Category Archives: Running and Cycling

The year in strength and stretching

My goal for last year was to do at least 52 strength workouts – one for every week.  I was surprised to see that I actually achieved this.  I did 74 Peloton strength workouts.  It’s possible / probable that I may also have done a few more on my own.  I stopped all strength while I was struggling with my IT band injury as I thought the strength was possibly exacerbating my injury, so I thought perhaps I wouldn’t make my goal.  I also didn’t do any strength workouts during our month in Virginia.  However, I guess I must have been more enthusiastic than I remembered the rest of the time.  At $17 / month, I’m paying $2.50 per workout, which I’d call an excellent deal.  As we age, strength and flexibility deteriorate without active maintenance.  As someone who is neither naturally particularly strong nor flexible, I figure it’s worth a little effort and money to attempt to slow the decline.

I also had a goal to do 26 stretching workouts, or one every other week.  I did 8 Peloton stretching workouts.  I also stretched 15 more times, for a total of 23 stretching workouts.  My goal of 26 was very modest, and I didn’t even manage to achieve that.  Still – 23 is better than nothing!  I truly despise stretching and doing it even 23 times was pretty torturous.

What about this year?  I think my strength goal was reasonable – 52 weeks, 52 strength workouts.  I did my first one tonight; 51 to go.  After 74 strength workouts last year, I don’t feel particularly strong.  I suppose if I hadn’t done them, I’d be even weaker.

I’m going to up the ante and attempt 52 stretching workouts.  I feel ridiculously inflexible, and I think it’s not healthy.  It’s bad for running, bad for skiing, bad for basic function, increases risk of injury.   Sitting all day is just not ideal.  But there’s nothing stopping me from doing a quick 10 minute Peloton stretching session a couple times a week.  So here’s to 52+ times stretching in ’23.  My lack of flexibility stands in stark contrast to L’s extreme flexibility.  She is not really naturally flexible and is walking talking evidence that hard work works on just about everything, flexibility being no exception.

Best gifts for runners 2022

I just read a New York Times wirecutter article of gifts for runners.  Got a runner in your life?  Here’s my list.  It’s better than NYT’s in my, of course, completely unbiased opinion.  (No, I’m not fishing for gifts, I promise.)

1.) Lululemon Fast and Free 28″ – the best running tights out there.  Yes, at $140, they’re obscenely pricey.  (I linked to some that are on sale for $59 – 99.)  But if you run a lot, you’ll get your money’s worth.  I figure I run in tights about 100 times per year, and I will wear my favorite tights for probably 2/3 of those runs.  I will probably splurge on the fleece-lined version if they ever go on sale.

2.) Flyout Wool Half Zip by Oiselle – the best running shirt out there.  In terms of running shirts, if your giftee runs in temps from the high 30s to the low 40s, you should look for a long-sleeve true half zip shirt.  Not a quarter zip!  Never a quarter zip – it must go AT LEAST halfway to the wearers waist.  Thumbholes and watch window are nice perks.  The Brooks Dash Half Zip is also a good option.

3.) 26 Marathons by Meb Keflizighi and Scott Douglas.  I read A LOT of running books.  I pretty much read any one my library purchases, and then a few more on top of that.  26 Marathons is a cut above.  It’s a great book for a runner about someone who is easy to admire.  We can all learn a lot by channeling Meb in our careers and passions.  The audiobook is also excellent.  Note that non-runners may not enjoy this book.

4.) OK, NYT got this one right.  I do love my spiky massage ball.  Runner or no, if you have sore feet, you may want to try one of these.  I keep one at my desk and use it at work and another in the bathroom to use while brushing my teeth.

5.) GU Roctane Energy Gel variety pack.  You may want to ask your runner what type of gels they prefer, or if you use gels, but these are high end and tasty and variety is the spice of life.  Your runner may also enjoy a Honey Stinger “training kit” variety pack.

6.) I think Balega makes the best running socks in the business.  My personal favorites are Balega Ultralight Performance Noshow Socks.

7.) If your runner doesn’t already have a copy, any of Shalane’s three running cook books are a good option.  Her most recent book is Rise and Run – breakfast recipes for runners.  (I own all three.)

8.) For safety, it’s most important to be visible.  Far more runners are killed by getting hit by cars than by getting attacked by psychos.  I wear this reflective vest if I run in low light.   If I ran in the dark often, I would upgrade to this light-up vest.

9.) Really want to spoil your runner?  Independently wealthy?  I love my running watch, the Garmin 255S.   (You can buy it with or without the music feature.)