Gearing up for winter marathon training.

As the temps continue to hover in the upper 20's, anyone running in Chicagoland is well aware of the need to put way more consideration into what we wear for a run.  Gone are the days of throwing on a tank and shorts.  The irony being, for the Dublin marathon, it was in the 40's, and i wore a tank and shorts, with arm warmers.  Now that it is 15 degrees cooler, i wont even look at my running shoes without wearing pants, a long sleeve shirt, a jacket, two pairs of socks, gloves, an ear warmer, a hat, and possibly a scarf.  How does 15 degrees make such a huge difference??

Last year, when i started marathon training about this same time, i showed up looking like this:

No.  Seriously.  All of this is cotton, by the way.  Just throwing that out there.  This is a laid out inventory of all that was worn.

The only thing i wasn't wearing is that flask in the corner.  That was for after.  

Obviously, i do NOT like being cold.  

I am pleased to say I am better prepared this year then i was last year.  Other than the amazing upgrade to actual running tights, rather than american eagle sweatpants with SEQUINS on them, I also now sporting proper hand protection technology.

Not because i'm prepared....haha, no.  Because Erin is prepared!

I recieved (stole) these sweet Saucony running gloves at a recent Chicago Running Bloggers holiday party, and now that i have taken them out for a few spins, especially this week now that the temps are actually below freezing, i though i would share my thoughts.  

First off, they're pink.  And they match my running shoes.  So thats exciting!

Secondly, the mitt part is actually a second layer.  If you get too warm, you can flip it off.  You'd be surprised how warm your hands will actually get - i ended up flipping the mitt off within 2 miles, and it was pretty darn cold.  

There are also mini hoods for your thumb and index finger, you know, in case you need to text someone while you're running.  I find this to be totally pointless, as i am not usually using my phone on a run, and if it was an emergency, i would just take the glove off rather than fiddle around with the tiny little finger hoods.

Probably the best feature is this little snap that keeps the gloves attached when you are not wearing them.  I can't tell you how many single gloves i have floating around.  

I lied.  The best part is this blinky light.  Granted, i am never alone running in the dark, it's always nice to have a blinky light.  Always.  

All in all, i am a big fan.  They kept my hands surprisingly warm, and the biggest improvement was that they kept my hands dry.  I tend to end up being a snotty mess when i run in the cold, and cotton gloves usually end up wet, gross, and cold.  

In summary, cotton gloves work.  Although, sometimes you need two pairs.  But running tech gloves are awesome.  And apparently you can find them at places like Marshalls and TJ Maxx for a very reasonable price.  

I have proven that you really don't need anything but shoes to train for a marathon.  But having some tech gear is definitely a bonus.  And sometimes more fashionable.  

I MEAN, SERIOUSLY????

***For the record, Saucony has no idea i even exist.  I stole these gloves from Cary during the yankee swap.  Winning.

A very merry winter solstice!

Some of you may know that i was not raised in a Christian household.  My mom has always been a follower of Pagan religions (specifically Wicca).  You may have assumed this based on how strange i am, and if so - congrats!

(I did go to a Catholic school from K-12, but it was because i was very smart.  I was exempt from all religious practices.  I did learn alot about christianity though!)

I don't know that i would consider myself to be a part of any of the pagan religions, but it is definitely something that has influenced me.  You wont find me dancing naked in the moonlight tonight, so take that with a grain of salt.  

Here are some fun facts that can allow us to ALL celebrate the solstice together - regardless of whatever organized religion you belong too!

First and foremost, the world isn't ending, so don't get too crazy tonight at your solstice parties!

Tonight is the longest night of the year.  A seemingly never-ending darkness in the world.  It's a test of our faith - the sun will return tomorrow, even stronger and brighter!  (literally!  We are entering a period of increased solar flare activity!)

It is an important day to be grateful for our greatest gift this season - our planet!  Every animal, every tree, every stone is a gift, and we rarely make time to be thankful.  Especially as runners, i think it's extra important today that we acknowledge all that we have, and promise to protect and take care of it.  As the guardians, it's kind of our only job.  

We designate our animal spirit guide.  (this isn't really affiliated with any one pagan religion.  It's just kind of fun to do - a lot of people do it!)  I sense that you are probably laughing right now, but stick with me!  Do you really think we are left to wonder this planet with no supervision and spiritual guidance??  Every year i choose the red fox as my animal guide, for very obvious reasons.  It's kind of like a patronus on Harry Potter.

Some characteristics of my animal spirit guide:

• Shapeshifting
• Cleverness
• Observational Skills
• Cunning
• Speed
• Stealth
• Invisibility
• Feminine Courage
• Ability to observe without being seen
• Persistence
• Camouflage
• Gentleness

All in all, the fox is quick on it's feet, but quicker with it's wits.  I benefit greatly from its ability to survive despite all odds, and it's clever approach towards every problem.  I choose the red fox once again for 2013!  What is your spirt animal??

Don't forget to feast tonight on all the delicious things the earth provides us with!  (spoiler: the world did not provide us with oreos.  We did that one against the planets wishes...)

Lastly, as we make our way through the dark tonight, we awake to a fresh start tomorrow.  What we plant tonight, we sow all year.  This is the night to birth schemes and great ideas, because for some crazy reason, that magical powers that surround tonight force our crazy goals into fruition!  

So grab your loved ones, and light some candles - there is nothing to fear from the longest night - it's a time to celebrate!  

Happy Solstice!! <3

A year of records

No, not me.  In fact, i am mediocre at best at almost everything i attempt.

I'm talking about the weather!  What's going on with you weather?  I won't even go into world wide weather phenomena over the past year, but just Chicago alone has been all over the place.  Between the mild dry winter, the 80 degree days in March, the 100 degree days in June, and the 71 degree day just last week, I am a little concerned.  Don't get me wrong.  The fact that it is sunny and 50 degrees right now is awesome.  You know what isn't awesome?  I am drowning under a sea of year end deadlines, and looking outside is only making it harder for me to focus on this mountain of work (especially since it is dark when i go in, and dark when i leave.  It's a vampires life for me!) I would feel much better about all of this if it was snowing right now.

Why hasn't it snowed yet???  We already smashed the record for longest amount of days without measurable snowfall.  In a couple more days, we will smash the record for latest day in December without seeing snow fall.  What's going on up there??  Is somebody asleep on the job?

Well, as someone who loves running through fresh snow (when it is less than 3" deep) and leaving her tracks all over the city, I am begging you, Chicago...

LET IT SNOW!!

Little baby snows....

Big fancy snows.....

Even blurry snows that get in your eyes and sometimes cause temporary blindness....

I am lost and depressed without you.  I'll take anything at this point.  How are we supposed to show what badass winter runners we are when there's no snow??