Why Do I Run?

to be the boss of me

to hold back the spread

to watch my Nike+ person make me proud

to accomplish something hard

to listen to great books

relieve stress

to build confidence.

Because I can


I don’t “run” per se--at least not in the high-school/college way, but rather, I walk fast, shuffle, sprint and pant--in that ‘over 40’ way. Still, I get where I am going—eventually.

Life comes at me in a series of realizations. As a child, I realized all things were possible for me. As a young adult, I learned that is not true. As a maturing adult, I started to live around that truth. Now, I’m believing more for myself again, making a concerted effort to beat back my own self-imposed limitations. My shuffle-run is part of that process.

A great runner told me “You don’t have to look good running. In fact, being conscious of that actually impedes the experience.”

Shuffle like an old man. Take deep breaths like you don’t care who is looking at you from the side. Strap down everything that moves too much, and go. Go slow. Go fast. Go without music. Go with music. Be selfish; feed yourself with effort, your personal pacing--and go.

What has happened to me since I joined Nike+ and started to reclaim a few hours in the week with walk/running? I’ve found new friends on-line who have become new friends in person. I’ve become more assertive in areas I wouldn’t even try before. I’ve lost a little weight. (I like chocolate too much for “a lot” of weight.) I sleep better. My mind is clearer. I don’t eat as bad. I’ve gone through several pairs of running shoes. I’ve given some to Soles4Souls. I’ve earned two medals. (Not because I won against anyone—rather because I “showed up.”)

Does it feel great? Not until I am done. Do I find a thousand reasons not to put my shoes on and go? All the time. Everytime. But it doesn’t matter. When I can decide to do something that is hard for me, and actually do it—that is a victory. That is worth celebrating.

But even better than all that, is the spirit of this event. Lose something of yourself, and pass it on to people who need it. Run with me, and feed children who will literally die if someone doesn’t run to them, run for them. Meet a selfish goal for an unselfish end. It’s so simple.

Come, try with me to change the world, or even more difficult, to change yourself.

RACE GEAR - WHAT YOU'LL NEED

If you are not a “Pixie,” some of the stuff you see available for fitness can look uncomfortable at the very least, and borderline obscene at the worst. (There is nothing worse than getting halfway down the block only to find your shorts are bunching up in the middle, exposing your thighs to all the world . . . making you slink back home with a cowboy swagger—of course-that’s never happened to me.)

I’ve spent a lot of time going through fitness clothes. Something that looks good on the rack—un-tired in the dressing room—rarely works for me at home. In the fitness clothes section of the site I included a lot of “moving comfort” apparel. For comfort, their stuff is the best I’ve tried. It’s basic “keep-it-where-it-is” fitness wear. I’m not sure what their mission is, but as a curvy girl, I can tell you that I am comfortable consistently in the clothing they design.

As far as running shoes, I am someone whose foot rolls to the outside when it strikes the ground and I am by no means accomplished in my stride, in fact, when I went to my local fitness store and was matched with a shoe based on a running demonstration I gave by running up and down the sidewalk outside, the owner commented to me, “I’ve never seen anything like that before.” Hmm. Nebulous comment aside, I encourage you to go to a smaller specialized store and get someone who “runs” to recommend a shoe to you. Someone who is qualified to give you the best info will ask you to run in the shoe you try on, and will watch you. Even if you don’t buy the shoes, go online and look for a better deal, it can’t hurt to get a professional to make recommendations for you. (I personally, pay the extra at the store to make sure I am getting the real thing—and—in the off chance that I have to return a pair—which I have—I have options.)

With the Nike+ sport kit, you will get a sensor and a receiver. At the store, salespeople will tell you that you need a Nike shoe to put the sensor in. (The sensor fits nicely under the interior sole in a pre-cut slot) Not all Nike shoes have the slot for the sensor so, not all of us find our ‘ultimate’ shoe in the Nike shoe line. A cottage industry has sprung up as a result, offering ‘shoe-pouches’ for the sensor. My favorite is ‘Shoepouch’. It connects onto your shoe via your laces, and I’ve run in pretty hard rain with no problem.

