You know you're a runner when... - the 'work' edition

... this is what you find in your brief case when cleaning it out.

Okay, so I've been walking around with GU, Arnyca gel, Tylenol, anti-blister patches and salt tabs in my brief case for the last couple of weeks. How I ever got through security all these times I had to go to Court for a hearing, is beyond me...

You know you're a runner when - the 'Wedding' edition

...what immediately springs to mind when looking at this photo is:

Photo courtesy: www.nu.nl

..."That dress would look so much better paired with Newton running shoes. Preferably the pink Newton racing flats."

...That walking down the aisle part goes on and on and on. Run, Kate, Run! Running down the aisle would also make it more fun to watch. At least, in your opinion.

...You're wondering whether or not the dress has built-in briefs.

...You have this 'brilliant' idea of marketing RazzyRoo headbands with a veil attached. Brilliant. Just brilliant.

...When looking at the carriage ride, you find yourself thinking 'isn't the London marathon finish line at that exact same spot?'.

Disclaimer: I don't have the marriage bug. Had it as a little girl, but lost it somewhere along the line. It happens. I'm not bitter, and I don't have a broken heart to blame. I'm just not the girl to sob over a wedding. Sorry. And yes, I AM a girl. Just checked and the obligatory parts are still there.

Three Things Thursday - The 'Please let me have this' post

1. Pre Race madness: I've got the pre race jitters... again. Just 4 more nights. Yikes! Especially since the weather forecast for this marathon isn't any better than the weather forecast for the Paris Marathon on April 10th. Sunny, 24 degrees Celsius / 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and a late 10:30 AM start. Recipe for disaster? It could very well be...but I plan on taking it extremely slow (don't expect any PR finishing times on this one...sigh :(), and plan on using it as a training run for the Swiss Alpine Marathon 78K. Fingers crossed that I get through it without a heat stroke and seeing runners collapse on course like the Paris Marathon scare from the 35K point on...

2. Let me have this, alright?: I really don't want to complain or be mean, but seriously...could my co-workers just stop telling me that I'm insane and a bad employee (they honestly said that) for running two marathon in two weeks, or just running at all? The 'your employer would never agree on you running two marathons in just two weeks time' and 'you had a migraine last monday: that must have been because of all the running you've been doing' comments are just making me feel more frustrated by the minute. What the bleep! A. I don't go around talking about running all day: it's the co-workers that can't seem to stop talking about it. B. That migraine is a side-effect of the prescripted meds I need to take for the kidney problems I was born with. And they know that. But still, they have to complain about it. And by the way: you all had the flue, laryngitis, hang-overs, etcetera in the last couple of monts and took sick days because of that: I didn't! C. Am I telling them to stop smoking / stop eating greasy food / start exercising? No, I'm not. So, zip it!

Okay...I'll stop complaining, now...it's just that I feel so...well, frustrated about it...

3. Support your fellow runners!: Katye from Long Legs on the Loose ran the Boston Marathon last Monday. And managed to get a torn calf at mile 11. Ouch! Remember my little NYC Marathon 2010 adventure? Does 'torn calf at mile 8' ring a bell? I know in how much pain she is now and how frustrated she must feel, so, please, go over to her blog and tell her that she's a total rock star and that you're sending healing vibes her way! :)

You know you're a runner when - the 'Groceries' post

This is what your shopping basket looks like on your weekend trip to the grocery store. (And yes, my fridge was already stuffed with veggies...noodles aren't the only thing I eat...duh...). How did the nice lady at check out respond? Well... 'Isn't the first nice and crispy day of spring the best day to restock your pantry for summer?'. Uhm...I just nodded and didn't correct her. I think she would be shocked to hear that this is a two weeks supply of taper time food (noodles for dinner!). Carb loading, baby! :)

You know you're a runner when - the Travel edition

1. ...You're trying to convince yourself that you really need to take trail running shoes (x 2), long distance running shoes (x1), tempo run running shoes (x1) and nasty weather (Goretex) running shoes (x1) for a 2 week vacation.

2. ...This also means that you're trying to convince yourself that those trail running shoes could double as 'going out' shoes. Plus, you won't have room for 'normal' shoes anyway.

3. ...There isn't a single piece of cotton in your travel bag. All technical gear...

