Monthly Archives: July 2012

To CIM or not to CIM?

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Anyone who follows Seattle running bloggers knows that for the past few weeks, a hot topic of conversation has been the California International Marathon on December 2nd. In a not at all surprising move, it was Nicole who initially contacted me asking if I wanted to do it. We both knew there were a lot of bloggers around the country that were committed to going …and slowly but surely, the whole idea exploded into a PNW who, what, when, where discussion forum. There are actual Google doc spreadsheets—this is a serious topic.

Now, I am not typically someone who stresses about race details, especially so far out. If I know there will be someplace to stay, available pasta, and someone there that I know, I don’t get too bugged out about the logistics. I focus more on analyzing the biggest factor of all—running an effing marathon.

So plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, and weather aside…my dilemma right now is simply whether to run or not run the race.

Let’s  play a little game then, called “I tell you what I think, both pros and cons, and you tell me what you think.” Cool? Honestly, I’m in some big time need of practical guidance on this one. This game is also known as, “The price of registration goes up tomorrow, and I still haven’t decided what to do.”

I need help!

So, CIM: A very famous race in California’s capital—in the dead of winter, no less. CIM is popular for a number of reasons, but I would venture to guess that its course—namely its elevation map—has something to do with its cool status.

Obviously, this is one fast course. Even Bart Yasso says so. The race is known for spoon feeding PRs and handing out BQs like free smoothie samples. It’s also during a time when there aren’t many races at all, and because it’s in California…the winter climate could make for ideal racing conditions.

If I had a clear schedule, this would be a no brainer. I love the idea of a winter race, and I love the idea of traveling, cheering, eating, and celebrating with fellow runners. However, there is this teeny tiny detail that’s throwing a wrench into the mix—you know, that thing I’ve been talking about for two months.

The Chicago Marathon is on October 7th, just seven weeks before CIM.

Now, if I was one of those hardcore, seasoned marathoners, two months between marathons wouldn’t be a big deal. I am not, however, and although two months is definitely a good amount of time—I’m still hesitant. I would essentially be nonstop training from now until December 2nd—and presuming I would still be alive/not yet checked myself into an insane asylum after that, there are the questions of injury, burnout, and a loathing hatred of anything to do with Brooks and Gu to consider.

So, now that I’ve laid out the logistics, let’s take a look at the two scenarios—and what each entails in terms of good stuff and bad stuff.

Scenario #1: CIM is a go.

If I do register for CIM, it will more pressure off of Chicago. I already decreed that I want to have a fun, more relaxed approach to Chicago training. A good finish time would be great, a BQ would be better, but I’m not really focusing on that. And I love it. I love that I’ve reacquainted with the joys of just running as opposed to focusing on 3:34:59 over and over and over again. So, if I add CIM to my calendar just two months after Chicago, I’ll probably focus even more on taking that race a bit easier and finishing with some steam left instead of going all out.

This approach would pave the way for some big opportunities at CIM. I’ll have to recover for a week or two, however coming off of Chicago will put me in an ideal place in terms of high-mileage race prep for CIM. I can hit in pretty hard once I’m recovered and presumably go into CIM with even more hay in the barn (thank you Ali) than ever before.

In that case…I’ll be in a great position to go for that all elusive BQ that I’ve been eyeing since I first started marathoning. I may choose not to (I don’t want to throw that out there yet), however given the ample training I’ll have and the quick course at CIM—I would really be looking at ideal conditions.

PLUS: Lots of lady bloggers, so many runnerd opportunities, Christmas shopping, food, drinks, merriment.

It would be a party.

Now, that’s all well and good…but let’s look at the other scenario:

Scenario #2: I play it safe, and don’t do CIM.

As demonstrated during my last jaunt at 26.2 miles, marathons wear you down. I was slapped in the face with injury after Tacoma, and I was forced to own the fact that I had pushed it too hard.

Running is a frickin’ roulette sport, man. No matter how many things you do right, injuries can be inevitable. As someone who has wasted more money than I care to share on DNS registrations, I really don’t like the idea of signing myself up for another unclaimed race packet.

Injury is really my primary concern when it comes to the CIM decision. The fact is, I know I might burn out a bit on running after it all, but I’m much less concerned with that. Running burnout requires a few weeks off, a few veg-sessions complete with beer, sweatpants, and chick flicks, and just like that…the desire comes back. I know myself well enough to know that my love for running can withstand many months of continuous training. The constant icing, stretching, fueling, hydrating, etc. is what gets to me more—but it’s something I’m prepared to deal with. Just kidding! I love the fueling.

If I don’t do CIM, I’ll have more options available after Chicago as well. Do I go for that half marathon PR that I’ve resisted committing to for so long? Do I stick to shorter races? Do I sit on my butt until Spring? Truthfully, I do have some big 2013 endurance racing plans in the works, and so some time to breath between Chicago and then would be helpful.

