Running in the elements

Its a cloudy day in the Midwest and we are approaching our first taste of winter weather this evening and into our 5k run tomorrow. The forecast is highs in the 30's and a delightful mix of rain and snow. I'm actually oddly excited to face the elements during tomorrow run.

Which brings me to my next point. Run. I use that term loosely in reference to tomorrow's 5k. I was reading the Hotlegs Runner blog this week (check out the giveaway she has below in my previous entry) and she had this awesome list of 53 Runner's Commandments. #15 is that getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape. Yes- many of us have been there, but I'm interested to see how things shake out tomorrow. This summer, I was frequently working out and running and finally starting to get into some times that I was happy with. This fall, my working out has been much more sporadic and virtually non-existent in November. My expectation of myself is that this race jump starts my attitude and ambition so that when my official marathon training starts in December I have some endurance back.

What do you think of working out in the elements? How do you prepare for "less than perfect" conditions?

Cool Giveaway!

Hop over to The Hotlegs Runner blog - she's doing a very cool headband giveaway!

http://www.hotlegsrunner.com/2010/11/gear-review-and-giveaway-bondi-band.html

I doubt it.

Don’t take this that I’m fishing for compliments or encouragement. I just have to get this out there. I am so surprised by the responses I’m getting from people in regards to running my marathon. I thought that I’d tell the people closest to me as another tool to help hold myself accountable. And really – some of the responses have really surprised me. A few people that I’m closest too, if by force because they are family or coworkers, have literally laughed in my face when I told them about my goal. Um, hello family / friends / acquaintances – Thank you. Yes. I know how hard this is going to be. Remember – my father has completed 50+ marathons? Many of which I was waiting there at the finish – after I ran my race that same day? My internship? Was at the Twin Cities Marathon. I get it people, its going to be hard, but cheese and rice, have a little faith in me!

What I want to tell them – is that I’m already afraid that I won’t make it. Or that like every other thing in my life I’ve committed to I’ve failed at. And that any additional doubt is NOT what I need. It goes back to this quote I remember from 7th grade health class (shout out Mrs. Bigalk). “Don’t blow out my candle to make yours shine brighter.” Quite frankly – behind my back – doubt all you want – but at least fake it when this comes up next time we’re together okay?

At the end of the day, I’m most appreciative for those friends that I know sincerely believe in me. It’s generally a reciprocated relationship – because I also believe in them, that those friends can accomplish the goals that they want to accomplish. It’s those friends, that take the usual, sarcastic, self-deprecating me that we laugh at what I’m saying together but it ends with real support of accomplishing my goal.

*Side Note*
I went back and re-read old blog postings. It’s interesting to see where I wanted to go and where I am. Keeping in mind – there is a little bit more to my life than my weight-loss initiatives, it is quite apparent how much of my life is spend thinking about these goals I have. Time for inaction to stop and action to kick in.