Keep in mind that these sensors are using battery every time you move your foot. Once the battery dies, you cannot use the sensor-there is no way to replace the battery. You have to get a new sensor and link it with your receiver. I know-weird right? But you need to know this because what the shoe pouch allows you to do is remove the sensor from the back of the pouch (Velcro) so that you can wear your shoes without the sensor in the pouch. To unlace the pouch is a pain, so the Velcro slot is great.

And finally, the “girls” :) For you lucky buxomites, be ready to plunk down some change for something that will tame the “girls.” Again, if there is someone you know who is a good bra fitter-go to them first. If not, moving comfort has some great non-chafing alternatives, (if it gives you a “uni-boob”-generally, you’re safe) (Sorry guys if this is TMI. It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it) :) I also get some BodyGlide Anti-Chafing Stick to prevent chafing where straps and elastic rub against my skin. During my half-marathon, I also used it in between some of my toes. I’m not kidding when I say this-it made a massive difference.

You need proper socks. My favorite SmartWool PhD Running Ultra Light Micro Sock - Women's. Over long walks and runs, these sockd keep your feet cooled. It probably seems like something you think you don’t need now, but believe me, when you are going over 5 miles anywhere, you will become overly aware of every discomfort. On my last race, my worst complaint was that my feet felt like they were on fire eventually. There are other socks in the store too, many of which I personally own and use for shorter distances.

And finally, for me, I already have so much I am cinching up and binding in when I am running-the last thing I want at this point is more to worry about, so I have a trick. I wear loose fitting, easy breathing fitness pants, (Capris) over a tighter short underneath. The fitness shorts I put underneath are turned inside out so the seams don’t irritate my skin. This layered methodology works in everything but warm weather. It’s like wearing a body sock with a moo-moo over it—perfect.

Next blog - how to put on that sports bra, (all by yourself) without getting tangled and mangled in unyielding straps and elastic . . .

:)

How To Win The Sports Bra Battle

There are about a million ways to pull your neck out. Sleep wrong, turn your head too sharply, dance a little too hard . . . a little too long, and of course, the most inglorious way—putting on your sports bra.

There is nothing more curse-inducing-frustrating than having your sports bra roll up like a human sized rubber band, lodging itself right above the “girls,” jammed up into your armpits, just ever-so slightly beyond the contorted attempts of your oh-so-short fingertips to unroll it. The only thing worse is having to summon someone to release you from fat-roll-press-down-flat bosomed tourniquet nightmare. I have literally thrown sports bras in the trash with a disdainful growl over this issue. Most of the time, the problem starts if there is any--and I mean any moisture on my skin--no matter how minute.

I have a homegrown self-administered remedy-and I warn you—this is something that should probably stay here between us! It is not slick or pretty.

You know all those single socks you have? Take one that is longer than an anklet and put about a half-cup of baby powder in it. Close to the opening, either use a hair tie or tie a knot in the sock itself to seal the powder in. You want to leave enough room in the sock for the powder to move freely.

Now, before you attempt to “strap in,” swing the sock over your shoulder and beat yourself up with it-all over your back. (Self-sock flagellation, if you will) then bring the sock around front and powder off all the normal places that the sports bra gets jammed up. This will make it easier to pull those “onsies” down your torso. And if you tell anyone I told you this, I will deny it.

If anyone else has some ideas . . . send ‘em on.

Run With Maggie B. - About The Race

Run, Walk, Forward Roll, Crawl with us on April 25th 2009.

On April 25th, people all over the world (or at least all over the US) are going to join me for a No-k, Best I Can Do-k, 5-k, 10k, Half Marathon run/walk. VIRTUALLY.

Through Nike+, Apple’s iPod Nano, and the internet, we are going to walk and run together—while we are apart. Don’t worry—it is easy. I’ll explain more later.