So which do I do? If you know me, you know that I never shy away from an aggressive training regimine, and I really love the intensity of a big challenge. But, in the same breath, I don’t want to be injured or worn down.

Obviously, I haven’t made up my mind, and I have until midnight tonight to decide. And by midnight, I mean like 8:30…because that’s when I start to get ready for bed. I rage.

I technically can register after tomorrow. But, with the price increase happening and the need for training decisions to be made…I’ve self-designated today as my do or die deadline.

HELP!

I want honest opinions here…don’t spare me your sarcasm, bluntness, or “Girl you cray” comments. But, if you are an eternal optimist and believe running is magic, I’d like to hear from you too.

GO!

Chicago Marathon Training Week #4

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I’m currently laying on the couch, feet up, with two different ice bags around my ankles.

Normal aches and soreness aside, this was a great week of training—and I’m zonked. But, I thought I’d give a quick baby recap of last week’s running/training.

M: spin + lifting

T: 10.3 m run

W:6 m treadmill run, 1 m warm up, 4 m < 7:50, 1 m cool down + body pump

T: 8.4 m run

F: Rest

S: 6.5 m trail run

S: 16.3 m run @ 8:30 avg pace

Total: 47.5 miles.

This week was run heavy. This was the first time in a while I’ve run 3 days in a row and 5/7 days of the week. I felt pretty good each day, although by the end I was experiencing some tendinitis in both my ankles. This could have been from doing a trail run in my Pure Connects, followed by a 16 miler the next day. Or just basic mileage increase.

Either way, the time for proceeding with caution is upon us. Although these are normal aches for me, I want to be especially careful to tend immediately to them. Ounce of prevention=pound of cure. On that note, my IT band continues to feel great, and maybe this week I’ll get brave enough to ween myself off of the strap I’ve been using. It’s really become a security blanket at this point…so hopefully before too long I’ll be comfortable heading out without.

That’s all for now, but I’ll leave you with a photo from the weekend. More to come soon! This is perhaps the funniest real-life photobomb I’ve seen. If you know my Granddad(the bomber in the photo) you’ll agree…

20120730-081114.jpg

Happy Monday!

Wakeboarding Hamsters

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Remember how I talk about Favorite things on Fridays?

Yes, me too.

Let’s do it!

A random aside…I realized I go back and forth between calling this activity “Friday Favorites” and “Favorite Things.” What do you think? I realized AFTER I started doing this that Friday Favorites is a blogging world standard…but I kind of dig the tribute to Sound of Music in saying Favorite Things.

So what should it be? Standard Friday Favorites? Favorite Things for Fridays? Does anyone actually care?

Yea, me neither.

Here are things I like that I am going to tell you about. There, that’s simpler.

Thorlo Pad running socks

 

 

 

 

Never have my toes and feet been more happy than in these fluffy little socks. I was given a pair as a Christmas present (fyi…any present related to running will upgrade your RB status immediately), and since then I’ve added another pair to my collection, because I can’t wear any other socks now.

Yes, this means that my socks are re-worn more often and smell a bit more, but it’s worth it. I actually think these socks helped me get over some plantar faciitis that I was dealing with earlier this year.

Another aside, because apparently the theme of this post is making random side notes. I just realized my feet don’t actually smell bad post running. Weird, because just about everything else is nasty, but I’ve never actually had smelly feet. Now you know about which of my body parts smell when I run, so you’re welcome for that.

pb&j rice cakes

Nope, couldn’t take a picture of the whole thing. Too hungry.

There are few combinations I love more than peanut butter and jam. Strawberry jam, to be specific, however if need be raspberry works too…sometimes. With that said, sometimes I don’t want a whole sandwich, or…I am still digesting one from the night before.  Since it’s difficult to eat peanut butter and jelly without any kind of platform to put them on (a knife and a finger don’t work so well…) I have developed an alternative, which is…in my opinion…the best snack ever.

PB and J on a plain rice cake. It’s a little salty, a little sweet, and it’s the perfect amount for just a snack.

There have been weeks on end where I think I’ve had one of these when I got off work every single day, including right now, and I so look forward to this snacktime. And yes, I do have a snacktime much like many of us had when we got home from school. I’m an adult.

TJ Maxx

This place is the best. Okay, it’s not the best (Target gets that all-powerful title) but in the grand scheme of places to shop, TJ Maxx is up there. When you walk in, an endless amount of opportunities present themselves to you, and suddenly your budget and better reason is thrown out the window because…obviously you need new placemats, a new painting, and 27 new shirts.

However, thanks to a little thing called markdowns, TJ Maxx doesn’t break the bank while still providing a great selection of products.

