Perspective

Its pretty funny how quickly perspective can change.

My first race were the old Nike Races around either 5 miles or a 10k.

In 2006 the Nike Run Hit Wonder (where they had 1 hit wonders perform). I guess that wasn't as appealing to the performers so they changed it the year after to be the Nike Run Hit Remix in 2007, then the next year it became the Nike Human Race in 2008 this was a pretty awesome race because Kanye West performed at the end.  After that I stopped attending these races because they started to get more expensive but more lame.

The 2009 race was held at midnight, and fyi, running around 'that' part of LA is not safe at night, oh and also NO BAND & no music. More $ and less goodies.. no thanks.. They haven't hosted another one of those races since.

2006

2007

 

2008

I wasn't a consist runner back then. I trained a few months before the 'big' race, and take a significant amount of time off. But I always remember how STRESSED I was over that those races. Running 6 miles? WTF?!! I would train diligently and get my miles in.

in 2009, I decided to go for the Big Time, and do... The Orange County Half Marathon.. 13.1 miles.. It was the biggest challenge ever. I thought I could never run more that than ever, but after I did I race, I went on to run a marathon the next year.
Its funny how quickly perspective changes.

This weekend I have a 13.1 race coming up, and I can honestly just go out and run it, without stressing about "training" for it. I mean I'm training all the time anyways, but Now I can actually Enjoy myself. 13 miles is close to a normal maintenance run, and 6 miles are my "easy" runs.. just a few years ago, 6 miles was insane to me. 

So if you have a big race coming up and you're worried about it, dont worry too much.

You'll finish, look back and think, "hey I did it, and I can do more!"

Posterior Shin Splint

My current "injury"

Forefoot running was not meshing well with my left leg. My plantar would be upset, my ankle would need more support, and my calf would always be really really sore, but it was pains I could power through. Then recently, I got a 'new' pain that was much different.

This pain felt more like a really deep painful bruise on the lower, inner section of my left calf. Around 3-5 inches above the ankle. The foam roller couldn't help this time. The Pain would last about 3 days, but would come back again, with intense usage.

I started to google and narrowed it down to either a posterior shin splint or a stress fracture. I set up a meeting with my podiatrist who did an xray and thankfully said its not a stress fracture, and was as I suspected, a posterior shin splint.

I told him my new method of training, forefoot running. The strange thing is my right leg has No pains at all. no soreness, nothing. 100% left. so odd.

anyways, he explained that the Normal shin splints we get, (on the front of the leg -shin) is caused because that muscle is pulling our foot upwards (figure 1). Where as for me, from Forefoot running, my foot is in the downward position more (figure 2), which uses the posterior mucles, hence over use= shin splint

I asked him what a stress fracture would feel like, and he said:
1- a constant pain
2- more of a throbbing, stabbing pain, that would get get worse even with walking.

At least now I will be able to tell the difference.

For now I'm gonna go back to my old midfoot strike. But I'm really happy its just shin splint, and nothing worse. Horray!!

Figure 1
This is where the pain was.












Figure 2

2009 Camp Pendleton Mud Run

as "Fun" as this race was, I wouldn't do it again. I'm just a little bitter because I got injured on my right foot, that took 6 months to 1 year to completely heal. It sucked for a long while!!

Within the first mile, the race made you cross a creek so your shoes are wet from the start. (yes running in wet shoes suck!)

the first 3-4 miles have similar creek crossings, going up trails and uphills. Not too bad. The last 2-3 miles you start getting into the mud pits, (lovely) and climbing over the walls. I'm really glad I did it with a group, because the guys are taller, were able to help boost us up. Then there was a lake crossing. This particular race, the lake was about 5.5 feet deep, so the boys were able to walk across (no one in my group knew how to swim), so I was able to piggy back off the boys. My friend did this race in 2010 and said the water was much deeper so everyone had to swim.

We finished the race in pretty decent time, but I wish I had brought flip flops to wear. My shoes were so full of rocks and grossness, the trek back to the car was difficult. This is where I got my foot injury. Also wearing old and worn out shoes didn't help either.

