Wardrobe malfunctions

The American Dialect Society defines a wardrobe malfunction as "an unanticipated exposure of bodily parts." My wardrobe malfunction today was fortunately nothing like that, but just a few annoyances while running.

Yes, I am happy to say that I did manage to run today, in sunny, 55-degree weather, a rare treat in January. I opted for a long-sleeved t-shirt and thin hoodie, but was already too hot in the hoodie just a few tenths of a mile into it. Even before I became uncomfortable, my keys fell out of my hoodie pocket, which necessitated my stopping, turning around, picking up said keys, and starting again. I also was contending with my mp3 player, something I rarely use/wear, mostly in the interest of safety (i.e., the fear of not being to hear a car). Today, however, for some reason I could not keep the clip on my hoodie, so I ended up holding it, which was annoying.

When I reached the top of the hill/first mile, I hurriedly took off the hoodie and tied it around my waist, promptly ripping out my earphones from my mp3 player. I also managed to lose my headband in my hoodie for a couple of seconds. For the record, I stopped timing myself during this minor ordeal.

Fortunately, the run back went more smoothly, although I did manage to once again rip out the headphones once I finished the run and started going up and down the gym steps about a half dozen times.

All told, the run was a bit difficult, which is not surprising considering I last ran outside over a month ago. My feet, mostly my left one, hurt a bit during the first mile, but I hardly noticed it/them after that. And my timing was not great. But I completely the two miles, ran up and down the steps about five or six times, as noted above, and even managed to swim eight laps in the pool an hour later. Therefore, I call today a success. Not bad for a 40-year-old gal!

Mile one: 10:30
Mile two: 8:54

Yep, it's December!

Running won out over Zumba yesterday, surprisingly to me.

I "bribed" myself into running by telling myself that I could skip at least half of the first hill. I figured with 40-degree temps (though sunny skies), my lungs would appreciate staying right where they are and not exploding in the frigid (relatively speaking) temps.

I ran in my lined black pants that typically are used from December through March. I also ran with a thick hoodie over top of my Run Around the Square long-sleeved t-shirt. I opted against gloves and a hat, though the hoodie was up. I started off feeling pretty good, if not a tad cold. A little more than halfway into the first mile, however, I was actually warm and wishing I had worn a thinner hoodie. I did not seem to notice the pants. When I hit the top of the hill, I took off my hood, but after a minute or so decided it was probably smarter to keep it on with the cold temps and my sweaty head.

All in all, it was a pretty good run. I finished off the just-under-two mile jaunt with three or four laps around the outside of the gym, which also included a set of stairs. All told, I ran for about 25 minutes, so I probably ended up running about 2.5 miles.

Mile 0.8 (approximately): 9.36
Mile two: 8:30

As an aside, I ran with my mp3 player for the first time in ages. I keep the volume low so I could hear cars coming up behind me (I run on the road, close to the sidewalk, against traffic). The music was a nice change of pace, and I actually found myself speeding up when Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough" came on. At one point, I was actually doing the air drums!

And on that note, see you soon, 40.

Not feeling motivated

I had a decent run on Wednesday of this week. I forgot my mp3 player, but that did not seem to affect me too much, other than I felt kind of bored as I ran. I run up and down the same street, which makes me wonder if I should change the blog to "Running up and down the same street." Less catchy title, for sure, but more accurate. Regardless, I am not so bored that I am ready to pick another route; that beginning hill gets me every time, so shouldn't I master that before moving on? And I hate to pick a more flat route, thus taking out some of the challenge.

I should run today, now that I am back on my two-a-week run cycle, or so I thought. I just cannot motivate myself to put on the layers and running gear. And the gray skies are not helping. Unfortunately, I also need to stop at a funeral home after my run/when I pick up my kid, and I feel a little funny walking in with running pants and matted hair. Maybe I will just walk a little today, as I did yesterday. Speaking of boring...

Gasping for breath

My most recent runs, prior to today, went well, as noted here. Thirty-eight had nothing on me! Unfortunately, today I found myself struggling as I trekked up the hill. I was not sure I would make the two miles, let alone one. But I refused to quit, so I panted pretty much non-stop. Thankfully, when I was down to my last 1/4 of a mile, "I Gotta Feeling" came on the radio on my mp3 player. Finally! I managed to get some speed going, made easier by the slight downward slope, though I was breathing pretty heavily. I must admit, though, I was glad when the song was over. I could not have kept up that pace, which I am guessing was about 5 to 6 mph. (I am doing my best to remember speed from when I used to run on the treadmill at the gym, quite a few years ago.)

After I did just over two miles, and walked for a minute or two, I decided to sprint for about 10 yards a few times. Well, run fast is a little more accurate. I was disappointed in the first half of my run, so I wanted to go out on a high note, or at least in a way that says I am not over the hall and out of shape.

I am glad the temps were right around 30; as I mentioned before, I loathe to run in temps under the upper 20s. Tomorrow and the next day, temps should be around 40, so I hope to be able to get a second run in this week. We'll see.

Layers. It's about layers.

When I was hanging out at my favorite local coffee joint a few weeks ago, the owner was talking about his friend who wears layers when he runs in cold weather and then peels them off as he gets warm. I have enough trouble running with my keys, my cell phone, and now my mp3 player. How in world can I remove and somehow carry clothes when I get warm?!

Yesterday, I had my first run as a 38 year old. I am happy to say I ached less than I usually do, but I was so cold to start my run, I might as well have been in pain. It was in the upper 30s, and I ran wearing my lined workout pants and a long-sleeve shirt and thin hoodie. I kept my hands in my sleeves, and my hood up. My upper body, save for my head and hands, was too cold. But by the time I reached my halfway point (at almost a mile), my body warmed up just fine.

I ran in the Great Race or the Race for the Cure one year when the starting temps were probably in the lower 40s. I recall one guy discarding his long-sleeve shirt by the time the race started, and I wondered if he came back for it later, or if it was something he left, never to see again. I can't imagine doing either. But at least he did not have to worry about lugging extra attire.

If I am going to keep running in the cold (and for western PA, that is pretty much the next four months), I need to figure out how to dress better. Eliminating a few keys and/or my cell phone probably would not hurt either.

The last run of 37

I managed to get in two runs this week, better than last week's one and done. Glad I ran today, my last run as a 37-year old. My birthday is tomorrow, and my husband gifted me with an mp3 player, as I continue my occasional foray into the 21st century.

I have not run with music since 2006 (the last time I ran). So far, even though it is a sport mp3 player (some Philips thing), I am having some trouble keeping the ear buds in my ears. But, more importantly, I don't have the right music. And that is key.

In college, when I ran down Curtain (or was it Bigler) Avenue, I started my run with Janet Jackson's "Escapade" and ended with her "Love Will Never Do Without You." In between there was "Rhythm Nation" and "Black Cat" and that was pretty much my run. The times I ran in the IM building, I was more into Nine Inch Nails and Ministry (different year). Honestly, when I ran in the early part of this century, I don't think I had any go-to music.

But I want and need some! The NIN, Depeche Mode, and Arrested Developed songs I managed to get on my mp3 player (not without struggle) are just not cutting it. I think if I can get the right tunes, I might be able to get to an under 10-minute mile consistently. For the record, I did my just over two miles in about 21 minutes today. I am happy with that, considering this is the first time I ran in sub-40 degree weather since late 2001 or early 2002.

If my 38-year old body holds up, I think I am going to try to keep up with the running, at least once a week. Go me!