Charlottesville 10 Miler

Wooohooooo! Perfect weather, great run. My initial training goal for the 10 miler was 11:00 per mile, or 1:50 total. I finished in (according to my watch, I'll check with my chip time as soon as it's posted) 1:50:30, just 30 seconds off that pace. Awesome! I did slow down to let Jack and my mom take pictures, so I'll blame the 30 seconds on them. It might have been a few seconds less than that - I think a volunteer was pulling the chip off my shoe when I remembered to stop my watch. Ran into lots of old friends, and had a really fun run overall (with the exception of mile 9). Full report coming soon, right now I need a shower.

And may I say another awesome thing about this race - I got a medal! I told Max I got it because I won.

Update: Results were just posted online, my official chip time was 1:50:24. 11:02/mile. So freakin' close!

One day till race day!

I am currently laundering my favorite running togs. I haven't decided if I should wear a tank top (the green one I wore for the marathon) or a short sleeved shirt (plain purple shirt, that I used to hike in, back in the days when I went hiking). Wunderground says it will be 45 at 8 am (gun time is 7:45), up to just 55 by 11. So I'm leaning toward short sleeves, though I don't think I look nearly as cute in the hiking shirt. My alternative is to wear my "Max's Mom" Team in Training shirt. I'm not too worried about dressing warmly for hanging around pre-start since we get a bag to leave at the start/finish where I could stash a jacket. I'm definitely wearing my capri tights I bought at Richmond, and as dorky as it is, I'm wearing the (new) CamelBak because the first water stop isn't until 2.5 miles, and I know I'll be thirsty before then. I haven't been shopping for a lighter hydration pack yet, so big ol' CamelBak it is.

I had my obligatory pre-race nightmare last night. I dreamed that I got to the end of the race, and had done pretty well. I had forgotten to stop my watch, so I wasn't sure how well I'd done. I figured, eh, no big deal, it's chip-timed. So I'm standing in line to get my chip cut off my shoe. When I realize I have no chip on my shoe. So I'm thinking, oh, it fell off, no big deal, I've got my number, they can look up my time with that, the old fashioned way. When I realize I have no number on. And then I realize that I never picked up my race packet, so I have no chip, no number, no official time, no T-shirt!! I was mortified.

Note to self: Pick up packet tonight.

Push my buttons

I ran 2 mi this morning. But yesterday in the mail, I got a postcard from the Richmond Marathon. A postcard whose picture was yours truly, looking strong somewhere around Mile 4 in the marathon. A postcard tempting me to sign up for this year's race. Followed shortly by an email, saying that the race entry fee would go up on 4/1, so I should sign up now! And the it's the 30th running, with special premium schwag, extra-happy crowds, and the promise of more temperate weather (and hence a faster time). Oh Richmond, why do you taunt me so?

This came fast on the heels of a mailing from Team in Training. I could run the VA Beach 1/2 with them over Labor Day weekend. Now that's something I can wrap my brain around. Except for the fundraising part. I dropped out of girl scouts because I hated selling the cookies, and we all know those things sell themselves. Maybe I should just suck it up and do a good deed.

5ish miles

It might have been a little more. It certainly wasn't 6. Coach Mark gave a little motivational speech that lasted almost 45 minutes. We were starting our run when I was expecting to be in the home stretch, and I couldn't stick around for more than a couple laps on the track since I had a date with Max and his papa. Good run, but after all that stroller-pushing last week, I didn't know what to do with my arms and I felt kind of off balance. Strangely enough, my arms are bulking up after last week's stroller-pushing streak, but they were so tired by the end of today's run. Weird.

I spent Max's nap sacked out on the sofa reading People, then spent the rest of the day playing outside with him. No rest for the weary!

Day 6 - 2 miles

Yeah. I am soooo hardcore (insert hysterical laughter here). But really, I feel so much better about the 10 miler now. Like, maybe it will still suck but at least it won't be for lack of trying. Aside from the long string of illnesses, I think my biggest problem with training was that I didn't respect the distance. I totally pooh-poohed it, like I'm some big bad marathoner, 10 miles ain't nothin! But it is something. Something that you have to commit to getting out of bed and going out into winter weather to train for. I ran all winter long and never had a jacket heavier than a windbreaker, hence, I stayed in on some of the coldest days. That was royally stupid. So, I am going to buy a warmer jacket this week, while they're on clearance, so that I don't have the same excuses next winter. I would have bought one today, but I went to the shop to buy Shot Bloks, and walked out with $4 in Shot Bloks and $90 in other stuff. Ouch. Yes, gentle readers, I DID buy a new sports bra. Aren't you happy for me?

Day 5

You guessed it, 1.5 miles with stroller. Max happily clutched his snack trap for the ride, and laughed at the barking dogs. My back is a little sore, and my arms are getting muscular from pushing the stroller. Another quick run tomorrow morning, then my last long run before the race - 6 miles. Am I concerned that my longest run in ages was only 7.5 miles and it was weeks ago? Yeah, mildly. But I don't doubt that I can finish the 10 miler, and do it without hurting myself.

