Getting Back on the Dreadmill (Day One of a New/Old Running Journey)
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Essential Gear for Me When I Run
I have mentioned several times already that I am a runner (sometimes). Well, I didn’t run for almost 2 months, and I can feel it.
I gained weight. I have aches and pains that I should not have. I am winded easier than I was 2 months ago. I messed up.
I also promised Isaiah (my son) that I would start running with him. He loves to run and he is very fast. He’s capable of outrunning and outpacing kids 3-4 years older than him.
I did not set a timetable for when I would start running with him. Despite that, I failed.
I don’t really have a good reason for stopping but I stopped. I guess I got busy. It was Summer and I was hanging out with the kids. I launched a new blog and made some transitions professionally. I have been busy. Bad excuse.
Today I got back on the dreadmill for the first time in approximately two months. I knew I was not going to be able to do what I was doing before I stopped.
I was running 3 plus miles and walking another 2 plus miles every other day. I got to 6 miles total a few times. And then I stopped.
Alright, time to let it go. This is my accountability. This blog will hold me accountable for maintaining my cardio.
Today I walked at 3.7 miles for 20 minutes and ran at 5.5 mph for 10 minutes. There were another 10 minutes of cool down walking, but I am not counting that. I need to meet or beat this mark for the next week at least.
I wanted to talk about what is essential for me to do the cardio portion of my exercise. I mostly do cardio with a little bit of lifting and body weight exercises. Today was just cardio.
Here’s my essential cardio workout list.
My sneakers are ASICS Men’s Gel-Cumulus 19 Running-Shoes. When I walk or run my feet roll inward. They call this overpronation.
I love Under Armour but their sneakers did not hold up with my overpronation. I did some research. I came back with New Balance and Asics. I am not a fan of New Balance so Asics it is.
I have had these sneakers since March (almost 6 months now), and they have been great. No issues at all.
I wear a step tracker/heart rate monitor. Right now I use a Samsung Gear S3 Frontier. I am aware that the heart rate will not be accurate without a chest strap but it gives me a good indication of where I am at.
It is fairly accurate for rested heart rage and that’s really what I am interested in measuring anyway.
For counting steps, it does a good job. It’s very close to the number of steps that I do take when walking or running.
I can also control my phone from my watch. Skipping songs is much easier from my watch when I am running.
Compression socks. Because of the overpronation and other hip and leg issues that pop up sometimes I often have pain in my calves and knees after cardio. Compression socks help with this tremendously.
I have found several brands of compression socks that work very well. I prefer Copper Fit though.
C4 Pre Workout. This gives me the extra push I need, especially when I am feeling sluggish. The one I use is the fat burning version. I definitely feel this kick in.
Unlike most people, I do not take it 20-30 minutes before working out. I take it and immediately start working out.
I typically start out with a fast walk to loosen up my muscles. By the time I am done with my walk the C4 kicks in.
Beats Bluetooth Headphones. Before Bluetooth headphones, I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally ripped my phone from the treadmill tray and sent it flying to the floor. These headphones are a phone saver.
Check out all the Beats Bluetooth Headphones on Amazon>>>
Gatorade Post Workout Protein Shake. This also helps with muscle soreness. I really look forward to drinking one of these rights after I finish on the treadmill. I get the protein I need for muscle growth and it helps prevent soreness, which I surely experience after getting back on the treadmill for the first time in 2 months.
This is apparently a hot item on Amazon because I cannot find it a lot of the time. I wrote a blog post about it a while ago. You can read it here.
Hold Me Accountable
Here’s my performance today
Walk 20 minutes at 3.7 mph
Walk 5 minutes at 2.3 mph
Run 10 minutes at 5.5 mph
Walk 5 minutes at 3.3 mph
Walk to and back from Isaiah’s bus stop. Approximately ½ mile round trip
I will set goals soon. I want to weigh in this Monday. Endurance and Heart Rate are important measurements for me.
Day One Done.