The radio silence around here is because Scott and I are working hard on launching a beer related site along with getting a podcast up and running.  It pretty much has my whole attention at this point.  Summer is also jam packed with beer events that we have been covering and attending as well.  Our beer life is super busy at the moment.  Not that I’m complaining!  But life is a little hectic right now.

I have not been out for a run since I decided to take some time off from it.  The weather has been amazing lately and finally free of rain so I’m really bummed that I’m missing out on these glorious mornings.

I’m back to doing Max 30 when I don’t get sucked in to doing website stuff.  Sometimes it has been taking up my whole day and my workout slides.  I’m at a point where I need to take my own advice and start scheduling the workouts into my day like an appointment so I don’t miss out.

Eats have been going strong.  You can follow me on instagram to see the meals we have.  I am sticking to a mostly primal diet with the occasional gluten free bread.  I have also been experimenting with adding oats back into rotation to see how my body reacts.  So far the results are inconclusive at the moment.  I have had bites of a few gluteny things here and there.  One or two bites and I’m done.  Usually the item isn’t worth me dealing with bloat and insomnia to keep going.

I’m also starting to keep a food journal which is something I’ll be talking about fully in another post.  It’s something that I feel is crucial when starting a healthy lifestyle.  I have all my health coaching clients keep food journals as well.

This is life currently!  Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon because I have lots to talk about plus several reviews to share as well.

Tell me what life is like on your end!

When we first moved to Colorado I had the visions of becoming a stronger runner and running on all kinds of trails. This was my dream but as it turned out, not my reality.

I was a few pounds heavier when we got here thanks to the stress of losing our first dog, selling our house, and packing up everything to move to a state we had never been to before.  The move was exciting but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t also a tad stressful.

We started our life in Fort Collins and that’s where my healthy lifestyle changed for the worst but (spoiler alert) also for the better.  I’ll get to that in a minute.

I had the worst time running.  I was never what would be considered a fast runner but when I got here the elevation smacked me down to the ground.  Suddenly I was running really slow, needing to take walk breaks, and having a horrible time trying to breathe while running.

It sucked.  Sucked hard.

Whenever I tried to talk to others about it, everyone just looked at me like I had three heads.  As if the concept of struggling to breathe was so completely foreign to them that they thought I was making it up or being overly dramatic about the situation.

I started to feel isolated, like I was the first person to ever experience this before in all of Colorado. Sound ridiculous?  It totally does.  Until you are surrounded by folks who all do some sort of activity and they look down their nose upon others who don’t.  I realize that sounds very dramatic and that obviously not everyone in Colorado is this way.  But when you are struggling to do something that you have easily done for years and everyone around you acts as if you’re being ridiculous and please just get over it already, that is exactly how it feels.

Scott always supported and encouraged me.  Always. But when you’re struggling through a one mile run and your husband can just go out and easily run 3 miles like it’s no big deal, that doesn’t really help matters.  That only made me feel worse.

Why is exerting myself at high altitude so hard while everyone else seems to have no issues with it?

This is what caused to me spiral down into what I’m labeling, “A Running Depression”.  And I spiraled down hard. I didn’t have anyone to connect with or a support system so I stopped caring about anything, most especially me.  I gained a bunch of weight and didn’t give a flip about anything.  Someone I knew (I am not saying friend because they clearly are not) even stopped talking to me because I wasn’t running and had gained weight.

Thanks buddy! You’re awesome!

I couldn’t connect with others and when I tried to “talk shop” about running everyone would just stop and stare at me.

Here I was this chubby chick who talked about how I used to eat half marathons for breakfast, and everyone gave me the side-eye like I was lying.  Well there’s a smack in the face for you.  That stung.  I’m chubby so obviously I have no clue about exercise, right?  (And yes, people still do not take me seriously when I try to talk about running or share my distance running history.)

That forced me into isolation even more.  Every time someone brought up a race or was looking for some advice for running, I couldn’t even join in the conversation since no one would believe me or take me seriously anyway.

As much as I love where I live, there was a lot of, “what the hell am I doing here” moments.  Again, something I never talked about because if I couldn’t even share my struggles with running, I obviously can’t share my struggles with life.

Joining a running group? Ha! My pace is considered walking to them.  “Slow” here is a 9 minute mile.  I didn’t even run that when I was at my peak let alone now.

There was no place for me.  I didn’t fit in.  I was in a very dark place for about two years because of this.  I was unhappy and oh man did I hate that time.

Did I get past this?  YES.  I am here to tell you that there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.  I finally found a support group.  It is online, not local.  I was able to connect with a bunch of other women who are also working towards either getting back their healthy lifestyle or are starting a brand new healthy living journey.  We all support each other.

Because of this I was able to start working out at home.  I was able to get my shit together.  I worked out at home for two months doing an exercise program called Max 30.  I was able to drop some weight and bump up my endurance since I was doing HIIT style workouts.  Which are HARD.

This is what gave me confidence.  I tested the waters and tried running again.  I could do it!  I ran a whole mile without stopping!

I am slow.  It takes me 30 minutes to run two miles.  Sometimes I have to walk for a few seconds.

I am OK with this.

Because I know that I’m on the right path and I’m doing what is right for me.  I’m done caring what others think because I’m making progress.  On my terms.

I’m doing my own thing, I have a support system, and I’m making progress.  This is all that matters to me right now.

And OK, yes, I’m also silently flipping everyone the bird who treated me like I was crap.

