollas with the bass turned all the way up?)  You should always be able to hear rear approaching cars and get out of the way.  Even if you presume that they'll see you in your neon yellow running onesie and orange Nikes--people are stupid.  Trust no one and look out for yourself. 

Likewise, take note of where you are running.  Is it a safe route?  Are there people/houses around?  While I could imagine running in the middle of nowhere to be a great mental relaxation, it also means that if that one car creeper rolls up, you've got nowhere to go.  Plan an "escape" per se.  Additionally, don't always run the same exact route at the same exact time.  Mix it up.  This will not only benefit your own sanity, but also disallow anyone that *might* be keeping an eye on you to plan something around your routine.  I always run in the same general area--around my house--but rarely at the same exact time each day and often different distances each day.

Also, don't ever assume it'll never happen to you.  Just because you're ____ age or ____ sex and believe you're not what creepers are into, I can tell you from seeing nearly every episode of 48 Hours Hard Evidence that there is a creeper for everyone...people with all different "types" they are interested in.  Scary, right?  Yes, it is a bit scary to think about--but thinking about it ahead of time will save you from that nightmare scenario and save your friends and family from fighting over your diamond earrings.  The world is a scary place...but it's also a fantastic place with lots to see and enjoy.  Plan ahead and avoid the undesirable part of reality--or at least give those street creepers a run for their money and make sure your episode of 48 Hours Hard Evidence is the extended two hour-long version. 

Depends what the definition of "is" is...

Trying to get back on the blogging band wagon, but the end of summer continues to plague me with business.  My apologies for my loyal fans!  Perhaps we can return to a solid schedule after courses start next week. 

This week, I've been thinking about the concept of exercise as "fun."  Now, I

would never have categorized those two things together before this last year, and many people still wouldn't, but I caught myself telling Bill Agresta the other day that I thought running was "fun."  He seemed to think it was NOT fun, despite he, himself, having been a runner for decades...but I suppose it all depends just what I mean by "fun."  The term, like most, is relative.  Taking a cue from President Clinton, it really depends what the definition of "is" is.

In contemplating just why I think running, in particular, is "fun" in my mind, I've discovered a bit about myself.  Everyone around me has always thought I was a person on top of my game--always getting things done ahead of time, trying to give 100% on anything I do, planning, organizing, details, details, details!  Now, I always just thought that was normal.  I mean, who bothers doing something and doesn't give it 100%???  However, my first inkling that this was perhaps not the standard came when I first had real officemates in graduate school--Francis in particular--who seemed astonished each semester as I posted to class discussion boards first each week and always had term papers done at least a week before the end of the semester.  Why wait until the last second? I thought.

Well, as I've learned in my journey through academia, both as a graduate student and now on the opposite end--there are a lot of people who just want to "get by."  Students ask me "how can I just get a 'C'?" Why wouldn't one aim for an 'A'?  Faculty stroll into class just before the start and make a dash for the door right after.  When I went into teaching, it was because I myself had a passion for learning and wanted to share that with others--not just do the bare minimum to get a paycheck.  There are, after all, far more lucrative ventures than teaching if it was just about the bottom line!

No, I think I like the feeling of pushing myself.  A challenge.  I like to do A LOT and feel bummed if I don't get as much done as I'd hoped--often far more than most people achieve in a day, week, month, lifetime, Phil often reminds me.  Just the other week I was talking to my old officemate Bill--and he was counting off the number of things I was currently involved in, despite the fact, I told him I felt like I "really slacked off" this summer after getting my doctorate.  

So, running is just like anything else in life that I enjoy--challenging.  As I've

mentioned before, it's not easy.  Few things worth doing are.  Even after months of working on it--it's really hard.  I've pushed myself to be able to gain distance and plan on a half marathon in November.  Next year, I hope to focus on getting faster.  Why? Who cares?  I'm never going to the Olympics, after all.  Just because it keeps it challenging--to me.  I may not be the fastest runner, but it's more of a personal competition than anything else--the challenge is really between me, myself, and I--not other runners around me, even at races. 

So, is running "fun" for me? Yes.  Is it hard--yes too.  Was getting a doctorate hard? Yes--but it was fun too.  Is it for everyone? No!  But that all depends on what your definition of fun is. 

Observations...

Hey all!  Sorry for my one week hiatus--my anniversary on Monday and anniversary vacation last weekend got the best of my time last week, so I didn't get a chance to blog.  However, all things considered, last week and weekend did provide a number of observations on which I feel the need to discuss here.

One.  Hubby finally listened to me and just bought me what I wanted for our anniversary.  I mean, not that I didn't want that bronze bust of him, but there were things I thought far more...erm..."useful." Mostly, this is in reference to my new Garmin GPS watch!  Now, like a true running nerd, I can track my every move!  Actually, I thought it'd be a good first step toward attempting to speed up my time--my project for next year--as it allows me to see my pace while I'm running, unlike my iPod, and even set a preferred pace to try to stick to.  Now I've got so much equipment strapped to myself, I'm practically bionic.

The "Squealer"--Yes, that's a Long John with Bacon!

