It’s true that some runners are lone wolves (I’m looking at you, Wendy!), but even those lone wolves tend to rely on more than just themselves to keep running. I came back from a long walk with Lola at the park and today’s subject just popped into my mind.
Seriously, very few runners get by just totally relying on themselves. It truly takes a village to keep running! A few things I didn’t mention: running groups, the guy who does your shoe fittings, and other bloggers!
It’s Friday Five and fitness from Cynthia from You Signed Up for What?, Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, and Mar from Mar on the Run today.
Friends & Family
Runners need support. That support can take many forms: people who will listen to us brag about our latest races, moan about our latest injuries, wax poetic about running form, help with the cleaning and cooking, help with the racecation plans, and on and on — all without rolling their eyes at us.
At least with a minimum of eye rolling.
Friends and family step in and step up! Yes, I’m looking at you, Mr. Judy. I know I don’t say it often enough, but thank you for putting up with all my crazy ideas, whether last minute or long range.
Coach
I have not yet worked with a coach. Not one on one. There’s my USAFit coach, but she has an entire group to coach. There was the year I used Runnersconnect, which didn’t work so well for me (but works for others).
Someday, maybe.
Chiropractor
I went to a chiropractor for the first time about 2 years ago. Then in 2015, I started going every other month, or more frequently if I were injured or a race was nearing.
How ironic that my BIL was a chiropractor, but was forced to retire early due to an accident, so I never saw him.
I do feel getting adjusted on a regular basis has been helpful, but it’s not a cure-all.
Physical Therapist
I had my first PT appointment on Monday. I wish I’d sought out PT many years ago. I’m not yet sure if it’s helping, but I know I really liked the person I saw (Ray at Positive Motion for the locals).
And I know that in the future, if something is bothering me, I will most likely be back.
Massage Therapist
Running is a great excuse to see a massage therapist on a more regular basis. I wish my insurance paid for bimonthly massages, as some of my friends’ insurance does! Or paid for massage at all. My massages are all out of pocket, but they’re pure bliss.
I’ve yet to do anything other than Swedish massage, but maybe, just maybe, I’ll book a sports massage in April. Technically I’ll have a massage in April, as my race Sunday offers free postrace massages — but being free, obviously they’re a quickie, and I didn’t get a massage in March at all. So it goes.
Who populates your running village?
Sports massages and the chiropractor definitely keep me running. Those capris are fabulous!
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Sports massages are great and highly recommend one. They get to the source of any little aches or pains and while it is sometimes unpleasant, I always leave feeling soooo much better. I love working with a coach in a group setting, but it is not for everyone and I get that. You seem to be doing well on your own.
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I’m a little scared of sports massage because I bruise really easy and usually like a light touch, but I’ve got to try it!
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Those capris are cute, I like the color combo with the purply/magenta top. I am due for a massage – I would like to find one in the area that I could stick with (I hop from place to place).
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I have visited a lot of massage therapists here, too! Some of it is just going where the best deal is; but I have narrowed it down.
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Haha! Lone Wolf indeed! But I do have my village–there’s Becky, my yoga instructor, my blog readers, my family….
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And you do have runner friends, too. 😉
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I feel like a lone wolf too. I don’t do massages or go to a chiropracter…never have…probably never will. I’ve only done PT when there is a RX and the ortho insists.
I don’t involve my hubby in my running … at all. But I guess he does support me by saying Good luck before a race and How’d you do? after one. Best of all, he never complains about all my running or race-cations and the $$ I spend on running.
Good thing I have running friends to keep me inline. 🙂
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You’re really not, you know. I mean, I run by myself a lot too, obviously. You actually run with other people more than me most of the time!
Your husband doesn’t tell you not to run (most of the time), and he doesn’t put you down for it — some husbands do! So there you go, in his own way, he supports you.
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My PT has definitely changed my running-my form is better and I’m no longer injured! I run by myself a lot, but my husband sometimes joins me and it’s nice company.
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Running with someone else always makes it feel easier, but sometimes it is nice to run by yourself, too.
