Ahhhh, mornings. When the sun is just over the horizon. When birds are singing. When few sane people are up and about. When the temp is cooler....er, for the most part.
Case in point: Today, I got up at the usual time (5:30am after a half hour snooze session) and was out the door by 6am. I checked the temp before heading out, a cool 64deg! I thought to myself, FINALLY! A morning when it's not already burning up! I forgot, however, to check the humidity: 91%. UUUUUGH!
Now, if you don't know (which, I mean, why would you?!) I'm kind of a sweater. In a big way. So despite the fact that it was about 10-12 deg cooler this am than it has been...it did nothing to help my sweating issue. Thanks to the super high humidity percentage.
I'm sorry, I know that may have been too much information. Just had to get that out there for all the world to see. :)
In training news: Monday morning before work I got my 12miles in. Please note: BEFORE work!!!!! I'm quite excited about that! Tuesday, did a short 4.5miler. Weds was my day off - I slept in until 7am! Today, I got another 6.5mi ticked off. Saturday is a big mileage day: 14mi! I'm already psyching myself up for it. As we all know, running is 90% mental.
Also, just adding up all the mileage in my head this week: when it's all said and done, I'll have logged about 44miles IN ONE WEEK! Best ever!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
we all fall down
I was two or so miles into my 13 miler this morning when I was looking around and spotted a playground. Upon further inspection, I noticed a water fountain. I was particularly excited to know that there was a water stop on this new route! When all of a sudden, I was flying thru the air (slight exaggeration here) and then I was on my hands and knees skidding across the pavement (that is not an exaggeration, I literally skidded). Totally bit it...all for trying to see a water fountain.
I continued to run another half mile or so but my legs were throbbing and I knew they were going to get nasty if I kept going and sweat and dirt got in there. I also know that they are going to Bruise, with a capital B. All in all today, I got only about 4.5 or so in. A full 9miles LESS than planned. I'm beyond frustrated.
I plan to let these heal up over the course of today and tomorrow and by golly, I WILL RUN 13 MILES on Monday morning.
This picture doesn't look too bad but believe me, it hurts...and now it's seeping a bit... (ewwwww!!!)
Friday, July 9, 2010
humidity, humidity go away!
Yeah, it has a better ring to it if you say "rain"...but it fits the current weather pattern we've got going right now! We've had a sweltering end to June/beginning of July! Temps have been in 80's and 90's at the end of June and this first week of July has been in the 90's each day (Monday we reached 104!!!). Not only that but the humidity has been at least 85% each day, compounding the hotness. It's been rough.
That being said, I've still gotten some great mileage in. After my last post I had two 33mi weeks (!), a week off for my "mission trip" (leading VBS at my home church), and I am currently posting 23 miles this week. I've got a long run on the docket for tomorrow...here's hoping I reach 13!!! :)
With all the heat/humidity, I've needed to beat it. So, I've been getting up earlier...the alarm goes off at 5am. I snooze until 5:30am, grab a banana and some water, head out the door by 6am. With this routine I can get up to 9miles in before it's essential that I get back to get ready for work! Now, if you know me, you know I like my snooze button! I am not, nor have I EVER been, the kind to bound out of bed when the alarm goes off. I like to take my time to get up. Let my body adjust to the early hour. Buuuuut, it's working for me so far...I will try to keep this up, however I will probably NEVER been the kind to bound out of bed. It's just not in my nature.
All this said, I found that I enjoy running in the morning! Wait, what? Who am I?! I like that there aren't as many people out and about. I like that it's still somewhat cool. I like that I have the rest of the day to spend with people (after work, of course). I like that I have a little more self control when it comes to eating b/c I don't want to negate my morning work out by eating all kinds of junk. I like that I get to go to bed earlier (also, if you know me, you know going to bed is praaaabably my favorite part of the day...).
