A running story about a puffy vest and pearls.

Scene: my 2nd ever half marathon, the Manhattan Half, January 2007 (?).

I desperately wanted to break 2 hours. My first half, 5 months prior, I had run 2:02 in pouring rain and it had lit a fire under me. I woke up the morning of the race to sub-optimal conditions. Well below zero. Biting wind chill. I jogged to the Met to meet up with friends, then waited in the start corrals, and after running for roughly 200m, I almost stopped at the medical tent. My hands and turned into little claws that I couldn't move. I seriously had my hands in little fists to warm them up while we waited to start, and when we finally started, I couldn't un-fist my hands.

I made a deal with myself to at least complete the first of the two-loops-of-Central Park course and then I could drop out. The first loop came and went, I was well below pace to break 2, and I had warmed up. Then something happened that I will never forget. As I was cresting Harlem Hill, roughly at mile 7.5, a girl passed me. She bounded past, effortlessly, as I was huffing and starting to struggle to maintain my sub-9 pace. But in that moment, all I could focus on was this girl. She was wearing a puffy vest. Not a running vest, but a cute, stylish, puffy vest. And a burburry scarf. Had a cute ponytail (were there even curls in her hair??) and PEARL EARRINGS. I don't know what put it over the top - the vest or the pearls.

I simultaneously envied and loathed her. It seemed so effortless as she quickly ran ahead - would running ever be that effortless for me? I wonder if I can pace off her. [Nope.] I didn't see her again. I watched helplessly as her Burberry scarf disappeared in the distance. I achieved my goal that day. In fact, not only did I break 2 hours, I went 1:49, but all I could think about was that girl in the puffy vest.



This weekend, while sticking to my 'one for you, one of me' Christmas shopping approach, I decided I wanted a running vest. But I didn't want a $50, high tech, reflective 'insert brand here' vest. I wanted my very own PUFFY VEST (on sale in store for 19.99). Perfection in the form of Old Navy.

And this morning, it was FINALLY time to break out the winter running gear. I LOVE winter running. Tights, hat, gloves (OK, I may have gone overboard)...and my puffy vest.

 

I love lamp.

Does this headlamp make my face look fat??

In other words...my headlamp matches my sweater. Guess this means I should run tonight?

three things thursday.

I'm jumping on the bandwagon.

1. I just updated my 'blogger' profile a bit. When I started blogging, I 'followed' blogs via blogger. Now I use Google Reader. So I 'unfollowed' people via blogger. Little did I know, blogger is basically google. So now I'm not even sure who I am following and where. Oh well. If I miss people I guess I will go search them out (via google, clearly).

2. Tomorrow I go to traffic court. I didn't drive for 5 years, then it only took me 3 months to get a ticket. Did you know that 20 mph over the speed limit in Virginia is Reckless Driving? Oops. And that it could be considered a felony offense? And you can't pay it online, you have to go to court? And it could be a recurring fine for 3 years, for hundreds of dollars each year? Ya, I didn't know that either. Sooooo, I'll be dealing with that tomorrow. I can't decide if I want to stand there and nod or actually fight it.

3. Dan and I found an incredible deal on a townhouse (rental) on my favorite street in our neighborhood. We currently love our location and our rental is a steal , but I'm afraid we are quickly outgrowing it (and am also afraid one day I may come home to a canine addition to our 650 square feet). 3 bedrooms, a finished basement, a yard, parking, and a front porch seemed glorious. By the time I convinced him it was worth the extra $$ every month, it was already rented :( But now we at least have our eyes open.

Amazon FTW

After weeks of debate, I finally ordered myself a snazzy PINK headlamp to make night-time running a bit safer.  

(SIDE NOTE: why is it SO DAMN dark at 5pm?!)

Yes, I went with the cheapest, least 'lumens' BUT I am mostly running in areas with street lights so this is just for a bit of added visibility/safety!

After I placed my order, Amazon made perhaps the best 'suggestion' for another item I've ever recieved.

I actually considered it for about 5 seconds. But I think it's smarter to spend my money on things that make sense... you know, like this.

Um....

This has got to be a joke, right??

Straight from the pages of Runners World.

best.

i have this best friend.
who is beautiful and amazing and successful, but lives entirely too far away.
and has smiled and preserved through a tough 6 months.
but she never forgets a day.
and now i get to smile for the next three months when her awesome bday present arrives at my desk.

If you're looking for an awesome go-to holiday present (or to treat yourself), get this.

London 2012 may need to become a reality - I may need to miss the Games themselves, but a potential trip to Zambia in May could put me on British Airways through London...

World AIDS Day 2012.

I don't talk much about the specifics of my job, but today, I hope that everyone around the world can commit a moment, a prayer, a dollar, or possibly more, to the cause that is dear to my heart.

Nothing is too small. Start here. Join (RED). Go to Starbucks.