Runner Insight

So the night before my full marathon I tried on my race day outfit: I was trying to decide which hat to wear. Should I wear the red “Runner’s Edge” one, or the gray Missoula Marathon running hat I just bought that day? When in doubt, I ask T. She is always a good sport, and I trust her fashion sense…and besides that, she has her eyesight. I live my life with the philosophy that it’s always good to have at least one person around who can actually see.

With a 6:30 a.m. start I wanted to be up by 4:30 as we had to drive about 20 miles to the start of the race, and after six or seven months of training for this thing, I wanted to be sure I was fully prepared and didn’t forget anything. I did manage to go to bed early, but with the heat, sleep was hard to come by. I did manage to get some sleep, but it was a fitful night.

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Or… 

My Obsession with Running Clothes

I absolutely love living in Montana.  One of the best things about being here is the change of seasons.  As summer gives way to fall, I just love the vibrant gold and red leaves against the deep blue sky. Well I used to anyway, and to some extent I can still see that, or at least my memory sight does. It’s not only the subdued lighting and dynamic colors that I love, but the air feels different. It has a crisp, fresh feel to it…sweater weather. 

It also smells different. With a hint of wood smoke and apples, it brings back sweet memories of raking the yard to jump in the leaves, school days, and the anticipation of Halloween.  

As much as I love the change of seasons, I must admit, my running always suffers a bit. The problem lies with my running apparel.  Okay I know it sounds silly, but it’s all about transitioning.  One day I’m wearing my shorts and a tank top, and then, poof, the next day I’m not sure what to wear. My routine is disrupted.  I usually lay out what I will wear for my run the next day as I’m getting ready for bed. This preparation the night before nearly always ensures that I will actually get my butt out of bed to run.

I have a large selection of running shorts and shirts to choose from. Oops, did I say “large” selection? Perhaps the fact that I own over 50 running tops and probably a slightly smaller quantity of running shorts and tights, qualifies me for the “extra-extra-large” category regarding my selection and variety of running clothes.  Magnificent Abundance – Gotta love that.

A Rainbow In My Closet

I do have a rainbow in my closet. It’s this need to be color coordinated; I don’t know where that stems from. Okay, yes I do. I get it from my mother, who has to be matched and coordinated right down to her shoe laces.  But besides my color coordination fixation, having a wide selection of colors to choose from is the way I keep myself energized and excited to get up and run. The concept of a new pair of running shorts or shirt can keep me going for a week. Sometimes months, if I really like them. 

Yes, you could say it is an obsession of sorts. My friends and family used to give me a hard time about how much running apparel I had, wondering why I needed more. Once I explained that new running clothes keep me motivated, I don’t get nearly as much grief about it. So the downside of my treasure trove of choices is that I have a harder time deciding what to wear. Not truly a downside, but a consideration, nonetheless.

Eventually I get the hang of the transition from summer to the fall season, and how to dress for it.  More layering is required.  I don’t like to be too hot while running, but it’s better to be able to take something off than to get too cold. Getting chilled causes problems like injuries or illness, not to mention, having to cut my run short due to inadequate forethought and preparation. 

Now, after writing this blog post, I’m thinking it’s time for a trip to my favorite local running store for some socks or a new running top maybe? I’m going to need to transition to long sleeves here soon. Or maybe a lightweight jacket? I’m thinking a new one in red would be a good choice.  

How ‘bout it?

Vision Runner

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Saturday I ran in the Diva Day All Women’s Run. Since it was only a 5K run, (about three miles) I was calling it the Piece of Cake Run. I figure after running the marathon (26.2 miles) in 90 degree temperatures, anything less grueling is, well, a piece of cake. And right now my average run is about 6 to 8 miles, 3 to 4 times a week.

I had been looking forward to this 3.1 mile run for weeks, as the weather here in Montana has been just awesome for the past month.  Blue skies, warm temps: just perfect for running, and this would be my last organized race event of the year. 

The morning of the race however, I woke up to rain, pouring rain.  For a long moment my thought was to growl, which I did, and, crawl back into bed, which I didn’t, and forget the whole race, which I also didn’t do.  Why? Well as I have gotten older, and maybe a bit wiser…maybe, I have become a fair weather runner.  During my fanatic younger years I would run in just about any kind of weather: sub-zero temps, blizzards, scorching heat, and, yes, even rain.  But now, I hate to start a run if it’s raining.  In fact, I just won’t.  If it starts to rain while I’m already out running, well not a big deal. I don’t have a problem, then; it’s just water, right?  But for some reason, psychologically, I don’t want to start out running in the rain, or any other adverse weather. But the race start time was still a couple hours away.  I was hopeful the rain would stop before the start of the race. 

