Highly visible targets: reflections on dressing for winter running 
By Sidewinder | November 15, 2008
In his glossary of the twentieth century, J. G. Ballard defines fashion as a ‘recognition that nature has endowed us with one skin too few, and that a fully sentient being should wear its nervous system externally’. Quite apart from describing the effect of whipping off one’s skinny jeans with little regard for the laws of friction, Ballard could just as easily be alluding to the false assumption that many a novice road runner makes; namely, believing entirely in their own capacity to be lively enough to avoid the investment banker hurrying home to halt work on his new swimming pool. However, ‘I’ll see him before he sees me’ comes to rest on the hard shoulder of history next to a number of other prognostications that are now thought to have been followed by an awkward and generally prolonged silence. These include: Full steam ahead; We’ll be in Moscow by winter; My girlfriend will look great in these; They’ll never know I fast-tracked my nanny’s visa application; and of course, Let’s invest taxpayers’ money in Icelandic banks.
For all that the occasional British politician might suffer nothing more than inconvenience at the repatriation of the domestic help to a village in the foothills of the Urals, perhaps there’s some comfort to be had in the fact that they were at least as visible to the committee for Standards in Public Life as today’s properly-attired runner is to the winter motorist. Indeed, there is now a level of one-upmanship in high visibility apparel that is comparable only to the competition for government ministers at the parties of rival Russian oligarchs. To win this game, it’s absolutely necessary that 1) the politicos on your yacht be entirely vulgar in their dealings with one another; and, 2) the name of the manufacturer of your jacket be luminous from a distance of about a thousand metres under cover of night. Though, as Oscar Wilde put it, if you want something to read, buy an audiobook.
However, in view of Carl’s recent prescription for safe winter training, perhaps now is the time to come clean about my own early - and indeed reluctant - attempts at nighttime visibility. Admittedly crude affairs, they first involved bright yellow t-shirts with less than the half-life of a poisoned KGB mole. The situation improved somewhat (though not-a-hell-of-a-lot) after the gift at Christmas one year of a Halford’s high-viz workman’s vest; though, not since catching my mouth on a door handle had a smile been so pained. Still, displaying teeth like brackets and wearing a garment large enough, really, to be worn over a sou’ wester, on a windy night I must have looked like John Prescott inspecting an oil rig - and it’s hard to overcome an unwillingness to look like a man who doesn’t wear a belt and tie on the same day for fear of being mistaken for sausages.
And that’s a problem with high-visibility gear, isn’t it? It’s become part of the apparatus of the state. We’re too used to seeing well-fed politicians donning hard hats and reflective waistcoats as they tour the foundations of a next generation nuclear power plant, to feel truly comfortable in such company. Likewise the police, who slip into entire uniforms of the stuff at the mere hint of a cloud blocking out the sun (notwithstanding the fact that Britain has the highest volume of CCTV cameras per capita in Europe to back up this otherwise highly invisible presence). And really, who wants to be seen in the same outfit as institution that here in Scotland has recently made a television appeal to foreign itinerants, warning them of the dangers of sleeping rough?
Some people think it’s Iranian Heavy Water Industries that poses the greatest threat to the world, but it’s those who have sworn to protect us that worry me. Still, you have to admire any organisation that’s aspirational enough to presume that the immigrant homeless will buy a television set and work up from there.
Ah, now that’s a visible target.
Tags: halfords high viz, Political Rant, reflective running gear, running advice, running in the darkTopics: Running, The Sidewinder Speaks Tonite | 1 Comment »
Lament of a Laid-up Runner
By LauraLou | November 6, 2008
I realise my love of running has become more like an addiction when I am unable to run. I find myself daydreaming about running and waking each morning wondering if today might be the day I can run again. I have been sick for several days, with fever and a bad cold and have been lying on the sofa watching depressing TV, but what makes me feel most miserable is that I have missed a couple of important training sessions in my marathon schedule. I feel jealous when I see runners pass by my window, even though it’s icy and their bright red noses should make me feel glad to be snuggled up indoors.
There is a rule of thumb amongst athletes that says if there is something wrong above the neck you needn’t stop training but fever or symptoms affecting lower regions mean exercises such as running are a no-no. However this rule is not always easy to apply, especially when you are anxious about sticking to a training plan.
I know that running when I can barely breathe and have to stop for coughing fits is unlikely to do much for my timimg or improve my fitness, but I can’t help craving to get back out there. As I start to get well there is a little voice inside me which wonders if just maybe a run would do me good, to blow the cobwebs away and make me feel better, just as running does when I have a headache or a bad day at the office. But this little voice must be ignored. I have made the mistake before of going out before I was fully recovered and immediately turned back into a shivering, sneezing wreck, putting my training on hold for even longer.
