Marine Corps Marathon 10K - Oct 26th
Jus' Turkey Trot 5K, Ashville, NC (Elizabeth) - Nov 27th
Jingle All the Way 10K - Dec 14th
National Marathon - Mar 21, 2009 (Elizabeth and Allison - Half, Angie - full, Gina ?)
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Baltimore Marathon Photos
The Family waiting...
In view...
Me realizing I have to run many more miles...
Porter on the course...sorry Baltimore...
Hunley and Porter, you might miss Porter as he has just been tackled into the ivy by his loving big brother...what to do with kids for 4 hours during a race??
In view...
Me realizing I have to run many more miles...
Porter on the course...sorry Baltimore...
Hunley and Porter, you might miss Porter as he has just been tackled into the ivy by his loving big brother...what to do with kids for 4 hours during a race??
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Gina's Baltimore Experience
Obviously, my time is a disappointment, but I'm feeling better after a good night's sleep. I am teaching Sunday school this morning, and we're doing family stuff this afternoon before my mom flies home, so I'm not sure I'll have a chance to give you the lowdown and thought I'd better write something while I have the chance.
So, as I told you when I saw you, things went perfect at first. I was running strong and at what I thought was a conservative pace, and I felt good all over. My calf muscle twitched around mile 8, but I tried not to panic. I eased up a bit, stopped to stretch for a few seconds, and continued to because I otherwise felt fantastic. Then the first real cramp hit just a few feet before the 10 mile marker. That's when I called John and asked him to call Angie because I was almost hyper-ventilating from the panic. After that, the cramps just kept
coming in unpredictable waves, despite everything I tried. I had to walk a bit at every mile after mile 8, and I had to walk the majority of the last several. Three times I stopped for extended times to get help from a spectator/medic/vagrant to stretch out the cramp. I was so
demoralized, and I think I was still wavering about whether to quit when we were together. After you and I split, I stayed behind at that one spot for a really long time, and I decided to quit. I was cramping so severely that I couldn't stretch out the cramp myself and couldn't make it stop. Every time I tried to stand back up, it contracted so hard that it felt like a hard labor contraction in my leg! Fortunately, a woman stopped her run and offered to help. She told me she was a physical therapist and that my leg was too swollen and tender and would
not stop cramping until I stopped running. The police office who was there called the medic wagon to come pick me up, and I gave up, almost relieved to have a DNF instead of another awful finish time. Fortunately, a guy standing right there said, "That's bullshit. I've done 7 of these and I get a cramp every time just before mile 20. Do not quit!" The street person next to him agreed. So I made a decision to just complete the race however I could, and I crossed the finish at just under 4:45.
With the benefit of a good night's sleep, I can say that I'm glad I did it, even if it wasn't the result I wanted. The whole ordeal was actually an amazing experience. John dropped in along the course 3 times to dry my tears, and Angie called during and after to offer advice and encouragement. Her best advice was to take as much time as I needed to just cry it out in the shower, which I did. Several strangers helped me out along the way, Hillary was tracking me all day from home, and my biking friend Lynn called me to see how I was, after finishing her own 200K bike ride last night! Am I lucky, or what? Yesterday John actually tried to convince me to try another marathon--can you believe it?! But I think it's time to focus on shorter races that seem to come a bit more naturally to me, so this was my last for the foreseeable future.
