Your running questions answered!

If you're on Twitter, use the hashtag #TPMomsRun along with your running-related question (don't forget to include myself @jenpinarski and @Todaysparent). I'll answer your running question as best I can, and if I don't know the answer, I'll track down an expert who can. Every week I'll post the questions and answers here on Run-at-home Mom so all mother runners can benefit!

 

Here a few of this week's questions. Thanks everyone for participating!

 

Surely the #Stampede in #yyc is a perfectly good excuse to skip a run or two? (from @Jody_Robbins)

Absolutely! Scheduled rest days are important to remain injury free. That said, if you eat anything deep fried on a stick, it's off to the track to do Yasso 800s.

 

Why do my shins hurt when I hit the pavement? (from @MyTwoGirlies)

This sounds suspiciously like shin splints. Traditional advice is rest, ice and an anti-inflammatory. My advice is to get a professional diagnosis and definitely stay off the pavement. Swimming and cycling are great alternatives for a great cardio workout. 

 

My feet go kinda numb/tingly when I run. What is that about? (from @abbygromlich)

It sounds like a shoe fit problem. If they are shoes that you've worn for a while, it might be time to replace them. Try re-lacing them (lacing itself is an art!)

 

What should I eat on the day of the half-marathon? (from ?@NatNanton)

My race day breakfast is always oatmeal with sliced bananas and brown sugar with black coffee. I nearly lost my mind in Creemore last week when there was no oatmeal and I had to eat a bagel instead and learned the hard way in Grand Cayman that dairy is a bad idea before running 13.1 miles. Easily digestible carbs is what you want in your system. Practice during training to nail the right nutrition strategy for you. 

 

Do you have any recommendations on a good jogging stroller? (from @HaleyGeorges)

A good jogging stroller is worth its weight in gold. You all know that I'm a huge fan of Chariot Carriers. I have a Cougar 2 with the running and cycling attachments (I also used the infant head support). It's pricey ($685 MSRP without any of the attachments, budget another $100-$200 for those) but my kids are never too hot or too cold. Now if I could just get them to stop fighting with each other. A bonus for buying a Chariot — they are a Canadian company!

 

As someone who ran while pregnant, did you wear something specifically to protect your growing belly? (from ?@deannegage)

I used a fitness support belt for a 5K run when I was about 20 weeks along and chafed so badly that I considered not wearing pants for a week. I've heard awesome things about the belts, but they didn't work for me. I think that being dedicated to a routine of core strengthening exercises are your best bet (that worked much better for me than the belt). Not to discourage you from a belt, but I suggest you seek out a pre-natal fitness expert for their recommendations.

I love your questions — keep them coming!

Photo by susan_d_p via Flickr.