Hey, Doc. Don't tell a marathoner to exercise more

 

Maybe I’m overtired. (That’s a given.) But I’m finding this hilarious.

 Like nearly anyone with upcoming races (of any distance) on the calendar, this time of year spells active training. OK, for most of us, that’s pretty much the case all year round, but we tend to pour it on in the spring months, as we prep for warm-weather races.

 

Enter my physician here.

 Having postponed several checkups and procedures during the peak of the recent pandemic, I finally decided to book and show up for a routine physical. The doctor nagged me about some age-appropriate testing, which I did. He also ordered some lab-work, primarily as benchmarks.

  The short version is simple: Everything came back OK.

 Then I received a very brief letter (via snail mail) from my doc.

“Labs are normal. Try to get some exercise, if possible.”

 

Um, what? More exercise?

 This week, as the month of May comes to a close, I’m passing 900 miles for the year (so far).

 

More exercise?

 In the very expensive 12 1/2 minutes that my physician actually spent with me in his office exam room, he did ask me if I’m doing any more marathons this year. I told him I have a few half marathons on the books and might add a full one for the fall. (So many races were canceled in the past couple of years that I am taking a bit of a wait-and-see attitude on the pricier ones.) 

We also talked about the four cardio classes I do each week, along with my equestrian pursuits, cani-cross endeavors (with two large, happy, high-energy beasts), and other fitness activities.

 I might not have mentioned that every one of the fitness professionals with whom I interact each week frequently reminds me of the importance of scheduling down-time and actually taking rest days now and them. (I’m not so good at that. My idea of a rest day usually ends up with me trying to keep up with a busy two year old grandkid or spending several hours digging in the garden.)

 

Geez. I hope that was a form letter.

 And I guess the doc didn’t notice that my BMI is well within the best range, and my weight was actually down from the last time it was clocked in my file.

 Still, I’m lacing up my sneaks and dashing out for more exercise – but not because the doctor said so.

 Seriously, telling a runner to get more exercise is like telling a chocoholic to go eat another hunk of chocolate. Let’s call my physician an enabler…

 

Related Items:

•  Do I really need a running rest day?
• Marathons: Maybe I lied about one-and-done
• Power Play: 15 reasons runners often run faster in races than training runs
• Summer goal: Finding my abs

 

 

Image/s: Created with online generator

 

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Activity trackers -- You're never fully dressed without a dial

“Hey, running pals. Wait for me! I’ve gotta charge my tracker again.”

Are you with me? How many times have you mustered the wherewithal to step out for a run (especially a longer run), only to glimpse at your Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, or other activity tracker (or even smart phone app) and groan? Then, of course, you have to stop and plug the thing in, so it won’t quit along the way.

After all, do miles really count, if they aren’t counted?

Sure, they do. But somehow the trip seems different to us, if it’s not recorded electronically.

Runners find it rewarding to reach our daily distance goals. We love the startling buzz (or pulse or beep), when an activity tracker alerts us that today’s step count has been met.

We’ve all known the disappointment of having a device run out of juice during a record run or a big race. So we sit in parking lots with our car engines running, willing our gadgets to charge faster. We duck back indoors and plug our wristbands in to top off their batteries. We close out inactive apps to keep our phones from running down too fast while we run.

And there’s that dreaded day when a runner discovers mid-run that he or she has slipped out without strapping on that wristband. It’s a scary naked feeling, to be sure.

Remember the scene from Annie, when the kids sang “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile”? Take a look and a listen:

Runners have a slightly different version. We feel less-than-completely-clothed when we skip our trackers.

We're never fully dressed without a dial.

Last week, I joined my chorus onstage for a performance. The costuming required me to leave my Garmin behind until we returned to the backstage area. It was almost creepy. All I had on my left wrist was a slight tan-line.

I’m not falling for that trap today. I just have to rev the thing up before I slip it on again.

“I’ll be along in a few minutes. I’m up to 60% already. C’mon, tracker. Charge up!”

Images:

Adapted by this user from public domain artwork

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What’s the difference between a runner and a jogger?

“Are you a runner or a jogger?”

If I had a nickel! People often ask that. Before I took up running, I wondered the same thing. Actually, several basic differences can be found between these two animals. Here are 10 easy ways to tell the difference between a jogger and a runner. (First, let me admit from the starting gate that a few of these points are somewhat tongue-in-cheek. OK, maybe all of them are.)

Was Rocky a runner or a jogger?

1. Preface – Runners and joggers run to get fit – or at least to make sure our favorite clothes fit. That’s where it all starts for us. In truth, most runners started as joggers. So there’s that.

2. Purpose – Essentially, the jogger runs to burn calories. It’s simple arithmetic. A three-mile run opens the door to guilt-free indulgence in a cupcake, chocolate bar, slice of pizza, or ice cream cone. Of course, the math estimates are based on individual post-run calculations, and these are often fudged. (Sorry, had to.)  The runner appreciates the calorie burning, but claims to run for personal goals (aka upcoming race medals). But yes, runners love recovery refueling, which often consists of otherwise forbidden foods.

3. Presentation – The jogger may be easily identified by his or her costume, which consists of baggy old sweatpants or shorts, topped by a faded and tattered tee shirt or hoodie. The ball cap or bandana is optional. The runner, on the other hand, may be spotted from a significant distance by his or her colorful and pricey performance wicking fashions.

4. Preparations – The jogger hits the pavement casually, possibly glancing at a wristwatch before stepping off for the journey. The runner pauses for at least five extra minutes to queue up music, adjust headphones, and initiate two or three activity tracking devices or smart phone apps.

5. Pace – Although the jogger and the runner may actually complete the same mileage in the same time, the runner will record the event for personal (and probably public) information. In short, an estimated or ignored pace is a jog. A clocked and logged pace is a run, regardless of how long it took.

6. Performance – Whether exercising in pairs or groups or solo, joggers don’t seem to care who is watching. Runners often count it as a personal badge of honor when someone notices their efforts. “I saw you running yesterday,” gives the runner a certain “Atta-boy” or “Atta-girl.” Conversely, “I saw you walking,” makes a runner groan, even though we know all runners take walking breaks now and then.

7. Photography – The jogger will generally not bother with taking pictures of his or her outing (and will likely avoid any possibility of being snapped), but the runner will be sure to obtain a pictorial record of it.

8. Publicity – The jogger will finish his or her route and hit the showers. The runner will immediately post photos (along with activity tracker screenshots) on social networking.

9. Pain – Although determined joggers definitely exist, pounding the pavement faithfully while suffering from nagging injuries or ailments, the pound-through-the-pain runners seem to outnumber them. Maybe it’s the calendar calling, as runners often have the prospects of future races pushing them to keep training. Lots of races, particularly marathons and half-marathons, require registrations (and payments) months in advance. That spells a special kind of commitment, even when stuff hurts. (And it does.)

10. Passion – Here’s where joggers and runners may be on the same page. We’re all out there because we love it – or hate it. When it comes to fitness (and sticking with it), we’ve come to the conclusion that this is something we can stand to do. So we do it. And when we don’t do it, we miss it.

All kidding aside, I think it bears mention that anyone slipping into sneakers and stepping out for a few miles at any pace gets points for playing. Joggers tend to get a bum rap these days, even when they complete the same distances as runners. That’s dead wrong.

And let’s just admit it: Runners are joggers some days. And vice-versa.

We are all athletes, both joggers and runners.

Jogger or runner, if you are getting out there, I salute you. You’re working it. You’re getting fit (or staying fit). You’re burning calories, sucking fresh air, and fighting for your own health. Got get it, gang.

Images:

Promotional photo – Rocky (1976) – fair use

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