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 Running is addicting. I think every runner knows that. But why is it so hard to get into it at first?
When I first started to run a few years ago, I could only run a minute. Even after I took a couple of years off, I still had a hard time running at first.
Then I found an app that I believe helped me get into running again. Called 13.1, it takes you from the couch and helps you achieve your goal of 13.1 miles. I’ve been using it for seven weeks now and my longest run so far is nearly 7 miles.
In addition to being out of breath, feeling pain or cramps in your legs or feet, running also has other downsides like: blisters, planters fascilitis, chaffing, shin splints, etc. The list can go on and on and on. So why is it that people love to run?
I can’t talk for other people, but I will say that I love running because it gives me a sense of freedom. It also gives me a goal to accomplish something like a half marathon. The feeling of accomplishment is amazing, even if the recovery takes a long time.
For years before I started running, I would dream about running. I know that sounds odd, but it’s true. I loved watching people run. It looked so graceful and natural.
And now I’m a runner and I love every minute of it. After I complete a hard run or interval training, I just can’t wait for the next one. My friend and running partner and I have nearly nine weeks to go until the Diva Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach.
Is there something that you love to do? Please share on my blog.
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I love to run. It’s the hardest thing to do but once you’re in a groove or a rhythm, you feel like you’re flying. I know that sounds odd to a non-runner, but it’s true.
I always found that the first mile was the hardest. I still feel that way. Since all of the injuries that I had in the past couple of years, I developed plantar fascitis, a severe pain in my heals.
I’ve bought heal cushions and that helps but it started acting up again when I was running the other day wearing my Newton’s running shoes. For those of you who don’t know, Newton builds up the mid point of your foot instead of the heal so that when you land you land on the upper mid part instead of your heal. They worked well for a while until this flare-up. That’s when I realized I needed new sneakers.
I decided that I would stop off at Lynbrook Runner’s Shop on Atlantic Avenue in Lynbrook. I like the owner, Ellen, and she’s always pointed me in the right direction. When I got there, Ellen wasn’t there. “Sorry, she’s on vacation,” the young man behind the counter told me. “Maybe I can help?”
I told him my problem and explained that when I was running, I was finding the arches really hurting me. He talked me into buying the Strassburg Sock (a night splint but only comes with one not a pair). He also showed me several different sneakers that were very supportive including the New Balance, Brook’s, Muzuno and a pair of Saucony‘s.
The New Balance 1260 was 100% more cushioned and supportive than any of the other shoes he showed me. I decided to make the purchase along with a couple of pairs of running pants and I was on my way.
He told me as I left that if I wasn’t satisfied for any reason that I should bring the sneakers back. Now, that’s customer service for you!
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 The other day, I went to a spin class at the Equinox in Woodbury. And, as soon as I was off the bike, a maintenance crew came in and cleaned wiped it clean. Now that’s impressive. I remember at NY Sports Club in Oceanside how the spin instructor used to beg the participants to clean their bikes as a courtesy to the next user.
I also notice that the manager, Louis Cohen, is practically everywhere. Every time I turn, I spot him out through the corner of my eye. I personally don’t know how he does it but he knows everything that is going on and his staff respect him. I found that pretty impressive too.
The other thing that I find interesting is that not only does Louis know everyone’s name but the people at the front desk greet you by your first name. That makes you feel good.
Don’t get me wrong, everything isn’t peaches and cream there. The last couple of times, I’ve had negative experiences. For example, I took a “special” zumba class, which was more like a “cheerleading” class than a zumba class. And, the other day, I decided to take a weight class. When I walked in, the room was packed. I asked a few people what we needed but no one seemed helpful. Immediately, that put me on edge. I went up to the instructor and announced to her that I was new to the class. She told me, in front of Louis the manager, that I should look at what others were getting. Louis saw my face and said, “come on Hilary, I’ll help you.”
He really was a help and even told me that the 360 (mini trampoline) needed air. He filled it up and returned it to me. He was very nice.
However, within 10 minutes of the class, I was standing on the 360, leaned the wrong way and the next thing I knew I was projected off, flew through the air and hit my head against the back wall. I landed on the floor in incredible pain. It felt as if I had a migraine and a throbbing isolated pain at the same time.