So, as I told you when I saw you, things went perfect at first. I was running strong and at what I thought was a conservative pace, and I felt good all over. My calf muscle twitched around mile 8, but I tried not to panic. I eased up a bit, stopped to stretch for a few seconds, and continued to because I otherwise felt fantastic. Then the first real cramp hit just a few feet before the 10 mile marker. That's when I called John and asked him to call Angie because I was almost hyper-ventilating from the panic. After that, the cramps just kept
coming in unpredictable waves, despite everything I tried. I had to walk a bit at every mile after mile 8, and I had to walk the majority of the last several. Three times I stopped for extended times to get help from a spectator/medic/vagrant to stretch out the cramp. I was so
demoralized, and I think I was still wavering about whether to quit when we were together. After you and I split, I stayed behind at that one spot for a really long time, and I decided to quit. I was cramping so severely that I couldn't stretch out the cramp myself and couldn't make it stop. Every time I tried to stand back up, it contracted so hard that it felt like a hard labor contraction in my leg! Fortunately, a woman stopped her run and offered to help. She told me she was a physical therapist and that my leg was too swollen and tender and would
not stop cramping until I stopped running. The police office who was there called the medic wagon to come pick me up, and I gave up, almost relieved to have a DNF instead of another awful finish time. Fortunately, a guy standing right there said, "That's bullshit. I've done 7 of these and I get a cramp every time just before mile 20. Do not quit!" The street person next to him agreed. So I made a decision to just complete the race however I could, and I crossed the finish at just under 4:45.
With the benefit of a good night's sleep, I can say that I'm glad I did it, even if it wasn't the result I wanted. The whole ordeal was actually an amazing experience. John dropped in along the course 3 times to dry my tears, and Angie called during and after to offer advice and encouragement. Her best advice was to take as much time as I needed to just cry it out in the shower, which I did. Several strangers helped me out along the way, Hillary was tracking me all day from home, and my biking friend Lynn called me to see how I was, after finishing her own 200K bike ride last night! Am I lucky, or what? Yesterday John actually tried to convince me to try another marathon--can you believe it?! But I think it's time to focus on shorter races that seem to come a bit more naturally to me, so this was my last for the foreseeable future.
Elizabeth's Baltimore Marathon Details
So I did it. I am proud of myself but I guess the frustrating thing about being a competitive person who pushes herself is that I am never 100% happy with the time. Man, I really want to be. My watch time (minus time spent stretching cramps...more on that later) was 18 minutes faster than the Marine Corps Marathon last year. And I will say that I definitely felt those 18 minutes!
Breakdown: I started out too fast. I was running with the 4:15 pace group but should have started slower than they did. My strength is in the last 6 miles when I can push when others can't and I couldn't utilize that until the last 2 miles because I was hurting. The pacers also stopped to walk at some of the water stations and that freaked me out so early so I kept running a little ahead and lost them. I was tired from the beginning and running alone. My husband saw me at mile 6.5 and told me later that I wasn't looking so good even that early into the race. I got past the early hills at miles 2-5 and was set for the mostly flat to mile 16. That went well. I saw the family at mile 13 or so and that was great...although I was surprised, they were supposed to meet me next at 19.5. I saw Gina around mile 17 (I will let her tell her tale, or at least I will post the email she sent me afterward). Walked with her for a bit and then started running alone again.
At that point I put on the ipod and settled in for the final hills. They were from miles 16-22. Yikes! Gina and I ran them before in training so I knew there wasn't any major climbs but just the steady incline for miles.
I started looking for my family around mile 18....never saw them again. I was supposed to get an electrolyte drink and more gu, unfortunately I started freaking out at mile 20.5. I had one more gu for the rest of the race...and I could get Gatorade or water to fill my empty bottle at stations but that would be my only liquid. I am a control freak and I had never had Gatorade on a long run before so I was terrified at what might happen! So this is when my left quad starts cramping and I start freaking out. I stop when I can't bend my leg any longer and slowly begin to stretch. As soon as it is working again and I am not hyperventilating I start running again.
The miles after that were not pretty. I stopped about every mile and a half or so to quickly stretch my quad. But the miles just kept ticking by. I know in the moment it feels like an eternity but thinking back those last miles were a blur. I remember seeing the 24 mile marker and having a quick chat with myself. "Get going, this is what it is all about!" I felt good at the end, pushing to the finish. The funny thing is that my finish line photo is of me literally squeezing through two half marathon finishers...I might have physically harmed them for being in my way if I wasn't so tired!!!
Of course I was sore after but SO much better than last year. I feel great now, no running yet but next week I will start again.
