Trail Hopping

countdown to race: 74 days

Today's high is going to be 67 degrees. It's January! I'm not convinced that winter weather isn't on it's way, but I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to escape the gym and hit the trail.

We are lucky enough to have a great trail nearby. Yesterday we ran our long run on the Little Blue Trace Trail, an 11-mile course along the Little Blue River. I like running the trail, but I'm too much of a chicken to go it alone. Since neither of us have been very motivated to run on our own, Mark and I have started running together. We ran all three of our training runs last week!

As much as I enjoy the free cable at the gym, I prefer running outdoors.

Things I like about running on the trail...

nature is much more entertaining than TV

people on the trail are always friendly

I'm inclined to run farther

better prep for road races

occasional animal sighting

watching the sunset

you can start at different spots for a change of scenery

no waiting in line for the treadmill

fresh air

watching the sun set

Of course there are some unpleasant things about running outside...

rocks in my shoes

bicyclists, sorry but I'd rather run in the middle of the trail

occasional stench

worrying about carrying water

weird folks hanging out under bridges

running in the dark

mud

dodging goose/dog poop

My feelings about the trail will be different in the 100 degree temps of July, but at the moment, the opportunity to get outside and run is amazing!

Dread-mill

countdown to race: 81 days

We live in Missouri and are wussies, so this time of year the majority of our runs are on the treadmill. Contrary to the post title, I don't mind the treadmill. I can watch free cable and not have to worry about getting hit by a car - win, win. The worst thing about training in January is the wait to get on the machine.

I've been trying to run in the morning, but more times than I'd like to admit, when that alarm clock dings at 4:35am, I don't even bother to hit snooze - I go straight to the off button. So, having slept through my morning run, I joined the post-work crowd at the gym. It sucked.

Ten minutes. Ten minutes I stood there watching other people workout, every minute getting more and more tempted to jump on the elliptical or go home. But I didn't. I wanted to. I was very, very close. But I didn't.

If only I couldn't remember that moment when my alarm clock goes off.

Why I Run

countdown to race: 87 days

There are a lot of reasons why I run. Today specifically, I run..

to try and block out over-thinking my work day.

because I love bacon.

to get out of painting the kitchen.

to fight off illness - I'm no doctor (way to state the obvious) but I swear it helps.

because I felt way too winded climbing the stairs this morning.

because I'm seeing some friends this weekend and want to look good.

because if I seriously want to run a marathon before I'm 40, I gotta get moving.

to prove that if the contestants on 'Biggest Loser' can hit the treadmill, I can too.

so I can fist pump the air when my power song comes on and the cardio room is empty.

because we no longer have cable and I miss the Food Network.

because I love crab legs.

because I can't decide what I want to do with my life.

I'm tired. Life is exhausting right now. I'm not complaining. My life is amazing and there are a lot of positive things happening. But it's still a lot of things and I am having a tough time finding balance.

For thirty-four minutes, instead of thinking about all of these things, I ran. I watched free cable, listened to my sweet running mix and focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

Running Groupie

countdown to race: 93 days

For a long time I was a lone runner. Other people just held my back - you know, cause I run so fast. But then I started running with Mark and realized there are a lot of benefits to running with someone. So when we saw there was a free running group associated with our next half marathon, we signed up.

We did our first groupie run on Sunday. It was an interesting experience. Kind of like a road race but less people and you don't have to run a certain distance - course flags, aid stations and prizes. I ran the first two miles in front of two people who were training for a full marathon. Deciding to go without headphones, while I stomped along trying not to breath too loudly, I got to hear all about the previous day's run, the dog's need to take a poop at 2am, and how hot the actor who played Conan the Barbarian is, all spoken at a normal conversation level.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation (sarcasm), I was glad to turn back at mile two and let the chatty runners continue on for the remainder of the six-mile course.

Mark and I are quiet, as people and runners. We talk to each other a lot, usually about nothings like these two people, but when it comes to running, mums the word. Maybe it's because we're putting out too much effort trying to breath, but I've convinced myself it's deeper than that.

Running is personal time. I get the irony that running together is our alone time, but it is. I run for me, to feel good about myself, to clear my mind and to help keep my body at least somewhat fit. How can I do all that while gripping about work or planning our weekend?

We don't plan to run with the group every week, but we will meet up with them once a month for a change of scenery and hill training. I can't wait to find out if it was in fact the 10pm doggie treat that caused the midnight potty break.

Are you a chatty runner? Or, like me, do you just want to run in peace - or with the Black Eyed Peas?