Rest Day & My Beloved Yaktrax

I started a new running plan yesterday. I got the plan from Runner's World's website. It is a 16 week training plan for a 1/2 marathon on April 17, which is the Drake Relays 1/2 Marathon in Des Moines. Today was the 2nd day, and a rest day. It could also be a cross training day, so I could get on my spin bike this evening, but I probably won't. I don't have anything better to do, but the spin bike just seems boring. Tomorrow is a 5 mile run, with the first and last miles run at a slow and easy pace and the middle miles picked up to a much quicker pace. It's great to have the Garmin for a run like that. It keeps me from being a slacker. I expect the weather tomorrow to be about 15 degrees, which I don't mind, as long as it's not unusually windy.

Bill and I signed up to do the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Chicago on Aug. 1. I know it's a long way off, but I'm pretty excited. I've never done one of the Rock and Roll events before, but always wanted to. We've got our hotel reservations already. I'm planning on doing several halfs in 2010; not sure yet if I'll do a full. After my knee surgery, I worry about getting injured training for a full. I'd be devastated if I missed another summer of running.

Speaking of running in Chicago in August, the weather here as of late has been pure Iowa December. Some wind chills below zero and lots of snow and ice on the ground. The good news is that I have discovered Yaktrax. If you are not familiar, check out the following:

http://www.yaktrax.com/yakfacts.aspx

http://beginnertriathlete.com/cms/Article-detail.asp?Articleid=1080&vote=10

http://tracktrailrunner.blogspot.com/2009/02/gear-review-yaktrax-walker.html

I echo all of the reviews on these babies. Yaktrax are amazing. I'm told they wear out quickly, but that doesn't even bother me. They are $30, so I'll just grab another pair if these start to fail me. I've been running in them almost a month now, and I've yet to fall. I wouldn't be out running without them. The first time I wore them, it took me about 15 minutes to get them on. However, I've since figured out the trick--you have to put your shoes on FIRST. I love these so much that I insisted my husband get a pair as well. We both wore them to run the Snow Shuffle 5k earlier this month. Yesterday, I was running in a residential neighborhood around here and I passed a guy who was also wearing them. As we passed each other, he shouted, "Love the Yaktrax! They're the best!" I think I yelled something like, "Totally!"

I would recommend Yaktrax not just for runners but for people who are just worried about slipping and falling on ice and snow. The ones I have are the pros, but they make ones called "walkers." I'm not totally sure of the difference, but the pros were about $3 more expensive at my local sporting goods store. I know someone who bought the "generic" version of Yaktrax, but wasn't impressed. I recommend the real thing.