This blog entry is a little delayed - I ran on Sunday, and that totally threw off my weekend groove.
Jim and I met up Sunday morning for a run along the Rivanna Trail starting at Riverview Park. Great little 2 mile flat, paved stretch of trail down along the river. We did 3 out and back. It was very peaceful and zen. We saw little frogs, hot air balloons, and a period Korean war campsite set up behind the VFW. Everything clicked for me on this run. Maybe it was the flat, maybe it was the company, maybe it was running on Sunday. But I was in the zone, and ran every step (except for stopping for water at the turnarounds) and didn't even feel tired till about mile 10. Our pace was somewhere around 10:45 or 10:50, which is way better than my goal of 11:00.
I had more happy news this week - I've lost 2 pounds since instituting my hardline "no food after 8:30 pm" rule. I am no longer at my heaviest weight ever. Phew. I must resist the urge to celebrate with cookies.
My program has me doing 6 miles of speedwork midweek this week and next, but it just ain't gonna happen. Sorry, Mark. I just can't do speedwork with a toddler in the stroller. But meanwhile, I'm hitting the treadmill at lunch, and taking long stroller walks before dinner. And hey, with just 2.5 weeks to go, shouldn't I be tapering?
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
3 miles and a big decision
I think I was supposed to do 4, but I'll do another 2 briskly walking with the stroller tonight to make up for it.
A power outage at my office meant working from home. So rather than scooting to the gym, pounding out something lame on the treadmill, and then racing back to work, I got to step out my own front door at lunch time, and do a nice 3 miles on my usual, peaceful route. It is simply glorious weather here, and I was in a great mood. My mind wandered around to the topic of Richmond, and possibly running it this year. At the beginning of the summer, I sort of felt that hey, I'm no longer nursing, it should be so much easier to train this year than last. Training for a half will be a breeze, I'll feel great about the whole thing, and while I can't commit to Richmond right now, once the cooler weather rolls around, I'll be feeling so wonderful about my running that I will finally bow down to all the spam they've been sending me and sign up for it. I'll run it in beautiful, seasonal weather (unlike last year's record-setting scorcher) and come in under 5 hours as the awesome culmination to all the awesomeness I've been feeling all summer.
Ummmm, not so much. My niggling little injury has finally cleared up, but I simply haven't put in the mileage or the quality that I really need to be marathon ready in 7 weeks. I am soooo seduced by the promise of a PR, of running the 30th, of having special 30th anniversary finisher's schwag. But seriously, I'm just not there. I thought that not committing to it at the beginning of the summer would keep me from burning out. But what it did was keep me from preparing.
I'm a little bummed, but I feel like I can just get on with the next 3 weeks until my half-marathon, and start planning for the future. Instead of fixating on this one race, I can think about where I really want to be with respect to running in one year, in five years, in ten. And even with that forward-thinking, I am so much more in the moment than I have been all summer. Instead of "if/then" and "what if", I can be in the realm of right now. And isn't that a large part of why I run? To have time to be focused and clear, without distraction?
It reminds me of this run last year. You spend a long time constructing a fantasy about what the perfect run/race/training program is like, yet when they don't live up to your expectations, you just take a breath, take what you're given, accept them as they are, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. On that day, I ran because that is what I woke up in the morning to do. I remember spending hours the night before fretting about the weather, making plan B and plan C, packing and repacking, setting out infinite combinations of clothing and gear. But when I stepped out into the rain, it just washed away, and all I was left with was the run.
And now, letting go of Richmond this year, all those contingencies are washing away, and I finally just get to run.
A power outage at my office meant working from home. So rather than scooting to the gym, pounding out something lame on the treadmill, and then racing back to work, I got to step out my own front door at lunch time, and do a nice 3 miles on my usual, peaceful route. It is simply glorious weather here, and I was in a great mood. My mind wandered around to the topic of Richmond, and possibly running it this year. At the beginning of the summer, I sort of felt that hey, I'm no longer nursing, it should be so much easier to train this year than last. Training for a half will be a breeze, I'll feel great about the whole thing, and while I can't commit to Richmond right now, once the cooler weather rolls around, I'll be feeling so wonderful about my running that I will finally bow down to all the spam they've been sending me and sign up for it. I'll run it in beautiful, seasonal weather (unlike last year's record-setting scorcher) and come in under 5 hours as the awesome culmination to all the awesomeness I've been feeling all summer.