So I am hiding my running shoes out of sight under the bed, nibbling on kiwi-fruit skins (full of vitamin C, FYI) and channeling my energy into healing thoughts in the hope that this will encourage my body to get well as fast as possible. The good thing is this hiatus has reminded me how lucky I am to be able to run and what’s more, to actually enjoy doing it! Perhaps this will make me appreciate running even more, and make my first post-illness jaunt extra special.
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Our Blogger
This blog post was kindly written by Laura Lou who also has her own running blog called the Running Explorer. We would definitely recommend that you visit Laura’s blog and share your thoughts with her. Her work has been published on websites and in print, covering topics from medicine to yoga and dance. Laura is currently training for the Athens Marathon (this weekend, yikes!), and writes a blog about running as a way of exploring her new surroundings.
Topics: Discussions, Running | No Comments »
Excuses, excuses, excuses….
By Carl | October 31, 2008
If you are anything like me at this time of year I’ am my own worst enemy when it comes to putting a foot outside the door. It’s too cold, I will pull something, I’m tired ….. the list of excuses goes on.
So here are a few quick tricks that I have learnt, hopefully they will work for you as well.
1. Buy some new gear! I always employ this tactic when Winter is approaching. Treat yourself to a new pair of trainers or a wind proof jacket. After all you need some reward for all the hard work - don’t you?!
2. Create a diary or even a blog. If you want to keep your training private a diary will act as your conscience however if you want to make your training public a blog will mean that your friends and family will find out if you are skiving.
3. Kid yourself. The worst thing you can do is build-up the run in your head. Say to yourself that you are just going to do a “light jog” and stop when you feel like it. Often once you are outside your outlook changes!
4. Find an event. Schedule a race in the diary, preferably for early Jan. This will keep you focused and means that you have another reason to train.
5. Get a running buddy. Nothing like a bit of peer pressure to make sure you don’t miss a session. There is also safety in numbers during dark nights.
6. Leave your running shoes by the door. You can’t ignore them if they are on display! The same goes for early morning runs, leaves your running gear next to your bed!
7. Watch the Snowdonia Marathon! This one worked for me. After watching the competitors running in the horrendous conditions I now have no excuses! OK so you don’t have to witness the Snowdonia Marathon, just put into perspective what you are going to do.
8. Talk a Walk. Instead of taking the day off walk when you are tired. We all have off days! Just don’t make a habit of it!
9. Go early. Don’t spend time thinking about it just get out of bed and go (unless you are doing a long run and need to Carb load before). You’ll also burn more calories!
10. You always feel better. Remind yourself that almost always you feel better after you have been for a run.
I hope these help! If you have any other suggetsions just let me know.
Tags: new running shoes, running advice, running in the winter, running motivationTopics: Running, Useful Tips | No Comments »
Have you seen yourself lately?
By Carl | October 30, 2008
With the clocks having gone back and the darkness drawing in, it’s probably worth taking a look at yourself before you head out the door. Not just to check your hair but to see how visible you are to other people.
Here are a few tips to make sure you stay safe and seen when out running
1. Always make sure that you run against the flow of traffic. Try to avoid busy roads and areas without pavement. The only exception to this rule is that if you do have to run on a road without pavement run on the opposite side when approaching a blind bend.
2. I don’t mean to be patronizing but wear reflective gear. Nope, not just shoes and jackets with slight reflective edges but clothes with reflective panels on both the front and back. You don’t need to be worried about looking like a deranged bin man anymore, there are some well designed and attractive reflective jackets on the market for under £30.00. If this is out of your budget just buy some florescent strips that you can fit to your existing clothing.
Sportsshoes sell a range of Hi-Viz running clothes for under £20.00. Click on this link to see their latest range.
3. Vary your route. Not only with this save your from boredom and R.S.I it means that someone can not predict when and where you will run.
4. If possible run with someone else. Personally I know that it can sometimes be frustrating to run with someone else since you want to run your own pace, however there is safety in number. Perhaps you could try looping back on the other runner or fartleks? Just as long as your remain insight of the other person. In the worse case scenario let someone know when you are going, where and for how long.
5. Leave the MP3 player at home. Not only does the white flex (in particular iPod’s) standout like a beacon on dark nights but wearing headphones lessens your senses. Without the same degree of visibility all around you, you’ll need to rely on your hearing more to assess any risks such as cars approaching or cyclists.
