Why Do I Run So Much?

These include the POLAR heart rate monitor and Compex training equipment I introduced in this series, along with my long-time favorite, the Nakayamashiki Kaiyuki massager, and a massage stick I bought at Total Workout.

I also brought two types of organic aroma oils from Dynarome, developed by Dr. Valnet in France. One is CIRCULATION DES JAMBES, for leg fatigue and swelling. The other is ARTICULATIONS MUSCLES, effective for muscle pain and joint stiffness. Since flying and long-distance running can cause my legs to swell up like balloons, and long distances often bring pain to my hips and ankles, these two oils have become essential since I started running.

My routine for using these devices and oils after running is as follows: First, I cool down my heated muscles with a cold shower. After the shower, I apply the oils and massage. Then, I use the Compex cool-down function to work out any painful areas. Daily, when I notice it, I massage my thighs, calves, and lower back with the massage stick, or if I feel stiffness from my lower back to my entire back, I lie down and use the Nakayamashiki Kaiyuki to loosen up.
Oh, and my long-standing morning ritual of stretching to keep my body supple also seems to help with running. After all, stiffness can lead to injury.

Some might think, “Wow, she goes to such lengths,” but my back is curved and twisted, and I have issues with my hip and ankle joints, so without this level of maintenance, my running pain would worsen and I wouldn’t be able to run. It’s a necessity. However, there are many times when I wonder why I run so much…!

Viewed from the side, my derrière is certainly perky!

Recently, I discovered another must-have item: underwear called “Buttocks Bra,” which literally means “bra for the buttocks.” Just by moving or exercising while wearing them, it’s said to make your buttocks round and perky like those of Black women (!), and slim your waist and hips. Apparently, by tightening the hips and hip joints without constriction, it leads to improved muscle strength, which in turn promotes pelvic alignment and better metabolism.

The person who told me about this product said that not only did her hips lift, but she also lost inches, and her swelling and cold feet disappeared! Hearing this, I had to try it! I got them right away and felt their power within two days. Viewed from the side, my derrière was indeed perky! The moment I saw myself in the mirror, I let out a loud “Whoa!” by myself (which perhaps means my buttocks were quite saggy to begin with… a bit disheartening, in a way).

However, I discovered this product at the beginning of summer, just as the weather was getting hot and I was wearing lighter clothes. Perhaps because I wasn't used to supportive underwear, I'd break into a sweat just trying to put them on, and the flesh would spill over the waistband (!), becoming noticeable in my lighter outfits… leading to various problems. So, for now, I wear them on days when my waistline won't show or when I experience hip pain after running. Ideally, I’d wear them every day, as the effects are said to become permanent with continuous daily wear.

Still, when I wear them after running, there's a clear difference in how my hip pain manifests, and gradually, I'm finding it easier to put them on, and the bulges at my waistline are becoming less noticeable. …Does this mean my waist is getting slimmer (!)? I plan to start using them in earnest when the weather cools down this autumn, but based on my experience, I might recommend them to anyone who wants a lifted rear, wants to lose weight, or has hip problems!

So, with these maintenance goods packed in my bag, I was finally on the plane to New York. What was the result…!

Dr. Valnet Organic Aroma Oils
Dr. Jean Valnet was a French physician who, as a child, learned about organic farming from his grandmother and, as a military doctor, treated patients solely with essential oils during his assignments in war zones.
Dr. Valnet’s oils are truly natural, extracted without the use of solvents or chemical agents, preserving the purity of the essential oils.

Interbrain
http://chiyokokusakabe.com/

Buttocks Bra
The Buttocks Bra features a design that doesn't constrict the buttocks or the base of the legs, promoting proper function of the gluteal muscles, pelvis, and lymphatic and blood circulation, thereby supporting beauty and health. Available at beauty salons, barbershops, and esthetic salons nationwide.
Photo: Regular (PG-005)
¥4,725 each

Pico International
Tel. 06-6190-7838
http://www.buttocks.co.jp/