Running versus Biking

In January, I started to run and I've been running 2 to 3 miles a few times a week since then. It's been nice to feel my body get stronger slowly, but surely. I have to balance my runs and the rest of life carefully - if I'm on my feet a few hours for something else, then I might have to push my run off a day and/or my run has to be shorter.

Earlier this summer, I rode Jerry's sister's comfort bike and was surprised how great it felt to bike - it didn't stress my legs out as much as running does. I promptly began researching bikes and found one that I liked. I've been happily biking a few times a week (from 4 to 10 miles) the past month. I even did a 19-mile ride on a nice gravel trail with some friends. So I began a routine of running one day, biking the next, then taking a day off. It's good balance for my body. I still want to run - I've been a runner since 1994. After the accident I didn't know if I would ever run again, so I'm thrilled to do it again, but I'm finding that I like biking better and most days I would rather bike, than run.

Plus this summer our "Running ... because I can Club" switched from meeting Monday nights to Tuesday nights. And for some reason, messing with the schedule has messed with my drive/desire to run (so nice I have something to blame it on!) We are now meeting at my friend Patsy's house. Patsy has a pool and a hot tub, so I should have motivation to run, so I can come back to jump into them. Running 2 miles at club tonight was torture - everything hurt and I had no energy. I kept telling myself about the joy of finishing and the cool pool and hot hottub that would be waiting for me - didn't work well, I hated every minute of it.

Tomorrow I have another bike ride scheduled with friends - we are doing 20 some miles on the Perkiomen Valley Trail. I am excited and ready to go and already thinking about where/when the next bike ride could be. Just don't ask me to run right now.

Relay Team

Whether it is a friend, family member, the neighbor down the street, or our own personal experience, unfortunately we have all been touched by cancer in some way. That is why the running club I'm a part of - Running ... Because I Can has chosen to join our community by participating in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Twin Valley on June 19 and 20, 2009.

The Relay is a team event to fight cancer and is a great time to party and run or walk all night (each person picks the time and distance that works for them) to help find a cure for cancer, giving others hope for many more years of running or walking because they can!

If you want to join the party ... see our team page and think about supporting our fund raising and/or joining the team!

We'd love to have you!

Running Indoor or Outdoors

This is where I like to

run this time of year -
inside where it is between
65 and 70 degrees.
I don't mind the heat
and the sweat!
The lights are on and
I can see what I'm doing!

But last night I ran outside - in the dark with temps in the low 20's.
Why did I do that?
Because I ran with this group of women - tough, strong, encouraging women! THEY have the power to get me outside in the dark and cold!