I’m Thinking Out Loud about why people are so resistant to taping and why it’s such a godsend to me. And how I think I’ve finally figured out that nail polish remover actually kills my nails. And TOLT wouldn’t be a TOLT without a furkid photo, of course.
The Catch-22 of Taping
I am constantly surprised at how resistant runners are to using kinesiology tape. Course I resisted at first too. And then I tried it; I had never felt so good after a half!
Since that day, several years ago, I have taped all sorts of areas of my body.Sometimes multiple areas. Sometimes my husband has to help me (ever tried to tape your back?). The goal is always to strengthen your weakness so tape is no longer necessary, of course, but without tape, I doubt I would be running. Not kidding!
Sometimes it takes a while to figure out the best way to tape a body part, and while it never causes further damage if you get it wrong, it can cause some aches.
I tried running with a knee brace, by the way, and while that did help, I found it that it locked my knee into a certain position, and that didn’t allow me to make the minor adjustments I need to make while running — tape does.
Like with my ankle. When it first started to bother me, it didn’t bother me during a run, only after. Then I started taping it, but I was only guessing. It helped, but eventually, it began to bother me during the run, sometimes afterwards, and then feel pretty good the next day.
Even after I got some guidance from the chiropractor, it was still bothering me sometimes during the run, but getting better all the time.
Then I finally made a slight adjustment and voila! It felt fine to run on. Usually fine the next day, too. Often it felt almost completely normal and that led to my forgetting to tape it altogether for one run last week. I was quickly reminded it wasn’t back to normal yet, but I must say, I bounced back from a hilly race where I worked hard this weekend with virtually no pain.
I wish I could say the same of my elbow (where I’ve had tendinitis for years) . . . .
The Last Wash?
I remember last year, I kept doing what I thought of as “the last wash” for my thermoball jacket. As in I won’t need this jacket again this season. And I kept repeating that last wash, because I kept needing it.
I performed what I hope was my last wash on the thermoball last week. I’m pretty sure I won’t need it again this year, but you never know.
And Speaking of Clothes . . .
I took a trip to the mall, and stopped into The Gap. I swear they have the best sales. Ignore the crazy hair and very weird facial expressions. I’ve sort of mastered the selfie, but not the dressing room mirror selfie, apparently.
Anyhoo, I bought the sweatshirt on the left. What you can’t tell is that it has a subtle sparkle. And it was $6.
I didn’t like the sweater on the top right (also sparkly, btw); much too boxy and itchy to boot. I was pretty sure the dress on the bottom right wasn’t going to fit — it was a M — but I figured for the price, I had to at least try it on, right? I have the same dress in a light gray, but in a much thicker material; I love that dress. I love dresses all summer long!
Sadly, it was, indeed, a M and therefore way too big on me; I couldn’t find it online, either. I might have to stop at the Gap in the other mall. I tend to be an XS in Gap dresses; I find they run large, usually.
The Nail Destroyer
I used to think that my nails became very brittle in winter. They seemed to do just fine this winter, and I attributed that to the mild winter.
Until I had my nails done for my birthday, and a week or so after I removed the polish all my nails started to break. I now think it’s the nail polish remover!
Senior Moments are Getting Out of Hand
I plugged my ipad in to charge it up when I went out for several hours last week.
Or so I thought.
When I came back, I saw that I had, indeed, plugged the charger in. Except I hadn’t plugged the charger into the Ipad.
Have You Ever Made a Balsamic Reduction?
Basically, you simmer balsamic vinegar until it thickens. And I screw it up every time. It doesn’t look like it’s thickening so I cook it way longer than it’s supposed to cook, and I end up with balsamic candy almost.
It still tastes good.
Maybe I’ll learn next time.
You’re Leaving Me!
This was the face Lola made last week before I stepped out to do a neighborhood run. I’ve been doing most of my runs outside the neighborhood the last few months.
She was like what, no kong?
I Ran a Half Marathon Relay, Did You Hear?
Outfit fail: I did not need that jacket and it spend the entire race wrapped around my waist, but thankfully it didn’t bother me on a very, very hilly course. Hoping to have my recap up this weekend.
Outfit fails? Cooking fails? Spill!
I’m linking up with Amanda at Running with Spoons for her:
Chocolaterunsjudy 
You made a great choice on the sweater! I like that one the best on you!
