As winter descends upon Boston, I find myself missing long summer training runs. Yes, even those runs after which I am drenched in sweat and thirsting for Propel. I miss the salt on my Red Sox hats and the Champion sports bra tan lines. Headbands have replaced the hats and UnderArmour now covers up the sports bras.
Normally, I'd hibernate in the winter and hit up the YMCA treadmills, but I am hoping to be one of the ten lucky CRC'ers who gets a Boston 2009 bib without having to qualify. Bloggers: apart from clothing changes, how do you adjusting your race training in the winter?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Favorite Trails 2: B'more Landmark Run
Baltimore is an amazingly beautiful city once you get the chance to look closely at it. It's an old port city dating back to the colonial era and is grand in its tragedy. I'm a big fan of The Wire which tells the story of the city's ills in such a great literary fashion that is as moving as a Greek tragedy and as pretty as it is Gothic. On that show, the beauty of the Inner Harbor and the architecture of downtown are just as pretty as the vacant rowhomes that litter the inner-city. So, my favorite run is one that I've constructed for myself over the months I've lived in this city.
Distance: 10.45 miles (good for Half and Full Marathon Training)
Narrative: You start at Federal Hill Park and run through the Inner Harbor. After going through historic Fells Point, you see the gentrifying Canton area. Run past some empty and some gentrifying homes in East Baltimore, as you run back to downtown and past City Hall and up to the Washington Monument (elevation challenge). Come back down and pass Camden Yards before heading back to the starting point.
Positives: Lots of ground covered and beautiful for a city run. Pretty compact area. Good elevation challenge at the end going up to Washington Monument, but mostly flat other than that.
Negatives: Depending on time of day, may run into foot traffic. Also some sidewalks are poorly managed and may be injury-hazards.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Liz's first entry
I run long distances whenever I can... and I don't mind doing it on a treadmill. In fact, most of the year I train on a treadmill. It's my meditation. And, at the gym here, they have tv monitors on. Which I don't really understand.....
They call it "cardio theater" but the only stations offered are news, court tv, or the Spanish channel. Shouldn't I expect to see a movie? So, I just leave my iPod on and stare mindlessly at news hosts. Is that bad? Am I a tv addict?
Running on the treadmill has its pros and cons. Importantly, I don't use elevation as much as I should. But, it does help me train mentally for the task of being alone with my thoughts for a long period of time while moving my legs. For me, and I think for other distance runners, training to do something for 2 or 4 or more hours is 50% of the game. I need mental strength more than anything. For some lucky reason, I don't get a lot of leg cramps (one of the trainers at my gym here In Shape City thinks my big legs help avoid this because they can provide more oxygen to muscles). The trick for me is being in the right mentality.
When I started running I was actually running away from things in my life that I did not like. The longer I stayed out on a run, the longer I could avoid having to deal with other aspects of my daily life. That was good - it was my therapy (and helped me get into great shape!). Now, all-in-all, my life has been much better. I don't really have those same things to avoid or try to escape. So, why do I keep running?
Part of the reason might be that I am afraid to stop. Afraid I would never be in such good shape again. Afraid I will get bored. What happens to people who used to run but don't anymore?
They call it "cardio theater" but the only stations offered are news, court tv, or the Spanish channel. Shouldn't I expect to see a movie? So, I just leave my iPod on and stare mindlessly at news hosts. Is that bad? Am I a tv addict?
Running on the treadmill has its pros and cons. Importantly, I don't use elevation as much as I should. But, it does help me train mentally for the task of being alone with my thoughts for a long period of time while moving my legs. For me, and I think for other distance runners, training to do something for 2 or 4 or more hours is 50% of the game. I need mental strength more than anything. For some lucky reason, I don't get a lot of leg cramps (one of the trainers at my gym here In Shape City thinks my big legs help avoid this because they can provide more oxygen to muscles). The trick for me is being in the right mentality.
When I started running I was actually running away from things in my life that I did not like. The longer I stayed out on a run, the longer I could avoid having to deal with other aspects of my daily life. That was good - it was my therapy (and helped me get into great shape!). Now, all-in-all, my life has been much better. I don't really have those same things to avoid or try to escape. So, why do I keep running?
Part of the reason might be that I am afraid to stop. Afraid I would never be in such good shape again. Afraid I will get bored. What happens to people who used to run but don't anymore?
