Tomorrow I have a 7-miler on schedule. I know its not the most horrible of distances, but I havent run more than 6 since the Las Vegas Marathon ... in December of 2007. Its been a while since I've been up there in the distances and I get that nervous, jittery feeling in my stomach all over again. Sure, I have run 7 miles before. But it was two years ago. I was younger. More fit. And I didnt have a toddler sucking all of the energy out of me :)

Tonight we are having pasta and garlic bread for dinner. And to make sure I have enough carbohydrates for tomorrow's run I also ate a donught and like, 1/2 of a coffee cake. Now I'm sure I will be fully fueled.

Today has been a busy day already. I was up at 5AM for a 3-miler, had a toning class at 8AM and a playdate (for Brooke) at 10:30. The playdate went till 12:30, then Brooke had lunch and she is now down for a nap. I am now taking a moment to rest, blog, and watch this weeks Glee.

Running Log
Time:29:27   Distance:2.83mi   Pace:10:25

Another 5AM run, this one a bit more challenging than my last run. I started out with led legs and didnt really lose them till about 1/2 way through the run. Suprisingly, I paced at 10:31 that first mile. Generally I have been pacing slower my 1st mile due to the time it takes me to warm up, and I figured since my legs were so heavy I was going even slower than usual. Guess not. I am actually happy that my pacing seems to be becoming more regular instead of all over the place.

Splits
1 10:31
2 10:37
3 10:01 (pacing)

Kim, over at ilaxSTUDIO is doing a Homemade Holiday Sweets Giveaway! Enter to win some yummy treats (details on her blog). If you are on a diet, a cautious eater, have some sort of allergy, etc., enter anyway and feel free to give her my address if you dont actually want the goodies. I'll accept someone elses winnings without guilt or self-pity.

Pretty much, the closest I get to baking is heating up a scone from Starbucks in my microwave. Occasionally, when I feel really homemakery, I whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. The Nestle kind that I grab out of my refrigerator and are pre-cut and ready to go.

So I'm hoping I win her giveaway so that I can stuff myself full of nice homemade sweets instead of the kind I get on a daily basis from Starbucks. Its the holidays and I deserve it ;)

Today is a "work day". That means I have my sitter and I sit at a Starbucks for 4.5 hours contemplating how I will ever get this dissertation done. I spend some time blogging, eating, surfing the internet, and doing a bit of research for my dissertation. When the dissertation stuff gets too overwhelming, I go back to blogging, eating & surfing.

Today I decided to leave the comfort of my Starbucks for a different one. I did this because there is a Starbucks located right next to a really nice running store and I needed to get a hydration belt. I keep thinking about all of the cold-weather gear I need, but the nice (and unseasonable) weather here forces me to postpone reality. Again, this weekend for the long run its supposed to be in the 50's. But, this is Chicago. We have nasty, cold, 24-inch-snow, freezing rain kind of winters ... and I better be prepared.

So I loaded up on stuff today:

Hydration Belt

Although the people in my running program really recommend the Fuel Belt products, I didnt like the lack of storage for anything besides liquid they had. I have a Nathan single bottle pack and it has really nice storage pockets, so I decided to look into those. I verified that my iPhone fits into the pocket (how else can I blog while I run?) and purchased the "Speed 4" which has four individual 10oz bottles, enabling me to carry water, Gatorade & possible an alcoholic beverage or two (in case of emergency).

Weather Resistant Jacket
I tried on a few of these by different companies including Brooks & Sugoi. I went with one from Saucony - the ViperLite Softshell.
Of the three I tried on, Saucony was not only the best price, but it also had the best fit (for me). It was long enough (which is often a problem for me) and still provided a full range of motion. Both of the other two not only were a bit shorter and more restrictive, but actually gaped a bit at the bottom and didnt create a straight-lined fit. The last thing I need is a winter breeze whipping up my jacket.

Cold Weather Running Tight
Again, tried on a few brands. Two different Saucony and two different Sugoi. At the last minute the guy brought me a pair of Nikes to try. I found the waisband on the Sugoi's both to be too high, and the Saucony one to be a bit too low. I do like a lower rise and contemplated the Saucony, but they also seemed to be a bit short. When they guy brought me the Nike's he suggested they might be better in length (this was before I had even tried on the Saucony) and he was right. Turns out they are men's running tights ... guess thats what you need when you have long legs ;)

Running Gloves
And finally, I asked them about gloves. I have several pairs of running gloves. Nothing seems to work. They are never just "right". Either too cold, or too warm. And they tend to make my hands cold when they get wet (which happens when you have nasty, sweaty hands ... which it appears I do). The guy suggested going with a SmartWool liner glove. The fabric is supposed to regulate body temperature and is "odor-free". For really cold days I can/should layer them with a glove shell for optimum warmth. I figured I would give it a whirl.