People said to use duct tape, but I didn't use it, but I did have my shoes Really tight, which contributed to my foot injury.
all in all, it was fun, but I wouldn't want to do it again..

2009 OC 1/2 Marathon Review

I decided review some of my old races, of what I can remember..

May 2009, This was my First ever half marathon, and the long distance I've ever ran up to that point. Earlier that week, my training partner told me that she read somewhere, "You're not a real runner until you've crapped your pants". That day, I came close to it.

We woke up at 4am got ready and drove down to Orange County. We didn't practice our morning routine, so we didn't have the proper breakfast set up, (which later I regret). I believe I ate a slice of bread and a "No Peanut Peanut Butter" with no fat (mistake), and a hard boiled egg. Very nervous for our longest race and run to date. It was the first time I ran where the end point wasn't a circle. So you park at the finish line, then take a shuttle to the starting line..

So you have to get there early or you might miss the shuttle. We waited in line for 30-45 mins and it was VERY cold. I didn't bring a camera or phone so I have no pictures to document this race. We were all rookies.

I recall seeing a group of older Korean men and women who are part of a running group, they wear bright yellow shirts. I don't recall the name of it, but they are at every running event I've attended here in So.Cal, so I'm sure you'll see them. And they totally kicked our mid 20's asses.

The run started off great, until I hit around mile 6, then my stomach started to hurt, and things weren't looking so good. For the rest of the race onward every muscle of my body that wasn't running, was focusing on not crapping my pants. After mile 9, I took small breaks by slowing down to get water, and then to run again. I didn't want to stop or walk. That meant defeat.

I pushed through and was insanely tired at this point, and wanted to stop, but I was at mile 11. Only 2 more miles left.. I tricked myself into say, I'll walk at the next mile, I'll walk at the next mile... Then mile 12 came and its only 1 more mile left, you CANT walk now!

The best thing that I always will remember, there was a sign someone posted up near the end that read:
"Pain is temporary, but your Time is on the internet forever!" 

I kept running.

Finally I made it to the end, and made a bee-line for the restrooms, I didn't even try to find my friends. I found a corner and sat there, my stomach was in so much pain. I experienced having salt crystals on my body for the first time, and my underarms were so chaffed. (I learned how to tell what makes you chaff and what doesn't)

There were a lot of firsts that day.. but far from being my last.

Depo Provera Review

This post is really for the ladies, so guys if you're interested and don't get quesy feel free to read on for some additional information.

Nothing gets in the way of training or racing more than our "lovely" visit from Aunt Flo every 26-28 days. Seriously F-U Aunt Flo, take your present and shove it up your arse..

I don't know how 'she' did it, but for 3-4 consecutive races events, the race day was my first and heaviest flow day, with bloating and cramps galore! I looked at the calendar and it would have started on EVERY SINGLE race day event without wavering, and worse on my Triathlons too!

I was so fed up. I went to my OB asking what can I do to get rid of Aunt Flo, and she recommended the Depo Provera Shot. A few years ago I read up on it, and read all the scary stories and reviews and was pretty freaked out by it. But  my OB assured me that it was safe, so I tried it out. How bad could 3 months be?

BEST DECISION OF 2010!!  So insanly happy that I decided to go with Depo. No more periods. No more heavy flows on race day, no more cramps, all the  $ saved on tampons and pads. At most, I would get a very light period close to when I'm due for my next shot (so around every 3 months) really never need more than a liner to handle it.


You get a shot once every 3 months on your hip. I've had it for almost 12 months, and no side effects, reactions, or anything.
The doctor warned about

1 - increase in water weight, which I dont really notice, at most it would be 5-10 lbs.
2- acne - I can deal with a pimple on race day, I CAN NOT deal with changing tampons at mile 6, 9 &18, etc.
3 - possible bone density loss - So I take calcium pills, to compensate/ combat that.

Ladies if you're fed up with dealing with stupid menstrual cycles, Give Depo a shot :)

Food and Timing

Back in highschool, I always recall a certain conversation I heard from a male teacher. I cant remember who said it but he said this phrase that alwas stuck with me to this day.
He said: "oh yea, i love going to bed hungry, like on an empty stomach. That feels great." And several students agreed, tooth and nail. I always found it odd.

