There Was No Rain

The storm was supposed to hit us on Saturday so I figured I'd be running in the rain. However, even though it was 59 degrees, there was hardly any rain on Saturday's 11 mile long run.

I ran with a "fanny pack" to start getting used to wearing one. I have run with a smaller one before that holds a water bottle but I wanted to start running with supplies - just in case I need them. It's part of me learing to take care of myself. For some of you that sounds silly, but for those of you who know what it's like growing up not taking care of yourself - justifying why you don't need to stop and go to the bathroom because it might inconvenince or anger the person you are with - then, you can understand why those learned coping mechanisms make it a bit of a challenge to learn to take care of yourself on the course. In a way, it feels like I'm cheating if I carry chapstick or tylenol. But the reality is that those are neccessities that make my running fun and enjoyable.

The run was AWESOME! Lot's of runners out early at 7am. The sky was cloudy and it was nice and cool. I didn't know what to expect my body would do that day but it absolutely rose to the challenge and loved every step I took. I tried a new flavor of Hammer Gel - Banana. GROSS. I had to throw it away and bust out the chocolate. My beloved shimmer chapstick I do not like while running - it's gritty - and I don't like that gritty feeling at all. My Superfeet have broken in very nicely although if I get a new pair of shoes for Christmas I may have to do that all over again.

I AM TRAINING FOR ANOTHER HALF MARATHON - Feb 1st 2009 Superbowl Sunday Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach. I'm very excited! I'm already ready so I'm staying around the 14 mile mark during the month of January. When I go to Yuba this weekend, they have a spectacular brand new track (I've blogged about it before) and it's nice and safe for a long run. Running in the country can be tricky with all the dogs and the way they drive out there on country roads.

Thanksgiving 2008 - Palm Springs

For those of you who have had the opportunity to run through the town of Palm Springs, let me just say Oh My Gawsh! My family and I stayed there this past weekend and met up with my husbands family to celebrate for 3 days. I ran each morning just after sunrise and it's nothing short of spectacular.

The streets are quiet during the holidays - everyone's still bundled up in bed or sipping coffee so the roads were there just for me to run on them. We stayed in a very upscale Hollywood circa 1950's neighborhood so each street was lined with pristine houses will well kept yards, all with lawns that were all promptly watered early in the morning before the heat of the day. This made the 68 degree weather with humididty very similar to the beach weather I'm used to at home. The sun shines up against the mountains as it's rising and that's amazing too. On one of the days, I followed a local around (or at least she seemed to know where she was going!!) and we went through a zeroscaped park in town that had windly little paths - it was a real treat. This morning, I did 9 miles, during which I saw a fellow runner give me the peace sign (Even though he wasn't running) It made me smile so big! It's awesome when you cross paths with a fellow runner and they say a silent hello. If I had some motrin and a fresh bottle of water, I could have kept going a few more miles, but the heat of the day was fast approaching, so I reluctantly stopped.

I genuinely look forward to our travels because of the new and exciting roads to run on. Everyone kept suggesting that since I was on vacation I should take a break from running. I had to remind them that part of the reason I'm on vacation is to go running! I guess you just have the bug or you don't.