I do not, however, like nor care to be called a “Maxxonista.”

the hampster Kia commercials

This is strange…because honestly this is the type of commercial that would drive me nuts because it’s so overplayed/contains annoying music (which is already overplayed on the radio). But I LOVE THE HAMSTERS. They are dancing like humans, but they are hamsters!! It’s hilarious!!! And they are so synchronized!! Why aren’t they performing for me right now?!?!

I actually had to look up what car the commercial was actually for when I wrote this, because all I care about is the hamsters. I don’t know if that speaks to my attention for detail or their lack of creative marketing. Either way, giggles ensue when this super lame commercial plays…I can’t help it.

wakeboarding

I get to do this this weekend! I love wakeboarding, and I can’t wait to tear up some waves this weekend.

Fun story for you now: The last time I wakeboarded last summer, it attacked me. It hit me in the face with it’s sharp front edge, threw out some curse words, and threatened my first-born, which eventually resulted in 5 stitches and a scar.

Okay, that’s not really the right story line. Surprising, I know.

I was getting all cocky with the bumps outside of the wake, thinking I could skip right over them, and I ended up catching my board, falling OUT of the boots in front of the board, and as I emerged from underwater the board was still skidding along and went KERTHUNK when it hit my face. I didn’t even realize how bad it was until my little cousin from the boat yelled, “YOU’RE BLEEDING!” and everyone’s faces were horror struck.

Needless to say…I need to get back on that horse.

Here is proof:

Wakeboard accident or Dexter slice? If you got that reference then we must be friends. Hit me up.

Friday! Weekend! Opening Ceremonies!!!

I’ll be in Oregon this weekend playing with my family and BF—I can’t wait. I’ve been every summer since I was TWO and it’s my favorite place in the whole world to be. Let’s just hope my face survives this time.

Are you watching the opening ceremonies tonight? What are you doing this weekend? What are your favorite things? Am I alone in liking the hamster commercials? Do you have a race? A long run? A bar crawl? So many questions! Answer them all!

This Time Around…

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Warning:

This post is going to be all about running.

But that’s not too off-beat, I suppose.

Running!

This is what a stupid runner’s high-enduced smile looks like

I have been stupidly excited about my runs recently. Like, smile plastered on my face, greeting every person/biker/car/rollerblader I see going by with a toothy grin and an in-your-face “GOOD MORNING!”

Here’s an example about how this elation has taken over my better senses: Tuesday, I finished a 10.3 mile run feeling on top of the world, both literally and figuratively. I had just climbed the super steep hill up to my house, and I felt super confident about my overall speed. Also, my IT band/knee was completely unnoticeable, which took my runner’s high to a recovered runner’s high—a whole new degree of giddy. THEN, later as I was driving back down said hill I’d just climbed, I saw a fellow runner girl grinding back up, and you know what my thought was? “I wish that was ME doing that right now! Jealous!”

Seriously, someone cage me.

But overall, I think these euphoric (bordering on obnoxious…I know, you can say it) feelings are stemming from two things:

1) My return from injury

2) My new-and-improved approach to marathon training

Obvs returning from injury (and please knock on every wooden item near you right now) is great reason to dig your runs. You have such a heightened appreciation for running after being away from it for so long. Relatively speaking, I wasn’t away too long, but I think any unplanned time away from running can totally revamp your love for it. I always love running, but there’s something so renewing about it when you come back from injury.

I know I haven’t discussed much about my new training mentality, partly because it wasn’t complete, but I love what it’s been doing for both my physical and mental strength.

So what, pray tell, is this new approach?

Very simple: Take myself less seriously, try new things, and be flexible.

These things are working together quite well so far, and I think they’ve done wonders for my training.

I’m having more fun, I’m looking forward to workouts more, and I’m less stressed out about the whole shebang.

So what are the steps I’ve been taking to ensure that my new approach works correctly?

Well, to begin, I think that the biggest thing I’m working on is very intentionally caring less. This sounds counterintuitive, because…um, hello, doesn’t marathon training take a butt ton of self motivation?

Yes, but hear me out.

As I realized after the Tacoma Marathon, the physical training—meaning the daily workouts, the mileage buildup, and the general grind of it all—isn’t the hard part for me. By nature, I enjoy the physical challenge, and my brain is programmed to go!go!go! all the time in terms of pushing harder and getting stronger. I realize that this can be a benefit, particularly for someone who runs marathons, however it can absolutely be taken to a destructive level. Take the TCM for example, or the fact that to this day I have to force myself to be okay with taking days off.

No hard feelings, Tacoma. Kidding! There still are. I hate you. Oh, it was all my own fault? FINE. I still hate your hills though.

