How running makes you more in touch with your body
My entire right arm, right shoulder and the right side of my neck are sore. It’s the result of carrying too heavy of a purse for too long, bowling* for the first time in months on Saturday, and playing Wii Tennis** a bit too intensely on Sunday.
The funny thing is, I’ve been ignoring the neck pain caused by my purse for a couple of months. It wasn’t until this Saturday, when the pain spread to my shoulder, that I thought I better do something about it, because I was worried it would affect my running. Since I’ve been training for the half marathon, I’ve really become more in touch with how my body feels when running, and what I need to do before and after running to make it feel its best. My neck wasn’t bothering me too much while running, but I could tell the shoulder pain was going to turn into something awful if I didn’t act on it. So I am acting on it. So I can run better.
It’s really interesting, to follow a half marathon training program, and learn so much about my body while I am doing it. I just never expected to become so in touch with what my body likes and doesn’t like. I won’t go into details, but I’ve learned how important my diet is when it comes to running. If I am running that night, I need to stick to my healthy diet throughout the day, or I am going to be sluggish and uncomfortable on the treadmill. And the thing is, when I am running that night, I DO want to stick to my healthy diet. I am enjoying the training so far and how it makes me feel. I just hope I don’t have any more interruptions in my training schedule. December through mid-January has been hell on my schedule.
*Remember when all I used to blog about was bowling? Then our summer league ended, I and quit playing, because my hip was killing me, and I wanted to focus on running. Well, even though it took me an embarrassingly long time to get back into the swing of things on Saturday, I had a lot of fun, and I miss it.
**Christina and Kyle came to visit us this weekend! We spent ALL day Sunday at home, playing Wii and… playing Wii. Maybe we watched a DVD? I don’t recall. Anyway, I’ve had the Wii for over 5 months and NEVER played Wii Tennis. Kyle and I were fooling around with it, and convinced Christina and Steven to join us after our late lunch. We ALL became ADDICTED! Christina and I had to go change into gym clothes because we were working up such a sweat! Why didn’t anyone tell me Wii Tennis is so fun? I think we spent over 3 hours playing it yesterday. Christina and I were teamed up against Steven and Kyle most of the time, then we let the two of them duke it out, “competitive ass” style.
Competitive asses in action.
FYI: I haven’t really been feeling like myself lately, and I realize that this blog post is a big steaming pile of crap. And… it took me almost 2 hours to write. I mainly wrote it to make Christina happy… are you happy now Christina, are you?!?! Ha ha. Come back to Chicago!
Themocracy
I love my Wii.
Until I throw myself to the ground going for that net serve.
I AM THRILLED that you updated your blog! Seriously! Now update it every day and I will be the happiest little sister in the world! 😀
Playing Wii was soo much fun! It was great to have a nice weekend without obligations. 🙂 I miss you guys. Bring your Wii to CF and we can play all dayyyyyy! 😀
learning what your body likes and what makes it feel good sounds pretty cool… i can tell you that what i think i like and what my body likes are two different things… maybe i need to get on your bandwagon!!!
i’m glad you blogged but i’m sorry you haven’t been feeling like yourself lately… hopefully things will level out soon!!!
=^..^=
Oh how I echo you on half marathon training. It’s amazing how our bodies speak to us. Loudly sometimes! And your picture of playing the Wii reminds me of the Southwest Airlines commercial where the guys are playing baseball and the one guy literally throws the remote at the TV; it breaks and falls off the wall. The first time I saw that commercial, I felt the pain in my gut. Funny, nevertheless, when it happens to someone else!
Maybe this summer you two can join E. and me for some *real* tennis?? We’re always looking for partners! 🙂
I had a Guitar Hero marathon on Sunday. I also got my mom to bowl a game or two – that was pretty fun!
Dave2 – I didn’t realize how much of a workout wii tennis is! I see you go “all the way” too. Christina and I were getting really into it, but the boys weren’t as much.
Christina – I will try to come up with something to say… no promises 😉 I will have to ask Steven about transporting the wii. Where woul we play though?!
CourtneyInControl – HA! I know what I like and what my body likes are two completely different things as well. I am trying to find that balance 😉
SoMi’s Nilsa – I thought you may relate 😉 I will have to check out that video! I knew about the warnings to wear the wii remote straps, but I never realized how dangerous it was until I played tennis!
diane – That would be fun! I think we would like it! I haven’t played in a LONG time though, and have NO idea how the scoring works! (And again, with the competitive ass warning – I AM SERIOUS 😉 )
Gina (Mannyed) – It’s so much more fun when you get other people to play with you, isn’t it?! I wish I had friends/family that lived closer and could come over and play. I would invite my neighbors, but I am not sure if they are into that sort of thing…
Woul? We can play it in my bedroom! 🙂
It was one of the first things that surprised me about running. The hip-bone is connected to the leg bone type thing. It’s very very true.
The other thing that might be causing you shoulder pain is the way your arms move back and forth when you’re running. (Mine go at a slight diagonal.)
Oh — and it sounds like a great opportunity for a sports massage. 🙂
I LOVE the Wii and Wii Tennis is one of my favorites! 🙂 The Wii is a big part of my fitness program now. I am trying to use it for up to 30 minutes a day in addition to any walking I can do.
Christina – Obviously you knew what I meant 😛
Nat – Isn’t it funny that it comes as such a surprise? Until you truly commit to exercise, you don’t understand it! My neck still hurt today, so now I am wondering if it is from sleeping on my right side on the train. I tried to keep my arms more “straight” today while I was running and didn’t notice any pain then.
teeni – Before playing tennis this weekend, I may not have understood how the wii could be considered exercise, but now I know! 🙂
I’ve only played Wii a few times at my step-daughter’s house. It is fun, but I should play the PS3 I have at home more first before investing any more time in another gaming system. 😉
As for the running, I know that feeling you get. It’s very euphoric… to be more in touch with what hurts, what burns and what feels good.
martymankins – I think it is silly to have more than one gaming system. Of course, I am not that into gaming!