Why is it that we all complain about the weather? It definitely falls into the category of "things we can't control, but everyone still complains about it". So just to add to the list of things we complain about that we can't control...this getting dark earlier thing is really messing up my routine. I definitely think more people would like the winter time if it just were light out until a reasonable hour. Because it's dark by 7PM now, I need to get a move on out of work by 5PM so I can get a run in, but even then I am barely getting it in before dark. So I went out for a run on Monday morning at 5AM to try a different approach I have to say I was a little creeped out with the morning dark silence. Don't worry I had my reflective gear on and was staying in lit areas and not wearing headphones, but still it is a little freaky to be running in the morning before anyone is up. Where were all the runners? I am starting to be resigned to the fact that I may have to hit the treadmill at the gym soon, but I am fighting it with all that I have because it is so much more boring.
On another note...since I have been running somewhat shorter runs during the week (about 4-4.5 miles) I am trying to get more quality than quantity and pick up the pace. Today after work I actually ran sub-10 minute miles for the entire 4.3 miles and was even at an 8:40 pace for the last mile. Hello speed demon!! I mean it's all relative right. I definitely can't keep that up and will be back to my 11 minute mile pace this Sat. for my long run, but at least I know I have it in me for a shorter distance. I wish I could see a video on me running (I mean not really) because I feel like I am the least graceful person on the planet and probably scare people when I get "up to that speed". They must hear this pounding coming up behind then combined with somewhat heavy breathing and wonder what the hell is coming their way. Who cares though right? My Mom did call me "Grace" when I was a kid and I don't really think I've changed much.
Lisa
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Running Plans
What's with the muggy weather? I thought we were supposed to have cool mornings now. Saturday was a hot 14 mile run, but I had company for 6 miles, so that was a huge help. Thanks Zido! I was supposed to do 15, but quit at 14. I also spent a few minutes hanging out in an air conditioned Tedeschi's chugging gatorade to cool down a bit.
I still have 41 days to go to the race, but I've been asked a few times about what I will do after the marathon. Will I run another one? Will I keep running? Well here's my thought which is totally premature given that I haven't even run the race yet. I'm not sure about another marathon. I give so much credit to anyone who has trained for one before because I never realized how all consuming it can be. I have loved training for this, but it has been sort of like having a part time job on top of my "real" job. I don't know how someone does it with a family and kids to look after. That must be tough. I know it will be worth every second if I make it to the finish line though, so running another marathon may not be out of the question, but we will see. As far as running in general, I definitely am hooked on that on a regular basis. I plan to try and keep up with running still a few times a week as much as I can, but I will definitely cut down the long runs. No need to run over 6 or 8 miles unless there is a race on the horizon I don't think.
I am headed to Phoenix on Thursday for work and will be there through Monday night. Thanks to mapmyrun.com, I found a few routes already mapped out from my hotel. There's a 4 and 7 mile loop that look like they run past lots of cacti. (Is it cacti or cactuses?) Since it also looks like it will be 106 degrees in Phoenix on Friday, we will see how far I get with the long run this week. I'm not sure even a "dry heat" of 106 sounds like fun although I am looking forward to the change of scenery!
Lisa
I still have 41 days to go to the race, but I've been asked a few times about what I will do after the marathon. Will I run another one? Will I keep running? Well here's my thought which is totally premature given that I haven't even run the race yet. I'm not sure about another marathon. I give so much credit to anyone who has trained for one before because I never realized how all consuming it can be. I have loved training for this, but it has been sort of like having a part time job on top of my "real" job. I don't know how someone does it with a family and kids to look after. That must be tough. I know it will be worth every second if I make it to the finish line though, so running another marathon may not be out of the question, but we will see. As far as running in general, I definitely am hooked on that on a regular basis. I plan to try and keep up with running still a few times a week as much as I can, but I will definitely cut down the long runs. No need to run over 6 or 8 miles unless there is a race on the horizon I don't think.
I am headed to Phoenix on Thursday for work and will be there through Monday night. Thanks to mapmyrun.com, I found a few routes already mapped out from my hotel. There's a 4 and 7 mile loop that look like they run past lots of cacti. (Is it cacti or cactuses?) Since it also looks like it will be 106 degrees in Phoenix on Friday, we will see how far I get with the long run this week. I'm not sure even a "dry heat" of 106 sounds like fun although I am looking forward to the change of scenery!
Lisa
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Starting Info
Well I had my longest run so far this past Saturday. 19.3 miles. I know it's not quite 20, but that's what it was when I got back home and I was done. Running for close to 4 hours by yourself can be SO BORING. I mean I don't have that many that are that long to do, but it's essentially running for 1/2 of a work day. Enough complaining....
The really exciting stuff is that there is more info posted about the start! This is stuff that I am getting so excited for and probably bores the crap out of the rest of the world. I got my registration card which says my start time is officially 10:40AM. Based on my corral I am also in the Green start. This means I am definitely on the lower level of the bridge, so a poncho will be needed. :) I did read in one post that being in the green wave could be better because the incline on the bridge is slightly less and the course at the beginning has less turns. You know...less turns will be important when I'm running at lightening speed.
I am sort of in countdown mode. I have 3 more long runs before the staper starts. Are you excited yet?? I am!
Lisa
The really exciting stuff is that there is more info posted about the start! This is stuff that I am getting so excited for and probably bores the crap out of the rest of the world. I got my registration card which says my start time is officially 10:40AM. Based on my corral I am also in the Green start. This means I am definitely on the lower level of the bridge, so a poncho will be needed. :) I did read in one post that being in the green wave could be better because the incline on the bridge is slightly less and the course at the beginning has less turns. You know...less turns will be important when I'm running at lightening speed.
I am sort of in countdown mode. I have 3 more long runs before the staper starts. Are you excited yet?? I am!