So, I needed a new mentality. And that entailed letting myself off the hook and focusing more on the day-to-day victories. I realize this may only make sense in my own head, but essentially what I’ve done is I’ve taken the pressure off of performing at an unreasonable standard. I still want to run fast, and I still want to run many miles, but those numbers aren’t the reason I love this sport. What I love more than anything is to just run—fast, slow, long, short, outside, inside (okay…that’s pushing it), alone, and with others. So although I am training with number and mile goals in mind, they aren’t my primary concern.

With that said, I am also trying to get myself out of my normal exercise comfort zones. Sure, I can muster up the energy for an easy run or a gym workout—but within my own agenda. Ask me to go to a class I’ve never been to before or try a crazy lifting move I’ve never seen—fogetta about it!

However, I am a big believer that it is outside of our comfort zones where we find excitement, challenge, and—ultimately—improvement. So I committed myself to trying new things, yes in hopes of building my physical strength, but more so in hopes of shaking up my routine.

And I’ve found that you never quite know what you like until you venture into the unknown. I have absolutely loved trying new things (weights classes, different running workouts (tempo!!), new yoga poses) and I think the best part is that they make me excited for each daily workout. Instead of just being a means to an end (the end being Chicago in this case), I’m taking pride in my day-to-day sweat sessions and enjoying the smaller victories they present.

In addition to trying new things, like lunges, squats, and mountain climbers (I want to go on record saying I HATE THESE), I’m also getting very cozy with my rest days. They are scheduled into my training, and I’m taking comfort in them instead of letting them make me anxious. I’m realizing that if you are training at a hard enough level, you should want your rest days instead of fear them. I think before, when I was avoiding any rest at all, it’s because I was operating on an at-threshold activity level just for the sake of not wearing myself out. I wouldn’t push myself too hard for the sake of not needing a rest day.

DUMB

I’d much rather work hard, recharge, and stay healthy. Plus, now that I need to wake up a 4:45, days off are like a beacon of light every week.

Resting must involve rehydrating with a tropical beverage.

I know you’re probably getting bored (that’s presuming you’re still reading…and if so, hi!) so I’ll be brief in finishing up my last approach to marathon training.

Be flexible…that’s the motto I keep telling myself.

Flexible, yes, in the sense of stretching and yoga (jk I haven’t been in two weeks). But more so in being okay with the fact that life is going to get in the way of marathon training. And I’m letting it—because when marathon training starts to take over all other joys in life, such as an extra beer or three the night before a long run, a weekend visit to see your friends, or a lazy Sunday, it starts to drain us.

Running is a huge part of my life, but it’s not all of it. I like to use running to enhance the other great things in life, not take away from them. This means that my training schedule is amendable, and I’m not freaking out over hitting every target workout every day of the week.

A perfect example would be this upcoming weekend. BF and I are going down to my Summerhouse to play with my family…meaning LR plans needed to be altered. Ordinarily, this would stress me out. But instead, I rearranged, I front loaded the weekend with some extra miles this week, and I’m allowing myself to be excited about everything else I’ll get to do.

I’ll probably run there, but I feel a lot less pressure to break X number of miles with so many other wonderful things to occupy my time with.

So there it is: Robyn’s New Approach to Marathon Training. I am sure someday I’ll be gunning for a specific time goal, BQ, etc. But for this training cycle, I’m more interested in enjoying the running, fundraising for Girls on the Run, and getting excited to run in one of the biggest races in the world.

Based on my current mood and euphoria about anything involving Body Glide or Brooks, I’d say my new technique is working.

What do you think is the best way to approach marathon training? Relaxed? Goal-Oriented? Nutella in one hand and Nuun cocktail in the other?

 

Float Dodger 5k Race Recap

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So, let’s rewind to last Friday, where I said that I wasn’t going to try to PR my weekend 5k.

Was that a lie? Yes. But I didn’t call my own bluff until the second the gun went off.

I truly was planning on a fun, no pressure 5k. And that’s actually what I feel like I had…except that the results, and the effort, were higher than I expected. No harm, no foul…I think I should probably just forget ever saying that I am not going to compete in a race.

But let’s start from the beginning.

BF and I jogged the 1.5 miles to the race start…which ended up being a great idea in terms of preparation, however it was IMO a little too long for a 5k warm up. Oh well.

There were a few hundred people gathered around the start line, which was outside of our local running store—West Seattle Runner.

{Side note} Seattle runners, if you’ve never visited WS Runner, I highly recommend going. They really know their stuff, they sell great products, and they are super nice! They know my name and I love it…maybe because I spend ample amounts of money there, or maybe because I have a bumper sticker with their logo on it, but I choose to believe it’s because they love me and want to someday sponsor me. It’s fine guys…I’m cool with that.

I digress. So, yada yada yada…typical race start, everyone lines up in their corrals, and we gear up to go. I was a little afraid because there weren’t very many people between me and the start line, but I figured I would just run my own race and hope for the best.