So putting my weather issues aside for the moment, my next dilemma was, what do I wear now?  I had already picked out my race outfit a week ago, presuming the weather would stay nice. I was all excited to wear my new blue sleeveless running top with a pair of shorts that were a gift from T’s mom when we went to Illinois for a visit in May. (Hi Mom, Thanks) But now that the weather had become more of a challenge, I was unsure of my choices.  I checked the outside temperature, and at 54 degrees, it was certainly warm enough for what I had originally picked out to wear. But if it was at all windy or too wet….well, obviously…a sleeveless top and shorts wouldn’t be nearly warm enough.  What to do? What to do? 

After some debate with myself, I decided I would simply trust that everything was going to work out perfectly. With that decision done, I put on my originally planned race outfit.  I must have gotten some of that good ol’ Diva spirit in me. What was the universe thinking? That it could throw a little rain in my path, and I would quake at the thought, shudder in my steps, and deny myself the adventure and celebration of a glorious run on a fabulous fall day with 400 other local Divas? Pish…Pish, I say. 

As we left for the race, we noticed Jack, the rabbit who has been hanging out in our yard for a week or so. He (or maybe she?) is probably someone’s pet that got out. He seems to be enjoying his emancipation, as he looks fairly content to be roaming free and eating what’s left of our dandelions. He has turned his little wiggly nose up at the proffered carrots, and left them to dry up in the grass. 

So there was Jack, munching on a floral snack, and not a bit bothered by the rain.  Seeing that, my resolve was strengthened: a little rain wasn’t going to dampen…(ha,ha, sorry ) my spirit. 

At the race site, there were lots of women warming up and laughing, and just having fun…True Divas, I thought in admiration.  When we went to pick up my race packet, and I found out that my race number was 64, I knew it was another sign I was meant to run. After all, it was my favorite number (46) backwards…. 

Bundled Up Before the All Womens Run, Vision Runner

It was still raining pretty hard, as the race was about to start.  Two minutes before the gun sounded, I shed my rain jacket and sweatpants. Bang! I was off to lots of high-spirited and animated cheers. The energy was palpable.  

Running in races always poses its own set of challenges for me.  I usually try to start somewhere in the middle of the pack off to the edge. It’s easiest for me if I can find someone running at my pace and follow them.  But at the beginning of the race, runners are jostling for position.  This is where I have to be the most careful, as the runners get bunched up and are trying to pass. I used to do it myself.  But being legally blind, the most important thing for me is to be safe.  So as much as I would like to pass and get myself in a better position, I know without being able to see very well, I need to be content to wait for the crowd to thin a bit. 

Vision Runner Oct 4 2008 All Womens Run

We were a few minutes into the run, when I noticed that I was not very wet, except for my shoes. It wasn’t that my shoes were sloshing because the pavement was wet. Nope, it was because while everyone else was running around and gracefully jumping over puddles, I plowed right through them!  By the time I realized what the runners in front of me were doing, their graceful, gazelle-like leaping certainly a skill to admire, it was too late for me to avoid the puddle. So I trudged through it like well, I guess a blind gazelle, unaware that leaping is required.  So after the first big puddle, my feet were soaked. But in a way, this was actually good, because then I just didn’t worry about even trying to keep my feet dry anymore.  

As I was saying, I noticed I wasn’t getting wet.  It had stopped raining.  In fact, the moment the gun had gone off to signal the start of the race, I think it stopped. I just hadn’t noticed until a few minutes later, as I had been focused on the crowd of runners and keeping myself upright.  I could hear a woman behind me mentioning that she was hot, that she had over- dressed.  I just smiled, thinking, everything works out perfectly for me.  And it did. The outfit I had chosen was perfect for the race conditions. 

The race course was somewhat familiar, but for the most part I tried to keep other runners in front of me, so I would know when a turn was coming up. There were times I just wanted to pass and run faster, but, as I said, my first priority was to keep myself safe, and finish the race.

Without knowing the route that well, this was my goal.  I mainly run for enjoyment, but when in a race, the adrenaline kicks in, the competitor in me comes out, and I want to pass everyone.  Not an option for me right now, but just you wait. When I get my vision back…I’ll be working to break my 5K PB (Personal Best) of 25:56. 

I finished the race in just over 30 minutes. (30:08.9 to be precise.) The rain stayed away during the whole race, and that meant all the post-race activities were enjoyed in relatively dry conditions. The grass was wet, but the food stayed dry, anyway!  Yeah! 

After The All Women's Run

I’m really glad I ran the All Women’s Run in spite of my aversion to inclement weather. As it turned out, the universe was on my side.  I need to realize that the universe is always on my side, and stop doubting it. After all, the signs are everywhere. And I’m focused on being able to see them.         

How ‘bout it? 

Vision Runner

P.S. I want to give a big thumbs up to Run Wild Missoula for putting together such a great event, and also a sincere thanks to the organizers (especially Sue and Anders) for getting things lined up so that flyers for RunnerInsight.com could get put into the race packets. We truly appreciate your efforts!

P.S.S. For more pics of Diva Day – The All Women’s 5K on Oct 4, 2008, go to our All Women’s Run Page.

Thanks!!

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