It Ain't Just The Shoes

How many times do you see this statement “running is the simplest sport, all it takes is a good pair of running shoes”?  In today’s world, anyone that runs knows that is far from the truth.  Don’t get me wrong, a good pair of running shoes is supremely important and can make or break a runner, but running is not an inexpensive sport.  Sure, if you never run an organized race and if you live in a moderate climate and have a great running physique you can get away on the cheaper end of things but for most of us …

Currently Two Pairs of Brooks Ghost 5s in Rotation

For grins, let’s start with running shoes.  Some people are blessed with good mechanics and can run in just about anything.  It seems, however, the majority of us are really persnickety about what shoes work for us.  For instance, I started running in an Asics stability shoe.  What did I know?  Stability sounded like a good thing.  Yet, for someone with a very high arch and a rigid foot (who knew?) that was probably the worst choice I could make.  Luckily, I bought those first shoes on sale and was only out about $60 for the shoes.  But, I was out about $200 for the orthopedic exam and x-rays and out a whole season of running from the stress fractures and other problems that I’m sure were exacerbated by the shoes.  After hours of research, I settled on Mizuno Precision 13s (a less constructed shoe) and a pair of Brooks Ghost 5’s (more constructed).  Both pairs are neutral shoes and were approximately $100 each.  I love both shoes.  I’ve had no recurrences of injury and my legs and feet feel great.  As I’m approaching 300 miles on both pairs of shoes, I just purchased another 2 pairs, another $200.  You can start to see where this is going….

Let’s start moving up from the shoes.  What do you wear with your running shoes?  Some people go barefoot but I find that my feet get way too sweaty and I end up with blisters, chafing and all sorts of other problems.  Socks.  Oh no, not just any socks.  Socks with seams and/or inside threads rub and cause all sorts of problems.  Running socks, however, are seamless and usually EXPENSIVE.  I love Thorlos and Wrightsox but they are $15/each.  Wow, didn’t see that coming when I thought I might like running.  I can wear Adidas socks that I get 6 pairs for $12 at Coscto, but my toes pop through after about 3 wearings.  Not sure that’s much of a savings.

It gets better (or worse depending on viewpoint.)  Running shorts.  In theory, almost any pair of athletic shorts will work and for short distances they do.  Start putting on miles, though, and shorts become a very critical part of the run.  Shorts have a horrible tendency to twist and/or ride up.  After a few miles, tugging shorts into place is really annoying.  Not only is it annoying, but it can lead to serious chafing. You also will need to ask yourself “do I want loose shorts or compression shorts?”  The former often come with an interior liner so you can opt out of underwear (or at least I do – I know, TMI!! TMI!!) The latter, while very comfortable sometimes just don’t seem right for an older gal.  Neither kind are cheap.   I think I’ve paid as much as $60 for a pair of shorts and believe me running pants can go well over $100.  I love my Brooks shorts and my Moving Comfort compression shorts but cheap they were not.  Sure sales can be found, but usually only XS and XXXL are in the good sale bins, Mediums rarely show up.  If compression shorts show too much, women can opt for running skirts.  These have compression shorts underneath, tend to have pockets on the shorts for gels, etc and look great.  Again, not cheap.

While we are on the subject, Body Glide or its equivalent is also a necessity.  Once you start racking up the mileage on hot summer days, chafing becomes a real issue.  You never know where it might raise its ugly specter – bra line, the crease between your leg and your butt, the neckline of your t-shirt????? I’ve got a chafed spot from my 23 miler a week or so ago that’s more like a gouge! This stuff isn’t cheap either but it is worth the dollars spent.  Well worth it.

Now one of the only places to save money is on tech shirts.  Why is that?  They almost always hand them out at running events/races…..for which you spend a lot of money.  But for us women, the “top” expense is the running bra.  Unless you’re built like an ironing board, this is a supreme necessity.  The girls do NOT stay still on a run.  The least expensive running bra that I’ve found that works for me is $50 ~ one of the Moving

Comfort models.  I always have at least 3 in rotation so that’s another $150.