Two.  Although I had a healthy eating plan for my trip to Traverse City this past weekend. (Really, I mapped out what salad I would get where!). It went totally out the window when we hit Clare and the Cops & Doughnuts shop.  For those of you from the Kalamazoo area, you know my (and Phil's) love affair with good doughnuts.  While none quite compare to Sweetwaters in Kzoo--the Cops made some pretty good stuff too.  And I had never been...so, I indulged.  Now, one doughnut certainly wouldn't do anyone in...and I did run seven miles the next day, but that combined with the other eating indiscretions of the weekend (Lobster poached in butter? Another glass of wine? Well it is our anniversary) still made for a frightening weigh-in on Monday morning.  It happens to the best of us, and what is there to do besides get back on the wagon?  

Three.  It's the end of the season!  Do you feel that chill in the air?  It means it's time to buy up on clearanced out gear!  I found some great stuff at Mejier for 50% off.  Check out the stores people!

Four.  There is a distinct difference between being admired as a fit and dapper individual, and being blatantly hit on by creepers.  Oddly enough, this is something I never experienced formerly--and I wasn't always fat, either.  Maybe I've somehow hit the trifecta of graceful aging, trim physique, and sexy hair that has suddenly brought about this upshift in men behaving badly?  Men of America--it is never appropriate to shout things from your pickup truck while driving by an attractive woman, and it is also never appropriate to swarm a good-looking woman in a country bar and ask her 1) Well, frankly, anything...but in particular, 2) if she's married (look for the ring first gentlemen!).  It is also never appropriate to yell that she has a "great body" as she is clearly scrambling to get the heck out of there.  Yes, on some (very low) level it's flattering, but on many more levels, it's just wrong.  Seriously, where do guys come up with this stuff?


Five.  I really realized what it is like to feel "fit" this past weekend.  I still have a hard time thinking of myself as any type of athlete...I still eat bad things now and again...and despite the obvious admiration of creepy guys everywhere, I mostly just see the same old me, slightly thinner.  However, this past weekend we hit up the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Glen Arbor and attempted to climb some of the dunes.  I'm not saying it was easy--but I certainly wasn't out of breath, or even sore.  I'm like, in shape or something?!  Phil noted that we made it to the top of Castle Rock in St. Ignace, so the dunes must be even higher (as he was having a rough time of it)--but I thought--that was a few year's back, and I was much heavier then (and it was darn hard to climb that thing--with stairs even!)...the difference is my health. 

Just some observations--now back to the business of life!

A Day Late and a Dollar Short...

Once again, running a day behind.  However, I did manage to pick up another class for the fall, work out all the bugs in my syllabi, hit up the farmer's market, run, and make pickles in the meantime, so all was not lost. :)

Something else amazing happened yesterday, which sparked the topic for

today's post.  My new earphones arrived via UPS!  Ok, yesterday UPS actually called to tell me they couldn't deliver to the post office box number I had given the company, so I wouldn't be getting my package until today--which wasn't so amazing.  The earphones are here now, however, and they're fantastic!  So today's blog is about proper fitness "equipment."

When I first started walking last year, I literally put on the tennis shoes I had and hit the streets around my apartment complex in Portage.  I usually walked in the evenings so if I got sweaty, who cared? I came home, took a shower, and was in for the night anyway.  I really didn't purchase any "special" equipment--and it's a tribute to the simplicity of good health to say that anyone can get out there and exercise without anything special.

As I increased my speed into a definite "power walk," I found it necessary to purchase some special equipment.  Like say, a good sports bra.  After all, at sixty pounds heavier--everything was a whole lot bigger.  After a few months, I likewise contemplated buying new shoes--but they seemed so expensive.  I also felt like I never really got a lot of use out of my current pair, even though I had owned them for a couple of years, so they were "probably" fine.

Now, fast forward to last winter when I finally convinced myself, after losing about 45 pounds, that I could probably run--at least a little bit.  It was cold out.  Things were covered in snow and/or ice on a regular basis.  While I was still dedicated to just 30 minutes of exercise a day--it was too darn cold to just "walk" even if it was a quick pace!  Running seemed like a good idea, but it's really hard to run in a scarf, pea coat, jeans, etc.  At this point, it was time to invest in some legitimate exercise apparel.  

Clothing specific to running (or any other individual sport) is generally a bit pricier than your standard cotton tank tops and basketball shorts--but it does have a purpose.  All those moisture-wicking, compression, spandex fabrics are legit.  This being said, you do not need to spend a million dollars putting together your wardrobe--though you certainly could with all that's available out there.

Primarily, you should invest in some good layering pieces for winter running if you run outside.  Compression pants and socks keep your leg muscles warmer (and it takes longer to warm up when you're running in 20' temps), leading to fewer injuries, and also aide in quicker recovery time post-run.  They are meant to fit snugly, but shouldn't be restraining (you are trying to move in them after all!)  If you don't like the Cat Woman/Batman look, you can always throw a pair of running shorts or track pants over them, but they're handy to wear underneath.  Likewise, invest in some of the thin, long-sleeved, compression tops or moisture-wicking shirts to layer under your jacket/sweatshirt.  I really like the stuff Under Armor makes.  It will take you a while to get the hang of how many layers you, individually, will need in a certain temperature to stay comfortable while you run, but eventually you'll know just what to wear when it's ___ temperature outside.

