February Goal: Run every other day. So far, I've managed to play in a soccer game and run twice. By the previous standard, that doesn't quite cut the mustard. (How do you cut mustard anyway? Is that even the right saying?) I'm trying to run at least 30 minutes each time this month. Shin splints have started to rear their evil head so I'm contemplating starting swimming in addition to running. I blame the shin splints on soccer, but the playoffs start this weekend so I'm going to see that through. I do think I'll be more attentive to making sure I don't run any more than two days in a row until my shins feel a bit better. I'm also planning on switching shoes at the end of the month. I may even consider trying to get some custom orthotics made, but that has more to do with the fact that the Air Force would be kind enough to pay for it.
In happier news, please feel free to visit our wedding website. Comment here or there, but the intent is to encourage exchange of information.
On an entirely separate note, do you guys give things up for Lent? If so, what is it this year?
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On shin splints, try these links:
one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight
I don't do anything for lent, but I'm planning to learn to be a better dad, run 3-4 times a week, and about 3 books. At least I plan on reading 30 books this year. Maybe at least I'll read that book about Bowerman and the men of Oregon.
I would say that one cuts the mustard by applying mayonnaise or other condiments that might decrease the bite, metaphorically speaking. Others might say that one cuts the mustard at the base of the plant.
But maybe you mean something more historical, which is a tad more nebulous. Check out this page for a go at it.
In other news, nice job on the wedding website. Thanks for hyperboling about mstrange's wife. And for hitting spot-on mstrange himself.
About mstrange--I apologize for his skipping the third verb in his comma series above. There's only so much I can do to help him. Also, way to go mentioning "be a better husband" as one of the items :)
Lent. I hadn't thought this year about what I might give up, but I usually do--something to make me more thoughtful about the season. Will get back on that. Maybe I'll give up sitting on my rear and take on prepping for a marathon for real.
Finally, I'd like to guffaw at the custom orthotics. Come on! Take it like a man!
don't diss the custom orthotics!!! those are the best thing that has happened to runners since sliced bread.... or at least since cut mustard anyways.
ps. im nearly convinced that the giants won due to an unexpected swarm of "tomahawk chanting" by football team members in cordoba argentina. the amount and volume of the tomahawk chanting was directly proportional to the Giants having successful plays.
double ps:
is it possible to give up giving up things for lent for lent?
we'll i'm philosophically opposed to orthotics. that doesn't mean they aren't useful (especially for pf or untreatable conditions), but i am very scared of orthotics as treatment for treatable conditions.
shin splits, for example, are an inflammation around overused and tired muscles. because these muscles are overused, form deteriorates such that the stress of running is transfered to the skeletal part of the muscoluloskelatal and long-term wear causes stress fractures. that seems to happen in the majority of cases.
the proper treatment, it seems, is a combination of rest/strengthening so that the musclulo-side of things can bear the stress of running. your muscles are the great elastic energy store and provide a good deal of energy absorbtion and power for pushoff. strong muscles and relatively good form is what reduces running injuries. not shoes. not orthotics. in fact, these two when misused may halt proper musculoskeleltal condition.
at least, that's my opinion, through the influence of tim noakes. by the way, get a copy of tim noakes' book and read it. it's great.
I apologize for my unknowledgeable dissing. Well, not for the trash talk aspect, which I put all my weight behind, but for the fact that I it was only parroting my husband's opinion. Not that I'm not inclined to agree with it, because I am. But I don't know nothin 'bout orthotics that he ain't said. So that's what I'm saying.
I am in agreement with the part about muscle strength being a huge part of injury prevention. many runners neglect the leg abducters and adducter muscles, which can help with knee stability.
however, as i always like to do, id like to argue the flip side of the coin as well. it is not correct to say that neither shoes nor orthotics prevent running injuries. taking that statement to the extreme, if shoes did not prevent injuries, then we could all run barefoot without injuries, if we has our muscles properly developed. Also, bill bowerman credits his shoes to preventing many injuries that were caused when a hard track surface was put in at the U. of Oregon.
