Sports Bras

My trusty, cheap, off brand sports bras are all dying and it's time to replace them. I decided to throw financial caution to the wind and shop for some really good quality sports bras. My need for a good bra is also fueled by my experience at my last race-as I crossed the finish line and headed for the women's check in table, a volunteer tried to steer me to the men's table. OK-I know I have really short hair, and of course I don't wear makeup for a race (heck, I rarely wear makeup for anything any more!) and I know my customary race sports bra really squooshes in the girls, but to be mistaken for a man-how very embarrassing!

So I went shopping. I finally bought a couple of Champion bras for an absolutely ridiculous price, and that was a sale price! My only complaint is the same one I've always had with sports bras-no hooks in the back. Honestly, there's nothing worse than wrestling a stinky, sweat soaked sports bra off over one's head after a long and tiring run. I looked at a couple of bras that had hooks, and there was one with a zipper down the front, but they were all in much larger sizes than I needed. Honestly, Mr. Bra Manufacturer-even those of us who are minimally endowed would like a sports bras that's easy to take off.

Owls, part 2

The baby owls are flying, and I have a terrific picture to prove it, but I can't get it downloaded so you'll have to take my word for it. According to my neighbor, the barn owl expert, they'll only live here a few more days then mom will kick them out and they're on their own. They'll look much cuter to me when I see one of them with a gopher in his talons.

I haven't run for 2 days. It's ok-I'm not sick or injured, just busy. I'm in the middle of a fall back week and the runs I've missed are short ones anyway so it's still all good. I should be able to get out tomorrow for a run, I haven't decided how many miles yet-I may just leave the Garmin home and run until I don't feel like running any more.

Barn Owls

I took an extra day off this week-I didn't run my customary 8 miles yesterday; there just weren't enough hours in the day to squeeze in a run. I finally came home last night and considered trying to knock out a few miles on the deadmill and decided against it. I figured I would be better served to get to bed early and run today instead. So I was out the door early this morning, did 8 miles and felt pretty good. An occasional day off can be a good thing.

My neighbor put up owl boxes a couple of years ago, and he finally had owls move in. There are 6 baby owls in the box who will take flight any day now. This is an actual picture of the occupants-my neighbor is a pretty clever man and he's managed to take several pictures by attaching his camera to a pole, setting the timer, and holding it up to the box opening.

Every night for the last week the neighbors gather at the fence across from my house to watch the owls and wait for them to take their first flight. We bring our wine glasses and sometimes snacks to share; most of the neighbors bring their dogs and we watch them play in the pasture under the owl boxes. If the babies don't come out by nightfall we break up the party and go home, always with the expectation that tomorrow night will be the big night.

I've mentioned that I live in a pretty small town. This gives you an idea of just how small it is-an exciting night here is standing in the street watching an owl box. I wouldn't have it any other way..

12 Miles on a treadmill-bad bad bad!

I was forced by circumstances to do my 12 miler today on the deadmill-yeah, you heard me right-12 miles on a mill. I hated every painful minute of it and the only way to get through it was to take a short walking break every 2 miles. I guess it was good training for this winter, since I know some of my long runs will have to be on the mill. I'll do it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it!

RunnerDude posted some interesting comments regarding marathon amnesia-that phenomenom whereby a person runs a marathon, vows "never again", then promptly starts planning the next marathon. They apparently forget the pain soon after the race and only remember the sense of accomplishment and pride from completing the race. I haven't completed a marathon yet, but I can relate. This very thing happens to me every time I finish a tough long run. I'm tired, my legs hurt, and I'm soaked in sweat. I start wondering why I do this to myself-I'm not a masochist, and yet I punish my body on a weekly basis. But by the time I've finished my shower I'm thinking about the next long run-should I extend the distance? Perhaps try a different course? It doesn't take long for me to forget the discomfort.

I don't know if I'll be one of those people who say "never again" after my marathon in December. I'm thinking it will be a one time thing. But who knows-I may be planning my next marathon by the time I get to my hotel room and finish my shower!

Running in the Rain

I did a 7 miler today with perfect running conditions-overcast and cool. Somewhere around mile 5 it started to rain. So I decided to run home and finish up on the treadmill. Then I realized it would be another mile in the rain just to get home; and if I had to do 6 miles I might as well finish up my scheduled 7 and not be such a wuss-after all, my mother always told me I'm not made of sugar, and I won't melt. Turns out she's right. I finished the 7 miler in the rain and I didn't melt, in fact it was rather refreshing. I got home soaked to the bone and feeling really good. If you have the chance to run in the rain I highly recommend it! Now all I have to do is figure out a way to dry out my shoes!

Running Skirts

There were women in running skirts at my last race. This is a rather conservative area and new, risque trends take time to show up here, so I was glad to see the skirt thing finally make it. I happen to like running skirts. I have a couple and they're comfortable and flattering to my pancake butt. Having said that, I can't bring myself to wear one to a race. Wearing a skirt while running around my quiet neighborhood is one thing; wearing one in front of hundreds of runners is an entirely different matter. I'm afraid everyone is going to think I'm one of "those" women-you know what I mean. I don't want to be a middle aged woman who looks like she's trying to dress like her teen aged daughter, or in my case, my young niece. I've reached an age when dressing appropriately is getting just the teensiest bit tricky. I don't want to be dowdy and unfashionable, but I know I can't pull off the latest trend. One fashion accessory too many, and BAM! You're one of "those" women.

I did see a perfect example of "what not to wear" recently. My mom and I were in court yet again to see justice served on a platter to the people who burgled my house in December, and there was a woman in the courtroom who needed a serious make-over. Trust me, after a certain age, skirts should come down squarely to the knees and not an inch shorter, especially when your legs aren't your best feature-or your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th best feature. In my case, I happen to have really good legs due to all the running I do, and I still don't wear short skirts. As I've said-it's a very fine line between "wow, she has great legs" and "Holy cow, doesn't she have mirror at home?"

Running naked

I did another 11 miler Friday; it wasn't my best effort and I attribute that to running out of Cytomax and being forced to use Gatorade which I hate; and I didn't have Shot Blox, either. I tried a Powerbar and it sucked like a Hoover-so lesson learned. Stick with what works. I visited my FNRS yesterday, picked up a huge container of Cytomax, and some GU Chomps to sample. The very nice clerk at the store, who happens to be an ultra marathoner, suggested the Chomps and also recommended a post run supplement to sample. I'll let you all know how the Chomps work after my next long run.

So, faithful readers, I know you're piqued by my title. No, I do not run naked. Aside from the legal issues, I do not want to scare the inhabitants of this small community with my bare, pale body. I did, however, cruise over to a website with a video of the Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco which is apparently clothing optional. Clearly exhibited in the video were the naked behinds of several men-naked, except for a heart rate strap and running shoes! So I have some questions for anyone who chooses to run in such a minimalist fashion-how do you pin on your race bib? And for the gentlemen-are'nt there some serious bounce issues? I think it could be rather painful to run naked, what with the outdoor plumbing and all that. Seriously-let me know how you guys deal with this stuff-inquiring minds want to know!