So bring it on Chicago Winter! (But free to take your time...I'm ready, but there is no need to rush it or anything)

I checked the weather forecast last night and was told to expect rain in the early morning. Since the weather forecast is never right, I set my alarm for 5AM anyway. At 5AM I got up, looked out the window, saw rain, and went back to bed. I may be dumb enough to run in the dark, but I'm not crazy enough to run in the dark when its raining.

I knew I needed to get todays run in since my schedule is already a bit messed up. I missed my run on Monday and did it on Tuesday instead. In order to get three runs in this week I had two runs and only Wed, Thurs and Fri left. If I skipped today, that would put me at a Thurs and Fri run followed by a long run on Saturday ... and I'm just not ready for that much running yet.

I knew full well at 5AM I was going to have to do a PM run and yet spent my day consuming garbage as usual. I watched the weather all day and hoped it was going to give me a break tonight, and it did.

Running Log
Time:38:10   Distance:3.66mi   Pace:10:26

A little over a mile into my run I had a bit of déjà vu. I was in about the exact same area as I was yesterday when another runner turned a corner right in front of me. I ended up tailing her. We were pacing about the same and I was about 20 feet behind her. She kept looking back over her left shoulder at me - either freaked out at the sound of footsteps behind her or wondering if I was going to pass her. Yesterday morning I mentioned that I thought the other runner (behind me) should have crossed the street or turned a corner. Since I was going to turn in only a few blocks, crossing the street was not an option. So, I decided to do what any runner would do. Pass her.

I picked up my pace a bit assuming (since we were pacing the same) that she would be easy to pass. Unfortunately, when I picked up my pace, she picked up hers. I got faster, she got faster. What???? So eventually I pretty much had to sprint to blow past her. I didn't know how far behind me she was or if she was even still behind me. But, in the event she was still behind me I started to worry. I couldnt run this fast for much longer and was pretty sure I was going to blow my load.

So I turned a corner a few blocks early to make sure I could avoid her and dropped my pace back down. Yes, I admit, I am a coward.

Splits:
1 10:43
2 10:38
3 10:03
4 10:16 (pacing)

Overall I felt pretty good during the whole run. Either I properly fueled today (latte, orange crush, cranberry bliss bar from Starbucks, cheese and crackers), or the promise of a hot pizza sitting at home was enough motivation. Im thinking its the latter.

Last night my husband informs me that he need to be at work early. This means I need to be home from my am run by 5:50AM. Since it was supposed to be a 40 minute run and it takes me a few minutes to get out of the door, I set my alarm for 4:50AM. I am either very dedicated or very stupid.

I got to bed by 10:30, which is a record for me. Brooke wasnt too bad of a sleeper last night and she didnt wake me up until about 2. I was actually glad when I looked at the alarm .. because I still had 3 more hours to sleep, which seems like a lot compared to some nights. She woke me up once or twice more until my alarm went off.

This is the part where I pretty much died

At 4:50 the sound of my alarm woke me up and I quickly popped out of bed. In the total darkness I stumbled towards the bathroom to get ready. I actually didnt even consider skipping my run, which is a good thing. I got dressed, pondered whether or not to wear gloves (I opted not to, which I think was the wrong decision) and hit the pavement. I survived my run.

I got home at 5:50 (a bit before actually) and was in and out of the shower by 6:15. Despite all of my complaining, I have to (guiltilly) admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the hour I had in the morning to myself before Brooke woke up. I dont get that kind of time anymore and it was really great. I made oatmeal and actually sat down and took time to eat it, while I caught up on some of your blogs. I got Brooke's breakfast ready so I didnt have to try to do it with her hanging on my leg and whining. I got a load of dishes started. It was pretty nice.

This is the part where I found myself in Heaven
Starbucks has a new Holiday latte - its "Caramel Brulee". I have not liked any of their new inventions in the past, so I wasnt too sure I should pass up the usual for something new and different. But, since I'm all about pushing my boundaries lately, and I successfully managed to wake up at 4:50 AND go for a run ... I gave it a whirl.