4. ...You've downloaded Meb's 'Run to Overcome' on your e-reader, to read in the car.

5. ...You've already mapped out the routes for your long runs on mapmyrun.com. And you now know the exact distance from the place you're staying at to the other side of town. The exact exact distance.

6. ...There's an impressive amount of Tylenol, Arnica gel and Biofreeze in your travel bag. Enough to help a small African town out for an entire year. It's better to be prepared, right?

7. ...As we speak, you're trying to figure out ways to stuff another pair of running shoes in your travel bag...

8. ...You've researched the possible WiFi spots in town to update DailyMile. Plus, you're seriously obsessing over this.

9. ...When you told your co-workers that you would be back in a couple of weeks, they instantly reacted saying 'Oh, you're going to Switzerland to run?'. Because that's the first thing that springs to mind when you think about going to Switzerland for a vacation...in the winter time.

10. ...You've already been stalking local sport shops to find out whether or not they carry the Salomon Speedcross Trail running shoes. There's nothing wrong with just trying them on, right? ;)

Manic Monday - Runners must sound like total nutcases to non-runners...

Cycling: 30 minutes

It's been crazy busy at work these last couple of weeks, and I'm still freaking out over the pile of case files on my desk. So, I don't have time to write a meaningful post (as if I ever write meaningful posts, but let's not go there ;)), and will just post a video. Personally I think this is hilarious. Do I really sound like this when I'm training for a marathon? Probably... I'd like to apologize to all the non-runners out there. But I won't stop babbling about running. Just so you know! ;)

So, when is the next Runners Anonymous meeting?

I've been wondering. Are there actually Runners Anonymous meetings? And if so, what would a RA (I'm already using the slang...Ha!) meeting be like? Here's my - twisted mind's - take on it.

-Hi, I'm Christel (*Hi Christel*) and I'm a Running Addict.

- Well, Christel, let's find out if it's really as bad as I think it is, and see what we can do about it.

- Well, let's do that... 3 - 2 - 1 - GO!

- Okay, no need to make fun of it, let's see if we can find out whether or not this running thing actually qualifies as an addiction.

- Alrighty...but, just for the record; this is NOT a running group? *disappointed*

- *ignores this* How often do you run? More or less than 3 times a week?

- 3 times a week? Ha! You're kidding, right? I wouldn't even do that in a taper week!

- Alright...more than 3 it is. How many hours a day do you spend thinking about something running related?

- Uhm...I don't know exactly, but mainly - a lot!

- Check. Pairs of running shoes?

- 6 and counting.

- Upcoming races planned?

- A lot lot...and races are planned 1 year ahead at the moment.

- Really? Do you feel like your running friends understand you in a way that makes you feel not crazy?

- Yep, non-runners either get bored with me or stop me in the middle of a race recap. Annoying when that happens. So annoying...I mean...hello! You need to recap it mile by mile don't you? Like at the Swiss Alpine Marathon, I....

- ....OK; final question. Do you get cranky when you're not able to get out there for a run?

- Uhm...yeah! Ofcourse I do!

- Well, the bad news is...you're addicted. The good news is, we can do something about it. You just need to stop running now...this very moment!

- What? Are you insane? Heck, no!!!!! I think this meeting is stupid! You should turn it into an actual running group!

Would you consider yourself a running addict?

Freaky Friday - You know you're a runner when...

... you're wearing compression socks to the office today. After all, it IS casual friday. And you are wearing them underneath your jeans. Plus you didn't have to think twice about putting them on this morning when getting dressed.

... you're also wearing MBT shoes to the office today. Yep, MBT shoes. That's right, the fugly ones. Why? Your knee and lower legs are in pain from the high mileage in the last weeks of marathon training, and your PT promised you that these shoes would help. Paired with some flared jeans you barely notice that these babies aren't regular sneakers. At least, that's what you think. Ofcourse, your co-workers noticed the total fugliness of these babies within seconds, and now they are calling you either 'Bigfoot' or 'Sporty Spice'. And you tell yourself that they are the nutty ones.

They actually look less ugly when I'm wearing them...promise!

... you keep the Stick in your desk drawer for emergency purposes. You'll never know when acute muscle cramps will occur, and you want to be prepared.

