Listener Q&A: March 2022

Diz Runs Radio · 1033 Listener Q&A March 2022

It’s time for another round of Listener Q&A!

Glad you’re excited.

No need for small talk this month, let’s get down to business.

You Ask, I Answer!

In case you’re new to these parts, here’s what’s going on.

At the end of every month, I do an episode dedicated to you and your questions.

Want to get a question answered in a future Q&A episode? Come join our FB group, watch for the post asking for Qs, and put your query in the comments.

Basically, whatever you ask I try to answer!

Sometimes, the answers aren’t worth a whole lot. But every once in a while I like to think (or at least hope!) that I hit the nail on the head!

When it comes to free advice, there are no guarantees that you won’t get any more than what you paid for it.

That said, I promise to do my best!

And if nothing else, there are usually at least a few decent memes/GIFs to make it worth your while.

Let’s get into this month’s questions, shall we?

This Month’s Questions

With HR training, should there be “moderate” and “hard” zones or not so much?

My view? Keep it simple.

If you wanted to parse it down, sure you could have different zones or levels or whatever you want to call them.

But your easy days need to be easy, no matter what your flavor of HR training happens to be.

If you want different categories of easy? Cool.

But seems like it’s more complicated than it needs to be for me.

How do you overcome imposter syndrome as a runner?

It’s simple to just say if you run you’re a runner, but sometimes that can be easier to say about others than it is to apply to yourself.

If you’re struggling to call yourself a real runner, even though objectively you clearly are, try to step back a little bit and look at the view from 10,000 feet.

Write down a list of traits in those that you consider a “real” runner.

Then look at yourself and your running, and my hunch is that you’ll tick most of those boxes.

Hopefully, that will help.

And if it doesn’t? Keep asking and I’ll keep telling you that you’re a runner.

Any advice on running the day after an evening race?

I’m not entirely sure the time of the race really matters that much.

If you’re really sore? A day (or few) off from running probably is the right call.

Not too bad? Then just keep it simple: short and easy.

Any suggestions when it comes to stretching for runners beyond forward/backward movements?

The forward/backward stretches are kind of important, so don’t overlook the value of stretching your quads, hamstrings, and calves.

But if you want to add a little lateral and rotational stretching to the mix, which I think is a good idea, then go for it.

A lateral lunge type of stretch is good for your inner thighs.

And the stretch where you are seated with one leg out straight, the other leg crossed over (with that foot on the ground), and you twist your opposite elbow to the outside of the knee is a great way to get a little hip/glute/lower back stretching.

And all of these stretches, along with a few variations, are included in my recently released bodywork for runners bundle.

Maybe worth grabbing, eh?

Did you know that regular consumption of Cadbury Eggs has been shown to improve marathon performance?

We know you love chocolate/mint and chocolate/peanut butter. What about the potential of chocolate, mint, and peanut butter layer cake?

How often do you get a runner’s high?

Any thoughts or advice about coming back to running mentally after a long-term injury?

So often we focus on the physical recovery from an injury but forget to talk about some of the mental hurdles that likely also need to be navigated.

Obviously every case is going to be different, but I think starting small makes the most sense.

When we are talking about mental hurdles, I think starting small is much less about distance (that’s more of the physical side of things) and more about the scope of the event.

Starting with smaller, low-key types of runs probably makes sense.

Group runs. Local charity events. Things like that where there are some people around but no pressure and not too crowded.

As you get more comfortable being back on your feet and around runners, hopefully, you can start to really put the worries of reinjury to bed once and for all.

What are some of your favorite snacks/meals for a day out on the trails?

So hard to properly plan for what you’re going to want to eat/drink 8+ hours into a run, but here are some of my standard go tos.

Potato chips.
Ginger ale.
Mountain Dew.
M&Ms.
Pay Day candy bar.
Mounds.
Turkey breast lunch meat.
Cheese.

If I’ve got at least a few of those options? I’ll probably be ok.

I may have some urges for other things, and if they are available I may just indulge, but that list is enough to make sure I get to the finish line.

My first marathon is this fall, should I train with the fuel options the race provides or stick to what I usually use?

I think the most important piece to this puzzle is knowing your body, specifically your GI system, and how sensitive your stomach is to different fueling options.

If you’ve got a tummy that struggles to stay settled, you probably want to try the race fuels a few times to see if they might work for you or not.

You’re also going to want to get some good runs in where you don’t have to worry about potential fueling issues, so in those instances, you’ll probably be better off training with your standard fuels that you know work.

Now, if you know your gut is good and a slight change in fuel source is highly unlikely to cause you any trouble, you probably don’t need to overthink this.

Maybe try the race fuels once, to make sure they are ok and that you’ll be able to take them in without any issues, but otherwise keep on keeping on with your standard fuels.

What is the ideal shape for a Reeses?

Probably an egg?

But those white chocolate Christmas trees are also legit…

River to Sea (12 hour race) registration is open. You going to be there?

Would you trade your longevity as a runner to achieve a big goal?

Well, that was quick…

As always, the answers in this post are the abridged versions. For a bit more, make sure you press play at the top of this post.

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Listener Q&A: March 2022

You Ask, I Answer!