New Garmins Are Coming!

D -  One of the most useful tools in my running kit has got to be my Garmin 310xt. It's a big orange buddy who lets me make up running routes at will, let's me know when I'm slacking, and tracks every step I take. I've only had it for a year (I opted for an older top end model over a newer lower end model), but I would have a lot of trouble switching back to manually tracking my runs, mile markers, creating new routes figuring out my splits.

Not surprisingly, my enthusiasm has rubbed off on C and now she's starting to want one. Surprisingly, this morning I got an email from C letting me know that the new Garmins are coming out (the FR620 and FR220). They are beautiful, and from what I've been reading, pretty cool devices.

Here is a summary of the research I did on the device this afternoon:

At $450 the 620 is more than I would think C needs to be spending (and would be willing to) on a Garmin. The 620 has some cool additional features (wifi, multi-sport, Vo-M and virtual partner) but for 200 dollars I think they're features she can live without.

The 220, going for $205-300 is feature packed, and meets all the criteria I set out when I originally started looking for a watch for C, but didn't find anything that met the criteria.

Criteria for C:
Battery life: A descent battery life is a must for both of us. Forgetting to charge the watch shouldn't mean not being able to use it. And, if/when we start running marathons, it has to last 4 hours of the race and be able to be turned on an hour in advance in case the GPS takes synch time. At 10 hours anticipated battery life (by garmin) this watch will handle marathons... or two.


Night Visibility: C runs at strange hours and weather, so she needs a watch that she can actually see and use. With a color screen, the 220 goes beyond any watch I've read about yet.

Multiple Information Screens: I know that during a race, C is not going to want to scroll through or wait for an auto scroll to be able to check distance, time and pace. The 220 can actually handle this. So, the important info can all be on one screen - distance, time and pace.

Ant+ compatible: C has mentioned wanting to use a heart rate monitor for training. If she starts using a treadmill, the footpod compatibility is nice to make workout logging that much easier.




Waterproof: If you can have a sports watch, and have it not be waterproof, you're not working out properly. Garmin upped the ante, from the "sweat-proof" to a more legitimate 50m waterproof. No need to take it off for post race swims. 

Size: This has been the toughest challenge - finding something light and small enough with the above features. This is still going to be the huge question-mark on if she wants one too. But, for her sake, I've put together a quick comparison to give an idea of its size.

310xt (My watch)

Width: 2.1 inches

Depth: 0.7 inches

Height: 2.2 Inches

Weight: 2.5 ounces

FR220 (the one I'd recommend you get)
Width: 1.8 inches
Depth: .5 inches
Height 1.8 inches

Weight: 1.4 ounces

So - it's literally half the size (cubic inches) and barely over half the weight. 

Stuff it's missing:

the "go home" feature: I love on mine. If I get lost, the 310xt, 910xt has a screen that shows an arrow (where I am) and a line so I know generally where I've been and how to get home (just keep the arrow on the line). It even vibrates when I approach a turn. I have the ability (but haven't done this) to plot a course and upload it to have the watch tell me where to go as well.

Unfortunately The 220 or 620 do not appear to have this feature.

The mutli-sport modes: on the 310xt you can select different modes (Running, 3 biking modes and an "other") it's fun to record random data (like skiing for instance) but it was useful to separate out my biking from my running on the watch. You also loose the ability to switch between minutes per mile and miles per hour. 

The 220 and 620 lack this feature. However, they can still record the data, and it can be marked later as biking. This will mess up the watch's PR settings - so if you want the watch to congratulate you when you beat your best... it'll think that 1 minute mile you did in your car was better. Of course, if the watch is only used for running, this doesn't matter. 

Random Stuff they Added:

Blue Tooth: There's an app for that. Garmin now has an iphone app that allows you to upload workouts to your phone... while you're working out. Your phone can upload them to garmin's site, and people can follow you as your race. 

Wifi: The 220 doesn't have this, but the 620 can upload directly to Garmin's website when it has a wifi signal. 

