To each his own

I didn’t know orange was the color of this year’s camp t-shirts when I packed my florescent orange running shirt in order to be more visible on the narrow, winding, country roads of Ardèche, France, where our camp is held. I also took that particular running shirt along because orange has always been one of my favorite colors (from the time my mom first let me pick out clothes, to the color scheme chosen for my freshman dorm room).

I was excited to win the florescent shirt by placing in the tower race in May because I had given away an identical shirt, won the previous year, to a fellow orange lover. But not everyone is partial to orange. The race sponsor told me he had got complaints about the shirt, and one of my friends said she can hardly stand to look in my direction when I’m wearing it. At least drivers can't miss me!

Gotta run…

Empathy

A few weeks ago, having woke up extra early, Husband said, "lets go for a run before it gets too hot." I didn't feel like going, but to have some time together I did. I figured that after the first mile or so I would be happy to be out there. It never happened. I was miserable every step. It was a first for me. I realized that this is what my friends who only run to stay fit, or to spend time with their husband, experience all the time! Why would you do it? Fortunately, it hasn't happened again and I hope it never will.

Gotta run...

Perspective

M.W. came over recently and we ran my regular 8K route together. M. W. said she was enjoying the lovely course going out, but I said, “just wait till we head back.” Some people find out-and-back routes boring, but not me. We turned around at 4K and there were the mountains, the lake, the sequoias. Wow! They were there all along, we just couldn’t see them. It’s amazing how you can be in the same place, but have such a different perspective. Once you make an about-face, so much changes. Isn’t life like that?

Gotta run…

A travers Romanel 2012

Husband, Son 2 and I were all three signed up for last Friday evening's 10K until we realized they had a previous engagement. Two of the Oklahoma State students staying with us this month went with me instead. Neighbor gave us a ride to Romanel and we milled around with the other runners till race time. We were fortunate with the weather, just like last year. I had looked up my time from last year, so that's what I was shooting for. I ran the first of the three laps right on target, but knew it would be difficult to keep up the pace. Even though I was 30 seconds slower on the second lap, I caught up with the same young woman on the downhill portion of the course as I had passed the first time around. I told her to lean into the slope to gain ground. She followed my advice and was able to keep up with me. I didn't catch up with her on my third and slowest lap, but saw her overtake two other women in the distance. At the finish line she came up to me to thank me for the tip. For me, that made up for being so much slower than last year.

The two Okies hadn't really known what to expect and hadn't trained for the run, but were pleased with their Swiss racing experience. By the next morning I was pleased with my race too, because I realized I had looked up the wrong race results for last year. Not only was I only 6 seconds off last year's time, but I also placed second in my age group!

Gotta run...

Course à Dingler 2012

When Husband and I got to Savigny last Saturday afternoon for the Dingler 10K, it had been less than 48 hours since my last race. But at least I hadn't spent six hours digging in the yard that day like Husband had! It was a hot day too, as is often the case for this event. We started out fast because the first third of the course was slightly downhill. Then the climbing started; almost 400 feet over the next 3K. I don't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing that I didn't remember just how much elevation gain was involved in this race. I kept pushing, hoping that just after the next rise the course would start down again. Not only were we rewarded by getting to run downhill on the final third of the race, but also by the magnificent view of the Alps at that point. The pushing paid off since I placed third in my age group. At the pasta party and award ceremony we were told this 40th anniversary run might be the last if the organizers don't find more volunteers for next year. That would be a real shame!

I'll have a few more days to recuperate before my next 10K on Friday.

Gotta run...

Sauvabelin 2012

Son 2 and I really enjoyed last year’s Tour de Sauvabelin 5K so we signed up for this year’s event that took place Thursday evening. There was a good turn out with 120 runners despite the fact that six days earlier the Pully 10K had drawn 350 runners, and about that many will line up for this afternoon’s Savigny 10K. Only the diehards will run all three races!

I had decided jogging that the 2.5K up to Sauvabelin from home would be a good warmup. That was probably a bad idea. First of all it drained too much of our energy; and secondly, it was way to early for Son 2 to warm up. The race was a time trial with runners starting one at a time every 20 seconds. I had finished my 3 miles through the woods, climbed to the top of the tower for the finish, and made my way back to the starting line before Son 2, who was last in line, had begun! At least that way I got to cheer for him. It was a tough race, but we were both satisfied with our times.

By the time the pasta supper, the drawing, and the awards ceremony were done it was getting late. Neighbor was kind enough to give us a lift, so fortunately we didn't have to jog all the way back home.

Gotta run...

The ANTs go marching one by one...

Son 2 has been helping me learn all the intricacies of Garmin Connect. Countless users plug their handy ANT Agents into their computers and upload data from their Garmin devices. We were mesmerized watching the ten-digit total miles logged by users clicking away at an impressive rate. The site posts little tidbits like how many thousands of trips to the moon and back the total millage represents, or how many tons of candy could be consumed in relation to total calories burned. I will just use the very basic functions like distance, pace, elevation gain, and course; but you can also track heart rate, cadence, weather conditions, etc. It was certainly fun to examine the courses I've run so far on the satellite map.

Gotta run...