A Bridesmaid No More....

....Or Double-Header 10k Weekend Part Two ... The Green Beret Jingle Jog...

Needless to say I was a little unimpressed that I had to get up early again on Sunday morning for another race. However, I promised Those Crazy Runners of Fayetteville (TCRF) and so I got myself out of bed and on my way.

This race was local, so I registered at the packet pick-up the day before. I double checked that I received a race number with a timing chip and the very ugly race t-shirt.

After the race the day before TCRF and I were having breakfast and there was a lot of discussion of how to improve your times and I revealed one of my biggest running flaws. I hate getting out of breath. Yeah...you read it right...I don't like to get out of my comfort zone and if I feel like I'm working to hard, my body will have a tendency to just naturally back off. Well the New Yorker in the group basically told me that this was stupid and that I need to get out of my comfort zone if I'm ever going to really improve and get myself a Boston Qualifier.

With his words in mind, I decided to really try to push it out for this race and see if I couldn't pull off another PR.

Race day was significantly warmer and I decided not to bundle up and overheat myself as I did the past two races. I decided on a blue running skirt (!) and a t-shirt. It was chilly at the start but I stuck it out. One of my girls in the TCRF let me use her tin-foil blanket and it was amazing!

I wiggled my way closer to the start and waited for the gun. Again, no gun, so I just started with everyone else.

With the New Yorkers advice in my head I decided to start off a little fast and maintain the pace. I must say that this was the polite-est race I've run in a while. I didn't get shoved, elbowed or kicked and I just kept running forward.
The good news is that the course was relatively flat. I really concentrated on the pace and was surprised at how hard it was mentally for me not to just let my mind wander and settle into a comfortable pace.
In mile two I was feeling the effects of the race the day before. My legs felt heavy and my lower back was a little stiff, but I was convinced to keep pressing forward.
I buzzed through the water stations and I was burning up at mile three and I stripped down to my tank top.
At mile four I was tired and annoyed. I wanted the race to be over and I was tired of concentrating on the pace, my body was tired and I was a little ticked that I still had two miles left.
I pushed through and tried not to lose the pace at the end.
My iPod battery died as I entered into mile 5 and I had to listen to myself breath through the finish. I came across the finish line at 47:58! This busted yesterdays PR by a few seconds! It was an average of 7:45 per mile. I was pretty happy!

The New Yorker was of course already at the finish and we waited for the rest of our crazy runners to come across the line. It was a great race day for the group because we had three people earn hardware. Especially our girl Teri who ran her first 10k and finished third in her age group!!!

I was pretty excited to get my age group medal, so I could mark something else off of my goal list. What was not exciting was the medal. In fact, it's disappointment rivaled that of the New River Marathon Woodle. It was a green dog tag, that said "Green Beret Jingle Jog 10k Winner." Talk about adding a little anti-climax to my success.
But, nonetheless, TCRF headed to Primos pizza for a post race lunch, which was half-price with your race number, and we all celebrated with a well-earned beer!

I was pretty excited with the results of this race and even happier that I set my mind to something and made it happen. I hope for similar successes in the future!

In Summation: Age Group Win=AWESOME; Age Group Win Medal=LAME; TCRF=Awesome!; Concentrating on Running While Running=More Challenging than Expected; Back to Back PR=Awesome; Running Skirts=Awesome; Faith in Mankind=On the shelf collecting dust next to the cool medals at the medal store.

10k Double Header Weekend....Part One 5th Annual Reindeer Run!...

...Or Cheated Out of a PR...

I joined a running group, called Those Crazy Runner's of Fayetteville. I read on their FaceBook page that quite a few people were going to two local 10ks back to back. While this sounded like fun, the idea of waking up early both days of the weekend did not sound appetizing to me at all. But, on a whim I decided to go for it. Mighty Mouse wouldn't be joining me, as he had to pull 24-hour duty. He's a good motivator and his extreme punctuality normally keeps me on my toes.
I decided to get on it with it and drug myself out of bed and made the effort to get myself to Aberdeen by 730 in time for registration. However, effort is the key word in that statement, because I really, really cut it close. I arrived 10 minutes before registration closed. I encountered a very, cranky race volunteer who took my registration form, shoved a t-shirt and a race number toward me and sent me on my way. I met up with four folks from the running group and we danced around trying to stay warm.

Again, I chose to wear capri pants and long-sleeved shirt. I was absolutely freezing at the start. I couldn't wait to start running.

I headed toward the starting point and wiggled my way into the crowd. I was a little confused as to whether or not I was at the start for the 10k or the 5k so I had to ask someone next to me. Even though two other runners assured me I was in the right place, I wasn't completely convinced. Either way, I took off whenever everyone else started moving.

There is a growing trend where I don't know really when the actual race starts and I'm considering trying to start closer to the front. This is a bit of a sticky wicket, because I also dislike getting passed and I figure quite a few people starting further back will actually end up wiping me out. I'm not sure if I want to make this change.

So, I ran past the Santa that started the race still not confident that I took off with the 10k crowd. I pushed forward anyway and hoped for the best.

I stayed frozen for the first two miles and was feeling slightly better when I noticed the pack I was running in hooked it right following the 10k path. I got caught up in my music on my iPod and plugged forward, it became slightly hilly around mile four and I hoped this wasn't a repeat performance of last week's hilly half.

I discovered that I really, really enjoy the little village of Aberdeen, NC. It's a little more country than it's neighbors Southern Pines and Pinehurst, but has a really quaint feel about it. Plus, it has a caboose in it's town center.

The run started to snake through an old cemetery and the sun really started to beam down. I was now way, way too hot. In fact I was uncomfortably hot and I couldn't wait for the race to be over.

I pushed through the last mile and found myself on the street that led me into town. I was excited to be nearly done and I tried to pick up the pace, thinking that maybe I would medal in such a small race.

It was a downhill finish and when I came across the finish line I inhaled some fake snow that they had blowing around, it was pretty disgusting. Also, the finish line clock seemed to be displaying the 5k finish times, which renewed my wrong start-point fears.

According to my GPS I ran a 48:34 averaging a 7:44 minute mile. This isn't too shabby for me, and it was closer to my goal time of 48 minutes so I was pretty pleased. I collected my water bottle and a bottle of water and headed toward the finish line hoping to find some others from the group.

Finally I caught up with some others near the race results postings and discovered that my official time was not recorded, because I didn't receive the right race number, the one I was given did not have a timing chip in it. WTF?! I also discovered I was not given a schwag bag at registration. Double WTF!?  I officially hate this race! Especially since according to my records, 48:34 would be a PR for me and now it hasn't even been officially recorded! Triple WTF?! I found this whole race to be completely annoying.

What was great is that my running group friends were completely supportive and commiserated with me. The other good news was that one of our members earned a medal so we stuck around for the ceremony. Here I discovered that even if my time was recorded it wasn't fast enough to earn me an age-group medal. So the only thing I really missed out on was having the race 'count.' I figured at least I had witnesses.

If it wasn't for the logistical errors that this race offered, I would have really enjoyed it. So, I guess the lesson learned here, is not to leave registration for the last minute. I will no longer do race site registration. The best thing was that this was my first race with 'Those Crazy Runners of Fayetteville" and it was a great experience! It was awesome to have others to commiserate with with at the end of a race and share the successes and the gripes. We all headed to The Cracker Barrel afterward for a fat girl's breakfast!

In Summation: The Town of Aberdeen=Quaint; Reindeer Run= Could Have Been Awesome; Frazzled Race Volunteers Who Make Mistakes=Annoying as Hell PR=Awesome; PRs that Aren't Officially Recorded=UNAwesome; Those Crazy Runners of Fayetteville=AWESOME; Faith in Mankind=Hanging Out with Unused Race Day Materials, Like My Chip-Timed Race Number

A Prelude to a Holiday....T-Day

...Or Pinehurst Turkey Trot...

I know, I know...It's a day before Christmas and I'm just now writing about my Turkey Trot race that happened a week before Thanksgiving! But I guess as the old saying goes 'better late than never!' On with the race.

Mighty Mouse (MM) and I had been planning to run this race for a couple of weeks. Apparently, he's been talking about it at work and some of his friends decided to run it too. Now because there are more of us, we decided to all meet up together on post and head to Pinehurst together. This really backed up the travel timeline and it meant another early morning wake up on Saturday, early as in 5 am.  After a quick breakfast I drove onto post to meet up with MM and his Merry Men. We were a total of six runners from Fort Bragg.

Again, it was freezing. I chose a long-sleeve top and a capri pants and I was a freezing in the beginning. After a long wait we had about a block walk to the start line, where the race directors informed us there would be an additional 10-minute delay to the start of the race. This was particularly annoying because despite the fact that it was a sunny day, I was absolutely freezing and we were all ready to start the race.

Finally, the race started and we all took off together. I was so cold, I couldn't wait to get warm. MM and I tried to take off at an 8-minute pace, but the start of the race was so crowded this was really difficult. MM and I picked our way through the crowd trying hard not to throw any elbows. Two of MM's co-workers fell behind and the rest of fought the crowd hoping it would thin out.

Our goal at the outset of the race was to run a 1:45 or better. I didn't accomplish our goal during the previous week's race, so I really wanted this one.
Around mile three things started to get a little better I was finally warm and and we started to get a good pace going. The other two of MM's friends drifted ahead, and we didn't see them again until the finish.

Things seemed to be on track as we rounded the 6 mile mark, I was tired, but MM was plugging along, not even out of breath. In fact, his effortlessness and bouncy little stride started to annoy those that we passed. MM was happy as he noted that our 10k time was faster than last week's race pace.

This news pushed me through miles 7 and 8 and I worked hard as some hills presented themselves starting at mile 9.  The uphill climbs slowed me down, but MM was able to push through with little to no problem. It was around this point I felt like I was starting to get too warm.

