Friday Favorite: KT Tape Pro

First of all let me say, I would have stopped running long ago if it weren't for this magical, super-powered tape; KT Tape Pro.

It isn't actually magical (Although Magic Tape kind of has a nice ring to it). It is, however, an awesome way for regular, non-physical therapy, stubborn, I'm-not-going-to-stop-running-unless-a-bone-is-broken type of people to power through minor injuries in a safe and self-empowering way.

KT Tape (the KT stands for kinesio therapy) has an awesome website, and lots of videos on YouTube to show you how to properly apply this super-sticky tape for all sorts of afflictions. IT band issues, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, rotator cuff issues, and even jammed fingers all have videos for tape application, allowing you to continue your training, despite muscle or joint pain cause by these problems.

I started using KT Tape earlier this year (2012) when I started having issues with my outer knee, as many runners do. I had recently started adding miles to my runs, and didn't exactly follow the "add 10% at a time" guideline (read: I'm terrible at math and though one more mile a week sounded great to me).

It was pretty debilitating, and as it got worse, I started favoring my other leg, causing a myriad of other problems. So, with the help of lots and lots of Google searches, and my husband's Army Medic knowledge, I deducted the culprit was my IT band (which runs from the top of your hip, all the way down to the lower side of your outer knee). After a brief stint of "resting" (ok ok, i just changed my workouts so there wasn't any high-impact jumping), and a few sessions of acupuncture (which did help, just not fast enough, or cheap enough), I took matters into my own hands.

I bought myself some KT Tape Pro (also available in regular KT Tape - it's a little cheaper, but doesn't stay on as long... and quite frankly didn't look as cool as the Pro version) in neon blue and neon green - because after all, if you're going to have half your leg covered in tape, you better own it and look as bad ass as possible, right? Right.

One application for the IT band.

I tried it out for a run, and it surprised me how much better my leg felt. But, I still wasn't convinced something as easy as tape could be the solution, so I tried another run without the tape. OUCH. That was STUPID another setback, and I had to rest and ice, Again.

After about 4 days with the tape on.

I wouldn't run again without my KT Tape for six months, moving an application along with any little pain I created for myself. My IT band problem went away, and I exchanged it for an ankle issue: another common problem for runners, created by running on the sloped outer side of a road. I KT Taped it up, and again, I was able to get out and continue my training. I've used it for achilles tendon issues on running buddies, a pulled muscle in my foot, and was AMAZED at all the athletes in the London Olympics rocking their KT Tape!

Gotta have all the cool colors, right?

As I wear it, people often ask me what it's for. It's sort of hard to describe, other than saying, "It's MAGIC TAPE!!", but usually try to describe it like this: When elastic is put on an item of clothing, it's stretched out to a certain point (50%, 75%, etc), and then attached to the material. Then, as the elastic is allowed to do what it naturally does, it bunches the material together. The tape, very simply, works in the same manner. It's stretched out as you apply it to the problem muscle or joint, allowing the strain or pressure on the area to be hugely reduced, giving it the support to heal or correct.

Today, my legs are KT Tape free, but I know I would never have been able to log so many training and race miles without this magic tape. If you're experiencing any sort of training-related continued soreness, strains or discomfort, check out kttape.com and see if there's an application for what ails you. 

Do you have a training-related issue you're experiencing, or something you've overcome? How are you/did you deal with it? Have you used KT Tape before?

Fitting It In.

Sometimes, life gets just a little bit out of control. Going on vacations, work trips, and sometimes just the regular day-to-day responsibilities can SERIOUSLY get in the way of fitting in a workout. ESPECIALLY when your workout requires two hours of the day!

This weekend, I was away from home for the whole weekend, which meant I knew I was going to miss out on my regular long training run on Saturday. Upon realizing this, I freaked out packed up my workout DVDs and figured it would be okay to substitute a HIIT workout from TurboFire on Saturday, and then squeeze in a workout when I got home on Sunday. My workouts keep me sane, so I knew I needed to do a workout to make it through the weekend, and HIIT 25 fit the bill perfectly.

Love this saying - because I never know what to say when people ask, "Are you a runner?"

Sidenote: to all you busy moms out there - you are truly amazing. I was babysitting all weekend, and the thought of either having to take two little boys (4 and 6.5) with me, or forfeit my long run was enough to make me tear up like they did when I told them we weren't having chocolate-covered-raisins for breakfast.

What do you mean, you can't read the instructions on the microwave popcorn bag?

Thank goodness I got up before the kids and worked out. Otherwise I may have had to make them play tag (aka, do shuttle runs and fartletks) with me.

Moving my long run to a week day is where I really get hung up. I know I need to do it before work, because that's when I focus best, but it is SO hard to get up before the sun when you're used to doing a long run with so many conveniences.

Long runs on the weekend are perfect for me because there's less traffic, I can start at 7 or 8 (or even 9! who cares!), and there's less pressure for me to finish in a certain time because I have somewhere to be. In my area, there's even a few places that close down vehicle access so runners and bikers can use the whole road.