This will be something I’m constantly battling.  Even now, when out on a hike, a hike that would be considered “easy” by others, I still have to stop and catch my breath. “Easy” hikes are challenging for me.  I’m a slow hiker.  Again, I’m OK with this, because I’m outside and doing something I love.  I’m just a little slower and I do not have a problem with this anymore.  I would rather be a slow hiker verses being someone who doesn’t hike at all.  I am not that girl anymore who doesn’t give a shit about anything.  I don’t ever want to be that girl again.

I was prompted to share my story thanks to Outdoor Beginner’s post.  Because she shared her story it made me realize that I am not alone.  That yes, struggling with exercising at elevation is a thing and many people are currently working through it.

This was really comforting for me and made me realize that I should share my story too.

I’m here to tell you, that there are others who struggle with exercising at elevation. You are not alone. It’s hard and it takes time.  You will get past it but it does take some time and everyone’s timeline is different.  If you are feeling isolated or feeling like you don’t have support, reach out!  If you need support, let’s talk so that I can help you and help you connect with others who are going through the same thing.  Support is key so that we don’t feel so alone and isolated in the land of the fit.

Also, for those that are active and fit and doing their thing, if someone tries to reach out to you and talk about their struggles, don’t blow them off.  Don’t tell them to just get past it.  Support them and help them through it.  They opened up to you, don’t squash that.  Be a friend.

 

As I’ve started this new running journey I have taken to the trails around Fort Collins.  I like the peacefulness of the trails and enjoy the added challenge of running on rocky uneven ground while going up an incline.  It’s hard, I kind of suck at it right now, and it’s glorious.  Trail running also makes me feel like a badass.

But I’ve learned a few things along the way.  Things that others don’t seem to talk about when they post tips for trail running or write up their experience with trail running.

Obviously I’m not a pro, I’m just a beginner trail runner but these are the things that I’ve learned during my experience so far.

Get trail running shoes

This seems like a no brainer but you’d be surprised how many people don’t and then end up with a twisted ankle. My shoes pictured above are not trail runners so don’t get those.  You need shoes with more stability and more cushion between your feet and the trail.  In those shoes pictured I can feel every rock and it’s not fun.  Plus they aren’t as stable as a trail runner would be.

Trails are uneven and rocky, some of the rocks might move on you as you run.  You’ll need stable shoes to handle the terrain and give you support.  Plus trail runners will have much better traction.  I’m currently in the market for some good trail runners.  Once I get some, I’ll share that experience as well.

Don’t tie your shoes too tight

You don’t want your shoes so loose that your feet are sliding around, that isn’t going to do you any good.  But tying them too tight means your foot won’t have the flexiblity to move around.  Remember you will be running over rocks and sometimes going up an incline.  Your feet need to be able to have full range of motion to be able to handle the terrain.  Tie your shoes too tight and you risk having your shins and calves cramp up as you run.

Also, make sure to pick up your feet!

With road running, we can get by with shuffling our feet as we run.  That kind of running on the trail will set you up for a tumble.

With trail running you really can’t shamble along because the trail is so uneven.  You have to make sure to pick up your feet so you don’t trip over a rock or something else.  The minute you stop picking up your feet, you’ll stumble.  Trust me, I’ve done it plenty of times!  Thankfully I haven’t taken a header on the trail.  That would be no fun!

Trail running is dirty business

Trails can be muddy but most often they are going to be dusty.  And trail dust gets EVERYWHERE.  It gets in your clothes, all through your shoes, and if it’s a breezy day, expect it all over you.

You’ll discover that you have specific socks just for trail running.  They will be easy to spot because they’re the ones completely stained with trail dust.  Trail dust does wash out but only so much.  It leaves skidmarks on your socks.   Once you take to the trails is when your trail sock collection begins.

You will encounter wildlife on the trails

Depending on where you live, this could be as benign as seeing deer while running, or it could be as serious as seeing rattlesnakes or bobcats on the trail.  Pay attention to your surroundings!  This is also why I am completely against listening to music or a podcast while running or hiking.  Even if you leave one earbud out, you still aren’t going to be fully aware of your surroundings and won’t hear a rattlesnake if you happen upon one. Getting people to quit music while running is harder than getting people to quit sugar.  But trust me, leave the music behind and just hit the trails and enjoy your surroundings.

Wear Sunglasses

Even if it’s not that sunny out, you will still be dealing with bugs and trail dust.  Especially if it’s breezy you want to make sure that your eyes are covered so no dust or small rocks get in your eye.  Speaking of bugs….

You will eat a bug

It happens, you’re breathing hard and then all of the sudden, UGH, down went a bug.  Don’t sweat it, take a drink of water and keep going.

Always take water with you

Unless you’re only running a short distance and by short, I mean like a mile, then you’ll need water.  It’s a trail so it’s going to be a little more challenging than just running around the block.  Trail dust (see, it is everywhere) can get in your mouth and throat.  Plus if you’re going up in elevation, you’re going to be exerting yourself more and will require more water.

Stopping to walk is OK

Some parts might be too rocky and unstable to fully run on.  Some parts might be a little too challenging at the moment to run.  Some parts the incline might be a little too steep. Stop and walk it out.  No shame in taking a small walk.  Better to walk until you have more stable footing than risk an injury or a fall.

If you’re thinking about hitting the local trails for running or if you’re just starting out, these are just a few things to keep in mind.  The main focus is your safety.  Always keep that in mind as you head out for your trail run and you’ll have a successful run!

Are you a trail runner?  Any lessons you’d like to share?