If you're still worried you'll look like a total spandex goon out there in all this garb, let me just say this--when clothing fits closer to your body (not tight!) it helps keep the warmth in while dispelling the moisture quickly.  When you wear something baggy, cold air from the outside easy blows around you, cooling you and your muscles down, making you feel "cold."  Trust me. Get the spandex if you're a winter runner!  Try shopping for stuff on sale (obviously) or at places like TJ Maxx, which offer a plethora of discounted name brand stuff.  You'll have to search through the racks, but there is some good stuff there on the cheap.  I would say your main investments for winter clothing should be a good pair of compression pants and a good, lightweight, but insulated jacket/sweatshirt specifically made for your sport.  These will be more expensive, but you can wear them day after day.  And pick up an earband, gloves, and neckwarmer too for those really chilly (or snowy--how depressing) days.

In the summertime, just as I did when I first started exercising, you can get away without the special equipment--but it does work better than the typical cotton tee in the summer too.  Cotton "breathes" but it can also feel like a heavy, wet, towel on those humid days--the moisture-wicking tanks and shorts won't do that.  You'll feel cooler--but I think it's more personal preference when it's nice out.  I mean, now is your chance to bare all in those Richard Simmons-short shorts, so have at it.

Socks are important too.  Some runners don't wear socks (apparently?) but if you do--and I do, so I recommend you do as well--check them out before buying.  Opt for socks specific to your sport--probably a little more snugly fitting with a little more spandex in them, for running.  I recently started getting some oddly placed blisters on my feet as I began adding distance so I tried out the Feetures brand of socks--lite, merino wool, and padded.  They are specific to your right and left foot and made just for walking/running.  They are also kind of pricey for socks--somewhere around ten to fifteen bucks a pair.  

Honestly? Meh.  On me, anyway, they fit nicely around the ankle and foot bed, but leave a lot of extra space in the toes.  True, they don't slide into my shoes--but I never really had that problem anyway.  They're nice, but I'm not sure they're nice enough for the price.  I also purchased some Adidas running socks, which, in my opinion, seem to work just as well and offer a better personal fit for me.  As for my blister issue--it seems to have stopped.  Maybe I just needed new socks in general--they're probably not manufactured to last forever.  Socks, like talk, are cheap.  Try 'em out and see what you and your feet prefer.

Shoes are probably the single most expensive and absolutely necessary investment any walker/runner will make.  You don't have to spend $500 on a pair of glow in the dark Nikes that promise to drive you home when you've had too much to drink--but you should be willing to make an investment on a quality pair of shoes that fit your feet well and are engineered for your specific sport.  Shoes are all personal preference and fit.  Go to a good running store and get your gait analyzed.  They should also be able to fit you for shoes and recommend certain brands that offer the type of support you'll need (high arches? narrow feet? wide feet?)  You'll also likely wear a larger size in a running shoe--usually half to a full size up, depending on the brand you go with.  If you want to save a few bucks--find a shoe you like and search the Internet for a better price on it.  I prefer New Balance shoes because I have narrow feet and they fit snugly yet have a wider toe box, so my problem hammer toes don't whack into the edges when I run.  

Finally, there's the entertainment factor.  I like to walk/run to music...and a variety at that!  My friend Tiffany recently queried Facebook about what type of armband to get for her iPhone/iPod.  There are lots of options. I always recommend things that are adjustable--the "one size fits all" standard is a ridiculous one, and almost never fits properly, whether we're talking arm bands or Halloween costumes.  

Additionally, headphones/earphones are in wide variety these days.  There are ear buds/phones, over the ear headphones, and those things that latch onto the outside of your ears.  Many of these made specifically for exercise.  Here again, it pays to invest in a pair made for working out.  They are often water (read: sweat) proof or resistant and coated with a different type of plastic that won't disintegrate from sweat, sunblock, etc.  Additionally, make sure you get a pair that stays snugly in/on your ears.  There is nothing worse than constantly trying to readjust your headphones while running.

Perhaps most important to me regarding earphones is sound quality.  I'm a music nerd and band geek--it's no secret.  If I'm going to listen to music it better be at optimal levels--and that doesn't mean LOUD.  I want to hear that lone bassoonist (and Lord knows, any band only needs one). I want to hear Billy Joel take a drink of whiskey in the middle of Piano Man, etc. Yurbuds are supposed to be great earphones for running, but I've experienced Bose--and I refuse to go back to substandard musical quality.

The Bose sound will freaking change your life--I kid you not.  They are not cheap, however.  So if you just aren't the music junkie I am, you might have a problem coughing up more than $100 for earphones.  There are, indeed, plenty of less-expensive versions that will get the job done for your workout, and most of you will probably never know what you're missing (So, so, sad...).  

Moral of the "equipment story" for today?  Get the stuff you need and think "quality" for those really important items.  Splurge here and there on items you find important, but don't feel obligated to break the bank.  It's not a fashion show, it's a lifestyle!