Hot August Miles

[skhill]

I was wondering what was up with the police crime scene tape I saw on my run this morning; checked the local news when I got home and found out it was a drug-related murder last evening. Sigh.

Other than that, it was an excellent run. Kept hitting stoplights just as they turned green, drivers were unusually courteous, and a homeless guy who's usually surly responded to my "good morning" with a smile. Weird. 7 miles in just over an hour, so fast I logged it as a tempo run even though that wasn't my intent!

One great story from the 5k I didn't do Sat. evening-- the winner on the women's side, in about 18 min., gave birth to twins just 5 months ago. Her husband also was under 20 minutes, despite pushing the stroller with the twins! Amazing...

[skhill]

School started Wed., and students start moving into the dorms at the university today, so I've been trying out some new routes to avoid some areas. Nice to see some different neighborhoods!

After today, I have a lot more sympathy for those who struggle to find the right, supportive bra. Being a couple days late on doing the laudry, I pulled out a very old, worn bra. As I wear a 32A, there's not much to support, but this bra wasn't cutting it. It went straight into the trash when I got home. Still went 5.5 miles, jiggling all the way...

[jessmarimba]

I made what I think might've been a big mistake yesterday. Met some of my relay team for a run after work - they chose to do an out-and-back essentially straight up a mountain. 8,300-9,500 feet, up for 2.4 miles and then back. I tried to take it easy since Pikes Peak is tomorrow morning but I'm feeling pretty rough today.

Also really overstressing that I have done almost all of the laundry and yet all of my favorite socks are still singles. HOW DID ALL OF THE PAIRS DISAPPEAR? (That's what I get for bragging last week that all of my socks matched after folding laundry. The sock gods were displeased...)

[jessmarimba]

Wow. The Pikes Peak Ascent is probably the hardest thing I've ever raced.

It wasn't too bad for the first...10-11 miles? Steady solid hiking, running when it got close to flat or downhill. Once we got above treeline...and particularly the last mile...hello, zombieland. The last mile has 815 feet of climbing. From 13,300-14,115 (or slightly below, since the finish isn't quite on the summit). And you know you're a mile away, and you can see the finish...and it's so far up you can barely crane your neck to see it with a hat on. From that point on, I refused to look anywhere but down the valley that we had already climbed or at the person's feet in front of me.

My running group came to spectate and met me at the top with a coke and a donut. I love them so much right now.

Will I sign up again for next year? Probably

[skhill]

It's been an exceptionally fast week. My easy runs have been generally at a 9-9:15/mile pace, but this week it's been 8:35-8:45. I haven't been trying to go fast, and it hasn't felt like I'm going that fast, but there it is. Probably has a lot to do with the unseasonable cool temps; it's been in the low to mid 50s at dawn.

There's a 5k this weekend that I just might do after all, just to see if this speed is for real.

[yellow]

nice, jess. Have you also considered Imogene Pass Run? That is a spectacular one. Probably a little far from home for you but it's amazing. Collegiate Peaks has a 25 mile if you are up for similar but a little farther run :-)

kat owes us a report, too!

[katluvr]

Avoiding the Pikes Peak report...still trying to "be proud" of my accomplishment.

My report: Hardest damn day of my life. Altitude sickness WELL before A-Frame (10 miles). Zombie walked and stopped A LOT above tree line. Literally had to "sprint" up the rocks on the top to make it under the 6 hr 30 minute cut off finish time. Been beating myself up for days. Finally starting to just say "I did it--the damn toughest race of my life!"

Disappointed in my performance. (Last year I did 5:48) Second guessing my training. Wondering what I could of done better. Maybe it was just a bad (race) day.

I have WONDERFUL friends that supported me before, during and after with great words of encouragement. I had to finish just not to disappoint them. They still think I did something amazing.

I REALLY earned my medal and and shirt this year.
Nope, not doing it next year--hope to support and cheer on my SO. Maybe 2014.

Haven't run since...but I'm signed up for a HM in Nov...may go for a PR

Thanks of asking.

K