Gun goes off, Lady Gaga starts singing to me about the edge of glory, and I feel great. It felt so so so good to be running a race, especially in my own neighborhood. It was very Mr. Rogers’ theme song-ish, and I loved it. I looked at my watch about 3 minutes in and saw a 6:15 looking back at me.

YIKES.

Holy shenanigans Robyn, hold your horses. Yea, I had committed the single worst rookie mistake ever. But, I did feel great, so I slowed a bit…but when I turned the 1 mile marker corner, I was sitting at a 6:23 mile. In my head I was all, “Okay, sweet. But slow the f down homegirl.” Which I did, and kept on cruising.

It wasn’t until I turned the mile 2 marker that I started to feel a bit wheezy. Luckily, 5ks have this wonderful thing about them…they don’t last very long. I knew I could huff it out another mile, no matter how biley my throat was feeling. TMI? No…this is a running blog peeps, get over it.

It was at this point also that I knew there weren’t too many females in front of me. I had picked off a few from the start, and because the final stretch was a straight shot…I could see pretty far in front of me. I started to get a bit of a kick thinking that I might be able to place. I knew it was a long shot, especially since that has never ever ever been a race goal for me, but I figured if there was ever a time to try…it was in the last mile of a 5k.

Then came the hill. Oh, the hill. I have one thing to say about that hill:

SCREW THAT HILL.

I am, by the way, repeating the sentiments of every. single. racer in this 5k, as this hill was placed at literally the worst possible spot of the course. The majority of the course was either flat or a slight downhill, ideal for any racer. However, come mile 2.3 there was a fairly steep and half-a-mile long hill that destroyed any remnants of energy you still had in your legs.

I hated that hill. I’m a baby. I wanted to cry.

BUT I didn’t cry. I kept on going, and about 300 meters from the 3 mile marker, I picked off the girl I was fairly sure had the 3rd place spot.

SHWEEEET, I thought. But I was gutting it out and not feeling super awesome.

Not the most attractive shot…weird, I know, because race photos and flattery go hand-in-hand. BUT look at that mid-foot strike!

So I kept pushing, really wanting to just be done. About 20 feet from the finish line, while garnering all my hope for a sub 21:57 time, I saw something out of the corner of my eye.

Not one, but TWO females were sprinting each other to the finish line…and before I could gather my wits about me, they BOTH passed me, and finished within .02 seconds of one another, and about a second and a half ahead of me.

Noooo!!!

I got totally chicked, by TWO chicks.

However, when I looked at my watch, I was pumped. I had PR’ed by over 10 seconds, and I had a good feeling I was still in the top 5 females.

A few quick minutes later, BF ran in, and I got to cheer him in while simultaneously recruiting him to assist me in free sample collection.

Later, when the actual results were posted…I found out that I did finish number 5 for females, and first in my AG! I was/am definitely happy with the results, however it stings just a *little* bit that I had a 3rd place finish within my grip.

But it’s okay. It felt so good to go fast, and it felt great to exceed my own expectations. I love 5ks, and I feel like they don’t get enough credit. You don’t need to taper for them, they don’t take much recovery, and you don’t need to worry too much about pacing. Sure, if I hadn’t done that 6:23 mile initially, I may have finished stronger, but I don’t really regret much about the race. I think that might have been the fastest mile I’ve ever run, and I’m excited to see if I can push that number lower in some upcoming speed work.

And if you’re wondering how BF felt about the free coconut water at the finish, here’s about how it looked:

That’s actually an understatement. That first and only sip might have been spit into the sink.

But aside from some not-so-good coconut water, it was a great start to our Saturday. I ran a slow 3.5 miles afterward to round out to 8 for the day, and I rode the faster-than-normal running high for the remainder of the weekend.

Oh, and I found out yesterday that peacing out immediately after BF and I finished the race was not a good idea. I missed out on a ribbon and a prize for winning my AG. Sad face. Fail, RB.

Do you like 5ks? What do you think is the best race strategy for only 3.1 miles of racing? Do you like coconut water? We think it tastes like salt and toilet water.

Chicago Marathon Training Week #3

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Welcome to Monday, friends.

Lots of running related news to share with you, but let’s start with a recap of last week’s training.

M: Spin

T: 10 m run, 8:20 avg. pace

W: Body pump + stair-stepper

T: 7 m, 4 @ <7:30 pace +lifting

F: 80 min swim, 3500 meters

S: 8 m run (1.5 warm up, Float Dodger 5k, 3.5 m cool down)

S: 18 m run, 8:45 avg. pace

Total: 43 miles

This week felt great. I was feeling a little sluggish after last week, so I wanted to hit it pretty hard in terms of quality workouts this week. The swim on Friday was more of a “I’m awake and can’t fall back asleep so I might as well do something” kind of workout, but it was still refreshing and my muscles enjoyed it.

All my runs went well, particularly the tempo and my long run yesterday.

