Running Fads & What I think will STICK! +please give me an idea.

Snowed in Utah on Sunday, back to the 60s on Monday.  Sounds about right for Utah:)

We partied pretty hard for a Monday at our house.

Yep, we did.

Last night we were able to go on a date and take Mer out to Outback.  She may look little but she can hold her own at a steakhouse.

They must have put something in Brooke’s burger because she was all over the place with happiness.

I was very happy with my french onion soup (my favorite type of soup… probably because it includes a 1/2 lb of cheese).

And we attempted a dinner table picture.

We then took Mer home and she sent me back with chocolate.  She just gets me.  Also she understands that chocolate and caramel are by far the best candy combination.

You can never have too many stuffed animals to sleep with.

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Let’s talk about RUNNING FADS!!!  There have been a lot of things with running that were huge at one time that might not be as big anymore.  Not that they are wrong or right… it’s just interesting to think about all of the different things/thoughts/products that have come, gone and stuck with runners!

*Different training plans!! Over the years I have seen all sorts of different training methods get really popular at different times like—>  Run Less, Run Faster (this was HUGE for a long time I felt like), Chi Running, Hal Higdon (still used a ton I think), Couch to 5k (also still used very often and great), Jeff Galloway method etc.

*Different types of cross-training/strength training activities like bow-flex, ab roller, the shake weight, ski machine, The Firm (exercise VHS tapes) and thigh master (all things that I have owned).  Some say that 8-minute abs is a fad that is long gone but I’m still holding on tightly with both hands to this one.

Just Brooke hanging out on an elliptical because the elliptical was a BIG deal for me for many years but now I don’t remember the last time I was on one.

*YOU HAVE TO LAND MIDFOOT OR YOUR BODY WILL BREAK.  Turns out there is nothing set in stone about this.  The best place to land with each footfall is directly in line under your body.  Whether that is your heel or your mid-foot.  Just land underneath your hips.. not in front of your body.   And remember if your pounding the ground with your steps and making a loud sound:   Loud——>  load ——>  injury.  A lot of stress/load with each step raises our chances of injury.

*Barefoot running/Vibrams/minimalist.  Yep, I was all about the 5 finger shoes back then for a while.  I like cushioning and protection and some stability now.  My feet are happy with that.

*I think the most important fad that has disappeared has been about what a runner looks like.  With so many things like Dorothy’s #ihavearunnersbody movement and people realizing that every size, shape, person makes a great runner.. we’ve come a long way.  I remember running in my early 20s and feeling such a pressure that runners had to look a certain way and that you had to be thin to be fast (it sure didn’t for me personally, it meant injured and sick).  I definitely don’t feel that pressure anymore (which I think is because the fad has disappeared but maybe it is just age for me too).

*Themed races! A few years ago, there seemed to be all sorts of different types of runs going on… color runs, hit and run (below), electric runs etc.  They seemed to be happy all of the time and now I don’t see them happening very much anymore.  We sure had fun though:

*While we are on the topic of fads… remember when we were told how bad fat was for us and we ate fat-free, low-fat everything? Just me?  Yeah… I definitely fell into that fad and I’m so sad I missed out on delicious fat (eggs yolks… I really missed you) for so many years.

What about things that I have noticed that have become REALLY popular lately and seem to be sticking:

*COLORS AND OPTIONS OF GEAR.  I remember when I first started racing, there was not a lot of selection or variation on things.  All of the shoes had very similar coloration (lots of grey, white and blues) and really the clothing options weren’t much to write home about.  Now we face the problem of having so many amazing/functional/cute options that they take all of our money.

*RACES.  They have definitely gone up over the years with 2013 being the highest!!  Do you think races will continue to grow, plateau or decline a bit?

*Ultra Runners/Races!!!  I have definitely noticed an increase over the last few years with the amount of people out there rocking ultra races and I think it is going to continue to increase.  I’m just going to sit here and clap for those of you who have completed these until one day I’m brave enough to sign up for one.

*Virtual races/Challenges on Strava/WeCompete etc!  This is definitely something that has become a thing in more recent years and probably something we would have never imagined 10 years ago with running.

*Fitness Trackers/GPS/Watches they track every breath/step/move we make:)  Remember the days of stop-watches that just tracked our time and that is it.  I do.  I got my first GPS in 2010 but before then, I’d have to run at a track or on a treadmill to see how far I was going.  Now we have stuff to track every thing that we do and it seems like everyone has something to keep track of our activity!

*Running groups/clubs/meet-ups.  I feel like ten years ago it was really hard to find anything like this!  Now (especially in big cities) there are all sorts of groups and clubs to join.  I see this sticking for a very long time!

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An important question.  As you know, I do not know how to do crafts.  I want to but it’s just not my strength.  I am in charge of the class craft at Brooke and Knox’s school and need your ideas.  It is supposed to be an Easter craft and the simpler the better the teacher said.  I have one idea… but would love more!

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What are some running fads that you’ve experience or noticed over the years?  

Do you think races will grow in size over the years, plateau or decline a bit?  

Things that you’ve seen pop up and become popular and stay popular lately?

Any craft ideas for me?