Updates.

Have been plodding along as usual, slowly but surely. Generally making mileage close to what I want, but looking forward to a long run this week to be better on target. Have been cheered (and clothed) by Target's sale on athletic wear, so it will be with new sartorial vigor that I attack the towpath.

Am also terribly excited to go to Boston at the end of the month, partially to see the Red Sox, but also because Kristina and I have agreed to go on a run together! It will be "New Sights" in stereo!

Tonight, I will attempt to do some lifting and resistance training, get my core more in shape. I KNOW it is appropriate and good to cross train, and to cultivate muscles in places other than my legs, but have poor follow through in this area. I am publicly (i.e., now) making a commitment to do core/ab work and light lifting two to three times a week from here on out. You are all witnesses.N. B., photo obviously a Nike ad...

race report: ollie road race five miler

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 42:21
Pace: 8:29/mile
Overall: 521/1049
Age Group: 64/184
Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
Temperature: Hades + humid

When I woke up this morning, I peeked out my window at what appeared to be cool, rainy weather. I packed up a little bag with a jacket and thanked my lucky stars that the late start time wouldn't be accompanied by the hot Mexican sun.

When I stepped outside, I realized that my assumptions were quite wrong. Humidity hung in the air like a wet sock and I began to dread the impending scoot around South Boston. A few stops down the Red line and a bus ride down the Silver line later, the dread intensified as I picked up my race packet and goody bag (which did include a cool metal water bottle, pistachio green shirt, and City Sports backpack). I saw some CRC dudes at the start, which reminded me that I need to get a singlet or something CRC-branded to run races in.

The race itself felt like running while breathing through a wet sock. Even the breeze down by Castle Island didn't help much, and there was very little crowd support compared to the Cape Ann 25K. I'm glad it was a flat out-and-back, because major hills on a day like today would have rendered me useless. Many runners did stop to walk around mile 4 because of the humidity--I was sorely tempted but knew that starting up again would feel even worse than just continuing. I was also surprised at how many women wore pants to the race. They must have been miserable. At the end I wanted to barf and pass out, but the immediate provision of ice cold water, bananas, PowerBars, hot dogs, Naked juice, Nantucket Nectars, Turkey Hill duetto, free books, free City Sports gear, and Harpoon IPA distracted me. I will definitely do this race again if only for all the schwag.

I think I started my timing wrong because my watch read 42:11 at the end. Here are the splits I recorded on my watch:

Mile 1: 8:45
Mile 2: 8:38
Mile 3: 8:15
Mile 4: 8:16
Mile 5: 8:15

race report: cape ann 25K

Today I ran the Around the Cape 25K in Gloucester, MA.

Distance: 15.56 miles
Time (as determined by my watch): 2:34:45
Pace: 9:57/mile
Age Group: 42/56
Overall: 390/508
Time of Day: 9:00 a.m.
Temperature: varied from 65 to 80 degrees

The registration form describes the race as: "Challenging USATF-certified 25K (15.56 miles) course along scenic coastal Gloucester and Rockport. Ocean views and old New England villages with waterfront sections spread throughout the course. (Oh, and did we mention the sixteen major hills?) Mile markers and times, refreshment stations, post-race festivities, unique awards, cash prizes, raffle, and much more!"

The ocean views and quaint villages added a unique adorability factor (see also: toddlers spraying down overheated runners with hoses and families playing Eye of the Tiger out of their car stereos to motivate us). Adorability aside, challenging and hilly is right! We were warned of the hills beforehand, so I definitely started with the mindset of taking it easy, especially since my last long run was so bad. I also came in a little paranoid that I would be running alone for most of the race in a repeat performance of the 2006 Leesburg 20K, so I brought my ipod to accompany me. However, there was a good range of runners because of the Gloucester spirit (not just crazy running spirit).

The initial shade and frequent water stops made it much better than my long runs, but after mile 8 and many of the major hills, I started feeling quite bedraggled and discouraged. Adding to this was the biggest and most unexpected challenge--the course is not closed to cars. Some of the beach roads got pretty packed, and on at least one occasion, a cop pulled over a car for almost hitting a runner. One of the CRC guys mentioned that a runner next to him punched a car after almost being hit. I hated being smushed into the side of the road and the fear of being sideswiped--my slowest miles were definitely on the most crowded roads. One of the CRC guys ran with me for the last 1.5 miles. That totally helped my sagging morale--it's amazing how much of a difference a running buddy can make.

Splits:
9:59.20
9:44.60
9:55.35
9:55.62
9:42.01
10:11.63
9:42.36
9:47.96
10:08.10
9:54.62
9:40.72
10:15.60
10:49.95
10:10.61
9:44.44
5:41.17 (last .56 miles)

Two CRC members won awards (one was second overall and the other won her age group). After the ceremonies, we headed over to the CRC president's parents' house for a yummy brunch of lobster omelets, lobster rolls, veggies, fruit, and cupcakes. What a fun Labor Day race!

