A Runner’s Balancing Act

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 had a busy busy weekend and unfortunately no time to blog. I’m sad about that because I have so much to blog about!

• I did a 14 miler with my friends Saturday morning. It went really well, although our average pace was about 9:30 and we need to be closer to 9:09 to hit our 4 hour goal. After doing some reading on the net and playing with the options on the Garmin, I think we have a strategy to hit 9:09 next week.

• Yesterday was my birthday! I’m now 27.  I meant to get up kinda early yesterday to blog and then do a relaxing birthday recovery run around the park (about 3 miles) but I slept SO HARD I didn’t even hear the alarm clock. Seriously, I woke up with a headache from sleeping so hard. I didn’t even have anything to drink the night before so it wasn’t a hangover. I slept for 11 hours!! That is not normal! Most likely its because I didn’t get my usual Saturday afternoon nap.

• Jill bestowed on me the Kreative Blogger award. I am so honored Jill! Thank you so much! I have to put together a post to pass along the award, so look out for that this week.

I’m off for a Monday morning 7 miler with my running buddy. I’m wearing pants for the first time this year. I will probably regret it, but I’m feeling like a sissy this morning. Its 48 degrees but should warm up once the sun comes up.

More to come!

It’s been over a week since I’ve posted. While I haven’t been blogging much, I have still been running. It’s getting close to taper time and only 17 day’s until the Nike Women’s Marathon!

It’s finally starting to be apparent that summer is on its way out. When I met my running buddy at 5:45 am on Thursday LAST week, the thermometer was reading 79 degrees and it was a rather warm run. This morning, as I sit here at 4:45 am is a cool 66 degrees outside. I can’t remember the last time I saw 60′s on my thermometer! The weather man is predicting highs in the upper 80′s this weekend. That is just fantastic.

Over the past weekend, hubby and I got the chance to head up north for some mountain air and camping. My running buddy and her husband came and camped too and it was fun that everyone got to know each other a little better. We hit our usual trail early Saturday for a 12 mile high altitude run (about 7800 feet). Its always a little tough getting going at that altitude. For the first 10 minutes its hard to talk through our labored breathing, but eventually we settle into a rhythm and chit chat becomes easier again. I’m always amazed at how quickly a run goes by when I with someone who I enjoy talking to.

This week I’ve been tempted to blow off my runs and call it “tapering” but I’ve been a pretty good girl. Monday I did skip my run, but Tuesday I did around 6 miles on the canal, pushing my pace hard through the middle miles. Last night I did about 3 easy miles helping out with a beginning 5k group that is associated with my church. This morning I will be doing about 7.5 mile hilly workout with my training buddy.

The crappy part about fall and winter is the darkness. It’s finally cool enough to run, and the sad irony is that the best running hours of the day are the ones that I am required to be at work. *sigh*  I will head out this morning at 5:45 and I will be using a headlamp for the first half hour. Hopefully I will not be seeing any snakes.

Well its time to hit the road. Hope everyone is having a fantastic week. Happy running!

Here are some pics from this week
end’s camping trip:

This is the view from our running trail.

Our running path. We get about 5.5 miles of paved wheelchair path, then it turns into more of a real trail run with rocks and brush to navigate around.

And this is me and the hubby.