Ummmm, not so much. My niggling little injury has finally cleared up, but I simply haven't put in the mileage or the quality that I really need to be marathon ready in 7 weeks. I am soooo seduced by the promise of a PR, of running the 30th, of having special 30th anniversary finisher's schwag. But seriously, I'm just not there. I thought that not committing to it at the beginning of the summer would keep me from burning out. But what it did was keep me from preparing.
I'm a little bummed, but I feel like I can just get on with the next 3 weeks until my half-marathon, and start planning for the future. Instead of fixating on this one race, I can think about where I really want to be with respect to running in one year, in five years, in ten. And even with that forward-thinking, I am so much more in the moment than I have been all summer. Instead of "if/then" and "what if", I can be in the realm of right now. And isn't that a large part of why I run? To have time to be focused and clear, without distraction?
It reminds me of this run last year. You spend a long time constructing a fantasy about what the perfect run/race/training program is like, yet when they don't live up to your expectations, you just take a breath, take what you're given, accept them as they are, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. On that day, I ran because that is what I woke up in the morning to do. I remember spending hours the night before fretting about the weather, making plan B and plan C, packing and repacking, setting out infinite combinations of clothing and gear. But when I stepped out into the rain, it just washed away, and all I was left with was the run.
And now, letting go of Richmond this year, all those contingencies are washing away, and I finally just get to run.
Monday, September 17, 2007
165
For a young, healthy person, I've always had borderline high cholesterol. Ever since my first cholesterol check as a 105 lb college sophomore, my cholesterol has been between 195 and 210. I had my first real physical in many years a couple of weeks ago, and my blood work came back today. My total cholesterol is just 165, and all my numbers (triglycerides, LDL, HDL) are right where they should be. Hopefully running will keep me statin-free for many years to come.
I managed a long stroller walk today, and will hopefully hit the treadmill for a short speed session tomorrow at lunch. It's a busy week, but I'm finally over this cold and determined to keep up my mileage.
I managed a long stroller walk today, and will hopefully hit the treadmill for a short speed session tomorrow at lunch. It's a busy week, but I'm finally over this cold and determined to keep up my mileage.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Pepsi 10K
The morning started off on a great foot. The weather was bee-yoo-ti-ful. Fall has arrived! I woke up with plenty of time to spare, had a little breakfast, and arrived in time to pick up my number and still warm up. I had a chance to socialize a little.
The gun went off, and I made sure to pace myself. Mile 1 was in 10:40. I did about the same for mile 2. And 3. And 4!! Way to pace, self! The second water stop was just after mile 4 at the turnaround. The newly crisp air had left my mouth parched, and since I wasn't wearing my CamelBak, I wasn't able to sip 'n' run. So I had waaaay too much water. By the end of mile 5, I was feeling sloshy, but I still reached it in 54:00. Mile 6 (and the .2), not so hot. End result, I had a sloshy tummy and a side stitch, and just got eaten by the hills for a final time of around 1:08. Ergh. (Edited later to add: Hey, for the last 1.2, my pace was 11:40, which is slow, but not nearly as slow as I'd thought, especially considering the amount of walking I did. I'm feeling better about this!)
After stopping, I really felt crummy, and seriously thought I was going to throw up. I nibbled a bagel, until I spied some friends eating cookies. They directed me to the source of the chocolate chip-y goodness, and two cookies later I was good as new. I hung around hoping that my name would get called for a grab bag prize, but gave up and headed home once the two golf passes were gone.
Spent the rest of the morning doing strength training, i.e., toting Max around the construction equipment rodeo. Fun, but boy oh boy was I glad when nap time rolled around.
