To Run or not to... run

So lately, for some unknown reason, Arizona has decided to try something new, and it has been cold and rainy out here. Now I'm all for a change of weather, but I haven't had enough warning, so that I could stock up on some winter running gear. While I was given a new pair of running gloves for Christmas, my legs remain barren and uncovered.

I attempted to do one of my favorite things this week... running in the rain; and for the first time in, I think ever, I had to cut the run short, because I was just too cold. I've never really seen the benefit to running pants (or tights I guess they're called in the running community), but after seeing firsthand how numb my legs can get, I think it might be time to buy a pair. Of course as soon as I do, it'll be back up to 85 degrees. I guess it's time to bite the bullet ( I never understood that expression) and go shopping.

FRS

Can't tell you how excited I am that FRS healthy energy has come on to help support the X1039 racing team. They've hooked us up with drinks, chews, and mixes, and so far the running team has nothing but praise. The chews are great for getting pumped up before a run, and the drinks are great post run.

So far the flavor of choice has definitely been the Orange. This is my first time

using anything but water and a sports drink to help train, and I can definitely tell a difference. Guess we'll see how much of a difference come January. I just hope they don't change the Boston Qualifying times before then.

Fujiya & Miyagi

Check out my latest review for Fujiya & Miyagi over at my other obsession:

Official

So I'm an "Assistant" Coach for X1039's Running team. They gave me a jacket. All I have to do is get a group of novice runners ready for the P F Changs Rock n' Roll Marathon in January. Only 5 weeks left. This is should be interesting.

I Ate Salt... just salt

So today I tried eating salt for the first time. Wait, let me rephrase that. I've had salt before. I've had plenty of salt before, I add it to pretty much everything I eat. Today, however, was the first time I ate a salt packet while running. It was strange I'll admit, but I now see what the big deal is with it, it definitely helped keep me going.

Had a bit of a salty taste to it.

No banshees were harmed in the writing of this post.

There's something to be said about an early morning run.

Heading out the door when the sun isn't quite up. The cool of the night still lingering before the heat of the day comes on to melt your face off. Even the few people that are awake and out in the world already.

Whatever the reason that makes it so special, I was able to experience it today.

Out the door around 5 AM and off on my run. I started off down a familiar trail, which takes me to a nearby canal and a great run next to the water for several miles. Very peaceful. Today I had planned to run some intervals, and for the non-runners, that's going a set distance at a set pace, to work on my running speed. Now I wasn't on a track, and don't have a fancy GPS distance tracker, so my distances were estimates. I won’t sit here and bore you with my time, pace, heart rate, etc., so here is the condensed version for you:

Walk, jog, jog, jog, RUN-AS-FAST-AS-I-CAN-WITH-MY-ARMS-FLAILING-AROUND-WHILE-SCREAMING-LIKE-A-BANSHEE, jog, jog, walk, jog, RUN-ALMOST-AS-FAST-AS-THE-BANSHEE-PACE-BUT-NOT-QUITE-AS-FAST-BECAUSE-THERE-ARE-PEOPLE-COMING-AND-I-ALREADY-LOOK-WEIRD-ENOUGH, jog, jog, home.

Let me know if you would like to join me on my next morning run.

For some reason I have a hard time keeping running partners.

Statue Trees

Tuesday.

5AM.

I'm woken up by the familiar buzzing I've grown to loathe...my alarm clock. Smashing the snooze button and continuing my adventure in dream land is tempting, but I must push through, for I need to run. I get up, throw on a running shirt, grab my shoes and I'm out the door.

First thing to strike me is the breeze. It's a bit brisk, which is odd, since none of the trees are doing the wave. They stand perfectly still. But it's five in the morning, and the last thing on my mind is becoming a botanist to get to the bottom of the statue trees. I push forward and before I know it, I'm at my racing pace. I turn on to the canal and head off. I see a group of kids, high schoolers, approaching. Its the local school's track team out for a training run. I have to be in good form when I pass, so I correct my stride and stare ahead into the distance. As we approach one another, I see them pointing and staring at me. I figure they are just commenting on my brilliant morning hair and continue on. The task of determining what a high school kid is thinking about is too much to bear right now. I continue on with my run, and reach my halfway point. I'm happy with my pace, and decide to pick it up on the way home. The breeze has not subsided, so it adds a nice relief from the typical morning heat. As I reach the main road leading to my house, a car drives past honking at me. I pass it off as just someone driving by giving me a compliment for waking up and getting outside to run. As I approach another car, they too honk, while this time also flashing their lights. Now this has happened to me in the past, and it was a group of girls that were trying to get my attention. Huh, guess my hair isn't so bad after all. I turn into my neighborhood and head towards home. I pass the mysterious statue trees that have not moved an inch on this cool morning, and head inside. As I go to cool down and hop in the shower, it hits me....

I forgot to put on my shorts.

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