I recently saw a perfect ad by Saucony for runners. It said, and I quote,
"We know:
Not all addictions require treatment.
Because we run."
It had a trifold of pictures: a pile of running shoes, a runner's legs caked in mud and the street lit at the crack of dawn with someone running. I think this ad sums up the addicted runner. The person, who if he hasn't run feels guilty about it. The person who schedules everything else around his runs. The person who needs new shoes every few months because he has worn out his current pair. The person who gets up at the crack of dawn to run 20 miles.
My addiction started with the shoes. I can blame it on that year I worked at Pro:Sport and sold running shoes and gear to Israel's population if runners. The whole science of the matter intrigued me, when it comes to the biomechanics of running, you have my attention. Now that I think about it, I can attribute my running to my 12th grade gym teacher. That and the fact that we had a track at my high school. If I hadn't lived so far away and liked my sleep, I would have joined the track team that year. Who knows where I'd be now... A former college track runner? Have a few marathons checked off? Probably not. I'd still be where I am today, training for the Jerusalem Half Marathon and NYC Marathon. I can tell you that I'd most definitely have a bigger pile of shoes at my back door... Now, you may ask, why so many shoes?? What do you do with all the old ones? Depending on the amount of miles put into a pair of running shoes, the average runner needs to replace their shoes every 3-4 months. I definitely can tell when I need to get a new pair, my knees start to hurt, my back gets stiff and they just aren't as comfortable anymore. The shock absorbers wear out. I have not kept all the shoes that I've ever worn. At the store we had a box of used running shoes that we donated to a mental hospital down in Beer Sheva. The sign on the box said "Shoes for Africa" because the owners saw that the public was more inclined to donate to the poor and needy of Africa than the needy in its own Country... I do believe that I donated a few pairs to the south. Others I gave to friends who thought I was crazy not to be using the shoes anymore. The rest I keep for rainy days or cross training. Like today's pair. After the shoes came the gear. I think I have more dri-fit sweat-wicking clothing than regular street clothes. Now that I wear workout clothing to work, its a bit justified. I am trying to balance out my wardrobe, but not having much success in that department, clothing styles today are atrocious, in Israel at least. After the shirts, came the socks and then Nike came out with its Nike+ Ipod line of running accessories. That's where they bought me, or more to the point, I bought them. I decided I needed an Ipod nano so that I can have the chip that goes in the shoe and sends all my running info straight to the Ipod that then loads to the computer and I can track all my runs; the time, the distance, at what point I slowed down or picked up the pace. I can also choose a song that can be my boost in the middle of the run and when I slow down the Ipod will automatically play it for me. Of course with the chip came the necessity for the Nike+ Running Shoe. I had 2 pairs... The first was the Nike+ Air Structure Triax, which were amazing and used to death. They were not donated since they literally fell apart, I didn't think it was nice. The 2nd pair was the Nike+ Air Zoom Vomero. These were even better then the Triax. There was something in the sole that made you just want to take another step or stride. When it was time to move on, I moved on to Brooks. I swear by them but they are missing that slot in the sole to put the Ipod chip into. I have been running for some time without the chip and it hasn't really bothered me. Now that each run I do outside really needs to count I need someway of tracking my outings other than checking on a map and approximating the distance. So, I bought the latest Nike+ Vomeros today. I will wear them for my outdoor runs and the Brooks I will wear at the gym when I do my speed work. I do not believe that there is a problem with the amount of running shoes that I own. Instead of buying boots or fancy shoes or just regular every day sneakers, I buy running shoes. At least I get the full use out of them before I move on to the next pair...
Now its time to fill you in on the last 3 runs that I did. Friday's run was a fast paced 10k that almost made me puke but it could be because I was up since 530 that morning to be at work on time. Shabbat was restful and really enjoyable and much needed. I got some studying done but most importantly go to hang with some really quality people and didn't even have to change out of my pajamas all day! Sunday was my long run. I am a little embarrassed to say that it was done on the treadmill but I did 13km in 90 minutes. It wasn't easy but it started out slow paced and each couple of kilometers I picked up the speed a bit. I realized that instead of being energized after my runs I was really wiped so I implemented pasta into my diet, whole wheat not to worry and I really feel the difference. Yesterday was strength training and a 3.5 km run at a decent pace. I decided to do the weights before the run and it really helped reduce the usual aches I feel the day after intense leg work. Today is my day off from running but I will be doing 105 minues on the bike...
I don't want to brag, but I think I'm going to be a great acupuncturist. I would like to specialize in sports rehabilitation and last night I tried the needles out on myself. I have been suffering from a really nagging discomfort/pain in my left hip/quadricep. I know which meridian the exact discomfort is on and all the muscles distal to the hip have been really tight. So last night, when I got to my friends' apartment I decided it couldn't wait any longer, I was going to treat my leg. I pulled out my needles as Chevi pulled out her camera and I stuck one needle in above my knee and one below my knee, each point has a specific meaning and instantly the pain/discomfort went away. I kept the needles in for a 1/2 hour and I felt the muscles just loosening up, it was amazing. This morning I woke up with some of the pain still in my left shin. When the gym emptied out I stuck 2 more needles in the same points as last night and the pain, again, instantly disappeared. I will probably do it again later tonight, hopefully it will be the end of my nagging hip...
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