Dress for the Weather (Seattle Winter Edition)

This post is more for my own reference than anything else — often I doubt myself when getting dressed to run, even if I know from experience which outfits will work best in any given weather. Logically, I may know that anything over 50° calls for shorts and short sleeves, but my Florida-brain thinks anything under 60° calls for tights and long sleeves.

I hope writing this post will help me believe my own experiences, and when next winter rolls around, I'll be able to reference past outfits so I don't spend weeks trying to reinvent the wheel and discover what works for me.

Low 30s/snowing: A pair of fleece-lined, water repellent leggings kept my legs warm and dry. I also layered one of my heavier long-sleeved tops (a Watch Me Go) under my Vintage Chic quarter zip and my core felt perfectly comfortable. I wore my normal gloves; while my fingers were cold, they did warm up toward the end of a short run. Of course, a knit cap was a must.

I also opted for a warmer pair of socks, but I can't remember which brand these are. All I know is they're thicker than my usual pairs and worked perfectly.

I'll wear a heavier gaiter next time; I wore a cotton one and it let cold air down my neck. During the run, my face and neck were the only parts of me that were cold!

High 30s and clear: My morning runs in early March were 34° and 37°, and I found my Vintage Chic tights and my new fleece-lined tights were perfect. I tried both my Wonder Wool top (which is very warm but lightweight) and my Watch Me Go with a vest, and both those options worked well.

My mom got me a pair of Trailhead gloves and they were almost too warm on these runs, but the nose-wipe was fantastic!

Not the best picture, but the outfit is clear!

I think what I need to remember for this temperature range is that it's warmer than I think it is; once temps reach 40°, I'm downright overheated in this kind of outfit.

Low to mid-40s and rainy: This weather has been the most daunting for me, because cold rain seems like it'll be...well, cold. The first time I tackled it, I paired my Skirt Sports All-In High Rise leggings with my long-sleeved Wonder Wool top, a windbreaker, knit beanie, and gloves. I ended up being too warm.

A regular long-sleeved top and tights are enough for this weather.

I know now that I should avoid wearing a beanie in anything over 40°, and a short-sleeved tech tee would have been enough under the windbreaker.

40s and clear: Triple Pocket Tights, which are a bit thinner than my All-In Leggings, a short-sleeved tech tee, and gloves do the trick. Wearing a hat in this weather is tempting but ends up feeling too warm.

I've always felt kind of silly wearing gloves with short sleeves, but I totally understand why runners do this now and I have become of a fan of this combo!

50s and clear: Even though 50° still sounds cold to me, it really is warm enough to pop on a pair of shorts and a short-sleeved tech shirt. I wouldn't drastically overheat in thinner leggings or a long-sleeved tech shirt, but I definitely couldn't wear both. By 53°, shorts and short-sleeves are necessary.

Sometimes I'll start with gloves in this temperature range, too. While I often end up removing my gloves in any temperature, it's nice to start with them and then stick them in my pockets as I warm up.

50s and rainy: Shorts, a short-sleeved tech tee, a light windbreaker, and gloves does the trick. I was shocked by how comfortable I felt in this outfit in 49°!

60s and above: The low that used to dictate when it was time to pull out tights is now the temperature that signifies sleeveless runs. A tank top and shorts are totally appropriate for 60°.

Back in tank tops and shorts in time for St. Patrick's Day!

I haven't been warm enough in Seattle to run in just a sports bra yet, but I'm sure there will be some summer days that warrant it.

It feels pretty good to finally have a handle on what I'm comfortable wearing in a state that has seasons. It took me a little while to figure it out, but that's also because I was acclimating to the weather. I still second-guess myself, but hopefully someday picking running outfits will feel like a no-brainer.

ABK

An Unexpected Outcome

After I finished the Zooma Holiday Challenge, I took a few days off. Then, on January 1st, the Love Run Challenge started. This challenge is basically a run/walk streak. I am running, walking, or biking at least one mile a day until February 14th. Because this challenge began right on the heels of the Holiday Challenge, I've truly gotten into a routine.

According to Strava, I've done 66 miles this month, and that doesn't include the walks.

Usually, I run every-other-day or so. On days I don't run, I do nothing. Sometimes doing nothing leads to a kind of inertia, and one day of rest becomes two, two becomes three, and three becomes a whole week of sitting on the couch. The has forced consistency of this challenge has had an unexpected impact on my mindset.

