I have been running for nearly my entire adult life, it’s probably been about 28 years since I entered my first “fun run.” Since that time, I’ve run countless road, trail and obstacle races, at nearly every distance from one mile to 50 miles! Obviously, I love running – but, I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes it’s hard to love the run your with, especially when it’s a bonk.
Read on to learn how to find more joy in the journey! Continue reading
Springtime is one of the most enjoyable times of the year to exercise outside. After months of being trapped indoors, feeling the warm sunshine on my skin and enjoying Mother Nature’s endless and colorful beauty (especially wildflowers on the trail) makes me want to never want to come home from my run. That is, until the sneezing and sniffling starts. But, this year, I’m having a #SneezeFreeSpring thanks to the advice and help of MinuteClinic at CVS Pharmacy. More than 35 million people suffer from seasonal allergies and often confuse the symptoms with those of a common cold – you can find out more about seasonal allergies, their causes and treatments here.
6 Allergy-Busting Tips for Spring Outdoor Exercise
Avoid Mid-Day Exercise: You may have to reschedule your “runch” (running lunch break) to morning or evening until spring allergy season passes. Experts say that most pollen in urban areas hits peak levels around noon, or shortly thereafter. Also, be warned, pollen is going to be peskiest on warm, dry and breezy days.
Wear Protective Gear: Sporting a billed cap, wrap-around sunglasses and even a bandana over your nose and mouth (if you dare), can hinder the assault of some pollen. Opt for a full cap rather than a visor as this will help keep pollen out of your hair.
Wash Off Afterward: Although you’ve already been exposed to allergens exercising, it’s always a good idea to wash away the allergen offenders on your skin before they agitate you further (and infiltrate your carpet and furnishings). Also, don’t forget to wash hair and skip the use of hair styling products which only further attract floating particles in the air. So, hop in the shower ASAP after exercise, or if that’s not possible, at least rise off arms and legs down with a garden hose until you get home.
Change Into Clean Stuff: Don’t hang out in your sweaty exercise clothes, the moisture traps allergens like a magnet. Change into clean clothes and toss your used ones into the wash – definitely don’t recycle them for a second wear! Same goes for your bed sheets, change them at least once a week to lessen allergy symptoms.
Experiment with Natural Remedies: Some say local honey has been linked to a reduction in seasonal allergies. It can’t hurt to try, especially considering the carbohydrates in honey will provide you with some extra energy to fuel your workout. You also might look into Quercinten, an antioxidant found in many foods like red onions, capers, cranberries and more – you can kick up the concentration and histamine-blocking benefit by taking a supplement. Check with your doctor.
Consider Allergy Medications: Even with every precaution, allergy symptoms may persist. Don’t let allergens win and keep you stuck indoors. Visit with an allergist or your medical professional about over-the-counter and prescription medications that can keep you kicking asphalt outdoors all year long. You can even drop in at your convenience to talk to one of the nurse practitioners or physicians assistants at MinuteClinic who can recommend the right over-the-counter medications and write prescriptions when medically appropriate.
MinuteClinic, a no-appointment-needed, walk-in service at CVS Pharmacy, offers quality medical care on your schedule – plus most major insurances are accepted.
#SneezeFreeSpring
This post is sponsored by MinuteClinic
I received compensation and product from Mizuno as part of this campaign through Fitfluential.com. However, all opinions and editorial comments are completely my own. 
What better way to kick up your training and tackle a hard race than in a new pair of running shoes?! You really must treat your feet right and running in old, beat down and battered shoes is just asking for an injury. Even if your kicks still look out-of-the-box new on the uppers, shoes you’ve been running in for a while begin to lose their shock absorption, cushioning and stability features. You could keep running in worn out shoes to save a buck, but eventually you’ll pay the price with an injury caused by too much stress on your bones and joints.
Whether you run 5ks, ultramarathons or just recreationally jog the block, experts say that you should replace your running shoes every 300 – 400 miles. When you flip your running shoes over, it is obvious when the tread starts to wear out – usually you can see another color of tread that has worn through on one side or the other. But, often shoes wear out in the midsole (where all the support and cushion lies) long before this — so don’t judge wear and tear by the tread alone. If you are experiencing leg fatigue and joint soreness and nothing else has changed in your training schedule, your running shoes may be the culprit.
The 300 – 400 mile replacement schedule is only a rough guide. If you are a heavier runner, you may need to replace shoes more often that a lighter runner. Your biomechanics and running form can play a role in how often you need to change the proverbial tires – for example, are you a heel striker or do you land mid foot? The surfaces you run on also come into play (e.g.: trail versus treadmill) as does the actual construction of the shoe – I once had a very, very light pair of shoes that were literally falling apart after 70 miles. That was a bummer. 
I was recently sent a new pair of Mizuno WaveRider 18 running shoes as part of a campaign for Fitfluential.com. I was able to try them out for a few weeks before a 10 mile race and wear them to a popular 10 mile race (Run for the Water) in Austin. A neutral shoe marketed as a “lightweight trainer” (7.8 ounces), the Wave Rider 18s helped keep my feet happy and ready to haul buns from start to finish of a very hilly run. In all honesty, these shoes felt a little “more” than the ultra lightweight shoes I typically race in – I was worried I would feel clunky, but in reality my “ride” experience was quite the opposite. Just the little bit of extra cushioning prevented my feet from feeling beat up on the downhill with no discernable difference in responsiveness and foot-to-ground feedback. And, okay, I’m a girl – so I care about how my shoes look. The Wave Rider 18 is very stylish and I loved the black and silver (with flash of “Florida Keys” turquoise) color scheme – it also comes in white and fuchsia purple or blue and silver. I may need to pick up a pair of each to round out my wardrobe.
Mizuno Wave Runner 18 FTW!
So, how did the race go – well, I’ve participated in Run for the Water all 8 years that it’s been around and I’ve done better and I’ve done worse. In the end, I hung on to win my age group and place 3rd in the Master’s division – this is a pretty competitive race and I walked away with a little bit of prize money and a new Solaris GPS watch! Whoot! The best thing about this race though is it supports the Gazelle Foundation which helps to bring clean drinking water to Burundi. Have you ever worn Mizuno shoes and, if so, which ones? Did you run a race too this weekend? Tell me about it!
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