To this day I try my best not to be famished going to bed, because I end up having wildly vivid dreams of food and me eating but never satisfied. Usually the dreams will end with me biting my tongue, literally.

I had a meal around 430 today and it threw off my eating sched. I wasnt hungry for dinner and believed I could go without food until tomorrow morning. I was a little excited to have saved the calories, except 10 mins in bed around 12am, I'm hungry, and getting rapidly close to famished.

My stomach is quite comical because there is no slow buildup to hunger status. It goes from "no, im not hungry" to "I need food now, or I'm gonna faint!" in the span of 15 mins. It sounds a little diabetic, but its just my weird body.

Lots of people think eating before 7 or whatever time, is the way to lose weight. But studies have shown timing has nothing to do with it. People who start the "no eating after # o clock" and lose weight, is mainly due to them just consuming fewer calories. They are more conscious of what they eat and if they stop eating at a certain time, they just stop intaking as many calories.

If you are watching what you eat and your intake, dont feel bad if you grab a nibble at midnight. It wont destroy your waistline.

Anyways I always think food tastes insanely better at and after midnight. No wonder people love eating leftovers at that time. I really wonder what is it? Are our tastebuds heightened by the tides?

As I gorge myself, the voice of my HS teacher with his sentence "I love sleeping on a empty stomach" replays in my head.

He obviously has no tastebuds and is a robot.

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Morning vrs Evening?

Hi Li Ly youre also a runner arent you? You seem to know more about running than I do. Please help me out, Ive only been running for about 4 or 5 months but one thing I havent figured out yet is: is it better to run in the morning or in the evening? Obviously in the evening it is warmer which means you lose alot more bodily fluids and burn alot more calories. But in the morning I feel like its not making any impact. What should I do?
Thanks from Steve

Hi Steve,
oh I'm glad I can help, thanks for reaching out to me :) I love talking about running.
There are both pros and cons for running in the morning vrs evening. For me its whenever I can squeeze in a workout, but i really need to be more consistent.

Morning Runs
Pros: gets you and your body more prepped for races, which usually tend to be in the mornings. Its definitely a benefit to have that under your belt when racing. Because its colder and people are usually more stiff in the morning, when they wake up to race at 7am for the first time, they're more easily prone to injury and cramps and they most likely don't have their morning routine and breakfast all worked out = upset tummy's at mile 10, or searching for port-a-pottys at mile 2 (it will be trial and error to see what foods and liquids and at what time intervals you should eat/ drink to give you the best workout)

Since its colder in the morning your body temp stays lower for a longer period of time which is a good thing = you can run longer & harder. If you feel that its not making an impact try to increase the mileages or intensity of the run (throw in some hills or sprint intervals). Also see if you can complete the same amount of distance you would in the evening by cutting your time down.

Some of the top runners actually wear a chilled vest before they run so it'll keep their body temp lower for the first few miles.

Cons:
Waking up early sucks.. Jk. Some people argue that because its so early and your body/immune system is a bit weaker in the morning, you might be more prone to catching a cold. But with the right clothes and after getting used to the mornings, that's easy to overcome. Just remember to stretch and get a really good warm up. you might need to warm up a bit more, like 10 mins more than what you usually would do in the evenings.

Evening Runs:
Pros & Cons: For me it fits into my schedule better. Usually after a full day of eating breakfast and lunch, you have more food energy to do an intensive workout, but after a long day of work or school your body & mind are more easily exhaustible. Also if you eat that slice of pizza for lunch, you'll really feel it during the workout, so it kinda sucks having to always remember what foods will affect your run later. Most of the top runners usually train in the morning and evening to get the benefits of both.

You can try to mix it up where you do longer distances in the morning some days, and shorter high intensity workouts in the evenings on other days or vice versa. :)

Hope this helps.
feel free to ask me any other questions you may have with running, I'm glad to help.
Lily

Dead Legs?