Color Screens: Totally not a useful thing - but pretty cool none the less. I'm sure this will be technology better utilized when Garmin watches start to integrate road maps - but they haven't done this yet. 

Pre Synching of GPS: You can tell your watch where you are going to be. In theory this will allow the watch to synch with satellites faster when you travel to a new place, up to 7 days in advance.

Final thoughts:

Between the Garmin site, Amazon, and most importantly, DC Rain Maker, the 220 really does look like what C has been looking for. As long as it fits (and that is a big if) I don't think anything it is missing should be a deal breaker. C isn't in the habit of doing runs that would get her lost (unlike me) doesn't seem to have triathlons as a goal, and doesn't own a bike currently. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for some final reviews, but so far, it seems like an awesome leap forward for Garmin.

The review that has me pretty excited about the watch:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/09/garmins-running-watches.html 

Dc RainMaker amazon link (buying through here helps to support the best running equipment review site ever)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00FBYY6PU/dcr07-20

Endgadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/16/garmin-forerunner-220-and-620/

Prweb
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11201369.html

Run For the Parks Recap

10k Race Results and new PRs
D: 45:42
C: 46:28

On Sunday we had a much needed successful race in DC. PR (Potomac River Runners), which is an amazingly active running store/running club, put on a race, Run For The Parks 10k, through a scenic section of DC's monuments. It was flat, felt fast, and well organized. With the much needed drop in temperature, I was able to push my pace much more than I have in a while.

The morning started off with an Uber (phone-app car service) ride to the start (a great way to not have to carry a wallet to a race). The driver had just taken a woman to the start, who was in a bit of a panic. She needed to be there in "nine minutes". We thought, maybe she was late for volunteering at a water stop, was an elite, or something else. Then I realized, It was the first day of day lights savings, and the Uber driver hadn't set his clock yet! - she probably hopped in the cab, saw his car's clock and panicked.

Instead, we arrived at the race with an uncharacteristically calm C, with plenty of time in our wonderfully warm new sweatshirts and paced around trying to ignore the very cold wind.

C had laid out her race plan for us the day before. 7:24 per mile would break our PR by about 2 minutes, so we were doing 7:24s. Usually we spend a bit more time thinking about pacing options, but, I didn't question it and instead set off at a slightly faster pace (C had taken off at this point, as she tends to do in races).

Right in the first mile, I settled into a comfortable pace that happened to be about 7:08s - 7:20s, with a small group of guys who all had the same pacing in mind. One was a seasoned marathon runner, so I attached myself to him until the half way turn around, when he started to kick in and take off.

In the end, I had a wonderful PR, held a respectable 7:22 pace (for an arbitrarily, morning of the race chosen goal pace of 7:24, I was surprisingly close) and felt wonderful doing it. I found a wonderful focus on this run, to the point, I couldn't tell you a thing about the scenery, but can recount the outfits of almost every person who passed me, and that I passed back....  Like the guy in orange who kept slowing down on the corners....

Me (bright yellow on the right) cheering C (in blue on the left)

C hit a PR too, less than a minute behind me.

Best of all - the race put up the photos on Flickr instead of those ridiculously over-priced sales sites (Great find C!) - so we were actually able to include race photos this time around!

Fall Running

D-  I moved to a new town just south of Boston this Fall. One of the tough things about moving is finding new running routes - and one of the benefits it turns out. I can do 3 or 4 miles hard in a quiet neighborhood without waiting for light. A 9 mile run can take me up and over the Blue Hills, through woods and with an amazing view of Boston. Best of all, it's only 2 miles to hit the Bay and be greeted by the smell of ocean air.

So, to celebrate the new season and new city (and per request from C) here are photos of my weekend runs.

Cheering on the Marine Corps Marathon

C-
D and I will run a marathon, it's just a question of when.  In the meantime, I spent the morning at the MCM scouting the race/cheering at the top of my lungs.

