Get a Foam Roller

Since I started training for St. Jude's half marathon, I've been foam rolling. I've talked about it a lot, but I realize some of you have no idea what I mean by that. So today is the day I share some information.

As much as I complain about it, foam rolling is clearly brilliant for quick muscle recovery. And I can tell a huge difference since I started using it.

What does it look like?

It's a cylinder-shaped piece of foam. It's not soft foam, but it's not hard like a brick. It has a little give to it, but not much.

What do you do with it?

You roll your legs and back on it. It's a very awkward process. And after long runs or not using it for a few days, it will hurt you.

Here's the thing. When you run, your body builds up toxins that are stored in your muscles. Over time, the toxins form knots in your muscles. You can't really feel the knots, but you know they are there because of muscle tightness.

Think of the foam roller as you own personal masseuse. By applying pressure to different muscle groups and rolling them on the foam roller, you can elongate your muscles and break up the knots and toxins in your body.

It is crazy how good it hurts. The first time I did it (the right way), I cussed like a sailor. My calf muscles felt like solid rocks, and rolling down my quads took my breath away.

But as bad as it hurt doing it, I felt like a million bucks the next day. Seriously, nothing hurt. No aches and pains. No muscle stiffness. It was crazy. I knew I was on to something.

So I decided to dedicate 30 minutes or so a day to foam rolling. And at first it wasn't pretty. I looked like a fish flopping around on the floor, and I'm pretty sure if my neighbors heard me they would have thought I had Tourette Syndrome because of the random outburts of cuss words. (BTW---they moved out right after I started using it on a regular basis....Coincidence? Maybe.)

After running Asher's 5K, I was too lazy to foam roll, even though my legs felt tight during the entire run. And I didn't foam roll Sunday. Or Monday.

So I did 3.7 miles of speed work yesterday, and I knew my date with the foam roller wouldn't be fun. And guess what? I was right. My calves were back to feeling like rocks, and rolling over my quads almost made me cry.

Bottom line: If you are a runner, you need a foam roller. Especially if you run long distances and high mileage. Elongating tight muscles will help prevent injury. And once you get through the first couple of rounds, foam rolling becomes less of a self-tourture fest.

I realize foam rolling doesn't sound all that great, but I promise your legs and back will thank you. I am completely amazed at how much better I feel, and I would dare to say it's changed my running life.

Here is the pin I used to teach myself how to foam roll.  Thank you Pinterest!

Now go foam roll and report back.

Don't Hold Your Breath

I came to a major realization last night while I was running.

All summer long, I ran in uncontrollable heat. All summer long, I would dream of running at temperatures 30 degrees cooler.

It didn't occur to me that my body would have to go through a transistion period from heat to cool.

Now don't get me wrong, running in cooler air is very delightful. But my lungs have been conditioned to breathing in water from the humidity.

Last night was the first time I breathed air. Actual air. Cool, clean air. And it kind of hurt my chest. Awesome.

But I didn't stop me from completing 3 glorious miles at the River Trail and over the Big Dam Bridge.

After the first 10 minutes, I fell into a nice rhythm. Why is it that the first 10 or so minutes feel like pure hell? The first ten make me want to quit more than any other time during my run.

Logan and the roommate also had two of the greatest runs ever. With the exception of Logan's right foot going completely numb. Does any one know what that means?

It's amazing how heat plays such a factor in running. I knew it affected me, but I didn't realize the extent to which it affected me. The summer of breathing in water is over people. And that in itself is a glorious fact.

And after these few blissful months of Fall, it will all be over for me. Don't worry. I'm not quitting. Just expect a lot more complaining about the cold weather running. And just the cold period. I HATE winter.

I hate the cold. The snow. I hate it. And it's weird because I love Christmas time, and my birthday is in the winter. You'd think I'd be more excited, but I'm not looking forward to snot freezing to my face. Anyone get that reference to Dumb and Dumber?

Next thing on the agenda: Where to get running capris and pants?

I'm not going to freeze to death trying to exercise. It's not going to happen. I need to be prepared.

So where can I get pants that won't take all my moneys and then throw my wallet on the ground and spit on it? Are all pants made as cold gear? I need help. If you know anything related to the running capris and pants topic, please leave me a knowledge nugget in the comments section.

That's all for today, folks. But I will ask everyone nicely to go out and buy a Caramel Nut Brownie Luna Bar. And eat it. It will be the best thing you did all day.

Well it will be the best thing you do all day if you love overly chocolate things.