3/15 New Bedford Half Marathon
4/5 Cohasset 10K
4/20 Boston Marathon
5/31 Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Have gone from not running at all (while sick) to fewer then ten miles last week and this week (so far!). Ugh. I had a crap run outside last Tuesday (marred by abdominal cramping) and barely been on the treadmill, even then topping out at four miles. AND, I have not been to the gym in weeks!
I am trying to locate the source of my ennui, and have narrowed it down to:
-the weather (most likely, and my enthusiasm for the treadmill is waning),
-fatigue (also likely, as I have had my sleeping and eating patterns drastically ruptured by the Writer, which is a very happy predicament, but not conducive to working out),
-and lack of specific goals (I need to decide on some spring races and get those entry fees in to hang over my head; also, must find out if work will comp them).
Sooo...ugh! I need either a kick in the pants or a reminder that it's okay to let life (and baked goods!) get in the way sometimes. How about a decent night's sleep, too?
I am trying to locate the source of my ennui, and have narrowed it down to:
-the weather (most likely, and my enthusiasm for the treadmill is waning),
-fatigue (also likely, as I have had my sleeping and eating patterns drastically ruptured by the Writer, which is a very happy predicament, but not conducive to working out),
-and lack of specific goals (I need to decide on some spring races and get those entry fees in to hang over my head; also, must find out if work will comp them).
Sooo...ugh! I need either a kick in the pants or a reminder that it's okay to let life (and baked goods!) get in the way sometimes. How about a decent night's sleep, too?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
race report: jones group realtors 10 mile road race
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 1:32:03
Pace: 9:13/mile
Overall: 503/596
F 20-39: 65/86
I went to Amherst, MA with three other CRCers to run this race today. The course was brutal! Major hills came at mile 3 and mile 9 with a bunch scattered in between, but oddly enough I was able to run faster splits around the mile 9 hills than I was on the "flatter" middle parts of the course. That middle part included iced-over dirt roads whose slipperyness effectively negated their lack of elevation.
By the time I got to mile 6, freezing rain started to pour down from the skies. I cursed my lack of foresight in forgoing a light windbreaker and sped up just so I could get back inside faster.
I had promised myself that if I PRed in this race, I would buy a Lululemon outfit. After my 10:00 and 10:03 miles, I pretty much gave up hope of a PR and resigned myself to trying again at the New Bedford half marathon in March. Once I hit mile 7, I did calculations in my head and realized that the PR was still possible if I finished the last three miles at 9:00/mile pace, but also wondered if the upcoming evil hills would cause more 10:00 miles. The urge to pass other people became stronger, especially given that I was at the back of the pack anyway. When the next two miles went by under 9:00/mile pace, I picked up the pace even more, visions of the Lululemon store dancing in my rain-drenched head. Thank goodness the race ended on a downhill with cheering volunteers shaking cowbells--I booked it in so hard I could barely breathe, beating my previous PR of 1:33:39 by over a minute.
Split times:
1. 8:53
2. 8:35
3. 10:00
4. 10:03
5. 9:30
6. 9:40
7. 8:45
8. 9:06
9. 8:49
10. 8:39
When I looked up the results online and saw how badly I'd placed, my elation at achieving a PR quickly fell flat when considered against that of 502 much faster runners. At the beginning of the race I'd felt out of place in my pink "I run like a girl" hoodie among the hordes of folks wearing jackets and singlets from GBTC, CMS, Merrimack Valley Striders, Goon Squad Runners, and Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club. I worried that I'd get so far behind that I'd end up lost in the Amherst woods. That did not end up happening, but 503/596 sure felt far behind.
Looking at the race results, I noticed that only 36 out of the 596 people had run slower than 10:00/mile. That's usually not the case for more popular Boston or D.C. road races. The pervasiveness of track club jackets *did* accurately reflect the speediness of the crowd today, which now makes sense given the month (February), the distance (10 miles), the weather (freezing rain followed by snow) and the travel time from Boston (two hours). This was not quite the Tufts Women's 10K or Run to Remember in terms of proportion of recreational runners!
I'm happy with this year in terms of running--10K and 10 miler PRs, and the possibility of a half marathon one in March (time to beat: 2:17:16). I feel a helluva lot stronger than I did in 2005 and 2006, both physically and mentally. In addition to getting faster, I'm no longer dependent on an ipod for long runs and I'm now psyched to go on runs with other people instead of sticking only to my favorite treadmill at the gym. I'm looking forward to the rest of this year.
Time: 1:32:03
Pace: 9:13/mile
Overall: 503/596
F 20-39: 65/86
I went to Amherst, MA with three other CRCers to run this race today. The course was brutal! Major hills came at mile 3 and mile 9 with a bunch scattered in between, but oddly enough I was able to run faster splits around the mile 9 hills than I was on the "flatter" middle parts of the course. That middle part included iced-over dirt roads whose slipperyness effectively negated their lack of elevation.
