Wednesday, February 1, 2017

WWU - Good Running Weather!

Not to be too dramatic, but we FINALLY have had some nice cool running weather.  It's about time - this is what keeps us going over all those endless hot and humid months, knowing that we will have some crisp, cold mornings where running feels good.  Last Thursday and Saturday, temps were in the low 40s with a feels like temp in the high 30s - yes!  Of course, yesterday's run was not quite that cold, and it's looking like we will be warming up again by this weekend, but hey - at this point, beggars can't be choosers, and we will celebrate pretty much every time we get cool weather for our run.

On Saturday, we set out for a 6 mile run.  I'm proud to say that I've actually figured out what to wear when the weather turns cool - and I own enough winter running gear to be comfortable.  For this feels like 39 degrees (with the wind blowing at about 10 mph) run, I wore a lined, long-sleeved shirt plus a windbreaker over it - I ended up unzipping the windbreaker around mile 4, but zipped it back up about a mile later when we turned into the wind.  My neck gets cold so I wore a buff, and I wore an earwarmer headband as well.  Windproof gloves completed my winter gear; I wore a pair of capris with a running skirt over them like I always do, regardless of the season - my legs rarely get so cold that I need to wear full-length running tights.

I started out running with Diane, Cary and Andi, with Julia and Karen just ahead of us.  It was nice to run as a group - lots of chatter was happening while we covered our miles.  Andi turned around at mile 3, while the rest of us got to explore our new road once again.  This time, it was lighter out so we could see our surroundings a bit better - no wild pigs were spotted, but we did see a group of deer running away from us.  Side note, how mad do you think those deer were when we turned down that road?  They were all "dang it, we have this new road with no vehicles on it and now these dumb runners are disturbing us!" - sorry, deer.

Once we hit mile 3, I took out a package of Probar Bolt energy chews to use as some extra fuel - I can usually do 5 miles with only Tailwind  for fuel, but with 6 miles, I need a little boost.  Karen had given me the chews to try a while ago, but it was too close to Houston to introduce anything new into my routine.  Y'all.  These were delicious!  They tasted like really good gummy candy - naturally, I made Cary and Diane try some, and they were equally impressed, so when I came home, I ordered a box to get me through the next several months of 6 mile runs/races:
Diane's picture, with Jimmymeow's seal of approval.  There are two 90 calorie servings in each package.  I don't normally choose orange-flavored anything, but these were really tasty.

I felt good at the end of our run.  I know a lot of that was due to the cold weather, but I'll take it.  Our next race is a 10K in two weeks, and while there will be some hills at this race, I feel decently confident about it.

After the run, we went to Blue Baker, where our table was being used by one person.  The entire restaurant was empty, but she chose our spot - the nerve!  We survived, but still...they really just need to reserve that table for us on Saturdays, right?  Our bakers took care of us, in the form of a loaf of ciabatta bread (and funny thing, as we were just starting to tear hunks off of it, one of the counter workers offered us her bread knife, which was nice as I'm sure we looked like savages with the bread), and then a plate of brownie edges:
Why yes, I did style this shot to include my half marathon medal!

We finally took our group finisher's picture from the half marathon, except that we're missing Cristy, who lives in another town, and Brian, who was home sick.  Renegade Run Club, Houston-edition:
 
Julia, Karen, Diane, Cary, Andi, me, and Jeff

Finally, I have to show you my new socks just because they are so bright and fun:
They are a special edition of Balega socks, which I love.  I've been needing to replace some of mine, and when I saw these, I had to get them.  Much more exciting than my usual neon yellow.

22 comments:

  1. I don't mind running in the cold as long as there is no wind. My garmin records what the weather is like during my run so now i've been recording that in my running journal and I also write down what I wore and if it was appropriate. So know I know when it's 40 degrees, i'm comfortable with just a long sleeve shirt! It's come in handy. That's a great medal!

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    1. Ooh, me too on the wind!! I write down the temp in my running journal but didn't think to write down what I wear - that's a great idea.

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  2. You know I'm outside all winter. It always takes me a couple runs to remember how to dress but now I'm a pro again.

    Your running group looks like so much fun!

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    1. I loved seeing all of my winter things laid out to dry after I did laundry this week - it was nice to know I'd finally needed to use them!

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  3. I'll have to try those Bolt chews. I do okay with ShotBloks but am always looking for new things and I've learned not to try stuff that's not organic, which sounds crazy but I think it's something about how they sweeten vs. say, sports beans.

    Sounds like your runs are going well and that's a good thing, but how are those toenails/blisters?

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    1. I bet you would like these chews - be sure to try them and let me know what you think.

      Blisters are gone and so is nearly all of one toenail, boohoo!

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    2. I told you so! Does this make you a "real" runner now? Hahahaha!

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  4. I love living my "I wanna be a runner" life through you! Sounds like wonderful weather to run in!

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    1. It really was - I'm relishing the cooler mornings. It was 79 degrees this afternoon!

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  5. Those chews sound like my chewy vitamins and calcium. VERY yummy. I have to be careful to just eat my daily allotment!

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    1. Yeah, it was good I had two people to share that package with (and we still managed to return with a few in it), because they were THAT good. :)

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  6. LOVE the photo styling with the medal!!!!! Your running group seem so much fun!!! Have a good day Shelley!

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    1. I'm glad someone appreciated the medal styling, LOL!

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  7. Um, WTF they need to put a plaque on that table for YOUR GROUP ONLY! LOL

    I am so happy you got to run in cooler temps and even more - found some fuel that works for you! YAY!

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  8. Finally cooler temps! So happy for you!

    I would have given that person the stinky eye for sitting at your table and hoping she would get the message LOL.

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    1. I know it's hard to imagine, but she didn't care. Personally, I would have moved just because I'm sure having a bunch of loud, sweaty runners sitting near me would be gross...

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  9. Good running weather should ALWAYS be celebrated!

    And oh my goodness those brownie edges... yum!

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  10. How dare someone sit at your table!! How could they not know??

    I must be in the minority, I like the fudgey middle part of a brownie rather than the edges :D

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