Month: November 2018 Page 3 of 5

Bodily eliminations and running

On November 9, 2018

When you gotta go, you gotta go!

This topic can be a bit sensitive depending on how you handle it. When you’re a long distance runner, sometimes you need to relieve yourself along the way. When you’re far away from others in the fields or woods, you have some flexibility, but if you’re in town, you need to be a bit more strategic. Men also have a little more flexibility than women here at least for the urination side of elimination. I should state that I’ve known some females that can pee faster than men. 🙂

When I travel to regions out of my norm, I will try to map out routes and alternatives for the next morning. If the area is urban/sub-urban I make a note of where the public restrooms are located should the need arise.

I’m primarily addressing the need to urinate during a run. However, there have been just a few times where the bowels have launched a full-scale attack mid-run. Gas station bathrooms are far from my favorite places, but when your bowels are screaming, they look like a beautiful thing. It’s amazing how low your clean-freak standards drop when your options for relief are extremely limited.

I saw this article last year which adds some additional perspective on this topic.

Most places have decency standards and think about how you’d feel if someone was relieving themselves in your front yard. Plan ahead, have a backup plan, be courteous and civil, then enjoy your run!

Food and Drink on the Run

By Jerry Schotz

On November 8, 2018

In Blog

I carry a 20oz water bottle on my running belt (similar model) for hydration. I rarely need it during the cooler parts of the year, but I always carry it. As I mentioned in a different post, I use water to curb hunger pangs if they occur on a 10-mile run or less. During the hot summer months, I can easily drink most of it during my normal 8-9 mile runs.

Why water? When I first was able to actually run more than 2 miles, I read about electrolytes, sugars, and other nutrient deficits that can occur while running so I tried a few “sport” drinks in my bottle.

First, they really didn’t seem to help revitalize or refresh while running.
Next, the bottle can get sticky and can leave stains (on everything).
And the waste was glaringly evident. If you don’t drink it all, how long would you leave it in the bottle? Is it still consumable after being in high summer temps mixed with your sweaty lips and saliva? Eww…

Anyway, I found that sticking with water not only provided the refreshment needed, but it was also easier to deal with. Plus, on those long runs, it’s easier to find replacement water from a park or gas station than dealing with the time and hassle of money to buy something.

What about food?

Most of the time I don’t need it, but on those crazy days when I’m going for a run greater than 10 miles, I put some Medjool dates in a cheap baggie and drop them in my pocket.

About the 7 mile mark, I’ll eat a date with a drink of water, then repeat every other mile. I have found this is sufficient nutrition to maintain a run without feeling poorly during or after. My longest run at this point is a little over 15 miles, and this worked well.

I have tried other foods as well – energy bars, granola bars, nuts, etc. However, for me, those are harder to consume while running. It is very easy to choke on anything that can break apart when you’re chewing because you’re also breathing more while in motion. The dates are softer, chewy, can easily sit under your tongue while getting an extra breath, and are packed with natural goodness.

Listen while you run, however…

By Jerry Schotz

On November 7, 2018

In Blog

The majority of the time I listen to business and educational podcasts while I run, some days I run in the silence of the outdoors.

Whatever you decide, always be sure you can stay in touch with the world around you. You should be able to hear the cars coming behind you or in front of you by at least a half-mile in fast-moving traffic.

For space savings and weather resilience, I use an iPod Shuffle with over the earbuds. The Shuffle is a simplistic audio player with no moving parts beyond the power, selection, and volume buttons. It has stayed in my pocket in some very wet and cold conditions without any damage. I doubt Apple would say it is waterproof, but it has dealt well so far.

If running in windy conditions pay attention to how much impact the wind noise is having on your audio clarity. Similarly when running in snow or ice where each step can increase the noise level.

Dealing with critters where you run

By Jerry Schotz

On November 6, 2018

In Blog

I really do like dogs, just not the ones chasing me down the road, blocking my path, or of course, biting. Sadly, I’ve been bitten twice by pets that “don’t bite” according to their owners. I no longer trust the word of the owner as they shout out “he doesn’t bite!” above the bark and growl of the rapidly approaching dog.

We do have the freedom to be in a public place without fear of harm from a residential animal, so I do carry and have used, non-toxic pepper spray numerous times. When I am in a rural setting, I also carry a BB Gun. It doesn’t have enough power to do permanent damage, but it would sting enough to get a dogs attention and hopefully slow it down.

Windy days create problems for pepper spray use as it could end up with more in your face than in the approaching animal, the BB gun provides a greater range and resilience against the wind.

Other creatures I have seen on country runs include Coyotes, cats, skunks, opossum, fox, and deer, plus a horse and a cow out of their fenced area. I have heard there are some bobcats in the areas I run, but I haven’t seen any. Here again, the BB gun may provide some additional leverage and time for sprinting away.

If there is an Animal Control Department where you run, be sure to reach out to them if you have been chased/attacked or to report repeat offenders who let their animals roam free. One county I run in regularly does not have such a department, but I have emailed the Sherriff’s office to address some particularly aggressive animals, and it has resolved some issues.

I also have a knife and a cell phone with me at all times.

My non-running exercise

By Jerry Schotz

On November 6, 2018

In Blog

As a runner, it sometimes seems easier just to run and not consider the rest of your muscles, but you need to strengthen other parts of your body to avoid injury and mobility/flexibility issues.

My morning routine includes stretching from top to bottom. This includes arms, back, and legs. If you’re looking for a great instructor on body mobility, I suggest you check out Jessica Valant Pilates, she is a great teacher that has a lot of freely available resources to get you started, plus, her subscription programs are reasonably priced.

Post stretching, I do 30-40 push-ups along with a few additional mat workouts. I follow the mat work with 100-120 situps on a bench (if available) or the mat.

IMAG0774

Other exercise outside of the morning routine includes walking, when time and the weather are cooperative, and light resistance training on my home gym.