Running Trouble

I need to have a stern talk with myself.

My long runs have not been great for a few weeks now. I don't know why but I am worn out when I am done. So worn out I can't get much done for hours afterward. This should be like old hat, right? I've been running 5, 6, 8miles for months now. But it's been tough. Because of this I dread my long runs. This is wrong. I should love it. It's time to myself, to think my own thoughts, and be outside in the sunshine (mostly).  All I could think on Friday was how much I didn't want to be doing this. I decided to give myself some slack and only ran 6 0f the 8mi. 

I guess I need to make a change. I guess I'll start with my route. It's the easiest and most obvious. By that I mean, it's all I can think of.  I've been running in my neighborhood exclusively for months. Maybe a change of scenery will help.


If you have any other ideas, please leave me a comment. I really need to pull it together. My training for the Mardi Gras half-marathon is going to kick into high gear in a few weeks.  

Running in the Cold

I've been meaning to blog since Friday. But my whole family has been sick. I mean really sick, for days.  Anyway...


Compression Tights Review 

Since I don't work Friday's, I usually do my long runs after I bring the girls to school. Well, all last week the weather man kept predicting snow on Friday. Snow! In New Orleans! In a previous post I mentioned how I like to wear as little as possible when I run. Because of that I didn't have any cold weather running gear and I was starting to get a little worried. Thursday, I drug a sick kid to the sporting goods store and bought compression tights, running gloves, and a headband/ear-cover.  I tried on every brand of tights the store had. I settled on the Reebok Cold Compression Tights.  

They felt the most comfortable and supportive in the store. The waistband is wide and doesn't cut in and the elastic around the ankles wasn't too tight. You can't really know how they're going to feel until you run in them.  The tights have a  little pocket in the back. I found it a little too small. But my fuel of choice is bigger than a pack of GU, which would fit nicely.  Plus, I wear a medium in these tights, which is nice. Believe me, I am not a medium.



Friday morning,  I got dressed in my tights and headed out for my run.  The tights were great. I forgot I was wearing them, which is ideal. The headband was a little tight and smooshed the earbuds into my ears. Granted, I have a big ole noggin. But if you have a suggestion for a more comfortable  headband, I'd appreciate the heads up.

Road ID Coupon

Now that the days are shorter, most of us have to run/bike in the dark. And I really worry about getting run over by a car and the paramedics not knowing who to call. 

I just ordered, as a present for a friend, one of the best products ever. It's called a Road ID - perhaps you've heard of it. If you haven't, go to their website and check it out. Road ID is a great product that could save your life someday.

When I ordered, they gave me a coupon that I could pass along to my friends. Here's the coupon number:

Coupon Number: ThanksMegan574533

The coupon is good for $1 off any Road ID order placed by 01/01/2010. To order, simply go to RoadID.com or click the link below:

http://www.RoadID.com/?CID=ThanksMegan574533

Bloggie friends: Pls feel free to post this on your site. I have a limited readership. I'd like for lots of people to have access to this coupon.

Turkey Day Race Ticket

If you received a parking ticket citation for parking on the Marconi Avenue median during the Turkey Day Race
(11-26-2009)
DO NOT PAY THE TICKET FINE.
An agreement between the NOAC, Spina Bifida and the NOTC with the City of New Orleans has resolved the ticket situation.
Please see statement posted on the NOTC website
www.runNOTC.org

NOLA Turkey Day Race 2009

Thursday morning, I woke the family up early, dressed everyone warmly, and headed off to get Nanny Goat (my sister).  I thought it would be fun if we all ran the Turkey Day Race.  By fun,  I meant we could all burn some calories before we pigged out. 

The Big Man agreed to push the girls in the jogging stroller in the 1mi race. Nanny Goat & I  could run the 5mi race at full speed.  By that I mean, Nanny Goat could run her pace and I could run mine. She's too fast for me to keep up.  But I'm happy with my finish time 59:56.

Since Li always wants to race like mommy, The Big Man got her out of the stroller to run the last 100m.  They gave her a ribbon at the finish line. She is so proud of the ribbon. She has told everyone about it.

Now for the race day photos:

Li and her ribbon

 MM showing off her running skills

Me almost to the finish line. I have got to work on keeping my head up. 

The Big Man with his running buddies

MM, Me, Nanny Goat and Li

Look at the difference in Nanny Goat & my running outfits. She's in tights, a long sleeve shirt and a jacket. I'm shorts and a technical tee. She likes to be hot when she runs and I hate to run in clothes. 

We had fun and it was nice to get some miles in. But I doubt we'll do it next year. It just made the day too hectic.