Running week of 4/27

[Urlea]

Today wasn't supposed to be a running day, but it turned into one.

My swim/bike training at the gym was tapered which meant I could leave the car w/ DH at his office & run the mile home so I did. Between the beautiful weather today (it was forecasted rain) and seeing a ton of runners out I was compelled. Felt good.

Oh! I decided to make myself more visible on the road & at races, figured some orange hair would do it. Matches my bike too, so it's a win-win!



DivingBiker I meant to congratulate you on your 1/2 marathon! Sounds like some portions were a test of courage, but you made it!!! Awesome job. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us too. Happy recovery.

[indigoiis]

I like your hair!

I've been running all week to prepare for a 5K on Sunday. Well, today I ran the route. Maybe it was the looking at the map, stopping, hesitating, backtracking, stoplights, street crossings, and the rain, but I did it in 40 minutes. I am disappointed! I hope I do better on Sunday!!!

[OakLeaf]

Urlea, love your hair!

Well, my slacking-off week is over, and combobulated or not I've got to get back at it.

I'm still planning to take several runs pretty easy to get used to the hills again.

Today before I went out, DH showed me the weather radar. A little squall had bloomed up out of nowhere and was headed our way. I needed the run, so I went out anyhow.

Generally it was a pretty nice run. I love the colors and smells of springtime. Except for the farmer moving manure with his truck leaking. Luckily he was leaving a pretty well defined stripe that was easy enough for me to avoid.

Then a little bit after my turnaround, a Rottweiler pup, maybe 5 or 6 months old, wanted to play. She literally tried to climb right up the backs of my legs! It broke my heart to speak harshly to such a happy pup, but I didn't want her to chase me too far and get lost or get in trouble with a car. She didn't seem too intimidated by my yelling at her anyhow, maybe she just got bored chasing me.

The rain hit maybe a mile and a half from home, and boy did it hit. Wind and rain coming down in sheets. My phone starts ringing with my "friend" ring. I know it's DH checking on me, and I don't want to worry him, but there's just no answering the phone in that rain! A little bit later here he comes up the road in the car. He's sweet. (Good thing he guessed right which direction I'd gone.) By then the rain had let up a bit anyhow. I turned down the ride - didn't really want one anyhow, but even if I had, he hadn't thought to bring a towel, and I was SOAKING wet. I'm just glad that it didn't start raining until after I was past the cow manure trail.

6.2 miles at about an 11 minute pace, not too terribly bad considering the hills and the weather. I don't know how much of it is psychological, but it's funny how I'm plenty strong on the hills on the bike, but not on foot.

[Crankin]

I *finally* ran after 10 days (well, one run/walk). Went out after doing some work and it starting raining before I essentially got down my driveway. It was 65 or so and windy. I am too wimpy to run in the rain, unless it's really warm, so I headed inside, got in the car and went to the gym. I had to go there anyway, because I am considering not rejoining and going somewhere else, and I needed to talk to the membership person.
I had a good 3.1 mile run, mostly at a 10 min. mile pace. It was definitely the longest I have run at that pace. Nothing hurt, either.
This afternoon I went and got a bottle belt, because it is now hot enough for me to need water when I run. I got a 2 bottle one, since I doubt I will ever be running more than 5-6 miles. The guy at the running store started talking to me about tri's since I said I was mostly a cyclist, so I was like whoa, no way, I would drown on the swim. Then he laughed and said he would, too.

[limewave]

Urlea--love the hair! So much fun.

I did two runs this week.
A 4-miler that took an hour and a 3-miler that took almost took an hour.

It felt so good to be "running" but was really sore afterwards. Probably time to just walk.

I brought DD with me, it was her first official run. I'm thinking about starting a mileage log so that she can have a "life-time mileage" record. JK. But it would be cool to have that. She ran an entire mile in two half-mile segments.

[Urlea]

Wow you ladies have been doing great with your running this week! That's encouraging.

Lime What a cutie!! And to run a whole mile with such a tiny stride, that's amazing.

Crankin It's smart to carry water with you even on the runs under an hr. in that kind of heat. Can always pour it over your head if you don't feel like drinking it. That always makes me feel faster.

Indi Good luck tomorrow! I'm sure you'll do great with the encouragement of the spectators & not having to mentally keep track of a route.

Oak I'm with you on the smells of spring & manure. Last fall I did a 7miler out on the country where I grew up and a lot of my route had the barn musk. At least the smell of the fields & wild flowers between farms made up for it!

This morning was the last long run before the marathon. 10miles. We ran a good portion of the route we will be covering during the race. Some of it goes through the historic downtown which I love & 8th St. which has huge oaks lining the road in almost an archway.

Overall the run was really comfortable @ a 10:35 pace. Unless something goes wrong I'm pretty confident I will be able to hold that for 26.2 if not faster. My legs were feeling fatigued because of PRing my 7miler on Thursday & cycling 70mi. this week. Will definitely need to make myself taper hard next wk. to make sure my legs are fresh come race-day.

Since Maggy (my running buddy) was sick & decided to go with the later morning group I found myself paired with two other women.Thankfully. I hadn't printed off directions & they were definitely needed, so having them as navigators was a huge blessing.

Anyway, I realized towards the end of the run that out of all the ladies I have run with Maggy is the best for me. The pace, the encouragement & the conversation is wonderful. We plan to run together for as much of the marathon & as we can, given that our paces are in tune with one another during the race. I'm looking forward to it!!

Wishing you pleasant runs this weekend & perhaps even a running buddy.

[indigoiis]

I'm inspired and look forward to your marathon report!

[Crankin]

Good luck, Indi. I am planning on doing a run for the local hospital's cancer center in June. It's a 5K, so no real training involved, other than what I am already doing. My riding friend does fundraising for the hospital, so I promised her.
I ran again today. Usually, I would not run 2 days in a row, but for some reason, I did not feel like getting on my bike. I don't feel that great, allergies, etc and my reasoning was if I am running and feel bad, at least I can walk home..
My stupid Garmin didn't pick up the satellites until I had gone about 1.25 miles. So, I don't have any real stats, except that based on my last run on this route, I went further, so I think I ran 3.75-4 miles, at around a 10:30-11:00 pace. Then I got a good half a mile cool down, up the hill. I drank the water from both of my 10 Oz. bottles. I really didn't think I needed a 4 bottle belt! It's only 79 out, but I just sweat like crazy. I started thinking I must look like a real geek: big, clunky Garmin 105 on one wrist, Road ID on the other, water bottle belt with I Pod attached .