I was running on somewhat tired legs from the 5k I raced the day before, but aside from a little shin split, I felt pretty tip-top. BF joined me for 4 miles toward the end, which was a helpful distraction. And not once did I feel any pain in my knee from my IT band. I’m still wary of saying a big “Hallelujah!” but it does seem that my knee/leg is starting to get its shit together—finally. I finished in 2 hours, 40 minutes, which is right around where I want to be in terms of LR speed.

Some more to report from this weekend!

My sister came and hung out which always makes for a fun and entertaining time.

Excuse the red mood lighting…

We did little shopping, a little fro-yo eating, and a lot of giggling. I love when she comes to town.

BF and I also ran the inaugural Float Dodger 5k on Saturday, which was a great local race as well as my first race since the Tacoma Marathon. I’ll be doing a full race report tomorrow, but I will say that it went better than I had expected…

As for the whole “I felt great about this week” thing, I think a lot of it had to do with my IT band behaving well. It’s always encouraging when you’ve been dealing with the same nagging pain over a period of time to finally feel like you can see some light at the end of the tunnel of sadness. I also feel really good about how my recovery from each run is going. I haven’t had any calf fatigue, which is something that’s always plagued me, and my soreness from particular workouts seems to be going away quicker than normal.

I’m crediting this recovery speed to two things: my shoes and strength training. I think my changed foot-strike (using the Brooks Pure Connect) has a lot to do with my calves feeling less sore, as well as why my IT band has started loosening up. I also think the fact that I’ve finally started doing squats, lunges, etc. in my regular lifting routine is paying off in my running. Ground-breaking…I’m sure no one has ever made that statement. I’m learning…

That’s about all for today, but I will leave you with this precious gem for a Monday pick-me-up:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/the-cutest-things-that-ever-happened

Baby animals are the best. Enjoy.

Happy Monday!

Friday Favorites: Tempo Run Love and Bachelor Confessions

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Friday! Huzzah!

Although this was a short week for me (I didn’t work on Monday), this has seemed like a longgg 4 days. If you’re familiar with starting a new job, you know that the first couple of weeks involve a lot of familiarization and information overload—which is exactly what I’ve been going through. It’s a little overwhelming, but in the best kind of way. Learning new things is one of my favorite things in the world—and that is essentially what I’m doing every minute of my day right now.

And for those of you who’ve asked…I’ll spill some more details. I’m working as a proposal writer in the marketing department at a big investment firm downtown, which in a nutshell means that not only am I learning a new job…I’m learning a whole new language and industry. Honestly, I don’t know what I want to do with the rest of my life…so for now getting as much experience as possible, in as many fields as possible, is just my cup of tea.

Anyway, let’s talk about running, cool?

As you may have already figured out, I am currently training for the Chicago Marathon. It’s a little over 11 weeks away, and I’m taking a new approach to my training. I’ll go into this in more detail anther time, but my primary goal in this training cycle is to not take it all so seriously. I want this race to be about the cause I’m running for (GOTR!) and about enjoying one of the biggest marathons in the world, in one of the best cities in the world.

With that said, I am also keen on doing some new things this time around, including the types of running I normally avoided before, such as speed work and tempo runs. The whole speed work thing has yet to happen…next week is set for some track time…however I have been trying out the tempo thing, and I’m digging it.

This morning, I was able to finish a 7 mile run with 4 miles around 7:30. And it was tough, but it felt great. Funny thing…when you finish 4 back-to-back miles at a 7:30 pace, all of a sudden an 8:10 pace feels like no problem. Amazing! That must be the reason for doing tempo runs! Revolutionary!

Okay, okay…I may be a tad exuberant over workouts that are totally standard in the running world, but remember…I’m in learning mode. Oh, and another great thing about this run? Not even a glimmer of knee pain. I was wearing my strap thing that’s been helping with my IT band issues, but afterward I didn’t even have a bit of stiffness.

In some other running news, BF and I are doing a 5k tomorrow!! I am psyched…I haven’t done a race since that fateful day in May, and it will be great to just pin a bib on and  be at a start line. I would like to say I have a goal in mind, because I do have dream time for a 5k, but for now I’m just gonna stick with finishing. I’ll try hard, but just like the theme for this marathon season…I don’t want to take it too seriously.

Now for the real reason for Friday posting, here are some current favorites of mine!

Ferries

This is my commute to work, it’s not too bad.

In the world of public transportation, there is nothing quite as fun as a ferry. Except I suppose the Hogwarts Express, but that’s for another conversation. Seattle has ferry rides aplenty, especially if you live over in West Seattle…wait, I live there! Needless to say, when I get to ride a boat from my home to downtown, it adds a whole new level of excitement to the trip.

And NOW that I’m commuting downtown, I can take the ferry everyday, twice a day, if I want. Splendid. Bring on the seal spotting!

