WOW! Cool weather is here...

Yowsers, it was cold out this morning.  I know, those of you on the East Coast have been feeling this cold for awhile now, but remember us Cali-folks are a touch spoiled out here.  This morning was the first really cold morning this year - or at least the first one requiring the full courage and determination ensemble. 

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Ironically enough, we're holding a special this weekend on fall running apparel -- save 20% on courage and determination skirts 'til Sunday by entering PUMPKIN in the promo code box on checkout. 

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Cheers
and Happy Fall Running!

BEES 3 My head 0, My arm 0

ok...  so the bees have definitely waged war on me this year - with 3 stings on the trail and one other random bee that came in the house with my laundry off the clothesline (v. random). 

I just got stung in the head, AGAIN!  (Second time in a week... OUCH!)

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Anyhow, I'm not quite sure what I've done to tick them off, but I hope you are faring better this fall (bee) season.  

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Feel free to share any advice for avoiding the stings.. I have heard of carrying a dryer sheet... any other clever ideas?

Bees 1. Tattersol(s) 0.

I should have known better.  It is bee season in PV, but here I am running - and without my hair pulled back.  So of course I get a bee in my bonnet (hair) and it stings me.  OUCH! HOLY MF"R OUCH OUCH OUCH CHIT!!!!  Then of course b/c my hair is long, and I'm all sweaty, he gets stuck in there and my running buddy has to dig in and pull him out (with a leaf!).

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Anyhow.  It was an exciting morning.

And my head hurts like...

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But the true moral of the story - it is bee season, so if you have long hair - pull it back or put a cap on.  At least you might not get stung in the head!

sometimes, it's best not to run

Seriously.
I'd signed up to run the Double Dipsea months ago.  I can't say I trained all that much for it, as my athletic endeavors in recent months have primarily involved a mountain bike, but I did go up and preRun it, and have mostly maintained my weekly mid-distance run of 10-14 miles.  So, I figured it'd be fine.
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Unfortunately though, the timing for this race, which was set for last Saturday, was horrible!  Between getting a new mountain biking, having a birthday and the summer solstice, last week was a very long week full of some really awesome rides --  2 full days at the demo (a really kick butt, but super grueling local mountain biking playground), the monthly ladies ride, another shop ride... often followed by a few cold and tasty adult beverages, plus a few swims and a nice long birthday run, by the time I rolled home at 11PM on Friday night, I knew there was just no way I was getting up at 5 AM for the Double Dipsea. 
None.
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Ohhh... but I so wanted too!
And I made a valiant effort.
But as I laid there trying to rouse myself, I recalled the new pain in my knee I'd noticed the day before, and the tweak in my ankle that had returned after a several year hiatus and the strain in my back from the new body position on my bike.  And I thought about how terribly difficult the pancake flat 2 mile ride home had felt just a few hours before, and knew getting out of bed to go run 14 miles, twice up and over the ridge between Stinson Beach and Mill Valley -- the 1500 steps in between, would be a very bad idea. 
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Thinking about the conversation I'd had the day before with my friend that was running it injured "if I can run it with a torn meniscus"  (or whatever it is that's ailing her this month, I honestly don't recall)  then you can do it!  The truth is, yes, I probably could have.  And I probably would have ended up injured. 
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And so I stayed in bed.  With the benefit of hindsight, after watching my body refuse to do anything for 2 whole days, and feeling how hard it was to get back on the bike for even an easy ride last night, I know without a doubt that if I had pushed myself up that mountain, I would be more than just tired right now.  I would be injured.
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I'm quite certain that the disappointment of bailing on Double Dipsea is far less than would be the disappointment if I was injured and out of commission for a week, a month or more.  Instead, I get to ride my beatufiul new moutain bike at least 2 more times this week, swim and run today and again tomorrow with my good friend and favorite trail buddy. 
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If I listen real close, I can swear my body is thanking me. 

Super cool BAY AREA trail run...

For those of you looking for an awesome fall trail run
Mt. Diablo Adventure Trail Run - to save Mt. Diablo
Nov. 2
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Rates increase to $40 on October 22.