Happy New Year!

So, it is 2013 and Goofy Race #8 begins in one week (well, the expo part).  Not as ready as I'd like to be but I know that I will finish...even if I have to walk a ridiculous amount of the time (sorry mom about having to stand in the bleachers forever). Packing later today and picking up my snacks at the grocery store.  Currently working on a shirt for my mom that says, "Perfectly Goofy Momma."  There is no one I'd rather have cheering for me along the course and helping a helpless (sometimes grumpy if it's very hot or cold) post run me with getting those shoes off my feet and opening that bottle of powerade.  She is truly amazing and has put in as many hours cheering as I have running the races and then some because she gets up just as early as I do and waits in the pre-dawn darkness waiting for the race to start.  She gives up her hand warmers and mittens to children waiting to cheer on parents, helps others get to the good cheer spots, carries a bunch of my stuff so I don't have to check a bag and has the biggest smile on her face when she greets me at the the finish.  I love you mom and am looking forward to our Goofy Adventure part 8!

38 days left...

Where did the time go?  I am not sure but I am definitely not feeling ready enough for the race this year.  Oh well, the goal is to have fun and finish and both are very do-able.  We've had some chilly weather the past week as well as some rain today (and a cold rain at that--38 degrees).  I decided to elliptical 18 miles today instead of running in the chilly rain.  After looking like I had a bathing suit sun burn the other day from the cold I stayed indoors today.
Speaking of cold weather here is what I find most helpful to "battle" the elements.  I wasn't ready for the cold the other day, hence the "sun burn."  Anyways, vaseline.  Must have year round for protecting your lips.  On very cold days you can slather on a small layer to exposed skin to help with windburn.  I am a big fan of baby oil in the winter.  I rub some on my hands and run it through my hair.  The air is so dry out that it helps to keep moisture in your hair.  Lastly (well for today) is layers.  Dress in layers and you should be good in almost any weather.

It's Cross Country Time

I love running in the fall.  There is something amazing about how it makes you feel. You hear the leaves crunching under you feet, their bright vivid colors still clinging to the trees and glowing in the warm sunlight.  

Wearing a long sleeve shirt and leggings with an ear band and mittens you get stay warm while breathing in the crisp, cool air. I love how my cheeks stay pink colored for hours from the chill in the air.  This is the time of year I fall in love with running all over again.

Luke and I went out to the park the other day for a walk to my favorite place...the pines. Our walk took me back to my days running in high school and all the great memories I have because of my choice to run and continue running.  

Luke and I at the park

we found some deer... but no turkeys

Of course this fall afternoon involved a trip to the local farm market for fresh cider and cinnamon sugar donuts. Currently loving pumpkin coffee, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin tea and pumpkin pie among many other pumpkin things.  Fall is here. Embrace it!

New Shoes

I love getting new shoes.  I sit and basically try on every pair in my size and prance around back and forth between two or three pairs until I decide.  I had tried on the Brooks Green Silence a while back and liked them but didn't need shoes at the time.  Here we are a few months later and they are on clearance online.  I ordered them ASAP and then tracked my package from Oregon to NY.  

outside

inside

My shoe preference is just what I like and may not be right for everyone.  I've really found that I enjoy minimal shoe (super light and not a lot going on).  These don't have a lot of logos or stitching, as you can see.  They feel like you are wearing a sock with a hard bottom.

lacing system

I found the lacing system to be different and very cool/functional for a variety of reasons.  You see that gray "bar" across the tongue?  That is all individual eyelets for lacing through so you can get a nice snug fit around the heel for less slippage.  The tongue is attached/part of the shoe on the arch side and not attached on the outer part.  This is nice so you don't have to really worry about it sitting on the top of your foot straight and putting weird pressure on your foot.  Also, the lacing is not "straight" up the foot either.  The lacing is slightly off center.  Pair that with the type of lace and I found I was able to pull the shoe tighter in one area (around my arch) while still leaving it a little more loose around the toe.   Love!

One of my favorite things about new shoes is the smell.  I love how new shoes smell. So those are my new friends.  

Born to Run

I recently finished reading the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.  It was about ultra extreme distance runners and this tribe of runners--who are basically barefoot.  There is a lot of science thrown in the book too about barefoot/almost barefoot running that really got me thinking about my own running and how it has changed over the years.  All the people in the book run because they love to and not because they have to (I can relate).  The distance runners are all pretty much top level athletes at ultras here in the states and despite their crazy miles are hardly ever hurt (the way they approach running).  I loved reading the book and my dad even enjoyed reading the book.  It was nice to have read the same book as him so we could talk about the different parts of it.  

My running has evolved from wanting super cushy shoes to wanting cushy shoes but with minimal heel to toe thickness change (think flip-flop instead of wedges).  I've noticed that I really feel more comfy in shoes that are minimal and I ache a little less and feel faster (I bet  I could be faster if I took the time to put in some effort at the track).  If you've got some time and want to know what the barefoot thing is all about I recommend picking up this book.