I got ambitious with my distraction tactics a couple weeks ago. I Googled St. Petersburg and triathlon and came up with Escape From Fort Desoto, a triathlon scheduled for 7 a.m. April 10 (my birthday) on one of the most beautiful stretches of beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
I’ve never participated in a triathlon, but I’ve always wanted to something fierce. This one seemed like a good beginner race: a .5-mile swim, a 10-mile bike ride and a 4-mile run. How taxing could it be?
The biking part, I’ve got that down. The swimming part, no problem. I once creamed one of my most physically fit (male) friends in a swimming race across Kinzua Lake on a camping trip in Warren, Pa. Sure it was eight years ago, but still. I’m a mermaid.
Running is something else. Running is really, really taxing. I can do it. And in my junior miss days, I could do it fast. It’s just not my preferred method of physical activity because 1.) I’m slightly knock-kneed and 2.) I’m a bicycle fanatic.
So I’ve been training for the run, and this is my running path.
I live in a state with year-round outdoor exercise potential and in a neighborhood with a running path that would infuriate my fellow Buffalonians, even the sedentary ones. The sidewalk you see here is one block from my house. It follows along the edge of Coffee Pot Bayou and then takes a turn into downtown St. Petersburg, where it continues past a small airport and the Salvador Dali Museum.
I usually follow the cobblestone street to a storybook bridge that crosses over into Snell Isle, a sleepy waterfront neighborhood lined with old Florida homes with adorable porches and new Florida McMansions with separate nanny quarters and Escalades in the driveway.
It’s a breathtaking jog for literal and scenic reasons and I’m certain I could convince even the widest of fatasses to tread it. PLUS, I’m stoked to report that I’m running three miles in 30 minutes, which I know is a pittance to you runner-types, but for me, it’s huge.
Now if only my left knee would stop throbbing.
Heather over at alis grave nil: you have any advice for me?
You too Rosey Rebecca. I know you run.
The knee pain is frustrating because I’m on a roll and I don’t want to stop. Tonight, after resting the knee for 24 hours, I left the house with a killer song blasting on my iPod thinking all was well with my bony knobs only to turn around five minutes into the run due to knee pain.
This doesn’t sit well with me. I’ve got a triathlon in less than a month. My first triathlon! Waddya think? Should I ditch my $15 Walmart sneakers for $130 Nike Lunar running shoes?
Cool, that’s a fun race. I’ve done it several times. Part of the run for the race is on sand if I recall. The first half is on asphalt/sidewalk and the rest is on a sand beach path. I would suggest a few rides out at Fort Desoto as well, because the wind can play a big factor out there (plus, it’s beautiful).
Definitely get good shoes. The right running shoe makes all the difference. I would suggest going to Feet First or that fancy place in International Plaza and have them analyze your stride and foot type. You don’t need $130 shoes unless they’re the right shoes for you. Good luck! If you need any triathlon advice or gear, let me know.
Girl, you are crazy! You absolutely cannot run without good running shoes. And, buying expensive shoes isn’t necessarily the answer – you need shoes that complement the fit of your foot and how you strike the ground when you run.
I have problems with my knees, but I find that they are the worst when I’m just getting back into it. They get used to the impact and get a little tougher with more practice. I would ice and ibuprofen until they toughen up because you may be getting some inflamation from the new stress.
But shoes have tons to do with that – you need to get some good ones, even for short runs.
Good luck! Keep me updated!
as an ex goalie with knees that buckle and ache daily, I suggest getting insoles for your running shoes. Getting a good heel support not only takes the pain off your knee (as I’m sure soccer screwed you with as well), but it decreases shin splints, if you ever get those.
And yeah – get some better shoes. $130 is excessive – I love my new balance shoes, but i have fred flinstone skinny flat feet – so try out different pairs! good luck! 🙂
and yes – i am BEYOND jealous of that running path – i would be about 50lbs less than I am if that was the route I could run! I just have winter’s pond to run to, lol
I have not run in about a year but I have problems with my knees too. Moderately good shoes and insoles are what helped me. Also, there is this stretch, I forget what it’s called, but you stand next a wall, cross your feet and put all your weight on the foot furthest from the wall while you gently push against the wall with one hand.
By the way I am totally envious of your running path it is beautiful.
Hey Heidi–When I started running last year, I went to Feet First and got outfitted with some great sneaks. I think they cost $80 but they have been worth it–my feet have never ached when I’ve worn them. And they’re hot pink!
So, my knee started hurting too and I was scared because I had the whole breathing thing down and I had gotten to the point where running didn’t HURT anymore, but it was just this knee pain that was making me stop–just like you wrote–very frustrating!
It was the side of my knee that was aching and I researched it online and it was a tight ligament that connects my hip to my knee. They said to stop running if it starts hurting–don’t try to persevere thru it! Anyway, Misha did some sports massage and the pain went away! Crazy!
Good advice people! Thank you. I now know my Walmart kicks aren’t cutting it and that I need to be icing the left knee when I get home.