The hills continued through miles 10 and 11 and became increasingly annoying. MM was plugging through and we linked up with 'Pony-Tail Girl' who was struggling to keep up with us.
MM peeled off to use the bathroom and promised to keep catch up with us. Pony-Tail Girl and I  seized this opportunity to try to go a little faster so that MM would have to work extra-hard to catch us. Diabolical I know, but his effortless running was annoying us.

MM showed back up and the little bit of speed I put forth started to take it's toll. MM announced that we would have to go a little faster if we intended to make our 1:45 goal. Pony-Tail Girl took this seriously and pulled ahead. MM, ever loyal, stayed back to motivate me to the finish.

The hills continued and we pushed through, but the last mile had a at least a quarter-mile hill and pushing to the top we still had to round a long corner until we got to the end.

MM, still full of fire and vinegar performed some finish line dance moves for the crowd, while I just tried not to die.

I came in at 1:45:49 to which I announced goal accomplished, as it's 1:45 until it's 1:46! We averaged around an 8:04 minute-per-mile pace. I am pretty pleased with this time, but really, expected to go a bit faster. Also, I felt ok after the race, but I'm not sure if I could have done another 13 miles at that pace. I definitely need to choose a race and get a training program underway.

In Summation: Barely Accomplishing Goal Time=Better Than Just Missing Goal Time; MM=Really Good Runner; Hilly Race-Courses=Unpleasant; Wardrobe Choice=Poor; Faith in Mankind=Must Have Been Being Passed Out at the Water Station She Didn't Stop At

Sandhills...Sand Trap...

...Or...the First Loser Again...

The 15th Annual Joint Special Operations 10k Run
This race was held on Fortress Bragg. Because of my aversion to going on to post during the weekend and other things I was avoiding this race. But, at the last minute I decided to sign up.
I also convinced my anti-social running partner Mighty Mouse, to come along. We have already planned to run a 1/2 Marathon next weekend, so this was going to be our first racing experience together.

The race started at 8 am and we came up with a solid meeting plan and showed up out at McKellar's Lodge at 730 am. There were many more people there than we anticipated and we had a long walk to pick up our race packets and t-shirts. I was slightly concerned that we wouldn't have time to make it back to the start in time for the gun. So lesson learned, no matter how arbitrary it may seem to me, I have to show up to a race at least an hour early to feel comfortable.

Also, unless it's summer, I never feel like I'm dressed appropriately. Mostly, I'm too cold in the beginning and too hot mid-race. I have yet to find a happy medium. It's also confusing to me that sweating like a pig is okay in the summer, but in the other seasons I can't tolerate it. I settled on capri tights and a light-weight, long-sleeved top

On with the race!
From my previous time on Fortress Bragg, I vaguely remembered where the trail for this run was located, and remembered that the majority of it would be on a sandy path. I didn't really think too much about it as MM and I made our way toward the the front of the pack at the starting line. When it was time we set off at a pace which felt a little fast for me, but I decided to try to stick with it thinking I was just cold.

MM got out in front of me right away, claiming he was running our normal 8-minute pace. Although the beginning of the trail was packed sand, I had trouble keeping up, and was chasing the soles of MM shoes in the first mile.

MM stayed about 50 meters in front of me and I continued to try to close the gap, until we rounded the corner around mile two and I huge sandy hill loomed in front of us. The sand was really thick and loose and was bogging down my stride. MM was un-phased and powered up the hill. When I reached the top of the hill, MM was nearly 100 meters in front, and he turned around to retrieve me....
Not only was this unbelievable, it was mortifying to me.
MM, of course just thought he was being supportive and decided that it would be a bad idea to employ this tactic again.
I just could not keep up with him. No matter how hard I tried I just felt overly exhausted and the sand just kept bogging me down and making my legs heavy. The deep sand was killing me and I was struggling. I was passing some people who attempted to bring strollers on the course and I was really feeling sorry for them!
The original goal was to run an even 48 minutes, however, that is not what happened. I was lucky to push out an 8:07 pace and ended up running a 50:30. Not too bad, but still not the goal.
MM finished just ahead of me and we collected our finishers coin. We were both still freezing, so MM ushered me past the food and water and we headed straight for our vehicles.
Even though it was just a 10k, I felt pretty terrible after my shower and a massive headache had set in. All means of water, caffeine and even aspirin, didn't kick it and I ended up sleeping most of the day.

It wasn't even until later that evening when I logged onto my computer did I find out I won second place in my age category by reading my running group's facebook page. Thanks Brian Dolan!
I was pretty surprised because 50:30 wasn't even a PR for me!

The next day at work, I contacted the race director and he agreed to meet me to pass of my medal.

In Summation: Race wear=a Science; Racing with MM=a Little Strange; Sandy Trails=Unfavorable; Oddly Tired=Unpleasant; Winning Second Place=Nice!; Missing Medal Ceremony=No Fun; Headaches=No Fun; Running Group=Awesome! Faith in Mankind=Buried Under Some Fort Bragg Pine Straw

A Run for Kathleen...

...Or Warrior Angels Battle Buddy Boogie 5k ....

One of my goals for this month was to run a race in honor of Kathleen Kerrigan, my friend who bravely fought breast cancer.

It's relatively easy to find a run in support of ending breast cancer in October, since it's breast cancer awareness month.

I decided to run the Warrior Angels Battle Buddy Boogie mostly because it's a local charity to Fort Bragg.  It is a charity run by a breast cancer survivor in the Fayetteville area and directly supports women affected by breast cancer on Fort Bragg. I chose this charity because I really liked the idea of supporting a cause that directly affects my sisters in arms. You can read more about the charity at the link below!

http://www.warriorangels.org/

On with the race...

I pre-registered for the race, which guaranteed me a t-shirt. I picked up the shirt, which is actually really cute, there were no race numbers or chips as this was a fun run.  What was available was blank race bibs and pink sharpies, where you could write a message about your run. I wrote "Running in Honor of Kathleen Kerrigan" and pinned it to the front of my shirt.

Also, it was a relatively small race, so arriving an hour early was a little unnecessary. After stashing everything in my car, I just hung out waiting to race and keeping warm. It wasn't actually that cold, but I was in minimalist mode, and didn't bring a sweat shirt or anything and it was just around 45 degrees at the start.

The race organizer said a few words and recognized a few of her fellow survivors and we all headed to the start line.

I picked out a spot about a quarter of the way from the front, powered on my iPod (Kathleen's Playlist!) and waited for the race director to say "Go!"
It's been ages since I've run a 5k and admittedly I've forgotten how to pace such a short race. My "strategy" was just to run as fast as I could for 3.2 miles and see what happened.
As soon as the I heard the word Go, I set of at what I thought was a moderate pace and was surprised to find myself picking my way to the head of the pack in the first 50 meters or so.
Technically, I know this wasn't a race, it was a fun run, but I just thought it would be so cool to come in first for Kathleen.
I inched my way up until the only people in front of me was a pack of very fit looking men and no women. I thought surely this can't be it? But I just kept running.
Just as I hit the first mile, a young, fit-looking blonde girl passed me. I considered trying to keep up with her, thinking maybe she would burn out. Instead, I decided to just keep her close and hope to catch her at the end.
Keeping with that strategy I logged mile one and still felt strong heading into mile two. And focused on thinking about all the fun times I had with Kathleen.
The course turned slightly hilly at the halfway point and one of the fit-looking guys bonked on the hill and the girl and I both sailed past him while on the uphill climb.
I when I saw that I hit the 2.5 mile mark I decided to turn up the speed and I really concentrated on running faster to try to catch the girl in front of me.
I was really working on speed, when I saw the finish line ahead of me. What? I sailed through and the race director handed me a pink carnation and said "Congratulations!" I replied with "Is that the end?"
She looked really proud and said "Yup!" I didn't have the heart to tell her that according to the GPS the course was only 2.58 miles long. I figured, well, it's for fun and headed off to get some water and eat some yummy fruit salad.
So I ran 19:14 and finished as the second female. Not too shabby I suppose, but I really would have liked to finish first.
The good news, is that I finished a goal for October. Now on to goal-making for November!

In Summation: Cancer=A Theif; Kathleen Kerrigan=Awesome Friend; Short Race Courses=Confusing; 5ks in General=Seem Short; Faith in Mankind=Somewhere on the remaining .62 miles of the Angel Warrior Battle Buddy Boogie...a shame, perhaps I could have found it.

Achievement Is It's Own Anticlimax...

...Or....I'll Take Goal Accomplishment for 1000, Please...

One of my goals for 2011 was to run 1000 miles. This was my third year running to make this goal and I've finally accomplished it.

Goal accomplishment...it's a little strange. Like Maya Angelou says in the quote in my headline Achievement is it's own anticlimax. I accomplished this goal, at least through my perception, very little effort or even focus. It's so weird. Basically, I just kept running, because everyday, I set a distance to run, and then I just did it.

Recently I was sharing my run-log with a fellow amateur athlete (AW) and she asked me, "how do you punish yourself in this log when you get lazy and skip runs? What you write in your journal?"

Now, admittedly, I skip runs. Mostly due to travel or some work nonsense. But as I flipped through those journal entries, indeed those types of days happened, but I only had one day marked 'lazy, no running.' One day out of more than 200.  I know all the days I squeeze out a run, I don't really want to do it, but I somehow make it happen. I know that when someone asks me, "how was your run?" I often utter the words "well, it's done now." There are many, many times I simply do not feel like running and seriously do not want to put one foot in front of the other. But I reckon that the fact is that some how running cleanses me and offers some sort of cure for what ails. I have a keychain which reads, "running is cheaper than therapy." I'm not sure if this is true, but it's certainly reliable, if you can make yourself get out there. As I said before, running is my friend and believe that I'm not a 'good runner' because I'm  'me,'  but I am a 'good me' because I'm a runner. 