... you have actually gotten used to the soreness that comes with the last weeks of marathon training. You tell yourself it's 'good pain'. Ofcourse, when you tell your (non running) friends about this, they look at you in utter shock.

... when given the choice of shopping the designer boutiques of Köln (Germany) this weekend or shopping the marathon expo, you choose the marathon expo. Without a doubt. And this from a girl that used to trot around in designer high heels. You're actually looking forward to meeting the Saucony Recovery Sleep Suit in real life.

... you refer to a 35 mile / 56 km week as a slow easy peasy rest week. And you truly feel that way about it. You don't get why others think you're insane for (i) training for a marathon and (ii) getting nervous if you're running less than 50 miles / 80 km in a peak week. You honestly don't get it.

... you get into an ice bath without someone forcing you to. Enough said.

Wacky Wednesday: You know you're a runner when...

Ran: 6.3 miles / 10 km - Running Group - intervals

... your vacation trips for 2011 are mainly planned around races. And even the one trip that isn't (skitrip), sort of is, because you figured out that hill work outs are perfect training for the Edinburgh marathon a month later. Ofcourse this means that you will only hit the slopes to ski for a couple of hours a day, because a. you'll have to do the hill work outs, and b. the skiing might leave your legs feeling tired.

... your 2011 calendar is almost completely filled with races - and it's only September 2010. You already have races planned for November 2011. Including 6 marathons and 3 ultra marathons for the year. Too much? You say 'Nah'...

... a good friend asks you if you would like to join her on a city trip and you convince her to go in a certain weekend. You haven't told her yet that there's a marathon in that city...that exact weekend. Such a coincidence!

... at the water cooler you're babbling along about your GI issues with your co-workers without considering how they might feel about your honesty. Later on you find out that they're officially using your name and 'ewwww' in one sentence now...

... you're seriously considering to not attend next week's office party, because you have a 20 miler scheduled the next morning, and they probably won't serve enough pasta / other carb food at that party. Plus all the dancing will make your legs feel tired. And now your co-workers tell you that you're 'just no fun'...and, frankly, you couldn't care less.

... you know skipping tonight's interval work out is the wise thing to do, but you still feel bad about skipping it...for the rest of the night. Thoughts of not finishing the New York City Marathon or not running a sub-4 are bouncing through your head.

... you find out that your favorite running shoe is discontinued, and you immediately call every retailer around to get your hands on whatever color they have left in your size. Even if this means that you will have three grey / pink pairs of the same running shoe. And you don't even like that color.

... you set the alarm for 6 AM this morning, just so you could register for the Paris Marathon in April 2011 (registration opened today). And then you started texting all your friends 'I got in'. At 6:15 AM in the morning. Needless to say that you received some very grumpy text messages throughout the day...

Please, confess on your 'you know you're a runner when...' behavior!

What I think about when I'm running - the 'I'm a nutcase'-post

Recently the Running Times had an article on what runners think about during their run (http://wpblogs.runningtimes.com/blogs/talktest/?p=696). This got me thinking about what I think about during my runs. So I tried to keep track of my thoughts on last night's run. And here you have it: the pathetic result of 55 minutes of marathon pace work...

