Meg and I planned to meet after work on Monday to run. After I got to work I realized that I had left my sports bra at home. Considering that I've owned only one good one this whole time, I decided that my forgetfulness was a sign from the universe that it was finally time to buy a new sports bra. So Meg and I headed to Target after work to get some gear. Target was great for our summer running gear--good selection, good prices. For fall/winter gear, not so much. I bought a long sleeved shirt, but that was it. Off to Dick's it was.
At Dick's, we both found running pants and I found the sought-after sports bra. Meg also picked up a great pink shirt. It was finally time to run. The only problem was our need to change into our running clothes. The only good running trail we could think of that had a decent bathroom nearby was at Parkland.
At Parkland, we used the women's locker rooms near the gym. From there we had to get to the trail. We couldn't drive over, as the parking lot is closed for road construction. We needed to run to the trail head. We had some issues finding our way through Parkland and to the main road. We ended up running through some grass, walking through buildings, and running along the road that circles the college. We finally got to the college's entrance and crossed the street, only to find no sidewalk leading down to the trail. We cut through the DMV lot and across the back lawn of some business that I've never been able to characterize in any detail. At last, we'd reached the trail!
I don't know how long the trail is. It took us about 25 minutes to run. The trail goes through what looks like an old golf course for some time, then follows a railroad track for a few yards, then joins a path that circles a local lake. I didn't know until our run that the path does indeed entirely circle the lake. It's really nice actually--no back-tracking, nice view. Overall, it's a nice trail. I wouldn't want to run it alone (I don't think any woman would), but with a friend it's a nice option for a run.
We ran back to the trail head then back to the college (following a slightly more direct route this time). I loved the run. The weather was perfect for my newly purchased long sleeved running shirt. It was a trail we hadn't run together and I hadn't run in about a year. It was also fun running through, and on, the still-under-construction road to get to and from our cars. Good times.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
A three-run transition
There have been three runs since my last post. Things have been incredibly hectic here, so updating the blog has obviously fallen a bit behind. I'm here to catch up!
On Wednesday 10/17 Meg and I did a two-loop, 3.7 mile run at Meadowbrook. This past Wednesday the plans got FUBARed along the way, so we moved locations to my subdivision. It was about 50 degrees when we left my house. The wind was blowing, making us both lament our decision to forgo ear warmers. Even though it was cold, we had a great time! It was fun to introduce Meg to my running route here. And as every fall/winter runner will tell you, there is something inherently rewarding about running in the cold until you're not cold anymore. If we were halfway reasonable people we would have stayed in and brewed hot tea. But we're runners, so we ran. And we had a great time. We put in about 35 minutes.
This morning we headed to the indoor track on campus to run. There was a 40% chance of rain and it was in the low 50's again, so we decided it was time to find a warm, dry place to run. Who wants to run on wet leaves? The indoor track is 200 m, or 1/8 mile. We ran three miles with a short break between each mile. Nothing crazy. It was a nice, easy, Saturday morning run. I think for me, this was the first time in a while that I've done two runs within a few days of each other, so for me it felt more like getting back into the swing of things than it felt like a traditional Saturday run. During training, Saturdays are reserved for long runs, after all! Anyway, the track was nice. There was just one other runner, a sprinter, on the track. I think we'll use the facility more through the winter.
These three runs have been a transition into running in the cold and coping with unsafe running weather. I realized that I need some long-sleeved running shirts. All I have are the few things I bought to train for our half-marathon. So, Target, here I come again! It's weird to think of running indoors until spring, but it's approaching the time to face that reality. I'm sure we'll get a few more outdoor runs in; we haven't even had a frost yet, after all. Yet we're both fully aware that summer, and warm weather, are gone for the year.
Over a cup of coffee after our run we talked more seriously about our next race. We're planning to run the Indianapolis half-marathon next October. I am SO excited!! We're thinking the weather should be reasonable, and the entrance fee is really cheap. We also heard good things about it from one of the guys at Body & Sole (I finally got new shoes!). Meg might run another race in the spring, and we both might do 5ks or something through the winter/spring/summer. Picking our next race, and thus our next training season, makes me so happy. I am so excited to do this again.