I'm trying to get on the Peloton at least once a week.

Adding walks to my non-running days has given me mental balance — I no longer feel lazy or depressed on days I don't work out. Plus, when I go on evening walks, Matt tends to join me, so it gives us both a chance to get out of the apartment and spend time together without screens to distract us.

We've explored a couple new parks and our neighborhood on walks this month.

Another thing that has surprised me with the Love Run Challenge so far is how weirdly easy it's been to commit. I never thought a physical tracking chart in plain view would motivate me to keep a commitment to myself, but it really has. The chart is great positive feedback, and at this point completing my daily activity feels non-negotiable. It's just...something I'm going to get done.

Rain or shine, I'm getting it done! At this point I've really weathered my fear of running in cold rain.

Honestly, why did it take me so long to figure out that I'm the kind of person who needs a tracker for accountability?

No matter the weather or time of day, I've made it happen.

Daily exercise has also made adding just a little bit of arms and abs daily feel totally doable. If I'm already moving and warmed up, it's not hard to do a few minutes when I get home, and I feel like doing a little bit a day is more effective than doing a longer set once or twice a week.

The last time I did a run streak was in 2014; I remember feeling committed and I definitely got stronger and faster, but I also felt a little burned out by the time it was over. I hope when this challenge ends, I'll have undergone a true lifestyle change that will stick with me.

The bottom line is that I feel like I'm getting a lot out of this, which I honestly wasn't really expecting, and I'm so glad Skirt Sports merged with Zooma and put it on my radar. Zooma offers these sorts of challenges all year round, and I think I'll stick with it. If I do a challenge every season, who knows where I'll be this time next year?

ABK

PS: Skirt Sports is back from its brief hiatus, now with Zooma owner Sarah Ratzlaff at the wheel. You can snap up some of the winter looks and get 20% off with code SKIRTISBACK this week! You may even see a familiar face on the new website if you look hard enough.

Big News & My Next Race

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen me share some exciting news from Skirt Sports. After fifteen years, founder and CEO Nicole DeBoom decided it was time for her to move on to something new. She was ready to sell Skirt but wanted to ensure the company's mission and values were respected by whoever the new owner would be.

Skirt has always been about empowering women, no matter their background, history, size, shape, orientation, color, age...Skirt is about inclusivity and supporting women, period.

A week or so back, Nicole made the official announcement: Sarah Ratzlaff, the owner of Zooma Women's Races, bought Skirt and the two companies have merged!

What originally was looking like a "finish line" for Skirt turned, with the passing of a bright pink baton, into a transition zone instead.

Click to watch the announcement.

I. Am. Stoked.

Seriously, what better handoff could there have been? A race series dedicated to empowering women merging with an athletic clothing company dedicated to the very same thing? It's honestly perfect.

I had been resigned to Skirt Sports closing and stocked up on my favorite skirts, tops, bras, and tights over the last few months. Now, I know more clothes are coming. I know the mission and values of a company I've represented for years are in good hands. I know Nicole's legacy will carry on and continue to change lives.

To celebrate, I signed up for my first race since February. The Zooma Amelia Island half marathon has always been on my bucket list; having left Florida, I don't foresee a chance to do this race in person anytime soon, but I did sign up for the virtual option. I'm doing the 12k because at this point I don't feel motivated to train for a half, but I'm excited to have something to work toward again. It's been a hot minute.

Admittedly, the swag and medal had something to do with my decision.

When I signed up, I used Sweet16 (in celebration of Skirt's 16th birthday!) at checkout to save $10.

This feels like the perfect way to celebrate Zooma and Skirt Sports coming together, and the perfect way to get some focus now that I'm all settled in in Seattle. This will (ironically) be my first West Coast race.

And, honestly, I'm kind of excited to have a reason to blog about running again. It's time to break out my calendar and put together some sort of training plan! Maybe you'll join me!

ABK

Game Day 5k

After my surprising performance at last weekend's 5k, I decided to do something I haven't done in ages when it comes to a race: I set a time goal. Specifically, I set a pace goal. I had managed to run the abbreviated Phillippi Shores 5k with an average 9:06 pace, and after a successful and steady 4-mile bridge run on Wednesday the following week, I decided to try for a 9:00 pace this last Saturday.

