Why Women Should Stop Running? Hardly!

A while ago, I wrote about trying to be inclusive at the gym. The idea of that post was that I may weigh less on a scale, but everyone who is at the gym is trying. How hard or how much they are trying might be a combination of experience, knowledge, comfort, and will, but they are there.

Two situations have completely outraged me today, in reflection of that piece.
First, my friend went to a health fair at work, and reported feeling snubbed by the local gym recruiters. My friend is not in peak physical health, but she was asking questions, in search of information. If a gym is not looking to challenge itself and its customers by having a wealth of different clients, it should probably exist only in Hollywood.

Second, I came across this link to someone who, according to his opening paragraph, has little respect for anyone who is not doing Everything Right at the Gym.

The piece is inflammatorily called 'Why Women Should Not Run', and has been apparently released elsewhere. Being a very proud half-marathon runner, the title of the article immediately has my hackles up.
The first error I find is that the title is misleading. The writer is not saying that women should not run, period. Instead, he is arguing that running for hours on end is not conducive to losing weight. To a point, he is not wrong, but his examples and his style of writing leads any sensible woman to ignore the argument he is trying to make.

The writer's primary example is his friend Jessica. I hope that's not her real name. He says he has observed her doing static running on a treadmill for years on end, and despite his repeated attempts to offer suggestions, it has been only until recently that she understood that what she is doing is not working. The writer does not give any examples of suggestions he may have offered, but since his main complaint seems to be against the static exercise of treadmill, bicycle, or elliptical, it is entirely possible that getting out of the gym might be a good start. I have heard of people who can go from a treadmill to running a half-marathon with ease, and heavens bless them, but I find running on the unevenness of a path to be much more energy-consuming than running indoors on an incessant treadmill. The scenery is also more interesting.

It is also interesting to note that the writer boldly declares that his intent is not to pick on women or make fun of them, but he does not follow words with action. His tone is unmistakably condescending when he says, "I’ve tried to rescue her from the clutches of cardio in the past..." Just how he has tried to rescue her is not clarified, like his unheeded suggestions,  but he is also so gracious as to not 'name names' when commenting on the dietary habits... rather, the "amazing displays of gluttony" of women at the Cheesecake Factory. While I am sure he has seen this in practice, his using the word 'gluttony' hearkens to the seven deadly sins, of which Eve, the representing matriarch, is the cause of the Original Sin. I'm actually quite sure the author did not intend to cut so deeply with his words, but he inadvertently uses the term in a shaming, and ultimately shameful, fashion. Another matter I take issue with is that, when he mentions two machines in relation to women, the author only mentions the abductor and adductor machines, as if these two machines are the stereotype of 'women machines' in the gym. Strangely, at my gym, the adductor and abductors are two machines I rarely see women on. Maybe I'm in the wrong part of the gym, by the free-weights.

The last problem with this article is that, like the author's unclarified suggestions and methods of saving someone from cardio, he has many arguments for not running on a treadmill to lose weight, but he has very few alternatives. He does mention appropriate HIIT, but very little else; it gives the impression that fitness and cardio start only when you enter the gym, and once you leave, there is nothing to do. Meanwhile, my alternatives are: running outdoors (c'mon, if I can do it, whining and bitching in my snowy hometown, the only excuse is the north pole. Or a hurricane), running hills, cycling for groceries or to work, swimming (no one care what you look like in the swimsuit, they just want a lane), or even climbing stairs.

So far, I've focused on how wrong this writer's approach has been, with little nod to the technically correct aspects of his article. He is correct in saying that steady cardio on a treadmill is not conducive; that pointing this out is not a new thing; I will also give him credit on the biology information that I haven't bothered to look into. However, this is my article, and that's about the most that I can really find that's accurate about this. Unfortunately, even this information is presented in such a condescending fashion that an unpracticed woman might think that this is the average gym goer's train of thought, so she shouldn't even bother; and a gym-going woman will find it hard to see through the red haze that she won't bother reading the rest of it.

