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October 23, 2004
Wearing Pants and not Ashamed
When it comes to cold weather, I'm a pansy. Really. I am notorious for wearing at least 2 pairs of tights, 3 shirts, a fleece, a jacket, a hat, and 2 pairs of gloves on a single run. Due to such layering strategies, I have an extensive wardrobe of running attire. My philosophy is that it is easier to take off a layer of clothes in the middle of nowhere than to suddenly fabricate a layer in the middle of nowhere.
This morning when I woke up, it was 44 degrees out. It was also very dark. I can't wait to "fall back" next weekend! So, debating which items of clothing to put on, I decided that I'd wear shorts with a pair of loose fit running pants over top. It felt a little bit bulky, but given my coldness I could live with a bit of discomfort. I finished off with a long sleeve shirt and a pair of gloves. I was so happy that I had on the long pants since the temperature felt like it dropped some on the course.
The course is an "out and back". The first 8 miles out have a few rolling hills, but is mainly a long gradual downhill. As the elevation dropped, the temperature felt like it was dropping as well. I was running with A, C, and P. Around 4 miles I knew that I was going to need a potty stop at the gas station at the turnaround. We got there in just about 58 minutes, which is slow for me. I was trying to run with the group, but A and C felt that the pace was a little too fast for what they wanted to do. I usually get to this point around 56 minutes when I'm running this course alone. So I made my potty stop (the decaf I drank on an empty stomach yesterday afternoon was not a good idea). The way back is a long, gradual uphill. Actually about a mile of it is a rather steep uphill. I've done this course enough times to know that if I'm running slower the uphills are more difficult. It's more taxing on my body to run slower, or out of my comfort zone, than it is to run faster. I had to run my pace, so I ended up running alone for the second 8 miles on the way back. I got back to the parking lot in 1:53 and change for the 16 mile course. Since I'm a sucker for nice, round numbers, I ran around the parking lots until my watch read exactly 2:00. In all, a total of about 17 miles for the morning.
I was happy with the attire I decided on for the day. I took of my gloves for the six minutes or so that I ran around in the parking lots. Other than perhaps the last few minutes I was very comfortable, temperature wise.
I taped my ankle up before I went out. I swear that it makes the biggest difference in how I feel. The only problem with doing so is that the tape is cutting up my left heel. I couldn't find my Neosporin to lube it up so that it does not get aggravated.
After the run I headed over to the gym and rode the stationary bike for an hour. I stretched some because I could feel that I was getting very tight and then I lifted. When I got home I rolled around on my new best friend, the foam roller, and then worked some with The Stick. I plan to do some more later in the afternoon when I can feel some more of the tightness. Taking yesterday completely off was definitely a good choice for my beat up body.
This afternoon I'm going shopping with S. Then tonight we're going to go out wearing our new finds and try to meet some nice, single men!
Posted by Blondie at October 23, 2004 01:29 PM