Hi everybody. I just started a beginner running schedule that should make me able to run 5k in about nine weeks. It very good for me, I guess, because I always had litle endurance.


I just noticed that while running, I feel like my whole weight is in my legs, which is very uncomfortable, and my legs are stirring on the sides. Is that normal? Does it just mean that I am supposed to lose weight (1m70/ 65kg) or is there another reason?

-Carmen

I think heavy legs are largely a factor of not enough circulation to you legs, making them weak & thus feeling heavy.

Try longer warm ups and stretches, (give it about 15 mins) before and after each run to help strengthen your legs (especially since you're just starting out), drink lots of water (during the day, 30-40 mins before you run and after) & potassium helps circulation as well.

Let me know if you want any suggestions on some good stretches. When you warm up, stretch and hold the position for say 10 counts & don't bounce. When you hold the stretch, it allows the body to have time to release lactic acid and etc.

I think I've been through ever leg pain possible, knees, shins, quads, & feet. lol

Also how are your shoes? Improper & heavy shoes will definitely feel like weights on your legs.

Try a cool down after your runs, and a really good 10-15 min session of stretching/yoga or even a steam room+stretching and see if that helps your legs from feeling like lead the next day.

Its just feeling like that due to the lactic build-up which is why your legs feel better after you start running again, because it gets the blood circulating and moving the lactic acid out, which is what a warm up and stretching will help do as well

Hope this helps :)

Happy running.

Li

Cardio Trainer App for Android

Even though I really like the Nike+ system (not the iphone app, but the receiver and shoe sensor),  you can't really use it for non-running activities, like biking or hiking.

This is one of my favorite trainer/working out apps. Its free on Android phones, there is also a paid version too, but the free one does a lot already, and I'm all about free apps.

Cardio Trainer is really great for running, biking, hiking, anything. I think the photos will explain more than I can with words. Really easy to use, and my favorite features are that it will pause on its own when it senses you not moving, so if you stop longer than a second (or any time you set it) it will pause, and resume once you start again.Great for stoplights when your running and biking. Also it gives a good breakdown of your stats, speed, elevation, etc.

Here are a few photos

 History - Here I have Weights, Yoga, Treadmill, and road running.

 GPS map

 Stats

    Graph of your speed.. I can't figure out how to rotate pictures.. so turn your head to the right :)

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I'm about ready to give up on this Forefoot running, and go back to my Midfoot strike, where for 2 years, NO problems at all, except I was a bit slower, and used more energy.

Although I like the benefits and feeling of forefoot, my left leg is just NOT getting with the program! Its quite annoying, and I might need to try it again later once I can get some proper feedback on what my left leg is doing wrong.

My left calf is always way sore, and the ankle is unhappy. Just recently, the lower inner shin area has been quite upset. I've had that pain before, but this time its much different, and I'm afraid its more serious.. :(


Do I see my foot and ankle specialist, or a physical therapist, or my general physician?
People say, "see a doctor", but it would be more helpful if they can tell you what specific one to go to.. See a GI doc, see a chiropractor, etc.. There are so many different specialization, you end up having a bunch of different doctors, for all different parts of your body.. I mean its nice to have someone who knows more about that area than another.. but its a pain going to a bunch of different places, and if you go to the wrong place, its another wasted visit.. If i go to my General, who would just refer me to another doctor, that's another day wasted, and you know its takes weeks to get an apt, so more time spent..

Luckily, I have an apt to see my Foot and Ankle specialist,  for Tuesday, hopefully he can tell me that I did not do some serious damage.. hopefully!!! And I Hope that he Can help me, and that he wont just say, oh that's 3 inches above the ankle.. I can't help you there..


Update - Posterior Shin Splint

Apple iTouch 4generation Review

During the Summer, my friend sent me an email link to a Bank of the West promotion. If you open a new account, and did 1 of the following (did 20 debt transactions, a certain # of direct deposits, or a certain # of Bill Pay transaction) anyway, I did the Debit transactions since that was easier than figuring out how to switch my direct deposit over or having to deal with transferring a larger sum of $. Anyway, they promised that the itouch would arrive Just in time for Xmas..

