Well, tomorrow is the (sort of) big day and, as par for the course, I have a sick four year old and a bailing husband. Which essentially means that on this day of rest and preparation, I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off, trying desperately to arrange in-home babysitting, get sheets washed to get rid of germs, wash running clothes, clean the house, take the baby to the doctor, get prescriptions filled, get ink for the printer so I can print a 26 page article for my daughter's research paper and maybe then I can rest. Oh, let's not talk about getting supper together. ARGH! NOT the kind of running I thought I wanted to do today.
I have only worked one day this week. Thank goodness for an understanding boss. Monday is arraignment day. Little man HAS to be better by then! The good news is my Road Running club has a fun run on Sunday, so I will be ready for a recovery day on Monday, which is good since it seems that there won't be a minute to run.
So, hopefully if all goes well, I will race a 10 miler tomorrow. My goal is to finish strong (aka, not look stupid) and to get a personal best. I ran a 10 miler in 2006 at an 11:00 minute pace. I am hoping for a 10 minute pace tomorrow, which will come to 1:40:00. I have trained on long, tough courses, so it is time to trust the training and see how it goes. I think this will give me some idea as to where I am in the half marathon process. We shall see...
Friday, February 20, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Countdown to Race Day
I am down to 5 days until my 10 miler. I haven't run a 10 mile race since 2006. I am hoping for a time improvement. However, I don't know what to do with myself this week. Do I taper??? Do I keep pushing through as though I have a 13 mile run coming this weekend. After I back off to 10 for the week, do I have to go back to 11 and then 12 before I do 13??? I am so bad at this! How do people learn to do it? I just don't get it.
Anyway, I did a 12 mile Valentines Day long run. It was WONDERFUL. I found myself very grateful to be able to run one of the most beautiful runs in the world, even if it is one of the most challenging. I made some new canine friends (I always do. Thank goodness I am a dog person. I really don't know how people who are scared of dogs manage to run). And somehow, I accidentally got in sync with my iPod. I know that may sound slightly crazy, but it brought a smile to my face when I really needed it. I was running down a mile long hill into a gorge and looking at the river below me and the mountains in the distance and (cheesy though it may be) Born to Run came on. So I was laughing about that when I had to start up out of the gorge, which is UGLY and extremely steep. Imagine my surprise when I heard the opening strains of the Rocky Theme Song!!! Again, cheesy, but when you are headed up the worst hill in the history of hills (I swear, Heartnreak Hill in Boston couldn't possibly have anything on this one) hearing "Gettin' strong now... won't be long now" are some of the best words you will ever hear. Finally on the last big hill of the day, on came KC and the Sunshine Band with "Keep It Comin'". Again, when you are struggling "don't stop it now, don't stop it, no" can help more than you'd think.
My ankle stayed strong despite the little injury. I did, however, gain a new blister. But it was Valentines Day and my husband got me a gift certificate for a full body massage, facial and PEDICURE. They will have their work cut out for them. I think I may wait until after my half marathon and reward myself with it. SO, in addition to the wonderful scenery, synced up iPod and generally good run, I also have the most wonderful, thoughtful husband in the world. I truly am a fortunate girl.
Anyway, I did a 12 mile Valentines Day long run. It was WONDERFUL. I found myself very grateful to be able to run one of the most beautiful runs in the world, even if it is one of the most challenging. I made some new canine friends (I always do. Thank goodness I am a dog person. I really don't know how people who are scared of dogs manage to run). And somehow, I accidentally got in sync with my iPod. I know that may sound slightly crazy, but it brought a smile to my face when I really needed it. I was running down a mile long hill into a gorge and looking at the river below me and the mountains in the distance and (cheesy though it may be) Born to Run came on. So I was laughing about that when I had to start up out of the gorge, which is UGLY and extremely steep. Imagine my surprise when I heard the opening strains of the Rocky Theme Song!!! Again, cheesy, but when you are headed up the worst hill in the history of hills (I swear, Heartnreak Hill in Boston couldn't possibly have anything on this one) hearing "Gettin' strong now... won't be long now" are some of the best words you will ever hear. Finally on the last big hill of the day, on came KC and the Sunshine Band with "Keep It Comin'". Again, when you are struggling "don't stop it now, don't stop it, no" can help more than you'd think.
My ankle stayed strong despite the little injury. I did, however, gain a new blister. But it was Valentines Day and my husband got me a gift certificate for a full body massage, facial and PEDICURE. They will have their work cut out for them. I think I may wait until after my half marathon and reward myself with it. SO, in addition to the wonderful scenery, synced up iPod and generally good run, I also have the most wonderful, thoughtful husband in the world. I truly am a fortunate girl.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Another Week...
has come and gone and I am just getting around to blogging. Which is funny, because when I am actually out running, I am thinking of stuff to blog about. By the time I get home, I am worn out and too lazy to write it down, and then I forget.
So, last week I did an amazingly difficult run on Saturday... thanks to my new best friend mapmyrun.com. What mapmyrun DOESN'T show is the hills you will encounter. It really amazes me how something will seem not so bad in a car, but feels AWFUL on foot! And these were roads that I KNEW! I started at my mom's and ran 11.5 miles to the next town- down a mountain, across a river and then back up to the top of the "plateau" as it is called back home. A little research showed that my elevation gain from my low point to the end of the run was over 1200 feet. I was (and am) very proud that I made it at all. It wasn't fast, but it was steady and I wasn't even a little bit sore the next day. A victory in my eyes.