It seems so weird, to me, that I crossed the 1000 mile mark, actually, the 1003.96 mark on a very non-special run, on a non-special day. It was a typical Friday four-miler and it wasn't until I logged them into my running journal did I realize I had even accomplished the goal. I fully expected to have to come up with some kind of ridiculous running schedule in December to make it across the 1000-mile finish line. I didn't expect for it to happen while I wasn't paying attention. I guess that's what makes it seem anti-climatic, but I am quite happy none-the-less. I even bought myself some fancy spa treatments to celebrate!

I would be remiss to leave out my running partners have really helped me, so a special thanks to Mighty Mouse and the K-Turn-Kid. I know each of you had your own goals, but unwittingly you helped me accomplish mine and almost more than two months early! Thanks guys!

Next up on the goal list is a Run for Kathleen. This is going to happen on Saturday, so look forward to that race report, it's a 5k. I can't even remember what a respectable time is for that short of a distance.
I still haven't made a decision about a Springtime marathon. I'm not even sure if I'm going to run one, I may just hang up my marathon shoes. We will see.

In Summation: Goal Accomplishment=A Little Surreal; Celebratory Spa Treatments=Fantastic; Running Partners=Ace; 1000 Miles in 2011=First Good Thing So Far for the Year; Faith in Mankind=At the Bottom of Charity Bin with a Pair of Old Running Shoes

Failure and Frustration, Future and Friends?...

…Or Color Me Sisyphus…

I wish my absence from the blogosphere was because I've been running and having so much fun that I simply didn't have time to write. Regrettably, this is not the case. Basically, work, health, moving and if that wasn't fun enough, we moved my work too. Hopefully, this is the last blog where I have to mention moving. Anyway, on with the running...

Failure....
It seems my utter lack of initiative has invited failure into my life...again. I failed to choose an Autumn race, and because of this I failed to focus on a training program. I thought I could train and then just add the race later, but with out that finish line (literally) the training is just too hard to maintain without an intended purpose. So, lesson learned there...

Summer this year in North Carolina came with oppressive heat. Some days it was just impossible to log any extra miles. I reckon I could have went to the gym and ran in the air-conditioning, but this type of discipline apparently is only present when I have a race planned.

This summer has been a DNF and a Boston Qualifier in 2011 is over for me.

Frustration...
I'm so disappointed in myself because I let the speed I gained during my New River train-up slip away. So, not only did I miss an Autumn qualification attempt, but now I have to start from square-one

Future...
I've been contemplating the above frustrations and failures and I've come to the same conclusion as Albert Einstein, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I think I need to make some changes. So far, this is what I've come up with:

1. I've decided to concentrate on speed, to do this, I plan to run some shorter races (1/2 marathons; 10ks and maybe some 5ks and any 10-milers I come across). I figure if I use this time to get a little quicker at shorter distances this should still help me when I start my training for the next 26.2. If I even try another 26.2.

2. I've been considering a running partner. I think that running consistently with someone who's a little faster than me could help me tremendously! I've experienced this before when I had a running partner in Belgium (I miss you Michelle Whetzel!)

3. I still need some goals. I've not looked seriously into an marathons, but I know that if it's going to happen in the Spring, I will have to start training in December. I still have time. I've researched a couple of 10ks, 1/2 Marathons and even a 10-miler. But I haven't committed to any of these races.

4. My one solid goal so far is this: I will run a race in October. Most likely a 5k or a 10k, maybe longer. Recently, I lost a dear friend to Breast Cancer. I will run a race in her memory.

Friends...
So, I've been trying out running partners.

I've been running relatively consistently with my work colleague, The K-Turn Kid. Earlier in the year, I was consistently running faster than him, however, he's recently surpassed me. Running with him offers a challenge and is hopefully helping me out a bit. At the very least it's getting me out on the lunch hour for a run as opposed to working through lunch.

I've also been trying out a running partner on the weekend for my longer runs. This running partner, Mighty Mouse, brings not only knowledge but talent to the table. He went to Clemson University on  Cross Country and Track scholarship. He also has loads of race experience and little patience for any belly-achin'. He pushes me not only with speed, but with distance.  So far he's been a great running partner, but we often have scheduling conflicts. So the hunt is still on...

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is becoming quite the Sisyphean task for me. I just feel like I keep trying over and over, and failing...over and over....

In Summation: Failure = Continues to haunt me; Frustration= Rooted in disappointment; Future = Still so very uncertain; Goals = Hazy; Cancer = A thief; Friends = Good if it pans out; Faith in Mankind = Buried in a box I dropped off at the Goodwill.

Quo Vadis...Part Two and 10 Miles Wiser

....Or What Was I Supposed to Be Doing Again?

It's more than one day later and I haven't even thought about which marathon to run, pretty much I've just been eating fine, healthy food, drinking fizzy white wine, sleeping and getting very, very brown.
What I also did do, was run 10 miles today. I didn't know if I was up for it really, but  as usual, I woke up early.
My choices were to finish reading Andre Agassi's Autobiography or create my own atheletic endeavor. I decided to create my own. I have a new philosophy, if I dont feel good, I can always quit. I figured I am well-fed, in good company I feel healthy and I feel hydrated enough...so why not give it go?
The first few miles were a bit of a struggle and then I hit a pretty good rhythym. It was nice to venture into Rimini proper and into the local neighborhoods. I turned around at the five'mile mark still feeling pretty fresh, once I hit 6 miles, things were not so easy. I was a little tired, and it was starting to get hot. At this point, you can't quit so I started to break the run up into chunks. I was at beach Number 1 and I needed to get to 147. Every 10 beaches, was considered a landmark, and I ticked off the remainder of the run that way.


I still havent decided which marathon to run, or whether I should run one at all. I was reading in my running journal today and some of the entries are truly awful! However, some of the running goals that I wrote down for the beginning of the year. They were as follows:
 Qualify for Boston
Drop 15 lbs
Run at least 1000 miles
Run at least 20 miles for the week (unless training dictates otherwise).
Keep better records.

So far I only accomplished one of those goals, I managed to drop a whopping 27 lbs at the height of training. However, Im headed in the right direction for running 1000 miles for the year, as of today, I rest at 759.48. This is the 3rd year in the row I've made this goal. With this much mileage in the bank, I hope to replace it on the list with something else in 2012. Im only so-so for keeping better records, my garmin has helped with this, but still prefer the old pen and paper, where I can record not only my statistics, but also my feelings about the training.

So....Qualifying for Boston is the only thing left....Im still undecided what to do? Do I push this off another year or what? Quo Vadis?

On vacation, Ive been tapping into my academic side and have been reading tons. Ive read four books, just this week. I read "Born Standing Up" by Steve Martin, "Tinkers" by Steve Harding (I think), "Breakfast of Champions," Vonnegut and am currently reading "Open" by Andre Agassi. So far, outside of Vonnegut, Agassi's bio is my favorite.
It's totally bizarre. After years of totally disliking Andre Agassi, just like that, I love him. I love him and his hairpiece, his basic lack of manners which is derived from naivety rather than impertinence and most of all I love his passion. Just like that I love him, just like that he won Wimbeldon in 1992 and went on to be one the few tennis players to win all four Grand Slams. I find his biography to be athletically insipiring. I love hearing his tribulations of being a reluctant athlete, how he struggles against what is best for him. And I love hearing how he built a winning support system not so much of people he pays, but of deep friendship and how he understands its value is far more valuable than money. I love that he overcame drugs and found the strength within to be  honest, not just with himself, but with the public, despite the fickle nature of the Agassi fan. I hope, to one day, qualify for Boston, just like that (minus the drugs of course).

FYI..."Tinkers" won the Pulitzer....and Im not a fan.

In Summation: Future Marathons=Still Undecided; My Future in Running=Still Undecided; Reading for Pleasure=Awesome; 10-Mile Run=Better than Anticipated; Five More Days of Vacation Ahead=Awesome; Faith in Mankind=Somewhere at the Bottom of the Adriatic...Rusting....

Quo Vadis....

Quo Vadis....
....or Where Are You Going? 

PART 1
...Or Public Computers...SUCK!

Quo Vadis, in Latin, means, literally, 'where are you going?' But also happens to be the name of one of my favorite resaurants in Miramare, Italy

It goes with out saying that  I am eating and drinking well. The Italian air, food and drink highly agree with my European roots and I feel so healthy here amongst the acrobatic speech, humidity and mentality where food equals love.

I reckon there is no better platform to sort out the next 5 years or so of my life and figure out what to do with myself, and the answer to Quo Vadis... lies within.

First, comes the trouble of the marathon. Boston is still on my to do list. I have a couple of different options, they are as follows:

The Outerbanks Marathon, NC - Nov 12
The Soldiers Marathon, Fort Benning, GA-Nov 12
The Richmond Marathon, VA Nov 13

Any of these are viable options...in fact they all have a favorable course and the deciding factors will become which are the easiest to travel to, and where can I get the best Scwhag? FYI training started Monday, with an uneventful 3-mile run and other small distances leading up to my first 10-mile run on Sunday. Am I ready to run 10 miles on Sunday? Im not so sure...Quo Vadis?

The real question is should I run an Autumn Marathon at all?  Currently, Im not so sure. Recent health concerns do make it seem like a bad idea. Additionally, my life still seems to be in transition mode as I have embarked on the move which refuses to end and has become emotionally taxing. Chantal, who has proven to rarely be wrong, seems to believe an Autumn marathon is a bad idea at this juncture and advises to wait until the Spring.

Im not quite sure what to do...but will surely come to a solution in the coming days.

More Tomorrow... When I can allot the time to finish Part 2 .

In Summation:
Italy=Fantastic; Food=Wonderful; Friends=The Best Ever; Faith in Mankind=Non-Existant.

I'll Take a Slice of Americana Please…Or the Ellwood City 10k….

….Or You Can't Go Home Again…


For 30 years or so the Ellwood City Ledger sponsors a 10k race in conjunction with the local Arts and Crafts Festival. This race is totally necessary to kick off the festival, because I think the majority of people who attend the festival eat about a month's worth of calories per visit.