It is my sincere hope that the people who share this way of expressing their views on fitness are few and far between. It is in this manner that people are dissuaded from trying to attend a gym or thinking that their situation can ever change. It is also my sincere hope that, despite the inciting, inflammatory, and desensitized titles and content, that this article does not reach people who would take it to heart - those of us who can read through the belittling nonsense will hopefully find it appropriately rude and lacking in humanity, if not credibility, and sin-bin/File 13 it as they see fit. In essence: this article, however scientifically sounding, is opinion and should be treated cautiously as thus.

Running 18k Ensemble

Given last week's lonely run, I got wise and went in to the Running Room to find out where the half-marathon group would be running from. It's a good thing, too, because they were running from a mildly obscure area in the River Valley, and starting an hour earlier.

Waking up at 6 a.m., I really did consider just running on my own, and stealing the extra sleeptime. However, I really didn't want to do the whole run on my own again, so I got up, ate my bowl of Cheerios and a slice of toast with peanut butter, and drove down to the starting site.

I started out rather slow, to maintain pace with someone who hadn't run since the 12k weekend. During the first 5km, we went down roads, into ravines, and down gravel hills that I dreaded coming back up. I kept up the chatter, as my running companion seemed to find my patter absolutely interesting - or she couldn't catch enough breath to interrupt me.

Right around 5km, my running buddy decided to head back, and conveniently, there was a bathroom stop just around the corner. Even more conveniently, the city employee had just arrived to open the locks on it. However, despite the five adoring women thanking him profusely, he did not seem terribly amused. I hope he remembers us fondly, because we sure will.

Anyways, continuing on, through the swelling hill-ettes and along the paths, we made it to 9km, and paused long enough to wait for everyone to catch up. By that point, I was extremely glad we'd started early, because despite the trees and the River Valley, the sun was hot and the mercury was rising. It was, of course, at that point that the rest of us discovered that the lead-pack had gotten lost twice. Whoopsie! However, we were close enough to downtown that I would have been able to find my way home (or at least given Ragnar enough direction to pick me up).

We headed back, and I was quite pleased that, not only were my knees reacting ... reasonably well, and my hip wasn't paining me nearly as much as last week. During the run back, it was time for more runners and bikers to be out, and I saw an example of bad road courtesy: a road biker was heading towards us, and shoved a walker out of the way, to the ground (though whether there was actual contact, I didn't see). He then took a moment to look back, but continued on his way. Mitigating circumstance: the walking group was not sharing the road either, and looked like they could be working off last night's hangover. Bad karma all 'round.

We stayed to the path on our way back, and I was not taking as many GU energy gels as I had expected. Speaking of GU, their Chocolate Outrage and Peanut Butter gels are pretty tasty. I just know I can't be the only person to think there needs to be a Chocolatey Peanut Butter Explosion.

Anyways, it was during the last 3.5km that I started really watching my watch. We were still going up and down hills, and my knees were letting me know about it. And just as we got to the end... Stairs. The dreaded River Valley Stairs loomed before me. The last time I had seen these stairs, I'd nearly puked, and I hate puking. But I did them, and found that, despite having elapsed nearly 17km already, I did the stairs with relative ease - my lunchtime runs in the Valley, doing similar stairs, had trained me well.

We were pretty close to the end, and I managed to burn some extra by finishing fast and strong. I like doing that. It makes me feel like it's a piece of cake, and the last 18km was de rigeur.

Post-run, I enjoyed a raspberry protein shake, and a nap. My knees and left hip feel pretty comfortable, though respectably tired. It feels like a job well-done, and we shall see what next week entails.

Speaking of my hip, I am debating between going to get it checked out, and leaving it be before the big race. This week will be the big decider.