A couple of race/run recaps and an update on Maine Marathon:
That being said, I've still gotten some great mileage in. After my last post I had two 33mi weeks (!), a week off for my "mission trip" (leading VBS at my home church), and I am currently posting 23 miles this week. I've got a long run on the docket for tomorrow...here's hoping I reach 13!!! :)
With all the heat/humidity, I've needed to beat it. So, I've been getting up earlier...the alarm goes off at 5am. I snooze until 5:30am, grab a banana and some water, head out the door by 6am. With this routine I can get up to 9miles in before it's essential that I get back to get ready for work! Now, if you know me, you know I like my snooze button! I am not, nor have I EVER been, the kind to bound out of bed when the alarm goes off. I like to take my time to get up. Let my body adjust to the early hour. Buuuuut, it's working for me so far...I will try to keep this up, however I will probably NEVER been the kind to bound out of bed. It's just not in my nature.
All this said, I found that I enjoy running in the morning! Wait, what? Who am I?! I like that there aren't as many people out and about. I like that it's still somewhat cool. I like that I have the rest of the day to spend with people (after work, of course). I like that I have a little more self control when it comes to eating b/c I don't want to negate my morning work out by eating all kinds of junk. I like that I get to go to bed earlier (also, if you know me, you know going to bed is praaaabably my favorite part of the day...).
A couple of race/run recaps and an update on Maine Marathon:
- I ran with my friend to her first 5K finish and she did great! It was about 80deg.
- I ran with another friend to her first sub-10min/mile 5K! It was about 85deg.
- I ran a 5K in 85deg/ 85% humidity in full sunlight....at 9am.
- I attempted a 12miler and only got to 7 due to it being 85deg and 87% humidity at 8am.
- My friend and I spent last weekend in Maine where we drove to Portland, did a loop around Back Cove (3.5mi) at 12pm in full sunlight (big mistake...I nearly passed out at one point) then drove the Marathon course!!!!!!!
- I am SO excited for Oct 3rd!!!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
new marathon, new design
So, how do you like it?! I thought it was time for a change so I messed around a bit this am and came up with this. :) The runner theme is appropriate, no?
Okay, so you may have noticed in the title about a "new marathon." What does that mean?! Well, in planning for Des Moines, I've been scoping out airfare and flights were really, really high (no pun intended...). I didn't feel right about spending so much on the flights...so my friend and I started searching for a marathon in the area. We came up with the Maine Marathon in Portland, ME, on Oct 3rd.
My friend has run this one before and raved about how awesome it was (and cheap!). We'll be able to stay at her brother-in-law's house, only about half an hour away. Perfect...and free! Check out the marathon link above...if you're in the area, come on up and meet us at the finish line!!
There's just one hitch in the giddyup for this race: it's two weeks sooner than Des Moines...aaaaaaand, I've been a major slacker. So, I've got a bunch of make up work to do and I'm trying to do it fast, but slowly enough where I don't get injured. So far, so good. I'm feeling really great and enjoying the extra mileage. Which is good...because there is A LOT more extra mileage in my immediate future.
What's up with training: last week I had a solid 23mile week. I'm hoping this week will be around 27 or so. I got a great 6.5miler in yesterday. Tonight I'll work out another 5. Wednesday is my friend's first 5K ever! We'll be doing the Fun Run in my town that happens every week. So fun! Saturday, I'm hoping for good weather so I can get a nice long one in (9-10 perhaps).
Okay, so you may have noticed in the title about a "new marathon." What does that mean?! Well, in planning for Des Moines, I've been scoping out airfare and flights were really, really high (no pun intended...). I didn't feel right about spending so much on the flights...so my friend and I started searching for a marathon in the area. We came up with the Maine Marathon in Portland, ME, on Oct 3rd.
My friend has run this one before and raved about how awesome it was (and cheap!). We'll be able to stay at her brother-in-law's house, only about half an hour away. Perfect...and free! Check out the marathon link above...if you're in the area, come on up and meet us at the finish line!!
