February

Wow, sorry it's been so long since I've posted! I have been running and it feels great!! I have a few more aches and pains then I did before, but hopefully those will go away as I continue. I have only gotten one outdoor run in so far this winter. It has been soooo cold!! I have a nasty chest cold that doesn't want to go away either. The day I did run outside, I was coughing like crazy the rest of the day. It felt great though, harder then a treadmill that's for sure!

I have been running on the treadmill at my local Planet Fitness and it gets a little boring, but I can usually keep myself occupied with my Ipod or something on one of the 10 TV's. I read that you can better simulate outdoor running by setting your treadmill at 1% incline, so I have been doing that. I usually have been doing 3-4 miles during the week, and weekends a little longer. Whatever my training tells me to do. I have a run coming up in the month of March. Oshkosh has a Fratello's 5, they have either a 5 or 2 mile route and it goes along the Wiouwash Trail. I did it last year (the first year) and look forward to doing it again. I do remember it being a little chilly that day, so hoping it is a little warmer! That is on March 21st I believe. Anyone interested, you could stop in at the Run Away Shoes store in Oshkosh and get more info or sign up, I would think. Last year they gave a nice pint glass instead of another t-shirt. And they had music and food before and after. We were able to warm up in the lounge and they had the food and a coupon for a free beer in the glass.

Well, I will let this be all. Run safe and stay warm!

"Don't Pass Me....I'm not in your Age Group"

Neck X-ray's

Well, these pictures mean it is time to hit the ground running, but it is going to have to be a treadmill for a little while. With these nasty Wisconsin winters! Can't wait!! The doctor gave me that OK and said I have "almost" no restrictions. No snowmobiling, skiing, sledding, contact sports for another 3 months. I don't have to worry about that, since I am not a winter sport person! I would rather be in where it is warm! I don't mind once it gets above say 35, but any lower and no thank you! Contact sports, though, that might be a problem! Just kidding:) You're lucky Kyle, can't beat you up this weekend!

So, tonight is going to call for a trip to Planet Fitness for a run! I might only get in a good mile, but it is going to feel great!! I am going to try for a mile at a good pace for sure, if I can go longer I will, but don't want to push it of course. Too much and I won't be able to run for a week! Thanks for checking in!! Run safe and warm!!

SOON!!

Count down to running again! I have my appointment with the Neurologist on Tuesday and I am really hoping he gives me the go ahead to start running again! I have been very good and following most anything he says. I have been working out some at Planet Fitness in Oshkosh here. I really like it there. They have so much equipment, and nice to be able to go pretty much whenever I want. I wish I could be a morning person and get up and go before work. Unfortunately I am not. I do great with an evening workout. I love to run at dusk in the summer, and just feel better going at the end of the day. I need to go and get a set of new insoles for me shoes. I have a metatarsal problem (my toes and the ball of my foot go numb when I run) and a very high arch, so need to where some extra support in that area. Lynco makes a great orthodic insole for that!! I use the number 405. I love it and it helps a great deal!

I will probably need a new pair of shoes come spring. I love to go to Fox Valley Running Company or Sheels in Appleton. They both have treadmills to run on to try the shoes and FVRC has a great incentive program and they are great at helping to fit you with the correct shoe. I have always worn Saucony's and still really love them, but this last time I got a pair of really nice Brook running shoes and they fit and feel great too. Saucony's feel like they have more overall foot support, but they feel a little heavier. That might just be the shoes that I have gotten. My last were the Pro Grid Triumph. Very comfy! The Brooks feel lighter on my feet, with maybe not as much support, but still enough. I really like both. I understand that every person has different feet. I have worn Nike's, and hated each one. And Asic's, also, liked those too. But I do love Nike running clothes. I have a few of their running skirts, my favorite ones, and the pants, shirts, socks, jackets... I love my winter hat with the ponytail hole in the back :)

So, anyway. Just wanted to get in another blog. Hope everyone is running safe! And warm!

"It's not about where you are, it's about what direction you're moving in."

Winter Running

Here are a couple helpful winter running tips! Safe running!

http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm

Falling temperatures and fewer daylight hours don't mean that your outdoor running routine has to go into hibernation for the winter. Running through the cold weather can help shake those winter blues and improve your energy level!

Dress in Layers -Start with a thin layer of synthetic material such as polypropylene, which wicks sweat from your body. Stay away from cotton because it holds the moisture and will keep you wet. An outer, breathable layer of nylon or Gore-Tex will help protect you against wind and precipitation, while still letting out heat and moisture to prevent overheating and chilling. If it's really cold out, you'll need a middle layer, such as polar fleece, for added insulation.

Don't Forget Your Head - About 40% of your body heat is lost through your head. Wearing a hat will help prevent heat loss, so your circulatory system will have more heat to distribute to the rest of the body. When it's really cold, wear a face mask or a scarf over your mouth to warm the air you breathe and protect your face.

Get Some Shades The glare from snow can cause snow blindness, so wear sunglasses (polarized lenses are best) to avoid this problem.

Exercising outside in the winter actually helps you burn more calories, because your immune system is working extra hard to keep your body warm while maintaining an elevated heart rate consistent with cardiovascular activity.

I AM a runner

Hello! My name is Maggie, and I am a runner. Some days a slow below average runner, some days a faster above average runner. I haven't always been a runner. When I was in high school - which feels like eons ago - I was in track, a sprinter. I couldn't run 2 miles to save my life. I stopped running a year or so after high school. After getting married and just gaining that middle age weight, I thought, "I should run again." So I did. I started in the neighborhood, just doing a half mile here and there. Then that turned into a mile, then two, and so on. Last year I ran my first Marathon, after getting back into running 3 years ago. I love it! I get crabby when I can't run for more than a few days in a row.

Imagine how I feel now. I have been out of the running world for 6 months now, with a bad disc in my neck stemming from a long ago childhood accident. I recently had a Anterior Cervical Discectomy and fusion and hopefully after my next check up I will be able to start running again! Counting down the days till then - should be only another 12 days! YAY!! Wish me luck! I have been able to get back to the gym recently with the doctors permission - using only a treadmill and an elliptical. No running, walking outside with the Wisconsin winters, no walking the dogs, no weights, no bouncing, sit ups, push ups..... It's been hard to handle with the way I used to be. Teaching Cardio Kick Boxing 2 nights a week, running at least 5 nights a week. Soon! My husband, Keith, was nice enough to hang a heavy bag in the basement for when I can do use that again. I won't go back to the teaching, but will enjoy the extra cardio exercise and stress reliever of having that down there!

I have planned a good year of running road races and training for the Whistlestop Marathon in October again. Hoping for a better time this coming year. If I use the month of January to get back into the swing of things, into the 1-2 mile runs, then the training from the very beginning will start on February 1st. I like to us the Cool Running Guides to help me train.

I love to run on the Wiowash Trail in Oshkosh here once in awhile. A great place to train for the marathon I am going to run again, as the trails are similar.

Please take a look at some of the neat little gadget's I have on the right, to help you be a better stronger runner. Check back once in awhile. I will post information that I find helpful to me, and hopefully to you. Thanks for taking a look!

Dr. George Sheehan, a running expert, is quoted to have said "the difference between a jogger and a runner is an entry blank"