Favorite Trails 1: Cambridge, MA
(click to enlarge)
My favorite running spot in Cambridge (and Boston) is the Charles River, hands-down. I live about a mile from the river, and usually pick it up at Western Avenue, River Street, or the Harvard Bridge and extend the loop from 3 miles to 15 miles with an add-on through Harvard Square. I love being able to see the Boston skyline, sailboats, rowers, Harvard stadium, the Museum of Science, and the Hatch Shell all in the same run. I used to miss the W&OD and Custis trails terribly when I first moved up here, but I'm now converted!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
race report: arlington turkey trot
Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 26:32
Pace: 8:34 miles
Place: 245/1130
Happy belated Thanksgiving! James, Sam, my sister Susan, her friend Diane, and I all ran a Turkey Trot starting in Lyon Park. After seeing my friend Farrokh dressed as a Hare Krishna with two other men at the start, we were off! Well, most of us were...Sam got there ten minutes late and still managed to beat a ton of people. The course was pretty hilly and full of walkers, dogs, and small children, but it was still quite fun to go scooting around Arlington neighborhoods. Afterward, we all went to Silver Diner for coffee, biscuits, and blogidarity.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Catch-Up Post: MCM 2008 (KQB's Version)
It's been over a month since I ran my 2nd MCM (I know, I know, the "more updates to come" has been a long time coming). Since then I've done a couple more races (time trial with the JQUS boys cross-country team and a blogidarity Turkey Trot).
MCM #2 was infnitely better than MCM #1. I came down to D.C. as ready as I could be given the derailing effects of my first two months as a teacher and a knee injury in the Nahant 30K, but still buoyant from a summer of training hard on the Charles River and at CRC track workouts. I felt well-prepared, having learned my lesson after overheating from MCM #1's outfit of UnderArmour, long pants, and a jacket. I came down armed with a suitcase full of tutu, ibuprofen, a phone holder, vanilla Gu, RaceReady shorts and non-chafing sports bra tank top.
JTT's and my joint MCM evite had alerted our friends and family to our running plans, and my parents finally understood how important it was for me that they come out and spectate. The night before, Kristen made me some lovely pasta with sausage and veggies and we caught up while carbo-loading. I woke up bright and early the next day, packed up my stuff, put on an old pair of pants and a sweatshirt, and went with my dad to Rosslyn. I walked to the start line and got there in time to deposit all my stuff at bag check, put on the tutu, and safety pin the tutu to my shorts. I learned an important lesson: do not safety pin shorts to a tutu unless you have already peed. Undoing all that clothing in the port-a-potty was quite traumatic, but not as traumatic as being late to the start in 2005--I absolutely detest being rushed and late at a race start. In spite of all the tutu re-doing, I was still able to meet James at the 4:29-5:00 start pillar. Note to self: line up a half an hour faster than goal time because the first six miles do not thin out whatsoever. Other note to self: RaceReady shorts have a pocket that is perfectly sized for an LG VX8700, which enabled me to find James in the mess of people.
The starting gun went off and it took us about five minutes to get to the actual start line from our place in the crowd. I was so glad to have James to chat with as I ran. Usually I listen to an ipod but I don't like to do that for races. James' cheerfulness kept me going, as did the cheering crowds. Almost bit of the course was lined with proud spectators. I may start the era of TutuGirl--I got so many cheers for my bizarre outfit, and they kept me smiling even though knee pain and fatigue. I first saw my parents near the Spout Run Giant, holding a Go Hoos foam finger and happily cheering. I hugged them both and said "see you on the Mall!" as James and I scooted off. I only started feeling pain around mile 15-16--the same pain from the Nahant 30K, but I took four ibuprofens and decided to finish the race.
By then we had made it through Hains Point (thankfully much earlier in the course) and sung Livin on a Prayer at 13.1 miles. We made it to mile 19 together, seeing my parents and siblings near the National Mall as well as James' pals holding awesome signs for him. I saw old runner friends brandishing beer while dressed as cops and robbers near mile 22--that put a smile on my face as the weather got hotter and my enthusiasm started to flag. Miles 22-26 were definitely the hardest. I was so tempted to walk, but started hearing my old cross-country coach saying "anything's better than a walk" in my head. I unexpectedly saw Janet and Jay cheering in matching Chris Cooley jerseys at mile 25, for which I am forever grateful. Route 110 felt much lonelier than Hains Point, and their smiling faces got my spirits back up. Soo and AQB appeared again in mile 26, and AQB ran with me until the beginning of the Iwo Jima ascent.
The trek up the last hill felt different than the first time. Back in 2005 I'd felt incredibly happy just to finish and sprinted up the last bit of it, bursting into tears of joy at the end. This year, I could only muster up the sprinting for the last 50 yards or so, and only cried a little bit at the end, but I felt infinitely prouder. Next year, I'm going for 4:15!
MCM #2 was infnitely better than MCM #1. I came down to D.C. as ready as I could be given the derailing effects of my first two months as a teacher and a knee injury in the Nahant 30K, but still buoyant from a summer of training hard on the Charles River and at CRC track workouts. I felt well-prepared, having learned my lesson after overheating from MCM #1's outfit of UnderArmour, long pants, and a jacket. I came down armed with a suitcase full of tutu, ibuprofen, a phone holder, vanilla Gu, RaceReady shorts and non-chafing sports bra tank top.