I ran about a mile and a half to the course on the southern side of the mall (around mile 16.5).  From my first cheering spot, I could see the runners cross the far bridge and then turn around and run directly in front of me.  As you can tell, there weren't many spectators that early in the race, but I got there right before the first runner-

Very blurry photo, but this is the lead car, and the Ethiopian runner who would eventually go on to easily win the race.

The second two runners.  For a race without elites, I was surprised how spaced out the front was.  It took a while before there was a steady stream of runners.  After a pack of runners finally did start to come, I ran on the sidewalk along the course toward the center of the mall where the crowds were bigger - I was still cheering away though. I was a little disappointed in the number of spectators who just stood there - Cheer!!

"You run better than your government"

Special MCM water cups?!?

The marines were manning a lot of the water stations, which was pretty awesome.  The marine above was drinking about every other cup when I went by :0)

A final view from about mile 18.  I only covered about 2 miles along the course, but I could see across to the other side of the mall as well.  I wish the crowd support was a little better, but it was great to see so many Marines spread out along the course.  I would seriously consider running the MCM, but I need to learn a little bit more about the number of hills early in the course.  However, it's hard to imagine a much better setting than the national mall!

On a personal note, this was not an impressive run by me today (I think I probably ran about 3 miles total, with some seriously long cheering breaks).  I ran 10 miles yesterday (approx 9min/mile pace).  I'm looking forward to my 10k with D next week!  After the 10k I'll start upping the mileage again.

-Peace and MCM love!-

What I Learned

D-

I'm still trying to figure out exactly what went wrong with my Johnstown YMCA Half Marathon. Actually, a lot went wrong, but I need to separate out what I have control over vs what I didn't, and try to move on from there. Effectively, turn this into a learning experience while enjoying a few weeks off.

The Training Plan

What went wrong: We upped our mileage, both in terms of weekly and our longest run. C may have gotten into the best shape of her life from our training plan, but for me, I think it missed some important components. After months of being tired, I didn't work in enough of a taper, and I think was still tired walking into race day. I also don't think I was ready for 40 mile weeks, as I was tired for 2 months and never got in any speed work and walked on more of the runs than I care to admit.

Can I control it?: YES! Experimenting can create great results... or trip you up. I know my body can handle more than I throw at it, but I also should have eased into this last cycle a bit more. For the next round of training, we're going to modify the workouts to build in some breaks and some speed workouts.

The Positive Spin: I ran 40 mile weeks, week after week. Sure I was tired, but my body handled it. I also ran 18 miles, actually ran it (no walking) - which is the furthest yet.

The Cupcake Project

The Government Shutdown


What went wrong?: Our original race plan, to do the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half, got shutdown when the national park 8 miles of the course was on was closed. We had to scramble to find a new race in only a few days.

Can I control it?: No... well, "Of the People and For the People," but in the larger sense, things go wrong, races get delayed, and you have to accept that.

The Positive Spin: With 4 days notice, we found a great race, booked a hotel and even managed to drive the course. Adaptability Badge unlocked- next time things are looking bad, I know we can dig in and find a solution. Next time I won't let it stress me out as much.

The Inclined Plane

What went wrong?: We got to the start of the race by riding this awesome platform, or Vehicular Inclined Plane, up to where the race started at the top of a massive ridge.This meant a net downhill course. Woohoo PR!!! Actually, the downhills were so steep and long (2 miles at one point) they hurt. This left shot legs for the uphills and flats.  There were lots of uphills too somehow.

Can I Control It?:  Yes. Working hills more frequently will allow me to deal with these challenges. I can't change the hills, but I can train for them.

The Positive Spin: My body/mind didn't give up on the race until after a few of the daunting hills and I mostly had a flat run back to the start. So, I actually managed to conquer the tough parts of the course. With training I'll be in better shape after finishing them.

The Heat

What went wrong?: My tolerance for racing in heat is somewhere in the mid to high 70s. Since Johnstown got up to almost (maybe actually) 80 degrees I was out of my element.

