Welcome 2010!

Happy New Year! 2010 will be a great year for you and yours!



I am not crazy enough to do this run tomorrow, but I really, really wanted to. Chicago's New Year's Day forecast high is 17 degrees. I'm worried about getting sick again. Nope, not going to be able to do it.

Indoor Track and Safety Gear Stuff

Oops, forgot to write about my indoor running experience this weekend. It snowed most of the day Saturday, but I was able to get in four miles at a nearby indoor track. The facility had two treadmills, but I wanted a break from the from that. It's a small two-lane track suspended over a basketball court. When I say small, I mean 19 laps around this track equals one mile! I felt a bit like a hamster in a wheel. I understand some people feel this way about running on a treadmill, but this track being so small, was much worse. I think I got a good workout. It felt good not to have the help propelling that the treadmill offers.

I ended up with a few more cool safety gear items. I exchanged the headlamp for a pair of Pearl Izumi Shine Wind Mitts and a Fuel Belt reflective arm band. The mitts are gloves with a hidden reflective mitt piece. I had been eyeballing these since October. I can't wait to try them out. I'm sure they're warmer than the 99 cent magic gloves I had been sporting. I happened upon a Fleet Feet in Chesterfield. I had no idea there was one out there! I picked up a clip-on flashing safety light. This will be great to hook onto on my waist or hat. It's incredibly bright. I'm anxious to run outside (in the dark) again! The treadmill at the gym is working out well, but hopefully I can get in a run outdoors between the the snow and sleet showers soon.

Go Christmas, Go Hanukkah, Go Kwanzaa, Go Solstice!

I'm so happy I won't have to hear those GAP commercials for at least another year! I had a nice Christmas. It turned out to be a white one here in St. Louis. I plan to get in at least five miles by Saturday so I'm hoping it melts quickly! I'm excited about my new running gadgets. a Princeton Tec LED headlamp, and a Road ID bracelet. My gifts went over well, especially the tutus I made for my nieces. I originally looked into making a tutu because I was thinking about running in one for the half marathon in April. The jury is still out on that one. I would do it though!

My Everyday Shoe: Brooks Ravenna

Let me start by describing my feet. They’re big (11.5 in women’s), they’re wide across the top, and narrow at the ankle, and my second toe is longer than my big toe (I think that’s a sign of being highly intelligent). For these reasons, my feet like the fit of men’s running shoes. When I started running about a year ago, I ran in a pair of running shoes already in my closet, a pair of Nike Air Pegasus. They were comfortable at first, but as I started running more often, and further, they felt too tight. The ends of my toes were rubbing the inside of the shoe. At the time, I didn't know that feet swell when you run, and in general it's best to run in a shoe at least a half size bigger. The genius that I am decided to purchase another pair of Air Pegasus, one size larger. They were ok at first, then I totally hated them. They fit well on my toes and my mid foot, but had way too much space around the ankle. Come to find out, Nike had since changed the design of the Air Pegasus to accommodate the Nike+ sensor in the sole. Instead of one continuous air cushion, they broke it into two. One in the toe box and one in the heel. I should have researched a little better before shelling out the dough for them! I had a pair of racing flats I purchased from Fleet Feet that I absolutely loved, so I visited there again to find an everyday shoe. After about an hour of trying on four or five pairs, running around the store, running on the in-store treadmill, I decided on a neutral shoe, the Brooks’ Ravenna. They were immediately comfortable. I did end up going a whole size and a half larger, but I try not to focus on how big they are! The toe box feels like it curls up a bit, which I like. It makes my foot feel springy. I read a few reviews where some people did not like this feature, and their toes even went numb! But overall, I read mostly great reviews. I've had these about six months, they are so friggin comfortable. I was trying to think of a way to describe the cushioning. The best I could come up with is they feel like walking on a firm cloud, if that makes any sense. Also very cool, the midsole is biodegradeable.

A Girl's Gotta Run, Outdoors.