Skeptical, during 5-6 month period, I held up my end of the bargain and waited, and sure enough on Dec 24th, I received my New 4th Generation iTouch. I was pretty amazed that they gave us the new one, that has the camera function.

Cool features:
1 (and practically the BEST) - Nike + receiver already Built in!!! so you don't need to buy one, which usually cost $60 for the kit. Now you just need the sensor which is around $20.

2 - The camera. Now on my runs, when I see some awesome scenery, I can snap a photo.

3 - Wifi - I can upload my run to nike+ easily, my photos to facebook easily, and take screenshots of my Nike+ runs.

Sock Review

I need socks with a lot of cushion, but also not too thick because my feet swell when I run, then my shoes get too tight, then my feet get numb. (I wasn't kidding when I have high maintenance feet).

I would usually wear thick cotton socks for the cushion and sweat absorbing factor, forcing me to  lace my shoes really loose to allow my feet to expand. This wasn't always such a great method because my shoe would fly off at times. 

Thorlo Socks Experia Review

These socks cost a pretty penny, almost $12.50-15, but are really nice. I would like a few more pairs as stocking stuffers.

Pros - these socks have alot of padding in the forefoot and heel and they didn't give me blisters. yay! They were good at absorbing sweat and keeping the feet dry on my 10+ mile runs. I've washed them over 10 times and still pretty cushiony and soft.

It doesn't give much arch support, if you're looking for that tight feeling around your arch.










Nike Performance Cushioned

These offer a  pretty decent lightweight cushioning, although I've only used them for short distances around 5 miles or sprints.  They're thinner, but with some padding on the heel and forefoot.

I don't use them for long runs because they don't absorb sweat as much as the Thorlo which can lead to blisters. But a very good light weight low mileage running sock.












Nike Running Cushioned - Compression Arch Support

A pretty good 5-10 mile run sock. Pretty decent on absorbing and wicking away sweat. I really like the firm arch support this one gives. Now the "arch Support" wont replace needing shoes, but it gives that "Compression" feel when you wear them.

However the bad thing with Nike socks is they dont last very long.. after a few washes the fabric is must stiffer and not as soft as it originally was, and some of the seams are starting to fray.

Now the compression of the sock isn't comparable to an Actual Compression sock, but it is better than a regular sock. But if you're interested in "compression" this isn't the sock for you. Pay the extra and get a real compression sock.

Women's Elite Running Cushioned - Softens the impact


A pretty good alternative to the Thorlo. I wear them on 1-10+ mile runs. A good universal sock for low and high mile runs. The cushion isn't as thick as the Thorlo, but its still a good light weight sock with a good amount of cushion. Been through a 10+ washes and still pretty soft, and hasn't gone paper thin yet.. We'll see how long they will last..

New Toys

I'm excited for my new Xmas toys.. and whats awesome is my birthday is only a week away, so whatever I didn't get for Xmas, I can get for my bday. hehehe Awesome! I really feel that Speedfil is coming soon. heheh

I'll post up a more legit review for the items once I start using them, 
I got my TYR Tri Transition Bag.

My Wireless Bike computer with Speed and Cadence! Cateye Strada double wireless with cadence.

And the best headband EVER!!

Xmas Wish List

Here are a few things I hope to receive


1: TYR Tri Bag 

2: More Compression Socks / Sleeves   

3: Thorlo Experia Running Socks  

4. CatEye V2C Wireless Cyclocomputer with Cadence 

5. Blue Seventy Hydra Vision Open water goggles.

6 : Race Entry Fees
 ` Boston 13.1 $80
Frog Super Seal Tri $125
SF 1/2 Marathon
and maybe a few Rock and Roll marathons inbetween

oh almost forgot
7 - Speedfil 

Thanks Santa!!

Stress and Self Revelation

About 3 years ago, I had on and off, (more "on" than "off") stomach pains for about 6-8 months. It would be a lovely stabbing pain right in my belly. After several different doctor visits with no resolutions,  and went to see a GI Specialist. Having an endoscopy and colonoscopy revealed I had GERDs brought on by stress..