The race course is special because it takes you all through the metropolis of Ellwood City. I actually LOVED this route, because you get all the high points (literally too!) of the city!

Despite being excited about running a race in my hometown, the race started off as kind of a disaster. I don't know what I was thinking when I packed....ok...I do know....I was thinking about yummy festival food (read pepperoni puffs), but as a result I forgot a lot of things I think I need to run.

Luckily I remembered the big stuff....running shoes, socks and super-posh running outfit. What I didn't remember was running iPod and GPS. So, I was going to have to run this race 'old school' sans music and just chasing the person in front of me. Luckily, I discovered that I had a running playlist on the Nano that I use in the car and a spare set of ear buds. I stuffed it in my sports bra and headed toward the registration desk.

A Race Backwards.....
...Or How Old Am I Again?!

The race started in Ewing Park in front of Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool. I ducked in there to use the restroom and it was so weird, it was liking walking through the doorway took me back in time. The ladies locker room was EXACTLY the same, except it seemed like the sinks were too low!

 I picked my race packet up with Angela Valvano, my BFF, and her super-stud son Angelo...he of course was running with his buddies...and we headed to the start line, in the opposite direction than what I anticipated.

I guess someone said go, because everyone starting running. We took off West toward downtown...nostalgia kicked in immediately. As I rounded the corner by Helling Stadium and crossed over Foch Street, I couldn't help to think about one of my High School BFF...Jessica Rankin (we share a birthday!!). We've completely lost touch..if you are reading this Jess get in contact!!

As we headed toward downtown, I was feeling pretty rickety. I was in El Salvador in the weeks leading up to the race and only managed about four 3-mile treadmill runs. I was no way prepared to 'race' this 10k. I started to feel a rhythm as I headed toward the Ewing Park Bridge  and my first twinge of nostalgia as I looked down the on the lane parallels the river, where I received my first, ever kiss. I chuckled a bit, realizing my 'bad boy complex' has been with me for quite some time, as this young man was quite a nefarious character!

We crossed the bridge and headed toward Loccaisano's grocery where they make the best Italian sausage outside of Italy. I smiled a bit as we rounded the back side of Pittsburgh Circle past the former office of Doctor Painter (RIP), our family doctor, who once had his very own Nurse Ratchet hold me down to give me a booster shot. She would be proud to know that I'm now annually inoculated with no drama.
We continued West toward Veteran's Memorial Park, I was so surprised to see Angela standing near her house cheering for me! She said "Your the 11th girl and they all look young!" I never thought THOSE words would be comforting!

Continuing through Pittsburgh Circle I ran past my Aunt Dot and Uncle Ed's house (RIP). I was so very sad to see a 'For Sale' sign in the yard, instead of the two them standing on the porch looking for them. I blinked back a few tears and managed to smile knowing that Aunt Dot (age 88) would have been squinting into the crowd looking for me, but seeing right through me....because she couldn't see that far!!  I knew I would call out and she wouldn't hear me, because she was also hard of hearing, but that Uncle Eddy would spot me right off and be waving with his fantastic smile and saying "Over there Dorothy!"
I could see this scene so clearly in my mind's eye, yet, was looking at an empty brick house, with a REMAX sign planted in the front yard, instead of the familiar wooden Scotty Dog with 390 painted on it. That memory occupied me over the 2nd Street overpass, and a few city blocks until I reached my former high school.
I ran up the hill past the Statue of Liberty replica (one of only 6 in existence) and past the former Ellwood City Library. I can't believe how much time I spent in that building as a kid and am so impressed at how much they accomplished in such a small building! If you haven't seen the new library you should check it out! It's amazing!
I thought I was racing quite well as I rounded the corner near the Ellwood City Ledger (Rag!) and was thankful to see water station, but I started to feel extremely tired as ran down Lawrence Avenue (Main Street!). I was also extremely disappointed to see that Ellwood had NOT put up the Lion Water Fountain this summer. I was just starting to feel sorry for myself when someone (Angela Valvano!) shouted my name from atop the 5th Street train trestle! Yay!  Rejuvenated from seeing someone I knew, I tried to liven the pace and continued on my way.
I crossed safely over 5th and Spring thanks to Scott Williams, traffic marshal extraordinaire, who gave me a big smile and a wave!
Feeling quite good after all the encouragement I was surprised to see Tony V and Jake-y marshaling at 5th and Fountain!
I was totally pumped after seeing so many friends (read family) that I started across the 5th Street Bridge feeling like a million bucks. Nostalgia struck again, as I couldn't believe how many times in my life I've walked across the bridge. There are loads and loads of memories. I can remember toddling across it as a little girl, terrified of the height and how easily I could slip through the bars if not careful. I can remember riding my pink swchinn across it, when I wasn't supposed  to leave the North Side. I can remember feeling the cool, concrete of the end bannister on my legs as I loitered (on briefly in fear of getting caught by my Gram) on the corner near Red Hot Hot Dog Shoppe (yeah, it used to be there). I can remember walking across that sucker in the middle of a Western PA winter on my way home from school, thinking that the bridge was defiantly stretching so the ice-cold wind could wreak it's havoc. I can remember walking home after a few to many beers at the Shelby and watching a childhood friend bid the world adieu with an "Adios! Mother F*ckers" only to see him occupying the same barstool in the same bar months later when I visited again.
Needless to say, with all of that to think about, the 5th Street bridge seemed to FLY by!
Lucky for me my Aunt Diane and Uncle Larry were at the foot of the bridge, taking photos and waving! It was so awesome to see them and Diane was SO excited!
I was now entering into North Side, home territory! I hoofed it up the steady incline of Todd Avenue and as I peaked over Buccelli's hill I wished I could just run home, but instead headed left up toward Line Avenue.
Here, I passed Mr. Galvin, who cheered for all the runners but didn't recognize me. I continued running through North Side and all of my childhood haunts. I even ran past Mr. Grieco, my former track coach, who also didn't recognize me, but did hand me a cup of water. Along Orchard Avenue I ran past Tony Valvano Sr, and Isabella who waved and smiled vigorously!
This run was really starting to drag. I was deep into North Side and knew the run wouldn't carry me directly back to the park, but force the runners to double back into North Side, before heading toward the finish. My spirits were lifted when I passed Liesie Williams who mustered a 'Oh Hi! Mellissa!' when I ran past her intersection. This carried me toward the North Street where I knew I could start heading down hill! Yay!
As I headed down toward 7-11 a woman with a long, brown ponytail breezed past me. When I told her good job, she said "I'll be 60 next month!" WTF!! I hope I'm running that well when I'm on the eve of 60! Still flummoxed by that news, I was surprised to see Diane and Larry standing near the Princepessa Apartments cheering me on for a second time! I was doubly happy to know I was a little over a mile from the finish!
I headed back into the park feeling relatively strong, until I hit Jefferson Ave and the iPod gave out. I was totally perplexed, but didn't mess with it. I had NO idea what-so-ever how fast I was running and was really hoping to be on a 45-minute pace, so I just really concentrated on pushing it out. This race didn't start until 9ish and it was starting to get hot. I couldn't wait to stop running and get more water down my neck!
I pushed it through the finish line at 49:18.
I think this is a PR for me, because I  can't ever remember running a 10k before. In fact, this may be my first ever! But I think it's pretty respectable given I didn't train, heck I barely ran, and I wasn't even wearing a watch! Besides, this race was purely for the fun. I finally got to race in my hometown. There were friends and family every where! I felt massively loved! And I got a SECOND place trophy for my age bracket!
Yay for Hardware!!
All in all it was good race, and I had a good time. I felt so strong running through the streets of my childhood. In fact, it made me feel almost childlike. Every road had it's own unique memory and it made the whole thing so awesome! Thanks so much for everyone who came out to watch me run!! An EXTRA SPECIAL thanks to Angela Valvano and family who cheered like lunatics when I got my trophy and made me feel like million bucks.
Lastly! Thanks to Lou Lodivico who is from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania and holds the WORLD RECORD for 80 year-olds racing the 10k! Thanks Lou for inspiring me to keep running!

The only thing missing from this race was former track Coach Frank Geniviva! Where were you!?

In Summation: Racing in Your Home Town=Awesome!; Hardware, Even 2nd Place=Awesome; My Friends=Awesome; My Family=Awesome! Lou Lodivico=Awesome! Nostalgia=Only slightly disconcerting;
Faith In Mankind=A Speck on the Horizon.











 

The Fort Bragg Army 10-Miler...My Rebound Race…

…Or the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

(Yeah this Blog is really late...)

As I mentioned in my previous Blog I signed up for the Fort Bragg Army Birthday 10-Miler before I even ran the New River Marathon. I knew I would need some kind of goal to keep me running whether my Boston Qualification attempt was successful or not.

I had good intentions to train for this race so I could PR and also in hopes of making the Fort Bragg women’s team. However, it’s not clear that this is how they select their team. But I’ve completely lost interest anyway.

I really did have good intentions to train for this race. In fact, I even made a training program, and set a lofty goal.

In 2008 I ran the Army 10-miler in DC in 79 minutes. I thought since I was coming off the marathon, and if I implemented a program that included the right kind of speed work, I could knock out 75 minutes with moderate effort.

But as I say in the heading, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry and in short, I didn’t train for this race at all. And I totally didn’t want to run it. The ONLY reason I ran this race was because I registered. A few months ago, I skipped a race I registered for and it really bothered me. Especially, since the reasons not to run my race really weren’t mine. So, I promised myself barring illness or injury I wouldn’t DNF another race. Even though I didn’t train at all I was going through another massive transition in my life, I showed up at the start line anyway.

The Race Itself…

…Or Whatever….

Even in the midst of all the runners, I was completely disinterested. Several people from work were also running this race, but I had trouble catching their motivation, or even their jitters.

