Here’s what I’ll be wearing tomorrow morning:

1st Layer:

2nd Layer:

Bonus Layer:

P.S. I did not pay full price for any thing other than the hat and gloves. Always buy your running gear on sale, never pay full price!

Panty lines are a drag even when your working out. This is an even bigger nightmare when an entire room full of people are staring at your butt while you demonstrate the perfect squat. Therefore, I’m stuck wearing somewhat uncomfortable underwear so that I’m not humiliated in front of all the fashionistas in the room.

Running tights are not forgiving. As much as I hate the way they look, they keep my legs warm. In fact, I have brand new pair that I can’t wait to bust out when the temps drop. Summer on the other hand is easy peasy thanks to running shorts.

Choosing what underwear to wear becomes a dilemma in the winter. The last few years I’ve ran in the dark hours of the morning when no can see my panty lines. This year I will probably be running during daylight hours, but will not compromise comfort during a run.

According to a Gear Test in the NY Times I have more options than I realized, but wasn’t fortunate enough to be their gear tester.;)

Do you have any recommendations? What do you do wear for both your winter runs and while working out???

I had a fantastic run today! I had no idea I was covered in “road grime” until I was walking back home. Despite the fact that its “road grime” and not “trail dirt grime”, I love it. This is a tell tell sign that Central Park isn’t busy. I love fair weather runners! Central Park was a peaceful oasis. Not one egotistic manic tried to race me today (thank God!).

I really think this could be the beginning of my new running season. I’m just afraid to say that now, because I know that come February it will be a huge challenge to get out there for longer runs. Do any of you have any early spring or late winter races that you’re planning on training for?

]]> http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/11/14/fair-weather-runners/feed/ 7 http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/11/09/be-smart/ http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/11/09/be-smart/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:09:39 +0000 Jess http://fitchickinthecity.com/2009/11/09/be-smart/ I almost didn’t make it out the door this morning for my run. The first thing I do when I wake up for an early morning run is turn on NY1 to check the weather. The first thing I heard at 5:30 a.m. was “Three men were robbed at gun point in Central Park at 102nd street last night, the latest in a string of Central Park robberies.” One man was arrested while two of his accomplices have not been caught.

That can put a damper on a morning run. I wasn’t meeting SJT therefore, I decided to wait until 6:30 to run. The quietest times in the park seem to be Monday and Friday mornings before 6:30. I made sure I wore my road ID and let the Husband know how long I’d been gone. I told him that if I wasn’t back by 7:30 to come look for me.

When heading out for a run we have to be smart. Sometimes that may mean hitting the treadmill, cutting a run short or only running with a partner.

When I was a kid my mom use to drive behind me in the car with her headlights on. She would even go to a park trail with me and circle the outside of the trail so that the headlights would illuminate the trail. I hated it. Now, I wish I could convince the Husband to give me a lighted bike escort through the park at 5AM (Guess that’s not gonna happen).

Have a great Monday!

Be Safe. Be Smart.

Getting into the NYC Marathon can be harder than qualifying for Boston. For those of you who dream of running this race, here’s how you can gain entry. (all information is taken from the New York Road Runners (NYRR)

1. Enter the lottery. Anyone who will be 18 years old or older on November 7, 2010 is eligible to enter. Lottery applications will be accepted until March 5, 2010.
2. Become a NYRR member by January 31, 2010 if you live near NYC. Then complete 9 qualifying races in 2010, plus volunteer at one race and you’ll receive a guaranteed entry into the 2011 race.
3. Join a charity group. I would suggest joining the NYRR Foundation’s Team For Kids. This organization raises money for after school running programs in underprivileged schools to help combat childhood obesity. You will be treated like a VIP by the NYRR throughout the marathon weekend.
4. Try, try again. If you enter the lottery three consecutive years and do not receive an entry, the fourth year you are eligible for a guaranteed entry.
5. Run fast! If you are quick on your feet, you may qualify for a guaranteed entry by submitting your race results. Know that these times may actually be faster than your Boston qualifying time.

