Q: I have heard that you have to buy new shoes when you run a lot. How often should I do that?
A: This is a hard question to answer, but it is an important one. The general rule is to replace your shoes every 500 miles or so. But there are a lot of contributing factors to shoe breakdown. Everything from weight to running style can effect how quickly you go through shoes. One of the easiest ways to figure out if your shoe needs to be traded in is by inspecting the bottom of the shoe. If there has been significant wearing down on any particular part of the shoe, it might be time to get a new pair. Put the shoe on a flat surface and check to see if the soles have been worn down to the point of causing the shoe to sit on the flat surface unevenly. If they are, then it’s time for new shoes.

Also, listen to your body. By the time you need new shoes you will be significantly along in your training. You will still have normal aches and pains, but as your shoes wear down the aches and pains may become more acute. Your back may start hurting when it hasn’t hurt for weeks. Your feet or shins may start aching in a unique way. This could be because you are running a ridiculous amount and your body is tired of it. Or it could be because you need new shoes.

Q: Do you prefer to run on a treadmill, on a track, on the sidewalk or on a trail and why?
A: I prefer to lie on my couch while watching Price is Right. But if I HAVE to choose between running scenarios I’d pick running along a trail. It seems to be the best place for me to run and actually do my intended mileage. I usually run on a bike trail that goes along the river. These trails have clearly marked mileage and often an abundance of other movers and shakers, so I feel safe. My habit is to figure out exactly how far I have to run and then run half of that mileage out and half back. That way I am forced to actually complete my mileage. Or devise some sort of water-powered transportation device to move me back to my starting point, and my automobile. Unfortunately, I’ve never been that great at science, so running seems to be my only real option of ever seeing my car again.

I’ve tried treadmills and find that they work well for shorter runs, under 5 miles. But frankly I get bored running in place for longer than about 20 minutes at a time. As if it isn’t bad enough that I’m often running in circles, treadmills don’t even allow me the satisfaction of a running in a shape, they force me to run on a point.

Tracks are also quite boring for longer mileage. And quite frustrating as well. Often one lap around a track is only a quarter of a mile. Somehow running around a damn track 16 times seems like it should add up to more than 4 little miles.

Sidewalks simply hurt my body on longer runs. The constant pounding against cement tends to take its toll after a mile or so. It’s amazing how much better you feel by just making sure to run on the right surface. Your poor little joints will thank you for it.

Q (and unsolicited commentary): Do you have a difficult time breathing when you’re running?(For me, I’ve never learned the proper technique of breathing while running. So, when I run, I pant really heavily, like a pet dog, with heat exhaustion, sitting in a cemented back yard, without water. Yep, that’s me.)

A: Well, thanks so much for sharing. That is quite a visual.

I have taught myself a breathing technique that seems to work well for me. Except for when it doesn’t. And I’m forced to nap on park benches for awhile.

My basic breathing technique is to force myself to maintain a normal, slow breathing pattern. When I first start running, until I stop, I try to maintain the same breathing pattern. I breath in a deep breath and exhale deeply. I try to avoid short, panting (dog-sitting-in-the-backyard) breaths, because they tend to wear me out quicker. Also, I try to breathe only through my nose or at least breathe in through my nose. The less breathing I do through my mouth the better, because that tends to dry out my mouth and make me remember that I am thirsty and tired and wish I were at home watching Price is Right.

Q: Do you run by yourself or with a group of people?
A: Personally I prefer to run alone. But that is not the norm for running-types (reason #248 that I am not what you would call the “Running-Type”)

Most people like the companionship and conversation that comes while running with other people. Personally, I don’t have much use for either one of those things when I’m not running, why would I find them comforting while I am running?

I do however, highly recommend running with a group, or finding at least one other person to participate in training with you. Even though I never actually ran with my group, I at least knew there was a group. And I knew what mileage they were doing and that I should be doing it too. And I knew that if I didn’t do it, then one or more of them was going to call me on the fact that I was a slacker. And no one likes being called on the fact that they are a slacker.

Q: I heard of this stuff called body glide. Can you tell me what body glide is and what are the benefits?
A: Bodyglide is a wax-like substance that comes in a deodorant-looking container. It is used by runners to help prevent the chafing and blisters that can result from your body parts being rubbed against each other repeatedly while running in circles. I know, it’s a lovely thought. And even lovelier when it actually happens.

Bodyglide is similar to Vaseline in that it helps to eliminate some of the friction caused from all the rubbing. But Bodyglide lasts longer and isn't quite as messy as Vaseline.

A lot of times, however, it is important to figure out what is causing the chaffing and/or blistering before simply applying gallons of Bodyglide to your body. A lot of times changing your shoes or clothing is a far better remedy than Bodyglide.

Q: Do your toenails really fall off when you run a marathon?
A: I have definitely heard of people losing their toenails when training for a marathon. But it never happened to me. I think it happens more to hard-core runners. The ones that really pound the pavement and sweat profusely in their shoes. I did no pounding of anything, pavement or otherwise.