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| Fall Colors Breaking Out in the Cascades |
Fall!
There is a brief window each fall when the days are still
long and warm, the kids are back in school, and my pesky little job teaching
young writers hasn’t yet started up for the year.
Setting aside the fact that I happen to love back-to-school shopping
(office supplies and new jeans for everyone!), fall is simply the best.
Let’s start with the fact that in the Northwest there is no
better weather than in September and October. It’s not exactly sunbathing and
headed down to the old swimmin’ hole weather, but for running the cool mornings
and warm dry afternoons are perfect because it lets me use more of my
unnecessarily complex running wardrobe. Early morning runs require a
lightweight windbreaker (of which I own three, in different colors and in three
slightly different styles). In the afternoon I can decide between sleeveless,
short sleeved, or lightweight long sleeve depending on temperature (and mood).
And the marginally maintained school bus pulling away from
the corner in a cloud of diesel smoke means the kids are off the streets, off
the trails, and out of the corner booth at my favorite coffee shop. No more
getting run down by mountain bikers in Mad Max armor. On the first day of
school, I ventured out to the Real Running Super Secret Trail Running Test
Grounds, which are somehow always crowded with people despite being super
secret. I made my way around my usual 4 mile loop twice before seeing another
soul, and that was the park ranger, who was wandering around the woods
befuddled by the lack of teenagers smoking and making out on the picnic tables.
It was perfectly awesome.
Fall also gives me a chance to dig into the bucket of
running gadgets I have stashed under my desk. Reflective bands, blinky lights,
headlamps, running packs (to carry the other assorted gadgets I might need).
It’s an accessory hound’s dream!
It’s fleeting, though. In a few weeks fall will give up and
winter will take over. If you’re looking to mark it on your calendar, it’s the
day before the Seattle Marathon.
Race Season
Speaking of the Seattle 26.2 mile foot race, marathon
“season” is upon us. The usual suspects in Portland and Seattle are coming up
soon, and if you haven’t started training yet, you might want to get started. I
usually run in at least one of the major local races each year, but this year
I’m on a small race kick. This year I’m on the lookout for any race in a town
I’ve heard of but never been to, any race for a cause that is only marginally a
cause, and any race that has a distance with a “plus or minus” after it. So
come on North Yelm Approximate Marathon Distance Running Race for Feline
Depression! I’ll buy that t-shirt.
Whatever your pleasure, do yourself a favor and sign up for
at least one fall race. The calendar is jammed, and as the weather turns you’re
going to need something to get you out of the house and log your miles.
Listenings
Yes, I’m that guy who is always running with headphones on.
But despite my rock and roll exterior, I’m not always listening to . Am I the only one who is listening to old podcasts of
“Car Talk” while I run? Honestly, the podcast has revolutionized my training. I
don’t need two and a half minute bursts of energy from . I need forty-five minutes of distraction from pain and
suffering. As a bonus, I get my training done and sometimes I learn a little
something about colors, or pain, or fetal maturation. Thanks Radiolab!
Best Column Money Can
Buy
Last night we watched the Morgan Spurlock documentary “The
Greatest Movie Ever Sold,” the premise of which is the effect of product
placement and overt advertising on filmmaking. This got me to thinking about
how to continue to fund the ever-expanding budget of Real Running. What I need are some sponsors.
How easy it would be to casually mention my BRAND NAME shoes
or the refreshing flavor of BRAND NAME hydration right here in this column! I
could go on about my great BRAND NAME watches, or BRAND NAME compression
shorts.
Heck, I’ll even promote products that have nothing to do
with running. For the right price. And the right price is free stuff. Ahem. I
know someone who works for someone who sells, promotes, manufactures, or
distributes running products is reading this.
Tweet
It took me a while, but it happened. I’m on Twitter. Follow
me @GregVanBelle. I’ll even promote your product there. You know, for the right
price. See above.
