Last But Fast

Photo by Tim Norris


I came thisclose to skipping my run on Monday night. I was stressed out about getting all my Christmas shopping and decorating done. But what's better than running as a cure for stress? Not much, in my book.

So, I bundled up and met the group. It certainly wasn't the best run of my life. I was definitely at the very back for 99% of the run. I wasn't in the mood to run fast, though, so towards the end I let myself drop back and run at my own pace. It's so funny, though, when you start out fast and then slow down how slooooow you feel. I was still running a 9:15 or faster pace but I would have sworn I was doing 10 minute miles. Although, if you look at the pace graph, I was getting close. My attempt to keep up with a new guy who was running 8 minute miles may be the only thing that kept my average pace around 9 minutes.

Afterward I chatted with a few people who do the long run on Saturday mornings with the group. I've never gone because it hasn't fit my schedule. I was debating joining them after the first of the year, but now I'm not so sure. Apparently the "slow" people run 9 minute miles. For 10 miles. While that is my goal race pace for longer distances, I'm not there yet! And I don't think it's a good idea to kill myself every Saturday morning. In fact, I've been killing myself almost every time I've run with a group lately and it's starting to take a toll. Last night I could barely get to sleep because of various aches and pains. Not a good sign.

So, with that in mind, instead of running yesterday I did 30 minutes (3 miles) on the elliptical and then did the "Shoulders" weight lifting workout the workout program told me to do. I'm SO glad it didn't make me do Legs again :-)

My plan was to run on Thursday morning before heading in to work in the afternoon. But, it's now blizzard season in Chicago so we'll have to see what the weather and the sidewalks look like tomorrow morning.

After our runs on Monday nights we stand around outside stretching and chatting. Those of us that were at the running group holiday party last week brought up one of the topics we talked about at the party: embarrassing extracurricular activities in high school and college. It all started when I said I didn't run in high school but instead I was on the dance team. Everyone thought this was hilarious and embarrassing. So, I made everyone else share their embarrassing extracurricular activity. Other running group members judged cattle, tasted cheese and milk, impeached the president of the photography club (and then became president), and belonged to the safety club (whatever that is). So, now I ask you: what's the most "embarrassing" extra curricular activity you did in high school (or college)?

**************

Monday Night's Stats

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 628 ft Location: Forest Park, IL Elev. Gain: +3 ft Date: 12/07/09 Up/Downhill: [+22/-19] Time: 06:32 PM Difficulty: 2.7 / 5.0   Weather: Overcast   31 F temp; 74% humidity   31 F heat index; winds W 6 Performance Distance: 5.43 miles Time: 0:48:59 Speed: 6.7 mph Pace: 9' 01 /mi Calories: 638 Map   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 8' 43 -0' 18 6.9 +0.2 0 ft 2 8' 50 -0' 11 6.8 +0.1 -9 ft 3 9' 02 +0' 01 6.6 -0.0 +3 ft 4 9' 15 +0' 14 6.5 -0.2 +7 ft 5 9' 12 +0' 11 6.5 -0.1 0 ft end 9' 12 +0' 11 6.5 -0.1 +3 ft Versus average of 9' 01 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Technical Difficulties

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Since my Tuesday night gym class got canceled due to lack of enrollment, I now have Tuesday nights free for running. Normally I would also run on Monday nights, but this past Monday I spent the day traveling to some classes where I went to graduate school. I left my house at 8:45 AM and didn't get home until after 11:00 PM. Not much time for running there!

So, I told myself I would do at least 3 miles on Tuesday night. Preferably 5 miles. The shoes I wore on Monday gave me a big honking blister on the inside of my left heel (which is totally strange since I wear those shoes all the time without problems) but I figured I'd stick a bandaid on it and move on.

Which I did. My run started out okay. I did the first mile in just under 10 minutes. Mile two was tougher and I really wanted to walk. But, I didn't want to walk before I hit the two mile mark so I pushed on. Miles 3 and 4, however, were horrible. Both were around 11 minutes. And, yes, there was walking. Towards the end of mile 5, however, I saw a woman running up ahead of me I decided to make it my goal to either catch up to her or pass her. I caught her right at the bottom of the one and only "hill" (read: freeway overpass) on my route. I powered up that hill, passed her, and kept going until the bottom of the hill. And then I would walk a few steps and jog a few steps.

I wish I could look at the pace graph from my run. I'm sure it would be all over the place but I really wanted to see my actual mile times. Sadly, due to technical difficulties the data from last night's run disappeared into the ether. Thankfully, I'd looked at the final stats before it got deleted. 5.01 miles with an average pace of 10:17 minutes per mile. Better than Saturday, but not as good as I would have liked.

