Gone with the Schwinn

Hubby insisted on getting me a bike, and I am so glad he did! We took a great ride out to just past Rousseau Bar and back. There are so many things to love about bike riding. First of all, it is easier than running. When you're running, if you stop moving your legs, you stop moving forward. Not so with biking. It is a built-in interval workout- you have to work hard up the hills, but then you get to coast down. I'm not up to a 15-mile run yet, but that distance on a bike was really enjoyable. Riding with my Sweetie is the best!

(gratuitous baby picture:)

(Squee!)

I just can't get over how wonderful the weather has been. We're expecting highs in the 50's and 60's all week with not a snow day in sight. Awesome! At this rate, I'll be working on my tan in no time!

Mirror, Mirror

In my imagination I'm one of those cute athletes who grace the cover of Runner's Magazine.

My outfit is trendy and coordinated, from my "26.2" necklace charm to my size 5 shoes. I run with a gorgeous smile on my made up face, light sweat adding beautiful sheen to a perfect tan. The only thing bouncing is my adorable (blonde) ponytail.

Reality check! No single piece of my gear matches any other piece, and my shoes are twice the size of the average female's. I sweat like a swine and am pale as a poltergeist. And after eight babies, I'd be hard pressed to find a part, portion or organ that isn't bouncing.

I appreciate my body for what it has done, and what it may someday be capable of doing. It's not "poor body image" to occasionally wish you were smaller, younger, faster, or stronger. Part of being an athlete (even as a hobby) is the desire for improvement.

Just random thoughts from my run today.

The world won't end

if I don't exercise every single day. Neither will it end if I take two rest days in a row.

But three days?

I just can't take that risk.

Oh, no...

Spirit of the Marathon

We watched this movie last night. During the movie I was internally going back and forth. I could do this. No way. No, really... I think I could do this.

"Νενικήκαμεν"

"We have won."

Snowy Trails

Cross Country Skiing for Clutzy-Beginner-Dummies

Chapter One: Definitions (rough draft)

Bindings- the bindings of yore were simply hide straps used to tie the skis to the bottom of your boots. In modern times the binding systems have been developed and standardized so that there are now at least fifteen different bindings to fit three different boots, none of which are interchangeable with the others.

Diagonal Glide- the classic cross-country stride; leg and opposite arm moving in unison. For beginners, often looks more like a "wobble" than a "glide".

Double Poling- technique which involves moving both arms (and poles) in the same direction at the same time. Used with feet remaining stationary for flats or gentle downhills; also useful when you are too uncoordinated for the diagonal glide.

Downhill- try to keep your skis parallel, hold your poles out of the way, and pray the tracks are enough to keep you going in the right direction.

Herringbone- technique for going uphill. Turn the toes of your skis outward, press the inner edge of your ski toward the hill with your ankles, and march, knock-kneed, up the hill. Start to slide backwards. Fall. Get up. Try again. Fall again. Give up and crawl on hands and knees the rest of the way up the hill.

Kick Turn- quick and easy way to turn around and/or pull a groin.

Kneesocks/Knickers- (1.) the standard cross-country uniform according to both books on the subject which I found at the library (circa 1970). (2.) "what the pros wear"

Poles- if you think you can use these to maintain balance, forget it. These are mainly used by the beginner to snag nearby vegetation or hold your mittens when you take a break.

Skis- thin, slippery pieces of fiberglass, generally longer than you are tall, which you clamp on to the toes of your boots in the hopes of somehow moving forward through the snow.

Snowplow- technique used to slow down on a downhill or stop on a flat. Also, a reliable way to sprain your ankle.

Telemark- beginners cannot do this. Best to put it out of your mind entirely.

Trail- depending on conditions the trail may be groomed, tracked, and clearly marked. Or it may be a barely distinguishable indentation in the snow, leading off into the forest and dead-ending in the middle of nowhere. Hopefully you brought flares.

Wax- substance put on the bottom of skis; there are approximately 1,274,752 types of wax currently available. Good luck finding the right one.

Good Advice

When heading out for an "out and back" winter run, I've been told it is best to always start against the wind. Today the wind was from the south, so I headed south on our road. My goal wasn't speed or time, but rather to just get out there and enjoy it. I think of these as BTN runs. (BTN: Better Than Nothing) I was taking a nice, easy pace with a run/walk ratio of 4:1. Like I said, I was out just to be out!

The longer you can put up with the cold wind in your face, the longer you get to enjoy the wind at your back.

There's a life metaphor in there somewhere, but I'm going to be late for work if I sit here and try to tease it out.

Chuck and I went out to the ski trail at Courtney Lake yesterday. It was so much fun! I think I'm getting more comfortable on the skis- accepting what they are and understanding that I probably won't hurt myself if I fall. It was a lovely afternoon, and I hope we can go out again soon.

Mid-Winter Whatever

We've made it halfway through the month of January. Yay! There's only five more months until spring!

I've been checking in on the website for my local running club almost every day. When are they going to update the race calendar? Did they update today? No. *sniff* Maybe tomorrow...!

Since I'm running every other day, I'm alternating weeks with three and four runs per week. I've been averaging 11 miles per week, which is really low. I'd like to get up to at least 20 miles per week. The problem is, I just don't know how to make myself stay on the treadmill more than about an hour; my longest run for weeks and weeks has been six miles. And I'm a little hesitant about running four or more days a week. I've been telling myself that I need that day off between each run, that I can't run two days in a row.

I have to keep this in perspective, though. Before a year ago, I thought it was something to jog a quarter mile in the middle of my walk. I am making progress.