View from my run today
I am definitely not a morning person. I feel no shame when I lay in bed on a Sunday morning until 11 AM. However, marathon training during summer months in the Midwest requires me to run when it is cooler out. In other words, somehow I woke up at 6:45 AM this morning to run. Or rather, my alarm went off at 6:45 and then I managed to crawl out of bed closer to 7:05. Still better than usual.
I finally got out the door around 7:45. So not only do I struggle to get out of bed, but I’m also slow moving in the morning. It honestly just takes me a while to do my hair and pick out my clothes as ridiculous as it sounds. I love running clothes. Buying new shorts, tanks, running tights, sports bras, shoes, socks… I love all of it. And I like to French braid my hair so it’s out of my way while I run. Typical girl, I suppose. It makes me think of how men and women differ when it comes to running.
I keep reading marathon tips from men and it’s clear that they’ve never thought about what it’s like to run as a woman. For example, one guy suggested doing training runs while it’s raining in case it rains on race day. Great advice and honestly it’s something I need to consider. It was freezing rain two years ago during the marathon I’m doing so it’s a huge possibility and I need to prepare for that. However, running in the rain means coming home with 15 inches worth of nappy, frizzy, tangled, soaked hair knotted up in a hair tie. I don’t wash my hair everyday particularly because it takes too long to wash, de-tangle, blow dry, and style it. After I come home from a run in the rain, it takes even longer to untangle and wash. Most men come home from a rainy run and can be showered, dressed, and ready to go in 15 minutes. Women? Um, an hour later maybe? If we’re lucky?
Heat is another tricky factor for female runners. The same guy with the rain advice also suggested running before work since it’s the easiest way to make sure it gets checked off your to do list for the day. Also a great idea if you’ve never tried to put on make up and get ready for work after an 8 mile run in 80 degree heat. Even after the coldest shower and even with an ice pack on my neck, I still can’t seem to figure out how to reduce sweating immediately after a run (and granted, you probably shouldn’t try too hard to stop sweating since it happens for a reason). I end up heading to work with a mixture of sweat, foundation, blush, and powder on my face. Super attractive.
So today was just one step closer to the marathon. And if I get any steps closer to figuring out how to look halfway decent as a female while marathon training, I’ll let you know. In the mean time, I’m going to go figure out what to wear for my race on Friday!
