I enjoy a good movie as much as anyone, but for me to sit still for two straight hours requires three things: bad weather, a long run finished, and the possibility that Russell Crowe might appear on the screen. Otherwise, count me out. But I snapped to attention last week upon hearing the news that Angelina Jolie had removed her breasts. Or rather, surgeons did, at her request, to dramatically more » Read more
Is BMI just a bunch of BS?
I first learned about the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation my junior year of college while munching a turkey and swiss wrap in the back row during my Health Psychology class. I must have heard of it before then, but I’d never taken the time to calculate my own. During class, we used a simple height/weight calculation and I remember falling within the “normal” range and thinking “well, crap, I more » Read more
The Next Salty Challenge: Embracing Our Runner Feet
Corns. Blisters. Calluses. Toenails … black or blue ones, that is. Sound familiar? I don’t know about you, but if there’s anything about my body that is a dead give-a-way that I enjoy pounding the pavement and getting early morning miles under my belt, it’s my feet. The thought of getting a pedicure or wearing flip flops makes me cringe. Regardless of the best training shoes and the blister-blocking socks, after more » Read more
Learning to Love Myself, the Runner
In almost three years of long distance running, I can’t remember how many times I’ve run 20-plus mile training runs. There’s one that has stuck in my mind. I headed to one of my favorite trails. When I reached the parking lot at the trailhead I turned off the car, took a deep breath and sighed. It was raining lightly out. Instead of bounding out of the car ready to more » Read more
Running for Weight Loss to Training for PRs
Yesterday, Ginger pondered why she runs. Lately, I’m asking myself the same quesiton. One weeknight in January 2006 I got out of bed, put on a pair of running shoes and headed to the gym. I weighed 235 pounds. I didn’t run that night. Heck, I could barely walk. It took me six months to lose fifteen pounds. A year to lose sixty. Three years to lose 100. Not exactly the more » Read more
The Rolling Thunder
The December air burns in my chest a little, but it feels good. It’s awakening my body and my brain, forcing my legs to propel forward this body that causes me so much stress and frustration. I am acutely aware that my thick thighs are bright red from the chill and quaking with every impact of a lightweight, neutral shoe on the crunching snow. I love them for it as more » Read more
My Training Will Not Include Weigh-Ins
Week one of training for my winter and spring races is in the books, and I am excited to embrace the upcoming challenges of this training cycle. I know I’m a few weeks early, but I’ve made some resolutions for this go-round. I am determined to keep a positive attitude and embrace all aspects of the training. I will run slow on my easy days. I will look forward to more » Read more
How to Help a Running Friend You Suspect is Suffering from an Eating Disorder
You’ve noticed your running buddy hasn’t wanted to go out to brunch like you used to. She also has been running even on her usual rest day. She’s dropped some pounds lately, but you thought it was because she’s at the height of marathon training. You finally get her to go out to breakfast with you after a 20 miler and she orders a side of cottage cheese and fruit more » Read more
A Slippery Slope: Running with an Eating Disorder
Are you or somebody you know a Type A+ Hard-worker+ Perfectionist+ People Pleaser+ Control Freak+ Long-Distance Runner? If so, then you or she is at high risk for running with an eating disorder. Anorexia, bulimia and compulsive exercise are way too common among women athletes, especially runners. According to research, more than 1/3 of female college athletes have some type of disordered eating and between 2-3% have a full-fledged eating more » Read more
On Being A Fat Happy Runner – A Guide to Plus Size Running
Hello, everyone! I suppose I should open by introducing myself. I’m Joy, and I blog at My Year To Thrive. I was really excited when Cinnamon contacted me about guest posting at Salty Running to talk about being a plus-size runner who runs for fun and health without the goal of weight loss. On my personal blog I write about running as a short, fat, Bipolar woman. Yes, it is more » Read more