Brown Socks

Early Christmas Present

I took the new trail shoes out for a run today.  I was waiting to wear them until after Christmas because they were a Christmas present- but Zack looked at me like I was crazy when I told him that.  Well,they were already out of the box, lined up with the other running shoes...

So I headed down to the Greenbelt with Salado for a 30 minute run. I decided to use one of the  trail-heads in the Barton Hills neighborhood so I could try the shoes out on a rocky part of the trail.  The Hardrocks are so bulky compared to my Cascadias- I felt like I was wearing moon boots.  But running over the rocks was much easier with the stiffer sole- the trade off being that the stiffness of the shoe messed with my balance a bit.  Also messing with my balance was Salado- today was my first day running with him on a leash over rocky trail- I found that when you are running with a dog next to you- you can't always zig-zag and "take the path of least resistance" ... you just run straight over whatever is in front of you.  Fun though.

Zack went down to run the Jingle Bell run alone this morning.  We were all looking forward to it, but Marcel woke up feeling awful. He didn't want to run the Kid's K, or even go down to watch. He moved up a level in Kung Fu yesterday and he really got a workout- his muscles were very achy and he was very confused and upset about what was going on in his body- he was quite sore.  Poor kid, he was exhausted and took 3 naps today!

Can not follow directions

So, my new sunglasses came in on Wednesday. They came with grey lenses in them, and clear and yellowish-orange "persimmon" lenses to change-out. The first day I had them, I couldn't figure out how to get the grey lenses out to replace them with the persimmon ones.  So, I came to work and asked a coworker how the hell I get those lenses out. He sent me a link to the  online directions- but I already had the instructions that came in the box. I couldn't figure out what was going on in the picture, all I could see were cartoon thumbs and arrows and it meant nothing to me. I was on my own with this.

So, last night I finally get the darn things out without breaking the glasses in half. I then go to insert the persimmon lenses, and can not get the darn things in. I tried about 10 different ways- and failed each time. I swear I followed the directions, but couldn't get them to stick in the correct spot.  So, once again I have to ask my coworker how to get them back in.  He struggled a bit (ha!, it wasn't just me) but he finally got the lenses in.  Now, what is wrong with me?  Why has replacing these lenses taken since WEDNESDAY?  My brother got all of those technical, hands-on type genes- he can make fish tanks, fix computers, build bookcases and cabinets, do needlepoint, weld together a rolling cart, hand dye fabric and then make couch cushions out of it (yes, I am serious), and I can't even figure out how to replace the lenses in my sunglasses. Man, that sucks.

They are here!

Props to the folks at Fleet Feet San Antonio! I won a pair of Brooks Cascadias at the Prickly Pear race last month, and gave them a call last week to redeem my door prize and they arrived today! They were nice enough cover the shipping as well- nice folks. Of course, in Austin I'm a dedicated Runtex shopper for my running clothes, shoes, and gels- but if I ever happen to be in San Antonio and need some running gear, you know where I am going.

Of course I put them on immediately, and was very surprised that they are as flexible as they are. And not stiff! The shoes I have been using as my "Trail shoes" are the Brooks ASR and they are much more stiff and puffy. The puffiness make them hard tighten, kind of like the top of a moon boot. O.K. I am exaggerating about the moon boot thing, but they are puffy...and did I mention stiff? The Cascadias are not puffy at all, very airy in fact. And not stiff! I think I am going to like them!  You will see me coming from a mile away- look at those things!

Might just have to break them in tomorrow....hmmm....where shall I go?

Footsies

I am sitting here writing this post while I soak my feet in a Juniper foot-bath. Ahhh. I just stubbed my toe on the suitcase in the closet and when I looked at my foot to see if it was OK, I realized that I was in some serious need of foot care! Yikes, I have been wearing sandals in public with my feet looking like this!  My toenails are jagged, one toenail is half off, I have calluses, old blisters...O.K. enough, I know. Between the girly shoes I try to shove my feet into, and running, my feet are getting a beating.

So, I am soaking my feet so I can repair them before the race on Saturday!

Clean Laundry

The reason why my blog is called Brown Socks.

These are clean socks. They have been soaked and washed...

Finally

After looking at different models for like a year, I got a Camelbak!  I was at Whole Earth with my friend who was looking for some new hiking sandals, and wandered into the backpack section of the store while I was waiting for her. I found a perfect Camelbak at a price that I couldn't pass up. It is last year's model, but it has everything I need! I can't wait to go on a trek and use it!

Socks

From 11/12/04

You know you are a runner when....you wear 5 year old hole-y green monkey socks to work without thinking twice, but spend $12 on a pair of cool-max socks for running.

Today I bought my 3rd pair of running shoes this year. I rook a 3 mile run around Barton Hills, tackled Wilke and made it to the top without dying (thought I thought I may hyperventilate at the top)to break the shoes in. They feel great and I am ready for Motive.