The Cold/Laryngitis: I am better! Not a big surprise, I guess, but a relief to be able to breathe and talk…and run. I went for my first run in four days, an easy 40-minutes, on my break at work today. It was so nice to run without chest tightness or coughing. It’s also really beautiful here right now.
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| Thanks to the City of Boulder Facebook page for the picture! |
I’m regarding this cold as two things: Glass Half Full Me is
calling it a booster for my immune system-- I’m hoping it will be the last one
I get for a while now because surely my white blood cells are all on full alert; but
Realist Me is thinking of it as a warning; my kids are in a new
school, I work with the public and I’m going to be training hard; I need
to be smart with sleep, nutrition and hand-washing.
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| Constant Vigilance! |
A Visit to the Doctor: Last week before the illness hit I had my annual preventative appointment with my awesome doctor (he of the 2:50-on-a-bad-day-marathon). We did the usual check-up things (listening to the heart, discussing the past year's issues--everything but the female stuff), but he also did some sports doc things like testing my hamstring and hip flexor flexibility and discussing cheaper options for getting a shot in my back later if I decide I need one. It's always fun to talk to him, and I've never before had a doctor who "gets it" like he does.
Some of the outcomes were surprising. I got my blood test results back yesterday. My cholesterol numbers and glucose are good, and so is my thyroid, but the doc wants me to supplement. It seems that my iron is low, and while my Vitamin D isn't a problem right now, he's concerned that it's low enough that it could become a problem during the long days of winter and marathon training. Who knew?
So tonight will feature a trip to the drug store to get some special non-constipating iron, which I'll be taking for six weeks, and some Vitamin D, which I'll be on all winter.
New Shoes: If you've been reading this blog for while, you know I have no brand loyalty when it comes to shoes (or much of anything else). I've worn every brand of running shoe out there except some of the newer ones, and I will probably be this way forever. Since I started running again earlier this summer, I've been wearing Brooks Pure Flows. I like them just fine.
But last week, while I was having lunch with Kathy, Erin, Erin's mom and her coach (who were all in town for the Denver Rock n' Roll Marathon), her coach (a very interesting guy, and very knowledgeable) suggested I get another pair of shoes and alternate days wearing them.
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| Kathy, me and Erin after a fun and informative lunch (I stole this photo from Erin's blog; thanks Erin!) |
My husband thinks I'm the Imelda Marcos of running shoes ("how many pairs do you have?" he asks me sometimes when he looks in the closet). But I've wanting to try the Saucony Kinvaras for a while. With two races I care about coming up, I decided Coach Rick's advice was all I needed to justify taking plunge and buying 'em. So my plan going forward will be to wear the Pure Flows one day and the Kinvaras the next, all the way through the California International Marathon in December.
Any other non-brand-loyalists out there? Do you take iron? Do you alternate shoes?
I'll wear anything that feels good and keeps me from getting blisters. No iron for me (yet), and my only shoe altering is between road and trail shoes.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're feeling better, and I loved the Mad Eye Moody pic! :) Teaching first grade, I have a pretty buff immune system (now I'll get sick since I was bragging :D)
no, no, and no. although I probably should do all three. lol. I couldn't take those prenatal vitamins because of all the iron. cripe, I wouldn't poop for days on that stuff. It was awful. I probably should take vit d and calcium. I have some and some days I remember to take it and other days I forget. I should do better with that. Ok. going to take the calcium right now.
ReplyDeleteI have only had 2 pairs of running shoes and they are both Nike Lunargliders, don't know quite why or how, but there it is :) As I keep running more, I'll have to get shoes more often and I'm definitely planning on branching out a bit, i don't want to get stuck on one kind!
ReplyDeleteI take Vit D. I kinda self-diagnosed myself (that along with the 1 in 3 is low stat and that it is hard to be over on it) and I really notice a difference when I don't. I am much less snappy and less easily frustrated by my boys than when I don't take my vit d. Let me know if you notice the same difference!! There was just a story here in Canada about a triathlete with amazingly low iron, who was set for a medal placement in London and came in last, sobbing, turns out her iron was at dangerously low levels. Apparently makes a huge difference in performance. I don't take iron and I haven't been tested in yonks, but I tend to feel when I need some, I then crave a steak and a spinach salad or something.
For iron Ms. T eat some meat. Ma
ReplyDelete1. glad you are feeling better. shoot me an email about Saturday. i might trail run(i'm determined to work up my uphills) that morning, but i'm up for food...or we can postpone.
ReplyDelete2. your doctor sounds cool!
3. i wear kinvaras and love them. After running in Brooks adrenaline - I felt like 'twinkle toes' they are so light. I love the older version better than the current on kinvara 3 - a little too squishy in the forefoot and it makes my neuroma flare up, but usually taping my toes helps.
The PureFlows and the Kinvaras are very, very similar....but overall I like the Kinvaras more. I alternate between about 5 pairs of shoes, just depends on what I'm running that day :). For long runs I like the Cortanas (Kinvaras more cushioned, yet low heel drop, cousin) but it's cut higher than the Kinvara and irritates my bad ankle. Whaaaa. Now I'm struggling for a marathon shoe and been using the Brooks Launch (but would prefer a lower heel drop). I've always alternated my shoes, never wearing the same one for two days in a row. Runningwarehouse.com has the Kinvaras $10 cheaper than at your local running store AND I can give you a coupon code for another 10% off if you want it. Anyway, hope you like them...I love the Kinvara's colors!!! (I have the aqua and want the pink next).
ReplyDeleteSoooo glad to hear you're feeling better!! Hooray!!!!!
I alternate between ghosts 4 brooks and mizunos wave rider 15.