Overall impressions of Baltimore: Crazy good shirt (long sleeve Under Armour), lame metal (MCM is much better), bumpy streets, great support, good numbers, fun race!
***disclaimer - I am on my second glass of wine since I started this post...not training anymore so wine is back in the diet! I cannot be held accountable for the content of this post***
Breakdown: I started out too fast. I was running with the 4:15 pace group but should have started slower than they did. My strength is in the last 6 miles when I can push when others can't and I couldn't utilize that until the last 2 miles because I was hurting. The pacers also stopped to walk at some of the water stations and that freaked me out so early so I kept running a little ahead and lost them. I was tired from the beginning and running alone. My husband saw me at mile 6.5 and told me later that I wasn't looking so good even that early into the race. I got past the early hills at miles 2-5 and was set for the mostly flat to mile 16. That went well. I saw the family at mile 13 or so and that was great...although I was surprised, they were supposed to meet me next at 19.5. I saw Gina around mile 17 (I will let her tell her tale, or at least I will post the email she sent me afterward). Walked with her for a bit and then started running alone again.
At that point I put on the ipod and settled in for the final hills. They were from miles 16-22. Yikes! Gina and I ran them before in training so I knew there wasn't any major climbs but just the steady incline for miles.
I started looking for my family around mile 18....never saw them again. I was supposed to get an electrolyte drink and more gu, unfortunately I started freaking out at mile 20.5. I had one more gu for the rest of the race...and I could get Gatorade or water to fill my empty bottle at stations but that would be my only liquid. I am a control freak and I had never had Gatorade on a long run before so I was terrified at what might happen! So this is when my left quad starts cramping and I start freaking out. I stop when I can't bend my leg any longer and slowly begin to stretch. As soon as it is working again and I am not hyperventilating I start running again.
The miles after that were not pretty. I stopped about every mile and a half or so to quickly stretch my quad. But the miles just kept ticking by. I know in the moment it feels like an eternity but thinking back those last miles were a blur. I remember seeing the 24 mile marker and having a quick chat with myself. "Get going, this is what it is all about!" I felt good at the end, pushing to the finish. The funny thing is that my finish line photo is of me literally squeezing through two half marathon finishers...I might have physically harmed them for being in my way if I wasn't so tired!!!
Of course I was sore after but SO much better than last year. I feel great now, no running yet but next week I will start again.
Overall impressions of Baltimore: Crazy good shirt (long sleeve Under Armour), lame metal (MCM is much better), bumpy streets, great support, good numbers, fun race!
***disclaimer - I am on my second glass of wine since I started this post...not training anymore so wine is back in the diet! I cannot be held accountable for the content of this post***
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Rain Run
Dear Running Partners,
You will never guess what I did today.....I went for a run in the rain and (drum roll please) didn't wear my heart rate monitor or even time the run!!!!!! Is this blowing your mind or what!?!? I have been burned out lately and trying to hold on to my fitness the last couple weeks before the marathon so to switch it up a little this week I decided to just run. And it was nice. Don't know if I will do it again (you know how I love stats!) but it did the trick to get me out the door.
Only 2 more weeks to go......
Love,
Elizabeth
You will never guess what I did today.....I went for a run in the rain and (drum roll please) didn't wear my heart rate monitor or even time the run!!!!!! Is this blowing your mind or what!?!? I have been burned out lately and trying to hold on to my fitness the last couple weeks before the marathon so to switch it up a little this week I decided to just run. And it was nice. Don't know if I will do it again (you know how I love stats!) but it did the trick to get me out the door.
Only 2 more weeks to go......
Love,
Elizabeth
Friday, September 5, 2008
September
As most others out there I am going to start blogging again....School is starting (for my younger one but not my 5 year old but that is another story!!) and life should get back to a schedule. It has been a great summer. You know it is a great summer when we are having a hard time getting to the pool when it opens at noon. Serious slacking and I love it!!!