Besides running, I do most of my regular workout at home. So, they're travel-friendly,

How do you fit in a workout when you're super busy, out of town, or if you missed a day? Any tips from those of you who run longer runs during the week?

What's your "race style"?

I ran the Lake Union 10k yesterday in Seattle. It was a perfect run morning: cool weather, beautiful course, less than 1,100 runners (I think because the paved course around the lake isn't very wide). The race started at 7:30 and I was meeting up with some running friends, so, living an hour South meant my alarm clock went off incredibly early (4:30).

A view of Lake Union from the South end.

Side rant: I always worry too much about what I eat for breakfast the day of a race. I haven't yet made a majorly regrettable breakfast choice - but I've read enough running blogs that I'm overly concerned about some sort of emergency happening during a race (read: needing to poop). At least when you're up three hours before a race, you've got plenty of time to stand in line at the porta-potty.

Back to the topic at hand:

There are SO many different ways people approach race days. Some choose a goal time to try and beat, while others don't worry about their completion time. What do you do?

I recently purchased a Garmin 910xt and it's really changed the way I run races. It allows me to see my pace, my heart rate, and will let me compare my times for each mile ran (among the million other things it also does). This handy tool really lets me see how I'm doing, in real time, and lets me know how much harder I can push myself. I always try to beat whatever my previous time running that length was, and my Garmin helps me keep from starting out with a pace I can't maintain over the course of the run. 

Another tactic I've adopted during races, is to find someone with a pace a few seconds faster than mine, and follow them throughout the race. Sometimes this ends up with a long game of leap-frogging some poor stranger. Other times, I just find someone ahead of me with bright clothing on, and try to keep within eyesight.

For this race - I started out with (what felt like) a super fast pace. But, after a mile in, my watch told me I was right on track for my regular race pace (which is always faster than my training-run pace). After I wove through the pack to where my pace was, I found a guy in front of me with bight blue Mizuno Precisions on, and was able to creeper stalk  draft him the whole race. I was feeling pretty good during a few places and smoked this poor stranger up the hills, but then he came right back and passed me on the straightaways. (I should take that as a training tip, probably... but I'll choose to focus on the fact that I run strong hills.)

After the race, I made sure to find the guy and thank him for being my pacer. He was nice, and laughed as he said, "Yeah, I noticed you on those hills, you did well". (Which I think translated into: "You chicked me twice, but then I caught up... so they get cancelled out, right?). He finished REALLY strong; probably a good 15 seconds ahead of me, even though I sprinted the last 100 yards of the race, just to try and get those seconds down. 

I looped back around to a point before the finish line, so I could cheer on my running buddies, and here's where I got to thinking... What are these people's plans of attack? Some people looked like they hadn't just ran six miles, while others were pushing it so hard I was afraid they were going to miss the turn off for the finishline. 

It was pretty obvious that some runners were trying to beat a time, while still more seemed to be taking their time and enjoying their surroundings a little more. (Also, I was standing near the camera guy, and it was HILARIOUS to see the ridiculous things people were doing for their photos. I saw people with the look of death on their faces, covered in sweat, all of a sudden flash a HUGE smile, do an air jack, and yell, "WOOHOO" for this camera guy - and then immediately go back to exhausted-runner. It was hysterical!)

From this, to Richard Simmons, in 1 second flat.

Do you know what kind of "race style" you have? 

I like to treat races as endurance training runs: a way to get in some speedwork, and push myself a little harder than I so when I'm just competing with myself. And, it's the best time for me to PR. Less distractions, more competition (I'm just a LITTLE competitive. Like 10 steps behind Monica from Friends, competitive...)

So tell me what your plan of attack? Beat everyone? Don't be last? Beat a personal time, or within a certain time limit? 

Do you have a plan of attack for the camera guy? Mine? Avoid him at all costs... running directly behind someone else is not out of the question. 

Friday Favorite #1

Well since this is the first Friday of my blog, I thought I would liven things up a big, and give myself a weekly topic to write about. So, each Friday I'll pick out a favorite of mine: gear, workouts, food, etc. And, I hope you'll share your favorites, too!

Today's favorite? One of my favorite run routes.

Chamber Creek Properties - Pierce County, WA

After a week of anticipated hotter-than-normal days here in the Pacific Northwest, my friend convinced me to get up and run in the morning on Wednesday (which I only do sometimes because of my work schedule) so I wouldn't have to work out in the heat of the afternoon. (Here in the PNW, 85 is pretty much considered blisteringly hot. It's embarrassing.)

I set out my clothes the night before, and mentally prepared myself for an early alarm.

You should know I'm a self-described morning person. Some might say I'm obnoxious a little too chipper in the morning hours, especially when there's exercise involved.

There's just something about how peaceful everything is early in the morning when the world seems to be moving just a little slower, don't you agree? (Non morning people, keep your comments to yourselves.)

This is where I have to add in that I started my run with a laugh because the exact person who talked me into  getting up early for a run? Sent me a text message that said "OKAY, I'LL GO BACK TO BED!!"

Don't worry, she got up and ran despite her bed trying to trap her.

Here's the view from where I ran:

This is Chambers Creek Golf Course (the 2015 location of the U.S. Open Championship) and the Chambers Creek Properties in University Place.