“Whatever,” I thought as I walked to the start line, completely out of habit I wiggled my way up to the 8 minute per mile pace line, figuring there would be no way I could possibly run that fast. I didn’t even care.

I think Bragg fired a cannon or something to start the race, I don’t remember, I just started running when everyone else did.

This was a no headphones race, and because I was near to the front of the pack, it was crowded, and I was having trouble focusing. One of the things I enjoy most about running is the solitude, and this congested start was annoying me a little. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for it to thin out and had some space for myself to run. I guess deployments took a toll on this race, because it was not as crowded as when I ran it in the past.
Fort Bragg hosts a pretty good race. Everything is so organized! Water stations were great, and there were plenty of volunteers.

I just kept putting one foot in front of the other, and tried to stay on the 75-minute goal pace. I was really suprised to see so many female runners in race-mode! It was fantastic actually to be around so many other women who had goals! What was unfortunate was the stupid guys that were hitting on us, mid-race! Seriously, men, I'm running 7:30 minutes per mile...I do not have time to chat to you or listen to your comments about my body...and now, I think you are a loser for bothering me while I'm running.

Like most Army installations, Fort Bragg names it's housing areas and streets after famous battlefields and and military heros. It was weird to run past signs like Normandy, Cherbourg, St. Mere Eglise and Bastogne, knowing that I've actually run in those places in Europe. It was amazing to think that I have this in common with veteran Soldiers, although the circumstances are profoundly different. In many areas of post running cadences are piped over the loud speaker. This made the run kind of fun, especially since I didn't have my own music.

I was happy to hit the half-way point in good time and was ready to be done running around mile 7. I still didn't feel very interested in the race, and was trying to maintain focus on my pace. Runners, especially males,  started getting competitive around Mile 8 and they began to pass me. I decided to up the ante a bit. I implemented some pace surge techniques I read about in Runner's World magazine and surged out of some corners and randomly increased my pace, to my surprise, these methods actually worked and I picked off a few runners ahead of me.

With a few small successes in my pocket around mile 9 I started to feel slightly interested in the race. I linked up with another and I cruised across the finish line in 78:09. This is a PR for me!

What was a little sad, was that I know my marathon split at 10 miles was faster than that, and I totally felt like I could pushed it out faster.

I guess the real victory in this situation is that I got back on the running horse. I seriously did not want to run this race, so much was going on in my life, and I almost sacked it. But, I tried to remember that running is apart of me and that through everything it's the constant in my life. No matter where I am or what I am doing, running is the same. It's my own space, my own time, when I'm just out there letting my thoughts go. It's a part of my day like eating, and it's where I do my best thinking and get in touch with the my strengths that are not so readily available. Running always helps me to discover that I am so much more than what is usually apparent. The PR is pretty great too!

My Future in Running...

...Or I need a friggin' plan....

I need to get some focus. I've not been running consistently at all and have been relying on Army PT for my general fitness. Any of my Army friends reading this, must know that this is not a good plan. I've not been inside a gym since moving back to the U.S. and I've got no focus, other than the upcoming 10k, for my running. I need to find a routine and get back into the swing of things soon, or just give it up altogether. Either way, I'm at a cross roads, and I need to sort it out soon.

In Summation: Recovering from Failure on Several Fronts=Sucks; PRs Without Trying Very Hard=Rock! What's Next?=Not Sure Yet; Boston Marathon=In my future?; NC Heat=Oppressive; My Friends=The Best Ever!; Faith in Mankind=A Raisin in the Sun
Upcoming Races...
July Races:
Ellwood City Ledger 10k...A Virtual Sprint!!

Success Is Counted Sweetest to Those Who Ne'er Succeed...

...Or...I hate everything and the horse it rode in on....

New River Marathon Race Report
Please be advised..there may be some swearing...

So, massively delayed race report. First, it just took me awhile to sort myself out and I wanted to let some of the emotion from the disappointment fade so that I could take a more analytical look at what actually went wrong during the race.

The race weekend started off with a late arrival to New River after a long drive through some annoying Raleigh traffic jams, luckily I wasn't the driver. The proprietors of the Bed and Breakfast were clearly annoyed with the late arrival, because 'we have to get up early too, we're manning a water station." Cry me a river...I'm running 26.2 miles.
They met us on  the porch, the male of the duo reeked of booze and greeted us with a gruff "You in the military?"  And wanted to relive his 'glory' days in the 82nd. His stories sounded pretty fishy to me.  Really, I just wanted to get to the room and get my head down. These people were weird and it was immediately obvious that there would not be a repeat performance at this B&B.

The race itself...

Part 1 - En Boco Lupo...
...Or Tak tak tak...

In the Italian language En Boco Lupo means "in the mouth of the wolf" and is a phrase of good strength and luck. This was one of my phrases that I used to keep me mentally strong during the race. Not only is it a tough phrase, in another language, it makes me think of my time in Europe and everything I learned about life while living there. I miss it so much. 

My race did start off En Boco Lupo. I felt great! Although it was shorter sleep than I would have planned, I slept well and got up feeling positive. The B&B duo served up a pretty good breakfast, some tedious conversation and led us to the start line. Even though I thought they were weird, I was looking forward to seeing the familiar faces of the B&B proprieters at miles 13 & 24. 

This marathon was the smallest race I've ever attended. I didn't have to stand in line for my chip, race packet or porta-potty!? What?! I was already thinking that a Boston Qualifying time would also earn me a place in my age group. 

The race directors delayed the start of the race by 15 minutes for late comers. Most of us racers that were ready to go were not a fan of this decision because it was only 35 degrees outside! Yup...my concerns of over-heating were unnecessary. In fact, I was wishing I had my shorty-running tights and a pair of gloves. I was literally freezing! Luckily I had one of my Army  brown T's for my throw away shirt otherwise I would have really been a popsicle in my race tank and shorts.

At 7:45 about 300 runners gathered on the New River Bridge and waited for the starting gun....oh wait a minute...no starting gun, just a guy yelling 'GO' into a bullhorn. Yep That's as good as it gets in New River.
So we were off...I tried to keep in mind some pre-race advice: "Run your own race, and better to start slow and finish strong."
These well-time words were really important as I notoriously start off too fast. And trust me I wanted to go fast, not only was I excited, but I was C-O-L-D! When I checked my GPS in the first half-mile I was running a 7:45. This was too fast,  and I slowed it right down to 8:23 per mile...the BQ race-pace.

I tried to run a smart race. I knew that there was a pretty significant hill around mile 17 and I certainly wanted to conserve energy before I got to it, but I knew the hill was going to slow me down as I got a taste of a pretty large hill in the first two miles. So, I decided to allow myself to run a little faster than I had originally planned to put some time in the bank, so to speak. I tried to maintain between 8:18 and 8:23. This was totally manageable and I felt fantastic.

I was running well and I actually felt happy. The music on my iPod was perfect (thank you contributors!) I felt really good at the 10k mark, and aside from accidentally getting gatorade up my nose, things were going really well.

I breezed through the half-way point still feeling well, however irritated that the water station only had gatorade and no water. Also, there was no food at the half-way. I was expecting some hammer packs or at least a sliced banana. But no joy. So I just kept running.

Miles 14, 15 and 16 were still pretty good, I was running well and happy.

As predicted the hill at mile 17 reared it's head. I started it up it, optimistic, it was a long one but I could make it to the top and I put my head down and started thinking of my second motivational phrase, unbreakable....

Part 2 - Unbreakable...
...Or Unbreakable My Arse.....


So, I started up the hill, thinking over and over, unbreakable, en boco lupo, unbreakable, etc etc etc....and created a steady effort to make my way to the top. Just as I could see the crest, the course hooked right and runners were led up a dirt path. I thought, 'wow! Pay-dirt! we don't have to continue to the top. Ha! Hill? What hill?' Well, my friends, I spoke too soon. The path hooked right up a little pea-gravel road and I was faced with a virtual mountain. It didn't appear to be very long, but it was extremely steep. Unbreakable, I thought, and tried to mind my form and get myself up the 'hill' (read mountain) with short, quick steps.
Over all this time I had managed to stay on pace, and was still optmistic for a BQ. I new I had a little time in the bank and because of my 3 in 1 training I was determined to control the last 10ks of the race.
A sort of informal pace group had formed, and I had been running with a set of sisters that I affectionately referred to as Thing 1 and Thing 2, two chatty older gentlemen and another guy with a buzz cut wearing those icky 5-finger shoes.
Well, this hill (read mountain) busted the group up. Thing 1 pulled away from Thing 2 and 5-finger guy started walking as soon as he saw the mountain. The chatty Cathy's clammed up and tried to push through.
I also chose to persevere through the hill (read mountain), and despite my pace I was determined to keep running. I passed a guy who had succumbed to walking and he said "good job you got this."
I continued to run, but everyone in front of me was beginning to walk.
My legs were in serious pain. Literally, it was painful to run, my quads were screaming and my calves were beginning to ache too. The pea gravel was unstable beneath my feet and keeping my form steady was creating a lot of extra work for my body. I pulled up behind Thing 1 who had also decided to walk. I checked my garmin and decided, based on the pace, that it would be wiser for me to try to power-walk up this hill and conserve my muscles, I still have at least 8 miles to go!

So for the first time ever, I walked during a race.  So much for Unbreakable.

