Reasons why Saturday's run did not suck

1. Not a lot of actual running involved. Far more chatting.

2. Perfect weather. Perfect. Like, favorite running outfit perfect.

3. Highest mileage of the season -- 6 miles!

4. Too early in the season for bugs.

5. Too early in the season for expectations about speed (not that I have those late in the season either, but this way I have an excuse).

6. Getting to catch up with a friend without spending too much money on wine or eating anything horrifically bad for me.

New babies, new friends, and such...

Welcome home my precious new little babies!

Meet the family!

I can sure see the resemblance. :)

Its been a bit of a slack week. I was feeling the effects of Sunday for sure....note to self, bloody mary's -- maybe not the best recovery drink. And then Tuesday I opted to skip the group bike ride to work late and meet some friends for a St. Patty's day drink.

I know I should feel guilty about that, but to be honest, this isn't exactly college anymore. A gaggle of peers no longer live within shouting distance. And lately it seems that chances to get to know new friends come around less than chances to ride my bike. So I opted for new friends. And haven't second guessed that decision for one little second.

My bike knows there will be many more Tuesday nights to ride.

And speaking of new friends....tonight's group run felt a little tougher than last week. But I still smiled through the whole thing, and met some wonderful people. Add to that, the fact that my first official freelance assignment came out in print today -- and well, I'd say its been a pretty great week! No matter how many miles I got in.

"...they had 700 of us to choose from..."

Seriously?

You can just go ahead and cross any races with ocean open water swims off my list. As if I needed any more fuel for my open water phobia!

The race winner's quote is classic: "I figure [the sharks] had 700 of us to choose from and they couldn't decide, by the looks of things,"

Shamrock Shuffle was just the begining

You know its going to be a great day when it starts with bagpipes....

Then, a friendly little 5k....and by "friendly" I mean, really kinda hilly. My legs were feeling the bike ride from Saturday too. But it felt great to be out running around Madison on one of the first great spring days.

And then, like a good little athlete, I went out with my fellow runners for recovery bloody marys. Which turned into a fun and crazy afternoon enjoying the weather, the parade, and an improptu rock concert by two members of Garbage. (not every day you get to see a rock star play on a street corner in a pink bunny costume)

What a great weekend!

First Outdoor Ride of 2009

Ok, it wasn't as bad as I thought (I know, don't I always say this?). Actually, it went a lot better than I expected. I was cold pretty much the entire time. I had to pee for most of the ride. And my legs were not moving as fast as I would have liked them to by the end...though I'm still not sure if that was due to them being frozen stumps, or being under-conditioned. Likely a combination of both. But all in all it felt great to be outside on the bike.

The scenery hadn't changed much.

And neither had the smells -- ahhh, farm country. (though the cold weather kept this to a minimum -- a perk of a 29 degree start temp?)

There was the obligatory dog chase (these labs were actually pretty friendly - but they were hard to lose).

For some new excitement, we started a cow stampede -- so wish I had video of that, it was hilarious. They all just started running along the fence with us.

And there was even PB&J....which I didn't partake in figuring that both the jelly and the pb were loaded with sugar. (that part really sucks about this no sugar, no dairy...I think I'm going to hunt down some sugar free jelly so I can make my own pb&j's....there is no better training food)

Ride mileage: 27

Start temp: 29

Finish temp: 42

Overall summary: Excellent first day out on the bike

Big Weekend Ahead

Our first outdoor ride is scheduled for Saturday. Its supposed to be 40-something -- as a high. Which means at 7am, it won't be there yet. I'm trying to get psyched up for this. Really. I'm trying. But I am NOT EXCITED. I hope its a beautiful day. I hope its a great, fun ride. But I fear it will be cold. And I know it will be hilly (I've seen the route profile). And cold, and hilly are not a good combination. I have tried that mix before. (though at least there won't be a dip in the lake first -- Devils Lake Tri two years ago anyone?!) And worst of all....NO PRE-RIDE COFFEE to superheat from the inside. What am I going to do?!

Then, if I live through the trauma of Saturday, Sunday will be the first official race of the year. And the first addition to my 2009 collection of very expensive cotton t-shirts. Yippie. I registered for the 5k, because after scoping out times from last year I realized there was a very real possibility that I would finish dead last if I chose the 10k. That just didn't seem like much fun. And running up Bascom Hill is going to be enough fun for one day. Wouldn't want to overdo it in the fun category.

Gosh, by the looks of my schedule you'd almost think I was training for something. But oddly, there have still been no race registrations. Lots of talk. No action. I'm certainly taking my sweet time with that this year.

Have a great weekend! Please watch for cyclists!

A New Running Group

I'm huddled up in bed, with the heating blanket cranked, and I'm contemplating a 9pm bedtime. But I'm so content.

A few weeks ago I registered for a running group led by former Olympian, Suzy Favor-Hamilton. I'm not sure why I registered, but for some reason I was motivated and jumped at the idea. The cute group t-shirt perhaps? I don't know. But after my first group run, I know.

Because running, is not about running at all. At least not for me. Running is social. I smiled all the way through the workout. Which is saying a lot considering the frigid 20-something temps. It was just fun! Fun to be in a group of just runners -- women runners. Runners who were just running, not training.

Every shape, every size, every age, every speed. Newbies, and seasoned runners. It was so refreshing. There were no fancy bikes. No $500 wetsuits. It was just runners and their running shoes. And it was simply fabulous.