All right. I'll admit that they're not THAT bad. Anymore. But they were when I only had 8.5 toenails. During the height of my pedicure days, I never took notice of how toenail-less feet were handled during a pedicure. Now I KNOW that I couldn't possibly be the only person walking in there who was lacking toenails, but I really didn't want to have to explain myself or ask questions. (There is usually a nice language barrier to heap on top of all the awkward small talk that I suffer through during a pedicure so that is enough to seal my decision to boycott pedicures while lacking toenails...)
As I said, they aren't that bad. And rather than rambling onandonandon, I am just going to tell you why creepy looking runner girl feet are not my problem anymore. Three weeks ago, after I posted the Emjoi Epilator giveaway, the awesomely awesome amazing people at Emjoi decided to send me another product! They sent the Emjoi Micro Pedi- actually they sent two of them and insisted that I try one and give another away here!
I have callouses (not scary grandma bunion creepy callouses) on parts of my feet from running and NEVER wearing shoes unless I absolutely have to. This Micro Pedi thing is like a callous eraser. It smooths a callous away in seconds. Yes, it's magical. It's great for cracked/dry heels too. My husband ripped this out of the box and used it before I did. We now have feet that are lazy slacker couch potato soft!
Soooo.... Here we go again? Do you want one?
This time I only have one to give away. So give me something. Become a follower if you aren't already, and tell me why you run in the first place. What made you get up and say "I'm going to do this" and more significantly, what keeps you going especially when it sucks? If you don't run, I guess you can tell me about whatever you do that keeps you active instead. But for the love of all that is sacred, do not mention Zumba. (If you are a diehard Zumbaic, forgive me.)
I will pick a winner in a week. Please make sure that you check back to see if you won!
Free Sweepstakes
Click here for the "Winner of Not My Problem #4 (Emjoi Micro Pedi)
HOW DARE YOU?! ZUMBA IS FANTASTIC!! btw zumba wednesday night?
ReplyDeleteZumba is a socially acceptable version of line dancing disguised as a workout.
DeleteFITNESS CLASS WITH A MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR AND KICKBOXING. LOVE WORKING OUT BECAUSE IT RELIEVES SO MUCH STRESS AND IN KICKBOXING I CAN PICTURE A CERTAIN "SOMEONE" AND KNOCK THEIR BLOCK OFF AND STILL SPEND THE NIGHT IN MY BED AND NOT IN JAIL LOL
ReplyDeleteWhy do I run? So many reasons besides just the physical benefits. I began walking the trails at the lake, doing more and more miles until I began combining that with running. Now I am addicted. (& yes I totally understand the awful callouses on the feet!) When I run, all the emotional junk, all the poison of any situation I had been dealing with, all seems to fade away. I gain fresh perspective on life and on myself. And it feels great!! It energizes me to be able to face the world. There is nothing like it. I would have to say what keeps me running, is that I know it is saving my life.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I run? I run because I have 34 years of "I'm the worst athlete ever" to make up for. Growing up, the one and only thing I hated about school was gym. I was small and scrawny and was always the last person to be picked for team sports because I was an automatic out. I even had to stay after gym for remedial volleyball help because I couldn't ever serve the ball over the net! I was NOT an athlete and hated sports! But then when I was 34, without much thought, I joined a mom's running club with my 1 year old daughter. I ran my first 5K and then 2 months later I won my first Age Group trophy! I didn't even know I had won a trophy until someone congratulated me a week later! Me? Sports trophy? NO WAY! WOW! I have since won many more awards and now I run to make up for my first 34 years and to remind myself that "I am an athlete and I am not afraid of gym anymore!" Also, I love setting a good example for my (now) 4 year old daughter and 5 month old son!
