Dry Run...

I'm no longer spending every free moment bike riding, so I've finally been able to work a jogging routine back into my workout schedule. 

 

Had no choice really though, the 1st race of the year is less than a month away, so I've gotta start training now if I want to be at peak performance by the final weekend in May.

I've run at this particular event (the MCVET 5&10k Run) for the past few years, this time I decided to challenge myself more by stepping it up from the 5k race to the 10k event. 

 

I can run 3 miles in my sleep, so a 6-mile run is far more appropriate at this point. I should be ok, but I've got a ways to go before I'm fully back in-shape.

Earlier this evening, I jogged for just the second time this year - the 1st time in almost 3 months. I could really tell it had been that long too, I struggle to keep a steady pace for the duration of my run. 

 

I have; however, noticed that I now share mixed used trails much better than I did before becoming a regular cyclist. Back then, I'd be all over the trail whenever I ran, but now I recognize the importance of staying to the right side of the trail. 

 

This is especially important for trail runners like myself, who wear ear buds & are therefore unlikely to respond to any audible warnings given by bike riders who need to pass. In short, when it comes to running - I've vastly improved my trail etiquette, lol. Here's to a great running season!

"Girl, I Luv That Hair!"

Nap·py (adj.) - beautifully coiled, chemical free, real, unaltered, versatile, styled by Mother Nature. Synonyms - kinky, natural.

Though I can't place my finger on why, I've taken a liking to various natural hair styles that many women of color have reverted to in recent years. Not only is it fashionable, but it seems practical too. Why spend so much on hair care products & processes designed to make black hair look... well, "un-black?" 

Besides, wouldn't it be great to keep some of that money in our community? Even a layman such as myself can see that natural hair care is a rapidly growing industry. Upstart companies have stepped-up to handle the demand thus far, but how long before major companies like those who produce Dark & Lovely, swoop-in to buy-out such Mom & Pop companies, and then water-down the existing product lines to maximize production & profits?  

Granted, this is a pretty unique & foreign topic of discussion for a guy to blog about - but yes, I too have eyes & thoughts when it comes to black hair. To be clear, I'm definitely not knockin' any sistahs who prefer to chemically relax or extend their hair for whatever reasons, but there's an extra sassy vibe accentuated by naturally styled hair & it can't be duplicated.

The women pictured in the collages are great friends who've allowed me to post their images here. They've both rocked the natural look for some time now. I've often heard many of their gripes, when it comes to maintaining the style. But I've also noticed (& on numerous occasions) just how proud they both seem when everything is clicking, almost like an additional sense of self pride, not as frequently express by those with less-ethnic styling techniques.

I myself have sported a bald head for years now (so did Shaka Zulu, so I still consider my look to be ethnic, lol), but I've often wondered how I'd be wearing my hair nowadays, if I instead chose to grow it out. 
I've never really had a true preference before, so the hairstyles of women I've dated run the full gamut - but I know what I like in that department now. Great, yet another element to incorporate when it comes to my extensive build-a-woman project... fuck. But at any rate, I truly hope that more men & women of color continue to embrace their natural beauty in such ways - it would be quite a boring world if everything looked European, diversity is most certainly a wonderful thing - long live the kinky curl, lol.

Join me next week as I'll be discussing my thoughts on make-up application - lmao, just kidding folks!