There's just one hitch in the giddyup for this race: it's two weeks sooner than Des Moines...aaaaaaand, I've been a major slacker. So, I've got a bunch of make up work to do and I'm trying to do it fast, but slowly enough where I don't get injured. So far, so good. I'm feeling really great and enjoying the extra mileage. Which is good...because there is A LOT more extra mileage in my immediate future.
What's up with training: last week I had a solid 23mile week. I'm hoping this week will be around 27 or so. I got a great 6.5miler in yesterday. Tonight I'll work out another 5. Wednesday is my friend's first 5K ever! We'll be doing the Fun Run in my town that happens every week. So fun! Saturday, I'm hoping for good weather so I can get a nice long one in (9-10 perhaps).
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
not much new
Not much to report on this past week of training. It was pretty standard, logged 21mi last week and kicked off this week with 6.5 yesterday.
One new item to let you know about is my new kicks. About a month ago my beloved Kayano's popped a gel packet in the right heel and I could tell when I ran on it, so those need to get taken back...I just haven't done it yet. So, I've been running in my Nike Lunarglides for about a month. They began to feel uncomfortable when logging over 20mi a week in them. So, I decided to get a new pair of Asics, maybe one that was cheaper than the Kayano...
I went to my local running store and grabbed a pair of GT-2150's (Asics, obv). The reviews I read online (after I purchased them) were not as glowing as I'd hoped...runners found that they were not great straight out of the box but rather, took upwards of 50mi to break them in. So, I was a little worried about my first run in them being a 7miler. I am happy to report that for me, they were just fine! I didn't have any new blisters, no new pains in my legs or my back. The were, and still are, a bit stiff but they are loosening up with each run I log in them. Soon, they will be perfectly broken in! I just love new shoes. :)
Fun reflection on my run last night: I was about 5.5miles in when I saw triplets flying along on their Razor scooters. I passed the two in the back and as I was running along with the one in front, I said to him, "Let's race!" After about 50yards or so, I let him "win." :) It was fun.
One new item to let you know about is my new kicks. About a month ago my beloved Kayano's popped a gel packet in the right heel and I could tell when I ran on it, so those need to get taken back...I just haven't done it yet. So, I've been running in my Nike Lunarglides for about a month. They began to feel uncomfortable when logging over 20mi a week in them. So, I decided to get a new pair of Asics, maybe one that was cheaper than the Kayano...
I went to my local running store and grabbed a pair of GT-2150's (Asics, obv). The reviews I read online (after I purchased them) were not as glowing as I'd hoped...runners found that they were not great straight out of the box but rather, took upwards of 50mi to break them in. So, I was a little worried about my first run in them being a 7miler. I am happy to report that for me, they were just fine! I didn't have any new blisters, no new pains in my legs or my back. The were, and still are, a bit stiff but they are loosening up with each run I log in them. Soon, they will be perfectly broken in! I just love new shoes. :)
Fun reflection on my run last night: I was about 5.5miles in when I saw triplets flying along on their Razor scooters. I passed the two in the back and as I was running along with the one in front, I said to him, "Let's race!" After about 50yards or so, I let him "win." :) It was fun.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
overdue rr
I have some overdue Race Reports for you, dear readers! Please continue reading...
April 17 - Chase the Gorilla - It was a misty, chilly day but turned out to be great for getting so near a new PR! Just 30 sec off my personal best. Turned out that a friend and I ran together the whole way, pushing each other to do 8:40s for all three miles! After the first mile, I said to her, I think we're going too fast... But we just kept trucking along at the same pace and it felt good! I finished in 26:50 or so. Here's a pic:
It was a great race followed by warm coffee and refreshments at my place for all involved...minus the gorilla!