I’m one of the lucky ones. Running found me early in life.

I have to admit that I’ve somewhat lost that loving feeling towards running. Maybe I should explain.

Running has always been my friend. Just like a good friend it lets me rant, rave and gather my thoughts. It teaches me things I couldn’t learn from anyone else. Ever since moving to NYC some nine years ago, these types of runs have experienced quite a few interruptions. I’ve allowed these interruptions to change my relationship with running.

Sometimes I’m the rude one interrupting my run with negative thoughts and lack of focus (or the wrong focus).

Other times its this city that’s the rude one. I’ve been yelled at numerous times while going about my running business (and I don’t mean cat calls). I’ve been clipped by a bicyclist. I’ve been stepped on, kicked, and even had someone else’s spit on me. I’ve had to stop dead in my tracks numerous times to avoid collision with tourists (okay, so I’ve had a few collisions). Lets just say that running in a park with so much activity often takes away from what I need my run to do for me. BUT…

now the cold weather is on its way!

I use to scoff at the idea of running in the winter. I could barely survive the winter without subjecting myself to running in the cold. These days the cold weather and rainy damp days are my new found friend. They allow me to renew my relationship with running with out interruption. Four miles (and no foot pain) later, my run was complete and my mind was a little more clear.

As I return to work after vacation and a renewed sense of self, I wonder how long can I hold onto this “reset?”

“That’s what alchemists do. They show that, when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better to.” ~ Paulo Coelho

P.S. There’s one more day to answer last weeks Power Trivia Question (were you could win my favorite headband).

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If I decide that cross trainers aren’t for me I can return them, no questions asked! So far I’m really liking them. The nice sales lady told me that I could totally beat them up for 30 days and then return them for a new pair. I don’t think that will be happening cause I really like them. If you’ve been eyeing a new pair of Nike kicks, be sure to visit your nearest Niketown and ask them about this program.

And now for the moment you’ve been waiting for all day: The answer to Tuesday Trivia:

Today’s trivia question is about ME. I thought this would be a fun way for you guys to get to know me better. Plus unless you’re friends with the Husband, you can’t cheat (Alison just kidding ).

Question: At what temperature do I start wearing long sleeves on my runs?

Here’s what I’m doing to prevent a full blown case of Plantar Faciitis:

• Reducing my running. Specifically I am only doing 2 mile tests runs every other day to see how the foots feeling over time.
• Replacing my running workouts with more spinning/cycling.
• Continuing with massage (which is extremely painful).
• Ice massage at night.

• Stretching my calves more than normal.

• Ditching the flip flops for the remainder of the year (the hardest prevention method to adhere to).

I’m really hoping that I’ll be back to normal ASAP.  When you’re injured or on the verge of injury its really best to take the time off from running or the activity that’s causing the pain.  I always ask myself do I want to risk running today and then not be able to run long term?

That being said, if you haven’t guessed already, I won’t be running a marathon this fall.  Not because of this, but because I’m simply not where I should be at this point in time.  The Husband (who also happens to be a trainer) has suggested that I focus on speed this fall and find a spring/early summer marathon for next year.  My next race is the Nike Human Race.  Hopefully, this almost injury will be healed in time to get in some speed training.

What’s your next race or fitness challenge?

Its actually the distance I planned on running today.  I’m trying to prevent plantar faciitis.

Last weekend, I made a rookie mistake.  It was gorgeous out so the Husband and I decided to walk everywhere we went on Saturday.  I ended up accumulating over 5 miles of walking in flip flops!!  When I ran on Sunday, my plantar fascia was hurting.  It actually hasn’t stopped hurting since.  I’m hoping this little device will help prevent this pain turning into an actual injury.

I have no idea when or where we got this teeny roller, but I hope its helping cause it sure hurts!

I’m off to hike in Harriman State Park.  I love visiting Rockland County.  Have a great Saturday!

Have any of you dealt with plantar fasciitis or have any tips on preventing it?