But the beginning of school brings with it the realization that the marathon is just around the corner. Man I am excited! Baltimore is October 11th. I have one more 20 mile run and then I will be tapering...I can't believe it. Training this summer has somehow just slipped by. There have definitely been ups and downs but I have looked forward to the 15+ mile runs so much this year. I might not be fast or good at short distance but I love long distance running. I don't know what will be on the calendar after this marathon (a baby?) but training always continues...
But the beginning of school brings with it the realization that the marathon is just around the corner. Man I am excited! Baltimore is October 11th. I have one more 20 mile run and then I will be tapering...I can't believe it. Training this summer has somehow just slipped by. There have definitely been ups and downs but I have looked forward to the 15+ mile runs so much this year. I might not be fast or good at short distance but I love long distance running. I don't know what will be on the calendar after this marathon (a baby?) but training always continues...
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Pictures from Zooma Annapolis
Stretching/Chatting before:
Always in Training team after the race:
The whole group after:
Always in Training team after the race:
The whole group after:
Zooma Annapolis
Allison: 2:04:37, 9:31 pace 51/129 age group (40.3%)
Elizabeth: 1:58:38, 9:03 pace 22/131 age group (16.8%)
Gina: 1:58:06, 9:01 pace 36/129 age group (27.9%)
Angie: 2:04:41, 9:31 pace 53/129 age group (41%)
Elizabeth: 1:58:38, 9:03 pace 22/131 age group (16.8%)
Gina: 1:58:06, 9:01 pace 36/129 age group (27.9%)
Angie: 2:04:41, 9:31 pace 53/129 age group (41%)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Battle of the Boulevard 10K
Elizabeth: 51:35, 8:20 pace, 124/687 women (18%)
Allison: 55:22, 8:56 pace, 255/687 women (37.1%)
Allison: 55:22, 8:56 pace, 255/687 women (37.1%)
Monday, April 28, 2008
I Have Broken Through
Not much to say other than that....Did 10 miles this weekend at a decent 8:44 pace. Felt great!!! I am back in the game!
...that is until the 5 miles at 8:25 we are supposed to do tomorrow morning....Gina, I should start apologizing now for holding you back...
...that is until the 5 miles at 8:25 we are supposed to do tomorrow morning....Gina, I should start apologizing now for holding you back...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Best New Song
Seriously, if you see a crazy lady running and pumping her fists in the air it is just me listening to the Foo Fighters song The Pretender. It rocks.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Slump
Is it that time of year or what? I have read at least 4 other blog entries on the site about slumps. I have attributed mine to sick kids, being trapped in the house, allergies, you name it! I know I used to love this running thing. I used to talk about it all the time. So much so my husband keeps telling me when the boys are in school I should work at a running store so he doesn't have to hear about it all the time! I know that feeling will come back....I just hope it happens soon. I miss the satisfaction of a good run. I am trying not to be too neurotic about my training plan and listen to my body if it is telling me to take a break, but it's hard. Maybe I am having a mini identity crisis....if I don't love running, what defines me? (That sounds like such cheese, sorry!!!)
When I had kids 4+ years ago I began defining myself completely as a mother to my children, I lost something when I did that. About 3 years ago when I started running it was life changing to define myself as a runner and not a mother. I think the rub comes when I just give myself that one label (whether it is mother or runner). So I guess the hard work it using this slump to re-prioritize and re-define. Of course running is part of that, but I know it isn't the whole....
As a side note, I have to publicly apologize to Angie for the pity party I threw for myself while I was on the phone with her last week. Seriously, she just had a baby and I was crying about feeling fat and not getting enough sleep! Making me laugh right now...
When I had kids 4+ years ago I began defining myself completely as a mother to my children, I lost something when I did that. About 3 years ago when I started running it was life changing to define myself as a runner and not a mother. I think the rub comes when I just give myself that one label (whether it is mother or runner). So I guess the hard work it using this slump to re-prioritize and re-define. Of course running is part of that, but I know it isn't the whole....
As a side note, I have to publicly apologize to Angie for the pity party I threw for myself while I was on the phone with her last week. Seriously, she just had a baby and I was crying about feeling fat and not getting enough sleep! Making me laugh right now...