I tried not to get too hung up on it, because I was trying to convince myself that it was for the greater good. Once I reached to top I picked the pace back up and hoped to relocate my pace as I coasted down the hill. My legs were so stiff, it was unreal how difficult it was to even run downhill. I noticed as I started to ascend the next hill that my downhill portion seeme awfully short. In fact, it was about half the size. My legs were screaming but once again I tried to continue to run up the hill. I tried to take short, quick steps, but my feet were sliding around on top of the pea-gravel and dust. It was causing my legs to cramp. Typically, I don't get cramps, but my right quadricep felt like it was completely twisted and my calves were both seriously cramping. It was so painful I couldn't believe it. I tried to stretch my calves out, no joy. I tried to alter my gait and foot strike, but that didn't help either. I was also determined not to stop running. At this point I had adopted a qualify or die trying mentality. I didn't care if my muscles tore right in half, I was going to keep running. Unfortunately, my pace was utterly shot and I just could not force my body to move faster. I couldn't wait to move downhill, little did I know that the downhill would be worse.
Thing 2 had caught back up to Thing 1 and they regained their paces and started zipping down the hill. I tried to follow suit, but pain exploded through my legs with every step. It was an utter nightmare. Again, I just tried to push myself down the hill, promising myself that the muscles would unseize and I could regain normal running. About half way down the hill the pain started to subside, and I was just finding a pace, it was about 18.5 miles and here, the race organizers put a water/food station. NO ONE used this water station. Literally. First, it was tucked up along a bank so you would have to run up a little slope to get to it. After trudging up the dueling mountains, no one wanted to go there. Second, everyone was just starting to regain a pace, it was not the time to introduce another disruption. Despite the fact that I was thirsty, I did not stop at this water station.
I saw Thing 1 and Thing 2 breeze down the hill and seemed like they were about 5 minutes ahead of me in an intant.
I was still in serious pain and every step was agony, but after running up those hills, I wasn't going to stop running.
I expected to start feeling bad around mile 20, but at mile 19 I was completly disgusted with the entire race, and was even in tears at one point. Totally pathetic. After being so optimistic, I can't believe those hills squashed me. At mile twenty, I just wanted to 'just get there.'

Part 3 - Just Get There
...Or...So much for controlling the last 10k of this race....

I really had plan to own this portion of the race. I trained for this, both mentally and physically and I was feeling pretty confident when I set off, but now I had to struggle. I made three goals when I set off, just to try to quell disappointment if I didn't BQ. So first, BQ; Second, Personal Record; Third, at least better than my last race. With this in mind, I left my hopes for a BQ on the second hill, but with 10ks still in front of me I was still hopeful for a PR, but I had to maintain at least a 9-minute mile, at that point I was about a 9:12 per mile, so I had to pick it up.

At this point, I was pretty pissed off and I just could not get my legs to move. They were so tight and I just couldn't get my body to move the way I wanted. I was mentally pushing myself, but I couldn't get my body to cooperate. I was so annoyed!

Tired and hungry, I grabbed a Hammer gel and some water at the next station. It was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted it was honey-lemony and I loved it! I wanted a whole handful of them so I could take them home and spread them on toast! A little happier I plodded on...the next two miles were pretty painful and I was having trouble maintaining my new pace. I was counting the steps until mile 24 where I could get a drink and hopefully some more of this yummy gel.

I went through the water station at mile 24, and the bumbling idiots had no water, only gatorade. I did not want to wash my gel down with gatorade. I tore the gel open only to find that it wasnt honey-lemony goodness but some icky, mocha-espresso abomination! It was disgusting, but I didn't dare spit it out, because i didn't want brown goo all over my nice running outfit.

The next two miles were basically hell, just after the water station I was still hopeful to PR. But I just couldn't maintain the pace no matter how hard I tried to convince my body to run faster it just wouldn't. I fell off the the 9-minute per mile pace and just couldn't pick it back up. I just could not get my body to move faster. I tried all kinds of tricks even resorted to pretending it was an Army Physical Fitness Test. As my PR slipped out of my reach it was all I could not to succumb to walking again. I was so depressed. It was even worse when I hooked a left turn toward the finish line into a lumpy field. It was really difficult to keep my footing and I completely lost interest in a PR or almost even finishing at all. I really, really wanted to walk.
But, I didn't and pushed through to the finish line in 4:02.
Massive. Massive. Disappointment.
It took forever for the volunteer to remove my timing chip and hand me my medal, which was totally lame.

An aside about the medal: First, it's a hand crafted medal made out of wood. It looks like kids in the highschool shop made it. That's not so bad, I know that this type of wood and craft is local to the area...but here is what made the medal lame: It said New River Marathon, Half-Marthon & 5k. Really? Really? New River? The 5k runners and the Marathon runners get the same medal? Bad form, New River. Blah.

I hobbled toward the car, because my legs were totally seizing up. Walking was difficult, standing was exruciating and sitting wasn't that great either.
Oh yeah. On top of everything else. I was crying. Yep. Full-on sobbing, alligator tears. Mostly tears of self-pity, loss, and a bit of pain.  Totally humiliating.

My recovery was in short excruciating. I frankly have never been in so much pain. I had a quick massage at the finish. Stretched and tried to keep my system flushed with water. But if I sat for more than 15-20 minutes at a time my legs would completely lock up. I fidgeted all evening through dinner and a movie. I fidgeted all through the night and despite obvious exhaustion managed to get very little sleep. I fidgeted the whole  3-plus hour ride back to Fayetteville. Sunday evening I was still in bit of pain. Basically, I was miserable. I didn't feel like eating, and my muscles were just wrecked. Walking was still difficult and I couldn't get comfortable in bed, in fact, I had to take a sleep aid so I could rest. This, coupled with my sadness over my failure was pure misery.

I felt like I wasted the last 18-weeks. It was so difficult training in the German winter, the time I sacrificed, maintaining training during my move, maintaining training during my transition back to the U.S. and my new routines. Although I completed the race I felt I had very little to show for my effort and really had nothing to be proud of, even my medal was lame.

Looking back on the race. I really think it was those hills that ate my lunch. My program did include hill training, but I couldn't mimic what was on the course. I really don't think I started off too fast, I was hydrated enough and the weather was basically ideal. I just couldn't make my body conquer those hills fast enough.

I am still extremely disappointed that  I didn't meet at least one of my goals. But I know that running the Boston Marathon is still in my future, so I'm on the hunt for another marathon, most likely in the Autumn, if my job cooperates. Suggestions?! 

Before I even ran the New River Marathon I registered for the Fort Bragg Army Birthday 10-Miler. I was hoping that if things were to go awry, I would have a new race to look forward to, and if they didn't I wouldn't over-celebrate. Well, this race is tomorrow and I'm fairly ill-prepared. Since the New River Marathon there have been quite a few unforeseen changes in my life. Also, my job became quite busy and I find myself in a transition phase once again. Still feeling the sting of failure, more transition, upswing in my workload and oppressive North Carolina heat have drastically curbed my running. Although I've managed to log a few miles I haven't really done any of the speed work necessary to PR this race. Intially I was hopeful to run 75, but right now, that doesn't seem feasable. So we will see, but there is definitely more racing in my future and it looks like MeLLiSSa's Foot Notes is not yet defunct.

Oh and lest I forget my loyal run supporters. Thanks so much for everything! You know who you are!
Here's to better luck next time.....

In Summation: Failure=Sucks; Massive Hills=Soul Destroying; Boston Marathon=In my future; NC Heat=Oppressive; One Medal for All Races=Not Very Nice; My Friends=The Best Ever!; Faith in Mankind=Non-existent

Upcoming Races...
June Races:
Fort Bragg Army Birthday 10-Miler
July Races:
Ellwood City Ledger 10k...A Virtual Sprint!!

Fear Is s Poor Chisel to Carve Out Your Tomorrow...

Or...The Marathon is tomorrow and I'm crapping my pants


Well, I skipped too blogs...frankly there wasn't much to say. I ran my last 12-miler in the rain and ended up with soggy shoes.

My last long run of the program was last Saturday, it was an uneventful 8 miles that didn't even include a barking dog.

My race is tomorrow! So far, I've been feeling good, and I've only missed 3 runs out of the 16-week program and these were typically due to travel. I'm feeling pretty accomplished already that  I've managed to stick with the program during some massive transitions in my life.

Right now,  I am just trying to keep a positive attitude and picture myself successful. My biggest problem is feeling sorry for myself. Once I start to feel bad, or if something goes a little wrong during the race, I lurch into a depression. So I need to try to avoid this and work to recover quickly from any setbacks. I've done a little reading on how elite athletes deal with these sorts of things during their races and apparently they use motivational key phrases to help keep them mentally focused. According to what I've read, it's wise to pick more than one to help through various situations. I have three...suddenly I'm shy about sharing them, so I guess I will keep them to my self.

Although I am nervous, I am looking forward to the race. It seems hard to believe that I'm racing tomorrow. I am excited to see about the outcome and what I can make happen and what I can make my body accomplish. Also, I am excited to see how I will feel regardless of the outcome. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I believe running more than twenty miles totally changes your life. I've gotten so many positive comments from my friends and people I meet about my training program. While I really appreciate this admiration, I don't think running makes me a better or more interesting person. Running has enriched my life in so many ways...it's challenged me, comforted me and healed me in so many ways. I don't think that I am  a good runner because a me...I think I've become a better me because I am a runner. Running has allowed me so much self-discovery and even I've been surprised of how much more of me that exists than is readily available.  Bowerman was correct when he said that finding inspiration that to become good at the observed past time of running will reflect in the other observed past time...life!

So wish me luck...and look forward to my race report! I hope to finish it in a timely manner!

In Summation: Race=TOMORROW!; Nerves=OK; Running=Apart of me.

20, 20, 20 Miles to Go....I Wanna Be Sedated....

...Or Please Bury Me With It ..
This run was brought you by Modest Mouse..




The week of 16 April marked the completion of my last 20-mile run in my New River Marathon training program. Frankly, I couldn't be happier, that 20-mile run looming over my head was really bringing me down. I ended up running it on Sunday, because in case you haven't heard, my area in North Carolina was seriously affected by tornadoes. While my neighborhood, or running routes were not touched by these twisters, the weather-lady advised to stay inside, so I did. I simply postponed my run until Sunday.


Unfortunately, on Sunday, I also had to report to Fortress Bragg at 1530 (3:30 pm for you non-military types) and leave my life as a lady of leisure behind.

