AND NOW - ON TO THE NEW YEAR! 2015 BECKONS

Runner's Eitquette - FYI

CHRISTMAS 2014 has been a blast - the exercise blast that is!  Health is abounding across the USA as health minded individuals bring to every community an awareness of the importance of getting fit and staying that way to enjoy life and to show an appreciation for the great gift of life!

The sun was up bright and glorious this morning - cold overnight freeze but warmed up quickly into the 40's and I got in a 3 mile jog to top off a fabulous Christmas supper with family.  And, thanks Rachel for the big Hershey bar with almonds. It boosted my jog quite well for the miles out there on the road. 

MY IDEA OF A RUNNER'S PRAYER


EXCERPT FROM: "ON A HIGH PART OF THE COAST OF CUMBERLAND"

"Whate'er the path these mortal feet may trace,
          Breathe through my soul the blessing of thy grace,
          Glad, through a perfect love, a faith sincere
          Drawn from the wisdom that begins with fear,
          Glad to expand; and, for a season, free
          From finite cares, to rest absorbed in Thee!"
           ...Wm. Wordsworth: Easter Sunday, 1883

GEARING UP FOR REINDEER RUNS? YES, IT'S DECEMBER ALREADY!

The fun starts now!  TENNESSEE DECEMBER RUNNING EVENTS.

Did you know we're celebrating Rudolph's first feature length film Christmas Special 50th birthday this year?  Yep, it premiered December, 1964.  WOW! How time flies.  And runner's especially love to celebrate the season with A FABULOUS CHRISTMAS designer race.

Be it a Reindeer Run or a ride on Santa's Sleigh, most everybody loves December,  excepting Scrooge, that is.  The weather's on the plateau been truly great these past 2 weeks with fairly low humidity and temperatures in the 50's or higher during the daylight hours.  Just right for long slow runs!

Slow runner?  I'm certainly qualified for that title.  These days it's difficult to believe I once won my age division in a Fast 5K race because I've now slowed so slow my family describes me as a walker not a runner.   Therewith, I have begun to seriously consider how to best remedy my seemingly ever slowing pace.  Here's one look at slow -   Just the facts, please!  International Association of  Women's Runners. 

So get out there and get going!  Looks like the weather is going to hold throughout the month before winter finally sets in in January. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

Vicki

TURKEY TALK

Tennessee Turkey Trot Races

It's Turkey Time again! Yea! Tennesseans are gearing up all over Tennessee to join in the races. Cold weather is really, really upon us this week. In fact, the warm temperature for today is said to be about 34 degrees. I don't think it made 34 degrees.  And, yes, cold weather, out-of-doors, exercise demands putting on layers to make sure winter winds cannot sweep in and chill you to the core.  My best strategy for a comfy run is layering  with top to bottom thin, thermal, snugly fitting layers. Course, if you're into year round, outside exercise then you probably already know layering for warmth and keeping the wind out is the only way to go.


 Here's my recommendation:  UH, I guess my preference for Brooks anything and everything may be old news to some by now.  However, for those of you who've just happened upon this site...for Winter Running Gear - Thermal tights, cotton socks (i.e., not wool), thermal underwear, turtleneck, gloves, hat, and of course, Brooks Women's Adapt Running Jacket. In my opinion, this jacket is the final word in running jackets for cold weather running! It even incorporates its own facemask (balaclava).

 Brooks Women's Adapt Running Jacket

photo credit copyright@brooksrunning.com

BROOKS TECHNOLOGY
What makes Brooks my go to choice for all things running?  Their TECH! What is 3D Fit Print,  3D HEX LUGS, Ballistic Rock Shield, Guide Rails, and gosh, there is so much more.  I mean, the science at Brooks is unsurpassed in building the best products for runners on the market.  That's my opinion and it's based on a lot of miles on the road.







HAPPY RUNNING AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

BR-R-R-R-r-r-r-r-r-r-r IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - LAYER UP

Cold weather exercise is fun only when you are dressed appropriately for the weather.



.....more to follow

A GREAT COMBINATION - HOT CHAMOMILE TEA AND BROOKS' UTOPIA THERMAL TIGHT II

photography credit copyright@VickiLSullivan

Cold weather exercise has it's own rewards - like healthy hot teas after the workout.  This morning the weather is bright (temps in the 50's), a little windy,  and made glorious by the sun, scents of fireplace fires warming nearby homes, and those breathtaking scenes of red, yellow,  and golden brown leaves still hanging onto the last vestiges of nuture gathered from the branches before being gracefully carried on wind swept billows.  Whew! I'm winded just writing that sentence!

What a day to get out and enjoy the day!

Chamomile tea has numerous health benefits in addition to being a warm-up beverage after cold weather exercise.  This amazing tea is touted to soothe inflammation, boost the immune system, ease anxiety thereby promoting sleep.  Steep the tea for about 5 minutes in just boiled water.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

NOT ALL RUNNERS ARE MARATHONERS

SUN'S UP - copyright@Vicki L. Sullivan

NOT ALL RUNNERS ARE MARATHONERS and that includes me.  While I admire and cheer for runners/joggers/walkers in every strata of the sport, I am not a marathoner.  Being on a road run for 3 hours just isn't my idea of a fun morning.  Certainly, I could see me doing a half-marathon because for a few years my Saturday run was 6 miles into Washington, DC from Arlington, VA and 6 miles back.  That's almost a half. Right?   I think that took me about 2 hours even in my late 30'a and early 40's.  This morning I did the usual 3 mile hiller in about 45 minutes.  And, I have to say, anyone can bend a straw into an alphabetic letter but how many of you can do hills at 68 years?

Happy running, etc. folks!  It's a beautiful day but I'm told, the weather is about to change.  

A PROPER THANKS TO ALL WHO SERVE -

THANK YOU!

My cold weather running began while living in Arlington, VA about 1984. You can believe me when I say,  my experience was excellent beginner's training for running in the extreme North! On really cold runs my facemask hat would get completely frozen. But, the more I trained the more I learned to enjoy the run, the outside, and the fun shared with other runners who also understood and appreciated the sport.  

In warm weather while running in Washington, DC, when happening upon a military unit out for a training run around the tidal basin, my running friend and I would run alongside them like small fish do whales and dolphins.  It was great fun to feel the freedom and strength to participate is such a run.

Today, I jogged/walked my own 5K in keeping with the regiment pictured above.  My oldest grandson serves in this regiment.  My son-in-law, youngest daughter's husband serve in the United States Navy.  Such an investment in our country's freedom and liberty, to me,  means all who hold the United States of America as a sacred trust are unbelievably gifted because of those who serve in our regard and  on our behalf.  


 GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALL!