"Something."

Thanks for all of your winter gear suggestions. I've got some good ideas now on what to buy so I can make it through the chilly season outside. Now I just need to make sure that I stay healthy. People are popping up ill all over the place this week. I'm still a firm believer that moderate running keeps you healthy, and I'm continuing to load up on the vitamins C and D* so I believe I will be OK. But . . . I do feel weird that so many people around me are coming down with "something."

The babysitter who watches Conal on Friday mornings, for example, has H1N1. Well, huh. I don't know that we've been exposed, because her doctor said she most likely came in contact with the virus Sunday or Monday (but how does he know?) and we last saw her on Friday. We'll see, I guess.

And then there are the many, many friends who've come down with that dreaded "something." Yuck. All yuck.

I, however, will not some down with anything, let alone "something." And why not? Because I've got a big weekend ahead of me, that's why. I'm going away. On a girls weekend. Watch out, world!

Yes, seven of us are leaving our husbands and kids for the weekend and going away. This is big stuff, people! I can't wait. And yet, I'm nervous and I know I'll miss my two guys. But, really, I can't wait!

I plan to run while I'm away and I hope that the weather cooperates because I still only have my wimpy winter gear and I won't get to do any shopping before I go away. Once I'm back, though, I'll be all about the gearing up!

~ Felice

* in case you are interested: Vitamin D Council

Winter gear!

This year, I am determined to be less of a wimp about running in the cold weather. Last year, I gave in to my inner softie and ran on the treadmill quite often once the temperature dipped and the days shortened.

It's time to toughen up!

The weather is already getting chilly here and it is getting dark earlier and earlier. Yesterday, for example, was a fine day but very windy in my neighborhood. When I set out for my run around 6, I knew I was going to have to deal with a sharp wind. I psyched myself up and went for it, not giving in to the part of me that wanted to bail and just run a few easy miles on the 'mill.

Nope, I put on tights, a long-sleeved top, my windbreaker and gloves (gloves!) and headed out. Chilly and windy though it was, it was also a refreshing run.

Now, here's the thing. I need more and better winter running gear if I'm going to be successful at running outside this season. I have a decent windbreaker from Target (cheap but functional) and an OK pair of (also Target) running tights. I was sent a high-tech pair of Opedix tights to review and they are more or less fine, so that means I now have two pairs of tights.

Does anyone have a recommendation for good tights or not-too-loose running pants?

On the jacket side, the windbreaker works for now but it doesn't have any reflective properties. Since I'll doubtless be running in the dark, I'd like a reflective (and warm) jacket. I recently tried this jacket from IllumiNITE:

I had to send it back because the sleeves were too short. That's my problem: I have broad shoulders and long arms. Tops and jackets that fit well in the body, often have sleeves that are too short. Other than the fit, I liked the jacket, especially the highly reflective properties.

Has anyone tried IllumiNITE jackets? Do you have any other jacket recommendations?

* * *

My Take it Easy Training Plan kicks it up a little today with hill repeats. I'm ready!

Have a great day and thanks for any gear recommendations that you have!

~ Felice

Next training plan.

After a week of just running to run (and enjoying it a lot!) I'm itching to start training again. Luckily for me, I've been planning to run the Stockade-athon 15K on November 8th. So, with four weeks to go before the race, I'm back to training!

This time, however, I'm not going to stress myself out. I'll train as hard as I need to but I am not going to focus so narrowly on a goal, like I did for my last race. That, apparently, does not work for me. Instead, I'll follow my Take it Easy 15K Training Plan. Which looks a little something like this:

Week	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri		Sat	Sun
1: 10/12-18	easy 4m	easy 4m	hill repeats(6x) (~7m total)	easy 4m	Rest		8m run	Rest
2: 10/19-25	easy 4m	6m tempo	easy 4m	easy 4m	Rest		5K race+ (~6m total)	recovery 4m
3 10/26-11/1	easy 4m	Rest	hill repeats (8x) (~8m total)	easy 4m	Rest		10m run	recovery 4m
4: 11/2-8	easy 4m	6m fartlek	Rest	easy 4m	Rest		Rest	15K race (~11.5 total)

My total mileage for each week will be: 27 for week 1, 28 for week 2, 30 for week 3, 25 for race week.

I'm doing hill repeats instead of speedwork because there are killer hills in the Stockade-athon. The biggest one comes just before the 10K mark and it is tough. I want to be prepared to run strong up that hill and the ones that will greet me after it. Hill repeats here I come!

That's the plan.

* * *

I was out of town over the weekend at a cousin's wedding. It was a blast! Just a total blast. Here's a pic of Owen and me at the reception (the dress was a last minute purchase and I got it for a total steal so I'm one happy mama!):


After the weekend away, today has been a catch up day. Catching up on cleaning, running and the blogs. There were some big races and I need to see how everyone did!

And, hey, don't forget that today is the last day of my Solixir giveaway. Check it out and you might just win a case of Solixir!

~ Felice

Happy Friday!

Just a quick post today. First, I want to wish everyone a happy Friday and a great weekend! I hope everyone who is racing has a terrific time -- I'm sending out positive vibes to all of you.

Second, I enjoyed my 7-mile run yesterday and I hope to get a 4-miler in today before heading out of town for a wedding tomorrow.

And . . . I have a giveaway! I can't host them on this site any longer so I've started a separate site called, inventively, Happy Runner Giveaways. I know . . . where in the world do I come up with this stuff?

So, check it out my new site. Today's giveaway is for a case of Solixir. Woo hoo! Go enter!

That's it. That's all I've got. Enjoy the weekend!

~ Felice