Although I was on the floor with my head in my hand, the class continued. Some of the people around me stopped working out to find out how I was doing. Then Donna, the assistant manager, came in the room and quickly took me out of there. She got ice and brought me into the pilates room to lie down. The pain was still throbbing but I was able to talk. I told her what had happened and she was sympathetic and nice. A doctor who was taking the class followed us and told me that if I didn’t pass out, I would be okay, “just take some advil, go home and rest.”
I stayed at the Equinox for about a half hour before I decided to take a shower and go to work. As I was leaving, Louis called me into his office. “You okay?” he asked.
I told him I was. He asked if I wanted to see a doctor, which i didn’t. He also asked if there was anything he could do. I told him I would be okay. I went to get a coffee and one of the delicious breakfast protein shakes that I am addicted to and when I went to pay, the guy behind the counter told me Louis took care of it.
As I left, I couldn’t help but think that Louis, Donna, the front desk staff and the maintenance crew really know how to provide valuable customer service. Even though those classes weren’t the best, there are tons of others that are great there, including Tripp Doherty’s spin class!
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Yesterday when my trainer, Jason Kerr, came to my office for our scheduled workout, he looked at me with a big smile on his face and said, “Do you want to workout outside?”
The thought of using the weight machines at the gym didn’t thrill me and the thought of going outside and running a little was enticing. So, I said, “Sure.”
We went up to my office, I got my sweatshirt and asked Ellen Heydt if she wouldn’t mind following me out to my car. I wanted to get my sunglasses because it was a gorgeous day outside. It was in the 60′s and the sun was beating down strong. It was one of those days to wear sunglasses!
When I was all ready, Jason said, ”Let’s go.” We were off and running around my office building at Greenway Plaza in Melville, Long Island. I thought we were just going to run. I was good with that, but when I looked at him I knew it would be more than just running.
Our first stop was at a loading dock. ”Let’s run down slow and up fast,” he said to me. We did it once. We ran it twice. And we ranit up and down a third time. I thought that we would just stay there and keep running up and down this short hill.
But we were off to the next obstacle, which was across the street on Baylis at a construction site. After doing squats and lunges (my favorites… only kidding!), Jason had a strange look in his eye. He picked up a bag of sand and said, “What do you think?”
I shook my head and he put it on my shoulders. I continued to do lunges and squats with the heavy sandbag on my back.
There were no breaks during this workout. When we weren’t running, I was doing jumping jacks, jump squats, mountain climbers and push ups. At one point, he got on his hands and knees and said, ”Jump over me.” “Are you kidding?” I asked.
“No, you can do it,” he said. “Just put your hands on my back and jump over me.”
I thought I was going to hurt him. I wasn’t feeling good about this one but I tried it anyway. I did a couple the right way until I fell on him and rolled right off onto the grass. We just both laughed.
After that, a car pulled up beside us, it was Kristie Galvani on her way home. “Rob thought he saw you guys running in the parking lot,” she said. ”I didn’t think it was you, but I guess I was wrong.” She smiled and drove away.
Throughout the entire workout, I kept thinking about The Biggest Loser and how Bob Harper has the contestants go outside and do very unusual workouts. Does Jason watch this show? Where did he come up with these things?
Although the workout was totally different than usual, I really enjoyed it. There was something to be said about being outside in the sun running around my work office having fun.
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 I just started watching Mad Men. Every Sunday morning on AMC from 6 am to 9 am, there are three early episodes of Mad Men. Since I had never seen the series, I decided to watch to catch up to Season 5, which is premiering on March 25, 2012.
On an early episode, a new exercise belt, called the electrosizer, was a challenge at the firm. Peggy Olsen, who was originally Don Draper‘s secretary and later becomes a copywriter, was asked to take the exercise belt home and help the copywriters make something of it. When Peggy slips it on, she realizes that it is really a vibrator, not a piece of exercise equipment.
I recently joined Equinox in Woodbury and I saw this big unit on the floor near the exercise equipment. I walked over to it and saw a huge instructions book. I decided to walk away.
When I went back the other day, I decided to give it a try. It is a new type of stretching machine. However, it vibrates. One of the exercises says to sit down and stretch your hands to your toes. Another has you standing on the machine, while it vibrates and you stretch in various positions.
Well, it reminded me that times really haven’t changed. The electrosizer is alive and well at the Equinox.
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