My new sneakers. Same as the old ones, only pink this time.
I did what I thought would be my last triathlon of 2011 on Aug. 21, but it looks like that may change. This tri was challenging, hilly and hot. HOT has been a theme in my races this year. So I think I’ll go back and try this one again in October. I owe you a race report and you’ll get that soon.
After this race, I spent a week, doing, well, nothing. I went for one walk. That was hot too. And humid. Hurricane Irene blew through Long Island on Sunday, and even if she was a tropical storm by the time she got here, she did her damage. We fared well by my house (lost a small tree and lots of branches), but others on LI and the other areas in her path had a tougher time. I’m just grateful it wasn’t worse than it was. Behind Irene, her torrential rains and winds, came a welcome breath of fresh air. No humidity, lower temperatures, sunny skies. Fall. It’s not quite fall yet by the calendar, but the crisp morning air is definitely leaning that way. Perfect running weather.
I had a tough run in the “hot and hilly” triathlon a week and a half ago. Lots of walking. And when that happens, I’m always reluctant to get back out on the road in case all of my runs going forward are going to feel. Just. Like. That. Miserable.
I also needed new sneakers. I’ve been wearing Asics 2150s, which I think are being discontinued in favor of 2160s. I grew very fond of these sneakers, but it was time for new ones. Since I couldn’t find 2150s in my size anywhere, I opted for Asics 1160s, and while they are comfortable, the support was not quite the same as the 2150s. I ran in them a couple of times, but I wasn’t loving them.
Monday, after the storm, I tried one more Kohl’s, which had my Asics 2150s on closeout, and Voila! they had my size. Now I had NO EXCUSES not to run.
I got up yesterday morning, threw on the new sneaks, clipped on my iPod and went out the door. I haven’t run with music in a while since it’s not allowed in triathlon running. That was a treat. The weather was a treat. The new sneakers felt awesome and so did the run. Even if I did have to dodge piles of branches and tree limbs from time to time as everyone cleans up from Irene.
This year, I’ve gotten to a point where I enjoy running while I’m actually running (not just when I’m done). I’m still a little bit of a freak though after a a bad run and then I’m hesitant to go again. I always eventually get back out there and like yesterday, I’m usually glad I did. Yesterday’s run felt great and I even pushed a little harder than I normally do, maybe because of the music. My legs are letting me know that today.
Now that I’ve broken the ice after yet another tough race, I’ll be out there running again tomorrow. I know this gorgeous weather (and light in the mornings) won’t last long, and I plan to take advantage of it while it does. In the meantime, there’s the Brickman Sprint in October, back in Virginia with my sister. Still hilly, but cooler weather may make this race more enjoyable.
And then for winter training? I’m thinking the Suffolk County Half Marathon in March. I want something on the calendar early in the season, so I keep getting out there. Otherwise, I might hibernate through the winter.
Related posts:
