Totally Worked

I don’t think I would feel any worse right now had I been hit by a 16-wheeler in the middle of I-70 last night, than doing what I actually did, which was to run a 10k trail race – the Summer Solstice Twilight Trail Run. Yes, it was only 10k. Yes, I’ve run much further. But, in my defense, it started at an elevation of about 8,500 feet and climbed to probably about 10,000 feet, complete with grueling steeps and fast downhills. That combined with the fact that I just started running again about a month ago, and have yet to go more than 30 minutes or so, is why I am so exhausted.

I actually felt really good during the run, especially when I got my second wind after mile two, but I knew I would pay for my lack of training in recovery. And, I was right. It sucked the life out of me. I am a little bit sore, but mostly, I’m just wiped out, which is how I’ve found time on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to blog. I’m certainly not planning on heading out to enjoy the day – I don’t even think I could stroll through the farmer’s market right now. That said, I plan on racing the next La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series race on July 6, which starts in Vail Village and ends at Eagle’s Nest. It’s 7.5 miles and over 2,000 feet of gain – phew! It’s going to be tough.

In between now and then I have a bike race - the Davos Dash - and just a few days after the Vail Hill Climb, I have another bike race. I had no idea I was going to be such the racer this summer! But, now I’m hooked, so my goal is to complete all the races in each series. Not that I’ll rack up enough points to be super competitive, but it’s still fun.

Icky Outdoor Apparel

I bought some new bike shorts and a wicking top yesterday. I really needed some new outdoor apparel and I’d been putting off buying it for so long because it’s all so hideous. Just a moment ago, I was checking the deal at www.steepandcheap.com, and I was totally horrified to find a women’s performance top that looked like it had been cut for . . . actually, I don’t even know who would wear it. That’s not entirely true, there are plenty of people out there who don’t care about these kinds of things, and are probably better off for it. But, as for me, and not that I represent the height of fashion, it’s totally insulting to have to stoop to such an unfashionable level just because I like to play outside. I mean, and this will sound snobby, but am I expected to prance around in a pair of Hudson jeans and James Perse top only to have to shed my complete identity to get what I need to compete in a bike race? Apparently, this is the case. Not that what I bought yesterday, was horribly unfortunate looking, but it hardly compares to my normal style.

So, the question is, with so many companies that exclusively manufacture women’s outdoor apparel, how come nothing cute has come on the market? These so-called women-specific sport clothing companies can’t seem to come up with anything better than what the men had in mind. There are a few exceptions, but they’re few and far between and if the fit is wrong, it’s not like there are tons of other options.

Ah, the high-class problems you can come up with while sunning on your deck. But, really, I think we women deserve something better – not just acceptable outdoor apparel, but something a true fashionista could appreciate. Riding in the mud, running on trails and trekking into the backcountry are no excuse to look like a dirtbag.

Oh, and just to update, I checked back with Steep & Cheap only to find this grotesque tank sold out. To whom, I wonder. It was cut all wrong with some horribly modified boat neck, unflattering trim and in bad colors. Props to Steep and Cheap for the deals, and it’s not like they designed it, but still – ewww.