ReplyDeleteI do take iron and several others....D, B12, C
I can beat you on number of running shoes, I guarantee it! I am out of control with minimalist shoes (which is a total irony, right?). And yes, I'm on iron--it's time to go get checked again, though, to see if I can quit. Anemia is no fun!
ReplyDeleteI've got iron and vitamin d issues and thyroid issues. I take thyroid prescription and thyroid supplement. I found a vitamin that does iron and d together. I'm terrible about taking those two. I'm buying a new pair of shoes this week.. I'm a Mizuno girl. I usually have to try on anything new though because of this stupid screw in my foot.
ReplyDeleteI. Love. Shoes. All. Shoes. But. Mostly. Running. Shoes!!! :-) Pretty sure that Imelda and I are related in some way..... I have always alternated shoes - giving one pair a day or two to "rest" before wearing them on a run again. And please don't shun me but I bought a pair of Hokas a few months ago and am really enjoying them. They are like wearing springy pillows on your feet - the jarring impact is reduced immensely. My body is very happy after runs in them. :-) Glad you are feeling better. It seems the colds this season are doozies. Your doc sounds neat - wish there were more of his kind around!
ReplyDeletemy boyfriend switched to hokas. He was resisting but after a 24mile trail run and feeling really beat up he tried them and LOVES them. But dang - they are UGLY!
ReplyDeleteI also take slow release iron supplements. A few years back I was anemic, so my doc recommended taking them. I now eat some red meat and a ton more spinach so I probably get enough iron in my diet that I don't need to take the supplements, but I would rather not stop taking them and find out the hard way that I am anemic again. Just curious, what did Erin's coach say was the reasoning behind switching shoes back and forth?
ReplyDeleteWould you mind sharing your doctor's name? He sounds great. No worries if not.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're well again.
I have rotated shoe brands for about 3 years. Right now I am rotating 2 pairs of Kinvara and one pair of Sketcher Go Run Rides (luv 'em). My legs are much much happier, even with more miles.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, reading your blog today I kept saying "yes yes, me too!" So funny. So yes, I take both Iron and Vitamin D (10,000 iu's) a day. I use Thorne brand which my mother tells me are the best - she owns a holistic healing center. You can buy them online...Since I've started taking both I feel so much better and have so far avoided getting my daughter's illnesses from her school (knock on wood).
ReplyDeleteAnd I run in Kinvara 3's. LOVE LOVE. But on other days I wear Ride 5's and Mizuno's. So yes, my husband also loves to ask me how many pairs of shoes I actually need. I currently run in 3 different pairs :) but always run in the Kinvara's for races.
Glad you're feeling better. Sounds like you have a great doctor, mine just ask if I'm still running???? No brand loyalty for me, especially with zero drops and minimalist types.
ReplyDeleteThe shoe decision sounds really smart... it's always good to alternate shoes, especially if you're using such a low drop shoe like the Pure Flows. They actually bothered my Achillees when I tried them over the winter, but I want to try again.
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous of you and Kathy and Erin getting together! Erin seems super sweet.
I just started to alternate shoes and I'm thinking of throwing some Pure Flows into the mix. But I'm a definite Brooks girl!
ReplyDeleteNo real brand loyalty at the moment and I don't take iron but I do take a whole lot of other things. I do alternate shoes. And I used to own 16 pairs of athletic shoes that were in active use at the same time. When I'd open my locker they'd come tumbling out like a cartoon.
ReplyDeleteOkay - One question - why Flows and Kinvaras? That's like alternating green apples and red apples ;) I do alternate shoes, but they run the gamut from traditional to minimalist depending on what I'm running.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do take iron (I'm a veg. so it's sort of helpful) and I was very surprised to learn a couple years ago that I was Vit. D deficient. All those hours running in the high altitude sun wasn't enough.
Funny about the shoes! I just bring one pair, which ironically is the Kinvara! It's so light and easy to travel with! I love mine!
ReplyDeleteI just started taking iron recently when I went to see my doctor about the pain in my shin. So far I have not had any side effects so I am good. I do not alternate shoes. I seem to have bad luck when I try to change shoes so I stick to the same shoes to avoid any issues.
ReplyDeleteI just got my bloodwork back too. Everything is good except for my HDL. For whatever reason, my good cholesterol just sucks! I've been told to drink more red wine.
ReplyDeleteI do supplement with Vitamin D as per the recommendation of an elite runner dietician that I worked with a few months ago. I've been bad about taking it lately though.
I rotate between 5 different pairs of running shoes: Pure Flows, Cortanas, Launch, Shadow Grid Genesis and the Mirage. So I have you beat there. Your husband would think I'm a FREAK!
Glad you feel better, it is boring to stop a running routine for a cold or a flu. I think that it is impossible to have brand loyalty because the Companies change model very often. To alternate the shoes is a very good idea I learned this lesson after the femur surgery.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so beautiful there! Glad you're feeling better!
ReplyDeleteI alternate 4 of the same make and model. Brooks Launch. I also have a pair of Newtons. Brooks is discontinuing the Launch soon,so I will be looking for a replacement shoe.
I was a brand loyalist for 12 years, but have changed my ways (to a new brand)- although there are 2-3 different brands in my current rotation. I use a Saucony Guide 5 for speed work (lower heel/toe drop) and Brooks Adrenaline for most other days (weening myself off my Asics 2170's).
ReplyDeleteI don't take Iron supplements, but I do take Vitamin D and it does help! I also take a boat load of others if you need/want feedback (hormone balance issues).
I'm glad you're feeling better and that you're running strong and healthy!! Can't wait to see how it all comes together for you in your upcoming races! :)