I Should Know Better

After almost 15 years of running, I should know better than to keep running in worn out shoes just to save a few bucks (and because I am anal and like to start new pairs on the first of the month).

I loved these Hokas, but they barely lasted 300 miles. So I kept running in them even though they had no soles left. 

KIERSTEN DAWN- You only get one body, don't abuse it. You have 3 pairs of new shoes sitting in your closet- start wearing one now!!

After suffering various aches and pains for a few weeks, I finally bit the bullet and pulled out a new pair of shoes. Like magic, all those aches and pains were gone.

How many times has this happened to me? Why do I still do this to myself!

As a soon to be nurse, I try to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. So since I tell my patients how important it is to get regular preventative care, I figured I should probably get a physical since I haven't had one in several years.

I see an NP and I usually like her because I feel like she really listens and spends the necessary time with me. This was not the case this time. I was in and out of there in like 4 minutes and she totally blew off my complaints of fatigue saying "well you are really active and in nursing school."

I figured she knew more than I did so I just accepted that answer. Then about a month ago I switched vitamins. It turns out my new vitamins have a lot more iron (I didn't make this choice consciously, I just wanted a vitamin with less artificial crap in them.)

By increasing the amount of iron I'm getting, look at my resting heart rate.

It dropped from 80 to 64 in a month! I was anemic. As soon as I started getting enough iron, my heart stopped having to work overtime. And guess what- my fatigue is gone too! My running times are so much faster!

In retrospect this was such a simple fix that it makes me so mad that my NP didn't even try to investigate! So I guess the take away here is to trust yourself people. You know your body best. Force your doctor (or PA or NP) to listen and take action if you think something is wrong. 

Have you ever been blown off by a doctor? Do you take iron?

You ain't going Nowhere

Never a miss a chance to have a Bob Dylan song as your post title,

Anyway. I've been having major life envy of my Timehop lately. (For those of you that don't know Timehop is an app that pulls info from all of your social media accounts to show you what you were doing on this day in years past).

5 Years Ago I was in Antarctica

Two years ago I was in Japan

One year ago I was in New Zealand

And this year? I'm at home. I'll be at home for the foreseeable future because with my intensive nursing program we don't have the time or money to travel. Whomp. I really miss having an adventure to look forward to.

(I know it is such a first world problem and that I am so lucky to have gotten to go to all the amazing places I've been. ) 

Let me live vicariously through you. Who is going someplace exciting?

Snow Day

Today I got my first snow day of my nursing program! Yeah! When I woke up for clinical early this morning, I was so happy to see the emergency alert text saying school was closed.


It got me thinking about how snow days now are different than when I was a kid. I knew within 3 seconds of waking up that school was officially cancelled because I got a text.

As a kid I was usually the first person up in my family. So I'd look out the window to make sure it actually snowed and then go downstairs and turn on the TV. I'd have to sit and watch and wait as all the cancellations scrolled across the bottom of the screen. I'd cross my fingers as they got to the F's, because my school started with a G. It was so exciting when I finally saw "Gorham Schools- closed."

How did you find out about snow days as a kid? What was your favorite snow day activity? (Mine was watching the Price is Right while eating Mac and Cheese)

Is it Time to Break-up With my Fitbit?

I've been wearing a Fitbit Charge HR for about a year and half. I was totally in love with it when I first got it, but I'm afraid that the honeymoon is over, and I'm considering a break-up.

There are features I still really like. The sleep tracker has helped me with my sleep habits. Even though I was spending 8 hours in bed, I was not getting enough sleep because it took me so long to fall asleep and then I was so restless. So now I get in bed earlier and I've tried to improve my sleep hygiene.

However, I feel like the focus on steps seems very one sided and is pushing me towards one type of physical activity. Let's look a sample couple days from this week.

Wednesday, I was over my goal of 15,000 steps for the day, Thursday I was not. So according to Fitbit, it seems like Thursday was a less health day. 

Wednesday I went for a 7 mile run, and then pretty much sat down for the whole rest of the day. Thursday, I did a 45 minute spin class and 45 minutes of weights in the morning, walked the dog at lunch, and then did an hour and half yoga class at night. 

Really Thursday was a better day for my overall fitness, but because those activities don't involve a lot of "steps," they don't matter in Fitbit land. I didn't make my step goal, and at the end of the day, that makes me feel like I failed. 

I already tend to be a bit of a cardio queen and I feel like my Fitbit is pushing me more in that direction. 

Do you wear a fitness tracker? Do you feel like it influences your activity?

A Runner's Dilemma

I seem to be having a lot of ethical dilemmas lately. Or maybe I just overthink things. A couple weeks ago I was conflicted over my feelings of anger towards people who come late to yoga.
This week I'm conflicted over shoes.

Over the weekend I went to my local independently owned running store because I had a gift certificate. I figured that $75 would go a long way towards a new pair of shoes.

The staff were amazing. I told them about my running and what type of shoes I usually run in. They confirmed my size, watched my running form, and brought out 6 pairs of shoes for me to try (all of which I loved). Plus we had a great conversation about local running while I tried shoes on.

I was like, "why don't come here all the time??"

Then I went to pay

$160 for the same shoes that I buy on-line for $80.

This is my dilemma.

I want to support my local running store. They provide great customer service. Even as an experienced runner, I learned a lot. They also do amazing things for the local running community.

But I am also very frugal. Why would I pay twice as much for the very same shoes? My budget is especially tight right now while I am in school.

Do you buy your shoes at store, on-line, or both?

A New Personal Mileage Low

Last month I ran my lowest monthly mileage in more than 6 years. I usually average about 100 miles a month when I am not marathon training, but last month I only ran 74.6.

It was partly because winter finally hit us here in Maine. It was cold and snowy. Plus, I was on winter break for a lot of the month. That meant that I had more time to go to the gym and try all the fun classes. So, when it wasn't so nice out, I opted to go to the gym pretty often.

While the type A part of me likes to see my monthly mileage keep rising, I also realize that isn't sustainable. Sometimes you have to step back. Sometimes you just don't feel like running. That's okay. I am in this running thing for the long haul.

Do you have months where your mileage drops a lot? Do you plan these cutback periods? Or do you just listen to your body and take them when you feel it?