OK. Sounds simple enough, except for the fact that I have no idea "what" I'm supposedly stressed about.

The same goes for teeth grinding.. My dentist's simple solution is to "stop stressing" and I'm about to punch someone in the face for saying those words to me again, because I don't have anything on my mind that I'm stressed or worried about! (now to think of it, I'm stressed over trying to figure out what I'm stressed about)

So over time, I have come to accept the fact that my mind and my body are not 1. They like to battle with another quite frequently. So if my mind isn't stressed about anything, my body will stress itself out, with another case of GERDs or whatever it feels like dabbling into.

My solution Training. I find that with training, my put my body in such a stressed/overworked state, that when I'm actually "relaxing" it enjoys that time and stops bothering me..

The past few days its been raining, and I try not to get myself in a bad situation so I do not run in the rain (I was caught in a hail storm it wasn't pleasant). I'll go to the gym instead, but its really not the same.For the past few days my body has been on a little high of trying to annoy the crap out of me with pains, stress, mood swings, and stomach acid so great I swear I feel a hole burning through my body. Even my friends can tell I was extremely grumpy.

The rain has stopped (for the next few days at least) and I finally got a 5 mile run in, and now things are at peace.

I feel so great and so level.

Time vrs Distance

Most people already set it in their minds that they can't run a mile, that it would physically be impossible for them to do so.

I've heard, "I will die", "My legs will fall off", "it will take me hours to run 1 mile"

1 mile can sound pretty daunting,
But instead of thinking in terms of Distance, just go for Time.

Just say,
"Today I'll run for 5 mins." 
"Today, I'll run for 10 mins"
"Today, I'll run for 15 mins"

It doesn't sound so bad right?

And the plus side, usually people can run 1 mile in 15 mins or less, so you've conquered your greatest feat in just 15 mins.

Happy Running!

Hills, Hills, Hills

Someone said: "YOU Might be a Runner IF... You have a love-hate relationship with hills"

Very very true. We hate them because they're tough, but we love them because it makes us stronger.. which what every endurance athlete strives for.. to be better, to be stronger.

Recently I moved and my neighborhood is seriously ridiculously hilly. Biking has definitely been a challenge, you have to either bike 2+ miles uphill before you can even get to a decent flat area to ride, (which isn't even that flat, just more manageable rolling hills) or go downhill and save that awesome 2 mile uphill stretch for the end.

Pick your poison.

Running these routes are equally as challenging, although I feel running uphill is easier than biking, but that's probably just the inner runner inside of me. My prior training routes were generally flat, downhill and with a small portion of a steep uphill. However with new neighborhood, I had to adapt, and as much as I struggled at first, I LOVE IT.

Hills make you so much stronger, physically and endurance wise and my quads are in the best shape they've ever been.

Forefoot running makes taking the hills a more graceful as well.
But, whatever foot your are, here's a good recipe for tackling these hills

1. Keep your body upright
• Often when people go uphill, you notice that they lean forward too much, this throws off your form, and added strain to your back, especially around your shoulders (since your hunched over) and your lower back because now that is the focal point for all impact.
  
2. Bend your knees.
• Often when people run uphill, they run the same was as if they're running on flat ground, using the calves more than the quads, which if you tune into your body, you will feel your calves working much harder going uphill. You need more power to push up those hills. Imagine how your legs feel when you're walking up stairs, you bend your knees and you use your quads. When you bend your knees going uphill, you will feel your quads working instead of your calves.
  
3. Palm your waist.
• When our body gets tired we tend to swing our arms across our chest. This is NOT good arm form because you restrict your lungs from expanding and getting enough oxygen. Keep your arms bent at a 90 degree angle (at your elbow), palms open and loose, and each time you swing your arm, your Palm should tap your waist. By doing so, you ensure that your elbows are in and parallel with each other, and your lungs are open
  
4. Keep your pace
• Often a person with either go up too fast or too slow on the hill. Just try to focus on keeping the same pace or just a bit slower, keep your leg turnover as you would normally run. Its just a change in the ground, nothing more. No need to speed up because you might tire yourself out. Just bend your knees and keep everything the same.
  