I was a bit defiant of my cold today and ran four miles outside today. It was 34 degrees when I stepped out of the apartment. The sun was shining, I couldn't resist. I needed an excuse to test out the arm warmers I won at the Hot Chocolate Race last month. These are Nike Pro short sleeve, so they are not as long as regular arm warmers. I've been thinking about them since last Saturday's chilly forearm run. Last Saturday, my layers were long tights, a short sleeve tech shirt, my Old Navy half-zip pullover and fleece vest. The only area I felt a chill was on my forearms. I've been wearing these Lucy wrist sweatbands, but they're actually a little too warm and make my wrists sweat. I've tried wearing a long sleeve tech shirt, but the inside of my elbows get sweaty. The arm warmers are perfect with a short sleeve shirt since they cover my forearms, and leave a gap for my elbows to breath. My forearms were happy this run! The only issue I had was after I got a little warm, I took them off. When I got chilly again, it was not easy getting them back in place under the pullover. So if I wear them, they stay on the entire time. My nose and throat feel alright now, hopefully I haven't slowed my recovery.

Winter Hibernation

When I woke up today, the temperature was one degree. 1!!!!!! I'm still getting over the sore throat and a runny nose I think I brought on from running in thirty degree weather on both Saturday and Sunday. I dressed in layers, and felt comfortable, but I think deep breathing in that cold air roughed up my throat. I tried to run two miles Tuesday morning, but still felt like crap, and it was freezing so I cut my run to one mile. Sooo, today I finally broke down and bought a gym membership. I prefer to run outside, but the way the weather has been acting, I'll just end up missing more runs. The weather is only going to get worse! The gym is in my work building. It's a nice facility, and the rates aren't bad at $30 a month. I ran for an hour today between 3.5 and 4.5 speeds. I definitely did not feel that I worked out as hard as if I had run outside, but it felt better than not running at all. I'm going to experiment with the incline and interval programs. Bonus, I can cancel my membership at anytime with no penalty. So as soon as the weather breaks, it's sayonara dreadmill!

Black Girls Run!

The cutest thing came in the mail today . . . MY BGR SWEATSHIRT! Black Girls Run! hosted a giveaway for thier readers to let them know how we shed our Thanksgiving Day calories. I entered my post about my three mile run with the fam. I discovered BGR! after Googling "black girl running" while trying to find articles or info for black women who enjoy running. Because as black women who run know, we are not the majority! It's a great blog with great info and stories. Let me tell you, I NEVER win contests. Drawings, bingo, lottery scratch offs, it doesn't matter, but I won! Thanks ladies! It was right on time for Chicago's first snow of the season (ugg).

Christmas Wish List

There are a few cool running related things I have on my Christmas list this year. I haven't really asked Santa for anything in quite some time, but I've actually had a few people ask me what I want! What a nice change of pace. First up, the Road ID. I usually run with a fanny pack which has tissues, my cell phone, my giant ring of keys, and if I'm with my dog, poopy pick-up bags. To be safe, I need to run with some type of ID, but don't want to move my license back and forth from my wallet to my fanny pack, or take the time to get an extra state ID. I've seen ads for this thing on Runners World.com, and read a few positive blog postings about it too. It comes in fun colors, I'm leaning towards pink. They also offer some nice looking, inexpensive safety gear. I'd like a couple of the Firefly clip on lights and the High-Viz Stickpak. Next, compression socks. I've read a few articles about how these can help with recovering after a run and improve circulation in the legs. I just think they look cozy. Plus, they're available in pink! Soon it's going to start snowing (everyday) here in Chicago. I like running after it has snowed (on cleared, salted paths) because it's typically a few degrees warmer outside. The only winter running issue I had last year was with my dog. He loves being outdoors no matter the temperature, but his paws can get irritated by the salt on the sidewalks and roads. After a little research, I discovered these babies! Aren't they cute??? And functional! They're specially made for 'canine athletes'. Too much. Lastly, I'm really pumped about the St. Louis Go! half marathon in April. Of course I have to coordinate a special outfit to race in. I want something really different. I came across this workout apparel website with some really unique stuff. A couple of my favorites are the Margarita ribbon capri and top, (both in pink) and the Margarita numbers capri. The ribbon capris and top are my favorite. I think the numbers capri would be a better if the numbers went up to 13 (.1), representing the miles in the race. Even still, it's a stretch. In case you were wondering, all of these websites offer giftcards. Just sayin'.