As far as orthotics, they have their place... i havent heard too much of them being used for shin splints, but for other things. For instance, with me, I am a heavy pronator, my foot lands at an angle that puts a great deal of pressure on the inside of the lower leg and knee. This is due to the biomechanics of the structure of my bones, not in running form. therefore, i am greatly helped biomechanically from an insert or orthotic, which elevates the inside of my foot, causing less pressure on the inner knee.
anyways, im just saying that shoes and orthotics have their place, just like proper technique and muscular development.
i'll try to dig up some more good reading, but this is a good start
and this is also worth the read
Wow, I'm loving the traffic. So many comments to respond to. Here's my best effort in a short amount of time.
Jen: No hyperbole. Excellent mustard links. By the way, the best mustard on Earth is Ed McCaffrey's Rocky Mountain Mustard. If I knew how to insert a link without the little button I would do it here. Also, I am beyond pleased to know that you found my mstrange description to be spot on. That was without a doubt my favorite sentence to write. Keep up the trash talk by the way. Most in these parts would find your efforts encouraging given your obvious Florida Gator handicap.
Micah: The shin splints are best handled with rest, however the orthotics remain a distinct possibility. More on this to come. I appreciate your references although I have yet to have enough time to access them all. More to come on all these topics. Remember, I can only breach one serious running topic a month. I've got to pace myself.
Jackson: I ended up giving up all sodas/Cokes/pops/whatever you call in South America. I also am trying to read more and spend less time watching needless TV. One aspect of the reading will be studying for my residency, but I also hope to get into some of the excellent suggestions here. As for the Giants, why would Argentines be predisposed to them instead of the Patriots? This intrigues me.
Again, love the dialogue people. Keep it up.
Speak not ill of the Gators, my son: it is not wise. Cast no aspersions of handicap to the Gators, if your own handicap (according to your photo) is a stratus cloud emerging from your nostril. Mighty handicap, my son. So keep thy lips tight.
But speaking of reading, I recommend the following books for your Lenten considerations:
1. Gary Thomas' Sacred Marriage is one of the best books I've read on marriage. Strange wouldn't know as he hasn't read it. But if you read it during Lent, Akisha would be thankful. I think. Not knowing Akisha, that's a bold thing to say. Try me. She could read it too.
2. I'm currently reading Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Tim Lane and Paul Tripp and it is so good. Everyone should read it.
3. Isak Dinesen's Anecdotes of Destiny and Ehrengard is grand too. And a fairly easy read as it's a collection of short stories and novellas. Well, I haven't actually read the Ehrengard part, but I have now read all of the destiny anecdotes. They're your density. I especially recommend "Babette's Feast," which is so luscious. And so is the film, apparently, though Strange hasn't watched it with me yet.
4. One final recommendation that I haven't actually read but that Myles told me again today that I must read: Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov
5. Oh, and one more: The Chronicles of Narnia. I haven't read them all yet, but I keep daydreaming about Prince Caspian, which I recently read to Noel over a few afternoons. It's so wonderful.
And jlowe--you do a link by putting a < (that is, an angle bracket to the right) and then "a href=" but without the quotation marks, and then the URL you want to link to in quotation marks, and then close the angle bracket with the other one (ie >) and then put the text you want to be highlighted, and then put another open angle bracket, and then "/a" to close the command, and then another left-facing angle bracket.
It's simple, mkay?
This is my first attempt at following the fairer (although I'm not sure that applies to complexion) Strange's instruction. It is at this point I feel obliged to remind everyone that I never received a grade higher than a "B" in any Centenary English class.
Ladies and Gents, (and Aggies and unfortunate Gators) the likely future of the Lowe family.
Excitement and wonder abound! O joyous day! Jen, thank you for the instruction. I will attempt to do it again (without looking at the instructions) in this post.
First, this is the best brand of mustard on Earth although I personally prefer the Spicy Brown. For those not keenly aware of the spokesman involved, I present Ed McCaffrey's official site.
Now for my clever retort. Confuse not the tissue in my nostril with the plank in my eye. I assure you the latter is far greater. As for any resemblence of the tissue to condensed water drolets, I prefer to think of it more as a contrail. What better way to describe my performance in that race than needing to overcome the jet propulsion of my right nostril acting against my forward progress? I challenge you to find a more creative and scientifically misapplied excuse for your own running shortcomings, should any exist. And don't give me anything having to do with childbirth or its products. My preemptive retort.
not sure those links are working
Hahahahahahahahahaha!
Contrails? Hahahahahahhahhahaha!
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