Milk and Jorts

You fitness and health people out there will get a kick out of this blog by my friend Kyle. In pretty much the opposite direction of all healthy living blogs you’ve ever read, Kyle is on a 30 day mission to gain a ton of weight and muscle. His techniques? Well, a heavy lifting routine and—get this—drinking A GALLON OF MILK A DAY.

Boy be crazzzy, but he’s been successful so far and he’s getting near the end! Check it out for some humorous writing and milk-filled entertainment.

Pomegranate Passion Honey Stingers 

In the world of fueling gummies, these babies are reigning supreme for me. They’re easy on the stomach, they’re organic, and they’re delicious. Highly recommended if you’re in the market for a new mid-run fuel source.

The Bachelor(ette)

God damnit. I said it. I’m out of the closet, I’m making my addiction to this show known.

WHY YOU GUYS?! I quit watching this awful show years ago. Seriously, I was done—I wasn’t interested anymore in the petty, shallow, and fake nature of this kind of reality tv.

And for God knows what reason…during the last season, I decided to watch an episode On Demand when I was bored one day. And then another one. And then I started to like some people on it. And then I hated some people. Then all of a sudden I was taping the finale, ignoring all possible spoilers, and having long conversations with people about how all the drama unfolded.

Same thing this season, and the only thing I hate worse than the fact that I watch this show is the fact that I look forward to watching it.

But it is what it is, and we all have our guilty pleasures. And heck…watching the Bachelor(ette) makes things like Taylor Swift and Hunger Games seem uber grown-up and mature.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Okay, truth be told, I’m only a chapter into this book. But I’m already convinced that I’ll love every minute of reading it. The author talks about how his writing and running weave together and how writing about running is one of the ways he’s learned to love the sport even more. That ideology is pretty much the reason I started my blog to a T, and I am fairly convinced that quoting and gushing galore will soon ensue.

See you all on Monday…and by “see” I mean I’ll be writing a post and hopefully you will read it and even maybe comment and that is the internet version of “seeing” one another.

Have a great Friday everyone!

What are your favorite things right now?

Do you like tempo runs?

Do you watch The Bachelor? Are you ashamed like me, or do you wave your reality tv flag high?

Jef or Arie? 

Chicago Marathon Training Week #2

3 Replies

“What’s up with that chick who thinks she has a running blog but hasn’t posted in almost a week?”

That’s totally what you’re thinking, I know.

Sorry for my absence as of late. Actually, I’m not really sorry because I’ve been doing some fun things that have kept me away from the computer for nearly 4 days. And I’ve loved it.

So… sorry, I’m not sorry.

To give you the quick-and-dirty update, I left with BF on a jet plane last Friday morning for a lovely little vacation to our hometown of Colorado Springs. But more on that in a bit…

For now, Chi-town training week #2!

M: Rest

T: 10 m/8:30 avg. pace + lifting

W: Body pump class + spin

T: 7 m “tempo” run, 3m at <7:50 + yoga

F: Rest (lazy)

S: 13 m/8:45 avg. pace

S: 7.5 m recovery run/9:00 avg. pace

This was a cutback week (which correlated beautifully with the altitude in CO inhibiting my ability to breathe), and I ended with a total of 34.5 miles for the week. Not much down from last week, but I like not adding heavily back to back to back. Which means 18 is coming up this weekend…..yea…..

Now, back to the reason why I’ve been MIA.

I was in Colorado for 4 beautiful days, doing lots of fun things but mainly enjoying being home with my family. BF and I went to a wedding and an OAR concert at Redrocks, and if you know where that is you know it’s a good time. Basically, it’s an enormous outdoor amphitheater made up of really cool red rock. Like, obviously.

Here are some select photos from said Colorado vacation:

We are at a wedding! We are adults!  We are pros at self photos!

My puppy…and yes, she is in fact a “pure” lab.

OAR concert!

 

I always get nervous to run in Colorado. When you go from sea level to running at over 6,000 feet, scary things can happen to your lungs, heart rate, and muscles. Luckily, I was able to pump out a long run without too many issues, and I got reacquainted with the feeling of dripping with sweat after running. Both runs in CO were done in 80 degree morning heat, which added some pizzazz to the already compromising altitude conditions.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger I suppose. And plus, Chicago has been known to be hot in the past few years on marathon day…better to get used to it now.

In other news, I started a new job today! Which is definitely exciting, and I’ll give some details soon, however for now I just need to get used to a new daily schedule…including a significantly earlier running time. Which will get rough at some point, but with this as my wake up call, I think I’ll survive:

Hello Seattle, let’s be friends.

I hope your week is going great, and because I would love to hear from some of you out there…

Have you ever run at altitude? Are you training for anything right now? Running in the heat…love it or hate it? 

