
I don’t speak Spanish, I am afraid of mice, BUT I might be related to Speedy Gonzales. I wish…
Last May I started training for the Edmonton Intact Marathon in August 2011. I completed that goal with less than stellar results, but I COMPLETED it. I started training for the Calgary Scotia Bank Marathon May 27th, 2012 because I have something to build on. My pace last May was roughly 14min/km. ZOINKS! Today was my 2 week of training. I started at 10min/km which thrilled me. I could look at how far I have come. Today it was 8.66min/km. Unreal, that isn’t even running. I thought I had slowed my pace because I wasn’t even puffing.
How did I do this? Well I shall tell you me secret….
I bought running swag
Shocking, I know! It has nothing to do with being hydrated, or eating right or getting enough sleep because I am doing NONE of that! In fact, that makes me laugh! HA! <——– see? Well, maybe I am unconsciously and maybe it has become habit now. Maybe now I realize food is fuel not therapy, but I am not paying much attention to that. I owe all my success to Running Swag.
Let me tell you how it came about so YOU can have success too!
- First of all, I
runwalk on an indoor track. 9 laps=1km no I don’t get dizzy but I do go into a hypnotic trance. I has spending all my time and energy counting stupid laps. Today I bought a Tally Counter. It isn’t as awesome as it sounds because it is ginormous. But it works and that is enough for me! I tested it out on 3km today. I forgot to click it twice and remembered when I got to the window rather than the start/finish line of the oval. That’s okay, it’s not like it was for a timed lap or anything, it is just keeping track of how many times I pass around. - Did you know that running socks are special? I didn’t either until I started with this shenanigans. They are designed to reduce wick moisture away to prevent blisters. As well as other stuff that i don’t care about. I don’t want blisters OR burning feet…. that isn’t fun because that is ALL you can think about. Well, I had these fabulous CoolMax socks from the RunningRoom. There was a Left sock and a Right sock – I kid you not. Who knew? The why of it has something to do with the arch support padding yadadadad… I wasn’t listening when they told me. I just didn’t want blisters. Those socks from last year (all 3 pairs) now are only good for pedicures (yes there are holes in the toes). So I pulled out the socks I got in my swag bag from the marathon. I
rancrawled for Kids Sport and these were a thank you from that organization. Well, let me tell you something. THESE SOCKS KICK ASPHAULT! I need to find more and pronto! So I lied, I can speak un poco de español. Yes there is a Left and a Right but this is to show off the ugliness of the Black, Yellow and White to it’s full potential…. I know, I know…you are jealous, I can tell. - I don’t wear shorts….you’re welcome. But walking in jeans is just not okay. I was working out in my yoga pants but those just weren’t cutting it. I was in Winners one day noticing I could shop in regular ladies wear – I KNOW! YAY ME! I found a pair of Nike DriFit pants that fit. Again… I KNOW! I TOO AM EXCITED! I now am thinking about getting capris of the Dri-Fit nature and wearing girl shirts. My tech shirts are mens and it just doesn’t fit right in the girl area…. I am sure once I get these items I will be moving EVEN FASTER!
- The other bit of swag I now use is a glass water bottle. Yes it is heavy, but at the track I don’t have to carry it. I hate the taste of plastic water and I am eco concious…or try to be. I am trying to make my body use to the fact that I can go at least 3km without water. THEN drink. Why? I don’t want to carry a a water belt for the race. We shall see. I have heard horror stories about water stations running out of water…that’s not good. OR worse – cups. I will think about it. Calgary is rated one of the top 12 races in North America (of course when you are in the top 12, you are likely 12th).
- I have a broken window on my iphone. The screen isn’t cracked but there is a largish piece missing out of the top right hand corner. I use it to listen to music which makes me fast! In the olden days (last year) I used the girl cleavage to hold the phone…if youve got ’em use ’em! The
sweatmoisture will kill the phone, so I bought an armband. I am SURE this is the reason for my fastness.
There is my swag list that promises lightening speed! Here is my want list so I can break some course records.
- I currently have super ugly hot pink and black Nike air. I love them. Sadly they are over loved and only have a few more miles left on them. I am happy to announce this years style is not hot pink! it is purple…hmmm not much better, but it is better. I know for a FACT new shoes help me walk faster. It is like having springs on your feet.
- I want a Nike+ Fuelband…. I don’t really know all the stuff it does but it is a gadget and I am all about gadgets! Besides, it might make me FASTER!
- iPhone 4GS I have a 3G no S There are NO LONGER RUNNING APPS THAT WORK with this old phone. I have do things the old fashion way…look at the clock.
- A headband.
HA! <————– see I laughed again. There is no way I would wear a head band. Although at camp I often sported a bandana on my head due to bed-head and bad hair. However, now that I have flair and panache HA! <————- again I laugh… I think I should sport an Axl Rose-esq head band – NOT Mike Reno type if you are wondering.
I am pretty sure these items will make me SUPER FAST. Yes it will…quit arguing with me.
Related articles
- Protect Your Feet From Blisters (everydayhealth.com)
- Would You Wear These Pedicure Socks? (bellasugar.com)
I agree fully with you. Gear makes you feel good. Feeling good makes you confidant. Being confidant makes your mind believe you can do anything. And if your mind believes it- it’s in the bag! X
you mean in the shopping bag 😉 ha!
it is good to buy yourself stuff, keeps you motivated! you deserve it
I think I can get away with 20 weeks.. hopefully haha
cheers
20 weeks and under 17 hours! Easy Peasy lol. I am very interested in reading your training blogs! I am on target for 2 halfs and feel like that is super human. I can’t even fathom an ironman…yet 😉 I would have the swimming down. I use to cycleand it is apparently like rifing a bike! It is the marathon part that worries me. My tip for you – buy LOTS OF SWAG! 😀
Tara likes to wear a bandanna sometimes, and I call her a gangster. We have that special sort of relationship, can you tell?
Also, I’m with you on the whole plastic water bottle thing. I hate drinking water out of anything plastic, so I applaud your ecosensibilities! If that’s not a word, it should be.
I like her already!! And you are a writer, therefore it is within your jurisdiction to claim its a word!
WooHoo for your times going down! I’m sure the running bling helps 🙂 I just saw vegan red velvet brownies on my blog reader… never thought brownies & healthy could be uttered in the same breath!
I have totally been thinking about getting some running swag myself. Heart rate monitors are a bit expensive though… I like your gear ET, I’ve never considered the awesomeness of anti-blister running socks!
You are inspiring me to get out running more often, I have a couple of friends who use the Nike run app on their iPhones. It looks pretty interesting.
Way to go Oracle! This is where I get my inspiration from http://backofthepacker.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/reflections-with-captain-morgan/ This guy runs a marathon a month and trains on chocolate and Captain Morgan… my kind of runner 😉