The Weather is Getting COLDER!

I've noticed a few things on my runs around town lately. Santa Clauses and snowflakes, little pine trees and hints of Christmas lights. I've also noticed the temperature dropping more and more rapidly and the darkness creeping in a little earlier each evening.

It makes for an interesting run!

In my town, not all of the sidewalks are smooth and even. Since fall came late this year, the leaves have taken their time falling from the trees and not everyone has taken the time to sweep these little crunchy pieces of color from the front of their houses, hiding the hidden 1 inch raised piece of concrete that threatens to take my stride and cause me to do a head dive towards the cold concrete. Even if I don't experience a meeting of flesh and mortar, it still messes up the rest of my run. A stumble for me causes my confidence to falter and wane, I'm more cautious with every foot plant and find myself struggling to get back into a breathing rhythm. It's just not a fun place for me to be.

This said, I know that regardless of the hidden pitfalls that await and the chillier temperatures-- there's really no other way around it-- I still have to run! I've gotten really adept at layering over the years of running-- long sleeve tech shirt, cotton t-shirt, 3/4 zip wind jacket and fleece vest with a pair of tights usually handles most temperatures from 30-40 degrees. A little more for chillier and a little less for warmer. The biggest thing for me is keeping my ears covered in temps. that fall below 50 degrees. I always feel a little silly when I'm wearing tights, a short sleeved t-shirt and vest and yes-- having a fleece headband on. Without that band though, once the wind hits my ears it sends shooting pain to my head and once again-- not a fun place to be.

I've been watching the weather recently with the big "A Christmas Story" run coming up and I have to admit that though I've dressed for temperatures in the tens and twenties and been happy as a lark-- the threat of lake effect snow and blowing winds is a little daunting. I've got my ever faithful Yak Trakkers that will help me keep my footing in ice or snow, my layers that should protect me against the wind that will be blowing across the lake and I'm guessing that a hat will also be thrown into the items to pack just in case the weather decides to take a turn for sub-zero temperatures. I'm ready for this race, it's just getting to that first step.

Recently I was asked how I stay motivated to run in these kind of crazy cold temperatures. My answer is very simple, "I just do it." Oh, I complain and moan about the wind and the rain and the sleet and the... well, I could go on forever, but as I'm complaining-- I'm putting on tights, the layers, lacing up my shoes and getting myself out that door as quickly as I can. Sometimes when it's cold I don't make the entire route without walking a bit but I will say that when it is cold-- it's sometimes more motivating to run. Why? You want to get the heck finished so you can get back in where it's warm!

That's all I have to say for today in the perils and pitfalls of late fall running. I want to wish all of my fellow runners out there a very Happy Thanksgiving and see you on the trail!

If it rains, I run!

It's raining today and cold, and windy and not very hospitable outside.
I'm not what you would call an "elite runner." I've never had a warm towel prepared for me after a particularly grueling race, never had a police escort to the finish line, never felt the tape at the finish line signifying that I was the first one through the chute. I am thinking of these things as I prepare to run in December in unfamiliar territory.
I don't know that I will ever know the feeling of those running luxury things, but I do know one thing for certain-- my first big race that I ran over 15 years ago was one that taught me all that I now know about running in adverse conditions. If it rains, I run.
This first big race was a half marathon with the cutesy little title of "Mini" in front of the race name. I showed up at the start wearing spandex capri tights, a cotton t-shirt that was a size too large and a cotton sweatshirt that was two sizes too large. It was chilly and overcast and I thought the bulk would be welcoming during the 13.1 miles of the race. I had my neon shoe laces tight and my cotton socks perfectly folded over my ankles. Do you see a common material here? Cotton? You know how there used to be a commercial entitled the "fabric of our lives?" Uh, yeah, not so much when it comes time to moving one's body in the rain.
The race started dry, but the overcast clouds quickly became darker 2 miles into the race and soon were dropping very large, very cold raindrops onto the runners. The weight of my t-shirt and sweatshirt pulled at my arms and dripped small waterfalls into my socks. To say I was soaked was an understatement. I recall thinking for a brief moment that I could chuck the sweatshirt but then the wind started to blow and I figured it was better to deal with the extra weight than to be chilled and completely miserable.
I also thought, for a very brief moment, I could just jump on the bus that was following behind the pack and have a nice leisurely ride back to the finish area-- but, that wouldn't do; I wouldn't get my finishers' medal. I learned something that would carry me through to this day in the midst of terrible races, not enough training, and even ideal conditions-- never, never, never quit!

I didn't quit during that first half marathon and have continued to persevere in future races-- noting that, at least not yet, I've never dropped out of a race. I've learned to slather Vaseline on my feet before going out on a super wet or super hot run and I've learned that moisture-wicking materials are best.
It is raining today, but as people scurry home to dry environments-- I'll be pulling on my tights, squeezing Vaseline between my toes and donning a baseball cap to keep the rain directly out of my eyes-- because, even if it rains-- I RUN!

The Trip to Get the "Major Award!"

Look at this! It's a thing of beauty! Why, 'it's a major award!' These words continue to swim through my head as I physically and mental prepare for the race that I will have traveled the farthest to do, thus far. Cleveland, OH, the city on Lake Erie, home of the Cleveland Browns, home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and yes, home to that famous house where one small boy's mother proclaimed, upon his announcement of all he wanted for Christmas was a Red Ryder BB gun (with a compass in the stock and a thing which tells time), "You'll shoot your eye out!" Yes, that's correct folks-- I'm traveling 5.5 hours to run in a 6.2 mile race (a little further than this according to the information on the AChristmasStory.com website). I'm beyond stoked! I, like so many of us who are children of baby boomers, grew up with this movie and can recite whole scenes from the film. I can tell you that it was Aunt Clara who made Ralphie's pink bunny suit, what the secret message is from the Ovaltine Little Orphan Annie secret decoder ring, and what Ralphie's little brother eats at the dinner table one evening. The film is like a snugly blanket, warm and inviting and familiar. When TBS plays the movie in a loop starting on Christmas Eve and running through Christmas Day, I turn it on-- not even caring that I've seen it at least 100 times. It never gets old-- it's nostalgic and comfortable. I never wanted a Red Ryder BB gun as a child, but I get it-- that one item that was all I wanted for Christmas and I would do anything to get it.
This race has become my "Red Ryder BB gun" this year. Originally thinking that the race was too far and that I would never be able to spring for the cost to go, I've managed to register for the race, get a hotel room and am currently trying to bribe people to come with me. It is a little crazy to travel so far just to run, but it's something that is totally unique. On top of all of this, check out the finisher's medal above! The t-shirt is pretty rad too! A leg lamp adorns one of the sleeves and leg lamps grace the front like Rockettes standing in formation. I'm ignorant when it comes time to knowing the history of this race, but if it hasn't taken off like wildfire yet-- just wait until the news starts to spread that there is this amazing running race where you get to run from the town public square, out to the famous house where "A Christmas Story" was filmed, past the department store where Santa said to Ralphie that he'd "shoot his eye out, kid" and back downtown.