ReplyDeleteI run mostly b/c I refuse to let running defeat me. So many things came easily to me and I was sure I was going to be an excellent runner. I'm also incredibly stubborn and when I started running, I didn't realize how HARD it was going to be! The first 'run' I took wasn't much of a run and I was so sore the next day. I quit...then I realized so many people run who have real excuses not to run. They just do it...all different sizes, shapes, physical limitations, etc. My biggest thing was I was overweight but perfectly capable of running. I still haven't been bitten by the running bug, but I came close when I finished my first 5k. Currently sitting out due to a stress fracture, but as soon as it heals, I'll be back trying again/
ReplyDeleteI run because it helps me to feel like I can handle absolutely anything else that comes my way in life. I'm convinced that it changes my brain.
ReplyDeleteI posted this earlier on my blog-but this is why I run:
ReplyDeleteMy ‘ode’ to running
A runner runs through the pain
Embraces swollen and bruised toes
Knowing with each step
They are one step closer to their finish line
A runner’s legs are often sore
But continue to strengthen through
Training and passion
A runner hears music differently
Than most…
Wondering if the lyrics will help
Motivate movement within their weary feet,
And feeling the beat of each note
As their feet and legs
Find a cadence and fall in to place
A runner sees neighborhood streets
And miles of pathways
As the road ‘undiscovered’
Or a peaceful place to escape.
A runner in training
Runs
Works
And drives through sickness
Pain
And exhaustion…
For the mere passion
Joy
And need to run
This need
Comes from within…
And no one,
Can take that away
Nor mimic,
Nor understand
The race
Each runner
Needs
To run…
(You asked for it.) I started running because my trainer made me. (Well, that's close enough to the truth.) Actually, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer 9 years, the doctor casually said, "Of course you know that obesity can lead to breast cancer." No, I did not know that at the time. Fine time to tell me! I lost a lot of weight during chemo (NOT a recommended weight-loss regimine!) and determined to keep that off. (and lose more.) I started working out more, and eventually found an instructor I really liked. When she opened her own gym, I went wth her. When she started doing personal training, I signed up. I started running about 2 years ago. I was doing better, no longer hating it (as much) when my son suddenly died. Almost a year later, I decided it was time to try to get my body back into it's pre-grief shape. (Comfort food does not comfort, but that does not stop one from stuffing it in your mouth.) So, I'm back at the gym 3 times a week, combination of weights and cardio, plus running 5-6 times a week (3 miles a day) I still do NOT like it, but I have a 5k next Sunday. I told my trainer "I can run 5k, that's not a problem now. " SHE says, "Yes, but you want to run it faster than you ever have. Under 45 minutes." (I normally am pushing to to get under an hour, if it's not FLAT.) I've told her, "WE have different goals for MY race!" That said, I CAN now get just under 45 minutes on the treadmill, no incline SOMETIMES. We'll see how it goes Sunday. At any rate, as they say, no matter how slowly I run, I'm still lapping the person on the couch.
ReplyDeleteI do not run, but we go geocaching as a family (hiking). I know it is not high energy but it is the best I have. Thank you
ReplyDeletecandieluster(at)gmail(Dot)com
I'm a pilates fan, I love that it's low impact and always makes me feel refreshed when it's done. Running is fun to on occasions.
ReplyDeletenickieisis3atgmaildotcom
GFC follower nickie burke
I started running as a challenge to myself. I'd lost some weight through walking, and wanted to see if I could run a 5K.
ReplyDeleteI trained very persistently but not in a really organized way, and it took me way too long to train for that 5K, but once I ran it, I was hooked.
I don't always love running -- especially when it's hot (so this early warm weather is killing me). Signing up for races keeps it fun and forces me to get out there to train, even when I'm not enjoying it, but the desire to get back to 26.2 shape either later this year or next spring is what's going to keep me going now.
