What are we talking about today?

I'll get back to theme days once I find a groove of posting regularly. In the meantime, most of my posts are about some variation of books, bikes, buses, or Broadway. Plus bits about writing, nonprofits, and grief from time to time.

This blog is mostly lighthearted and pretty silly. It's not about the terrible things happening in the world, but please know that I'm not ignoring those things. I just generally don't write about them here.

03 January 2011

New Running Gear

The short version of my running experience in 2010 is this: I ran a marathon.

And that's pretty much it. My training runs after that were sporadic at best, and non-existent once the fall semester started. Sigh... I had such high hopes.

However, I've picked it back up again these past couple of weeks, suddenly remembered how much I like running, and have a goal race in mind. Four goal races, actually; the Austin Runners Club has a spring Sprint Series-- two 5Ks and two 10Ks. In case you missed it, the 10K is my favourite distance EVER, and 5Ks are so short that they're over before anything has a chance to start hurting. Should be fun.

Which means I'm back to a serious training plan, calorie-watching, post-run refueling, and all the fun stuff that comes with training. The major upside to this is that the training runs for 10Ks are much, much shorter than marathon training runs. No six-hour runs for me while I'm trying to study, thank goodness; I might actually have a nervous breakdown if I tried that.

And, to go with a new year and a new training schedule, I have new running gear! I used to have colour-coordinated gear, but after multiple purchases of whatever was on sale, I must look like I just won the starring role in Josefina and the Amazing Technicolour Running Kit (I run down the street singing, "Any pace will do...") with my sky-blue top, turquoise skirt, and yellow-green shoes.

**Skip this paragraph if you aren't interested in actually owning a running skirt.**
I really like them so far. They are comfortable and don't have the same chafing issues that shorts have. I've only done a few short runs (four miles or less) with them, but they are great at keeping all the vital bits covered (my shorts, unfortunately, do not have the same skill set). Also, when I wear shorts, the sweat soaks all the way through; that has not been the case with the skirts, which is really nice. So, I would certainly recommend them to other runner-girls. Of course, most of you live in colder places than I do and may want to wait a few months before getting your hands on a skirt.

Runners, unite! Do you have any new gear? Old gear that you love? Upcoming races you want to tell us about? Non-runners... comment about whatever you want. :)

14 comments:

Meredith McCardle said...

I LOVE running skirts! I only own one, and I've had it for so long it's stretched to oblivion and not really wearable anymore, but that's neither here nor there. Running skirts rock!

As for new year, I am desperately in need of new shoes but haven't made any purchases yet.

Unknown said...

I'm just totally envious!

Su said...

@Meredith: I definitely do the "wear until it falls off" thing with all my gear. Once I get something I like, I'm not excited about letting it go. :) Good luck on the shoes!

@Carole: They really are fun.

Julie Hedlund said...

Wow - a marathon. Go you! I got some new long-sleeve running shirts for Christmas, which I desperately needed. Now I just need to put them to good use.

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

I don't run any more. My daughter does all the racing and I will ask her about the skirt.

a runners' life said...

Excellent news that you are setting some race goals for the year - they are fantastic for staying motivated with training.
Congrats on the marathon.

As for running clothes, I love the warm dry fit running pants by significant other gave me for Christmas which has given me more incentive to run when it's -5 and snowing.

Alison Pearce Stevens said...

Wow, good for you! I hate running, always have. Give me a bike any day. :)

Su said...

@Julie: I haven't really needed a long-sleeve running shirt yet this year, mostly due to my "no running on cold days" strategy that is, sadly, now at an end. So I'm sure I'll be breaking out the long sleeves soon.

@Mary: They are really gaining in popularity... and me having one is only proof of that, since I tend to lag waaaay behind the trends. :)

@Runner: Veeeery nice. I've never really had good pants/tights to run in. If I ever move north again, I am definitely asking you for suggestions!

@Alison: I do love my bicycle. But I have no fancy gear for it. :(

Denise Covey said...

You clever girl, you. A marathon no less! My husband ran a half-marathon once (25k) but I've never entertained the thought even though I try to run on a daily basis - only about 2 klms.

Su said...

2K is a great distance! When I first started going to races about 3 years ago, I said I wasn't going to run anything longer than a 15K, ever. Hee hee... two half-marathons and one full later, I guess I was wrong about that! :) Be careful-- the bug strikes when you least expect it!

Jenni at talking hairdryer said...

I had this whole long comment typed out and then...it all disappeared.

I'll hit the highlights:
-current running gear: cut off capris cuffed at the waist (cuz they are too big) and old t shirts with the sleeves cut out.

-trying to acheive the 80's male weight lifter look

-might have to look in to running skirts as a reward for staying with it a reasonable amount of time

Su said...

Ugh, that happened to me yesterday at someone's blog! I think the blogosphere is having issues.

My original running gear was an old t-shirt and whatever shorts were comfortable, so I'm with you. And I think a running skirt would be so cute on you!!

Helen said...

Ha! I don't think I'm yet ready for a running skirt. Or indeed if the area where I live is ready ;) You are a proper runner, I'm ever so impressed.

Su said...

Hee hee, thanks! Me being a proper runner has been a long time in coming; for ages I ran in whatever t-shirt & shorts were lying around!