Can I control it?: No, I can choose races... but if I'm going to be doing more races in DC, I'm going to have to adapt.

The Positive Spin: I've gotten in the habit of running on the treadmill (see above issue with hills) in AC. A doctor I talked on my flight back home pointed out I should do heat training if I'm heading south for a race (purposely run short runs mid day in the summer) or in general just in case the temperature jumps.

Source Wiki.

Dehydration

What went wrong?: I overheated at the end of the race, and part of it was not having water.

Can I control it?: Not sure yet

The Positive Spin: I think overeating and drinking (water) the day before a race is a habit I need to get over. As marathon talk recently pointed out, I should eat reasonably and healthy, and we'll see if that helps. In the mean time I'll have to channel my inner camel.


Mental Failure

Running Time article on mental fatigue

What went wrong?: My mind gave out a few miles before my body started resisting. Part of it was the heat, the dehydration, the hills - but in the end I know I gave up on the race before it was over.

Can I control it?: Yes! To admit otherwise would leave room for it to happen again.

The Positive Spin: Train smarter - part of the mental fatigue came from last minute race planning, over training, and other life stresses. The biggest part was that I over-reached with some runs and ended up walking. Effectively, I trained myself to stop running. Sure, running too far is bad, but I should have taken the sign to modify my training schedule. The solution will be to draw on the feeling of having a race slip from you to push out the extra miles when needed, and the planning to not put myself in the position where I have to.

Overview:
At 1:57, this was my slowest race since my first half marathon. Considering all the hard work (possibly too hard at this point) it was crushing. I was almost glad for a painful thigh as an excuse to take a week off from running.

It's now going on two weeks, with only some light weekend mileage, but no more excuses except a cold. I have 2 weeks of training before a 10k tuneup race, and 15 weeks till New Orleans Rock n Roll Half Marathon.

Will I look back at this and say, "oops, should have done all that" or will I smash my PR in NoLA? The good news is the weather will be somewhere between 48 and 67, my idea racing weather, according to averages... or between 20 and 85 by records....

YMCA Johnstown Half Marathon (or the DC Half that wasn't)

C- 

We learned the Wednesday before our planned half marathon that it was going to be shut down by the government shut down (or, rather, postponed for a month to a date that we couldn't race).  Our training has been brutal, and it was even more brutal to think about all that training going to waste.

D found a new race for us- the YMCA Johnsontown Half Marathon in Pennsylvania.  This race was as 3 hour drive from our original race destination, with a lot less runners and frills (no medals, few spectators, fewer aid stations, fewer signs, etc), and a lot more hills.  It was also incredibly inexpensive, still open, and run by friendly volunteers.

"The world's steepest inclined plane," which we took to the start line.  It was free - a great race perk - but it was also a sign of what the race course is like."

I'm happy we raced, even though neither of us had the race we wanted.  The course was brutal, and neither of us had trained for hills.  It began with about 4 miles of small undulating hills (very doable), before plummeting down a steep hill for over a mile, only to bank back uphill for far too long, then back downhill, and then ended on two miles of pancake flat roads.

I'm not joking when I say the last 2 flat miles were the worst.  I pushed myself through the hills, and my legs, while not happy, were in a rhythm and pushing through the course on autopilot - but then I hit the flat empty road, and I lost all of my momentum.  My leg muscles were burning, and any shade that had been on the course gave way to searing, sun-soaked strip mall roads.  The temperature was in the mid to high 70s (how this happened in mid-October in PA, I have no idea).  There were very few spectators and one final aid station.  Some of the few people I saw were runners passing me.  My running mantra went from "go go go" to "make it end, make it end" - not pretty, but the thought of being able to completely stop and sit was what motivated me to keep moving forward.

Getting ready to race on quiet streets with lots of parking.  The race didn't start till 9am.

