Sunday, December 27, 2015

Running in the Rain

An Update on My Goals

Well after not posting and doing very little running, I am back! What can I say? I seem to use any excuse not to run. I did go check out my semi-local running store. The closest store kept not having their Saturday group runs when I was actually able to make it, so I moved on to the next closest store. 

What a crowd! I talked to the first person I saw. She explained that basically there is no official training program going on right now, which is when I will likely see people my pace start showing up. So, even though there are 50+ people there every Saturday, I end up running alone. However, many of them are running many more miles than me, so I am not the last one back. At least when I show up I know I can make myself do 6 miles.

So I found out they are starting half marathon training on January 9th. I'm going to an informational meeting on January 2nd. The schedule is set up to work with the Cincinnati Flying Pig Half Marathon on 5/1/16.
I'll admit, it is a little intimidating. My area is pretty flat, so not only do I have to train up an additional 7 miles of distance, I have to be able to handle some possibly extensive uphill  running- though mile 10.5 until the end looks mostly downhill. 

Despite how crazy my work schedule is going to be, I think this is something I'm going to have to do. I'm very demotivated. I'm up to 185 lbs (my low has been about 179 since I've started losing weight as a basis for comparison). I've been running about 2x a week- usually a long run of 6 miles and then a normal 3 mile loop I always do. 

And I've got to get started soon! I'm a little concerned that a sudden increase in miles might do some damage, and the first week of training calls for 13-16 miles, so I need to at least be doing 3 times a week for a few weeks before 1/9/16! So hopefully this blog will be about my experiences training for a half marathon pretty soon!

Rocking My New Gear


As additional incentive to start going out more, I did get a few new items for Christmas! I mostly ask for running stuff. I'm finally at that age where I don't really have many hobbies and since we live an apartment and have a toddler, I don't want a lot of stuff or knick knacks that can be thrown around!

My husband got me this Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket. I have always made the excuse when I hear it raining in the morning that I can't go out, so now I have no excuse. I also got some new socks and some new capris. 

I had the chance to try out my jacket this morning. Other than being caught in the rain, I have never actually run deliberately if it was raining outside. This is also the first thing I've owned to run in that was supposed to keep out the rain, so I really have no basis for comparison. Overall, the jacket worked pretty well. I wore my armband and earbuds underneath with no problem. It has a brim on the hood, but I did have some trouble keeping it below my hairline. My torso was basically dry when I was done, but my lower arms were wet- which didn't make a ton of sense to me because they are all the same material. Overall I was pretty comfortable. The fit was a little off for me- I carry some of my weight on my lower abdomen so it was a little snug there. 

The rain was pretty steady, not a downpour, but definitely not a drizzle. I only ran a little over 2 miles. Obviously my pants were soaked, as were my socks and shoes. There is probably some sort of trick to getting my shoes dry, but all I know is I'm not supposed to stick them in the dryer. So, they are just sitting in my bathroom with the fan on? I should probably do some research.

2.19 mi | 27:30 | 12:35 min/mi