My Week In Running

I discovered a lot of new things in running this past week:

1. BC has a lot of hills. Sweetie and I did our 15km long run on Saturday, as we were planning to drive home on Sunday. This began with a big downhill, which meant on the return, there would be a big uphill. However, it was a nice run, fully enjoyable time with Ragnar, and I was able to enjoy the beautiful near-countryside of BC. Weird thing seen: a couch in the ditch.
2. Podcasting: I've heard of podcasting, but never figured it out until I needed something, anything, to block out the Flames of War podcast Ragnar was listening to. So I hooked up to Geeks in Running Shoes, which is a couple of self-proclaimed geeks who are recording their continuing efforts in making running a norm in their lives. They have guests, they talk about their race results, and they're super-nice: one already responded to me on Twitter! They also led me to the Slow Runners' Club, which espouses a joy in running and racing that is based on having fun, not racing for time, personal bests, or a win. Also, running while listening to podcasts? Not awesome, because you may have to laugh too hard.
3. Upon returning to Edmonton, it was, as my sister had described it, as hot as the seventh level of Dante's Hell. Constantly 28-30C, and humid to boot! Fortunately, I had lived in Ottawa, so this humidity was a mosquito's bite compared to some I'd experienced, but it made me start running in the morning again, because running at noon was torturous.
4. Which I did, actually, because I hadn't woken up early enough Thursday morning (the invasive heat and resulting two-hour thunderstorm broke my sleep too much). In deference, I brought a bottle of water with me, and took more walk-breaks than usual. It was a light 5k, but ended up taking a bit longer than usual.
5. Speaking of torturous running and podcasting, one of the topics that Geeks in Running Shoes covered at one point was Ultra running. This was very interesting for me because my boss runs ultras, and Ragnar is getting into them. As a matter of fact, Ragnar is training to participate in the Canadian Death Race (my boss is also training for this, but I'm not his pit crew). Listening to GiRS's podcast, I got a sense of what Ragnar will need on his run in the Death Race: yes-or-no or other equally simple questions, like "Are you peeing? When did you last pee? Are you drinking water? Electrolytes?" Quadratic equations are right out at a time when someone is concentrating on one foot in front of the other.
6. Last but not least, I really hope the wildfires in northern Alberta die down fast because I want everyone to be safe, and I want the air in Edmonton to clear up - right now, it's a disturbing yellow-peach colour during the day, stings my eyes, and doesn't feel healthy in the lungs. I wanted to go rollerblading tonight, but maybe I'll wait for a clearer day.

And that is what I learned.

Addendum: Dear hip, shut up. Just because we're turning 30 tomorrow does not mean my warranty has run out. Stop whining. You just have two more half-marathons to do this season. Quiet.

Stanley Park Seawall, Vancouver, BC

Today, I woke up after Ragnar had to go, and I didn't really feel like running. I knew we would have a long walking day with Stanley Park and the Vancouver Aquarium.

Fast forward past the traffic jam to Vancouver, getting somewhat lost in Stanley Park, and the Aquarium, as lovely as it was. Ragnar suggested we get out the rollerblades and since it had been years since I'd last rolled, I was excited and nervous all at once.

You can imagine that it started out badly. The car, our starting point, was parked on an incline, and I was nervously clutching at Ragnar. I did land on my butt once. However, once we got down to the actual sea wall, it was pretty straight-forward, with some curves. As I continued on, I gained confidence and speed. Through children and runners and other rollerbladers, I made my way through. It really didn't feel like a cardio work out, and perhaps at the speed I was going, it wasn't a huge cardio effort.

Blading along the Seawall was amazing. Sheer stone to our left, sea to our right, it was a beautiful day to be out there. Sunscreen was an absolute necessity, but so worth it. Ragnar estimates we went about 8km, but I was having so much fun that I didn't notice. We saw boats coming in, seaplanes taking off, and the diversity that is Vancouver.

After we landed back at the car (no other traumas to my self), Ragnar and I went for ice cream. Worth it!!