Other tips; take a mobile phone with you if possible. Just in case you fall, trip or in the very worst case get attacked. Finally, wear some form of identification. A great solution is to wear a CRAMALERT wrist band. Steve Cram’s brother, Kevin, tragically fell and died whilst out running in 2001. Like most runners he was not carrying any ID. His identification was consequently delayed by several days adding to the distress of the incident. Dedicated to the memory of Kevin, CRAMalerts are lightweight wrist bands that contain vital information about you. They cost £10.00 and £2.00 from every sales is donated to the COCO charity. For further information please click here.
For further details and ways to purchase a CRAMtag please visit the COCO website.
I hope I haven’t put you off running in the dark! Most of the above is just common sense and there is no reason why you can’t carry on running throughout the dark Winter months. Just take a little more care.
Tags: cheap running clothes, cram tag, Hi-Viz running jackets, running advice, running in the darkTopics: Running, Useful Tips | No Comments »
Why do we do it? I’m about to find out!
By James D | October 15, 2008
Millions of people go running every day at different times in different places for a variety of reasons. Some are in training for races that will provide differing degrees of difficulty and challenge when they ultimately step up to the starting line to get their journey to the finishing post underway.
For some, there’s the innate desire to get to the Olympics maybe, others just get out there for fun. For those fortunate enough to be able to get to one place from another quicker than most, or for those who drag themselves out of their front doors just to keep their calorie counts down, I will try and cover everything that the beginner runners needs to know and my fellow bloggers at Ransacker will help the rest.
Anti-Runner
Up until recently, I would never have defined myself as a ‘runner’. In fact, it could be said that I was the ‘anti-runner’. I really didn’t like the idea of stepping outside on a 
cold winter’s morning to jog about a bit without any real motivation.
In fact, I always defined myself as a footballer, or a sports player and considered running as a poor-man’s sport. However, around six months ago, I started to change my attitude. My day job takes me away at weekends and that means that no longer can I turn up somewhere on a cold morning to run about a bit chasing a ball….funny how it’s exactly the same process but includes a ball. Without the opportunity to play sport, I found myself starting to put on weight and feeling less comfortable in myself. However, it was at this point that I started to go running. Sporadically, but I decided to get out there and stop complaining. Lack of opportunity is no excuse.
The thing about running, it is the most inexpensive sport that one can take up. All it costs is time (and a pair of decent running shoes - from Ransacker of course!). But up until now, I never had a reason to do it. Without the opportunity to do what I wanted, I found something that can fill that void.
I’m still not running as much as I should be. I still have to prise myself out of my door to do what I feel I must, but over the next few months, you can follow my progress as I train for my first marathon and raise some money for a really worthwhile cause.
From today onwards, I will be doing my very best to learn how to run a long way in not a lot of time. And the next time I update this blog, I will have learned something about myself. Later on this week, I am going to find out about my ‘running gait’ which sounds strange and interesting, and next time all will be revealed.
Tags: beginner running, novice runner, running advice, running blogTopics: Running, Running Commentary | No Comments »
Anyone Can Run!
By Carl | May 20, 2008
Mother of 4 and author of the book “Anyone Can Run“, Joan Geraghty kindly shared some of her wisdom with us.
I came to running very late and by default, because what I really wanted was to learn how to swim. While running isn t my first love, the highs from it can t be bettered. The big thing for me with running is that I didn t like it, but now I do. If I ve a spare forty-five minutes I can get five miles or whatever in and that s brilliant.
Just Do It!
The advice I have for anyone thinking of taking up running is stop
thinking about it and just do it! Running is so good for the head, as
well as the body. The longer you work out at running, the better
organised you will be in managing your life in general. You’ll come to
discover that a good run will always clear away negative feelings and
thoughts and put you on the right road again. It will keep you sane
and if you happen to be driving others around you nuts with bad
moods/vibes or otherwise, tell them to let you off on a run and you’ll
come back a new and wonderful person all over again.
You are never too old!
My main tip is that you are never too young and never too old to take
up running - good health withstanding. My own personal experience is
the older you are taking it up, the better, as you get to enjoy
improving at something during a period of your life normally
associated with ageing and physical decline. But the reality is the
longer you work at running, the more improvement you will see - for up
to ten years afterwards. You can also look forward to enjoying seeing
your body transform to a long, lean running machine.
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Stick with it!
Also, when you start running, don’t just give it a lash and decide yeah or nay it’s for you. Stick with it. Give yourself a month of regular walk/running at least. Set a goal such as to run a 5k. Expect to find it tough because it will be - but persevere. One day you’ll wake up on a ‘rest day’ in your training diary and find you want to run that day too. You’ll know then the running bug has bitten and you are one of the lucky ones.
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If you would like to purchase Joan’s book or want to see what she is up to next please visit her blog.
Anyone Can Run is available from Amazon for just £6.59.
Topics: Discussions, Useful Tips | No Comments »