Spring Races

It's finally time for spring races to begin--even though Rita has already done two races. She gets a break from the Backyard Burn this weekend, but the rest of us, as far as I know, are doing the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler on Sunday. It's been really tough to find a time we all can train together, but it's great when any of us can get out there. I'm pretty excited for Sunday. I haven't left suburbia for the city in ages, and those cherry blossoms are so pretty.

I'm much slower than I was last year at this time because I have not been doing any speed work. But a slow 10 miles feels really good now, and hopefully I can do some speed work again someday and set another PR. I originally had a conflict for the other 10-miler this month--the GW Parkway Classic--where I set my 10 miler PR. That event fell through, so I'm doing that race too. Plus a 5-miler in between, so it'll be a busy month of running.

Alison

Shoes

I love shoes. I enjoy shoe shopping and finding the perfect pair, and if it's a bargain, even better. That being said, I don't own a pair of dress shoes more expensive than my running shoes. I don't even remember buying $100+ dress shoes when I worked full time. But here I am spending that much on shoes that I'm going to abuse with heat, mud, and sweat. I'm lucky enough to live across the road from one of our area's many running stores too, so it's easy to replace them. But now I'm tempted to go elsewhere to get a bargain at the many grand opening sales around here--and I still have an unused pair in my closet. This month, we have a new running stores with grand opening sales in Clifton, Balston, Fairfax, and Falls Church, all of which are short drives away. I guess running has gotten so popular that the area can support 4 more stores, but it does seem like a bit much. I hope they all do well!

Now don't even get me started on how much I spent on compression tights and shorts this month...

Alison

Whats a Girl to do when She Travels???

As many of us know it is tough to juggle the work life balance thing- but I think it gets even harder when we hit the road for work! I found myself flying to our corprate office in Texas yet again this month....the clean sheets, wireless internet and company paid hotel movies could not make up for 3 hours of sitting on a plane wishing I was running. So I checked into the Fairmont hotel and decided I would make a quick call to my husband to check in on the little one. By the time I got off the phone and made it to the gym, I had a mere 25 minutes to hit the teadmill before dinner with the executive team. Is it worth it to get all sweaty knowing I needed to be at dinner shortly???? The answer was a resounding yes. Running made me resent traveling less and let me clear my head of all things corporate- even if it was just for 25 minutes.

That being said, if you are struggling to find some peace when you hit the road for work, you might just find it when you lace up your shoes, throw on the iPod, and hit the hotel gym!

Trail Running

Today Toni and I did the free running clinic offered by the people who do the Backyard Burn trail running series. It was so cold and windy out, and we sat outside and listened to lecture for close to an hour. At least he told us in advance to bring warm layers for that. The coach talked all about stride and running more efficiently. Then we did some drills to work on efficient foot stroke--making sure we're not too bouncy and no heel striking. We also did some strengthening exercises for legs and core. Then he lectured on trail specific running, and we took a short run on the trails. There were a few stream crossings, and I didn't quite make it over one. Man that was cold! We learned how to navigate roots, rocks, and down trees. The clinic was very helpful for both trail and paved running. I decided I'll join Rita doing race 4 in the 5-miler series. If I like it, I'll be as bold as she is and do the whole series next time around.

Okay, I have to say it--Happy Trails!!!