You will never forget your first time
A very exciting morning out on the trails…several runners in our group lost their Incline virginity! I love introducing runners to new trails, especially the steep ones. Incline is a bit of a legend in Maple Ridge. It’s only 1.2km in length but the name speaks for itself, it is an uphill grind that will leave your calves screaming and your heart beating out of your mouth.
As with any new experience, tackling Incline comes with some pretty high expectations and worries…Am I ready for it? Will it hurt? How will I do? Will I make it to the top? It can be quite overwhelming. But by taking the proper precautions like physically and mentally preparing yourself, bringing water, and doing it with someone who has done it before will make the experience that much more pleasurable.
Footcare
I have ugly feet. I have big ass big toes and an itty-bitty little toes. Teaching Pilates, I spend a great deal of time barefoot; I also have claustrophobic feet (long story) and tend to only wear socks when I have to. My feet get a lot of exposure, and take a huge beating in my runners as well, so I take care of them. Just like colouring my hair, whether I need it or not, every six weeks I get a pedicure.
my pedi of choice, french, thin lines, no designs or shiny stones
Extravagant, unnecessary? Think what you want. I know that you can do similar treatments at home yourself, but would you and who wants to clean up the mess after, and did I mention the massage chair?
You don’t have to break the bank every time you get a pedicure, but I do suggest that you have the full meal deal at the spa at least once every six months (music, massage, ambiance, dim lighting, maybe a paraffin dip…ahh bliss), but for those in between where you only have 30 minutes, $25 to spare, and don’t really care about the pampering, there are plenty of nail bars around that will have your feet looking scrubbed, buffed and polished in no time at all.
Proper foot care should not just occur in the spring and summer months and is not restricted to only females. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a man who takes care of himself, especially when it comes to personal hygiene and grooming, and unless you are into the whole cross dressing thing, no polish will ever be applied. I do however draw the line at getting a pedicure from a male esthetician (have only been there once), massage yes please, pedicure no. If a man is going to rub my feet it should involve candles and wine.
If I haven’t sold you yet, maintaining your feet will help to prevent ingrown and black toenails (yellow too), cracked, scaly heels and general foot yuck.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Stay away from the blade, it may sound like a good idea at the time, but try running for a hour with feet as smooth as a baby’s bottom. Runners need their natural calluses. Invest in a good paddle and use it between pedis.
- Cut your own toenails before you go. I always get in crap for this, but runners know how short their toenails need to be.
- Schedule pedicures a week to 10 days before a race and on a day where you can spend the rest of the day barefoot.
- Hussy red is the perfect shade to hide a black toenail.
- Don’t forget to take your flip flops with you. It never fails that you will have at least one errand to run after and you look ridiculous in those yellow spa slippers.
Trail Running 101
Tomorrow not only brings the first day of spring, it marks my return to the world of trail running until sometime in October when it is time to log some major road miles for the Vegas marathon (why do I commit myself, and others, sorry Conny and D, to these things?). Goodbye to pounding the pavement, calling “carrrrr” and wearing reflective gear (yes, I know I still should be wearing it blah, blah, blah). Hello to mud, rocks, roots and bear poop…bliss!
For those new to the world of trail running, here are a few tips:
- Shave your legs before you trail run. Leg scrapes are common to trail running, you don’t even have to fall (trust me on that one). Nothing is worse than shaving around a wound, and chances are you will miss everything around it anyway and will have stubble growing around your wound, not something that I would want to show off proudly.
- Wear dark coloured socks, this one is self explanatory.
- No tippy-toeing through or around mud puddles, you are a trail runner damn it, this goes for streams/rivers too.
- Slower traffic keep right.
- Duck when going under low hanging branches.
- Always run with a buddy (preferably taller) and let them lead, they will break the spiderwebs.
- Run what you can, walk what you need to.
- Bring your camera phone, you may need to call for help or take a picture for posterity.
- If it makes you feel better, carry a bear/dinner bell.
- Leave no trace, this includes toilet paper unless it is biodegradable.
- When carpooling, if someone was nice enough to drive you, bring a towel for on the way back to sit on, mud (and sweat) can stain car seats (trust me on that one too).
- Don’t put your runners in the washer when you get home, they are supposed to be dirty. If they are wet, stuff them with newspaper to aid the drying process, never toss them in the dryer, even on the gentlest setting.
- Have fun!
Happy trails my friends. 