The gun went off, and I made sure to pace myself. Mile 1 was in 10:40. I did about the same for mile 2. And 3. And 4!! Way to pace, self! The second water stop was just after mile 4 at the turnaround. The newly crisp air had left my mouth parched, and since I wasn't wearing my CamelBak, I wasn't able to sip 'n' run. So I had waaaay too much water. By the end of mile 5, I was feeling sloshy, but I still reached it in 54:00. Mile 6 (and the .2), not so hot. End result, I had a sloshy tummy and a side stitch, and just got eaten by the hills for a final time of around 1:08. Ergh. (Edited later to add: Hey, for the last 1.2, my pace was 11:40, which is slow, but not nearly as slow as I'd thought, especially considering the amount of walking I did. I'm feeling better about this!)
After stopping, I really felt crummy, and seriously thought I was going to throw up. I nibbled a bagel, until I spied some friends eating cookies. They directed me to the source of the chocolate chip-y goodness, and two cookies later I was good as new. I hung around hoping that my name would get called for a grab bag prize, but gave up and headed home once the two golf passes were gone.
Spent the rest of the morning doing strength training, i.e., toting Max around the construction equipment rodeo. Fun, but boy oh boy was I glad when nap time rolled around.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Where were you?
I was employed as an airline pilot on 9/11/01. It was perfect flying weather that day, and I bemoaned my ill fortune to be scheduled for a classroom training session at headquarters near Dulles. As I waited for my training partner to arrive, people began popping out of offices to spread the news. Someone produced a TV. Someone else produced pictures from the internet. The building was evacuated. The sky, usually thick with the sight and sound of air traffic at Dulles, was silent and empty. Occasionally, the sound of a fighter jet would rip through the quiet.
Many of my colleagues witnessed the burning and collapse of the towers from the air. Many more were trapped away from home and family in the days following.
The next day, I reported for training again. Our simulator session script (standardized, and determined months in advance by the training department) had us flying charted visual approaches at LaGuardia. Those photorealistic images of the Twin Towers on the sim's visuals were my last, eerie glance at the towers.
Weeks later, flying up and down the east coast at night, the bright work lights at Ground Zero could be seen for miles and miles.
Six months after 9/11, I was captain of an evening flight from LaGuardia to Dulles. As I taxied toward the runway, suddenly two shafts of light appeared where the twin towers had been. It was a beautiful, perfect, etheral tribute. But all I could think about were those work lights months ago.
Many of my colleagues witnessed the burning and collapse of the towers from the air. Many more were trapped away from home and family in the days following.
The next day, I reported for training again. Our simulator session script (standardized, and determined months in advance by the training department) had us flying charted visual approaches at LaGuardia. Those photorealistic images of the Twin Towers on the sim's visuals were my last, eerie glance at the towers.
Weeks later, flying up and down the east coast at night, the bright work lights at Ground Zero could be seen for miles and miles.
Six months after 9/11, I was captain of an evening flight from LaGuardia to Dulles. As I taxied toward the runway, suddenly two shafts of light appeared where the twin towers had been. It was a beautiful, perfect, etheral tribute. But all I could think about were those work lights months ago.
Monday, September 10, 2007
A day at the gym
Normal Monday routine at the gym: treadmill, weights, stretching, abs. I did mix it up a bit by doing speedwork on the treadmill. I did a couple of 800's at 10:00/mi pace, then a couple of 400's at 9:00/mi pace. Fun, but kind of weird. I like doing a little sprint at the very end, and that's not really possible on the treadmill. But definitely an improvement over my usual boring treadmill session.
I am embarrassed to say I am still sore from Saturday. Between that run, and carrying a 30-lb toddler up and down the stairs at the football game that afternoon when we both should have been napping, my quads are crying uncle.
I am embarrassed to say I am still sore from Saturday. Between that run, and carrying a 30-lb toddler up and down the stairs at the football game that afternoon when we both should have been napping, my quads are crying uncle.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
What happens on DWR...
My only solace while running today was thinking up the blog entry I'd make when it was all over. Where to begin? The ankle I mildly twisted yesterday on my way to purchase an egg salad bagel suddenly feeling not so mildly twisted? The remnants of my cold working their way out? The late wake up resulting in stiff muscles and a foggy brain? The foggy brain making a questionable decision about whether to be on time or to, um, take care of some business? The humidity? The loose gravel?
