Runner Girl Tips

Some of the things I learned about running while in highschool had to do with experiences that happened outside of the track.

Take care of your gear. AVOID putting your dry-wick running apparel into the dryer; the heat can set gross odors into the fabric and damage the elasticity of sports bras. Just throw your gear into the wash on cold and hang it out for a few hours to dry.

Run inspired. Some people are motivated to move with music, I find motivation to complete my core workouts and blog entries by painting my nails with bright polish.

Visualize. When my quads are burning during Spinning class I imagine myself competing in the Kona Hawaii Ironman race, pushing me to pedal faster. Visualizing my goals gives me that extra oomph in training for competition.

Get creative. During my senior year of high school I painted my experiences as a female runner for my AP concentration. Painting, journaling, or playing an instrument help relieve stress.

Show your pride. Confession: I am proud to be a runner, and am absolutely psyched whenever someone new to the sport joins in.

Get crafty. This goes into the same category as creativity. I made this magazine holder for my Runners World magazines and running logs from the cardboard box that my racing flats were mailed in.

Stay hydrated. In highschool I was the girl who had a waterbottle on her desk or in her gym bag for every class - nothing has changed in college.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil."

Kiss my Kicks. It is super important to find a shoe that your feet love. A well-fitted shoe can go a long way in keeping you un-injured and happy during your runs. Personally, my favorite pair of sneakers are Saucony's Progrid Guide 4. I actually bought 3 pairs of these shoes in a row after one would wear out (two of them are featured in the photo above). 

Beat Blisters. A pair of dry wick running socks can help keep your feet dry and blister free. I remember wearing cotton socks during a rainy 5 mile run during cross-country practice that left me limping afterwards from unforgiving blisters.