Pacers Ambassadors

So I've been busy at work this weekend even though I'm snowed in.  Last week I found out that I would be a part of the Pacers Ambassador program for 2010.  Pacers is the local running store, which I can honestly say has pushed me through the training for both my marathons and does a lot to serve the local running community (fun runs, tons of races, etc).  The Pacers Ambassador program will allow me to help publicize Pacers and in turn they will provide me with some running shirts and possibly free entry into some races, which for me the low budget runner is greatly appreciated.

So since getting selected for the program I have tried to increase my online presence, I now have a flickr account where I'll publish all my running pictures and I'll probably try and take pictures at various races and ambassador events so it's not JUST my 2 marathons.

The Pacers Ambassador program also has a new blog that will be a work in progress, but it will be updated by many of the ambassadors, check it out at runpacersambassadors.blogspot.com.  I'll be publishing on there for sure!

I'll be at an event with Pacers Wednesday night, hopefully I'll be shoveled out by then and the storm they're PREDICTING for then won't come!

Running in the cold

So I'm stuck inside because we have one of the biggest snow storms in the history of the DC area coming through.  All of this snow has me thinking about cold weather running and how to get through it.  It's been pretty cold in DC as of late, I've been typically out there running in 20-30 degree weather.  My legs don't mind the cold so I usually wear shorts through the winter but my upper body, it gets pretty cold.  Luckily, this year for Christmas my Aunt and Uncle got me a great piece of clothing, the Under Armour Cold Gear Mock Turtleneck.  The past couple of runs that I've used this on I will just put a t-shirt over to brighten me up since it's still pretty dark and it keeps me pretty comfortable.   According to the Under Armour web site:

"Two layer brushed fabric combines enhanced thermal protection and moisture transport. Compression fit for bolstered muscle support and increased circulation resulting in higher efficiency output and increased stamina."

In other words, it keeps you pretty warm!

"Anti-Odor Technology prevents the growth of odor causing microbes."

 And doesn't smell!
Here are some more reviews of the Under Armour cold gear

For more on winter running, here's a link from the February Runners World magazine

About time for new shoes

I'm getting close to the time that I need a new pair of shoes. I always put off buying new shoes until the last possible moment, because who really wants to shell out $90-100 for a pair of shoes they'll go through in about 8-10 weeks (I usually try to make them last about 3-4 months at least). I am pretty happy with the shoe I have now, the Mizuno Wave Rider 12 but I'm not sure if I want to continue with it or go back to Brooks. Here are two different shoe reviews that both seemed to interest me.

The first is for the Mizuno Wave Rider 13, it's similar to the 12 when it comes to the sole of the shoe but they tweaked the top of the shoe.

The second one is a brand new shoe, haven't heard much about it yet but I'm probably going to do some research and get some opinions on it. It's the Brooks Launch, it looks like a great new shoe but the last time I wore a Brooks shoe I had some issues.

Regardless of which I pick I know soon I'll be trudging down to Pacers to get my new pair within the next month or two!

February 5th Pacers - Pentagon City

Distance: 5.1
Weather: Weather was nice and clear, great morning for a run
Temp: 34
Time: 5:30 AM
Terrain: Flat but there's a pretty decent hill half way through and it ends on a major downhill
Route: http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/va/arlington/692126382239978973

Comments: I went at a pretty comfortable pace, I have not been out as consistently lately as I would like, and I think my conditioning is starting to reflect that. One highlight of the run is that early on I had a guy running in front of me that I caught up to and ran with for a few minutes. I got a chance to plug the Pacers AM runs since he seemed talkative. Maybe this will increase the Pacers runners a little bit!

Save Now

Well with the pending snowstorm forecast, who knows when I'll get my next run in!

2010 Miles: 27.35

February 1, 2010 - Philadelphia 'Rocky Steps' Run

Distance: 5.25
Weather: Nice and clear gorgeous morning
Temp: 20ish
Time: 6:00 AM
Terrain: It was a really flat route, the rocky steps were a bit of a test and there was another large hill when switching from the road to the trail.

Route: http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/pa/philadelphia/607126531758275774

Comments: I war running alone, and running in Philadelphia is TOTALLY different then DC. They didn't have nearly as many runners out by 6 AM! When I was leaving the hotel I was asking for clarification on which way to go and the woman at the front desk just looked at me and said "you know it's 15 degrees out right" and at that I went running outside in shorts, gloves, and my nice warm Pacers running hat (thank you Pentagon City AM Fun Runners!).





I also ran last Monday, doing a 4 mile loop in the rain, while I had a good run, it was NOT FUN. My mile total at the moment for 2010 is...22.25!

January 18th Pacers - Pentagon City

Distance: 5.1
Weather: Weather was nice and clear, great morning for a run
Temp: 41
Time: 6:00 AM
Terrain: Flat but there's a pretty decent hill half way through and it ends on a major downhill
Route: http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/va/arlington/692126382239978973

Comments: I went at a pretty comfortable pace. I didn't know the route completely and was out in front all alone.

2010 Miles: 13

2010 Blogging

Alright, so it's been 6 months since I blogged about my running. It's not that I stopped running, I just became inconsistent in my running and didn't want to make it known that I was slacking off so I just stopped all my tracking. Since stopping consistent posting, I ran the Army Ten Miler, 2009 Marine Corps Marathon and then had to stop because I injured myself during the marathon but kept running anyway.

I started running again last week and feel no pain so I think I am back and will begin posting again consistently. On my blog you will find posts regarding my runs and hopefully also some posts about articles I read in Runners World or other things running related.

Anyone reading this likely knows me, and likely knows that I am very interested in all things politics but this blog will remain a political free zone. Unless of course they start passing legislation regarding running...then I may delve into that but I see that as unlikely.

You'll also notice at the bottom of all my posts I will begin counting the miles I run in 2010...I don't really have a goal for what I want to run in 2010, but I'm sure I'll come up with one in the coming weeks.