New toys.

Well, I was wearing the wrong shoes. The 1120 offers arch support I don’t need and probably exacerbates my supination. I know this. But I wasn’t aware that they are a half size smaller than I need. My 10-11 in normal shoes does NOT translate into the same in running shoes. Apparently, I need to be in 11.5 in women’s and 10 in men’s. Barf. In the right shoes, my feet look like boats.

I took home a Mizuno Wave Precision 9 and an Asics Gel-Nimbus 10 in ungodly large sizes. Totally different shoes, by the way, but both a good type of shoe for my foot (even though Eddie said I would tear through the Mizuno in a mere 150 miles, I suspect meaning due to my biomechanically inefficient stride). The Precision felt light and not particularly flexible, but seemed to make sense to my foot after a half mile or so (they have a fascinating technology, Mizuno running shoes. Read the details on the website). After 3.5 miles I threw on the Nimbi and got back on the treadmill for another 1.5. After the lightweight Precision, the extra-cushioned Nimbus felt almost cumbersome. But wearing the Nimbus also feels like running in pillows probably feels like, which is desirable and good. I think the Nimbus is the true keeper, just because they ought to last longer, but I can’t help adoring the sexy little Mizunos. They’re shiny and red and almost like racing flats. Surely I can keep them just for short runs and racing, right?

So I did about five miles total on the treadmill this afternoon and barely noticed my (almost completely healed) left foot. I think I over-diagnosed. It appears I simply had a bruise. Standout track of the day: “Matter vs. Space,” by Beulah, at 146 BPM.

Sesamoiditis

Well, boo on that run Friday night, because I think I have injured myself. The last mile and a half, I could feel the ball of my left foot hurting, and I thought perhaps I was developing a blister. Still sore and swollen the next day, I asked around at the store and conventional (and some medical) wisdom held that I should take ibuprophen and ice it (which, by the way, is a horrifying experience: try sticking YOUR foot into an ice bath and holding it there 20-30 minutes). Also, for the next time around, I should look for a shoe with more cushioning (particularly since the pain set in as I’m nearing the 300-400 mile marker in my current shoes). As I look at my feet and my stride, I think the 1120 is more of a corrective shoe than I need, anyway, and might over-correct for a problem I don’t have (i.e., I think I underpronate). Anyway, I have quit running for the weekend, iced the foot twice, and taken a few pills. These have resulted in a marked improvement. Failing to find much information online because of an inability to accurately describe my symptoms to WebMD, I stumbled across an article in August 2008’s Runner’s World about sesamoiditis (and, luckily, how to treat it and prevent its return). Figures I would survive knee surgery without slowing down, only to be felled by a less common and decidedly unpronounceable malady.

Here’s to an early rise and run tomorrow, and to new shoes next paycheck!

P.S. Kristina, will keep you posted about the Boston Half. One of the nice things about working at a running store- they completely understand when you request time off for a race.

long run today

Distance: 13.54 miles
Time: 2:30:04
Pace: 11:05/mile
Temperature: 70 degrees
Time of Day: 8:45 a.m.

The malaise is back. Earlier this week I ran 38:34 at what I think was 8:10 pace (I just mapped it so I might have messed up) but noticed that my left hamstring was acting up. I played 187 points of ultimate last weekend (no women subs for seven games) and took so many ibuprofens that I might not have recognized any hamstring injury. Today I stopped running after 2.5 hours because both hamstrings and hip flexors on each leg were starting to cramp up. Arrgh!!

After spending the day helping runners find the shoes and information they need, I put it to practice myself. I now have a semblance of the tools I need to self-diagnose shoe and foot issues. I have a normal foot, normal arch, and can take a totally neutral, cushioned shoe. I happen to run in an Asics Gel-1120, which is more support than I need. It works, so I’m not too concerned at the moment. But you can bet I’m taking advantage of every opportunity to try on shoes at the store in preparation for my next pair!
As for today, I found the post- “Jeopardy!” time slot an ideal time to run. It was nearly dark, so the sidewalks were mostly clear, and the temperature had dropped off considerably.

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 45-50 minutes
Pace: first three miles, around 10:30; the last two, around 9:00
Temperature: 85 degrees
Time of Day: 8:00
Wildlife: dead bunny curled up at the intersection of Green and Groveland, very sad. Then I saw the Silsby bunny in the neighbors’ tree lawn post-run (very much alive) .

Feeling very happy with today’s run. Lots of good music today, but the standout track would have to be “Only the Good Die Young,” by Billy Joel (and hits the BPM jackpot at 158).