Strangers and Teammates

I have to say, I am liking the switch back to the neighborhood runs. Predictability and familiarity are two very welcome teammates right now, and I will bask in their warmth for as long as possible. I’ve noticed that I am not the only early-riser in the neighborhood who clings to their morning workout routine, and I have come to look forward to the familiar faces of these strangers during my recent runs:

1. The very overweight couple who run in sweatshirts, always sprinting down the same street, laughing all the while. She is always in front of him. When we pass each other, I smile. They look like they are having FUN. Finally, yesterday, they waved.

2. The tall thin man in the turquoise t-shirt. I’m not really sure of this guy’s running route, but I know that no matter where I run, I see him. One time I saw him zig-zagging up and down every side street off of Adams Avenue…a bit of a sporadic runner, but friendly. He reminds me of someone who owns like 3 Chihuahuas. He’s very fast.

3. The old guy with his dog who sits on the corner always talking to this other old guy with a dog. They talk every morning for at least 40 minutes because I pass them going both ways. People in this neighborhood like their bathrobes. Just keep inside the robe, people…that’s all I ask.

4. …which leads me to the newbie…this morning, I was running…and this woman, on this friendly side street, comes out of her house, pulls down her pants, and starts peeing in her front yard. I’m not really sure what was going on with that…not a real shocker, but not really something I had seen before. Will the pee lady be a regular? Don’t know.

Looking forward to the next couple of weeks of getting in some runs around my parents’ neighborhood up on Camano Island (WA) and then possibly some mountain meadow running in the mountains of northern ID. Teammates will include Brother #1 and the Curly Blonde, Sister #1, and Brother #3…needless to say; there will be no shortage of random outside peeing with the family vacation team.

Sister #1 and The Curly Blonde


Brother #1 and Yours Truly


Brother #3

Let's Get This Show on the Road!

It’s time to get moving. It has been 4 days since the finish line was crossed, and now is the critical time to move forward to the next one before I start tripping over piles of books and getting a beer belly.

I did the elliptical Tuesday morning for 30 minutes, went on a good walk yesterday…today I’ll probably do some yoga. Tomorrow, it’s time to run and move to the next anti-goal of finishing a half marathon just to finish in November. This time around, I’ll be switching things up a bit. Instead of Saturday long runs, I’ll be switching them to Friday mornings and heading to the yoga studio Saturdays. This should be interesting. A total change in the schedule of the last 3 years. Also, this will be a little bit more like a real half marathon training schedule in that the long runs will get up to 12 miles, and the overall mileage will increase just slightly. There still won’t be any speed workouts in this one, and balance, healing and strength will remain the overall focus.

One thing I really liked about this last training routine was the focus on core strength. I didn't really have much of a choice since only one of my feet was working properly, and I had to get there somehow. It’s amazing how we start out by underestimating this part of our bodies as young runners, and then when we get into our 30’s and 40’s, maybe late 20’s, depending on when you start, we realize that, oh, we actually have an ENTIRE body, not just legs!!!! What a concept.

Good luck finding yours.

America's Finest City Half Marathon

America’s Finest City Half Marathon landed on a most excellent Sunday this year, complete with morning cloud cover, plenty of port-o-potties, and one very talented National Anthem singer. The goodie bag left a lot to be desired, as it was filled nothing but ads and a smidgen of anti-chaffing gel, but this year’s shirt was fantastic! Maroon and grey, loose-fitting technical material. Beautiful.

The night before, we inhaled a delicious dinner, complete with salmon, gnocchi, salad, and icy-cold Hefeweizen. Morning came early, and we were on our way to the shuttle lines by 0500. Cabrillo Monument was gorgeous, and we had plenty of time for potty stops, hydration, stretching, and visiting with first-time AFC runners.

I had a great start to this race, just taking it nice and slow. This past couple of months worth of training have been focused on strength, balance, and healing. The highest mileage long run was a 15K, and no speed workouts. I think I was at about a 10-minute mile up until about mile 10, right before the foot started to feel a little stiff. I just took it down a few notches, stopped and walked for about a mile, and then picked up again at the start of the hill at the end, about mile 11. It was a happy finish at the 13.1 mark. I looked at the clock, then quickly looked away, as I realized that I didn’t even care (yes I did). I had reached the Anti-Goal!

Congratulations to Brother #1 and The Curly Blonde, who did AMAZING! It’s nice to have teammates who will not only wait 40 minutes for their slow comrade, but have water and a goodie bag waiting for them at the end.


The foot feels pretty good this morning, and as I stare down at the little scar along the outside of it, I am thankful for these kick-ass cells, of which we are all comprised and capable of regenerating.

Running in a Skirt is PURE JOY

Last week, I broke down and got one of those little running skirts I see women wearing in races, at least on the West Coast. It was a gift-to-self after having an incredible couple of weeks of strengthening and training attitude adjustment.

When I first saw someone wearing one, I thought it was cute but never in my life had I ever thought about being cute while running. Why would someone want to be cute while running? You're running, for crying out loud. I am not cute when running. My Irish-Scandinavian, white-as-snow skin turns to a deep, blotchy purple (I've actually had someone ask me if I was okay once when I went into a grocery store after a long run); I sweat buckets; salt, meanwhile, crusts up around my hairline; and my very long, very thick hair, which I pull back into a sloppy bun and cover with a hat, becomes so saturated with sweat that it drips onto my shoulders. I've just never imagined that to be a pretty sight, in general. Why attract attention to the running Barney-sweat-factory?

Little did I know, I was missing out on the ultimate comfort.

The Curly Blonde got one a couple of years ago. It was, of course, adorable. The thing is, she's somewhat of an adorable runner anyway. Her olive complexion never changes or sweats, and all you see are these little blonde, bouncy curls boinging up and down beside you. Quite a different picture altogether.

Nonetheless, I at least had to try one on. Upon realizing that it was literally the most comfortable piece of running equipment EVER, I decided to get one for the upcoming race next weekend. I tested it out on today's 7-miler on the Silver Strand, and I can't imagine ever wearing shorts again for a long run. It is the most free, happy, joyous feeling. It literally made me want to run faster.

Running is a pretty mentally-driven activity. Whether your equipment is worn for cuteness or for comfort does not matter. How it makes you feel matters 100%. Thank you to the person who invented this genius piece of clothing and to the brave women who pioneered the trend. I'm pretty sure The Husband is going to appreciate this one upon his return...