Peer Pressure

Nothing like a friendly nudge to bust you out of complacency - a week ago the alarm went off at 6:30AM and I rolled over, hit the alarm and went back to sleep, snuggled warmly in the covers, convinced that no one else would be foolish enough to run when the wind chill was -15 degrees. This week I got this "where were you - you bum" email from fellow ultra baal out team member (and friend?) Chris McKenna:

After this past Saturday, and enduring -15 degree wind and snow, I believe certain members of the ULTRA team have proven that no weather will prevent us from training. For those who did not join us, and did not have a son playing basketball, you were heckled mercilessly for 4.52 miles :) That being said, it's a safe bet that at least ONE person will be running every Saturday morning, so rain, shine, snow, or other act of God (aren't they all?), show up, and enjoy the run!

Peace - Chris

So today I did not miss - not as cold, but still 13 degrees air temp with wind chill around 5 degrees. So the first mile was cold - but then it was very comfortable.

Peer pressure is a wonderful motivator...

We are half way through winter, it HAS to start getting warmer soon.

Look for profile of Ultra-Baal-Out team member Howard Atsma soon

Stay safe out there!

Happy New Gear

Want to see a happy runner? Give them running gear for Christmas. That's what my family did...including my new YAKTRAX (http://www.yaktrax.com/) - so I can run safely on snow and ice. Thanks to my special sister in law Penny for setting me up. I've used them twice this past week and love them. And you can't go wrong with a gift card to Gazelle Sports (http://www.gazellesports.com/) - my favorite running store in Grand Rapids - and that's exactly what my in-laws did...what an awesome gift. Finally, my wife and kids went crazy - energy bars, new socks - I'm all set - now if the wind chill would get above single digits :>(
So, what fun running gear did you get from Santa this year?