The Power Running Shorts

I'm sure you've all heard of the power suit.  It's what you wear to the interview when you really want the job, it's what you wear to a meeting when you want to make a sale.  It's what you wear when you want to impress that special someone at a "business lunch" (even if it means that everyone else at your office wonders why the heck you're wearing a fancy suit on casual Friday).  The power suit is what you wear when you need to feel confident, capable, and darn good looking.  

Well, I recommend getting a "power suit" for when you run.  Hear me out: running is great because all you have to do is throw on an old t-shirt and a pair of shorts and you're good to go, no need for all this fancy extra stuff.  But once you start to really get into it, once your runs extend beyond 20, 30 minutes, once you start feeling the urge to get up at 5am and make it running for the 7th time that week (ok maybe I'm pushing it), it's important not only to wear clothes that fit and are comfortable, but also to start treating yourself.  It's important to find something that you look good in and you KNOW you look good in it.  You need that outfit that when you put it on, it's go time.  You put it on and you know that you are able to go as far as you need to go.   I might just happen to have a few of those outfits...but right now I'm very focused on my new running skirt.  It's black with some red in it and I have a matching red top (all courtesy of Nike and my mom!) and I wore it for the first time today.  It does have the little spandex shorts built in, so I actually might save it for shorter runs (I'll report on today's run in a minute) because it gets kind of hot.  But running around in this little skirt just made me feel ultra-feminine but ultra-tough because I layered on the fuel belt, and after about an hour, I had sweated clear through everything.

You know you look tough when you're drenched in sweat.  Even if you are wearing a running skirt that matches your sneakers.

So I'm sure you're all curious about my run today, because you want to know: was it easier since she took time off??  Is she really plateau-ing?  Did she hurt herself beyond repair with those silly yoga classes?  I know, the suspense is killing you!!!  It's like a weird soap opera.  Anyway, I was curious too and eager to set off this morning.  I got up by 7:30 and was out the door within the hour.  I knew that I had to start early because it has been HOT in DC for the past few days and today turned out to be no different.  I know that I have to just work through the heat because it's certainly not going away for a while.  So I started off, and I started a little slow, a little out of tune.  You know, running is a lot like going on a road trip - you have to pee before you leave, you have to pack your water and your snacks (delicious GU!), and you have to make sure you bring the right tunes.  So maybe you start off a little bit clunky, but it evens out as you warm up.  I did, in fact, even out and apparently my body likes running as much as my mind does, because there were times when I couldn't even control my legs - they were just taking off without me and I had to force myself to go slower because I knew it was going to be a long run.  I ended up going 18 miles and I even conquered my inability to take walk breaks. I walked a little bit after mile 13 but in general I ran most of it.  Then I walked 3 miles to get home - so technically today I did 21 miles.  I was thinking about this as I was walking home and almost convinced myself to crank out an extra 5 and just go the distance but reminded myself that this would be a very bad idea.  It was pretty hot out today, which is good.  What's nice about running when it's so hot out is that you don't realize how sweaty and gross you are (because it's cooling you off, you welcome it), it's so warm that your muscles are all stretchy and nice, and the only real challenge is staying hydrated.  You don't even really think about how far you've gone, you just wonder when you're going to find some shade again.  

But consider this!  There is such a thing as OVERHYDRATION.  Also known as water poisoning or "hyponatremia," it occurs when athletes drink too much water and throw their sodium levels out of whack.  That's why it's important to drink sports drinks when you're doing more than 60 mintues of exercise, ESPECIALLY when it's super hot outside.  This is also where the delicious GU also comes in handy (I had two packs today, and let me tell you....it was the most gourmet, delicious, and satisfying treat I'd ever had).  Overhydration is actually a serious issue, especially because of all the focus today on avoiding dehydration.  Overhydration can cause the brain to swell - it can be fatal.  It's amazing to think of all these crazy things that we could do to our bodies and yet they still hold out on us.  

Another extra note on music and why it is helpful: when you're trying to get in a long workout (like 3 hours), it can be a very daunting task to tell yourself: I'm halfway done, only an hour and a half left.  When you're really getting to the end, and you only have about 2 or 3 miles done, you can easily talk yourself into ending the workout right then and there.  That's when I start telling myself: 3 more songs.  6 more songs.  I focus hard on those next two or three songs.  This is also why you need to have put in some serious thought on your workout playlist - you need to have songs in there that you LOVE - you know, those songs that no matter where you are, in your car, on the street, in the office, "in da club," you turn it up.  You wiggle your butt.  You sing along, either out loud or in your head.  Put those songs in your playlist right now and leave them there forever.  When you feel like you can't go any further, put those on.  After all, you can't walk to a butt wiggle song - you have to run.  Tell yourself you'll run till the end of this song.  Then find another one.  Tell yourself only one more, only one more.  One song is nothing.  I bet you'll want to listen to it again.

SARAH'S UNPAID ENDORSEMENT: The Nike Shoe Wallet (can be purchased at nike.com)

I was very skeptical when my mom sent me the Nike shoe wallet, which by the way, retails at a mere $8.  I'm terrified of losing my keys and having to retrace all of my steps during a long run.  But not much is more uncomfortable than sticking your keys in your sports bra, so after listening to me whine about that for a while, my mom stuck a shoe wallet in a package that she sent me.  It clips down into your laces, but I was still scared that it would fall off.   After all, I don't power walk.  I don't jog.  I RUN.  But I decided to give it a shot.  I'm actually very impressed by it - it stays put, even when I sprint (but I didn't really like how my keys kind of hit against my foot while I sprinted).  During long runs, when I'm not sprinting, I forget that it's there.  However, it does not fall off, it does not come loose, it does not let your keys slip out.  And it's super stretchy, so if you want, you can stick in an ID or a credit card.  So, I fully support Nike's shoe wallet and recommend it to all (Nike retailers everywhere breathe a sigh of relief that I will continue to spend disproportionate amounts of money on their products).  However, don't forget...your fuel belt does come fully equipped with zipped pockets...perfect for keys, credit cards...and delicious, easy to access GU.