What's there to say, really, except that I did a miserable, horrible, no good, very bad almost 8 miles on Dick Woods. And this morning at least, what happens on Dick Woods stays on Dick Woods.
What's there to say, really, except that I did a miserable, horrible, no good, very bad almost 8 miles on Dick Woods. And this morning at least, what happens on Dick Woods stays on Dick Woods.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Three...
...hour nap, that is. I should not have tempted fate yesterday by writing a long, newsy email to IronMo about my new plan for increased mileage. Because some little virus was reading it over my shoulder, and I woke up this morning with a killer headache, sore throat, achy joints, and swollen glands. And it was incredibly painful to look at light. Which is all the more ironic since I just broke my sunglasses and am still waiting for the replacement to arrive in the mail. I headed off to work anyway, since my mid-year performance review was today. I headed straight home after, and by that time was actually feeling a little better. I thought I'd eat lunch, watch last night's Top Chef on Tivo, and go for a quick run or walk before picking Max up early for daycare for a late afternoon of stroller walks and playground fun. I ate lunch, watched Top Chef, and then three hours later, was rudely awakened by the Supportive Husband coming home in between gigs. Waaaah?
The headache is gone, but everything else still feels crummy, including my eyes. How weird.
So, whatever. At least I know people are reading my blog!! Helloooooooo Robine!! I wouldn't have blogged at all today if I hadn't found out last night that you are hanging on my every word. And since I already know that IronMo reads, I am sure that I have readerS, plural!! What a joyful day in Blogland.
The headache is gone, but everything else still feels crummy, including my eyes. How weird.
So, whatever. At least I know people are reading my blog!! Helloooooooo Robine!! I wouldn't have blogged at all today if I hadn't found out last night that you are hanging on my every word. And since I already know that IronMo reads, I am sure that I have readerS, plural!! What a joyful day in Blogland.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
1000, 1.5, and a brag
I meant to run on the treadmill and lift weights at lunch, but I left my running shoes and workout clothes at home, so I hit the pool instead. I did 200 free, 200 breaststroke, 50 back, 50 drill to warm up. Then 300 free, 200 breast, 50 fly, 50 drill, 100 easy, for a total of 1000 in under 30 min. After my fly, I was resting (of course!) at the wall for a moment when the one other guy in the pool also got to the wall for a little rest. He asked if I was part of the master's swim group, because he was wicked impressed that I could do fly at the end of my workout like that! Go me, someone thinks I'm an athlete. We chatted for a while - he's done a 1/2 marathon, and did his first tri recently, and is (like me) hitting the pool to mitigate running injuries. As much as I kvetched about not wanting to socialize at the 4 miler, it was nice to have a little chat at my lunchtime workout. Working in a cubicle with headphones on all day will do that to you.
After work, Max and I went for a long walk (1.5 mi) in the stroller. Pushing him uphill is quite the strength training workout, and we were both ready for dinner by the time we got home.
After work, Max and I went for a long walk (1.5 mi) in the stroller. Pushing him uphill is quite the strength training workout, and we were both ready for dinner by the time we got home.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Women's 4 Miler - PR!!
Tee hee. I've never raced this distance, so OF COURSE it's a PR!! That said, it was better than I actually thought I would do, but not as good as I was hoping.
I didn't sleep well last night, and didn't have my pre-race nightmare, so I was just a little off when I got out to the course. I had a little coffee, and about half a banana on the way over. Trouble is, I got there at 6:50, and the race doesn't start until 8. So there was a lot of warming up and milling around, and by the time we were corralled at 7:35, I was already hungry again. I took two caffeinated Shot Bloks, but I don't think they made much of a difference by that point.
Corralling was quite a process/spectacle. Organized chaos. The runners are corralled, and then you march with your pace group out to the start. We started lining up at 7:35, and it took until the gun went off at 8 to get everyone where they needed to be. And as someone who is in a not so fast pace group, my gripe with every race of any size was valid for this one - no one more than a few dozen rows back can hear any starter's announcement or the gun.