London: You described my experience and pain EXACTLY. It’s on the left SIDE of my knee. And like you said, I’m finally at the point where I can run without feeling like I’m going to PUKE, so the knee thing is just irritating. I also think I pushed myself a little to hard in the beginning, which is why I’m in this predicament. I went from not running in 10 years to running three miles in the Walfart sneakers I picked up on my honeymoon. (YES, I went to Walfart on my honeymoon. We were camping and needed supplies, which is another story for another day…)
Anyway –– just popping on here to say thanks. The advice has been tremendous. You’d think I’d know to ice my knee after running, but I honestly hadn’t thought of it. I was a forward on my high school soccer team from 7th to 12 grade and I had all kinds of leg ailments. (Thank you Carrie for pointing this out.)
Oh, and Carrie: You can run this path all you want when you visit this summer. 🙂
Get fitted for running shoes. That’s my number one tip. I actually just wrote a how-to article for beginner runners for my magazine writing class. I also work at Fleet Feet Sports. It’s a chain so you might have one near you. They measure your feet and watch you run. If you are pronating (aka knocking knees), you need the right support. The right shoes will make all the difference.
Cobblestone streets lined with palm trees along the water? That is funning perfection. I envy your determination. I’ll be rooting for you on April 10th – which is also the night of my hockey banquet featuring kareoke. I may just dedicate a song to you. A little Journey maybe? Don’t stop Believin?
I tell myself I don’t run because of my giant boobs. Which may or may not be true. Deep down I feel I wouldn’t run even if I had the cute little boobs I often dream of.
ya “funning” = ‘running’
Dearest Miss Heidi Ho-Bag:
As a former Iron-distance triathlete (I just like including that) I can tell you about all sorts of stuff triathlon related.
SHOES: You don’t need super-expensive shoes if you get the right ones for your feet, but ditch the Wal-Mart ones for running (or donate them to a shoe collection).
Go to a place that will analyze your stride while running in the shoes (usually on a treadmill in the store), and that will look at your feet. They will then let you know what type you have.
I did the Great Floridian Iron-Distance Triathlon in 2002, and almost ran into some serious problems a few months beforehand with shin-splints, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis, due to the wrong shoes. I thought that having a light soft-feeling shoe would be the way to go since I would be running 26.2 miles on it during that race (not to mention all the miles logged in them during the training and races leading up to it!). However, I have flat feet, and I over-pronate when I run, so I needed some serious Motion-Control/Stability ones. About a year or 2 later I got a pair of Brooks “Beast” running shoes which were the best for over-pronation. Although they were heavier and stiffer than my Saucony’s (the ones I trained and raced in), they felt SO good to run in! My feet stayed comfortable because they had the support they needed. If I had known as much then as I do now about things, it would have been a MUCH easier race!
A few years ago, I eventually went to a foot doctor due to having foot and joint pain (ankles, knees, hips, back), and he made me some custom-molded orthotics for my shoes. They helped WONDERS! They gave me support for my arches, and helped with my pronation. I put them in and wear them in all of my different shoes, and even my ice skates for hockey. I can’t tell you just how much they’ve helped me with everything! Running, walking, cycling, standing, skating, soccer, you name it! They got rid of my pain by fixing the problem that was causing the other problems.
Changing your shoes to the right ones will help you tremendously. Don’t push through actual injuries, you’ll only make them worse. If you put in the hours of training, you’ll be fine come race day. Now the main thing now that you need to worry about is nutrition. What to eat before, during and after. Let me know when you’re ready to hear about all of THAT! Just remember, carbs are your friends! The right kind of carbs that is. Not sugar. Get your protein immediately after a workout! Drinking Accelerade and eating an energy bar during the beginning of the bike gives me energy during the run.
One other bit of advice is to join a triathlon club that you can workout with. They will help you TREMENDOUSLY with working out, knowledge, sports-store discounts (so join them BEFORE you buy those shoes!), and not to mention the friends you’ll make! I would recommend the St. Pete Mad Dogs Triathlon Club. If/when you do join them (DO IT! NOW! SERIOUSLY! YOU’LL THANK ME!), tell Wendy Tocha (pronounced TOE-shuh) that Michael Nowak from the Buffalo Triathlon Club said “hi”, and that I still want to know what she’s wearing. HA! Hopefully she’ll remember what I’m talking about. She was a friend of mine in the BTC that has lived in St. Petersburg for a few years or so now.
Let me know whatever else you may need to know athlete-related. Or just call me sometime and I’ll gladly gab your ear off about stuff.
Talk to you later.
Love,
-Big Sexy
hopefully i can keep up with you in a week and a half on that run 🙂
I hate you and your palm-tree studded, water-way path, year-round outdoor exercise potential due to fabulous weather! Ok, not you, but I do mean the rest…
We literally had EIGHT INCHES OF SNOW on Saturday, ummmm hmmmm (said like a diva), the “first day of spring”. First day of spring my ass.