Welcome to the REAL running world, Alison!

I know to some people, these generic group runs are no big deal. You just show up, run with a group that's at your same pace and just go!

I, on the other hand, thought that the Fleet Feet and Nog Runs would be SUPER scary. I didn't know what to expect, I couldn't get but so much information about the pace of the groups that were running. I just felt totally out of my element and I don't like to jump in without at least preparing mentally for what I have ahead of me.

Well last Thursday was my foray into the BIG GIRL GROUP RUNS (aka Fleet Feet Fun Run)! Not to say that running with the NCRR Women's group wasn't extremely hard and sometimes a little scary...it's just...well, most of the people that show up to these things are, like, REAL runners!
It's funny to say this, because while I am new to running and run with a bunch of FABULOUS women on a regular basis, I still feel like someone's going to pull the rug out from under me and say "You ladies just need to stop pretending like you're real runners! The gig is up!"

I know that alot of people I've read about have felt this same way. I don't have a "Runnner's Body" (not yet, anyway!) and I DO still do intervals (anywhere from 5:1 up to 9:1, depending on who I'm running with), but I am a runner!

Anyway, we're planning on doing the Fleet Feet Fun Run again tonight and then we're going to try the Nog Run for the first time next Monday! I'm super excited!!

Winter Running

Now that it's started to get cooler (I guess you could call 55 degrees "winter" in NC), what am I wearing?

• Capri pants or long pants (whatever is clean)


• Short Sleeve light weight running shirt


• Long sleeve half-zip shirt when it's cooler than normal***I am in LOVE with my REI OXT Airflyte Half-Zip Top!!! Look at the cool thumb slots and SUPER cool fold-out mitts!***


• I still need to get a long sleeve light weight running shirt


• Once it gets much cooler, I'll probably look into getting some warmer tights and layer up my half-zip or long sleeve running shirt with a heavier jacket.

As Georgia wrote to me "The biggest mistake people make it to overdress."
I think this is exactly right! I was so excited to wear my new running gloves and new jacket that I almost overheated one night!
Roni and I were talking about how she hadn't had a "good" run in a while. I was wondering if she was overdressing and that might be the reason for her not feeling as relaxed while running.
http://runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-380-381--13299-0,00.html
http://www.competitiverunner.com/winterruns.php

On another note, DST is totally messing up our 6pm runs!
It's dark at 6pm on the dot these nights, so running last night at Shelley Lake was DEFINITELY an adventure!! When I say adventure I mean more that it was sooo dark and spooky out there in the woods that I don't think any of us are really prepared to do that one again.

Thankfully, I (and 3others) wore my trusty head lamp. YES I looked dorky, YES I was probably messing up the people that were going in the opposite direction's night vision, and YES I think we got made fun of by some of the people that walked by us...but darnit...I COULD SEE! It was surprisingly comfortable and worked quite well! I was able to light up the full running path width. Pretty impressive!