A Runner’s Balancing Act

I am writing this post from my new HTC Droid Incredible. I am sitting in a park in Payson, Arizona, where the temperature is probably about 72 degrees. I just finished a 13 mile run and I‘m feeling pretty good! I‘ve been running up here on the weekends now for for 3 weeks. Its only about hours drive from my house, but the elevation changes from 1,000 to 5,000 feet in that hour and the temperature drops a good 20 degrees. I’ve been wanting to spend a little more time in Payson instead of driving up here and just turning around and heading back to the hot desert as soon as I finish my run. A good friend suggested I get a laptop so I could blog from anywhere. That would be wonderful except I really don’t have the cash for that. So instead I opted for a full size blue tooth keyboard that pairs with my Droid phone. WOW. All I can say is… this is freaking awesome.

I got my HTC Incredible back in July and I have been loving every second of being a smart phone owner. I downloaded the WordPress app right away and intended to blog from my vacation in Mammoth, CA where I did a ton of running. Unfortunately, as nice as the little touch keyboard is, it really is not conducive to creative writing. I doubt you all want to read a blog post filled with text message shorthand. The keyboard is called the “Freedom Pro“ and I definitely recommend it. It even folds up and has a carrying case for easy transport.

I‘ve been playing around with a lot of different running apps on my phone since I got it. Unfortunately I have been  disappointed in nearly every app on the market. This phone isn‘t going to be replacing my Garmin anytime soon.  It is interesting to think that I could have all of my running gadgets combined into one – gps, radio, mp3 player, map, cell phone, and camera. At this point, I think I can use it for everything but the GPS. It IS accurate enough, but my biggest problem is that I have yet to find an app that will pause recording if you come to a stop light. I hate how the average pace data gets thrown off.

In future posts, I hope to go through all of the running apps and cell phone products I’ve played with and review them. Maybe I can save someone my frustrations.

But before I do that I thought I‘d just give you all an update on my life and running.  I‘m mentally gearing up for the fall and winter racing season. I‘m still trying to figure out what races I want to run and if I‘m going to attempt 26.2 again in January. I for sure will do a half or two before then.  There are a couple of halfs in November I will probably run.

My long run buddies are no longer available, so I‘ll be doing my long runs alone this season. I‘m sort of bummed out about that, but at the same time I‘m sort of an introspective soul and a good long run by myself can be enjoyable.

My average speed seems to have dropped over the last couple of months. It’s no surprise really – it’s hot out there and my milage has dropped as well. I‘m in the process now of slowly upping the weekly milage, and adding in some speedwork here and there so that come October I can really start pushing myself. I‘ve still got another month of hot temperatures to deal with so I can‘t expect too much out of myself just yet.

That’s it for now. I have to drive back down the hill so I can meet my hubby for lunch. Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend all!

After yesterday morning’s run in about 45 degree weather, I was starting to think about actually purchasing a pair of good running tights. I have a pair of semi-fitted “running pants” from Target that I purchased last year and have worn running all of about 3 times. They aren’t too bad, but I always end the run feeling hot and wishing I’d worn my running shorts. The waist band always stretches out and they feel a little too loose around my waist after I’ve been running for awhile.

We have a few cold spells a year when the lows drop to the 30-20′s. But for the most part, our winter lows are in the 40-50 degree range. Call me crazy, but I’ve always thought that temperatures over 40 degrees were too warm for pants. Especially runs lasting over an hour when there are quite a few miles left to put in after you’ve “warmed up”.

But I’m starting to rethink my position. I couldn’t believe how many people I saw running in tights at the NWM last month, and the temperature there was 52 degrees at the start. Fellow blogger Jill seems to do a lot of runs in tights or pants and her desert climate is similar to mine. Plus, this year I’m doing a lot more night and early morning running outside. In years past I’ve stayed on the treadmill during night hours.

So, last night I had to stop by Fashion Square mall to pick up a birthday present for my mother in law. As I was darting from cooking store to cooking store, looking for the perfect thanksgiving do-dad, I happened upon a new store I’d never seen called “FitChix”. How could I not stop? The sales people there were extremely nice. I think three different people descended on me to tell me about their stuff and ask me about my running and marathoning. They sell Sugio stuff there, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen in a retail environment besides at Marathon expos and mail order catalogs.

And there on the rack in the middle of the store were the famous CW-X Stabilyx tights and capris that both Chris and Jill rave about. I recognized them right away. The sales man saw me looking at them and immediately moved in to give me all the information I already knew about how they are supposed to be some of the most comfortable and supportive tights on the market for runners. AND he added that most girls don’t feel as self conscious in them as they thought they would once they’ve tried them on. Are you trying to tell me that I’m gonna like my butt MORE in these things?! Okay, its doubtful, but I was going to try them on anyways.

They didn’t have a medium so I had to try the smalls on. I was pretty doubtful that they were going to fit just looking at them on the hangar. They DID fit, and after looking at the sizing guide on the CW-X website today, it looks I was in the right size. I had to do the old panty hose maneuver that my mom taught me when I was little to get them on, you know where you bunch them before you stick your foot in. It wasn’t too hard, but not quite as quick as pulling on a pair of shorts.

Once I got them on, I have to admit, I think I did like my butt more! Not only that, but they felt fantastic. I could just tell I would like running in them.

I stood in the dressing room for way too long trying to decide if I should get them. The sales lady came in twice to ask me if if I needed anything. I really wanted to buy them, but they were $82 and that seemed outrageous to me. I’m a desert dweller who is used to a running wardrobe consisting of 9.99 tank tops from Target and two pairs of Nike shorts that I splurged on for $30 (on sale). Sadly, I left the store without them, and without the super light CW-X shirt I had also fallen in love with. I promised the sales girl I would be back as soon as I could get my husband to agree.

I’m going to visit a few more running stores in the next few weeks and see if I find anything better, but I have a feeling I will be back. I’ve already done some internet research and it seems that $82 is cheaper than most internet retailers and I wouldn’t have to pay shipping.

What do you guys think? Will I be too hot in them in 40-50 degree weather? I was thinking I’d get Capri’s, do you think my ankles will get cold?

If you are in the Phoenix area, I highly recommend the FitChix store. They just opened in April in Fashion Square Mall in Scottsdale (it’s on the Nordstrom’s wing). According to their website, they also have a store at San Tan Village mall in Gilbert. The sales people were great and they had a lot of unique stuff that I’ve only seen in catalogs and their prices were better, if not the same as mail order. They also had a huge selection of sports bras, that I did not even have a chance to explore.

Happy running!

I decided to clean up the illustration and add a version for all you fans of the arm band. Girls, cord goes under the sports bra. Guys just omit the sports bra part (although it won’t work as well).