Bring on winter!

I'm looking forward to getting out running tonight. I didn't want to yesterday, that's for sure. I got the flu shot on Monday night and both my husband and I felt awful yesterday. Not to mention that I ended up working 8-6, even though all I wanted to do was cozy up on the couch with a blanket.

I knew my body was telling me it needed a rest, so I dutifully bumped my runs by a day. This week I'm running 8/8/11 and have a couple more 3 run weeks until I plateau at 28K/week for most of December and divide up the mileage into 4 runs per week... just as the weather starts to get cold and snowy.

But I have to admit, I'm a masochist. I love winter running, especially in snowstorms. Snowstorms are actually one my favourites, because I get to see who all in this city just as crazy as me! There's some strange extra endorphin rush that I get when I run in crazy weather.

Another great part about the weather turning cold is the fact that it's easier to dress for my runs. Lately it's been between 7 and 10 degrees during my runs. Normally that's an ideal temperature! But then there's been a lot of wind and either rain or sun. It's tough to figure out what to wear, which usually means I end up freezing when running into the wind or toasty when the wind's at my back.

Bring on winter!

The inspiration for my blog name

The song that inspired the name of the blog is called 'Racing Like A Pro' by the National. I always mishear the lyrics (as do most people)... but given that this blog is about me, involves writing and, not to mention that, I spend most of my day writing. The National is an amazing band that I wish more people would appreciate.

Speaking of writing, today I get to work from home in order to be able to write without the constant interruptions at the office. But, this also means I get to run at midday, in the beautiful, sunny, warm weather!

Listen to it in iTunes!

You're pink you're young you're middle-class
they say it doesn't matter
fifteen blue shirts and womanly hands
you're shooting up the ladder

Your mind is racing like a pro, now
oh my god it doesn't mean a lot to you
one time you were a glowing young ruffian
oh my god it was a million years ago

Sometimes you get up and bake a cake or something
sometimes you stay in bed
sometimes you go la di da di da di da da
til your eyes roll back into your head

Your mind is racing like a pro, now
oh my god it doesn't mean a lot to you
one time you were a glowing young ruffian
oh my god it was a million years ago

you're dumbstruck baby
you're dumbstruck baby now you know
you're dumbstruck baby
you're dumbstruck baby now you know

Your mind is racing like a pro, now
oh my god it doesn't mean a lot to you
one time you were a glowing young ruffian
oh my god it was a million years ago

you're dumbstruck baby
you're dumbstruck baby now you know
you're dumbstruck baby
you're dumbstruck baby now you know
you're dumbstruck baby

RWOL Games - Motivation to the Max

Runners World Online (otherwise known as RWOL) is the place to go to if you have a question on anything and everything related to running. The beginners forum is welcoming, while the Letters vs. Opinions is entertaining. You can ask for advice on the most mudane running issue... from which brand of running skirt is better to the issue of skyrocketing race fees.

My favourite part of RWOL: the games. Yes, games.

I've taken part in two monthly challenges and am an active member of the Miles Game. Players are placed on teams and you log your mileage weekly. The team earns points on how our mileage ranks among the other teams for the week. Then the team earns bragging rights if we win the quarter. My team has yet to win... but they are a wonderful bunch of people. We support each other through the highs and lows. And they are incredibly patient with me, the ever-so-eager novice runner.

My favourite game is about to start as well, and that's the Winter Running Contest. We get points based on the weather/temperature and the length of time spent running. I played last year and it was a huge motivator to get out for a run during a blizzard, or -25C weather. The promise of bad weather got me excited for running, which sounds strange, I know. But this contest was one of the biggest reasons why I made it through my first winter of running.

A new first

We runners often get caught up in personal bests or records, pace times, speedwork... all in the name of getting faster. It's easy to forget the fun part of running or to remember the little achievements.

In weight loss, we call it a non-scale victory... something we're proud of that's not the number on the scale. I think I could expand this to non-speed victory.

I passed a rollerblader last night. The guy had 4 wheels and I didn't... and I passed him, twice. Granted he wasn't going super-fast, but it was still a boost to the ego!