April 19 - Lexington 5 Miler - It was a gorgeous day! Couldn't have asked for a nicer day. Really. Sunny and 60. I finished in 45min flat. That's a 9:00 min/mile pace. A whole 45sec faster than last year. Hot dog! I think it helped to know the course, the hills and turns and all that. Definitely makes a difference mentally! No pics from this race... Random fact: Muskets are VERY loud (that was the "gun" that started off the race). Oh, I must note that this race was also run by 5 people from my church, including our senior pastor. It was fun to have some familiar faces at the finish line!
April 24 - Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon - After arriving in Louisville, my brother and friend, Anne, picked me up and we headed straight to the expo to get our bibs and swag. The swag left a LOT to be desired. It was not my most favorite expo ever attended either. But I was able to pick up some Gu's, I'd forgotten my stash at home and needed one while running the half...they didn't provide any on the course. Ben and I went for a 4.5 miler that evening in a park that had two giant hills. It was a great workout but, man, was it humid! I was not ready for that... Turns out race day was also humid but cooler than I'd anticipated. It was about 55 deg early in the day with misty rain. By the 5mile mark the clouds and rain disappeared and we had nice sunshine! The first half of the race was great, I was enjoying the scenery and the few spectators. By the time I hit mile 8 and had eaten my Gu I was feeling less than fresh. At mile 10, I was done! I really was hoping for the finish line asap. I somehow gutted out the last three miles, walking more than I care to admit to you. Finally we rounded the corner to the finish line. Thank goodness was the only thought in my mind. After a winding finishers chute (where they made up for no swag and no Gu...TONS of food and drinks here!!!), I made my way over to the runner reunite area to find my friends and to wait for my brother. My final time was 2:14:34. Ben's time was 2:20:11. Below are a couple pics.
Bibs!!
April 17 - Chase the Gorilla - It was a misty, chilly day but turned out to be great for getting so near a new PR! Just 30 sec off my personal best. Turned out that a friend and I ran together the whole way, pushing each other to do 8:40s for all three miles! After the first mile, I said to her, I think we're going too fast... But we just kept trucking along at the same pace and it felt good! I finished in 26:50 or so. Here's a pic:
It was a great race followed by warm coffee and refreshments at my place for all involved...minus the gorilla!
April 19 - Lexington 5 Miler - It was a gorgeous day! Couldn't have asked for a nicer day. Really. Sunny and 60. I finished in 45min flat. That's a 9:00 min/mile pace. A whole 45sec faster than last year. Hot dog! I think it helped to know the course, the hills and turns and all that. Definitely makes a difference mentally! No pics from this race... Random fact: Muskets are VERY loud (that was the "gun" that started off the race). Oh, I must note that this race was also run by 5 people from my church, including our senior pastor. It was fun to have some familiar faces at the finish line!
April 24 - Kentucky Derby Festival miniMarathon - After arriving in Louisville, my brother and friend, Anne, picked me up and we headed straight to the expo to get our bibs and swag. The swag left a LOT to be desired. It was not my most favorite expo ever attended either. But I was able to pick up some Gu's, I'd forgotten my stash at home and needed one while running the half...they didn't provide any on the course. Ben and I went for a 4.5 miler that evening in a park that had two giant hills. It was a great workout but, man, was it humid! I was not ready for that... Turns out race day was also humid but cooler than I'd anticipated. It was about 55 deg early in the day with misty rain. By the 5mile mark the clouds and rain disappeared and we had nice sunshine! The first half of the race was great, I was enjoying the scenery and the few spectators. By the time I hit mile 8 and had eaten my Gu I was feeling less than fresh. At mile 10, I was done! I really was hoping for the finish line asap. I somehow gutted out the last three miles, walking more than I care to admit to you. Finally we rounded the corner to the finish line. Thank goodness was the only thought in my mind. After a winding finishers chute (where they made up for no swag and no Gu...TONS of food and drinks here!!!), I made my way over to the runner reunite area to find my friends and to wait for my brother. My final time was 2:14:34. Ben's time was 2:20:11. Below are a couple pics.
