Is there anything better...?

Is there anything better in one's running life than getting a new pair of shoes?  There was a package from Running Warehouse on the front porch when I got home last night, and these were in it (along with a few other items, of course)!!!  I've been so happy with my current Asics Gel Nimbus 12's that I just bought the exact same pair in a different color (current ones are pink, new ones are blue).  My pink ones have about 250 miles on them, so it's getting close to replacement time.  RW had them for $25 less than list price, plus I got the ROTE discount, so they were pretty reasonable (as far as running shoes go).

I ran in them tonight, and they felt good - I love that "springy" feeling new shoes give you.  Since they're not a new model of shoe for me, just a new pair of the same shoe, I feel comfortable enough to wear them Sunday for R'n'R Dallas - I think.  It's just 7.1 miles, so that shouldn't be an issue, plus they'll match my outfit better than the pink ones (how convenient that timing is....(chagrin)...).

P.S. I'm not quite as excited about R'n'R this weekend as I usually am about a big race.  I don't know if it's because it's not a Disney race, if it's because I feel slightly under-prepared since I haven't run much the last few weeks, or if it's just because of everything else that's been going on recently...  I am, however, very excited about seeing my family this weekend, and (hopefully) having the opportunity to meet up with other bloggers before/after the race!

P.P.S.  If you're running this weekend, my bib # is 21135, I'll be wearing a bright blue v-neck shirt with my black RS skirt and the above shoes, with a black Nike visor.  I'll probably be hanging out with a older, balding man in a Texas State shirt (my dad) and a younger guy (not sure what my brother's wearing).  If you see us, come over and say Hi!!!  If you post a comment and let me know what you think you'll be wearing, I'll keep an eye out for you as well.

Today's stats:

• Garmin battery pooped out on me about 5 minutes in...so this is approximate, but it's a route I run a lot, so at least I have a pretty good feel for the distance.  And I didn't do half bad, considering I was having to self-pace my intervals the whole time!
• ~10 min warm-up walk
• ~3 mi run; ~40min; ~13:20mm pace

Grandma, What Big Ears You Have!

Actually, I have the opposite problem as Little Red Riding Hood's "Grandma."  My ears seem to be unusually small...

I recently purchased a new running earbud from www.onegoodearbud.com - a wraparound style.  I tried it on when it arrived, and noticed that the stereo part of the bud didn't fit well into my ear, and the wraparound plastic earpiece was loose.  Thursday night I decided to try to run with it anyway and see how it did.  I made it two miles, fiddling with it the whole time trying to seat it correctly, before it eventually fell out, and, frustrated, I had to finish without music.

I should have realized that I wouldn't be able to use a standard earbud after all the trouble I had finding my current pair (I eventually had to buy a set with multiple size eartip and wraparound attachments and use the smallest size for both).  For this morning's long run, I switched back to my current pair and loved how they felt - didn't even notice they were in, as usual.

I don't want to discourage anyone else from trying out the onegoodearbud style - it's just not working for me.  But I really like the idea of the onegoodearbud concept - so what's a girl to do?  I'm going to get the non-wraparound style and give that one a try.  I'm hoping that the soft rubber eartip will be smaller, or if it's not, maybe I can switch out the smaller eartip I have on my current pair for the new one.  I'll let y'all know how it goes!

Today's stats:

• 10 minute walking warm-up
• 5.5 mi run/walk; 1:10:44 min; 12:52min/mi avg pace
• Hit the 100 mile mark for 2011 today!  Later than I'd hoped, but a good milestone, none the less!

Notice Anything Different?

***Note: This is the post I originally planned for Tuesday, March 15th, before life happened.***

Take a glance around the page today - notice anything different from the last time you were here?  Check out the title block.  See it?  That's right.  I have made a decision - I registered for the 2012 Walt Disney World Marathon!  No, you didn't misread that.  Not the Half, the Marathon.  Wow...and...oh geez!

After this year's Half, I had some serious envy of my Dad's new Mickey Medal.  And, after two months of much soul-searching, and many, many, MANY discussions with loved ones and friends, I decided to go for it.  I still can't quite believe I'm saying this, let alone announcing it publicly, but here goes...I've made the commitment to register and train for the Marathon next year.  Mickey medal, here I come!

So, on Sunday, January 8, 2012, at 5:30am, I will be lined up with my Dad and best friend on a back road outside Epcot, ready to start on a 26.2 mile journey.  And I'm so excited, I'm about to burst!

I'm looking forward to pushing myself further and further in my training (someone please remind me to come back and read this post later this fall when I'm having second thoughts and doubts).  And I really, really, want to stand in front of Cinderella's Castle with that Mickey Medal around my neck - I have felt so good after finishing the two WDW Halves that I can't imagine the sense of accomplishment that's going to come from completing the Marathon!

But, in order to get there, I have to finish training for and run the Dallas RnR Half Relay, the San Francisco Half, and the Wine&Dine Half.  Here's to hoping that the next 10 months are (relatively) injury-free, productive, and fun!!!

Today's stats:

• 10 min warm-up walk
• 3 mi run; 0:38:11 min; 12:44min/mi avg pace