I’ve run four Pittsburgh Marathons over the past ten years (Starting in 2003, then again in 2009, 2010, and 2011). Almost throughout that entire time, I always felt very fortunate that I didn’t get any blisters. I attribute that to wearing the proper socks. We always tell our customers to wear non-cotton socks. The reason? Cotton socks retain moisture from perspiration or rain, thus creating more friction and rubbing. When you wear a non-cotton sock, the moisture easily wicks away, keeping the sock dry, and decreasing the chance of friction. And if you have a two-layer sock, there is absolutely no friction. As I indicated, I “almost” never got blisters. My very last marathon was different. I decided to go with a compression sock instead of a two layer one. The combination of rain and a one-layer sock was enough to create some blisters. My suggestion? If you know it’s going to rain, try a two-layer sock. Or wear two pairs of non-cotton socks. The best two-layer sock that we’ve found? The Wrightsock. Check it out here at the store.
As the days get shorter and colder, we have to adjust our training to the changing climate. We start adding more moisture-wicking and warmer clothing, gloves, hats, and high-visibility accessories. It’s a matter of safety. And I know in my many years of running, I have had literally run-ins with raccoons, skunks, dogs, mail-boxes, and cars! Over the last couple years, it seems the people driving often have their cell phones to their ears, and really aren’t paying much attention to what’s in front of them. My goal? Make sure they see me a half mile away! We have visibility items as sophisticated as safety green, orange or pink vests with reflective piping and flashing rechargeable lights. And as inexpensive as a clip-on flashing strobe that runs on AAA batteries and costing as little as $6.95. Any way you go, definitely get a couple Hi-Vis items. It’ll put yourself and your family at ease.
Over the last several years, Up-N-Running has been quite fortunate to have some of the most beautiful running trails and training runs right in our back yard in Middlesex Township. One area where we would always take a run, was to the Glade Run Lake. It is a 52 acre PA Fish and Boat Commission lake on a 150 acre tract of land. The lake supports many waterfowl, flora and fauna. And it has been a great resource for boating, fishing, dog training, running, and just communing with nature. In 2011, the DEP determined that the earthen dam was unsafe, and the lake had to be drained. This was a huge blow to the community, as well as the wildlife that called Glade Run Lake, “home.” There is an effort underway to help provide funds to repair the earthen dam. The costs are approximately $4 million. And the Glade Run Lake Conservancy was established to work on ways of raising the funds. The GRLC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Please help to bring back the Lake with your ideas and financial aid. Up-N-Running has committed to providing GRLC shirts for sale to help raise funds. And we are working on some other ideas, possibly a 10K that would start and finish at Glade Run. You can learn more by going to gladerunlakeconservancy.org. Thanks!
~Ed
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