By the time I got to mile 6, freezing rain started to pour down from the skies. I cursed my lack of foresight in forgoing a light windbreaker and sped up just so I could get back inside faster.
I had promised myself that if I PRed in this race, I would buy a Lululemon outfit. After my 10:00 and 10:03 miles, I pretty much gave up hope of a PR and resigned myself to trying again at the New Bedford half marathon in March. Once I hit mile 7, I did calculations in my head and realized that the PR was still possible if I finished the last three miles at 9:00/mile pace, but also wondered if the upcoming evil hills would cause more 10:00 miles. The urge to pass other people became stronger, especially given that I was at the back of the pack anyway. When the next two miles went by under 9:00/mile pace, I picked up the pace even more, visions of the Lululemon store dancing in my rain-drenched head. Thank goodness the race ended on a downhill with cheering volunteers shaking cowbells--I booked it in so hard I could barely breathe, beating my previous PR of 1:33:39 by over a minute.
Split times:
1. 8:53
2. 8:35
3. 10:00
4. 10:03
5. 9:30
6. 9:40
7. 8:45
8. 9:06
9. 8:49
10. 8:39
When I looked up the results online and saw how badly I'd placed, my elation at achieving a PR quickly fell flat when considered against that of 502 much faster runners. At the beginning of the race I'd felt out of place in my pink "I run like a girl" hoodie among the hordes of folks wearing jackets and singlets from GBTC, CMS, Merrimack Valley Striders, Goon Squad Runners, and Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club. I worried that I'd get so far behind that I'd end up lost in the Amherst woods. That did not end up happening, but 503/596 sure felt far behind.
Looking at the race results, I noticed that only 36 out of the 596 people had run slower than 10:00/mile. That's usually not the case for more popular Boston or D.C. road races. The pervasiveness of track club jackets *did* accurately reflect the speediness of the crowd today, which now makes sense given the month (February), the distance (10 miles), the weather (freezing rain followed by snow) and the travel time from Boston (two hours). This was not quite the Tufts Women's 10K or Run to Remember in terms of proportion of recreational runners!
I'm happy with this year in terms of running--10K and 10 miler PRs, and the possibility of a half marathon one in March (time to beat: 2:17:16). I feel a helluva lot stronger than I did in 2005 and 2006, both physically and mentally. In addition to getting faster, I'm no longer dependent on an ipod for long runs and I'm now psyched to go on runs with other people instead of sticking only to my favorite treadmill at the gym. I'm looking forward to the rest of this year.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
three quick musings
1) Having a RoadID is useful if you go to a CRC long run where everyone has to pile their shoes outside the front door--many other women (and men) wear Brooks Adrenalines!
2) Strawberry banana Gu is my new favorite.
3) Heartbreak Hill is not that bad after six miles...but it will likely kill after 19. My running buddy today only told me where it was after we had finished it (good move on his part!)
2) Strawberry banana Gu is my new favorite.
3) Heartbreak Hill is not that bad after six miles...but it will likely kill after 19. My running buddy today only told me where it was after we had finished it (good move on his part!)
Friday, February 20, 2009
CRC track workout
A2 3x (1200@ 8k pace; 200 jog; 800@ half marathon pace) jog 800 for recovery
"[V]olume but only moderate intensity"
1200s: 5:51, 5:54, 5:55
800s: 4:01, 4:03, 3:52
Last night I ran this workout with Zena. We initially attempted to run with some A1 folks but couldn't keep up with them after 50m. I think the one time I ran with those A1 folks must have been a fluke, because they were probably doing 7:30/mile pace for the 1200s last night. I still don't have a good sense of pacing--I could probably do an 8K below 8:00/pace, but my half-marathon pace certainly isn't between 7:44-8:06/mile!
"[V]olume but only moderate intensity"
1200s: 5:51, 5:54, 5:55
800s: 4:01, 4:03, 3:52
Last night I ran this workout with Zena. We initially attempted to run with some A1 folks but couldn't keep up with them after 50m. I think the one time I ran with those A1 folks must have been a fluke, because they were probably doing 7:30/mile pace for the 1200s last night. I still don't have a good sense of pacing--I could probably do an 8K below 8:00/pace, but my half-marathon pace certainly isn't between 7:44-8:06/mile!
Monday, February 16, 2009
slow long run
Distance: 14.06 miles
Time: 2:35:00
Pace: 11:01/mile
Temperature: 34 degrees
I'm peeved at myself for the slower pace on this run. I was supposed to do 16 miles today but fell short by two miles. My legs were hurting from my stadium workout yesterday (45 minutes of running + 45 minutes of lunges up the seats/walking down the steps/2 sets of exercises at the bottom). I probably should have rested today.