On Wednesday 10/17 Meg and I did a two-loop, 3.7 mile run at Meadowbrook. This past Wednesday the plans got FUBARed along the way, so we moved locations to my subdivision. It was about 50 degrees when we left my house. The wind was blowing, making us both lament our decision to forgo ear warmers. Even though it was cold, we had a great time! It was fun to introduce Meg to my running route here. And as every fall/winter runner will tell you, there is something inherently rewarding about running in the cold until you're not cold anymore. If we were halfway reasonable people we would have stayed in and brewed hot tea. But we're runners, so we ran. And we had a great time. We put in about 35 minutes.
This morning we headed to the indoor track on campus to run. There was a 40% chance of rain and it was in the low 50's again, so we decided it was time to find a warm, dry place to run. Who wants to run on wet leaves? The indoor track is 200 m, or 1/8 mile. We ran three miles with a short break between each mile. Nothing crazy. It was a nice, easy, Saturday morning run. I think for me, this was the first time in a while that I've done two runs within a few days of each other, so for me it felt more like getting back into the swing of things than it felt like a traditional Saturday run. During training, Saturdays are reserved for long runs, after all! Anyway, the track was nice. There was just one other runner, a sprinter, on the track. I think we'll use the facility more through the winter.
These three runs have been a transition into running in the cold and coping with unsafe running weather. I realized that I need some long-sleeved running shirts. All I have are the few things I bought to train for our half-marathon. So, Target, here I come again! It's weird to think of running indoors until spring, but it's approaching the time to face that reality. I'm sure we'll get a few more outdoor runs in; we haven't even had a frost yet, after all. Yet we're both fully aware that summer, and warm weather, are gone for the year.
Over a cup of coffee after our run we talked more seriously about our next race. We're planning to run the Indianapolis half-marathon next October. I am SO excited!! We're thinking the weather should be reasonable, and the entrance fee is really cheap. We also heard good things about it from one of the guys at Body & Sole (I finally got new shoes!). Meg might run another race in the spring, and we both might do 5ks or something through the winter/spring/summer. Picking our next race, and thus our next training season, makes me so happy. I am so excited to do this again.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
autumn
This is a two-for-the-price-of-one special.
A few weeks ago Meg and I decided to meet on Mondays after work to do a quick run. We also said we would continue to run on Saturday mornings when we could. Last Monday we met for our first scheduled run. It was great! We ran about 3.7 miles then went for ice cream. It was a beautiful day and a great run. We met again yesterday for another 3.7 mile quick run. Yesterday late afternoon it was a bit cool outside if you were sitting without a jacket. That, my friends, makes for perfect running weather. We took it easy and enjoyed the time to catch up, the amazing weather, and the exercise. I'm so glad Mondays work for both of us. I have the best running partner ever--I missed her!
Otherwise I've been walking with M a few times a week and occasionally in the evenings with my husband. I was also really active this past weekend with other things, including planting new annuals (asters), re-organizing our master bedroom closet, and attending a football game. For a while I felt bad about not running 4 days a week and cross-training a fifth day. Instead, I feel like I'm being active but doing other things, and still running and walking at least a few times a week. Honestly, I'm really enjoying the mix!
A few weeks ago Meg and I decided to meet on Mondays after work to do a quick run. We also said we would continue to run on Saturday mornings when we could. Last Monday we met for our first scheduled run. It was great! We ran about 3.7 miles then went for ice cream. It was a beautiful day and a great run. We met again yesterday for another 3.7 mile quick run. Yesterday late afternoon it was a bit cool outside if you were sitting without a jacket. That, my friends, makes for perfect running weather. We took it easy and enjoyed the time to catch up, the amazing weather, and the exercise. I'm so glad Mondays work for both of us. I have the best running partner ever--I missed her!
Otherwise I've been walking with M a few times a week and occasionally in the evenings with my husband. I was also really active this past weekend with other things, including planting new annuals (asters), re-organizing our master bedroom closet, and attending a football game. For a while I felt bad about not running 4 days a week and cross-training a fifth day. Instead, I feel like I'm being active but doing other things, and still running and walking at least a few times a week. Honestly, I'm really enjoying the mix!
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