Back in Winston-Salem for a week and found some time to run. This training-at-altitude thing really works. Did my usual "long" run here at home significantly faster and feeling better than ever. Which makes feeling like hell the 1st two weeks in Boulder really worth it. Hopefully my week home hasn't undone it all.

Another thing I'm now a believer in: the running skirt. I know, I scoffed at first, but I was sucked in by a very cute Sugoi skirt (white with light blue piping). Reminded me of my tennis skirt days. Anyway, I decided to give it a try even though it screams "I'm not a serious runner." But then I thought, since when has running ever been serious to me? It's fun. And so is the skirt. The other part I like is that it doesn't open on the sides and show a too much of my upper thigh.

Also trying to improve my running form. My husband has been working with a form coach and has given me some pointers. The first is body position. He told me to stand up straight, hold my hands at my sides and then lean forward from the waist to a point that my thumbs (which are hanging at my sides) are just forward to where the side seam of my jeans would fall. (You're leaning slightly forward from the waist)

Bend your arms at a 90 degree angle, then back off a bit and basically forget about your forearms. You want to move your arms as if your upper arms were simply pendulums swinging forward and back in an easy, straight motion. (no side to side motions, concentrate on the upper arm movement only).

I have long legs and was a sprinter so my stride has always been long and loping. He said to shorten my stride considerably and to speed up by simply moving my feet faster without lengthening the stride. It's not the knees and thighs that do the work, it's the hips. To me it looks like tiny quick steps. Anyway, have been trying it out. I'll be going to a few running clinics over the next few weeks and will keep you posted. E