When I walked in the door after my run, I felt like hell. Note: Non-runners might want to skip this paragraph. Around mile 3.5 I realized that I needed to use the bathroom. The pretzels with peanut butter I'd eaten shortly before my run were, um, threatening to run faster than me. I managed to make it home and promptly headed for the bathroom. However, pushing myself so hard at the end of my run seemed to have thrown my body into some sort of sphincter-tightening overload. And, let me tell you, it's really difficult to sit on a plastic toilet seat while you're streaming sweat and feeling overheated. It took all my strength just to stay on that darn seat. It felt like it had been lubed up with baby oil on Teflon.

Jason, bless his heart, always asks me how my run went. I wish I could answer something other than "crappy". Do you realize I haven't run a race without walking since May? I have come to the conclusion that my cross-training and schedule-switch-up experiment is failing. My old schedule gave me 3-4 days of running and 1-2 other days of cardio cross-training. Meaning, I was doing hardcore cardio workouts 5 days a week. I think that skimping on the cardio cross-training has really killed my endurance. Right now, though, the problem is, I hate wasting money. And since I already paid for my yoga and my swimming class I'll feel like I'm totally wasting money if I stop going. And, no, I can't get a refund. So, I suppose I stick out this period of crappy running until classes end in mid-October, take what I can get at my next two races, and vow to do better next year.

Meanwhile, here's a few questions: Do you do yoga? What kind? Do you like it? If you're also a runner, do you think it has helped your running? Why?

Tuesday Tell-All

Okay, it's not really a tell-all, but I am taking part in the interview meme that's going around. Last night's two-miler on the treadmill was uneventful (although I finally saw the How I Met Your Mother cockamouse episode) so I don't have much to report. I will say, though, that I'm SO HAPPY that the time changes next week. Perhaps just a few more days of treadmill running after work? Too bad the weather doesn't immediately warm up when the time changes.

Anyway, here's the deal with the interview -

If you'd like to play along:
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You then update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you ask them five questions.

The following questions are from Holly.

1. What race do you think would be the most fun to participate in (as far as sights or atmosphere or something like that)?

Everyone tells me the Chicago Marathon is the place to be. Just spectating last year really got me pumped up and convinced me that I really did want to try a marathon one day. The streets are literally packed with cheering spectators at least two deep for almost the entire course. The pre- and post-race events are supposed to be unmatched. My only concern would be that I would spend the entire time trying to dodge other runners. At least, though, you know you'd never be alone. And it just seems like such a great way to see so much of the city in one day. Although, I'm sure by a certain point the only thing you're staring at is the asphalt or the person in front of you.

In terms of destination racing, what could be more spectacular than Maui? The idea of the Maui marathon seems spectacular. I don't know anything about it, though. But, come on, it's Hawaii! At the very least it's an excuse to go to a tropical place.

As for smaller-scale races, some day I really want to do the Allerton Park 5.5 Mile Trail Race. It's the most talked about race of the year for my old running group and I have very fond memories of Allerton. I volunteered at the 2007 race and had planned to run it in 2008 before I changed jobs and relocated. It's just so down-home and friendly and I'd like to do it at least once.

2. How has your body changed since you started running?

I have awesome calves! No, seriously, the muscles in my calves are more defined than they've ever been. A friend even noticed and said something. My quads are slowly becoming more defined as well. I think some of that was also due to the Pilates/stability ball class I used to take but I'm sure some was due to running, too.

Overall, I think I've toned up more than I've realized. The thing is, it isn't just running that does it. Wanting to be a better runner is the catalyst that causes me to take Pilates classes and do additional cardio in addition to the running. Before I started running I worked out probably 2 days a week. Now, with the running, I work out 5 days a week. Those extra three days definitely make a difference!

However, I haven't lost much weight. That's fine because I didn't have much to lose in the first place. Some of this is probably due to gaining muscle (which weighs more than fat) and some of it is probably due to the fact that I have to eat more to maintain my running.

3. Do you have a running idol, and if so, who?

My running idols are people who went from not being runners to deciding they wanted to run as adults...and stuck with it.

The head "coach" of the Beginning Women's Running Group is one of my idols. She told us about how her husband ran marathons with his dad and they would travel all over to do them. She became a "running widow". Until she decided to take matters into her own hands and learn to run herself. She's now quite good! I don't know how many marathons she's run, but it's a lot. She loves to run and has put her passion into being the president of the running club and coaching the women's group. Plus, she has three dogs and no kids so of course I like her :-)

4. Do you have a holy grail of running that if you achieve it, you'll feel like you've "made it", that you'd accomplished what you wanted to as a runner?

I've never really thought about it, to be honest. I run 3 days a week and I'm constantly trying to get better. I think that's all it takes to be a runner. I don't think you need to run a marathon to be a "real" runner. I don't think you need to run a sub-20 minute 5K to be a "real" runner. My goals are simple: to do the best I can every time I'm out there. To be and stay passionate about it. To support other runners no matter how fast or slow. If I ever find myself lacking those things, well, then I'll feel I've failed as a runner.

But I guess I do have a current goal of getting my 5K time under 27 minutes. But once I do that I won't stop. I'll just aim for an even faster time.


