Some kids walking around my neighborhood tonight asked me as I was doing my Quick Brick Workout (4 sets of 10min bike/5 min run)… “Why are you running?”

Now, let me just say they had a point. After all it was dark out, raining, and 50 degrees and here I am out running around my neighborhood with my hat turned backwards and bulky cycling rain jacket on. Needless to say, I’m sure that seeing me out running around in those conditions looked quite out of the ordinary.

My initial reaction was, “Well, why are you walking? the same reason I’m running… just because that’s what is getting me to where I’m going.” But then I started thinking… why am I running in the dark, cold, rain in November? And why am I riding my bike in this kind of weather too??

The scene from Forrest Gump flashed before my eyes where he’s out running around the country and no one can figure out why. Reporters ask him, “Are you running for World Peace?” “Are you running for Women’s Rights?” … but no, Forrest just simply says, “I just felt like running!”

I can relate to that answer- a lot of times I do ‘just feel like running.’ And I love it. So I run.

But it’s more than just loving it. I am running because I have goals I want to acheive and I know I can… but I have to put in the time now. I know that come springtime that it’s all going to pay off.

I love what I do, and not even some rain and cold weather will stop me from doing it.

And that is why I run.

Alisha is profiled in her hometown paper…. both of them!

Her real hometown, Morganton, NC, where she grewup:

Morganton News Herald – online article
Herald PDF – Morganton Herald Article

And her new hometown, Holly Springs, NC:

Holly Springs PDF – Holly Springs Sun

I’m officially back into my training now… it took a couple of good, long weekend rides and some perfect fall weather to get me back into the mindset for next sesaon. Don’t be completely suprised– I was on my road bike both days this weekend. Both rides were good tempos, so nothing overly hard but not an easy tooling around the Triangle either.

Saturday was Mission Valley and Sunday was Blue Jay Point. I was suprised at how much better I felt on Sunday, but even though my legs seem to have come around quickly my butt sure hasn’t! I can tell I’m not used to sitting in my saddle that long yet. It won’t take long to “acclimate” to that. hehehe

The weather around here has been absolutly amazing the past week. No rain in sight, bright blue skies with patches of white clouds, and the colorful fall leaves popping out everywhere. It’s like a perfect canvas. I wish I was a painter. Things look that pretty around here.

The one thing I am sad about is that the candy pumpkins are starting to cease to exist at the store. Argh. No fair. I thought they lasted until Thanksgiving but I guess everyone has figured out how good they are and they are selling out.

Today I officially start my training for next year… it’s been a good break this past October.

The fall is my favorite time of year… I’ve been mountain biking everyday this week. It’s nice enjoying the leaves and the cooler weather out.

We had a lot of trick or treaters, but we still have a ton of candy left over. Aggghh! That’s scary. Joe and I have been eating it all. Not so good… we’re going to have to take this stuff to work or start feeding the birds with it or something. Hmm… maybe the deer at Umstead will eat it?

Speaking of deer, I see TONS of deer everyday out there. On one ride I saw 8 deer. There was another ride that I stopped for a pee break and three deer were staring at me when I stood up. Here I thought the trail was “all clear” for me to have a bathroom break and I had three peeping toms!

Official training starts next Monday. I can’t wait! It’s going to be fun. Until then I am enjoying my last week of unstructured training. Joe has decided that he wants to do the Myrtle Beach Marathon, so we have been running together in the mornings before work at Umstead.

Today I will meet Alicia as well for a nice longish run, then I hope to hit the trails at Harris Lake this afternoon.