Bibs!!
Nearing the finish line - Hooray!
Over all it was an awesome week, three great races and awesome friends to share them each with. I took some time off of training so as to not burn out before gearing up for my marathon training program. Which was supposed to start last night...um, but instead will start tonight. ;)
Marathon #2, here I come!
Marathon #2, here I come!
Friday, April 16, 2010
one week - three races
Wow, I hadn't realized it was a month since my last post...whoops! I would like you all to know this is not because I haven't been running. On the contrary...I've been running quite a bit, as much as I can. I've had a couple of 30mile weeks since I've last posted. I've just been plugging along, getting runs in where I can.
One minor problem is my beloved Asics have sprouted a leak in one of the gel cushioning pockets in the heel of the right shoe. I was wondering why my right knee was feeling a bit off... While walking around in my quiet house one sunny Saturday morning I heard what sounded like a squeaky dog toy every time I took a step with my right leg. After realizing what it was, I was pretty disappointed. Thankfully, I've got my Nikes to fall back on. I like them...not as much as I like my Asics but they'll do for the time being.
And speaking of the time being: Here's what's coming down the pike quite rapidly! Tomorrow is the Annual Chase the Gorilla Down Argilla 5K in Ipswich, MA. I've been doing this race for the past three years and it is so much fun! This year a bunch of friends will be joining me...at least, I hope they will even with the projected yucky forecast - rainy and 44deg. Not exactly the BEST weather....
Monday, known in these here parts as Patriots Day or Marathon Monday, will be another race I'll be participating in. The Lexington Patriots Day 5Miler. The weather will most likely not be too much better this day...misty and 50deg. I suppose that will be nice for all the marathoners making their way from Hopkinton to Boston...as long as there's not a nasty head wind!
The week will cap off on Saturday with the Kentucky Derby MiniMarathon (it's a half)! This is the race I am most excited about!! I'll be running with my brother, most likely....however, my friend, Mike - who is also running, has called me out on this, saying he will beat me. Hmmmm, maybe I'll want to prove him wrong. We shall see.
The weather down in Louisville will also present a challenge. It may be upwards of 80some odd degrees with humidity. I am not used to that yet!!! Which may make for a slower half than I'd prefer. Again, we shall see.
One minor problem is my beloved Asics have sprouted a leak in one of the gel cushioning pockets in the heel of the right shoe. I was wondering why my right knee was feeling a bit off... While walking around in my quiet house one sunny Saturday morning I heard what sounded like a squeaky dog toy every time I took a step with my right leg. After realizing what it was, I was pretty disappointed. Thankfully, I've got my Nikes to fall back on. I like them...not as much as I like my Asics but they'll do for the time being.
And speaking of the time being: Here's what's coming down the pike quite rapidly! Tomorrow is the Annual Chase the Gorilla Down Argilla 5K in Ipswich, MA. I've been doing this race for the past three years and it is so much fun! This year a bunch of friends will be joining me...at least, I hope they will even with the projected yucky forecast - rainy and 44deg. Not exactly the BEST weather....
Monday, known in these here parts as Patriots Day or Marathon Monday, will be another race I'll be participating in. The Lexington Patriots Day 5Miler. The weather will most likely not be too much better this day...misty and 50deg. I suppose that will be nice for all the marathoners making their way from Hopkinton to Boston...as long as there's not a nasty head wind!
The week will cap off on Saturday with the Kentucky Derby MiniMarathon (it's a half)! This is the race I am most excited about!! I'll be running with my brother, most likely....however, my friend, Mike - who is also running, has called me out on this, saying he will beat me. Hmmmm, maybe I'll want to prove him wrong. We shall see.
The weather down in Louisville will also present a challenge. It may be upwards of 80some odd degrees with humidity. I am not used to that yet!!! Which may make for a slower half than I'd prefer. Again, we shall see.
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