The Game Day 5k is a smallish race near my parents' house once again staged by the Manasota Track Club. (I hoped this course would be measured correctly.) With Matt in Dunedin for another team paddle, it was the perfect race to fill the spot left empty when the Thrive 5k was canceled.

I knew there would be other Skirt ambassadors there and I was also taking over the Skirt instagram page that day, so everything was falling into place.

The race was set to begin at 8am, which is pretty late for a 5k in Florida no matter the time of year, but I was surprised by how cool the weather was when I first got there around 7:30. I checked my app to confirm because I couldn't believe it - it was only 68! Fall is really here!

I had to park about .1-miles from the race; as I was pulling onto the road, I noticed a bunch of runners doing their warmups had paused and were indicating I ought to turn around and park on the side of the road rather than continuing to the venue. Listening to them saved me ten minutes of navigating the overfull parking lot and having to find a farther spot, which would have messed up my morning timing. I was grateful!

Pre-race, feeling some nervous energy!

I parked and walked to the start, where I got my packet and said hello to Wendy and Marjorie. Then I had time to go back to the car, drop my things, put on my bib, and get ready to go. I felt nervous but not anxious.

Once again, there was no tracking mat at the start. I was a little discombobulated because one of my earbuds wasn't turning on, so I was distracted trying to fix that. (Afterward I had to look up how to turn the individual earbuds on and off once they're out of the case, so I'll know for next time!) So, my start wasn't great. I wasn't at the very front of the line and my GPS didn't kick in right away; generally I just felt a little stressed and unprepared when the starting gun went.

This mindset at the start meant I went out a little faster than I should have, but because I had a plan in mind, I reined it in pretty quickly. The majority of the course was shady because of the time of day, but there were patches where the sun was cutting through and already hot. The morning was sticky. This 5k also has a 10k option and I was so glad I wasn't running longer.

As usual, the last half mile of the race was tough for me. It was starting to get hot and I could feel myself slowing down. I have a tendency to take a walk break around 2.6 miles of a 5k; when I felt I may be losing my pace goal at this point, I just told myself to keep running, even if I had to slow down. Just avoid walking. Just finish in a way that you can be proud of.

Here are two blurry screenshots from the finish line video:

The time on the clock when I finished was 28:30, but my watch read 28:19. With no timing at the starting line, I'm happy to believe my watch over the clock in this case.

I can't get over how evenly matched my first two mile splits were!

I sat for awhile just past the finish line on an open stretch of curb. Eventually I saw Wendy and we got to chatting while we waited for some other friends to finish.

We made our way over to the food and celebration area, where I checked my time. I had placed 2nd in my age group! I had hoped I would place top 3, since this is a small race and the faster runners were taking on the 10k rather than the 5k.

Okay, to be fair, the age group was so small and the MTC does awards 6-deep, so I was guaranteed a place, but I was really glad to have earned it.

I went back to the car to put a shirt back on, ditch my earbuds, and grab my water. By the time I was making my way back, I could hear the announcer already calling names for awards!

Standing on a podium sure is fun!

It turns out the ladies in Skirt really cleaned up that morning! We all placed in our age groups, so we waited for all the awards to be read before getting a final picture together and going our separate ways.

Me, Wendy, Marjorie, and Bonnie. This was Marjorie's first race in the 70-74 AG! (She did the 10k and is amazing!)

Despite missing my pace goal by just a smidge and letting the wheels come off in the third mile, I am really pretty happy with this race. I signed up hoping I'd place and I did. I set a lofty goal and nearly met it. I feel like this race and last weekend's have helped realign my perspective on where I am in my training and fitness right now, which was seriously necessary.

I'm sure I'll post more on it later, but I can see now how much my slower 5ks from the summer messed with my head and my perception of my abilities.

Anyway, this was a fun race with an excellent pay-off, and I hope to run again next year!

ABK

SUP & Run 5k, 2019

This race was not the race I wanted, but it was kind of the race I expected.

While I wouldn't say I didn't train for this race, I will say that I wasn't nearly as invested as I have been in the past. Hot weather came on suddenly this month, and for some reason I just couldn't get myself to run more than twice a week leading up to race day. I did a few track workouts but my regular easy runs felt tough all month. I've been happy with my running, but my heart wasn't in the race.

May's training log. Spoiler alert for this race's outcome.

