Running Gears / Gadgets

Basically, as others would say it, running is the cheapest sport that someone can indulge to.  I agree with that.  However, if someone really want to excel in this sport or make a career out of this sport, investing on gears and gadgets is necessary.

What are those gears?  Items categorized as gears are: (1) running shoes, (2) appropriate running shorts, (3) running shirts, with or without sleeves, (4) support gears such as patella strap, knee support, ankle support, thigh support and other supports to reduce risk of injuries to parts of the legs.  Item 4.0 is necessary if a runner has an injury or is prone to running injuries.

If you are to select the appropriate running shoes, it should fit depending on what type of foot imprint you have.  Wearing inappropriate shoes while running would result to injuries in the long run.  Believe me, I did it and I paid the price.  Dri-fit fabrics are recommended for running shorts and shirts.  Supports should be worn if someone is still on the recovery stage from injury to prevent aggravating the injured part and to prevent potential injuries.


Now, what are the gadgets? Items categorized as gadgets are:  (1) running watches with heart rate monitor, (2) distance recorders, such as iphone/ipod with nike+ ipod or the latest nike+ gps, and others.

With the use of the heart rate monitor, you can control your run, whether there is a need to speed up or to slow down.  There a several zones depending on someone's physical capability.  The nike+ applications are handy since you can get real time data on your current workout.  And the best of it is, you can sync your running data to the nikeplus website and you can share your activity to friends via the social networking sites such as Facebook & Twitter.

Once you've obtained the items listed above, in my own opinion, that's the only time we can say that running is the cheapest sport.  We need to invest first before we can really feel the long term benefits of such activity.

My First 5Km Run

A group pic after the Fun Run

After a long series of practices, a three month lay-off, a couple of runs after the lay-off, I decided to sign-up for the fun run organized by our company last July 9, 2011.  I felt nervous and at the same time excited.  Nervous because it's my first time to join a race.  Excited because I know I can finish an official 5K run.  Not just a run in my neighborhood or somewhere else.  I can check my official race time.

It was raining before the beginning of the race.  But the committee and the runners decided to push thru with it.  All are excited to run in the rain.  So let the race begin.

The race has four (4) categories: a 1Km race for the kids, 3K, 5K and the 10K.  There are two water stations which is already sufficient to support the long distance runner's water needs.

Everything went well.  All runners were able to finish the race safely.  All are in one piece :-).

There are 70 runners who registered for the 5K and I ended up no. 27 with a time of 31'52".  For me I think its good considering its my first official run. 


The experience made me more excited and eager to join running events outside of the company.  I bought gadgets to help me improve my run.


I registered for a running event at Alabang held last August 13, 2011.  Unfortunately, I was injured (tendinitis) 2 weeks before the event and I was forced to skip the race.  I took the medication advised by the doctor and I followed it by the book and here I am.  Back to running.  It seems I have to start from scratch due to the month long lay-off.  But I'm not in a rush.  There are still lots of running events.  More adversities to conquer.  More calories to burn.  More rubber to be worn-out.  More roads track.  More time to beat.  And most of all, a healthier individual.

Doctor's Advice

As advised by the doctor, if you felt pain after running, just use ice, ice, ice and nothing but ice.

Avoid stretching if there is pain as it could only aggravate pulled muscles and tendons which could result to more serious injuries.  Serious injuries would mean high cost of medication and it might keep you off the road permanently.

We should always follow the doctor's advise.  This is based on my personal experience.  I'm just sharing it with those who will be able to read this blog.  If I can do it, I don't see any other reasons why the others can't.  Happy Reading friends. :-)

My Own Share of Running Injuries

I started running last July 2010.  However, I started at the wrong foot.  I don't have the proper running gears.  I don't have the proper running form.  I don't have the stamina to begin with.  Lacks knowledge about running.  What else?.  I think I've said it all.

All the while, I thought running is just the plain meaning of the word, it's just run.

I realized that there's a lot of science behind it.  But it's already too late.  I already experienced spate of leg/knee injuries which somehow hampered my improvement.