It took about 45 seconds for me to cross the start. I was shoulder to shoulder for the first half mile, and ran 5:15. I made the turnaround at mile 1 in 10:30. Mile 2 (passing the start/finish) was just about 21:00. So far, so good. Then the water stop just after mile 2, where I made a big mistake.
I usually run with a CamelBak, so I haven't mastered drinking from a cup while running. I hadn't really planned on needing to drink, but the hours since wake-up and race time had left me pretty thirsty. I slowed to a walk to drink. The water stop, much to my chagrin, was at the bottom of the biggest hill on the course. So when I finished drinking, I was all slowed down, with no momentum, looking up a hill. I walked up most of it, and ended up doing mile 3 in about 11:30.
I enjoyed the downhill on mile 4, sprinted the last 100 or so for a 10:22, and finished in 42:52 (10:43/mi avg) chip time. I had hoped to do 10:30; 10:45 was what I thought I'd do.
I'm not sure if I'll run this race again. I'm glad I did it, and I'll definitely volunteer to help with it, but I'm not so compelled to actually run it again. Driving down Garth, I saw all the names of the honorees writ large on signs lining the road. That was very inspirational. And the standing ovation given to the last-place finisher was something to behold as well. But the course is a narrow 2 lane road, with runners going in both directions, and it was very difficult to concentrate on running when there were racing novices darting side to side, slowing to a walk in the middle of the course, and just a lot of tightly packed bodies with flying limbs. And the logistics mean lots more standing around time than running time. And I really, really wanted to just go off somewhere by myself while 2700 women did the "awesome cheer."
But, over $200,000 was raised for the Breast Care and Cancer Center, so woooooohoooo!
I didn't sleep well last night, and didn't have my pre-race nightmare, so I was just a little off when I got out to the course. I had a little coffee, and about half a banana on the way over. Trouble is, I got there at 6:50, and the race doesn't start until 8. So there was a lot of warming up and milling around, and by the time we were corralled at 7:35, I was already hungry again. I took two caffeinated Shot Bloks, but I don't think they made much of a difference by that point.
Corralling was quite a process/spectacle. Organized chaos. The runners are corralled, and then you march with your pace group out to the start. We started lining up at 7:35, and it took until the gun went off at 8 to get everyone where they needed to be. And as someone who is in a not so fast pace group, my gripe with every race of any size was valid for this one - no one more than a few dozen rows back can hear any starter's announcement or the gun.
It took about 45 seconds for me to cross the start. I was shoulder to shoulder for the first half mile, and ran 5:15. I made the turnaround at mile 1 in 10:30. Mile 2 (passing the start/finish) was just about 21:00. So far, so good. Then the water stop just after mile 2, where I made a big mistake.
I usually run with a CamelBak, so I haven't mastered drinking from a cup while running. I hadn't really planned on needing to drink, but the hours since wake-up and race time had left me pretty thirsty. I slowed to a walk to drink. The water stop, much to my chagrin, was at the bottom of the biggest hill on the course. So when I finished drinking, I was all slowed down, with no momentum, looking up a hill. I walked up most of it, and ended up doing mile 3 in about 11:30.
I enjoyed the downhill on mile 4, sprinted the last 100 or so for a 10:22, and finished in 42:52 (10:43/mi avg) chip time. I had hoped to do 10:30; 10:45 was what I thought I'd do.
I'm not sure if I'll run this race again. I'm glad I did it, and I'll definitely volunteer to help with it, but I'm not so compelled to actually run it again. Driving down Garth, I saw all the names of the honorees writ large on signs lining the road. That was very inspirational. And the standing ovation given to the last-place finisher was something to behold as well. But the course is a narrow 2 lane road, with runners going in both directions, and it was very difficult to concentrate on running when there were racing novices darting side to side, slowing to a walk in the middle of the course, and just a lot of tightly packed bodies with flying limbs. And the logistics mean lots more standing around time than running time. And I really, really wanted to just go off somewhere by myself while 2700 women did the "awesome cheer."
But, over $200,000 was raised for the Breast Care and Cancer Center, so woooooohoooo!
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