Still, we like to do this race yearly. Matt likes changing it up with the SUP and run, and it gives us an excuse to go visit our parents over the long weekend.

I knew from the start this was going to be a not-good (I don't want to say bad) race. This year, the race doubled in size, but the route (which is narrow and bottlenecked) didn't change. The race organizers actually set up starting zones based on paces, but most of the runners clearly had no idea what the giant numbered signs were for, because although I lined up between the 8 and 9, I was stuck behind people barely keeping an 11-minute pace.

The crowd at the start.

The worst of the narrow path opens up a bit about a mile in. I wasted a lot of energy getting around slower runners and some groups running three-across with their friends. By the time I hit the half-mile mark, I knew all the stop-and-go was going to cost me in energy and time.

Besides that, the route was (as always) completely shadeless and in full sun. This race starts at 8am, which is too damn late for a Florida 5k in the summer, but last year we got lucky with a cloudy sky. This year, not so much. In fact, after finishing, I checked the temperatures and saw it was nearing 100F. (It hit 100 while awards were being announced.) I am simply not built to run in that kind of heat and full sun exposure. My heart rate was way too high and I just couldn't catch my breath.

Yikes.

So, I walked at mile 2. I felt myself totally give up. I knew a decent time was out of the question so it felt like...why even bother? The truth is, I'm more disappointed in how I handled my attitude during the race than anything else. But like I said, my heart wasn't in it, I didn't feel invested, and it's really hard to finish a race you don't even want to be doing when the weather's against you, too.

Around mile 2, when I resigned myself to walk, I considered just not finishing. That's how bleak my mood was; I've NEVER DNF'd before.

I had to take a second walk break kind of near the end (around 2.8). As we came around the penultimate turn - a fairly sharp right - some guy elbowed me and completely threw me off my final dig. I'm sure it was an accident, but I was already in such a pissy mood and thoroughly not enjoying myself...I basically snarled at him. At that point, I didn't even want to try for a final sprint. I just wanted it to be over.

Here's an incredibly blurry screenshot from the finishing video:

I was surprised to see Matt's dad and stepmom at the finish line. They both commented they thought they had missed me because it took me longer than expected. I had to go grab the Cannon to get some pictures of Matt's paddle, so I didn't have time to hang out with them, or to process my finish at all.

It's frustrating to see that if I had managed to hold off walking, I may have  managed to scrape a sub-30.

Matt did really well. He placed first in his age group for the combo category, finishing 8th overall. I caught some good pictures of him from the bridge.

When I finally was able to find my official results, I was unsurprised to see that I'd run one of my slowest 5k in years. I finished 12th in my age group out of 29.

I know we all have days like this, and I know one mediocre 5k doesn't define me as a runner or really mean anything for my future races. It was an off day mentally and physically, and I have to take it in stride.

Not a cloud in the freaking sky!

Still, it kind of stinks that a race I usually really enjoy is now going to be tainted with this memory. It is what it is...but I'm still coming to terms with what it is. This will be a good lesson someday, and it's important to me that I document the bad along with the good; right now, I am really trying to reflect on what went wrong and what I can do better next time.

ABK

A Year of Rediscovery

After I published my race recap on the A1A 5k in February 2018, I went to the My Races page here at HtGR and opened the chapter on 2018. I titled it The Year of the Comeback.

I wrote that annotation with fingers crossed; my stubborn optimism in putting it out to the universe was intentional. I really felt if I kept that title in my sights, then surely 2018 wouldn't fail me as 2017 had.

It seems to have worked.

As of December 24, I've run 358 miles in 2018; in 2017, I ran 186.

This past year was truly a year of comebacks. It was a year of progress, growth, recovery, strength, and renewal. In many ways, it was a year of rediscovery. I felt like two people at times, both an experienced runner and a newbie, fresh to the sport. And overall, it was certainly a satisfying and gratifying year.

I took inspiration and motivation from my online running groups again, which I had shut out a little into 2017 because it hurt to see so much running success when I was injured. The Sub 30 Club, my fellow bloggers, and especially the Skirt Sports sisterhood have given me more than they can know.

To look at miles-run or paces-met would be silly. This year can't be quantified by data so easily. This was a year of feeling. Of getting back in tune with my body and mind. Of indulging in what felt good instead of what a plan or schedule dictated. It was a year of getting back to basics.