During the twenty-miler, I decided to do what running guru Hal Higdon calls 3/1 training.
You can read more about it here,
http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/advancedint.htm
However, briefly, it means you run the first 3/4 of your run at your regular pace and the last quarter faster. So around the 5-mile mark I picked it up, I continued to run faster until I was nearly at race pace by the end of the run. I set a goal to finish the twenty miles in 3 hours and 10 minutes, and I made it! Barely, but I did. This was a huge confidence boost for me, because as you've read in previous posts, I've seem to have lost my speed mojo. I also wanted to do something a bit quicker since I DNFed the Raleigh Rocks 1/2 Marathon a couple of weeks ago.
Basically, the run went pretty well and I was happy with the pace, performance and recovery. Mostly I am pleased that I don't have to run that far again until race day.
What I am displeased about is going back to work. What a total bummer.

In summation: Last 20-miler=Good; 3/1 Training=Success; Work=Blah; Seriously Late Blogs=Slightly Embarrassing; Punk-Themed Runs=AWESOME ;)

What the What? An Interim Blog...

...Or stuff I forgot to say yesterday...

PART 1...
...The DNF 

I realized today, while running 10-miles, that I glossed over somethings in my haste to get my blog posted before the end of the week.
I never discussed my DNF. For those who haven't raced, DNF is an acronym for Did Not Finish. Before I moved from Germany to North Carolina, I registered for the 'Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon' on April 7. I did not complete this race. I didn't even bother to get myself out of the bed to get to the race, in fact, I ran the 12 miles my training program prescribed on Saturday. So I did accomplish the running, but totally ignored the race. I feel pretty badly about not completing something that I signed up to do. But I didn't realize how far I would have to travel to run the race. It probably would have meant a 430 wake up, and I just couldn't be bothered. So, now I've logged my very first, ever, DNF, out of pure laziness.

PART 2...
...The elusive 8:23 pace

I lost my pace. I can't find it anywhere. I've been desperate to regain speed since moving back to America. I've been working really hard, but I can not run any faster than an 8:30 for any distance at all. Today, I made a serious attempt at keeping the pace for 10-miles. I wasn't sure that I could maintain the pace for 10 miles, but I was hoping for at least 6-8. Yeah right! I couldn't even keep it for three miles. Anytime the route went up hill my pace slowed even more. Around mile 6, I gave up even trying and just tried to finish the run strong. The Garmin says I averaged a 9:03 minute per mile.
Awful. This is Awful .
I've been trying to retrace my training and see where my speed got lost, but I can't really figure it out. I have skipped minimal workouts. I know I skipped a speed work out, back in Germany and I skipped the 10-miler I was meant to run while en route back to the states. This shouldn't have such a drastic effect now. The only thing I can think of is the mileage is just wearing on me.
Currently, my plan is just to keep plugging through, and hopefully during the taper, my speed will resurface. If not, it looks like an Autumn Marathon is in my future...with this comes stricter qualification for Boston.

PART 3...
...Because it wasn't hard enough already

Apparently, despite it's stiff qualifications times, the Boston Marathon is still just too crowded. In order to combat it, the Boston Athletic Association made the standards more difficult. So, if I don't reach the 3:40 this year, next year, instead of running 3:45, it will still be 3:40. Not really that big of deal. But the chiefs up at BAA also took away the 59-second rule. This simply means, that you are good until 3:41. So, you can run 3:40:59 and still qualify. Not anymore, 3:40:01, will not allow you entry to the race. Sigh.

PART 4
...The Last 20-Miler

I am scheduled to run my last 20-miler on Saturday. Unfortunately, it looks like the weather is not in my favor. Allegedly we are supposed to have severe thunderstorms coupled with tornado warnings. I guess I will wake up tomorrow and see what happens. If not, I will shoot for Sunday.

PART 5
...Rejoining the Work Force

I start work on again on Monday. Booo. Not my favorite topic.

In Summation: DNF=Disappointing; DNF Because of Laziness=Embarrassing; 8:23=Where are you?; Last 20-miler=Sigh; Bad Weather=Due...I've been lucky; Going back to Work=Blah

I'm Sick to Death of Running

...Or Humans Were Made to Run...Alberto Salazar


This week's running was pretty insignificant.
Basically, I'm bored of running, it's becoming a bit of a chore. I am working really hard trying to stay motivated, however it's not really working. All I have been managing to do is to over-indulge on all types of food, and eat my weight in candy. This is clearly NOT in my training program. I'm just so irritated with running that the opposite of running is all I want to do.
I am still missing my gym and core work, but can't be bothered to drive on post to visit the gym. Basically this move has totally disrupted my routine and I'm doing little to rectify it. I figure I will attempt to find a routine once I get back to to work, which, unfortunately is next week.
Saturday's run was a taper 12-miler. It was nothing really to write home about, I got out and ran the 12 miles.  The fact is, that I'm suffering from major running ennui. I just am so blase about it, I don't know how to recover, or to find the motivation to carry me through to the end of the training.

I am trying to remember these words from Derek Clayton, Australian long-distance runner, "I don't think you can become an outstanding runner unless you get a certain amount of enjoyment out of the suffering. You have to enjoy absorbing it, controlling it and—ultimately—overcoming it." 

So far, no dice. 

Je suis si fatigué de courir, j'ai courir l'ennui sérieux. ..Je ne sait pas si je jamais trouverai ma motivation encore. Je manque mon Europe.



Next Week's Training: Mo=5; Tu=10; We=5; Th= 8x800; Fr=10; Sa=20

In Summation: Running=Ennui; Motivation=Nil; Last 20-miler of the program=Welcome; Blog Procrastination=Par for the course




Derek Clayton in The Masters of the Marathon
Humans Were Made to Run...Alberto Salazar...

20-12-20...Not My Measurements, But My Recent Mileage

...Or I'm Three Weeks Behind on My Blogging...

Since I'm so far behind on my blogging I've decided against posting three separate blogs to catch up, but to divide this post into three sections. This goes against my OCD-like nature, but I do this for your reading pleasure. I hope you appreciate it! I spent my last two weekends in Europe amongst my very good friends, C&M. This meant getting to run in Belgium. My first weekend there was also my very first 20-mile run of train-up for New River. The good news is that staying with C&M guarantees that I will have a good pre-run dinner! So here it goes

My First Twenty-Miler ...
...Or How Did I Do That?

My first 20-miler just went ok. Of course the first half was no problem, but around mile 14 or so, I started to wear out. My body felt ache-y all over from the start and it was a struggle to get it done. As usual with these long-mileage runs the last 6 miles were quite a struggle, with the last three being somewhere close to tortuous. I did however manage to get through it in 3 hours and 18 minutes. As I mentioned in my last blog, is that I need to run these long runs slower. Well, it was virtually impossible for me to run faster, according to the Garmin I ran an average 9:56 pace. This is slightly over the prescribed 60-90 second increase over my race pace, but this was really the best I could do.  I've decided that these 20 mile runs are life-changing experiences. At first this may sound dramatic, but I truly believe this. Just like with any run, the first two minutes are pure hell, until I find my rhythm, then I can kind of settle into a pace. This can last for awhile, for a long while. But right around mile 14 I start to get irritated. One would think I would be happy, because there is just 6 miles to go, but this is not the case. At this point, for some reason, I seriously want to quit, I just want to start walking. The sole reason I keep running is that I am way to far away from home, and walking will only prolong the misery. I also become mentally weak at this point and my thoughts will run a full gamut of negativity, even things that have absolutely nothing to do with running will creep up on me. This feeling lasts around 3 miles, after this, my hips and knees are aching and I really want to quit. If I'm feeling particularly sorry for myself, this is the point where I start crying.This lasts about a mile or so, and then I get angry, and this will push me through to the end. I'm sure most of you are really surprised at this little revelation. Where are those feel-good running endorphins, you ask. Well, they happen around the half-way point, and then they go far, far away. This is why I think these 20-mile runs are life-changing. They are just such a struggle to finish, and all kinds of crazy thoughts go through your head. Every single time and the first time is the worst.In fact, I don't even know how I manage to complete them.
Luckily, my recovery was quite good. After a short stretch  and shower and a good recovery meal prepared by CR, a few glasses of champagne and a nap I was as good as new.
The Higdon training schedule that I'm following called for a 19-mile run the week previous to the first 20-miler, when I added up the two-weeks' mileage it came to approximately 100 miles. This is not insignificant and I noted the effects in the taper week...

The Taper Week...
...Or I'm Officially Smoked ...
Sunday's 20-miler took a lot out of me, but Monday's prescribed 4-miler wasn't so bad. Since it was one of my last runs in Eppelheim, I decided to run sans GPS. I know the turn around point for a 4-mile run, so I just ran for the pure enjoyment. Thankfully, I still find running enjoyable!
Unfortunately, this didn't last long, as Tuesday's run and those that followed were absolutely not enjoyable. I felt ache-y and stiff from the outset to the end. Additionally, this move is wearing on me. I am so busy trying to sort things out, that I have completely abandoned any gym work I was doing and I'm having trouble squeezing in the week-day runs at all. Adding to the misery is my new hotel room. It is a virtual sauna, in fact, I've been in saunas that were cooler than my hotel room. I can't wait to get out of here. I skipped running on Friday all together to travel back to Belgium to spend my last weekend with C&M. I pushed my speedwork off until Saturday and again did my long run on Sunday. The speed work, didn't go that well. I did six 800 meter intervals. I couldn't get my heart rate anywhere near my lactic acid threshold (177). I have no idea what is wrong with me.
Sunday's 12-miler was hellish.  I was completely unmotivated and felt exhausted the whole time. This is a massive disappointment, as this is supposed to be easy and enjoyable!
I think there are several things that are derailing my training....here it goes...

