Where have I been?

It’s been a while since I posted.  I’ve been working a lot and then there’s vacation.  The family and I went to Cozumel with friends for some relaxing and scuba diving.  I’ll post pics on that when I get my hands on them.  An anniversary came and passed unnoticed last month while I was on vacation.   As I drove into work yesterday morning and the date hit me I realized I have been running regularly for 2 years now.

Only 2 weeks have passed in the last 108 weeks where I have not run at least 4 days for every 7.  The majority of those weeks I have run 6 days.  Only on the last few months have a cut back to 4 days.

When I began running there were no other goals than to do better and lose a few pounds.  I had no intention of running a 5k much less a marathon.  I have at this point run two 5k’s a Cross Country 5k and a half marathon.  I also have a half marathon planned for October 31^st and my first full marathon in March of 2012. 

My question is why.  Why am I doing this?

I haven’t really gotten faster.  I haven’t really tried.  I can face it, I've never been The Flash.

I’m not getting thinner.  I’ve evened out at 15 pounds lost.  There’s none of that muscle vs fat shit either I’m not building muscle anymore.  Bite me.

Actual vacation picture

Is it the endorphins?  I feel better about myself but never had “the runner’s high.”  I’ve tried.

Boredom?  Nah, I’ve got plenty of other recreations that require no sweat (or compression shorts) whatsoever.

Sense of accomplishment?  Hmmm.  This one may have legs.

Since I started running it was one small goal after another.  First, run/ walk for half an hour a day. The goal was running more every week and walking less until no walking.

Then it was complete a 5k in under 30 min.

Then complete a half marathon in under 2:30.

Then a marathon before I’m 40.

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...