Assuming I run 2 miles tomorrow and the 6 I'm supposed to on Saturday, my mileage for the week will be 18, plus 4 miles of brisk walking. That's not too shabby for me - I am the queen of low mileage. I'm really glad I committed to the streak this week.

Goin' streakin'!!!!!

My streak is up to 4 days! Yeah, big whoop. But for me this is huge. I don't think I have ever, in my life, done any kind of exercise 4 days in a row, and I actually *like* working out. I did another loop with Max in the stroller, then went on a brisk 2 mile walk with my "friend" Louise. I say "friend" because she is the one who is badgering me to do the tri. I'm leaning towards yes, but still haven't decided.

Happy spring, everyone! At last. Ten days till the Ten Miler. Eeeep. Hopefully I can find some time tomorrow to buy a new sports bra and some Shot Bloks.

1.5 miles again

A rare Tuesday run! Same loop as yesterday, but considerably faster sans stroller. Grammy played with Max while I beat feet around the hood. Great weather, almost too warm. And I desperately need new sports bras. Just when you thought it was safe to come out, Mama's talking about her boobs again.

And I received the following email from IronMo re: the triathlon:
dooooooooooooooooo the tri!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found out that there's a different sprint tri in my town a couple of weeks after the Richmond one. The swim is considerably longer, and in a lake instead of a pool, which appeals to me. The bike is also a few miles longer, and the run is just 3 mi instead of 5k (big freakin' difference). I'm weighing my options with respect to the bike, I'm so scared of it! Plus, a tri means serious training, even a sprint tri. I can think about it in little chunks - hey, I can do a 5k in my sleep - but three "little" chunks strung together, with the biggest chunk being the one I'm least experienced with and most afraid of makes for one bigass chunk!

1.5 miles

Again, with the stroller. Not exactly high mileage, but at least it's not zero! My throat's STILL a little sore (4 weeks and counting...), but the coughing jags have stopped. Whew.

Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze in another short run after work tomorrow. The weather's beautiful, and I need the miles.

In other news, I searched high and low for a replacement reservoir for my CamelBak. There are so few of them, that it was the same price to buy an entirely new FlashFlo system (pack + bladder) as it was just to buy the reservoir. It should arrive tomorrow, and I do solemnly swear to buy a tubing brush this time around. Since I'm no longer nursing (woohoo!) and don't need gallons of water on every run, I think I should look into a bottle carrier. I basically need a pocket for my cellphone and key, and a place to put a bottle of water. Any suggestions? Oh, and anyone want to buy a gently used FlashFlo pack that's missing the reservoir?

four miles*

*with stroller

I don't care how smooth it pushes, when you're pushing a 25lb stroller with a 25lb occupant, you're pushing 50lbs up a hill. Simple as that. But I did it, in around 50 minutes, which included one stop for me to have water, two emergency dropped graham cracker retrievals, and walking the last .1 at tired toddler speed. All in all, I'm pretty pleased, mostly that I just got out there and did it. The stroller made for an intense workout, and my goal this week is to run a little every single day. No, I'm not going all gonzo, I just have a psychological need to keep moving, with less than two weeks till the 10 miler.

I'm contemplating signing up for a sprint tri (300 yard swim, 20k bike, 5k run) in June. Lord help me. I am freakin' terrified of the bike. Not to mention that my 11 year old low-end mountain bike is not exactly anyone's ride of choice.

I'm also contemplating running the Cville Half Marathon in April, 3 weeks after the 10 miler. I've had so many setbacks with 10 miler training, that I might feel better about it if I treat it like a training run. I'm a little scared, since I start the new job that week, plus April weather can run the gamut from cold and rainy to 85 and humid.

Zero miles

An early-morning coughing jag coupled with mommy guilt meant that I was at the doctor's with Max and his papa at 9am, instead of at the starting line. As we drove home through downtown and the U, I could see my peeps doing their 11 miles, we even saw the water/gatorade stop in front of the Rotunda. I felt sad and guilty, but ultimately relieved that my reactive airway and I weren't out in the cold wind. It should be warmer, sunnier, and less windy tomorrow, so I'm planning on running the Monticello Trail twice, for a total of 8. We'll see how that goes - I'm really eager to get moving, but I am more eager to just get over whatever lingering ailment I have. The hypochondriac side of me has been convinced, at various times over the past 3.5 weeks, that I have had the flu, strep, mono, and TB. Max's dad thinks it's just old age, and I'm beginning to believe him.