• Intercontinental move...this move is keeping me really busy
• My diet is completely disrupted. I am eating tons of processed food, due to be ousted from my kitchen
• Drinking, lots and lots of farewell drinks. Even though I'm rarely drunk, there is lots of alcohol in my system
• I think I may be catching a cold. It's been at least 5 years since I've been sick...so I don't know
• Dehydration as a result from all of the above

Hello, America How Are You...
...Or Look Out Bragg, I'm Busting Through...
 I am determined to reclaim the upper hand in my training program. But now, I have to deal with jet-lag. My training program starts in a deficit, as I will have to skip the first 10-mile run of my high-mileage week.  Despite that I arrived in Fayetteville around 5:30 pm, I opted not to run on Tuesday. I am significantly dehydrated as well as having a completely disrupted my rest cycle. Wednesday, the weather was awful, so I traveled onto to Fortress Bragg to use the treadmill. The run wasn't great, my gait felt off and I was tired the whole, time...but I needed to dust off the running shoes and get back with the program. I'm working really hard to keep to the letter of the program especially when it comes to workouts to increase speed. This meant 7 hill repeats, I certainly didn't feel like running and I'm pretty convinced the local mailman thinks I'm crazy. Ten-miler Friday didn't really go that well, again. My body still feels stiff and I'm not very motivated. This could be the jet-lag, because my heart rate just isn't getting up there. The only thing Friday's run really did for me was to shake my confidence for Saturday's 20-miler.
Despite my trepidation for Saturday's 20-miler it actually started off pretty decently, my jet-lag seemed to be subsiding and the weather seemed ideal for running.  The sun was shining, but the temperature was still relatively cool. The first 5-6 miles went by pretty easily, but by mile nine or so, I started to feel a little rickety. Then the wind kicked up, and things started getting really unpleasant. Working against the wind was really tough especially after logging more than half the run's mileage. Just pushing against it was really starting to wear on my and I again started to get really annoyed around mile 14, and those last 6 miles were again, basically, tortuous. The last three miles were difficult because I was extremely sore, and I had to coach myself up the last hilly mile to finish. I am again thinking about how in the hell I am going to add six more miles to this already excruciating distance and a minute and half faster. I completed this run in 3 hours 16 minutes which is an average of 9:50 minute per mile. I reckon this isn't a bad showing considering jet-lag and my lack of gym work, I can feel a difference, especially in my core. The first 10-minutes of my recovery were pretty miserable, but after I cooled down, stretched a bit and ate, I felt a bit better. One more 20-mile run left in this program. I hope I can make it. I have so much more to say, but will save it for next week, so I can close this novella.

This Week's Training: M=5; Tu=6; W=5; Th=45 min Tempo; F=6; Sa=12 or Su= 13.1 Raleigh Rocks!?

In Summation: Long Catch-Up Blogs=Tedious to write, Tedious to read; 20 Miles= Friggin' Hard; Boston Qualifier=Friggin' Hard; Jet-lag=Annoying; Moving=Destabilizing; Next Week's Taper Week; Vowing to Blog More Regularly=Trite Promise

Up Ahead....More Mileage

...Or Now the Rubber Really Meets the Road...

A-Ha! It's only Monday and I'm already blogging! This is a great stride in my blogging timeliness. Right now I have time on my hands. I am typing this blog as I sit atop a packing box and movers are packing the rest of my things for my move back to the States. I am really excited to be back and can't wait for this transition to be complete. I am so excited about the upcoming changes in my life!

 So, this week's training schedule was held to the letter. I not only did I do my speed work,which consisted of  6x800 intervals. I completed Friday's pace run, semi-successfully by maintaining an 8:29 minute-mile for 9 miles. This is just as good as I ran two weeks ago for 8 miles, and I am slightly disappointed that I couldn't get a little faster. I must run at least an 8:23 during the marathon to meet the Boston Qualifying time. I know that I'm only 6 seconds shy of this, and I still have quite a bit of time. What this tells me is not to skip anymore speed work!

Saturday's run was a 19-miler and it went relatively well.  I ran the whole thing in around 2 hours 56 minutes. I am slightly concerned that I am running too fast on these long runs. I am running comfortably, I'm not out of breath (well, maybe toward the end), and I try not to concentrate on the pace too much. But I must admit that the more miles I tic off of the run, the more excited I get and the faster I want to finish. Hal Higdon, running guru says that long runs should be"45 to 90 seconds per mile or more slower than marathon pace. This is very important, particularly for Advanced runners who do speedwork during the week" I guess I am maintaining around 60 seconds slower, so I am within that window, but I don't want to suffer any burn out. Additionally, I am trying very, very hard to stay injury free.

The completion of this 19-mile run is a turning point in my training, starting this weekend, I will surge up to 20 miles, from here on out, all of my long runs will be 20 miles alternating with 12 miles during the taper week. It's very important for me to stay injury free during this time, because this is where I typically pick up an over-use problem. I'm hoping using the foam roller that the DHO turned me onto will help ward of some of these issues. Additionally, I've been working harder to do more effective post-run stretching.
Another concern I have is my nutrition, I think that it is going to be very difficult for me to maintain good nutrition during this transition back to the States. I'm going to have to be diligent to maintain a healthy diet.

In Summation: Moving back to the States=Fantastic!;  19-mile Run=Good; Speed-work=Effective When Accomplished; Increase in Mileage=A Little Daunting, but Not Impossible.

The Taper Week...

...Which is code for... I skipped a lot of running last week and it took me forever to finish this Blog.

Last week did not fare well for my training schedule. Monday, I had just returned from the States and skipped my 3-mile run. Honestly, I probably could have done the run and it probably would have significantly helped with my jet lag. But, I babied myself a bit and did not get out there.

The rest of my week was a bit gummed up with my moving preparations so I was forced to make some cuts.

So my return to running for last week was Tuesday's 9-miler. As you can probably imagine I was feeling a little rusty, but managed to get through it with out too much heartache. I also managed to log-in Wednesday's 4-miler and Friday's 9-miler.

Really, this makes my work-week mileage 22 miles, which isn't so bad, but I skipped Thursday's Speedwork session. My intended work-out was meant to be five 800-meter intervals at a 10k pace. Skipping speed work is bad. I probably would have been better off sacrificing one of the 9-mile runs or the 4-miler to keep making gains in speed. However, I really hate that speedwork.

Saturday's 12-mile run was nothing special. Thankfully the weather was tolerable and I just knocked it out and moved on with my day.

Basically, last week's running was a bit blase. My body clock is a bit disturbed and I'm just trying to tic over until I find a rhythm again. Most likely that will be when I'm back in North Carolina permanently! I'm just a short 20 days away as of today (Wednesday) and I really can't wait! I'm so looking forward to the upcoming changes in my life!

Next week's training looks a little like this:
M-3; Tu-9; W-4; Th-5x800; Fri-9; Sa-19

In Summation: Blog Timeliness=Still Leaves a Lot to Be Desired; Jet-Lag=Annoying; Moving=Exciting

When All Else Fails, Start Running....

I just noted that it has been nearly a month since I've last posted. It seems that I've relapsed into a bit of procrastination. The reality is that I've been quite busy. Not only am I preparing to move, but I've only just returned from a trip to the U.S. So, I will try to recap quickly to get us all caught up!
After discovering the tragedy of the 20 Delta, I set my mind to some speed work and have been getting really, really close to maintaining an 8:37 minute-mile, for a considerable distance. So this is good news.
I had a great 10-mile taper run along the Belgian Canal.  I enjoyed good company and great food and all this made the run all that much easier.

The next week, I managed to hold an 8:29 minute-mile for a full 8 miles. This was really good news. However my 16-miler into the Black Forest did not bode well. It was absolutely freezing and miserable. I am sick to death of drinking frozen water and it was a bit sleety and grey the whole way. The run itself wasn't actually that bad, but the recovery was rough. Despite the fact that I felt hydrated enough, my recovery was slow and arduous. I had trouble keeping in my recovery foods, and generally just felt gross the entire afternoon.

Last week's 17-miler, however, was fantastic! I finished the whole thing relatively quickly, and recovered well. I think much of this had to do with the weather. It was around 45-50 degrees for the whole run and the sun was shining. It was so refreshing not to be cold, yet sweaty at the same time and also not getting rained on. I think running in North Carolina is going to suit me.

I also have improved my stretching techniques. By improve, I mean I actually stretched my muscles after this run. I also started using this 'foam roller' technique which so far, seems pretty awesome. Thanks to the DHO(Devilishly Handsome One), for introducing me to this!

Another improvement is my new Garmin 405 that I got for my birthday. Again, thanks to the DHO! It is so much nicer than the 305 or 'Big Red' as it is affectionately referred to. Not only does it retrieve satellite reception more quickly, it also has tons of new features. My current fave is  the 'auto-pause' function, which prevents me from having to manually stop and start the watch when I have to wait for traffic or stop to tie my shoe.

Yesterday I did my first run after coming back from the States and admittedly it was a bit difficult. I wasn't very motivated to hash out the 9 miles especially when I had to complete them after work and ended up finishing in the dark. This is always kind of a drag. I didn't actually run very quickly and just felt a bit sluggish throughout. I'm sure my body clock is disrupted and is causing most of this. Also, after the run, I felt a slight tweak in the sole of my right foot. It feels a little bit like Plantar's Fasciatis that I suffered from when I trained for Athens in 2005. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this isn't a lasting ailment.

 I am happy to be headed back to be closer to my loved ones, this move is a significant change in job and lifestyle.But things are moving in the forward direction, I find myself getting more excited! I am happy that things are beginning to push forward and am looking forward to leaving Germany in the rear-view mirror and beginning a new chapter of life.

Well, I think this is long enough for now, and I do plan to return to once a week (or more) postings.

In summation: Long Over-due Blogs= A Bit Monotonous; Running in Cold, Damp Weather=Arduous; Slow Recovering; Tedious; Releasing Angst Over Impending Move=Fabulous

This Weeks Training: M-3 miles (skipped); Tu-9-miles; W-3 miles; Th-Speedwork; Fr-9 miles; Sa-12