 

Running to Feel Clean

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This morning I had a tempo run on schedule.

I woke up and knew within about .2 seconds that 8:00 miles were not on the agenda.

I did a body pump class yesterday, which was great, but it included several leg lifty things, meaning many squats and lunges. Needless to say, I had some unhappy hamstrings upon waking up.

However, I dragged myself out to do what I could, resolving that just getting the miles in was more important than the timing. And it was good that I started off with that mindset…because those first two miles were butt ugly. I felt awkward, slow, and just groggy.

Very standard for the beginning of a morning run with sore legs—I am sure you can relate.

But then, at my self designed halfway point, I decided to get over myself and kick it up. Miles 4, 5, and 6 clocked in around 7:50, which was very encouraging. Although it wasn’t the amount of distance I was supposed to cover at tempo pace, I was glad to get in some quick miles.

Ended with 7.1 miles in 55 minutes even. I’ll take it.

The truth is that when it comes to speed, my body is definitely stronger than my head most of the time. Normally, when I start picking up my pace, it’s unintentional—and I feel great. Then I look at my watch, get scared that I won’t be able to hold it, and slow down. It’s like my body wants to go fast, but then my brain gets scared and hits the brakes. I tried to push through this a bit today, and although I’m definitely feeling some tired legs, it did feel good to not let the watch scare me.

In running, I always love knowing that slowing down is an option. It makes me feel better about the times I want to go faster, and it’s comforting to know that no matter what speed—running is still running.

Afterward, per standard post run procedure, I felt great. Sweaty, tired, and satisfied.

I realized this morning that one of the primary things I feel when I finish running is…clean.

Strange, of course, because I’m normally everything but clean. In fact, I’m rather gross a lot of the time.

However, there are few times when I feel fresher than immediately following a run. It’s like through the sweating and panting, the grime of the day before just washes out, and I’m left with a fresh start.

So despite the stank and salty face and all that, I would say that just after a run is the cleaniest I feel. Of course, the greatest sense of cleanliness is the mental detoxification that happens along the way. As the saying goes…I never leave a run in the same place as I started. And 100% of the time, I always feel better afterwards. Cleaner, fresher, and lighter.

I think this is why that post-run shower always feels oh so good. You’ve already rid your body and mind of the waste it was holding onto, and the actual soap-and-shower process wipes clean all the residue of that grime.

What am I trying to say in this post? Why knows. I hardly ever know, actually.

I suppose it’s just to remember that running is refreshing, and it does an incredible job of extracting the dirt we carry around that perhaps we weren’t even aware of.

 

Chicago Marathon Training Week #1

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Hello! Welcome to Monday. I hope your weekend was stupendous and filled with rest, relaxation, and ice cream.

Here’s how my first “official” week of training for Chicago looked:

M: Rest

T: 10 m run/8:30 avg. page + yoga

W: 10k fun run!

T: Spin + 20 min stair stepper

F: Maximum sculpt class + 80 min swim

S: 16.2 m run/8:45 avg. page

S: Spin + 4.4 m run

Totally weekly running mileage: 36.8 m

I wasn’t going to run yesterday. I had planned on a recovery run from Saturday’s LR, but since my knee hurt a bit from the day before, I decided to opt for spin. However, around 5:30 (and after a lot of beach relaxation) I felt a weird urge to go run in the evening heat. I went with the urge, headed out watch-less for a quick little out-and-back, and wound up feeling better than I’ve felt since I started running again!

It also felt fast, which immediately made me regret not wearing a timing device. But have no fear, because I’m OCD and was determined to figure out just how fast I was going, I tallied up the songs I had listened to on the run and added up their times.

Creativity points?

Anyways, I figured out that I was averaging 7:30 miles, which is much lower than I’ve been clocking recently. It was a little surprising, because like I said—I felt so good on this run and my legs felt happy and pain-free. Looks like I might need to let the chains let loose a little bit more.

This was one of those runs where I decided to listen to my body (not a training plan, not my Garmin) and just GO. And the results were great! It truly is best sometimes to just run by feel. I knew I would have been fine without going yesterday, but something was telling me to head on out. I loved this run, and I loved feeling some speed under me after so much time without.

The rest of the weekend can pretty much be summed up in one word: SUN!

So much sun. So many sunshine filled activities—including the aforementioned one above:

The rain does go away sometimes!

I made friends with a jelly fish yesterday, although I don’t think he was as into following me as I was into following him.

Also, does your face look like this after long runs?

Salty face by way of emo MySpace picture

I was told during my time in the medical tent at the Tacoma Marathon that I’m a “salty sweater” and I was a little surprised because I thought everyone got this salty during long runs. Do you? Just me?

How was your weekend?? What kinds of things did you do in the heat? Did you have to adjust your plans according to the hot weather? Are you a salty sweater?