I am excited for a long weekend because there's a chance I can get in a long run without having work get in the way. You know how it is when all you want to do is run but you have to do real life stuff instead, like go to work and be a functioning adult. Tough days, real tough. I've been thinking about ways to improve my running, as I always am, and have come up with a few ideas. First, a weighted vest. My thought is that I will have to work harder to run with that on, so once it comes off, running faster will be easier. Any experiences in this I'd love to hear, because "I may be as woefully wrong as Humphrey Belcher who believed the time was ripe for a cheese cauldron." Second, I think it might be time to switch over to a hydration belt or backpack. I've been running holding a 24 oz water bottle for about two years now and I'm really starting to notice that my arm is getting cramped up in the bicep area on my longer runs. Yea, I know, I'm sure there's another reason besides just the water bottle, but I think switching over would alleviate some of that. Again, I could be way off, so if you've made the switch, let me know how it went. Third, and it doesn't really have to do with improving running so much as it is something I want. There's an awesome jacket out there made by Craft that I'm coveting. It's beautiful and looks great for winter running. But it's $129. Between the shoes that I use, the Tailwind that I need to reorder, and the cost of the races, I just can't convince myself to spend that much on another running jacket. Even if it comes with attached gloves. If you're interested in checking it out though, here's a picture and a link to the women's jacket.
Speaking of races, I'm still waiting to hear who the Louisiana Marathon is giving away their free entry too. Do I think it's going to be me? No. Do I hope it is? You bet. If it's not, I'll be signed up by the end of the month anyways, but it sure would be nice to have a free entry. It would make paying for Boston in a few months seem less harsh. And while we're on the topic of Boston, my team for my main man Morty is still taking donations. I know it's close to the holidays, but if you get your donation in before the new year, it's tax deductible for this years taxes! That's bonus that I know everyone wants. Plus, Morty's birthday is this week, and what better gift to give a child than a donation to a center that has helped him out in so many ways?
You can donate here if you're feeling extra giving this week.
Donate to Allison Gibbs Michael's Miracles Boston Marathon Team
There are so many other things I wanted to talk about here, but I've decided not to go down that road today. The whole thing with the Syrian refugees is clearly a major topic, but I have no interest in getting readers to this blog just because I dropped a hot ticket key word, or because people want to argue and tell me why I'm wrong about my thoughts and feelings on the situation. So, if you're wondering why that hasn't come up, there you go. The most I will say is that I've never felt better about voting Seth Moulton into office than I did this past week.
For those of you who may not know it, the Philadelphia Marathon was today. While I did not run it, my awesome crew of running partners did and they all did a great job. Huge shout out to Jenna, who finished in 3:59, and to Cynthia, Murdock, and Tracy, who ran their best and finished the marathon strong, like I knew they would. Maybe someday we'll all run together again, if we can ever all get on the same page for the same marathon! I'd love it if they all came to Chicago next year, but maybe we should start looking at NYC instead, since it's closer. I'm pretty sure you're up to date on my entire life now, so it's time to end this with a beautiful selfie I took at the end of my 9 mile run on Friday. It was 60 degrees, in November, I couldn't pass up a beach run with that kind of weather.
Side bar: I want a pair of wireless headphones so I took to Amazon to read some reviews. Who are all these people who get products at a discounted rate in exchange for a review and why can't I get in on that? I'll review anything if you're going to send it to me fo' free. Or at least fo' cheap. Of course, it might be sentences like that which explain exactly why I'm not one of those people, but I promise to use proper grammar in the review. I am a teacher after all, and I only say that type of stuff in jest on here.