Oh. My. God.

It so good, typing right now I think I might go back and get another one. If I dont get back today, I know I wont be able to sleep tonight in anticipation of getting one tomorrow. This is officially the best Holiday Season I have ever had. I am serious.

Running Log
Time:35:41   Distance:3.40mi   Pace:10:30

Looks like I am going to have to extend my running route :( Today called for 40 minutes and I planned my route according to a pace of 11:30. Good thing is that I am getting more comfortable with running again, thus the increased speed. Bad thing is that now that I am a bit faster I have to run farther.

Splits:
1 10:59
2 10:33
3 10:13
4 9:46 (pacing)

So a really strange thing happened this morning. I was about a mile into my run, maybe a smidge more. Its pitch black. There is a car here and there, the same homeless person snoozing in the bus shelter I saw last time, and the same girl on the treadmill in the personal training gym. I'm already becoming familiar with my route and the infrequent people I see. Then I hear footsteps behind me.

I try to ignore them. I'm on a busy road, its pretty well lit, and I keep going. But the footsteps continue. They are loud, and a bit heavy. So I glance behind me - its another runner! So this woman trails me for about .5 miles. I hear her feet hit the pavement on every step, and she is freaking me out. There is nobody else out on the streets ... and this lady decides to trail me? Am I wrong, or is that freaky?

Eventually I turn the corner and lose the tail. I did see two other runners besides the trailer this morning, which is much more than the zero I saw last time. I dont mind being out there so early as long as I am not the only one doing it. It was nice having some company! I just want the company to keep their distance ...

I ran a 5K a few months back, and (as usual) my race pics were atrocious. Yet, they continue to try to get me to actually PURCHASE them. People must buy them, or this businss would not exist. But I dont understand who out there actually forks out the hefty cash for one of the photos.

To top it off, they are suggesting one of my (awesome) pictures would make a nice Holiday card. Seriously????
This is what the site says about their Holiday cards:

Our Holiday Card package contains 40 4x8 prints featuring the image you select along with envelopes for mailing. This is a great value and a great way to share holiday wishes with family and friends while still showing off. All of our prints are professionally reproduced at our in-house photo lab on Kodak Professional Endura Paper - perfect for sharing with friends and family. They are sharpened, color-corrected and adjusted for optimum quality.

Be Honest. Would you send out a Holiday card with a race photo on it?

Visiting all of your awesome blogs has made me realize how much mine stinks (visually, of course). So though I complain and whine about not having any time for anything in my life, I spent HOURS yesterday tinkering around with a new template. And I'm not done. There are a few kinks I just cant work out and since I have no clue what I am doing I'm not too sure how to fix em. Oh well, more hours to spend on this blog administration to come...

I mentioned previously the issues we are having with Brooke. Its been days since any of us have had a good night sleep. She had to go back to two naps because she has been so exhausted, yet I am not recovering from these rough nights and its starting to wear on me. Last night I pondered an am run this morning. I've got 40 minutes on the schedule and (like usual) cant really find 40 minutes to spare. I was wrapping up my day at 10:30pm and checked the weather - it was supposed to be about 40 and raining in the am. Then I realized I didnt know where any of my running gear was since I hadnt finished the laundry. I tried on some new running tights, rummaged through the laundry room for some other stuff, then got wrapped up in other tasks. Next thing it was 11:30pm. I decided I needed the sleep and would find another way to get my run in.

(Brooke had another rough night of sleep, but better than its been the past few days. She now has a cough and I'm not sure if thats part of the previous problem or something entirely new. Thanks to all of you guys for your suggestions and offers of encouragement! We keep thinking it could be teething (she is definitely getting new teeth) but she has never been like this with teething before. Then the appearance of a cough just messes up all of the guessing I've done over the past few days. Today she woke up in a better mood but still is very sensitive and has quite a short fuse. She is lucky she is so cute because she is actually driving me a bit crazy.)

Tonight I am attending a meeting at a local school in regards to a proposed cellular antenna on the roof. Since this school is very close to our house I want to make sure I hear all of the information and make my opinion known. The meeting is at 6:30 and the only way I think I can get a run in today is if I show up at the meeting in my running gear and head out from there. But I wonder if this is hugely inappropriate and have been pondering the issue all day. Oh, what to do?