Lisa
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
We're at 18 People
18 miles this past Saturday in Central Park with Fred's Team. Holy Crap. I had done 16 miles 3 times and then I just stepped it up this past weekend. I actually was a little faster too. I finished 18 miles in 3 hours 15 minutes with three stops for water/walking. If I can keep that up, I could actually finish in under 5 hours, but we will see. I was definitely grinding it out in the last mile.
In another development this week, I found out today that I most likely have GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Awesome. It actually is a relief given that I thought I had all kinds of other bad things that were going to ruin my marathon run or mean I had to bail. Now I just have to lay off the acidic foods, take some meds, and try not to stress, but running is totally fine. Considering I have been eating acidic tomatoes like crazy, I guess it makes sense that they are fighting back. The other ironic thing about this is now I am pretty much on the same medication as my cat. For those who don't know, I have a 14 year old evil cat named Jasmine who has asthma as well as kidney issues. As a result, I give her a Pepcid before her meal every day. I mean I have to laugh because it's so ridiculous.
Lastly, my official registration card is available to download on the marathon website now. Apparently the start times are all messed up, so that could change, but my bib number is correct. My number is #64628 which puts me in corral 64. My start time right now says 9:40AM which is the first start, but apparently, my start will mostly likely be 10:10AM or 10:40AM. I don't really have a preference except that my start time could determine whether I do or don't get peed on while running across the Verrazano bridge. The bridge is right at the start and depending on what corral you are on, you either end up on the upper or lower deck of the bridge. I guess everyone takes a quick break to pee on the bridge and if you are on the bottom and it's windy...well..you get the idea. I mean, like I need another thing to worry about that day. Anyone got a poncho?
This Saturday we are kicking it up to 20 miles. Yikes!
Lisa
In another development this week, I found out today that I most likely have GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Awesome. It actually is a relief given that I thought I had all kinds of other bad things that were going to ruin my marathon run or mean I had to bail. Now I just have to lay off the acidic foods, take some meds, and try not to stress, but running is totally fine. Considering I have been eating acidic tomatoes like crazy, I guess it makes sense that they are fighting back. The other ironic thing about this is now I am pretty much on the same medication as my cat. For those who don't know, I have a 14 year old evil cat named Jasmine who has asthma as well as kidney issues. As a result, I give her a Pepcid before her meal every day. I mean I have to laugh because it's so ridiculous.
Lastly, my official registration card is available to download on the marathon website now. Apparently the start times are all messed up, so that could change, but my bib number is correct. My number is #64628 which puts me in corral 64. My start time right now says 9:40AM which is the first start, but apparently, my start will mostly likely be 10:10AM or 10:40AM. I don't really have a preference except that my start time could determine whether I do or don't get peed on while running across the Verrazano bridge. The bridge is right at the start and depending on what corral you are on, you either end up on the upper or lower deck of the bridge. I guess everyone takes a quick break to pee on the bridge and if you are on the bottom and it's windy...well..you get the idea. I mean, like I need another thing to worry about that day. Anyone got a poncho?
This Saturday we are kicking it up to 20 miles. Yikes!
Lisa
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Visit to CT
This past Saturday afternoon I went down to CT and visit some of my old friends. It was great to visit Mystic and see my friends. We went to Skippers Dock on Saturday to listen to some music. Here's a picture of the view.
I think we figured it out and I may not have visited for almost 5 years now. I definitely won't wait that long to go back!!
Lisa
I think we figured it out and I may not have visited for almost 5 years now. I definitely won't wait that long to go back!!
Lisa
Two Saturdays in Newton
I've been a little bit of a slacker with the posts, but that doesn't mean I haven't been running! The past two Saturdays I ran 16 miles. Well 16.2 and 16.1 if we're being exact about it. I mean I am definitely counting every 10th of a mile at this point.
These past two weeks I have done the same route where I run about 7 miles to Kara's house in Newton, we run about 5-6 miles together, and I then I run home to Brighton. It helps so much to break it up! I have to say that running down Comm Ave in Newton is a much different experience than running around the Charles. I love them both, but you have to know the running etiquette to really fit in. If you are running in Newton, you can't be the same self-absorbed snotty self that you are in the city. Here's a few things I picked up:
Lisa
These past two weeks I have done the same route where I run about 7 miles to Kara's house in Newton, we run about 5-6 miles together, and I then I run home to Brighton. It helps so much to break it up! I have to say that running down Comm Ave in Newton is a much different experience than running around the Charles. I love them both, but you have to know the running etiquette to really fit in. If you are running in Newton, you can't be the same self-absorbed snotty self that you are in the city. Here's a few things I picked up:
- Be prepared to say hi to the person headed your way. If you are used to running in the city, you may not be prepared for this. I am talking about the people who are out on the street at 7AM on a Saturday, so I can't speak for all times of day. You may or may not get a "hi" depending on the person headed your way. If it is a group of runners approaching you, the odds are over 50% that you'll get a hi, so be prepared to say hi back. If it is a person with a dog...hi. If it is a couple walking...hi. If it is a person running by themselves....eh could go either way. If it is a woman power walking like she is on a mission to walk cross country....don't expect a hi and pass her with some distance.
- Be prepared to duck if a minivan comes up behind you chucking Wall Street Journals out of the window. That guy has a wicked right hook with his left arm to launch the paper over the car.
- Be prepared to see a turkey crossing the road. It happened. I was a little scared I have to admit.
- Be prepared to get lapped. There are multiple running groups out there on a Saturday morning who run way faster than I do. I'm over it, but do my best to draft off of them a little on their way by.
- Be prepared and check out the BC football schedule. I'm probably the only person out there who lives two blocks from the stadium and has no clue when there is a home game. I need to get on that one.
Lisa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)