Runner's nipple and finding my Inner Ninja

Who knew? As I enter Week 3 of this new running adventure I've discovered a painful phenomenon: Runner's Nipple. Not to sound like a cry baby, but man it hurts. Did a little research and will work on a solution. Runner's World is a good source of information.

It's been a busy week on the treadmill. Have broken a new goal of 4 km in 30 minutes. It's a pretty fast pace for me, but in just two weeks I can find a big difference on the endurance side. It was evident during my Thursday night and Friday morning hockey games this week - fast paced shifts, but not as winded when getting back to the bench. A positive sign.

When driving to hockey on Thursday I was intrigued and inspired by a few lines in the Classified (featuring David Myles) hit Inner Ninja. I checked my iTunes playlist and this song has been played 68 times, the most of any song in my collection. But it was only Thursday that a line, outside the chorus, really stuck in my head.

From Inner Ninja:

It's a feeling that you get in your lungs when you run
Like you're runnin' outta air and your breath won't come
And you (uh) wheezin', gotta keep it movin'
Find that extra (uhn) and push your way through it

It's a fitting theme for this Blue Nose Marathon Team Myles candidate getting ready for the big 10K race. It's just 116 days to Blue Nose Marathon Weekend and still lots of work to do to break that 70 minute or less goal.

I am extremely competitive with myself and trying to beat yesterday's goal is not the best training method. A good friend has offered running tips over coffee next week before heading into formal training with Team Myles later in February. (Jeff, the coffee is on me.)

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I've started using the MyFitnessPal App on my iPhone again to track my food intake as this weight loss quest pushes back into high gear. It keeps you honest if you live by it. It was the one tool that aided in losing the first large chunk of weight a few years back.

Speaking of the App, I had forgotten how many calories a pint of Stella Artois has. On a run you burn, on average, 100 calories per kilometre. So 2.5 kms later and one beer is covered. Over the weekend, after a two-year gap, Charlene and I, along with two Halifax friends, rekindled friendships with a couple from St. John's. It was an awesome weekend of laughs and great memories. After adding it all up I'll need to run a Marathon to cover the Stella (but it was well worth it)! (Thanks Jeff, Adrienne, Charlie and Paula for a fun weekend. Cheers until next time.)

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Looking forward to another progressive week ahead. Goals include solving this nipple issue and keeping that Inner Ninja alive and kicking. Poof, I'm outta here!