It's the PERFECT training route for all levels of runners. There's a paved path that runs around the golf course, a giant meadow, and through some forested area. If you take the longest loop around, it's a perfect 5k (although it feels much longer!).

The route has some significant hills on both sides; one side is three large switchbacks, and the other side in multiple smaller switchbacks with rolling (and sometimes really steep) hills through shady trees.

Here's an actual map of the route.

Chambers is NO exception when it comes to the early-morning peacefulness. It's next to Puget Sound, has a train track that runs nearby, and most of the regular users have a good understanding of trail etiquette.

The view from the top.

This course is ALWAYS challenging to me, no matter how many miles I've logged recently. The hills are KILLER, no matter which direction you decide to go around it.


Do you have a favorite place to run? Somewhere peaceful? Or maybe it's your favorite because it's super convenient to get to?

Gym Class Personalities

Let me preface this by saying, I don't generally incorporate at-the-gym classes into my workout schedule these days, especially during the summer when it's just too nice not to be outside. But, I've been getting a little bored of my regular schedule lately, and it's warmer out right now than my preferred running temperature (I know, I know... I'l get over it). Also, this particular class just happened to be scheduled during my lunchtime, so it doubled as an escape from the hellish document I had been working on all morning.

If only the document I was working on looked this easy to fix.

Anyhow, back to the story.

It's been awhile since I've been to a gym class, so I checked with the front desk to make sure there was actually one happening. Naturally, the front desk gal had no clue (not to knock front desk people, because I've been there, too). So after she looked it up and assured me there was a class, I headed through the weight area (I hate walking through there... AVOID EYE CONTACT) and up the stairs to the studio.

The thing I love most about mid-day classes, is that I can get lost pre-class wondering what all the people (read: women) there do for a living. I'd imagine many of them were on a lunch break, but this particular class seemed to have a fair amount of women whose life-partners obviously "bring home the bacon", allowing them to do whatever they want during the day (including, but not limited to, wearing too much makeup to the gym).

There were a few college-aged girls, and about a dozen "older" women (for lack of a better age gauge) who looked a little feeble, but sure enough, powered through the class like it was easier than a game of bridge.

Pretty sure the ladies in my class could easily do this. In their cute workout skirts.

As a mentioned before, no men. Not sure if that's because it was a "Body Works plus Abs" class, or maybe the time, but this was an all-women event.

I always try to get in somewhere in the middle of the room so only half the people in the class have to witness my mess-ups, and there was a huge spot to the left of the room left open. RED FLAG. Well, at least I should have realized this was a red flag.

This would probably be a good time to tell you I have a few pet peeves when it comes to gym classes. One, being the instructor that assumes you know everything before class, and doesn't bother to tell you what the hell a "leg lift pull kick switch" means (don't worry, I bought the Step Class for Dummies since that experience). This instructor was nice enough to come introduce herself and welcome me to the class; I was impressed.

My second pet peeve are the people who talk through the class, in a manner that makes it hard to hear the instructor, and yet at the same time, making the rest of the class feel alienated from whatever they're talking about, because they're not actually talking loud enough to be able to make out the words.

(They were also the ladies who appeared to be wealthy via their spouses. Surprised? Didn't think so.)

Another pet peeve I have is poor form. I definitely understand there's a lot of reasons for this. One being, that the instructor is so distracted by the chatty-Cathys, she doesn't notice. But, I also think poor form breeds pain, which means that person isn't going to keep coming back to this class. :(

The lady to my right was doing rows and dead lifts with a back more rounded out than a freaked out black cat decoration on Halloween.

This is an exact drawing of that woman.Except she had weights. And no whiskers.

I DESPERATELY wanted to say something to her, because it was obvious she was struggling with the moves, but I've also learned most people aren't super receptive to suggestions made by some other participant in the class, unfortunately.

So, besides the fact I could practically hear her back and spine screaming for help (perhaps I could have if those RUDE women hadn't been chatting about handbags shoes makeup application God-knows-what), the class was a great workout.

I really like the instructor. She was high energy, positive, and pushed us just a few reps beyond where you really wanted to stop. The music was also a super plus for me - I struggle in classes where the music is flat - but she had a great mix of danced-up music from sometime in the early 80's. The ladies behind me (no, not the chatty ones) kept singing, and it put a huge smile on my face.

They were working really hard, too.

All in all? Great class. I woke up this morning with a sore chest, and I could feel it in my back, too.

Now, going back and reading through this entry, I realize I sound a little judgy. That's not really fair of me, because those ladies who were incessantly talking over the instructor could have had a SUPER good reason for it. Like, they were planning their daughter's wedding, or they are joint owners in a business and they were making up their annual budget. Who knows.

But for a 60 minute class? Either don't be rude to the instructor, and the people newer to a class setting, OR talk loud enough to include everyone!

Do you go to classes at your gym? What are the "personalities" you always see there?

The profusely sweaty guy? The woman with too little clothes and too much makeup? The person who leaves 25 minutes early? Chatty-Cathys?

Comment below and add your gym personality experiences!