A Case of the Runs

Since I've been essentially doing my runs in the dark these days , I was excited to be able to try Panther Vision 's Power Cap.  Sadly, I haven't really run with a lot of lighting products (I wear reflective stuff, though!), probably because I didn't used to run in those kind of conditions, and when I did, it was on well-lit streets.  I haven't rolled my ankle since my first run out, but I often wish for more lighting during some parts of my run. Included with the cap was an LED light that can be pinned or attached magnetically to clothing.  I found the whole thing to be a little heavy for some of my thinner running clothes, but placed strategically, it's always good to be visible with a noticeable red color. Now for my review of the cap itself.  I was sent a women's size, so it did not want to stay on my head.  I'd put it on, make it tighter, etc., but within 10 feet, it'd start slipping off.  The "head" box just was too shallow to...

I am not sure I've ever done any "throwback" posts, but I stumbled upon this picture when I was helping my "buddy" out with her wedding slideshow. And she's getting married this weekend!   Now that she lives up north, I maybe get to see her once or twice a year.  The last time was when I flew up there for work after a half-maratho n last year.  Still, as I was writing her card, the "inside jokes" came flooding back, and I believe that we will always be a part of each other's lives. On a less sappy note, here are some random/general life updates: - As you can probably guess, I'm super busy!  My days consist of waking up, squeezing in a workout, shower, commute, work, commute, dinner, getting ready for the next day, unpacking/laundry/car washing (or niece visiting), break down, and collapse in exhaustion.  There hasn't been any time for TV, lounging, or my usual number of sleep hours, decent food preparation, etc.  I hop...

First morning run in the new (hilly!) neighborhood.  No peacocks this time -- only a cat. Armed with my Garmin , "The Ukrainian" showed me some of the ground he covered when he went running the afternoon before. The run was supposed to be short and quick, just to familiarize ourselves with our new surroundings. It was around 5:30 AM, as dark as you'd expect, and somewhere in the first mile, I avoided some uneven paving only to hit an abnormal bump... abnormal in that it was on top of the uneven part, about the size of a really large grapefruit. Rolled my ankle... and had to limp around for a while... but after a while, I was generally fine.  This isn't the first time I've rolled my ankle on a run, but this one definitely hurt the most and scared me a little.  I expect it will be sore for a day or so. In our last mile, the Ukrainian kicked a small uneven portion of the sidewalk as we were going up a long uphill.  I have never seen him take a tumble before (I...

Well, it's certainly been a while.  I have wanted to write, but each time I start, I change my mind about posting what I've written.  Things on the running front have been pretty quiet.  I have a couple of big races lined up in the first half of next year, which kind of scares me, because I can feel that my running endurance is nowhere near where it should be.  After a 5K on July 4th, my racing for this year pretty much ended, due to a combination of factors such as lack of races that allure me and our big trip in November that leaves us kind of strapped for time... and superfluous race funds.  Speaking of funds, I'm a homeowner now! Now that we've at least got a bed and refrigerator, I consider ourselves moved in, because we finally got to spend the night, on the nine-month-i-versary of our wedding . The couch, dining room table, and TV can wait... right?! I'm still in that weird mode in which doing anything takes much longer, because I am unfamiliar...