Picking my next race
After having such an awesome race in Tulsa, I’m eager to get going on my next run. So I checked my calendar, checked my muscles and picked something: the Dallas Rock ‘n’ Roll Half. It’s Sunday, March 24.
I feel kind of weird choosing that instead of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. I’ve run in the half for the past two years, and this city is special to me. But I’m excited to run in Dallas because it will free me up for the Memorial Marathon to run the last 1.2 miles with my daughter, who will be running in the kids marathon. (It will be so adorable!) So it’s bittersweet to give up on the race that was my first half marathon and in my favorite city.
I haven’t signed up for Dallas yet. The price goes up Jan. 31, so I’ll probably wait until Jan. 31 to register. Until then, I think I’ll just feel that pit in my stomach that something horrible is on the way.
Eek!
Running in the snow?
Apparently, people can run in the snow. I would not know this from first-hand experience because I am a huge wimp who’s terrified of slipping and falling and laying stranded somewhere awkward until a random passer-by stops and calls 911. Nevertheless, running in the snow apparently does happen in some locations. Weird.
Here are some tips from Runner’s World on the experience most of us who live in Oklahoma don’t have to mess with but for a few times a year:
- Wear trail shoes.
- Run in fresh snow instead of the packed-down stuff if you can.
- Take teeny tiny steps.
- Run slowly. (Check! I’m super good at this.)
- Don’t run in snow every day. It uses those weird muscles that hibernate until you do some kind of strange exercise. Those are the ones that hurt the most. So run inside and outside – not outside all the time.
- Walk over ice. Seriously. Running on ice is just dumb.
Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon registration costs go up soon
I know, I know. The holidays are crazy. If you’re like me, you probably have been slacking like the slackiest of slackers when it comes to your running schedule because you just – for the love of God! – want to sleep in a little bit. (Do you see all those people dressed like Santa and running like champs? I am not one of them.)
But if nothing else, the holidays are a time to remember to register for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon before the first price jump. Costs go up Jan. 1.
Marathon: $95 to $110.
Half marathon: $65 to $80.
Relay: $250 to $275.
5K: $35 to $40.
5K for age 12 younger: $20 to $25.
But never fear: if you’re doing the Kids Marathon, the price never changes. It’s just $10 for children and $20 for adults running with them.
Another reason to love Ziggy Marley
Jogging strollers recalled
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission has issued a recall for the Baby Jogger City Versa strollers. Click here for more info. Here’s a picture of the recalled strollers.
And then winter came
I have lots of favorite excuses for not running, but bad weather is one of my absolute favorites. And, lucky for me, it’s winter! Runner’s World has a great story about staying warm while you’re outdoors. They offer 10 tips, but here are my favorite three:
- Make a plan. Meet up with someone who will hold you accountable. If you don’t have a running buddy, tell yourself that you can go back inside after 5 minutes if it’s awful outside. Usually, it won’t be awful. It’s a terrible trick you play on yourself.
- Warm up inside. Do some yoga moves or clean your house. Get your blood pumping before you go outside.
- Change as soon as you get back. Get out of your cold clothes and drink something warm.
