Three Things Thursday

1. Amy (http://agiletoes.blogspot.com/) told me about these:

Check these babies out at www.dirtgirlgaiters.com!

I've been looking for gaiters for a while now. With all the trail running and my plan of running a 78K mountain/trail ultramarathon in 2011, I really needed a pair of those. And, yes, I did find several brands that produce trail running specific gaiters. But those are all black. Boring! Not to mention that the gaiters that I found on the internet were pretty pricey.

Imagine my excitement when Amy told me about these! One teeny tiny problem: there are so many great designs on that website! Impossible to pick just one!

2. Slight change of plans for 2011. I originally planned on running several marathons, aiming to PR on all of these and running several trail ultramarathons. Maybe a bit too ambitious. Especially with this bleeping calf strain.

Change of plans:

Swiss Alpine Marathon 78K race pic

I still plan on running all of these races. However, my main priority will be the Swiss Alpine Marathon 78K in July 2011. Every race that takes place in the first half of 2011 will be entered for training purposes only. PRing would be great, but not the main priority. Pfffiewwww. I feel much better just saying that. :)

I truly feel that my body will thank me for this. Not to mention that this approach to 2011's racing schedule will leave me more relaxed and less stressed out.

3. I'm following T's (http://racingwithbabes.blogspot.com/) example: I'm emptying out my closet. Every item that will not be worn in the next 6 months, as well as every item that I am not too crazy about, has to go. Part goes to charity and second hand, but I'm also willing to let everyone around me benefit. So, if you're a size 1 runningskirt and looking for a skirt, check out yesterday's post:

http://sillygirlrunning.blogspot.com/2010/12/wednesday-market.html

Update: both of the skirts are taken! Thanks! :)

Wednesday market - Runningskirts!

A couple of months ago I purchased these two running skirts from runningskirts.com.

I bought these two babies for a specific race. Me and my outfit were all set, and then the race was cancelled. I've never worn these skirts, and the color/design is just not something I would wear on a training run. Plus winter kicked in in Holland, which means that I won't be wearing any runningskirts until May 2011. And then there will be new designs out. ;)

Ergo, I'm willing to send these skirts to the girl that will wear them and is in love with the design. The skirts are the runningskirt-style (briefs) and a size 1 (wms 0-2). As long as you pay for the shipping costs (about $12 - $15), it's okay with me. Just consider this an early Christmas present...

PS: I'm willing to give them to some one that wants to wear it herself, and not sell it to some one else. That would take away the whole idea behind it. :)

Update: both are taken!

Oh no, you didn't!

It happened... The thing I swore would never happen. The thing I knew with absolute certainty (if there is such thing) would never happen. The thing that just would never happen. Period!

But it did...and within 9 months after me swearing I would never do it.

I registered for my first triathlon.

OK, pick your jaw up from the floor. I'm not kidding.

Some of you (Kevin @ http://halftriing.blogspot.com/) already saw this one coming. I didn't. Hit me by surprise.

So, what happened? Cycling is what I did for the commute to work, right? And swimming is what I would solely do to keep me from drowning? Or when recovering from an injury, and with the sole purpose to get back to running as soon as possible?

True, all true. But then I got seriously injured, and was forced to spend hours per week on the bicycle and in the pool to recover faster and not lose a lot of fitness in the meantime. Guess what, I actually liked it more than I could've thought when I started the cross training. The blisters on my butt caused by cycling in my running shorts (Big mistake. Big big mistake...) didn't cause a hatred towards cycling. And even drinking half the pool learning this bleeping freestyle stroke couldn't make me not love swimming.

And then - before I knew it - I registered for my first tri. The way my mind works...

So, there you have it. Silly Girl Triing. Just for once. In July 2011. And just to figure out whether or not I like triathlons. I'm not saying that I'm going to change the name of my blog. I love running too much to do that. And with these ultramarathons coming up next year, the triathlons will just be in my schedule for the 'fun!' element. For now. Somehow I wouldn't be surprised if I - in a couple of years from now - find myself registered for an Ironman... Again...the way my mind works...

Oh, and yes, ofcourse I also registered to meet the hot guys in Speedos. Duh...

Wordless Monday - Dream Races

Dream Race: The North Pole Marathon!

www.npmarathon.com

So what, I'm still a rock star

Four.

Four weeks since the New York City Marathon. Four weeks since this bloody (Grade II) calf strain. One week of icing, limping around on crutches and resting the calf. Three weeks of lots and lots of cycling, swimming and physio therapy. No running. My sport injuries specialized MD made it pretty clear to me that running is off for at least 6-8 weeks after a calf strain. And the way my calf feels today, I shouldn't rush it. I lost strength in my left leg due to the calf strain, which leaves me with a limpy stride when I do try to run. I keep telling myself that I won't loose lots and lots of fitness as long as I keep cross training. I keep telling myself that I will battle this injury and come out of it a stronger and more determined runner. Fortunately I don't have any full marathon planned till mid April 2011.

Four weeks of total and utter crankiness.

I know the MD is right. I know my PT is right. I know getting back to running too soon will only make it more likely that I will get another calf strain in the near future. And cross training isn't that bad. I'm even developing some sort of puppy love for swimming. I don't even mind getting water in my ears or my nose anymore. I'm not the same girl I was this time a year ago.

But still...cranky. I want to run. Running is what I do. Running is what keeps me sane. Running is what makes me feel alive. Do I still qualify as a runner when all I do at the moment is cycle and swim? No matter how depressed I feel due to the not running, I feel the answer to that is: Heck, Yes!

So, for all the injured, cross training, runners out there, I'm quoting Pink:

So what, I'm still a rock star

I got my rock moves

And I don't need you ('you' being the injury, ofcourse...)

Did you ever have a running injury? If so, what is the longest period of time that such an injury kept you from running?

Three Things Thursday - Cold weather running essentials

1. The North Face Hybrid Windstopper Running tights. Windstopper: enough said.

Those are 'fitted tights', meaning, they have a somewhat 'loose fit', compared to 'normal' tights. I find this extremely comfy for the trail running I do in winter.

2. Salomon XA PRO 3D Ultra Goretex running shoes. Goretex + Contagrip running sole = instant love. By the way, this doesn't mean that I'll be neglecting my Inov-8 running shoes. :)

3. For the extremely chilly runs in low temps: Vaseline. It will keep your nose from freezing off. Promise! :)

What are your cold weather running essentials?