5. Keep your feet low
• Going up hill and bending your knees, you migh end up lifting your legs up too high = more energy = more exertion. Unless you're trail running, and trying to avoid rocks, you want to conserve as much energy as you can.
  
6. BREATHE
• Focus on your cadence breathing.
  
  
  
  Happy Running!

Germs, Germs, Germs!

I haven't gotten "ill - ill" in quite some time since my training. I really attribute my training to keeping me healthy.

Training and exercising really helps to reduce your chances of getting sick. However it can increase it as well, because you expose yourself to unpleasant germs without realizing it. (All the germs in the gym, pool, or publicly touched areas)

Yesterday an hour or so after my run, my throat glands started to swell up. For me, that's the first thing that always signals to me that I've caught a bug, and immediate action is needed before a full blown malady kicks in.

I was really confused on "How" I caught it. I didn't come across any people, and I work at home. Then I remembered, the Cross walk buttons! Damn those things. I need to use my elbows next time! Ugh! how annoying!


Let see if I can get rid of this before it multiplies.

1 - Water, and lots of it.
2 -  1000 mg of Vit C every hour,
3 - Orange juice
4 - Ginger - Slices of ginger root and hot water
5 - some Zinc and Vit B - not too much.

Water

Vit C

Thin slices of ginger root

Ginger Root

Hey Sexy!

its comforting to know that no matter what you look like,

bundled up,
100 or 300 lbs,
arm rolls jiggling,
leg fat jiggling,
tummy rolls bouncing,
snot dripping down your face,
hocking a loogie,
blowing a snot rocket,
black toe nails,
missing toe nails,
blisters,
calluses,
sweat,
acne,
licking the salt crystals off your face to get some electrolytes,
sun burns,
runners trots (when you get the "runs" when you run),
puking,
regurgitating, but then swallowing it again
drool,
spilled Gatorade/sports drinks over your face and body,

rain, sleet, snow or shine,
guys will always honk and yell, "Hey Sexy"

Xterra vrs Orca Wetsuit Review

Before I purchased my first wetsuit I asked a lot of people, and read a bunch of articles, and pretty much unanimously everyone recommended, "Sleeveless"

So my first wetsuit was an Xterra Vortex 3 Sleeveless suit for <$99. However, when I arrived at my first meeting with the OC Tri Meetup group for my first Ocean Swimming session, I noticed that everyone in the group had Full Sleeve wetsuits. After my first few swims, it was so COLD. My hands and arms would be so numb from the 55-60 degree water, so I went to buy for a Full Sleeve suit. Then everyone I talked to, started recommending, "Full sleeve suit" oh, the irony.. I ended up with the Orca S3. A very good beginner wet suit because it is reasonably priced around $160 ish (on sale usually) and it has good reviews. Also, its easier to put on than the Xterra suit because parts of the suit are neoprene (see the black parts in the photos) and the zebra striped areas on the Orca suit are thinner than the rest of the suit to allow better movement of the arms.



So my advice if you're new and looking for full sleeve vs sleeveless.

1 - Temperature - What is the Temperature of the water you will be swimming in?
If its less than 70 degrees, I say go with Full Sleeves. If its warmer water - go with sleeveless.

2 - Brands - The beginner suits for Xterra and Orca are around the same price, so its up to comfort for you.
Xterra Vortex 3 (sleeveless) is all 1 soild material (that rubbery stuff). Where Orca (Full and sleeveless) has a parts (near the ankle and under the shoulder blades and arms with a more flexible neoprene (kinda like a denser surfer wetsuit material) because of that, it makes the suit easier to put on and more flexible when you're swimming.

Overall, I felt the entire neoprene of the Orca suit is more flexible than the Xterra suit.

3 - Performance - Full sleeves will help you swim better because more suit = more buoyancy.
Most people have told me that the full sleeves prohibit the full movement of their arm when they swim, but I really didn't have any problems with it.