What is the purpose in doing such a thing?

For kids. All the proceeds will go to World Vision and Ray of Hope Amazon.

Consider it a great way to zap the infamous 5 pound end-of-year weight gain.


ALL THE QUESTIONS

Why—wha??

Why join us? Because you are gonna like it, and because by joining myself and other like-minded anarchists, you will impact people all over God’s Green Earth. Did I mention the prizes?

1. I don’t run, I don’t walk, and I certainly don’t forward roll. . . .so how do I fit in?
I have a special race for you, and you can even take home a prize--it is the No-k event. You can do it in your Lazyboy, your jacuzzi (no photos of that please,) your hammock. . . in other words, you don’t have to move at all. Well, that isn’t exactly true. You do have to write a check or give an on-line donation at ACTinternational.org.

2. How much is this gonna cost me, Becker?
Well, how much are you spending on your best friend this year? On Latte? On Cable . . . . (ok, ok, a little below the belt) Give the kids at least that. We are looking for $50 a person, half of which goes to World Vision, specifically where it is most needed right now, and the other half will go to the Amazon River Children, in Brazil, (who need everything).

However, $50 is only the minimum. You and your proud momma can give more. All proceeds go to the kids.

3. I can’t run even a 1k-and I’m too proud for a No-k, how can I be a part?
You can make a team, and just do the part you can do. Put the iPod Nano and the sensor* on the next person in line to “move,” and finish the race that way. (*The ipod Nano, or most recent ipod Touch—along with a Nike+ sensor and any sensor shoelace pouch is required.)

In other words, you will all share in the race by taking turns walking or running the distance. It doesn’t have to be “linear.” You can pause the ipod and move to the next point, and start it again. It only registers as you walk or run.

Or, you can just go as far as you can go-all by yourself. ('The-best-I-Can-Do-k)

4. But that will make it slow going, won’t it? What about the fabulous prizes? I don’t like to lose!
My sentiments exactly. Here’s the good news about that: the prizes will be given for all the things we quirky slow people value. No speedsters rewarded here. Take a look.


AWARDS

The Most Creative Course: 1 prize for all races (except the No-k)
Hey, what’s to say that you and your friends couldn’t do the 5k (3.1 miles) around the produce department in Whole Foods, or the candle aisle at Target? Just keep moving the sensor along to the next person and make your 5k.

Or maybe you want to do a 5k course that’s themed around the best coffee in your town. Say you start at Starbucks, then drive to Bongo Java and walk around there . . .

It doesn’t have to be 'linear.' You can pause the iPod and move to the next point, and start it again. It only registers as you walk or run, and since this is not a “faster-is-better” event, you can pause all you want!

The Best Race Outfit: 1 prize for all races
This is my favorite. Let’s put it this way: think of it like a costume party where your feet keep moving. Oh my, what ever will you wear on race day?

The Best Race Companion: 1 prize for all races
Show us your dog! Show us your ferret! Show us your prized hamster in a travel bubble!

For those of you who can’t bear to leave home without your non-human friends, bring them along to the race.

Most money Raised: Across all races
Hey--this is the easiest one to win.


SO WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

Since it is coming out of my pocket, and we are trying to give money to places that need it, and not much else, they will be cheap, meaningful and humble.

Your choice of one of the following:

Four prizes*: Each Prize is a $50 itunes gift certificates, and for those four winners who want to be; they will be entered into a salad bowl drawing with each other for:

A “request” concert from me at your house or your church etc. in 2009. I come with my guitar and your favorite songs prepared. You provide the sound if needed. I get there and put myself up at a local hotel.

(*One prize per team, or individual, based on how you do the race, excluding the concert.)


BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

I will direct you to free training sites if you are using this as a ‘get in shape’ event.

We will be posting updates and blogs, and pictures of you as you send them along, and pictures from the results of your labors too.

So what are you waiting for? Visit RunWithMaggieB.com for more information!