5. What has been your absolute best run? It could be a race or just a workout where you felt great.

Last spring I was really struggling with my running. Runs felt hard and laborious. My legs felt like dead weights. And then one day I went out for a run, aiming to do 7 miles, and ending up doing just shy of 9. That day I felt like I could have run forever. I have no idea what was different about that day. Similarly, this past fall I went out to the bike path and ran 8 miles. The mile 4 marker was appeared out of nowhere. The 4 miles back felt like nothing. Again, I have no idea what made that difference between that run and other runs. Let's just hope that this weekend's 9 miler goes just as well.

Speaking of my 9-miler, you may have noticed that 9 miles is my further distance ever and I've only run it once. I'm not super-apprehensive about running 9. I'm pretty sure I can do it just fine. My issue is trying to find time for it this weekend. Last Saturday I was talking with another runner about how much time training eats up. Jason indicated he would be happy when this was over. I don't know how to break it to him, but it probably won't ever be over.

I was reading somewhere (on a blog? In Runner's World? I don't remember!) about how you know you're a runner. One of the bullet points was that on weekends you get up earlier than you do on weekdays in order to get in your long run. I'm not a morning person and hate getting up early when I don't have to. But it looks like this weekend (and maybe next!) might be the weekend I get up before my usual weekday alarm to squeeze in those 9 miles. I'm trying to figure out how I can get around it. It looks like the easiest thing to do would be to push my long run from Saturday to Sunday. I just hate doing that because it makes for a tiring week. So, we'll see. All I know is that I really don't want to get up at 6AM on Saturday (when it's forecast to be 16^oF out) in order to be done with my run by 9:30.

Answers and Aches

Even though my offer of sharing my candy-scented runs with you didn't inspire a lot of people to participate in the audience participation portion of this blog, I did get a few questions. I'll get to those in a minute. But, first, my assessment of my two mile run last night:

OW!

Sadly, I did not have the euphoric run that Lindsay did on our post-skiing day. Maybe it had something to do with me being on the treadmill. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was tired and sore. Maybe I just wasn't feeling my run last night. Whatever it was, the two miles was TOUGH. My calves weren't sore when I started but they sure were sore when I was finished.

I am not looking forward to my seven mile run (with speedwork!) tomorrow night.

Okay, on to the questions (and answers).

A offline friend asked the following:

Will all of your running medals, certificates, etc., fit in your scrapbook, or will you one day have a display case?

Well, so far I've only received one medal and that one was technically a key chain. It was from my first 5K where all finishers received a medal. One of the race sponsors was Skirt Sports and the race was for women-only. So, all the women who finished got pink metal key chains in the shape of the Skirt Sports logo. I'm currently using mine for my keys. So, no scrapbook for it.

For the Nike+ Human Race 10K all finishers received a "finisher's bracelet" which was a small piece of metal on a nylon band. That one I put into my scrapbook. For all my other races I've put my race number, a map of the course, pictures of me at the race (if available) and my time.

Here are a few sample pages:






In the current book I plan to put one more race and then start a new book. That way the current book will cover 2007 and 2008 and the next book can cover the next group of years.

Next, Rob wanted to know: Do you have a goal time for the half?

I've thought long and hard about this question. Technically I guess I do: 2:30. At least, that's the time I told them I would run it in when I signed up. I honestly have no idea what to expect of myself, though. Right now I'm just planning on finishing and not worrying about time. I fear that if I choose a time I will be disappointed. Yet, I WANT to choose a time so that I can figure out how to pace myself. I think that once I do my second 10 mile run or my only 11 mile run I'll have a better idea of how long I can maintain a specific pace. My training plan has me running the 11 miler at any pace between 10:42 and 11:12 minutes/mile which, if I can maintain a pace like that, will have me finishing between 2:20 and 2:40. I'd LOVE to finish in 2:30, but I really don't want to get my heart set on it and then fail. I want to be proud that I ran the entire way and not have missing a time goal bring me down.

Finally, Oz Runner wanted to know what I thought about the YaxTrax. He'd heard mixed reviews.

My take on the YaxTrax? They are a life saver if you need to run on packed snow. I can't really speak to how well they work on ice and they definitely don't make a difference when running on powdery snow. In fact, when running on powdery snow they tend to allow snow to accumulate between the rubber strappy bits and your shoe. I could see how this might make it feel like your shoes weighed a ton. Also, I'm unsure if it was the YaxTrax, the snow getting in my shoes, or what but I did come the closest I've ever come to getting a blister on my foot after running in the YaxTrax. However, a sample size of one run isn't enough to determine what caused that. And since all our snow melted this week I don't know when I'll get a chance to up the sample size.

And that wraps up our first edition of Audience Participation. My own participation might be a little scarce for a few days. I'm taking some training courses at work, I had to skip Pilates this evening due to getting home late, and I'm just generally behind on life. But, assuming I don't die from the speework tomorrow night, I'll try to squeeze in a post and let you all know how it went.