In the end, D and I were both far off from are PRs.  I think I was in my best running shape ever, but I was not at all prepared for the course that we ended up running, and I still finished more than 6 minutes behind my PR for the half marathon.  Final race time- 1:51:26.  There was chip timing at the finish line, but not the start line (not that shaving the few seconds it took to get to the start would make much of a difference).

I ended up running near a young female runner for much of the second half of the race.  She got in front of me for the last 2 miles, but I kept within about a city block of her and charged up alongside of her at the finish.  She was startled to see me near the finish line (I'm sure she thought she dropped me in the last mile), but she also surged.  My goal was never to pass her, but to have a target to keep me moving forward, and I finished a second behind her.  I didn't push to beat her in that last second, and I don't know if I could have passed her or not.  Even so, I think my last minute surge upset her, which was the last thing I wanted to do.  I often race other females in to the finish, and then usually one of us will congratulate the other on the strong mutual finish.

I hope I helped the runner shave a few seconds off of her time as well- the goal should be to find the best race in everyone, not to beat someone in a sneak attack -we weren't going to be in the top 3 females no matter what (had that been the case, all sneak attack options would have been considered :0).

YMCA Johnstown Half Marathon, 2013

What I loved about the race was that it felt like a race for true dyed-in-the-wool runners.  There weren't many runners, but among those there were people decked out in "marathon maniacs" shirts, and runners sharing old race stories.  There was a free, all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner the night before, friendly volunteers, and a free trip up a verticle incline.

What I didn't love about the race was the course (particularly the lonely, ugly finish), which left me feeling like I had nothing to show for all of my effort and I'd lost out on an opportunity to do some damage to my PR.  I really wish there had been more water/gatorade stops - it sure didn't feel like they were every 2 miles, as promised, at the end.  I admit I like cushy races with flatish courses, pacers, race medals, and tech t-shirts.  This race will never be one of those races, but hopefully it made D and I better, smarter runners.

Vella Shpringa!

C- 10 miles

Post-running in downpour.  Despite the champion pose,
rain and thunderstorms did cause me to  cut back on my mileage this week

My workday runs this week were fine, albeit shorter than I had intended (see above).  My ten miler today was a bit miserable.  The weather was only in the high seventies, and I ran a lovely course that went around both the mall and tidal basin.  However, I was drenched in sweat about 6 miles, and I just wasn't finding any speed.  In retrospect, I think I should have eaten more before heading out, though today was probably just a random, "off" running day for me.  I felt fine when I stopped, and I hardly feel sore at all now.

I've been reading Scott Jurek's Eat & Run book about his ultrarunning racing career.  I'll start by saying that yes, he is an ultrarunner, so yes, the limits that he pushes himself to are completely crazy.  Having stated the obvious, I still think it's a fascinating book with some interesting ideas.

Jurek is a vegan.  Whether you agree with veganism or not, it is interesting how he explores the connection between his diet and running ability, and it's interesting to read how he's almost more focused on his diet than running.

The best part of the book is simply reading how someone can mentally push themselves to such limits.  I still can't imagine running the BadWater Ultramarathon, or even wanting to, but it is fun to learn what type of person would want to run it, and how they'd go about training for it (let alone winning it!).

I just so happened to look up the Western States 100 today because I was reading Jurek's book and today is raceday!  I've definitely had fun checking in on the Twitter feed covering the event, and I'd love to watch and/or volunteer at one of these events some day.

Also-

I've found another race for the future that I hope to talk D into running someday-The Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon.  The race is in September in PA, so I don't foresee us running it this year.  However, some day I think it'd be wonderful to run with the Amish and learn a little more about the running Amish "Vella Shpringa" attitude (roughly translated "let's run" attitude.)

Runner's World ran a short article about the race and running Amish here.

Finally a sub-23 minute 5k

C- 9 miles

Warning- running numbers and general running geekiness ahead...

The difference between my 5k pace and my half marathon pace has confused me for a while.  Since I ran 13.1 miles at 7:59/mile, shouldn't I be able to run 3.1 faster than 7:35/mile (my pace from our 5k in December)?  I know I don't have much sprinter-type speed in me, but an extra 10 miles only slows me down 24 seconds/mile?

