Running in the Rain

I've often pictured myself running in the rain, but thought it would be a warm Spring rain. The weather has been all over the place, mostly cold, snowy, yukky. Not good for keeping to my running schedule. I knew that going into the winter though so haven't been down about it. Just don't want to stop.

So before I went to bed last night I pledged on one of my forums that I would get out and run this AM regardless of the weather. I rolled out of bed to the pitter patter of rain, peeked out the window to make sure it wasn't sleet (that's where I draw the line!) - pulled my rain geer from the closet and hit the road (warmed up inside - did some of the butt kicks and knee lifts recommended in that Masters video). Yes, it sure was raining. Pretty hard, actually. But I'd promised myself I could do a short workout so did my loop of hills, 2x around. Wow, pitch black, rain pouring down the shoulder of the road, storm gutters roaring. Pretty neat! So chalk that one up. Next time I run in the rain, though, it'd better be 60 degrees and daffodils peeping through. Time for coffee.

Running 2010

Carried over from running blog dated January 2010:

So, I'm drafting my race schedule for this year. I want to be realistic about this. Having something on the calendar will be an incentive for me to keep at it but I don't want this to be anything more than that. Running is the key here, not the racing. Although it's kind of fun to challenge my self to better my time, but I know I'll never be the 8mm runner. That's okay. This schedule keeps me on target to achieve my fitness goal of 6 races and spaces them to keep me fresh. Don't want to plan anything in the heat of the summer but will keep an eye out for something if the weather cooperates.

• January 3, 2010  ~ Lake Merced 4.5m SFO ~ 38:30 DONE
• March 14, 2010, 1 PM  ~ Max O'Hartford 5K reg by March 9 (feb 14 for discounted rate).
• April 3, 2010 ~  Bradley International Road Race 5k/10k ~ 8:30 AM - register by March 31 http://www.bradleyroadrace.com/
• May 15, 2010 ~ Kathy Macko Birthday Run - Cromwell, CT
• July 10, 2010 ~ Red Dress Run for Women - DONE
• August 29, 2010 - Old Wethersfield 5K -  http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/foundationnew.htm
• December 5, 2010 ~ Blue Back Square 5K Mitten Run -  http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/foundationnew.htm

Consolidating blogs

Thought I might keep a running blog separate from this one, but the thought of updating two blogs meant I didn't update either. So I'm pulling over a few posts from the other and will keep this one active.

From there to here - my start in running

What a difference a year makes. Every year, at some time or another, I've had the thought I'd like to run. I'd often pictured myself running, just running. But it was usually only a quick thought and put aside. Occasionally on my morning walk I'd run from pole to pole, but didn't take it further. Didn't know how. In June of 2009 I happened to think to google running plans, and found coolrunning.com. It was there I discovered the Couch 2 5K plan and the rest is history. I didn't take it seriously in the beginning, was stuck on week 2 for a few weeks. Then found the forums on the site and was hooked. My virtual friends on several threads were my motivators. We all ran those early weeks in the hottest, most humid summer ever. We planned our runs around the weather forecasts. Often I'd run at 5:30 AM and jump in the pool already dripping wet. I was psyched, though, and excited.

Caitlin signed up for a 10K in early August in Shelburne Falls, MA so I tagged along to run the 2 mile race. It was actually pretty cool early in the morning and I survived to finish, and I wasn't last! I was hooked. Went on to enter the Old Wethersfield 5K to celebrate my graduation from c25k, the Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving Day, and to finish 2009, the Blue Back Square 5k Mitten Run in December. Joined the group workshop at Fleet Feet to train beyond the initial program.

That's it in a nutshell. Running has become a joy in my life, something to be excited about, something to motivate me. I've learned it's never too late to start something new. I'll be 58 this year and I'm looking forward to hitting more milestones. More in 2010.

It's February!

As always, January came and went in the blink of an eye. Good riddance, I say. It was cold, cold, cold, and I'm glad it's behind us. My running was cut way back and now I need to ramp it up if I'm going to run in the St. Patricks's day race.

Spent the afternoon yesterday at Kerri's baby shower. Carol, and Kathy of course, threw a lovely Pink Pajama Party. Didn't wear PJ's but enjoyed lounging in sweats and socks. It's amazing what a baby needs today. The old list of basic needs sure has changed. Didn't even know what some of the things were called! I wish we could live more simply though - it's just stuff afterall.

Visited WPI on Saturday - alumni game then the 2 varsity games. Nice to be back on campus and to catch a glimpse of Caitlin. A quick stop at LLBean and a bite to eat at Johnny Rockets before heading home.