No Socks and Green Tea

How is everyone doing?  I’m pretty thrilled it’s Friday, and that in just over two hours I will be off work and free for a couple of days!  I have to remind myself about every other day that my job is the perfect temporary job, because it is nothing even close to what I would like to be doing.  And now that it’s summer and warm outside, it’s even worse!  I sit at my desk and stare into a window that is a ways from my desk (across the hall, through someone else’s cubicle) and wish I could enjoy the sunny days!  I’ve enjoyed the summer in Indiana so far.  I was only in Arizona for two summers, but in those two summers I quickly adapted to the zero to low humidity, dry heat and so I wondered what it would be like to come back to the muggy midwest.  Well, I was right, it is very muggy… but it has not been too bad.  The worst parts are allergies, trying to sleep at night, and some runs.  But all of those things are getting better too, so maybe by the end of the summer I will have fully converted back to a humidity embracing Indiana dweller.

The other day I planned to meet Dustin after work to go running, and forgot my socks.  It’s no surprise really, because I’m always forgetting something, and lately it seems to be socks.  He says it’s probably because I wear flip-flops everywhere else, and don’t have to wear socks all day at work… but I think he’s just envious that I have a free foot wear policy and he doesn’t. Anyway, the new shoes are supposed to be good for running sockless in too… and I thought what better time to give it a try.  I will not be doing it again, probably in any pair of shoe.  I have run sockless in my NB Minimus 10 trail shoes before too… and didn’t enjoy it that much.  I love the idea of running with no socks, because it’s so freeing.  But I’ve come to the conclusion that you must have a certain type of foot to actually enjoy it.  Or maybe the enjoyment comes after your feet have adjusted and you are past the blistering stage…. but I don’t think it’s worth it.  I’m going to keep wearing socks.

For several years now I have tried to eat healthy foods, and have continued to increase my vegetable intake and lessen my grains and processed foods in my diet.  As mentioned before, I sort of back-slid some on that when moving back to Indiana.  As of late though (the last month) I have been back to my old ways, for the most part, and better even in other ways. I have found new foods to try and am trying to be especially conscious about putting “clean” foods into my body.

One new thing: I have started drinking at least two cups of green tea a day, with no sugar or honey in it.  I remember when Lipton started selling their iced green tea and diet green tea and everyone was all about it… I tried it and thought it was disgusting.  On my first trip to China, I drank some there and actually liked it.  Then for years, I didn’t try it again because I didn’t think it was worth gradually getting myself to like it.  There are a lot of health benefits though, and so I decided this past winter that it is well worth the time and getting used to it.  It has so many antioxidants,

Some of the benefits are:

• Cancer fighting
• Fights heart disease
• Has been shown to lower cholesterol
• Burns fat
• Prevents diabetes
• Prevents strokes
• Delays dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
• Protects against osteoporosis
• Fights against tooth decay
• Increases weight loss
• Helps your skin- fights wrinkles and signs of aging

And those are only some of the benefits! See, totally worth it!

I just recently read that a person really needs 4-5 cups a day in order to get all the benefits… and as I said earlier, I have been shooting for two cups.  They are large cups, so I think I could round it up to three, but five would be pushing it.  So I am going to be more intentional about making sure I’m getting plenty, and since I went from zero to 2-3 cups a day, surely I can up it another 2!

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/the-best-tea-for-you

Since running with Dustin, I have increased my speed on our runs which makes me feel less in shape because I can’t go as long without having to take a walk break… but knowing that I would normally just go slower is encouraging because it means I’m gradually building my speed without fully realizing it.  I like to think we meet somewhere in the middle… I’m getting an extra work out by picking up the speed and he’s getting time to work on his stride and form.  Two birds, one arrow!

I have one more run to get in this weekend… and hopefully one round of tennis! Get active this weekend, and drink some green tea! 🙂

Also, let it be known that I am aware that the title of this blog is “Run Free” and yet I talk about other things besides running (i.e., tennis, golf, eating healthy, random thoughts) but my main way of staying active and in shape is running and has been for several years.  So running is sort of like a back bone for me… which has gradually increased my interest in all these other areas too.  So, it does all go together, but I guess I consider this more of a being healthy blog, than just running (hey, better to be balanced than focused only on one thing anyway, right).