Well, I finally found a little more 5k speed last Saturday. A 7:16/mile, 22:35 5k, thank you very much!

Recommended 5k - great cause, great locale, well run.

D and I don't train for 5ks, but I generally don't run the day before a 5k (and sometimes I cut down my running distance the day before that).  Since I'm apparently horrible at doing any type of speed work, I view the shorter distance races as a way of at least pushing my speed once in a while.  My lungs sound really ugly when I'm running at my version of top speed, so I have no interest in making short races my primary goal races.

Still, I'd love to get a little faster.  A 21:44 5k (7 minutes/mile) sounds like a painful, but a realistic reach goal for the future.  McMillan thinks this pace translates to a 1:40:42 half ((ouch)).  Plus, at that 5k speed, D should have to push his racing limits to beat me.

Watch out beautiful Vermont- I'm coming to try to take another one of your ribbons
(PS- doesn't my father look great post-race with his ribbon? wondering what it would take to get him to race again...) 

I haven't found any other 5ks that fit into my schedule-- a 5k scheduled for today was just too soon after last week's 5k to justify spending $40.  However, I have found a non-chip timed, short, tiny race in Vermont next month.  Biggest challenge will be not having D there to yell at me to slow down.
Bring it.

Running Hero du jour- this awesome 93 year old racing on Mt. Washington

PRs, PBs adictions and the chemicals we ingest - a multi part post

C and D - 5k on Saturday
               - 8(ish) miles on Sunday

One Way to Warm Up is to Walk There With a Nervous Racer:

At the Arboreum 

C and I got in a 5k (it's been a while) this weekend in the heart of DC. As we stepped out of her apartment, I turned on my Garmin, which I charged two nights before only to have it flash the "low battery warning". It must have turned on during the flight to DC! I quickly turned it off, and decided to focus on the mile and a
half walk to the race - a great semi warm-up at C's "must make it on time" walking pace. We got there with plenty of time to find plenty of porto-potties.

Finding the start line was not a problem - the vast majority of runners donned their Purple-Strides cotton race t-shirts, and a giant arch of balloons marking the start line. After the speeches, we were off. My Garmin had enough charge for about a quarter mile - which was just enough to yell at C for trying to push the pace to sub 7s. She didn't believe me, but slowed down none the less.



Addictions:

Then the Garmin shut off.

I've had my Garmin since January, and I have no idea how I became so addicted in 5 months. But, as the watch vibrated and turned off a quarter mile in, I could only laugh. It was strangely like having the lights suddenly shut off as your walking around a room you know really well. You know where the furniture is, but you're still lost for a second.

I settled in to a comfortable pace behind a woman who looked like she was in her forties, and hoped I was still pacing C in for a sub 23 PR. My stomach was complaining about the airport Chinese from the night before, so I didn't push the pace and just held on.

At about half way, the women I had been running behind (for the most part) made a move, loosing me, but a couple moved up to run with me. The girl was really suffering, but her boyfriend was being supportive, and getting her to push for her PR. I had a slight tinge of guilt as I realized I had lost my girlfriend a quarter mile into the race.

As I crossed the finish line, a second in front of the couple, I thanked them for pacing me in. It turns out the girl was going for a sub 24 minute race... we had just finished in 22:12 (A PR... well sort of.. for me). As I turned around, just 25 second behind me was C! She had not only gotten her sub 23, but took over a minute off of her PR!

The best part about the race, was that the results were up before I even showered. That was when I found out that 40 something in front of me (who dug in at the end) was actually 65...

What is a PB?

Normally I talk about PRs, cause I'm American, but for the rest of the world it's PB (personal best). And that was a big topic on last week's Marathon talk (see the show notes.)_

After finishing the race (like most races) I put up a picture of C and my bibs (or, if possible of us) on facebook. It really is the best way to show everyone exactly why you're better than them as they wake up and read your post... JK... sort of...