With the use of a hiking shoes and the heel strike, voila!!!, I had my first knee injury(right knee).  It required me to rest for a month.  Took anti-arthritis supplement for two(2) weeks.  I observed that the supplement has no help at all.  So I resorted to seek Hilot (an ancient Filipino art of healing, commonly used to relax stressed muscles).  After that, I immediately felt the improvement  The pain disappeared and in a matter of one (1) week, I was able to run again.


After several runs, another injury came out, a pulled muscle just above my left ankle.  Again, it kept me off the road for three (3) weeks. After several massages, it disappeared slowly.


Then came ITBS on my right leg.  I rested it for three (3) weeks but was able to run with the help of a knee support.  Without it, I will head back home after several minutes disappointed not being able to run for longer minutes.


I just recovered from my recent injury.  It really kept me off the road for a month.  I had to take a leave from work a day after being injured because I can barely walk.  The Hilot proved ineffective to correct the problem so I have no choice but to consult the doctor.  With just a touch, the diagnosis was, Tendinitis Bursitis.  It left me speechless for seconds.  I asked the doctor; can i still run again?.  Fortunately, the doctor said YES. :-).  I heaved a sigh of relief when I heard that coming from the doctor's mouth.  The immediate medication however is, injection of micro steroids.  I was hesitant at first after hearing the word steroids. The doctor assured me that it has no side effects and completely safe.  So I agreed with it.  Though the procedure is a bit painful because the tip of the needle should touch a portion of the patella.


The doctor advised me to rest for two (2) weeks before I went back into running.


Now, I am back to running and enjoying the benefits of my Timex Ironman (with heart rate monitor), Nike+ GPS, and the lessons learned from previous experiences and mistakes.  With these, I am sure that there will be tremendous improvement.  Longer run time, longer mileage, proper techniques equals improved health and a healthy lifestyle.

Train to Improve

Now that the interest is there, what needs to be done to be able to sustain?

Gathering information on the proper way of running, looking for the right shoes, and the preparations is a must if someone wants to be serious with running.  Before dabbling too seriously with the sport, we need a go signal from the doctor.  Once the go signal is there, we can run anytime we want.

Searching the internet, reading books & magazines, and watching running experts do their stuff on the road, are some of the ways on how to improve on running.  The best way to iTramprove is on how we apply those things that we've learned during the actual run.  Even if we keep on looking for information on the proper way of running but if we fail to apply those in actual, we will not improve.


We should have good running form.  We should have a proper breathing pattern.

We should train deliberately.   Don't rush things.  If you're a beginner, do not make a 30-minute run immediately.  Start on a short run.  10 to 15 minutes on your first run is good.  If you feel that you can breathe easily the longer you run, increase it by five minutes until you reach 30 minutes.  Success cannot be achieved overnight.  We should work hard and smart to achieve our goals.  This applies in everything we do, not only in running. 

We should always avoid our heels to strike the floor first as it will directly affect the knee.  The knee will receive the greatest impact if you're a heel striker.

If you want a perfect and safe landing during running, we should use our midfoot.  The feet should be in parallel with your body every time your foot touches the ground.  These are helpful tips if you want an injury free running.
 

My Interest in Running

This is me during a morning run

Running doesn't come natural for me.  In fact, I really didn't show interest in it when I was younger.  I'm not interested reading articles about marathons, 21K run, 10K run, 5K run.  In short, I don't even know the reasons why people extend all their energy on something which is all but ordinary.

As a child, I sometimes run because it is needed for us to play.  As a young grown up, I run because it is needed for our PE subject.  As a young professional, I run because I need to catch the shuttle bus on my way to work.  But to run because I want it as a hobby or some form of exercise? You can bet that my answer is a big NO.

But as I get older (& wiser.. :-D), slowly I realized the importance of running as a part of our life.  When I transferred to my present company four (4) years ago, I heard people in the production line talking about running.  They join races, 5K, 10K, 21K; all of a sudden, it caught my attention.  Why not try it?  And I did.  My first attempt on running outdoors to make it as a form of exercise didn't come easy.  


During my first run, I experienced shortness of breath only on my first five (5) minutes.  Whoah!!! What a start.  I think I only lasted for 10 minutes, which for me is a shame.  Well, it is understandable, it's my first run.  Without sufficient reading about running, that's what I got.  I made sure that I prepare for my next run.  which I will share on my next posts.