JTT's and my joint MCM evite had alerted our friends and family to our running plans, and my parents finally understood how important it was for me that they come out and spectate. The night before, Kristen made me some lovely pasta with sausage and veggies and we caught up while carbo-loading. I woke up bright and early the next day, packed up my stuff, put on an old pair of pants and a sweatshirt, and went with my dad to Rosslyn. I walked to the start line and got there in time to deposit all my stuff at bag check, put on the tutu, and safety pin the tutu to my shorts. I learned an important lesson: do not safety pin shorts to a tutu unless you have already peed. Undoing all that clothing in the port-a-potty was quite traumatic, but not as traumatic as being late to the start in 2005--I absolutely detest being rushed and late at a race start. In spite of all the tutu re-doing, I was still able to meet James at the 4:29-5:00 start pillar. Note to self: line up a half an hour faster than goal time because the first six miles do not thin out whatsoever. Other note to self: RaceReady shorts have a pocket that is perfectly sized for an LG VX8700, which enabled me to find James in the mess of people.
The starting gun went off and it took us about five minutes to get to the actual start line from our place in the crowd. I was so glad to have James to chat with as I ran. Usually I listen to an ipod but I don't like to do that for races. James' cheerfulness kept me going, as did the cheering crowds. Almost bit of the course was lined with proud spectators. I may start the era of TutuGirl--I got so many cheers for my bizarre outfit, and they kept me smiling even though knee pain and fatigue. I first saw my parents near the Spout Run Giant, holding a Go Hoos foam finger and happily cheering. I hugged them both and said "see you on the Mall!" as James and I scooted off. I only started feeling pain around mile 15-16--the same pain from the Nahant 30K, but I took four ibuprofens and decided to finish the race.
By then we had made it through Hains Point (thankfully much earlier in the course) and sung Livin on a Prayer at 13.1 miles. We made it to mile 19 together, seeing my parents and siblings near the National Mall as well as James' pals holding awesome signs for him. I saw old runner friends brandishing beer while dressed as cops and robbers near mile 22--that put a smile on my face as the weather got hotter and my enthusiasm started to flag. Miles 22-26 were definitely the hardest. I was so tempted to walk, but started hearing my old cross-country coach saying "anything's better than a walk" in my head. I unexpectedly saw Janet and Jay cheering in matching Chris Cooley jerseys at mile 25, for which I am forever grateful. Route 110 felt much lonelier than Hains Point, and their smiling faces got my spirits back up. Soo and AQB appeared again in mile 26, and AQB ran with me until the beginning of the Iwo Jima ascent.
The trek up the last hill felt different than the first time. Back in 2005 I'd felt incredibly happy just to finish and sprinted up the last bit of it, bursting into tears of joy at the end. This year, I could only muster up the sprinting for the last 50 yards or so, and only cried a little bit at the end, but I felt infinitely prouder. Next year, I'm going for 4:15!
A Catch-up Post: MCM 2008
Disappointment spills over everything sometimes. It's like a dark ink that just permeates your favorite shirt. Even if it really is just a small stain, it seems magnified and enormously obnoxious everytime you glance down and you just hope the ink isn't as indelible as it may be. With that lengthy metaphor, I introduce my personally disappointing fourth Marine Corps Marathon post.
Now, I did in fact finish the run, but it was certainly longer than what I felt I should have achieved or could have achieved. My final time was 4:46:41, more than Oprah. My PR was in Cleveland earlier in May, at 4:42:43, and in 2006 when I last ran MCM it was a 4:59. So, I was hoping to do better than my last set PR, and with more training, I think I should have bested the last PR and beat Oprah.
But, beyond that disappointment, I of course have to acknowledge the wonderful support of friends and the great changes to the race course this year. I had the pleasure of running with fellow blogger KQB this year as well. First, the weather conditions were great. It was a bit chilly in the morning in the high 40s, and warming up into the 50s when the race started at 8:00. In my previous years of running this race, runners were fortunate to have Daylight Savings Time end, so though the start time was 8:00 AM, it still felt like 9:00 AM. The most striking feature of the early part of the race course was perhaps the fog. As you run out towards Spout Run Parkway in Arlington towards the Key Bridge and Washington, you just see this ground-level fog blanketing everything. Roosevelt Island was like a mystical island covered in wispy cotton.
The best course-change this year was perhaps the shifting of the dreaded Hains Point. Previously this had been in 16-18 mile portion of the race, which is when crowd support and when heavy winds are least appreciated. This year, this portion of the race was shifted earlier with the half-marathon mark at the furthest eastern point of the landmass. Now, instead the tough miles leading up to crossing the 14th Street Bridge back into Virginia were on the crowded and noisy National Mall and near the Capitol, which were much appreciated by the runners and their support crowds.
It was around mile 22 while approaching the end that I hit my wall. Leg cramps were threatening and did happen finally slowing me down. This is where I was most disappointed in myself. I certainly had fun and appreciated the support from my friends, but again, it was just myself to blame. So, with best hopes, for the next year, I look to work on strength training and building up a better training schedule and sticking to it for the next year. And in the meantime, I'm working on washing that shirt.
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