I made a comment about us both PRing. The second comment in response was from my high school cross
country co-captain, stating "I doubt that". My guess is, he's referring to whatever my PR was in high school (I have no idea, aside from a mediocre showing at  tough course Manchester XC Invitational - 19:34). That brings up the question, and problem, of claiming a PR/PB.

A reminder that we still have plenty of trails to explore

Marathon talk broke down the PB into an infinite number of ways. PB of the week was probably my favorite. Breaking it up based on Post Injury PB, or Post Extended Break (over 6 years in my case) probably makes a bit more sense. I think there is some importance to recognizing your accomplishments, and not getting down on yourself for being slower than your 18 year old self, or what you could do before a major surgery.

So, to stay motivated (and because I just don't have my high school times) I will refer to PRs by Boston Age/Gender groups. As I get older (or if I switch genders...) I'll be sure reset my PRs. Sure, its arbitrary, but it cleanly cuts off my highschool (pre-18) times from my current times, and gives me four more years to improve my current times.

And, it goes without saying, I'll quietly delete this post if I find I'm clearly breaking my high-school records, switch camps, and say there's no other PR but a real PR.

Must. find. 5k.

C- 10 miles, slow

There was good running weather this morning.   It was in the low 70s, overcast, and not muggy.  My only excuse for my slow pace was my general lack on energy.  Considering that I'm supposed to be working on my speed this summer, I'm not particularly proud of the run.

D and I are running a 5k next weekend, so hopefully I'll get my fast twitch muscles moving some by then.  I haven't been able to find any other summer 5ks that fit into my schedule because I'll be traveling a fair amount.  However, not finding more races is making me antsy.  I'm all for the fun runs that I keep finding (color runs, tough mudder, spartan, etc), but I want a race where I can test my speed.  Going through obstacles is not going to help me work on my time.

Seems pretty pricey to get covered in dye- has anyone done this??

On the plus side, it was nice to see lots of ppl walking about with race numbers on today.  I'm pretty sure I passed runners from the "Lawyers have Heart" races in the Washington Harbor area (not sure how I missed this- maybe next year D?), and then runners covered in color by the U street area for the "Run or Dye" race.  Seeing all those race medals made me jealous!

Love it. Next year, perhaps?

So all of this leads to my question.  Is it worth registering for the 5k below??? It's a week after my 5k with D.  It's not cheap.  I don't even watch the show.  However, I'd really like to get in another race before August, and this one is metro accessible.  I'm getting desperate for another good race.

Finally, I am not posting this last picture so that you can admire my lovely bridesmaid dress that just came in the mail, although you are welcome to.   I'm posting it because I had to laugh when I saw the picture.  I swear, all of the mess in the background is already gone, but the mess was very telling.  Running shoes galore, water bottles from my running belt, pilates bag from last night, and a water bottle... clearly running is taking over my apartment!

Surrounded by all things running...

Finding that Running Mojo

C- 
Monday- Pilates
Tuesday- 6 miles 
Wednesday- 6 miles

Since all the blogs are doing it- HAPPY NATIONAL RUNNING DAY!  Hope you got in some good miles.


To celebrate the day and to take advantage of a good discount, my awesome, new-to-distance-running friend, D, and I all registered for this--->

The race isn't until February, but I'm already super psyched!  D and I previously avoided for-proft races, however I've talked to one running friend who loved this race.  Plus, it's an excellent excuse to go to NOLA and hear some music as we run.  So for this race, I'll make an for-profit exception.  Bring it!

In other news, it has cooled off somewhat this week, so I'm back at running with a vengeance.  Or trying to find my running mojo anyway.  I even got an inexpensive running visor to wear when it's hot and sunny out, since my regular hat seems to trap too much heat on 90plus degree days.  My attempts at photographing said visor were not particularly impressive..

No

No

Getting frustrated

and fail...