Now that's something you don't see everyday

When Mark and I went running in New York we always went in the morning. Mostly this was due to the fact that for most of the year that was the nicest time of day weather wise. It was also convenient with our schedules. Really morning just worked for us.

One of the things we were really looking forward to when we moved here was the fact that we would be able to run outside all year around. No more trips to the gym in the dead of winter for us. We started with a similar morning running routine here, which worked out at first since we were jet lagged beyond belief and the sun was coming up at 6am. Pretty soon though we were starting later in the morning and it was getting a little uncomfortable to run. We would start in the cool morning air but as soon as the sun came up we would feel the heat. A couple people had told us that the best time to run here was in the evening. I was hesitant. I’ve never been very good at running at the end of the day. I really just want to change straight into my pjs when I get home from work and do nothing.And besides a run at night in Central Park quickly turns into a run for your life in Central Park so we never really did it in New York.

One evening in late October we decided to give it a try. We were careful not to eat too much in the late afternoon (that was another one of my worries, my body was use to running on an empty stomach) and set out around 5ish. It was amazing. A serious revelation. I think that first night we ran 4 miles. It was truly amazing. As you start running the sun is just getting ready to set so the temp starts to go down and as you get closer to the beach (btw we run right along the beach) you catch a bit of a breeze. As the sun continue to sets it gets cooler and we also get to enjoy the sunset.

We've been trying to get out for a run a couple times a week and we've been hitting 3-4 miles each time. Last Thursday I really wanted to break the 4 mile mark and we ended up running about 5.2 at a 10:30 pace. It was so great. I felt so great during and after the run. I've now decided that I want to keep improving. There is a great half marathon training schedule on marathonrookie.com that I used when I was training for the Baltimore half marathon so I thought why don't I use that as an outline. Then I got to thinking why don't I train for an actual half marathon. The Honolulu Half Marathon is the second week in March which gives me plenty on time to get my distance up. There is also an 8 mile run on President's Day that I think I'll do as well, to get me in the racing mood.

I really love running here. It isn't Central Park but it will do.

So This is Christmas(?)

 Well, thanksgiving came and went here and I have to admit, it almost seems like it didn't happen. We were invited to a big group dinner (I brought rolls) and had a really great time with friends and meeting new people. Because we weren't directly involved with the preparing we didn't have the usual bounty of leftovers. The hosts provided to-go boxes for everyone and we were able to bring home enough for a meal or two but not having the days and days worth of leftovers made Thanksgiving feel shorter than normal.

As with the mainland, people here are beginning to decorate for Christmas and the radio stations have begun playing Christmas music. It all seems so out of place. There is a Christmas tree vendor that we pass on the way to the beach and the smell of Christmas trees mixing with the salt air is so weird. I was saying to Mark the other night that I don’t think it will every really feel like Christmas. I suppose I will eventually get use to it. I think part of it is the weather. 

Our Christmas this year will be very low key. We're still recovering from the expense of moving as well as getting use to a lower income than we had in New York. We won’t have a tree and we really don’t have any decorations. That's probably another reason why it doesn't feel like Christmas time. I've got the time off but chances are pretty high that Mark will have to work. In all honesty we’ll do what Mark has been bragging about since before we moved here: spend some of the day at the beach.  I’m sure it sounds unbelievably wonderful and on some level it is but I am going to miss “normal” Christmas.