I don't need the product, I just like reading about what prompted people to start running and thought I'd share, too. :-)
The reason I run? Since 1997 I had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. For most of that time I have been stable but the first 6 years were rough on myself and my family. Beginning in Sept 2009 to mid 2011 I was in a near constant state of depression...the depression of the worst kind. During that time I had only a brief respite from Sept-Dec 2010 where my moods were somewhat stable and I was fully functioning. This was a depression that had me in the hospital (voluntarily) for over a week. I was, literally, non-functional. It took everything I had to get out of bed, showered and dressed and drive to work. At work I'd cry for hours with my office door closed. Nothing got accomplished and I went from a highly motivated, exceptional university instructor to someone who couldn't imagine being alive for the next hour. I made plans that I never acted on, thankfully. After hospitalization in Oct 2009 I spent the next year going through multiple new and different combinations of medications to try to balance me out. In Sept of 2010 I probably should have gone into the hospital again but refused because my husband was having his own issues with depression. Finally, I lost my position as a nursing instructor in spring 2011. That actually became a good thing because without the added stress my depression began to stabilize. By September I was classified as 100% disabled and unemployable but the Dept of Veterans Affairs.
ReplyDeleteIn June 2011 I decided that I finally had to follow through on an exercise program, not only for the endorphin rush but for the weight gain caused by the medications. I started with Zumba (eventually becoming a licensed instructor), added other group classes and then in May I decided that I would start running. That was a huge decision because I had always HATED running. I could barely run 50-100 feet at a time when I started. I saw some progress by July and decided that I wanted to run a half marathon for my bucket list. I signed up with Team in Training and started training with them in August...and the rest is history. I'm now a Half Fanatic with aspirations to reach Sun level with 30 half marathons in 30 states in 365 days by 3/25/13 and to become a Marathon Maniac at Gold level in October with 4 full marathons in 37 days/4 full marathons in 4 states in 51 days.
So, literally, I run for my sanity. It allows me an escape from the doldrums of my daily existence, helps me to focus on what my body is doing/feeling and helps me to clear my mind and work through things I may be having issues with. The endorphins help to maintain my moods. If I don't run for an extended time, I tend to start becoming depressed. My body is just used to the activity/endorphins now, as is my mind. Running has become a method of survival for me...physically and mentally.
Following you on GFC as Krystle Moltisanti
ReplyDeleteI run to loose weight!
The run for me is rewarding .It's hard if its a few miles or ten miles.Started running last year
ReplyDeleteaccompanying a friend on his run.15 miles later, pure hell but at the same time best feeling ever. I glad I decided to go on that run because of it ,I've ran a bunch of races and met a great bunch of people who given motivation and will to be able to do this a regular basis.
So the run for me is to those great new friends that entered my life.
Im following via GFC as Jara Gabrielle Christensen
ReplyDeleteI run because my sister ran, and I always looked up to her. Then once I started running, even if there were days I didnt want to, I realized very quickly it was something I needed to do for my mind and body.
jaragabrielle1018@gmail.com
I run to clear my head. It gives me time away from my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI run to help me lose the extra weight, 30lbs down and counting!:)
ReplyDeleteWell, when I'm not going to Zumba classes, I'm thinking about my next zumbaic movie, dreaming about zumbanites, or talking zumbatopian.
ReplyDeleteReally though, I like to run because it keeps my stamina up, and it makes me feel good afterward. I ran my first 5k and it was better than being on cloud 9.
nippytay at gmail dot com
I follow via GFC as jeanne conner
ReplyDeleteI run because I can...For several years I tried all exercise programs and videos they did nothing for me..One day driving home from work I saw a group of people running and they were laughing and looked so happy.. the next night i became one of those people... Developed stress fractures, now 6 months later I am healed and doing it again!!!!!!! Lifer!!
ltlbit1 at hotmail dot com
I'm a GFC follower :) I will sometimes run, but I prefer to get on my bicycle or hike. I don't have the die hard motivation to hit the pavement everyday!
ReplyDeleteericacarnes(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a GFC follower and I have not tried running at this point but I do aerobics twice a week and I run after small children daily.
ReplyDelete