Another week in sickieville

Two weeks till the 10 miler, and I'm slacking. If you can call working, taking care of baby without Papa in town, being sick, baby being sick, making arrangements for the new job, and tying things up at the old "slacking." I felt great after Saturday's 8K, but things quickly went downhill. I kept waking up at night with coughing jags. And Max hasn't quite been himself - the GI bug he battled at the end of last week came back to haunt him on Monday, and he was massively dehydrated Tuesday. Wednesday I thought he was perking up, but he keeps waking up at night, and today started tugging on his ear. Uh-oh. So a quick call to the pedi's urgent care after hours line at 9:45pm got us an appointment for tomorrow. At 9:10 a.m. Which is 10 min after the start of the 5k that I am doing instead of the ELEVEN MILES that I'm supposed to do, but am too exhausted to even contemplate.

Luckily, my baby daddy came home from his business trip tonight, and gallantly offered to take Max to the doctor while I ran. I felt pretty guilty about delegating this task. I reminded him that the appointment is at the main office. He furrowed his brow. The guilt vanished when I realized that my dear husband has been to the main office just one time, the week after Max was born. Myself, I've taken Max to the main office more times than I've taken him to his regular well-baby visits at our satellite office. Truth be told, I could probably run the race, then drive over there and meet them before they're even done. So I have incentive to run extra-fast tomorrow.

Wish me luck - I'm coughing as I write this.

Martha Jeff 8K

...in only 53 min! That's 10:40 per mile. Pretty impressive, when you consider the various diseases mama's been exposed to in the past couple weeks. I woke up this morning with my throat feeling like I'd been gargling pea gravel all night. I briefly pondered switching my entry from the 8k run to the 4k walk, but decided that in true mama style, I should go big or go home.

It was pretty chilly at the start, and I arrived extra early, since I hadn't been able to pick up my packet the night before. I ran into lots of friends before the start, so when the whistle blew, I was in good spirits, and just cold enough that I was really ready to get moving.

The 8k follows a pretty hilly course through the greater downtown area. First, Lexington Ave, where we'd be living now, if only we could afford it. I did the first mile in right around 10 minutes. Then, Park Street and 2nd street toward the Mall. The first of many steep hills. Mile 2, just before the Mall. I reached in under 21 minutes, but was really feeling overwhelmed, winded, and a little queasy. Just as I entered the Mall, I encountered another Max's mom, and we ran together until I died on the hill at McIntire. It was just relentlessly long. I walked up the second half of it, and ate a Shot Blok on the way up. Note to self, Shot Bloks should not be used four months after removal from original packaging. I basically had to just suck it, since it was pretty well fossilized after hiding in a baggie ever since Richmond.

I crossed mile 3 after a nice downhill on Water, and was feeling pretty strong. A quick turn off Water, and under the tracks to Garrett. Pound, pound, pound. Near the end of Mile 4 came the most ridiculously steep hill I think I've ever run in a race. And long. I can't do justice to its steepness with words. Again, I took the opportunity to slow to a walk, and take another Shot Blok lozenge. Honestly, I think I walked faster than I could have run on this hill. I finished Mile 4 in under 44 minutes, so I was pretty happy.

Mile 5 went through Belmont and past Spudnuts, where the temptation to pick up a dozen donuts and carry them the rest of the way to the finish was almost overwhelming. Over the slight uphill of the Belmont bridge, a couple of quick turns and boom! I was sprinting to the finish. I felt great, like I could keep going for a few more miles, but was perfectly happy to stop and have my bagel.

I forgot to hit my watch until well down in the chute, but I think my time was about 53 minutes. I should get the not-flu more often.

I hung around to catch up with some old friends, and chowed down on orange sections, half a bagel, and, god bless the race sponsor who donated it, a Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie. Mmmmm. I stayed so long I was actually present when my name was called for a door prize! I won a massage and facial at a day spa - how cool is that. I'm definitely going to take advantage of that after the 10 miler.

A public service announcement

To all you Camelbak users out there, I strongly recommend that you purchase any and all cleaning accessories, especially the long brush for cleaning the tubing. Otherwise, you might find yourself the night before a race futilely boiling your reservoir, only to discover that boiling doesn't get rid of the mold, and does render the thumb-operated valve (and thus the entire system) completely useless. Another note - yes, the valve does disconnect from the tubing very easily, so that it can be washed separately. Boiling also renders the lid unable to spin freely inside its ring. I am now stalking reservoirs on eBay. It figures that the FlashFlo reservoir is unique to the FlashFlo system, and extremely hard to find, even at an authorized retailer.


Look for me tomorrow at the MJH 8K wearing a TNT shirt (thanks Mo) with "Max's Mom" written on it in Sharpie. My throat's still sore from last week's knock down drag out illness, but it's time to get back on that horse. Giddyup!

0 miles...

...but one very happy cat. Mama's sick, and barely walking, let alone running. I'll probably miss Saturday's long run as well, which is a bummer since it's another track workout. Anyway, Aubbie's been waiting his whole life to spend all day on the sofa with somebody running a fever, so at least I've accomplished something.