Time: 2:35:00
Pace: 11:01/mile
Temperature: 34 degrees
I'm peeved at myself for the slower pace on this run. I was supposed to do 16 miles today but fell short by two miles. My legs were hurting from my stadium workout yesterday (45 minutes of running + 45 minutes of lunges up the seats/walking down the steps/2 sets of exercises at the bottom). I probably should have rested today.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Jealous?
Here are the free/promo shoes* I have been given because I work in the right place. In part, I am asked to review (particularly the Pumas, which matters less since the rep came and went today already), and to wear them around the store to attract customers' attention. I am already favorably inclined since they gave me shoes, so clearly, it's working!
I ran about four miles last week in the Pumas (Velosis, a high-end cushion shoe that will be available in June) and, while not converted, was pretty happy with them. More treadmilling and road-testing to follow (and a multi-page questionnaire they sent, which I am inclined to honor, as it accompanied free shoes).
The Mizunos are the Wave Rider 12, which I really like. If I'm not mistaken, they feel cushier than the 11. This is the man version, not because my feet are so big (though they are), but because the red detailing is SO much cooler than the lady colors.
More reviewing to follow, for those who run neutral or supinate (like me).
*I heard a rumor, too, that we were getting Under Armor promo shoes, in which I will not run, but wear to work to avoid running in all the really GOOD free shoes I get (not that the UA are bad, in fact the consensus is that they did a nice job first time out. The problem is that they're sending us just stability shoes- boo!- and really the UA are better suited for kids who have to run in practice for sports other than track).
I ran about four miles last week in the Pumas (Velosis, a high-end cushion shoe that will be available in June) and, while not converted, was pretty happy with them. More treadmilling and road-testing to follow (and a multi-page questionnaire they sent, which I am inclined to honor, as it accompanied free shoes).The Mizunos are the Wave Rider 12, which I really like. If I'm not mistaken, they feel cushier than the 11. This is the man version, not because my feet are so big (though they are), but because the red detailing is SO much cooler than the lady colors.
More reviewing to follow, for those who run neutral or supinate (like me).
*I heard a rumor, too, that we were getting Under Armor promo shoes, in which I will not run, but wear to work to avoid running in all the really GOOD free shoes I get (not that the UA are bad, in fact the consensus is that they did a nice job first time out. The problem is that they're sending us just stability shoes- boo!- and really the UA are better suited for kids who have to run in practice for sports other than track).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
CRC track workout
A2 2x2400; pace the same as above; recovery: jog 800 meters; (optional: 1 mile at marathon pace).
2400s: 13:04, 12:19
1600: 8:55
Doing a track workout the day after a two-hour bikram yoga session *hurts*. I liked the yoga studio I went to yesterday so I'll still continue to do the yoga Wednesday / track Thursday a couple times a month.
2400s: 13:04, 12:19
1600: 8:55
Doing a track workout the day after a two-hour bikram yoga session *hurts*. I liked the yoga studio I went to yesterday so I'll still continue to do the yoga Wednesday / track Thursday a couple times a month.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
sick
I am supremely bummed that this delicious change in weather in Northeastern Ohio (it's like 6o today) and the attendant clear sidewalks and streets have coincided with a nasty head cold for me. Bleh.
But, I did NOT get the Boston number, so it's less worrisome to take a week off from running to recover. I guess I will just have to qualify.
Sooo...that means the Hermes 10-Miler (April 25th) and the Cleveland Half (May 17th). I'm thinking of this 30k (March 8th), just for fun (and to see if I can). Perhaps if it goes well, I may run the full 26.2 in Cleveland this spring!
Cross your fingers that the weather holds and I can get in a few runs out of doors this week!
But, I did NOT get the Boston number, so it's less worrisome to take a week off from running to recover. I guess I will just have to qualify.
Sooo...that means the Hermes 10-Miler (April 25th) and the Cleveland Half (May 17th). I'm thinking of this 30k (March 8th), just for fun (and to see if I can). Perhaps if it goes well, I may run the full 26.2 in Cleveland this spring!
Cross your fingers that the weather holds and I can get in a few runs out of doors this week!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
cambridge long run
Distance: 13.9 miles
Time: 2:22:00
Pace: 10:13/mile
Temperature: 44 degrees
Time of Day: 10:00 a.m.
Buddies: Alett and Krista
Alett, Krista and I began our run in Cambridgeport this morning, scooting through puddles as we made our way to East Cambridge, Inman Square, Porter Square, North Cambridge, Fresh Pond, Harvard Square on our journey back to Central Square. The conversation made the 13.9 miles feel like much less! My MapMyRun printouts with appended street names worked pretty well--I only got confused at Fresh Pond, and it turns out we headed the correct way back to Harvard Square.