I tested my limits. I took risks and faced fears. I surprised myself.

How does one write a year in review for a year such as this?

Well, this one doesn't. But there are a few things I want to revisit/highlight for myself. Here are some of my milestones of 2018:

January: I started the year with a mindset to hit restart. I considered the end of 2017 to be the end of a Part I of my running "career"; 2018 began Part II.

My first run back after my second surgery, I was scared to run alone but neither did I want to run with someone. I remember how nervous I was, because I felt at the edge of a precipice. There was nothing else standing in my way at this point; I'd had both surgeries and was done with PT. I had nowhere to go but up, but I was terrified I'd fail.

Velociraptor'ing with joy!

Of course, the run ended up being one of pure, unadulterated joy.

February: February was a huge month for me. I felt very much how I did as a brand new runner, scared to run alone and unsure of how much my body could handle. I was finding my legs and my confidence again.

But this was the month I ran 3 miles for the first time since my surgeries, and of course my first race back. My goal was for A1A to be my comeback 5k, and I meeting that goal was surreal. It marked a strong start to the new year.

In December 2017 I told my PT my goal was to run/walk a 5k in February 2018. And I did.

March: I spent a lot of time this year reflecting on why I run and what running means to me now. Rereading that post is especially poignant nine months later. My mind has changed and grown even since writing it.

Another highlight from March was finally getting my second tattoo, and embracing growing stronger from setbacks and defeats.

April: I faced my fear and ran the bridge for the first time since I began noticing symptoms of compartment syndrome. I am so glad I had Elizabeth there to encourage me and push me out of my comfort zone.

May: I ran the Halifax 5k, which meant conquering another giant bridge, and placed 2nd in my age group. I still reread this post with a sense of disbelief. The rate of my recovery and bounce-back was unfathomable. After a full year of injury, I could hardly believe I was not only running, but running well.

Although it's something different, a personal favorite from May is an original poem. This year was truly about regeneration and transformation.

June: My highlight for June is a little different. I introduced Pudge and Elizabeth and I began running as a trio!

July: My entire vacation series of our trip to Seattle and Vancouver for Scott and Robby's wedding! I am a homebody and Matt and I rarely travel, but I used to love it. This trip reminded me how much I love traveling and getting outside my comfort zone...with a little encouragement, of course.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

August & September: In late summer and early fall, I began to feel conflicted about my progress. I was enjoying running for fun, but felt ready physically to get serious about training for something. Mentally, I wasn't sure I was there yet.

I came to the realization that my body was truly recovered and I was ready to start adding distance and training for a longer race if I chose, but wasn't ready to pull the trigger. And, on the tail end of that realization, I did my first monthly review in a year and was shocked to see I'd steadily been building mileage.

October: I got the best news ever and suddenly was no longer conflicted about starting a training plan! I signed up for my favorite race, my dream comeback half marathon, the A1A half!

November: In November, I officially started training for said race! It had been so long and training felt so good. I got to create my plan and bask in the motivation that comes with the early stages of a training cycle. And best of all, I got to run my first long runs in ages!

Running long gave my body the chance to remind my brain that it knows what it's doing. I fell into the habit easily. It was like being welcomed home.

December: The last month of the year was a month of coming up against some setbacks and overcoming them gracefully and with determination. I didn't let an extended cold and its interruption of my training throw me off. Likewise for a very busy volleyball season.

I had a few runs that truly felt magical. I realized that my mindset now is unlike any I've ever had when it comes to running.

View this post on Instagram

Six miles in my #watchmegotop. It was perfect in today’s 51F; I felt comfortable and on top of my paces the entire run! Second long run of training: done ✔️

A post shared by Ali (@abk_runs) on Nov 17, 2018 at 7:00am PST

In December, I also ran my first double-digit run since February 2017.

When I started running, most of my accomplishments were externally motivated. Even when running alone, I always knew there would be someone to tell me good job and offer praise. I even started this blog hoping a public forum like this would keep me moving. I needed the races and the medals to stay on track. I really think a year of injury broke that habit, and this year of recovery has changed me.

The symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for compartment syndrome in 2017 brought me face-to-face with how much this sport had changed me and become part of my identity (sometimes to a worrisome degree); 2018 has given me a chance to start over with a healthier mindset, more confidence, and a stronger body that I know can do hard things.

Running is all shiny and new again, and I am too.

ABK