Obsessed

Come on COLD...You can do it...Just for Sunday...

That, and...

I think it looks worse than it actually is. Better to get the hills over with in the beginning anyway. I have heard that little incline at the very end is "like climbing a flight of stairs." The last thing you want to do after running 26 miles.

My final pre-marathon obsession:

My customizable pace band from MyMarathonPace.com We're not sure if the elevation info is exactly right, but it's close enough. A pretty neat website. Offers a free 5-day trial, or $6 for 6 months of access to the marathon info, customizable spreadsheet, and wristbands for your race of choice. I thought it was worth it.

Ok, lets get this show on the road!

much better

It seems all I had to do was log my formal complaint, and we've got 60 and sunny!

It's cold

I've been a trooper about it for the most part - getting up at 6 am, piling on the layers, sucking it up and getting the run in. Christina G. has been an amazing motivator.

I'm so over it though. It's painfully cold. And dark. And gray. And I'm over it.

My convertible mitten/gloves aren't working. Neither are the new $$$ Sugoi Sub-Zero Tights $$$ I purchased (with a gift certificate). I'm just cold. All the time. Unless I'm in my bed under the covers. Sister agrees.

Long run tomorrow?

Hmm...This doesn't look promising:

But then there's this:

Looks like Hanna is still in NC tomorrow morning... Well, I'm carbo-loading tonight - that means I'm running tomorrow come hell or high water!

Acclimating to the heat???

Could it be possible? Well, it wasn't all that hot today, but it was darn humid. And I had a good 9.4 mile run. Phew. I was long overdue for a decent long run.

It was the talk of the team today: the NY Times article, Beat the Heat, Learn to Sweat it Out. Thanks to Amanda for sending it along to me!

First, I loved this article because it had quotes from elite athletes talking about how sluggish they feel in the heat. It's just good to know I'm not the only one. And it's not because I'm not fit enough.

And it pointed out how finish times tend to be higher in races that are run in hotter conditions. I have definitely fallen into the trap of expecting too much from my body on days when the conditions just aren't right for it, then getting disappointed when my times are off. Again, I like hearing I'm not alone in this.

The article goes on to explain the acclimation process the body goes through and which is preferable: higher temp with lower humidity or lower temp with higher humidity.

Unfortunately, there are no magic tricks. The article ends with "So perhaps the best strategy is to just accept discomfort and slowness."

Or just do what Sister does when it's hot:

It's not the heat,

It's the humidity!

It would be so nice to have a decent run one of these days.

From MarathonGuide.com

Apparent Temperature - Heat Stress Risk with Physical Activity and/or Prolonged Exposure
90° - 105° - Heat cramps or heat exhaustion possible
105° - 130° - Heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely, heatstroke possible
130°+ - Heatstroke highly likely

I think we were in the orange zone yesterday. No fun.

Brunch, however, was lovely.

Weekend Round-Up

Luis and I headed out of the city this weekend for some much needed R & R with the parents in the "country" (a town in PA called Yardley that is actually a very developed suburb of Philly). All was quiet except for the occasional growling and snarling of Sister and Zoe, my brother's cat, as they fought for territory in the kitchen.

Anyway, Luis and I made it out for 10 mile run along the Delaware Canal Towpath. It was muggy, but there was a good amount of cloud cover and shade, making the run bearable. Except for the last 2 miles, when I almost keeled over.

Allergies are no joke

I don't know what these people are laughing at:



I feel bad for the big guy.

Allergies have had me in funk for weeks. A good article on the Jack Rabbit website lays out the basic facts and dispels some misconceptions about allergies, rhinitis, and exercise.

What is going on up in here???

And this was last updated at 8:45 PM. I must admit I haven't ventured out for a run in it yet.

Eww...Sweat!

9.56 miles at 9:00 pace. Good to know I still know how to run after Thursday's disaster. But man, it was really sweaty. I'd forgotten what it was like. My favorite pre- and post-run drink on days like this, in addition to water, is V-8. It might sound strange, but it's got lots of sodium and potassium with out the sticky sweetness of sports drinks. I don't recommend it for during your run. Obviously.

It was a beautiful day!

It was wet, but damn- it felt good. 8.7 miles. Last lap faster than first 2.

• Tips for running in the rain - from New York Road Runners


• Crazy physicist's analysis of running in the rain


• Reasons to run in the rain - from Club Fat Ass (sign me up!)

I will

run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow. I will run in the rain tomorrow.

What I learned in DC (and this may or may not have anything to do with running):

Running along the Potomac and around the Tidal Basin made for a nice run. Flat and fast (except for 2 extended stops to pay our respects to Jefferson and FDR).

Luis and I are changing our plans for our new place: floor to ceiling marble and no walls, just pillars.

I can only handle one museum per day.

Best surprise meal of the weekend: lunch at Mitsitam Café at the National Museum of the Native Indian.

The runners in DC come out at lunchtime on weekdays. 65 degrees on Monday, and the Mall was packed with runners.

My Gola shoes are so cute, but so un-cushioned.

Dr. Scholl’s inserts don’t work.

(Thank goodness for spa day with mom next weekend!)

Coolest person we met: Ethiopian cab driver who was spot on about US politics. “Americans vote for the person they feel like they can drink beer with.”

B & B is the way to go. Clean, comfy, convenient and cheaper than a hotel. We loved the Dupont at the Circle.

I was much less fit when I lived in DC (a long, long time ago). Things seemed much closer together this weekend than I remembered them. Or perhaps running has changed my perspective on distance.

GW was a really nice place to go to school. I was very fortunate.

Spring is on its way.

Snow Day!

This is me, I swear.











Not really. The snow is beautiful, but I'm hitting the gym for a strength workout.

Things I love about winter running

• my tights, of course.


• treating the post-run shivers with homemade veggie soup.


• the lack of sweat.


• my SmartWool socks with the funny little guy on the ankle.


• water and gatorade actually stay cold in the fuel belt.


• reduced "traffic" in the park.


• all things Craft! The warmest running apparel out there.


• convertable glove mittens