Great stuff about the taping! I’m definitely going to try it while my knee is “tender.” I’ve been overly cautious with it and I just don’t have that kind of time.
This balsamic reduction… do you put it on salad or something? I’ve actually never heard of it, and it sounds interesting!
Kisses for Lola! She’s looking awfully cute in that picture!! 🙂
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I used the balsamic reduction on salmon (it was blueberries & balsamic vinegar, so kind of like a sugar free jam!).
It’s not a bad idea to see a PT, but I confess I still haven’t, although I should. But you should definitely try taping!
That dress really is super cute; it was just 3 x too big on me. I really wanted it!
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Taping has been hit or miss for me. I think be cause a lot of my issues are referred from elsewhere. It’s too bad about the dress…so cute! Give Lola a belly rub for me.
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I think most of the times our issues do issue from somewhere else! But it’s been a Godsend to me — even my elbow feels a lot better after taping it, which makes me wonder if I ought to tape it for races.
The other Gap didn’t have the dress, either, but I do get a couple more super bargains. And Lola is always available for belly rubs. 🙂
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Allie gives me that “why are you leaving” face all the time. If it was up to her, I’d never leave. She still hates it when I get home from work, then immediately head out for a run if it is a running day.
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Lucky for Lola, I have to walk her, so even if I leave her, I come back & walk her!
If she had her druthers, tho, I’d just lay on the couch all day long so she could lay on me.
Come to think of it, that’s pretty much what Giz wants too. 🙂
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It’s amazing how God has given people ideas to make things like tape and other methods to aid in recovery and injury help. 🙂
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I have had very many cooking fails, and it frustrates me. I just don’t have the patience. So I stick with what I know !
LOVE Gap, and yes, they have great sales.
Hope your week is going great ! Has spring come to NY ?
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BTW, I have never tried taping anything… too scared to get it wrong and hurt myself.
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I seriously don’t think you can hurt yourself with taping. I don’t recommend it if you don’t have issues, but if you do, then it can make an amazing difference.
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For some things I have lots of patience, for others not so much. Cooking is one of the things I have patience for. Obviously.
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I love sales and often buy things that I really don’t need but they’re such a good buy.
I’ve never tried taping and probably never will. So far I have’t need to.
I’ve had many clothing fails early one when racing. Now I’ve learned to be cold in the beginning if I want to be comfortable during the race. DIY arm sleeves & throw away shirts are a God send.
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Gap definitely has a good one going on right now!
My coat didn’t bother me. Sometimes I get chilled if it gets cloudy later on and I’m glad to have it. Especially if it’s a full half!
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Very nice choice with the sweater! And I think you’re rockin’ the change room selfies — those are tough. I’ve heard really great things about taping but I have yet to try it myself. I think it would probably help out my calves, which seem to be a bit of a nightmare lately…
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I use KT once in awhile, and it seems to help, but I honestly don’t know if I’m doing it right!
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If it helps, you’re doing it right.
I don’t use it all the time — only if something is bothering me or when my runs get into the double digits. Nothing like having your knee tighten up around mile 10 when you have another couple of miles to go . . .
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I have definitely found taping to be helpful for certain issues! I find it helps me more on smaller muscles, or maybe just muscles i can reach better to tape myself- like my calves or feet. My chiro used to tape my hip flexor and piriformis, and when he did it I thought it helped alot but I could never seem to get it right on my own.
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There are definitely some areas that are pretty impossible to do on your own — Mr. Judy had to learn how to do some taping!
And my elbow was surprisingly hard to do on my own.
Most of the time I don’t need to tape, but it’s a Godsend when I do!
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I tape my toes every day now. I know that is not the same thing lol I like tape, but it does irritate my skin, I have tried two different kinds now.
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It doesn’t seem to bother my skin. 😦 I know they make some things you can put on to make it adhere better — I’ve never tried them — I wonder if that would help or hurt?
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I’m not adverse to using KT tape IF IT WOULD ONLY STICK. It must be my moisturizing soap?
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Well a) yes, moisturizer will effect adhesiveness and b) rocktape adheres a lot better; I’ve switched to rocktape.
Unfortunately, the areas I am currently taping (still ankle and also heel) are a tough area to adhere to).
I think sometimes people get the wrong idea — if there’s nothing wrong, there’s no reason to tape, and I usually go months without taping.
But when something goes wrong, and I need it, it’s truly kept me running when otherwise I wouldn’t be.
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