Showin' a little love for the run

On the heels of yesterday's miserable morning run which turned my afternoon 40-mile bike into an even more miserable experience, Coach Heather has suggested that I try to work some psychology on myself. There are a few of you out there who have been following this blog from the beginning and you've read my ramblings about what a terrible runner I am time and time again. Well, it looks like my coach has caught onto my crying game and we've both decided that it's time for a change.

And so the mental remodeling begins. Heather requested that I write down 10 things that I love about running and post them around the house. I need to read them daily until I start believing that running is just as much a part of me as swimming and biking is.

10 REASONS WHY I LOVE TO RUN

1. I get to wear super cute (and super short) Lululemon Speed shorts that show off my tan and toned legs!

2. The shoes! Some girls like slipping into their Jimmy Choo heels, but give me my colorful Newtons and comfy Nikes anyday!

3. Simplicity. I can run anyplace and anytime with only a minimal amount of equipment (shoes and hydration)... and if I really feel hardcore, I can even run without that. I certainly can't say that about cycling or swimming.

4. The long, slow run. There is nothing better (except maybe a long, slow bike on a cruiser) for introspective thinking and flora/fauna watching.

5. Strength. Sometimes I feel powerful when I run, because just over a year ago I thought that I couldn't run. Even though I have been hard on myself as far as the run goes, I am continuously amazed at how far I have come with it.

6. I'm the 2008 Blogland 'Shave Your 5K Challenge' winner. Hey, I've had 15 mintues of RUNNING FAME and that's more than most average Joe-runners can say, right?

7. I never, ever feel guilty about eating chocolate (or pizza or cereal or ice cream) after a good run.

8. If I hadn't started running, I would have never entered the River, Roots and Ruts 1/2 Marathon and would have never known how wonderful trail running is!

9. I am fast. I may not be the first to the finish line in an endurance running event, but I have good sprint speed and a great closing kick.

10. Last but not least, running is what brought me to the sport of triathlon. All I wanted to do was run in a benefit 5K. I never imagined that running would bring me so much more.

This assignment was actually easier than I thought it would be. Perhaps I like running more than I think I do and perhaps I'm better at it than I give myself credit for.

I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.

Jesse Owens

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ETA: Pixie, my beloved P2C, will undergo "surgery" next Monday. The seat tube of her frame is cracked near the seatpost. Cervelo has considered this a warranty issue and Pixie is officially damaged goods. My poor girl!

A new frame was shipped today. I opted to get the new frame in a 51cm as opposed the 48cm that I was riding. This should eliminate all of the lengethening we had to do with the 48cm due to my unnaturally long torso that sits atop stumps for legs. LBS couldn't tell me if a leftover '08 frame was shipped or if it's going to be an '09 frame, so I have no clue what the new Pixie will look like. One thing is for sure, she will still be my 'Pix E. Dust'... just with a few added cm for good measure.