Ran An Errand

I headed out today around 5:15 PM. A bit late but I wanted to get the run in, and I had a craving for crusty bread with our pasta so I ran to Trader Joe's about 2 miles away with a little bag over my shoulder to buy a loaf of bread. I dashed into the store, grabbed a baguette, tossed it in the bag and headed home. I literally ran an errand.

Since today is Ash Wednesday and we're now in Lent I was observing the stricture, and will continue to do so for the next 39 days, of fasting between meals. I actually bonked on my run a bit. I was shaky and hungry over the last half. I'm not a huge snacker but I do graze throughout the day to keep some calories coming in and it's amazing what a difference they make and how different I felt without them. I was ravenous at dinner.

Final thing, I got this link over Twitter to this article "Why runners usually make great employees." Great article, and very true, I think.

Christmas Bills Due

I wrote in a comment this morning that I've been living on a diet of cookie and cocktails and it's true. I've been eating Pfeffeneuse, Joe Froggers, Sugar Cookies and Chocolate Shortbread cookies for about 2 meals per day and washing them down with everything from beer and wine to Sazeracs and Negronis . . . not exactly a diet for fitness nor running success. I got off my duff though and did a labored a run around town. It was in he 30 minute range and it was sort of painful. The Christmas bills have come due.

My short off-season feels deleterious but I'll be OK. It was a cold, bright, beautiful and super windy day. Because of the wind I debuted of a new piece of gear. Mrs. A bought me a Sugoi rain suit for Christmas and I wore the pants today to block the wind and they worked very nicely. The new suit will make VT City training a bit more comfortable since it will rain and snow during the cycle. I hope to get out tomorrow to end '08 strong and then I'll be doing a New Year's Day 5K here in town to kick off my race/month goal in '09.

Endurance Event

Below is a sampling of the 2008 Krispy Kreme Challenge in Raleigh, NC. Run two miles. Get a dozen donuts. Eat them all. Run back to the start/finish line. Do it in one hour or less. How exactly does one train for this?



I found this on a site that I've been following off an on for a while -- Big Arm Woman.

I need to get out today, but the weather is nasty . . .