Greetings! I hope everyone is having a great week. Here are a few things that are making my life a little more interesting right now.
Podcast #1
Jason Fitzgerald’s Strength Running podcast with Tim DiFrancesco was excellent. I love his podcasts, but to be honest sometimes he starts to sound like a broken record. How many different ways are there to say that if you’re a runner, you should be doing strength training? Or if this expert does have something different to say, you end up confused (wait! should I be doing kettlebells? Plyometrics? Do I need a strength coach???) I’m so glad I listened to this one though- it was a very clear and comprehensive explanation of strength training for runners. DiFrancesco explains what runners need, how to get started and also some diagnostic tests to do on yourself. He has a GREAT plan for starting plyometrics so you don’t get hurt. This episode was so good, I’m going to listen to it twice.
Podcast #2
Again- Jason Fitzgerald. He interviews Dean Karnazes in this episode. I loved the part where Dean said that he’s never been injured (WHAT.) Jason asked Dean what he attributes this to, and Dean gives credit to genetics. He said he just naturally has good alignment, and has always naturally run with a midfoot strike, forward lean and high cadence. As he said, “The best thing a long distance runner can do is to choose your parents well.” I get frustrated with people whose message is something like “I run 200 mile races, and if I can do it, anyone can!” I don’t like to use anything as an excuse, including age, including genetics, but there’s a point where you have to consider these things. I agree wholeheartedly that we’re all capable of much more than we imagine, and I’m all for pushing limits. But not everything is possible for everyone.
The hopeful part of this message is that if we improve our form as much as we can, it should make a difference. I’ve been working on it! And by the way, I’m not complaining here- I’m well aware that I’ve won the genetics lottery in countless ways. People are struggling with much harder things than a little plantar fasciitis.
Books! Books! Books!
Ah, I get so happy when I leave the library with an armful of books. I just finished Writers and Lovers by Lily King, which I loved, and I’m waiting for a library hold to come in. To tide me over, I went to the library and just browsed, and this is what I came home with:
I’ve read interesting reviews of The Night Swim and Mexican Gothic, and I picked up the Nick Hornby because I’ve read some of his other books and enjoyed them. I don’t know what to read first- I want to read them all at once! Actually, I’m not sure if I’ll like Mexican Gothic. I can’t tell if it’s a mystery, or more in the horror genre? I like mysteries, but not horror- and it’s not because it scares me. I just find it kind of silly. If anyone has read it, let me know!
Anyone have any good books to recommend? Have you read any of these?
Have you listened to either of these podcasts?
16 Responses
I didn’t know that about Dean Karnazes!
It’s comforting to know that he attributes his super-human body to genetics!
And I agree – for us less fortunate ones it means we need to work a little harder on crosstraining, haha!
Yep, we have to work harder. But it’s worth it!
Ha! My genetics are not the greatest…I come from a long line of couch spuds. My mechanics are not perfect for running (ugh, my goofy knee-knocked legs look awkward-at best- when I run), but I’m still a runner who loves a good challenge.
Ha, that’s a good way of putting it- I too love a good challenge! i just listened to ANOTHER podcast with Camille Herron, and she says she has a weird gait because of something about her femur being inverted (since birth.). She says it got better just from running a lot- somehow her body figured it out. Yes, that’s what I’m going to do! I’ll run more and more until my plantar fasciitis if gone for good. Ha.
I love Dean Karnazes–I’ve reviewed many of his books and interviewed him. He’s just the nicest guy and I think it’s great that he acknowledges his gift. I have good genetics for some things–like my metabolism. I’ll take it! My anxiety–I’d like to throw that back in the gene pool. lol
Yeah, didn’t you say he commented on your blog once? Now I want to read his new book.
I can help with Mexican Gothic! This is just my opinion, but the first 70% of it (according to my Kindle) was excellent and then it got weird. I just didn’t buy into the underlying “thing”, like you say it was silly. It wasn’t super scary but after the 70% mark there were a few passages that were unpleasant and the story was falling apart for me so I sped-read through to the end to find out what happened.
I feel you on the genetics! I can run for days and not get injured but my husband deals with PF constantly. It’s just the way his feet were built, nothing to do with his running. All of his sisters have PF and none of them are runners. They just got dealt a bad card.
Hmm! That’s not exactly a rave review. I think I’ll save that one for last, or possibly never.
I cannot seem to get into podcasts! I am trying a few different genres now specifically about blogging and social medium to see if I can find some I like. I enjoy reading thrillers and legal thrillers. I just finished Perfect Marriage it was good.
Let me know if you find any good blogging podcasts. I’ve thought about checking those out. I like podcasts that are informational, not ones that tell a story. I guess I like to get my stories from books!
I wish we could all say we had perfect genetics but thats just not the way it works! I guess its nice to know that injuries aren’t really our own fault?
Well… I would say if we avoid the “too much, too fast, too soon” trap and STILL get injured, then it’s not our fault. I’ve had some injuries where I have to blame poor training, unfortunately!
Me too. I still go to the library. I have a big stack. Thanks for the recommendations.
I totally agree. Genetics. Some runners do everything right and they still get aches and pains. Some eat healthy and drink water and are often rundown. Genetics.
I love podcasts. Wish I had more time to listen.
Yes, it’s funny- the younger generation doesn’t really read books, at least not actual books. They read on their ipads or whatever. I like to hold an actual book in my hands- I guess I’m old!
I still haven’t actually listened to a podcast. Someday! And I think that while genetics may play a part, good recovery and training habits are essential to stay uninjured. Even saying that can be quite discouraging to those of us who aren’t so lucky. Though I do believe that genetics are the most important thing for an elite-level runner. You can have the best training habits and never get to that level.
Yes, it’s true- we con’t blame genetics for EVERYTHING. Doing too much, too fast, too soon is still probably the main cause of injuries.