Always time for lubrication

Life is full of nevers.  I'll never run unless chased by something I can't beat down.  Then, okay I'll run but I'll never run a distance where I have to carry water that's crazy.  Lubrication while running?  I'll never need that!  I could go on.  Once you become a parent dignity goes right our the window.

Why does this come up?

As I get older (another day closer to 40) I find more and more things are no longer black and white.  If I hadn't already given in on the frst one I wouldn't be writing this.  If you've read the other posts where I review my Camelbak you'll know I gave up on that one when I started running 10 + miles at a time.  So now we're onto lubrication.  It's not something I hear talked about much on podcasts or in magazines.  Although I will give a shout out to Running with Pack podcast.  Alan and Stevie had a guest on who threw out more info than I think even they were expecting on the subject.

Lubrication huh! What is it good for?

I haven't really run longer than 8 miles at a time sine the Little Rock Half Marathon March 6th.  I've had a hard time with my longer runs because I'm bored with my route.  I found a way to add 4.4 miles of new territory and am excited about Saturday's long run.  That brings me around to the lubricant.  An 8-10 mile run like I'm planning will require lubricant or I'll experience chafing.  This is something you learn from experience.  Harsh, harsh experience.

The office pointed out that bloody nipples are an actual problem for men but there's also the chafing issue.  Even when you were comfy clothes, compression shorts or whatever there are still places that rub.

   Do you need lubrication for a 5k probably not.  10k doubt it.  Half marathon or more I would say almost defininitely.  As Orlando Jones pointed out in the movie Evolution, there's always time for lubrication. It is the endurance athlete's dirty secret.  That thing that's just done and not talked about.  If you are experiencing issues chafing don't get discouraged.

Here are some alternatives to using a lubricant.  Your moment of Zen?

Yes, the first dude is wearing manpasties.

So the next never is I'll never wear tights to run...
                              

Asscrack of dawn

Up this morning at the asscrack of dawn.  I'm not talking about a stripper.  I'm talking about the sucky time before the sun rises.  I decided in my warped logic to run a 5k this morning.

Why:
1. Lovely wife is gone to medical coding class and child is asleep so I'm solo anyway.
2. It's the day before my birthday (warped logic).
3. It's for a program that helps fund PE4Life in school.
4. Its international week in the Premier League no games this morning.
5. Why not?

I've got to leave and go do this now I'll finish this when I get back.

I'm back.  It is 44 degrees and rainy.  I made all the rookie mistakes.  I got there 15 minutes before the start.  I didn't do a good job stretching.  I had to make a last minute port a potty stop.  I started too fast.

I'm pretty sure that wearing the Vibrams Sunday and the Wednesday before the race trashed my calves.  They were sooooo tired at the very begining of the race I can't think of any other reason why that would happen.

No PR for me.  (UPDATE: around 3:30 off my 5k PR) Oh well there are always more 5ks usually 3 or 4 a day this time of year.

Anyway, it was for a good cause, I didn't walk it and the t-shirt is kinda cool.

In case you're curious the PE4Life program is designed to encourage lifelong fitness and combat childhood obesity by teaching kids about sports, fitness and nutrition.