Sunday Long Runs: Water

Yesterday was Mothers' Day, but I really needed to go out and do a run. I hadn't eaten a proper breakfast (whole wheat biscuits and coffee just don't cut it!), I had waited until the temperature was 20C, and I didn't take enough water. I took a gel with me (the new Mint Chocolate from GU is yummy!), but I really needed to be drinking more water along the way as the sun was beating down (if I'd been standing, it'd be nice) and a hot wind not helping.

Result: General dehydration, tiredness, mental stumbling. The fact that I didn't really rest after the run, but took off to St. Albert, then came home and got cooking, doesn't help.

Lesson: Take at least two waters on long runs. Run at 15C for best comfort. Eat a decent breakfast. Give yourself time to rest (aka, basic lessons I've learned before but sometimes have to relearn).

Weird things you see: I saw a car backing out of a driveway, and as I passed to look at the driver side, I saw this huge stuffed bear leaning out the window.

End of April

This month has been a running fiesta for a few reasons.

1. I found a running buddy at work! We go and do a 5k loop once or twice a week. She's fun to run with and very nice to chat with.
2. My boyfriend is back! Ragnar, in training for the Canadian Death Race, went out with me today. We did a nice 10k together.
3. I met people from Running Mania! A couple of people were in from Ottawa, so I went to a little meet-up and met up with four lovely women, Miss Smiles, Trixiee, Fishpants, and IronColl. It was a great night!

On the other hand, I've been missing so many long runs that I think my ambition to do a half marathon in June is shot. It doesn't help that Mother Nature has continued her weekly volley of snow days at us, usually right before the weekend. This week wasn't bad, because it melted by Saturday, but it would be really nice to plant my babies (plants) now.

In other news, I officially made it to 150lbs. For me, this is a big milestone, because while I knew theoretically it was possible, I never figured that I myself could get to that weight and stay there. I credit MyFitnessPal with helping me keep track of what I was eating, giving me a flexible infrastructure, and having a large database. It's not perfect, but as I try to continue to monitor my weight, it's a valuable tool. The other thing I love about this site is that it gives you the option of deciding if you want to lose weight, maintain weight, or gain it. The last, though not being my own concern, is a very important one to have as an option. Not everyone needs to lose it! And not everyone who needs to gain needs to do so because of an eating disorder (though the number of people is frighteningly too many, as in 'more than one').

Apropos of nothing, the national hockey season is winding down, and all the Canadian teams are out. I'm ready for the national football season to start!

I always start these blogs with something to say, and then it devolves into the basics, and I forget the neat, interesting commentaries I could make, like how I saw an Edmonton Public School Board sign advertising a music school... Oh well!

Edited to add: I really wish Canadian restaurants would post nutritional information online. There are a handful that do, but it's frustrating to go out with friends to some really nice place, try a 'signature dish' and not know the nutritional content. Before you say, "Yeah, but you look at the menu and take a guesstimation," remember that restaurants use lots of things that could vary the number of calories, like salt or fat. And no one wants to be the jerk who says, "I don't want to go there because I don't know what I'm eating, so let's go elsewhere."

Suburban Running

My excuse for not having run or written for the past two weeks is because I was moving. Most of my time was (supposed to be) taken up by packing and cleaning.

I took my first run in my new area today, a suburban part of Ottawa. It was quite a nice run, an slow and easy 3k around the block. I started up one road, and saw a cross street and thought, "Hey, doesn't that loop around?"

Jumping on to that street, I saw a number of other walkers, some lovely houses (I admit, I'm window-house hunting, where you see a house you like and admire, but don't go in to purchase), and after the turn back, I came across... a barn! There's a red barn and a little farmhouse right in the middle of suburbia!

I want to go knock on the owners' door one day and say, "Good on you, keeping this land and your barn!" I'm sure they were under a lot of pressure to sell. The barn looks like it's in reasonably good shape, but I didn't smell any animals. We don't want to offend the delicate sensibilities of suburbanites, now, do we?

In other news, the shoes were still working great, and my knees, though stiff, were responding well by the end of the trek.