I'm off! Woohoo! Let's get all the work thoughts out of my mind. Wonder if my new Mizuno's will leave me with ouchie knees again. Be good, shoes! Watch out, a car! Stupid driver, totally ignored a stop sign. Watch your core. Watch the ol' running form. That's it. Relax the shoulders. OK, I'm definitely not able to hold this pace for 55 minutes. This is my marathon pace, this is not a good thing. I should be able to hold this pace for 55 minutes. Heck, I should be able to hold it for 4 hours. I'm slow. I will not BQ...ever. I'm slow. I'm sloooooow. Boohooo. Hmmmm...cute guy. Wonder if he...hey! He's smiling at me. Try to smile at him without looking like you're in pain. Come on, you can do it! OK, that didn't work. Run smoothly and gracefully now. He might be looking. Oh, he's not. Probably because your smile would be perfect for Frankenstein's bride. Wooh, that lady has bad running form. Join a running group lady! Cute top, though! Oh, and she's fast. Bad running form = fast. Ouch, my legs are hurting. Is my shin splints hitting me by surprise again? No, no, I don't need another injury. I will never be able to run the New York Ma...Oh, shin splints is sort of OK now. Stride, stride, stride. Ouch, The Hip is hurting. Just wait and see if it goes away. Go away, please, go away! OK, the Hip feels better. Mind your breathing, you'll get all cramped up. Too late, I'm cramped up now. Breathe in...out....in....out.... That made it better. I'm fine now. How many miles have I run yet? Not even one? Blimey, this is going to be pure torture! Hey, I know her! Wave! Hello! You know me! Don't pretend that you don't! Wave! Oh, she's on the phone...that would make it OK not to say 'Hi'. I guess. Am I halfway there yet? Check the watch; I'm not. OK, enjoy the scenery a bit. It's pretty out here! Look at the cows! Hello, cowie! Hello, little cowie. OK, this is weird, I'm getting friendly with a cow. Am I really turning into a spinster? Or, even worse, a cat lady? Hmmm...I love Coldplay. Tadadadadada Tadadadadada Tadadadadada. OK, mind your step! Hole in the road! Tadadadadada Tadadadadada... OK, I'm enjoying this. I looooooove running. It's windy out here. Check the runningskirt. No butt showing? Nope,everything's covered. I hope. This pace isn't so bad, actually. Tadadadadada lalalalala! Ahhhhh, rain! Nice and cool. I don't mind the rain. Tadadadada Tadadadada! I like this. This is a good run. Ahhhhh! I'm almost there. OK, let's pick up the pace a bit. Woohooo! She shoots, she scores! Finished, done! OK, I deserve a margarita now.

Do you want to share your running thoughts?

Letter to my high heeled shoe collection: the 'Apparently high heels are bad for runners' post

Letter to my high heeled shoe collection

Dear Tod, Bally and Jimmy (and hopefully, in the nearby future, Coco and Manolo),

You've been good to me in the last couple of years. You brought every single one of my greyish/blackish office outfits to a new high. And I'm truly grateful for that!

You are not just plain dull high heels, no, you are fancy and a bit over the top! Red, shiny black, dotted, pink. For years I loved the feeling of stepping into you and trotting off, on my way to work/dinner/cocktails with the girls. The higher the heels, the better.

But lately, things have changed. I've been neglecting you a bit. Picked flats to wear with my outfits more often. I'm sorry. I truly feel bad. But I can explain this change. I really have a good excuse.

I picked up running. The more miles I run, the more uncomfortable high heels are to my feet. You guys don't fit my feet as you used to anymore. Also the running somehow changed the muscles in my calves, and I just can't walk in you in the light-footed way I used to. I just don't do you justice at the moment.

Dear, dear shoes, my sweet babies, you will be spending a lot more time on my shoe shelf, and a lot less time on my feet. I will display you on my shoe shelf, though, so I can look at you when I'm in bed at night. Our day will come again, you guys. It will. But not as long as I'm into this running thing...
Love, SillyGirl

Discovery News - recent studies say 'NO!'

Now don't get me wrong, I love (love love love) wearing high heels as much as the next girl. But in the last couple of months high heels just didn't feel the same on me anymore; a bit painful and uncomfortable. This has got to do with my running, I'm sure.

Also, this recent Discovery News article kind of changed my thoughts on wearing high heels and being a runner: (http://news.discovery.com/human/high-heels-legs-health.html#mkcpgn=rssnws1).

The article explains that a recent study found that wearing high heels puts extra pressure on woman's knee joints. It also found that wearing high heels changes your posture, makes your ankles to tilt inward and destabilizes them. Another study found that regularly wearing heels could make women less efficient at more flat-shoed activities, like running. OK, point taken!

So, for the time being, I'll save my high heeled babies for special occasions. The joy of running just means too much to me! :)

P.S.: If you're a. a runner, and b. still able to wear high heels, I'm very jealous. Very! ;)

Wacky Wednesday - You know you're a runner when...

...you truly believe this is perfectly acceptable attire for a casual late night dinner:

Ran: 4.8 miles / 7K - 50 min - runninggroup - hip screamed 'NO!' and running coach told me to run slosloslowly (I do not like slowing down!) - I did; I'm a good girl - hip hurts like crazy!