Curious About Running Beyond the States???

Out of curiosity, does any one suggest any good running routes/parks in Paris, Mumbai or Delhi. Also, what is the impression of a woman running in India? What is appropriate wear? If any one has any suggestions or experiences I would appreciate any insight.

Against (and with) The Wind

Images of Forrest Gump running and the song 'Against the Wind' kept flashing through my mind...until 'Eye of the Tiger' came on my I-Pod. Then it was all Rocky running uphill. Where is all of this wind coming from, and why is it that my cross training days seem to be much calmer weather-wise? Gusts were up to 15mph yesterday (I didn't know this until I looked it up after my run), but I still strapped on the shoes for a run. Whatever doesn't kill me only makes me stronger, right? It might be windy on race day, or it will be calm and the run seem relatively easy - either way, getting out there is a win-win.

Overall, it was a good run. I love the fact that I can run ten miles and the only cumbrous is time. I could have kept going, but I know that I have to keep things moderate. I felt fine during my run and after. No joint or muscle soreness. On Friday my hips had started to get tight early. Maybe because of the hill work.

One more week to race day! I think I still need to work on keeping myself better hydrated. I run with my small bottles of gatorade, but I don't think I sip from them enough. Next time I run I am going to do the whole weight yourself before and after to see if I am loosing too much water. The cooler temps are really helping though. However, I think that the cooler temps have my body reacting differently. Perhaps my feet were swelling more in the warmer temps so that my shoes fit differently? Is this possible? I find that my left shoe's tongue keeps moving to the side all of a sudden and pushing on the tendon at the top of my foot making it sore. I am experimenting with different ways to tie my shoe to prevent this from happening.

Today, cross training and weight training at the gym (and look, no wind, sunny and warmer outside today!)

Beginning Entry

I should have done this months ago, but better late than never...

As I am preparing to run the Chicago Marathon in about a week, I have been tapering my training. I have tried to cut back on calorie intake to parallel my reduce calorie output, but I am not sure I have done a great job at this. Sweets are just too tempting! My pre-race jitters are starting to mount, and usual thoughts of impending doom are floating around my head. I just have to keep reminding myself that I have done this before, I am going into this race knowing what to expect ahead of time, and that it is really all just for fun anyway - so whatever happens...happens!

After being relatively inactive for about a week due to a horrible head cold, I finally went out yesterday and ran hill repeats with a warm-up and cool-down for a total of seven miles. My run ended at the gym, and I added a half-hour of abs and some static stretching. Felt awesome to be back out running...however, the Chicago wind and the fact that it was the coldest day since last winter (it actually snowed earlier in the day) made for a few challenges...I had to break out the balaclava in early October...who doesn't love wind burn?!