Cold, crisp and just right.

When I come home from a run, I often say to RT and G that, "I feel like a new woman." My post run shower then makes me repeat this testament.

I love this feeling. It is honestly what started my running path. Feeling like a new woman with a new outlook is something that absolutely blows my skirt in just the right way. I still get this feeling during the winter, but motivating myself to get out the door and do it is so much more difficult. (Please note that I do not feel like a new woman after logging treadmill miles. NOT AT ALL.)

But today, today was perfect. Cool, crisp and just right. I did not have to push myself out the door. I did not have to take the big deep, dig down, just do it. I got out and by three minutes in, I knew why I was pounding the pavement.

One foot in front of the other. Before I knew it, I had gone fifteen. Fifteen mile and I think I really should have pounded out a few more.

I love that. I love running. I love it when the perfect running day comes in to play. And often, a perfect running day makes for a perfect all around day.

What makes you keep pushing?

All runners that I know have a strategy of some sort. A strategy for every distance. A strategy for every type of run. Strategy changes depending on what you are looking to accomplish, but a strategy is always necessary.

I run with slow music. I am beginning to think this may be a bad strategy.

Before I was a runner. When I ran for punishment in my given sport, this was a great strategy. I always went out of the box way to fast. I ran as hard as I could and then I could never finish.

For me, having really slow and relaxing music made me slow the pace and enabled me to cross the finish line. Regardless of the distance.

Well, now that I clearly have the ability to find my distance pace down, I think I may need to rethink my playlist.

I am getting a little faster, but not that much. So are there any suggestions out there for a good playlist that will help me go the distance but pick up the pace just a little....just enough to shave a minute off every mile for 26.2?

Keeping on track during the holiday season.

One of the most difficult things for me about running this time of year is the time change. Not to mention the holiday madness.

We live in a community that has no street lights. I hate the treadmill. And hate may be an understatement. So finding the time to run and run safely becomes more and more difficult this time of year. I really love running in overcast and cold, so that is a plus.

I have been currently running during what is considered lunch time. This helps keep me on track in two capacities. I am able to log my miles, be more focused, get more sleep and eat less overall. So right now I see this as a great way to log my winter miles.

For those of you out there....what are your tricks to staying on track with your running goals during the winter/holiday season?

Running Christmas wish list.

Santa baby, hurry down the chimney for me...... {So I can share my obsession with the world}
{So I can run at night}

{Because if you know me in real life I am more of a fashionista than a runner and Stella McCartney makes my heart pitter patter}

{40 pairs please....10 a quarter}

{So I can remember why I train so hard}

{12 pairs please. Being a hyperhydronic and a marathon runner gets expensive}

What is on your running wish list?

Redding goals.

I have a while before my next marathon. Nearly a month and a half. It has been a while since I have had some real recovery time and some real time to think about what my goals are for the next race.

I have currently just been running to finish. And running to finish twelve in twelve months. It not appears that I may have to do it in thirteen. Thats fine. Not the original goal, but like all things in life we have to deal with unexpected happenings and this ankle thing was certainly unexpected.

So, I am trying to do some "speed work". I may be the worlds slowest runner, so this truly is an oxymoron. However, my goal for Redding is 4:59.

Thats right. 30-45minutes off all my times.

Wish me luch.

CIM pity party.

I was supposed to run CIM yesterday. It was recommended that I sit it out...and I did. I ran a total of sixteen miles this weekend and I feel really strong.

As I sit here this morning and read others CIM updates, I can't help but feel a little angry. Angry that I don't have that post marathon I can't move afterglow. Angry that I am either going to have a month that is going to kill me or I will be more than a month off in finishing my goal.

But thankful that I am seeing my orthopedist again on 12.31 (Happy New Year's!) and that my body is feeling stronger. I am running faster and with more conviction. So for that I am thankful.

But I still am having a pity party.

Five miles never felt so good.

The weather here has been perfect. I spend so much of my running time with a jogging stroller in tow that my posture is horrific. Thankfully, I have been able to use my time in the CST to my advantage. I am trying to keep on my two hour earlier schedule and get in some quality running time.....A-L-O-N-E.

It is amazing how much faster I am sans jogging stroller. It is amazing how much more soothing the time is when I am not worried about entertaining, feeding, keeping the child buckled in.

Granted, I LOVE having her along for the ride. She enjoys the time and I like having her outside. We usually stop and have some park time and all that jazz.

But it is so nice to have five miles to myself. And a cup of coffee when I get home....by. my. self.

In some ways I think I was a loner in my past life.