Sticker Overload

There is seriously nothing better than winter and early spring in Florida. There's a route I really love running, a lovely loop with a nice sidewalk and quiet streets. Being on the back curve of this loop just brings an immediate sense of serenity. The curve feeds out onto a busy, well-lit road that feeds a straight shot back to the starting point. Basically, it's a perfect 2-miler with a relaxed first mile and a heart-pounding finish.

The perfect loop.

The bad thing about it, though, is that the back curve of the circle is unlit. Running this loop means running in daylight, and of course that means running in heat. But! Ah, we've had a bit of a late cold spell, and yesterday evening the sun was up and it was 62. I was excited to have a short, slow run before my race tomorrow. It's only a 5k, a course I've run before and really enjoy. I'm still recovering from whatever sinus bug I had, so this lovely short loop was just what I needed.

By the time I got out there, it was 7pm. The sun was just about down but there was plenty of blue sky and pre-dusk light. The run felt wonderful, and although I tried to keep it slow, I ended up running it way below my usual pace. With negative splits! By the time I was on the main road, it was full dark and I was happy to be bathed in the light of the streetlamps. It was a perfect run.

So, needless to say I was happy. I'm looking forward to a fun race tomorrow.

To finish up, just a quick funny picture. Mind the bad quality - no smart phone, of course, and I was taking this in bright sunlight from my car, so I had to darken it a bit so you can see what I was seeing, and it's still nearly impossible. I wish I had an iPhone...

2nd "13.1" and TRI sticker not shown because I cropped the license plate.

I mean, really. I love race stickers; I have a 13.1 sticker myself. But do we need multiples? This car had a TRI sticker and two each of the 26.2 and 13.1. Oh well, whatever floats your boat! Soldier on, Corolla.

ABK

So Far This Week

If there is one reason I need a smartphone, it's to take pictures on the run.

Last night M and I met up with the 6 Weeks to 6 Miles group I mentioned last week, and on the way I gave him one, one, directive.

"You'll have to take some pics of the run for me for my blog."

He didn't even complain. He was totally fine with that. But by the time we finished our 3-miler, complete with chatty friends and distracting scenery, we were photoless. M had completely forgotten to take even one picture, and I had forgotten to remind him.

So this is all I've got:

Post-run leg-shot. Super.

I'm really enjoying this group. It's very much about going at your own pace and just focusing on the basics. The people are friendly, and the accountability is keeping us going. One of the girls I cooled down alongside is a physical therapist opening a practice nearby with focus on sauna, dry heat, and athletic massage. Sign me up!

The "coach" this week is someone M and I have met before, and he and I got to talking about the route. It's a nice little sidewalk along a main road, but it's beautifully paved and tree-lined. The entire loop is six miles, and as we got to talking, I mentioned that I was looking for trails and new paths to run. He had the most brilliant idea ever: go to a bike shop and get a free trail map. Genius! I'm really excited to do this.

Also, apparently my favorite running store, Fit2Run, has opened a location right near me! Before, I could only shop there when I visited my parents. I am so excited...I'm tempted to look for work there just for the chance to be surrounded by running paraphernalia all day!

The running group meets about half an hour from us, and on the drive home we often take the chance to stop at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, since they're on the way and we don't get a chance to go otherwise. I was very excited to pick up some of my favorite-but-hard-to-find brands, and some new products. I miss Pop Tarts so much; I have no clue why. These new Glutino toaster pastries are AMAZING.

Schar is one of the BEST GF brands out there, and these "pop tarts" are flaky and just sweet enough. Perfect!

I have been looking for GF Pop Tarts since college at least. I'm so glad I won't need to experiment with baking them from scratch unless I want to. I can't tell you why I've wanted these; maybe the convenience. But I had one of each flavor for breakfast this morning because I've been too congested to have milk, and they were just what the doctor ordered.

(Someday I'll do a post on being gluten free...someday.)

Speaking of doctor's orders, I've been battling a nasty bug for the last couple days. I took Monday off work, wracked with teacher-guilt the entire time, but I just couldn't breathe well enough to teach. I finally started coughing junk up Monday night, and was well enough to run Tuesday evening, so hopefully I'll be 100% by the Komen race on Saturday, followed by a baby shower for one of my best friends! (My first middle school friend and bridesmaid to procreate! Very exciting!)

This is shaping up to be a pretty good week.

ABK

Volunteering - Hooters to Hooters

I've never experienced a race that moved me to tears at the finish line. Even the races that left me completely elated - or completely devastated - haven't really gotten the waterworks going. But something about volunteering chokes me up. Watching people struggle and overcome in a way I myself have before is profoundly awesome.

Standing in 43-degrees - luckily the rain had stopped by the time the race began - ringing a cowbell and telling runner after runner, "You look great!", "Looking strong!", "Keep it up!", "Great job!", I had to compose myself multiple times.

Just before the runners showed up, clutching my cowbell to keep me warm. If you look closely, you can see my ear muffs.

There is something truly moving about watching runners of all calibers and abilities push themselves to the limit. From the moment we saw the first runner coming in, accompanied by a policeman on motorcycle, to the last runner keeping with the sweeps car, I was filled with joy and a warm feeling of solidarity that overcame the cold of the day.

Our friend SP nearing the end, still looking cheery!

The first half-dozen racers were men, and I cheered like crazy for the first woman to cross our mile. (M and I were at 5.5.) I saw runners in jerseys for groups I belong to; I saw children; I saw at least four friends that I had time to call out to; I saw old and young alike; people running together in matching outfits; runners of all shapes and sizes...Basically, I saw the runners I always see, racing by, smiles on their faces. Some thanked us. Some gave us high-fives. It was an incredibly rewarding experience.

Bagpiper playing in the runners at mile 12.8.

Because this was the Hooters Half, one of the women cheering near our mark was holding a sign of a torso, nipples covered in bandaids, that said SHOW US YOUR HOOTERS! Multiple people, despite the cold, really did flash us! Not surprisingly, most of those flashers were men. It was hilarious. We worked with a police officer to block traffic. My nifty orange vest made me feel all kinds of official.

By the end, I was so warmed up from hopping around and shouting that I barely felt the cold. Like the last time I volunteered at a race, I felt energized and excited to run. It was definitely worth the 5:30 wake-up.

Servers from Hooters handed out the medals. I love these track suits!

The bottom line here is that volunteering at a race is a worthwhile experience if you like to run races yourself. Races can't happen without volunteers. Seeing the other side of things helps you gain an appreciation for the work that goes into any race day, no matter how big or small the race. Plus, seeing all those runners tearing up the course serves up a good dose of personal motivation and inspiration.

Perhaps the best part of all this was that M, who had no interest in volunteering and wanted a chance to sleep in, got up and came with me. That's true support and love right there. I'm paying him back in waffles.

ABK