Gearing Up

In 2008 running was voted the most popular form of exercise in the U.S. You see pictures of people running marathons or getting in shape or maybe you have a local race in your city that blocks of streets every year, causing traffic jams and disgruntled shouts from those stuck on public transit or in their cars. Well one thing I never noticed (until now) is how much gear goes into running. 

Good running shoes are a must and bad ones will leave you in pain and possibly injure you. Good socks are probably a good idea since you don't want your feet rubbing uncomfortably or getting blisters from a bad fit or a miscellaneous hole. Then there's the question of which clothes to wear. On our first day of training their were some people in full sweat suits, hats, gloves, etc and then there were some wearing those tiny shorts that look more like underwear and show more than if you were wearing nothing at all, a tiny tank top and maybe a sweat band or two. Today Mimi and I discovered that beyond attire there is also the gear that goes along with running and training. 

The schedule called for a 3 mile run yesterday so Mimi and I headed out to find a jogging stroller. With our new Bob stroller in the back of the van and Tank loaded in the back seat we went to Lake Merced for a run/walk. Tank was equipped with his collar, harness and stretchy dog leash that wraps around my waist so I don't have to hold onto him and the stroller at the same time. Mimi had her lunch bag and bottle of water, plus an extra jacket incase it got chilly. I was all decked out to run plus had the jogging stroller, Dave's GPS running watch, water bottle, sun glasses and cell phone. 

Lake Merced is 5 miles around so I knew we wouldn't be running the whole way. In the end we did the whole lake but I only got to run about 1 mile of that distance. The rest was at a fast walking pace but the poor dog was so tired after 1 mile that I felt bad and had to keep encouraging him to continue on. 

I learned that an 8 year old and out of shape mutt is maybe not the best dog running partner. Tank likes to crowd the jogging stroller wheels so we had to stop several times to unwrap the leash from the wheel base. Thankfully my water bottle holds a lot as the dog, Mimi and I were all sucking it down on the trek around the lake. Out of shape dog plus out of shape Mama make for a comical pair lumbering around the lake path. 

I learned from yesterday's run that Mimi loves the Bob stroller and is a great cheerleader - "Go, Mama Go! Faster! Again!" However, poor Tanky may need some breaks in the running days (Dave had taken him out for 2.5 miles the day before) and he's a bit of an unwilling marathon training participant. 

It was a bit cumbersome to push a stroller, drag a dog, navigate a lake and keep my wrist upright from the heavy watch all at the same time. All that gear is suppose to help out the training but I think next time I'll go a little lighter and maybe just take the stroller or just the dog. You'd think after 5 years of parenting two kids and a dog and cat that I'd be better at balancing the needs of everyone involved. We did survive our run around the lake adventure and we made it back home safely, so maybe I'm not that bad at all this after all. 

Tonight is the first night of Boot Camp. I'm excited to meet the others doing the boot camp but a little worried for how sore I'll be tomorrow for track training. Today is the first day I've been able to climb our stairs without pain in my legs and I don't feel nearly as stiff getting up from a seated position. I can't wait for Friday - the only day on our training calendar that says "Rest Day" in gloriously large letters.