The weather felt unseasonably warm compared to the single-digit temperatures of late. At first, I felt extremely overheated because of my UnderArmour, headband and gloves but soon became grateful that I'd put them on. I liked the relative warmth but hated the enormous puddles caused by piles of melting snow. My shoes weighed about ten pounds each after soaking up tons of water!
Other thoughts:
1) I am now inspired to do more running in Cambridgeport, East Cambridge, and North Cambridge. I bet I'll like Fresh Pond more when the path isn't covered in water and ice.
2) I am beginning to like the Reebok pants which I'm wear-testing--they're a little big in the waist and long in the legs, but the butt pocket is convenient and the fit is fairly flattering.
3) I have got to take more than one gel when I run for 2+ hours.
Time: 2:22:00
Pace: 10:13/mile
Temperature: 44 degrees
Time of Day: 10:00 a.m.
Buddies: Alett and Krista
Alett, Krista and I began our run in Cambridgeport this morning, scooting through puddles as we made our way to East Cambridge, Inman Square, Porter Square, North Cambridge, Fresh Pond, Harvard Square on our journey back to Central Square. The conversation made the 13.9 miles feel like much less! My MapMyRun printouts with appended street names worked pretty well--I only got confused at Fresh Pond, and it turns out we headed the correct way back to Harvard Square.
The weather felt unseasonably warm compared to the single-digit temperatures of late. At first, I felt extremely overheated because of my UnderArmour, headband and gloves but soon became grateful that I'd put them on. I liked the relative warmth but hated the enormous puddles caused by piles of melting snow. My shoes weighed about ten pounds each after soaking up tons of water!
Other thoughts:
1) I am now inspired to do more running in Cambridgeport, East Cambridge, and North Cambridge. I bet I'll like Fresh Pond more when the path isn't covered in water and ice.
2) I am beginning to like the Reebok pants which I'm wear-testing--they're a little big in the waist and long in the legs, but the butt pocket is convenient and the fit is fairly flattering.
3) I have got to take more than one gel when I run for 2+ hours.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
CRC track workout
A2 10x400@ 5k pace; 1600 @ marathon pace;
I ran with Krista and Zena today. I like how they inspire me to go a little faster than I think I can, and how the time flies so much faster than when only pandapple the ipod accompanies me. We did 200 jogs between all the 400s, an 800 jog before the 1600 and an 800 cooldown together.
400: 1:55, 1:53, 1:52, 1:53, 1:49, 1:51, 1:48, 1:50, 1:48, 1:47
1600: 8:40
I ran with Krista and Zena today. I like how they inspire me to go a little faster than I think I can, and how the time flies so much faster than when only pandapple the ipod accompanies me. We did 200 jogs between all the 400s, an 800 jog before the 1600 and an 800 cooldown together.
400: 1:55, 1:53, 1:52, 1:53, 1:49, 1:51, 1:48, 1:50, 1:48, 1:47
1600: 8:40
Monday, February 2, 2009
race report: super sunday 10K
I look like I'm floating!Distance: 10K
Time: 52:50
Pace: 8:31/mile
5K split: 27:13
Overall: 320/723
Age Group: 73/212
(note: I think the placing is off. A bunch of superfast runners are listed at the bottom of the race results with only their 5K splits. Looks like their timing bands didn't pick up across the finish).
Yesterday I beat my PR of 55:22 (set in my very first 10K ever - 2005 St. Patrick's Day 10K in D.C.). I started the day off incredibly cranky. I had not hydrated or eaten anything other than half a pack of strawberry Clif Shot Bloks, and I was still residually cranky from my car accident the day before. My irritation grew when I realized that I'd overslept by half an hour and as I struggled to find all my stuff in my tornado-hit-it room. Luckily, the red line and silver line to Harbor Street were fairly quick. The bag check line was enormous, but I managed to get my bag checked right before 10:00 a.m. The race directors pushed the start back to 10:15 so that everyone could check their bags and patronize the port-a-potties.
I felt pretty miserable for the first three miles of the race. My legs felt tight because of my lack of stretching and warmup. Seeing and hearing multitudes of people passing by discouraged me (even though by mile 2 I was already going faster than I have in previous 10Ks--17:36). I hit the 4 mile marker at 36:51, which enraged me. I picked up the pace, passed mile 5 at 43:11 (which makes me think that the mile splits were either off by distance or by clock synchronization), then mile 6 at 51:14. I started racing a tall guy wearing a Patriots Super Bowl shirt (which also enraged me) near the end, which I'm sure he didn't appreciate. I wish I'd beat him--we both crossed at 52:50 but he got #319 while I got #320. Perhaps they rank by 5K split times?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)