No Shirt, but a Great Medal

Then there are the “extras”, hats, water belts, hand-held water bottles, GPS watches and/or heart monitors, cooling bandanas, nutrition aids for long runs, lights, reflective materials, etc.   All of which can be expensive.  

It ain’t just the shoes!  But as my husband pointed out, what a perfect sport for women … you get to buy new shoes!!!  What else have you had to purchase for running?

Wine, One Month and Counting!!

I’m an inconsistent blogger but a consistent runner.  Don’t take my lack of blog posts as an indication that I’ve stopped running.  Quite the contrary.  It is now one month to the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and I am ready.  This past Monday, I finished a 23 mile training run and have one more 20 miler to complete before the marathon.  None of it seems impossible anymore, it DID seem impossible just a few short months ago.

It was just a year ago that I started working with a running coach.  And, here it is a year later, and I have run a full year without injury and am about to complete my first marathon.  I no longer use the running coach but she really helped me establish the foundation and understand the power of consistency.  I will be forever grateful for her guidance.

Marathon training really is about the mental work.  Sure the longer distances are hard on the body, but the harder thing (especially for us slower runners) is the hours on the pavement.  It is so easy to pose the question “why the heck am I running for 3, 4 or 5 hours?” and convince yourself to quit.  Through each of these moments, you have to reach deep into yourself and remember the desire to reach the finish line and have a medal put around your neck.  Getting past each of these moments is an accomplishment in itself.  Looking back over my training, I see that I have done the half marathon (or more) distance 7 times since June 30^th, with many of these being WAY over the half marathon distance.  I find it funny that I now think of a 10 mile run as being kind of short.  It was just a short time ago when I would read about someone running 8 miles and feel kind of jealous of their ability to go that far.  

Two weeks ago, I ran in the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon in Carlton, OR.  This was my first “travel to” run and we built a vacation around it.  The premise for the run is to run a half marathon in Yamhill wine country and then taste wine from local vineyards at the after party. 

Amazing Sunrise over Mt. Hood

The run is relatively flat, though as a flat lander from Illinois I found the rolling hills challenging, and goes through some beautiful valley landscape and past lovely vineyards and a monastery.  The highlights of the run were one, the start at Stoller Vineyards and the beautiful sunrise over Mt. Hood and tow, the two older women standing at the end of their rural driveway cheering the runners on.  For some reason, this really tickled and motivated me.  I finished in 2:45, not a PR by any means but not too bad considering the hills, the warm last half and that damn 1 mile of gravel.   The finisher’s medal is a lovely, heavy coaster commemorating the run.  It felt great to have it around my neck.

Part of the race admission goes to receiving a large, red wine tasting glass.  Then after the race, 27 vineyards were gathered to give tastings of their wine.  This region is primarily growing and making Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.  Each vineyard had multiple wines and was more than willing to share multiple pours.   When I signed up for the run, I bought my husband a ticket for the after party.   A little later I thought “he won’t be interested in drinking wine at 9:30 AM on a Sunday” but he quickly got in the spirit.  It was a beautiful, warm morning and the town of Carlton really treated us well.  The after party went on until about 12:30 PM and Tim Wilson from Dennison Cellars was willing to pour until they shut him down.  Dennison’s wine is fabulous and if you’re ever in Oregon Wine Country seek him out.  He doesn’t have a tasting room but his wine is available at Horseradish in Carlton and other restaurants in the area.

While we were in Carlton, we stayed at the Carlton Inn.  We had stayed there last year on another trip and just loved the owner, Karen’s, hospitality.  Karen is a fabulous cook and the rooms are lovely.  We so enjoyed our stay and the other people staying at the Inn.  On Monday morning, all of us runners compared our race experiences over breakfast.  It made me think of golfers after a golf outing reliving every shot!

Now, it is on to the Chicago Marathon.  This will be a totally different, big city experience on my own home turf.  One of the biggest marathon events in the world.  I am excited and nervous but I know that I’m ready.  Bring it on!

What have you been training for and are you ready?