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I feel like my chiropractor’s office is my village. I go there for the adjustments and ART, I’ve been there for the medical massages, and I’m going there for PT. They keep adding more and more services in the office, including dry needling and acupuncture.
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Oooh, you are lucky your chiro does all of that.
Mine does actually offer a lot of services, but I just felt I really needed to see a PT this time, even though what’s going on with me is pretty minor.
My chiro was definitely on the right track with the advice she gave me in feb!
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I love getting massages after races. It is always a treat and I never feel guilty about splurging on one. Wish I could afford to go more often.
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No, I don’t feel guilty about getting them, it’s just a matter of getting around to it!
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I got totally distracted with your links, lol! Shopping while having morning tea… it works! 🙂
I agree… runners need a lot of support! At Maui, they had the local massage school giving post-race massages. The lady I got did such an awesome job! I was actually able to walk normal-ish afterwards! Haven’t done the chiropractor or PT yet… I’m sure I will soon, it’s just a matter of time, 😀
Love the Capris you’re wearing!!
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I do a lot of morning shopping on my ipad. 🙂
It took me a while to get around to a chiro & a PT . . .
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Great village for sure!! I don’t know where I would be without family and friends support.
I keep saying I should go to a chiropractor. My back is achy and creaky. …add that to the list of appt to make. I did make my PT app ; )
My my aren’t you cute!! Love the outfits!
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Good job getting the PT appt done!
I actually don’t have back problems; for me, it’s hips.
Today I really need to make a hair appt, I’m always putting that off until my bangs are totally unmanageable.
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Don’t use PT or a chiro, but I’d be in rehab if it weren’t for my masseuse. She’s AH-mazing! Cute capris!
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I wish I could find a massage therapist around here. I need to look. I am still on a high from the sports massage I had a few weeks ago. I loved my chiropractor also, but they are hard to find here, so I see an osteopath twice a year.
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It does take a village and we all need support right? It just feels better to bounce things off one another doesn’t it. I laughed at the eye-roll comment too!
I love the purple print capris on you! Spandits I know Marcia does rave about them, now you too, I am going to have to jump on this train!!!
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The only thing I didn’t like were the lack of pockets & I thought the waistband was a bit flimsy. But very comfortable & super cute prints!
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I hate that on the flimsy waistband those Dona Jo capris I bought were super cute but we’re like that. When I ran they kinda slide down. I need some tummy control!
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They didn’t slide down on me, but it’s the kind of waistband that folds, if you know what I mean.
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oh yes we do need a lot of support don’t we?! Massage therapist and trainer and an understanding spouse
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It definitely takes a village! I have worked with a chiro and acupuncturist on an off – love acupuncture, but unfortunately the guy I was seeing moved. And, I know I would be in a lot of trouble without my massage therapist – my insurance doesn’t cover the cost either, but it is soooo worth it!
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I’ve never visited an acupuncturist, but the Lola gets adjusted & laser treatments!
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I LOVE that you included chiropractor, physical therapist and massage therapists in your runner’s village. It’s sooo true. And I wouldn’t have appreciated it if I hadn’t been injured a couple of months ago and realized how much PT is magical.
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This was my first time for PT! I do wish I could find a one-stop shop!
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It really does take a village! I am hoping to go to a PT soon to get my gait analyzed. And as far as the fit fashion, that wrap dress looks fab on you, and those Spandits are so fun!!
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Monday is my second appt & he’ll do a gait analysis then. I had one a couple of years ago at my chiro — should be an interesting comparison!
Thanks, Nicole.
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A village? Sometimes I feel like I have an entire metropolis at my disposal 😉 And those capri’s….I meant to look them up recently and forgot….thanks for sharing!
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A metropolis is a good thing.
I couldn’t get that particular print out of my head; it’s so cute! And my favorite colors, too.
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totally takes a village. my running buddies, my friends who humor my running talk, my husband who NEVER complains when i leave to go race and my family (plus my PT) are mine.
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