Wordless Wednesday - Tutu much?

Wearing this for a charity race: Yes or No?

And yes, it has to be pink!

Tuesday Tidbits - The 'Meh' post

Let the 'meh'ing begin. ;) (And yes, I do know there a so many things out there worse than the ones below! ;))

1. Realizing that the new model of your favorite trail running shoes (Salomon Speedcross) is wider than the old model. Too wide for your feet. And now your Googling your butt off to find every single pair of the old model in your size, and stocking up on those. Meh.

2. Getting all excited about a race you really really hope to do next year (UTMB's CCC distance). Then reading that the race has a lottery. One where most runners won't get in. And with your luck in lotteries...well...let's just say you'll have to look for a Plan B race. Nothing you can do about it, but still...Meh.

3. Power black-outs. When you're trying to finish a document for a client. Meh.

4. Friends complaining about your training regime ('I find it strange that you have time to train, but don't have time to go clubbing.') And then making you feel guilty about it. Meh.

5. Your favorite running skirt looking ready to retire. Meh. (Then again...this does imply that you have a reason to look for a new one. ;)).

6. Headaches/migraines. Meh.

7. Water dripping from your bathroom ceiling. Meh.

8. Fall weather in August. Meh. (although the colder weather is so much nicer to run in! :))

What's your 'Meh' moment of the day? Spill it all out! :)

About that BQ

[Warning: this post might make at least half of my readers stop following this blog...]

When I picked up running about 20 months ago, I kept reading all these reports on BQing and even trying and training to BQ. All these race reports on the Boston marathon. To me it seemed - at that time - that getting that BQ and running Boston would be something to train hard for. Something every runner wanted. The Holy Grail of running. That Boston marathon turned itself into my dream race. At least...in my head it did. The wish to BQ even earned itself a spot on my 5 Year Plan list (check out the tab at the top of this page for the complete list). Trying to get that BQ, and maybe even working my way to that BQ (if I'd ever find a way to ramp up the speed...), would make me a 'serious and dedicated runner'. Well, at least that's what my twisted mind made me believe.

Oh, the ignorance.

After 28 years I knew that little about nutty little me. Apparently.

I love the mountains. I've always loved the mountains. How could I honestly believe that running on asphalt, and on flat courses would be the most fun kind of running for me?

After the Swiss Alpine ultra (well, actually already before that...while training for it) it started to dawn on me that training hard to get that BQ had become less important to me than continuing to train running up- and downhills, and ultra distances. Way less important. Huh? Actually, I could very well state that I no longer care whether or not I get that BQ (might be for the best...since I'm slowwwwww ;)). And running Boston: when and if given the chance to do so (some day) I'd love too, but if I was given the choice between running Boston and - for example - running Western States... No brainer. WS - no doubt in my mind.

Being given the chance to run those trails, hills, dirt, mountains is a true gift. To me it is.

So, there you have it. That BQ just lost its spot on my 5 Year Plan list. Well...it's still there...written in pencil. Hard to read. Because, uh-huh, if I ever manage to get a BQ - by accident...obviously - it would be fun, wouldn't it? ;) I'll find another dream race to fill that spot. I guess there's another 'Boston' out there for me. No worries. ;)

Any thoughts on Boston? Your dream race?

Friday Favorites - Oh, the joy of all the new Fall/Winter running gear!

Here comes trouble! Most of the companies selling running gear are getting their Fall/Winter 11/12 gear out there for us 'addicts' to drool over. A quick selection of my favorites (so far ;)):

Nike

1. Love the fun print on this long sleeve!

For sale here. Retails at $70.

2. Not too sure about the 'flattering' shape of these babies (part of me knows that even Leann Rimes will look like a hippo in these capris), but I kind of like them for not being the usual all black!

For sale here. Retails at $55.

Brooks

1. 'Run Happy'...need I say more?

For sale here. Retails at $32. $25.95 at www.runningwarehouse.com.

2. It's pink. And will keep my ears from freezing off. Sounds like a solid investment.

For sale here. Retails at $24. $19.95 at www. runningwarehouse.com.

Saucony

1. Their ViziPro tights are amazing! They provide that much needed bit of extra safety on early morning and evening runs!

For sale here. Retails at $65. $51.95 at www.runningwarehouse.com.

Salomon

1. If you only plan on buying one item of running gear this Fall, make sure it's this one. This jacket is worth the money. Trust me!

For sale here. Retails at $100. $74.88 at www.runningwarehouse.com.

Runningskirts

The new Runningskirts line (Fall/Winter '11/'12) is scheduled to be available in September. Check their Facebook page for a sneak peek of the new line. The new prints are adorable!

To all the European skirthusiasts: you can also order through their Dutch agent: http://www.hiphardlopen.nl/!

Three Things Thursday - the 'New York New York' edition

1. New York City Marathon: A little over two months left till:

Fundraising (check my fundraising button on the sidebar!) is still on track (well, actually I've reached my fundraising goal, but am still fundraising). A little over $ 6,000 raised: that's two kids going to camp! Still trying to trick anyone around me into donating a bit more, though! Those Hole in the Wall Camps are such a great cause!

2. The wild side: Speaking of New York. Any native New Yorkers or frequent visitors that have any tips on national parks to visit in upstate New York? Mountains, preferably... ;)

3. Come fly with me: The issues with my mom's service dog traveling with her to NY are still not 100% settled (I wrote about this a couple of months ago). And the airline keeps getting ruder. Why is it so hard to take a disabled passenger with her service dog on the plane and seat her properly? Extra frustrating, since this mess implies that we're still not 100% sure that NY is actually going to happen. And, nope, swimming there is not an option... I really really really do hope that this can be settled!

Wacky Wednesday - Would you rather...

...run a 'BQ ready training and course' marathon wearing:

1. A runner wedding dress? As demonstrated in this video. The catch, you'll have to wear 'wedding shoes' with it.

2. A camel suit, but - here's the catch - the person in the suit with you has tummy issues (the smelly kind):



3. Nothing but whipped cream.

Remember, you really want that BQ!