Thursday, January 21, 2010

Hardcore!

Actually, when it comes to weather and running, I'm kind of a pansy.  I hate the extremes and probably am more of a fair-weather runner.  I HATE to be hot; I HATE to get soaked; I HATE to be cold.  In fact I know I am a pansy with my running compared to most of you living where you have snow and ice and humidity.  I just can't do it.  My mother lived all over the world as a young child and young adult with her family.  But when they came home to finally put down roots it was NorCal weather that brought them back.  You can often hear my mamma say, "we live in paradise."  It's true, most of the time the weather is perfect, we are actually quite spoiled.  Yes, earthquakes are always on our mind, especially in the wake of the devastation in Haiti.  But there are drawbacks to every "perfect" situation :)

Yesterday I just couldn't bear running on the treadmill again.  Two days of it and I was DONE!  But on my drive home from work yesterday with all the wind and rain there was a TORNADO warning!  WTH?  A tornado in South San Jose?  Are you kidding me?  When I think of tornados I think of Kansas and the mid-west, not the paradise I live in.  But I just couldn't brave the dreadmill and decided to bundle up and head out.  The hubbs bought me a new running vest on Monday and I was dying to try it out!  I have been playing with the layers to wear when it's cold and wet and hadn't found the right combo yet.  Well peeps, let me tell you, I am in love with my new running vest!

It's by Pearl iZumi and it kept me dry and the perfect temp!
I just wore a long sleeve shirt underneath and my running tights.  And yes, it was strong winds and rain and even at one point for about 10 mins I was being hit by hail!  But I didn't sweat, I wasn't cold and the vest kept me dry and comfy.  Plus the hubbs bought it at an outlet store - on sale!  Could it get any better?!  I didn't go out to make any records, just get the miles in and it was my slowest run in months.  But I felt HARDCORE as the cars passed me and I pushed on!
6 miles  49:36 - 8:16/mi   I really just went out and enjoyed the run.  No music and I hardly ever looked at my Garmin - only to check my distance.

Me and my vest - my new BFF :)

When I got home yesterday the lovely Jill had sent me a really nice birthday package.

The card, new running socks and a fun running magnet!


The awesome socks I wore on yesterday's run - felt great!  I think I am going to have to buy more!  Thanks again Jill!

This week has been just about maintaining some miles since the weather has been out of control!  I went to the gym on Tuesday (I have 30 days left) and did a great hill workout and even managed to lift some weights.  I forgot how much I enjoy it and I also realized I have really let it go.  I used to be able to lift a lot more over the summer but my arms have become soft :(  It's great motivation though and made the hubbs work into high gear to start looking at which weight set/system we're gonna buy.  I can't wait until it's in our house I can do it in the privacy of my own home and my only audience is Lilly :)

The weather should be clearing up here between today and the weekend so I am super excited.  I have a long run scheduled for the weekend that I am dying to get out and do on some different routes.  And, I should be receiving my new trail shoes in the mail today!  I have a trail run on the 30th of this month and knew I really needed shoes with more traction.  Last time I ran a trail course I was slipping and slidding all over in my regular running shoes.  Now I can get excited about the race.

It's almost Friday and I am looking forward to the weekend.  We're off to Napa on Saturday for wine tasting with my Bro, SIL and the same friends we celebrated New Year's with.  Should be a great time, we're celebrating my b-day and my SIL's.  I'll upload some pics and video tomorrow of the crazy surprise party.  And yes, I really do look as sweaty and messy as I thought I did :)

Happy Thursday and Happy Running peeps!




19 comments:

Pining for Pinterest said...

Your new BFF is really cute!! Crazy weather!! I hope that you have a wonderful day :-)

Sarah said...

Love the vest, functional AND super cute on you! SCORE! :)

Sounds like you are doing awesome as always and what a fun weekend planned! Cheers.

Heidi said...

The vest looks great on you. Thanks for the great review. Being in soutwest BC, it rains a TON here. I should look into getting something like that. I'm pretty fussy about weather too. My husband says I have a 2 degree tolerance level.

Aron said...

such a cute vest!! i love vests, they are very good for regulating temps :)

i am with you on the heat but i LOVE the cold and rain :) ekkk i am already dreading the summer lol.

Anonymous said...

Balega socks are a must have for me!!!

L.B. said...

That's a cool vest, and that you went running in the rain is great. I saw some people running outside this morning and I thought it was awesome for them to brave the rain and get their runs in.

I'm not much of a bad-weather kind of guy either. I've been spoiled by having lived all my life here in SoCal.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I love the vest! Cute blue.

Great job being HARDCORE and running in your yucky weather!

Jenn said...

Love the vest and you are obviously not a pansy!! It is relatively warm for here today (23 degrees) but snowing which makes for extremely slick roads since the temp is below freezing. I was on the treadmill today but that's OK because it was technically an off day. I am desperately hoping to do my long run outside tomorrow even if it is the same plowed loop over and over. Sounds like you have a great weekend planned. Can't wait to see your crazy b-day pics!!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet gift!!

April said...

Very cute vest and great time on your 6miles!
Have fun at the wine tasting!

N.D. said...

I love the vest!! What a great bff.:)

Denise said...

I love running in the extremes...it makes me feel tough! ;-)

Love, love, love, balega socks!!

As for P90X. I started it but it was too hard to do it with all the running. The workouts are long, over an hour. I tried following just the lifting days but even that was hard to do on top of an hour plus run. I just didn't have the time. I'm also very particular about my lifting routines and felt I got more out of my routine. My husband did it and is doing it again, though. Workouts are good and tough. Oh, and I couldn't take Tony...he drove me nuts.

Becca said...

Cute vest!!

Christina said...

cute vest and happy birthday. your hubby is so sweeet to have brought you to Disneyland and planned the whole thing.

Tara said...

I love any and all things Pearl Izumi! I have a lot of their bike stuff and a few running stuff and I find that they KNOW comfort and durability.

Nice job on your run girlie! I hope the weather starts cooperating with you soon.

Tricia said...

Hardcore running in hail! :) Great job.

Anonymous said...

Heading out in a tornado warning, that is HARDCORE! You could have wound up in the land of Oz.

I hear you about the weather. I can't stand much more of it either (I'm in Western PA).

ajh said...

I love the vest. It sounds like your birthday was great!

Heather said...

Cute vest! Way to get out and brave the elements for an outdoor run.