Speedy Shorts

Today's "Take It and Run Thursday" focuses on summer running. I can't even begin to express my joy at the fact that it's finally spring in Boston, that I can run a mile without having to blow my nose or cough up a lung or slip and fall on the sidewalk. I am thrilled.
I am a summer runner. So yeah, I just started running last spring/summer, but after a miserable snot-filled treadmill-bound winter, I know for sure that I am a summer runner. If I ever want to run outdoors year round, I am going to have to move somewhere warm. It's that simple.
One of the things I love about spring/summer running is the motivational power of my Speedy Shorts. I have two pairs of these wonderfully comfy (short, skintight spandexy) "yoga shorts" from Old Navy. I only wear them for tempo runs and speedwork. Because they make me faster. How do they make me faster, you ask? Let me explain.
No matter how good you look in short skintight shorts (and if I do say so myself, I do) you can't just slowly lope around the block in Speedy Shorts. No, you have to earn them. Whenever I think about slowing down or takeing walk breaks during my tempo, I think to myself "Self, you cannot run 10:30 miles in Speedy Shorts. You just can't". And so I don't. Hey, whatever works.

Anyway. I'll round this dose o'random off with some summer running thoughts/tips.

Aside from my Speedy Shorts, these are some of the things I can't live without for summer running. Some obvious, some less so.

-Sunscreen. Duh. At least SPF 55. I love Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch sunblock.
-Water. Also duh. Thankfully, my usual route includes conveniently placed water fountains, or as we call them in New England, "bubblahs".
-The ocean. I'm lucky enough to live by the ocean, and the breeze usually keeps me coolish even during the Dog Days. If it's not enough, I kick off my shoes and go for a little dip at the end of my run.
-A bandana. No need to become blinded by sweat. (As a sidenote, how gross are runners? Really, if it's not snot rockets in the winter, black toenails after long runs, blisters, chafing, and excessive sweating, it's something.)
-The occasional shower beer. In moderation, of course.

I am ridiculously excited about this summer running season, with Falmouth coming up and the possibility of training for my first marathon on the horizon! Now if only I could get a correct diagnosis on this left hip business and start getting faster!