I LOVE SPANDEX!!

So here we are in the middle of week 5. WOW! I'm up to 5 miles now and yesterday was GREAT! Well, I say that now after the run is over. During the trail run I had my fair share of mood swings. The first mile was great I felt awesome. Second mile started to feel winded so I slowed my pace down. That was until I turned a corner and saw an elderly couple ahead of me. The woman walking, and the man on a "little rascal" moto-scooter thing. AND THEY WERE PULLING AWAY!!! I could not, would not be beat by a Little Rascal. But let me tell you, Gramps was feeling the need for speed and was kicking up dust. At one point I saw him look back and pretty sure he grinned and then sped up. Eventually I overtook them on a hill, thats right, on a hill! Apparently the Little Rascal's motor doesn't have the umph to hold speed on an incline. I couldn't help but smile as I passed them. I felt accomplished.

The third and fourth mile were okay. My legs and arms felt like they were weighted but I pushed through it. However during the fifth mile heat claimed yet another victum and well, it wasn't pretty. BUT! Not the point. The point of today's post is to discuss running fashion faux-paus...While I am ALL ABOUT certain things like spandex. It is a wonderous material that slides and glides and doesn't go where it isn't supposed to. It removes the worry of the runner's wedgy. And with a capri legth its the perfect thing for the woman who has nothing to hide....but still wants to (props to all of you who got that Scrubs reference). Regardless,  Spandex is truely a horrible piece of running fashion and I'm convinced is not built with the intent to make you look good. That being said. Lets not do things that make it worse. Now I realize that I'm probably not the picture perfect image of a "runner" either. But I try. I've got my capri style spandex, my baseball cap, my white t-shirt and my ipod armband. There are lots of clothing and accessories out there that are meant to help you. various hats, pony-tails and braids, sweat bands, tank tops, etc.... all acceptable.

You know whats NOT acceptable? The shirtless running man with shorts dropping so low that his....you know what....is threatening to make a surprise guest appearance. So the curse was that this man is running toward me on a dirt jogging path, during the ONLY STRAIGHT STRETCH. For what felt like an eternity I was trying to focus my attention on the sky, on the trees passing by, looking at the ground, anything shiny that might make a good excuse of visual examination. ANYTHING to not look at what was coming right at me. Finally the moment came when we passed each other and I do my due dilligence and nod to him to acknowledge he was there, but really was just greatful he'd gone away.

I know I'm sweat drenched and look like, well, I've been running for 5 miles, my face is flushed and hair is matted to my forehead. I'm buring calories and look like crap. I know it. But I also don't make an already bad situation worse by allowing things to be seen that really should not be seen.

Week 1

8-8-2011 Day 8

WHAT WAS I THINKING!?!?!

I guess I really shouldn't say that. I knew that this was going to be tough, and honestly I had a really good run yesterday. I'm running more than I'm walking. And today, today is my "rest" day. A day according to my training schedule dedicated to sitting on my butt and doing nothing. Its only one week in and I already look forward to my "rest" days. :)

I really don't have any cute or funny stories for today. I'm mostly writing just so I have proof that at least one point in time I thought I was having fun! There is no doubt in my mind that there will be days where this won't be as much fun. But for now. Ignorance is bliss!!

Marathon Training?

As many people know I'm training to run a marathon. And for those of you who hadn't heard yet...SURPRISE! As a way of maintaining my accountability (and my sanity) I started a journal on my own, and thought it would be fun to share. So I've decided to start a blog to document my progress, but also just to have a fun place to write things. And without further ado...

8-1-2011 Day 1

Ok, so I knew that this was going to be no picnic. I went and bought some running shorts because for once it is actually above 80 degrees in Oregon and I pretty much already know that my running time of choice will be evenings. I am NOT a morning person and with my hubby being gone a lot during the initial part of my training, it will be Jack and I at Timber Linn Park. Yeah baby, yeah!

So I bought a tank top, running shorts, and the dreaded SPANDEX!!! I vow that I will be rid of the riding/hiking/migrating shorts, but for now I will do the world a public service my covering my derriere with spandex....

But as for the run, it really wasn't terrible. It was a walk/run. My calvers were complaining a little bit. I'm wondering if ti was from the running or from pushing in the jogging stroller.

Note to self: find jogging stroller with turning capabilities better than my current technique of throwing my body in the opposite direction to make the rolling catastrophe slow down enough to make and sort of turn.