Tomorrow I am scheduled to do a 12 mile run and I have it all planned out. However, I went for a 5 mile run last night in the dark and twisted my ankle on a poorly lit, poorly maintained sidewalk. It is a little sore today and I am concerned about running on it. At the same time, however, I feel as though I HAVE to because I am scheduled to do a 10 mile race next weekend. ARGH! What's a girl to do? And hydration is a whole other story. I need to learn to run with water and I feel stupid trying to figure it out. Oh well. I need some rest. Hopefully tomorrow is a big day. I will report back!
So, last week I did an amazingly difficult run on Saturday... thanks to my new best friend mapmyrun.com. What mapmyrun DOESN'T show is the hills you will encounter. It really amazes me how something will seem not so bad in a car, but feels AWFUL on foot! And these were roads that I KNEW! I started at my mom's and ran 11.5 miles to the next town- down a mountain, across a river and then back up to the top of the "plateau" as it is called back home. A little research showed that my elevation gain from my low point to the end of the run was over 1200 feet. I was (and am) very proud that I made it at all. It wasn't fast, but it was steady and I wasn't even a little bit sore the next day. A victory in my eyes.
Tomorrow I am scheduled to do a 12 mile run and I have it all planned out. However, I went for a 5 mile run last night in the dark and twisted my ankle on a poorly lit, poorly maintained sidewalk. It is a little sore today and I am concerned about running on it. At the same time, however, I feel as though I HAVE to because I am scheduled to do a 10 mile race next weekend. ARGH! What's a girl to do? And hydration is a whole other story. I need to learn to run with water and I feel stupid trying to figure it out. Oh well. I need some rest. Hopefully tomorrow is a big day. I will report back!
Friday, February 6, 2009
A Full Time Job
Okay, running and planning for the next run has started to become a full time job. Seriously. It is starting to be less than fun. It is partially my own fault for being so ADD. I get bored easily, so I am always looking for someplace new to run. Mapmyrun.com is my new best friend. I am CONSTANTLY trying to find the next long run. It is starting to drive me crazy. The weather is going to be beautiful tomorrow and if I don't plan carefully, I will miss that window. i wish I lived somewhere else. I really do. Somewhere with real streets and runs that people have already mapped. But alas, I live in the sticks where, when I tell someone I ran 10 miles on Saturday, the immediate response is "What was chasing you?". Failure. That is what chases me. And I refuse to let it beat me. I ran 5 miles on the tread mill on my birthday, three miles on the treadmill yesterday, and am planning on being a tiny bit late to my birthday party tonight so I can sneak in a little run first. Then I have to find somewhere to run tomorrow, and the time to do it. I can do this, I really can. I just need a good plan. Wow! Listen to me. I am generally so far on the Type B personality spectrum that I am practically a "Type C". So then why, oh why is it that when it comes to my running, I am a "Type A+" ?
On a totally unrelated note, my wonderful husband bought me a new running outfit for my birthday. It is so cute and I can't wait to wear it, but it is a warm weather outfit. I wanted to post a picture of it, but can't find one. It is by Nike and says "Practice MADE Perfect". A Little more conceited than I would have picked for myself, but it is wonderful to know that he thinks that I am perfect. It is what I will be wearing when I cross the finish line of my first half marathon and run to my perfect hubby!!!!
On a totally unrelated note, my wonderful husband bought me a new running outfit for my birthday. It is so cute and I can't wait to wear it, but it is a warm weather outfit. I wanted to post a picture of it, but can't find one. It is by Nike and says "Practice MADE Perfect". A Little more conceited than I would have picked for myself, but it is wonderful to know that he thinks that I am perfect. It is what I will be wearing when I cross the finish line of my first half marathon and run to my perfect hubby!!!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Rambling thoughts...
Tomorrow is my birthday. I am officially halfway through my thirties and honestly am happy with the way they have turned out. I miss my dad. It is hard to believe that the last time he sang happy birthday to me was 12 years ago. His beloved Steelers just won the Super Bowl. This is the time of year I miss him the most. i often wonder what he would think of the woman I have become. When he passed away, I was a 23 year old kid. However, when I start down this road, I remember that it doesn't matter who or what I have become. He would have been proud. I also know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would have been at every race I have ever run. In fact, he would probably have run them with me. He really was the best dad ever. He is the reason I have never lost my faith in men in general. If only they were all so good.
But on I go. My birthday also means snow. Period. It doesn't matter. I swear, I could go and live in the Bahamas and it would snow there on February 4. While I have the most wonderful boss in the world who is not making me come in if we get the snow we are supposed to get, what good does the day off do me if I can't go run??? And what better way to celebrate my birthday than to go for a run? I think I will do it anyway, even in a snow storm. Celebrate a 35 year old body that can do something it couldn't do at 25. Run for the first man I ever loved who can't run with me. Run for all those who can't...even if it's cold, even if it's snowing. That will make it the happiest birthday of all.
But on I go. My birthday also means snow. Period. It doesn't matter. I swear, I could go and live in the Bahamas and it would snow there on February 4. While I have the most wonderful boss in the world who is not making me come in if we get the snow we are supposed to get, what good does the day off do me if I can't go run??? And what better way to celebrate my birthday than to go for a run? I think I will do it anyway, even in a snow storm. Celebrate a 35 year old body that can do something it couldn't do at 25. Run for the first man I ever loved who can't run with me. Run for all those who can't...even if it's cold, even if it's snowing. That will make it the happiest birthday of all.
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