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Cherry Blossom 10-Miler
Allison and I ran the Cherry Blossom. It was frustratingly crowded and I would have liked to have run it faster but I was tired at the end so I don't know how realistic I am being. But Haines Point was a traffic nightmare! I am looking forward to some less populated races coming up. I was hoping to do the GW Parkway Classic but Pacers said it is sold out! Man! I know lots of SMR racers are doing that one and I am sorry to miss it! Anyway, here are our times:
Allison: 1:28:54, 8:54 pace, 200/883 age group (22.7%)
Elizabeth: 1:26:06, 8:37 pace, 243/1262 age group (19.3%)
Allison: 1:28:54, 8:54 pace, 200/883 age group (22.7%)
Elizabeth: 1:26:06, 8:37 pace, 243/1262 age group (19.3%)
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Cross Country Trails
I talked about this run in the other post but a funny story....Has anyone seen the movie Juno? In the movie to show the passing of time they show a high school cross country team in their yellow singlets running past in different seasons. So let me set the scene of this run...I was running the cross country trails of my alma mater. These trails are through forest so you just see the trail in front of you and then woods all around. But the trails loop through the forest so while you only see your trail, there are others all around you. As I am running through this I keep seeing groups of 4-6 cross country team members in blue singlets running in the distant woods. I would be just running and then they would be there again for a second and then disappear. Hard to explain but it was hilarious!
The other conversation I was having in my head during this run went something like this:
Elizabeth passes a student,
"I wonder if they think I am a college student?"
"I still look like I am 20, right?"
"No, I probably look older to them."
"But I was a student just a couple years ago."
"Wait, no, I graduated almost 10 years ago."
"I am so old."
"Where have the years gone?"
End of run....
The other conversation I was having in my head during this run went something like this:
Elizabeth passes a student,
"I wonder if they think I am a college student?"
"I still look like I am 20, right?"
"No, I probably look older to them."
"But I was a student just a couple years ago."
"Wait, no, I graduated almost 10 years ago."
"I am so old."
"Where have the years gone?"
End of run....
Saturday, March 29, 2008
National Half Marathon
Gina ran the National Half Marathon like a super star...here are the results:
1:50:38, 8:27 pace, 26/172 in age group (15.1%)
GO GINA!!!
1:50:38, 8:27 pace, 26/172 in age group (15.1%)
GO GINA!!!
Travels...
Running is hard enough at home but when I am out of town it definitely takes extra effort. First I was at my dad's house outside of Asheville, NC for a week and then visiting friends in Chattanooga, TN for a week. I am not the kind of person that just goes with the flow.....I am neurotic about my running schedule. (This is a confession, I am not bragging!) I have found a nice 5-6 mile loop at near my dad's house that is relatively flat to run. So for the week I was there I managed one tempo, one easy, and one long run in that location. It is beautiful, dirt road, mountain view, fields, streams, cows....an enjoyable change of scenery.
Next Chattanooga: hills are an issue here as well. Ran once from a friends house while she watched one of the boys and the other one napped at another friend's house (oh yeah, husband is at home). Ran for about 3 miles on a highway I had driven on probably a thousand times and thought was mostly flat. WRONG!!! It was like a roller coaster. I decided my life is more important than a run on a highway with a speed limit of 55, no sidewalk, and consistant rolling hills. So I decided to run on some cross country trails. Ran there a little longer than expected (wrong turns, bad signage) but all in all I survived the run.
Needing to do a long run that weekend a friend's husband and I decided to do a 10.2 mile trail race. Background - I have never raced or even run trails......gulp. But I mean it is only 10.2 miles, I have done that many times, shouldn't be too hard, right? Maybe I will just slow my time a little....like a 9 or 9:30 minute mile. Famous last words! I finished in 2:00:46. Seriously. 11:51 minute miles. I didn't think the race would ever be over....There were crazy steep places you had to walk, the "Rock Garden" which I didn't think would ever end, and all the while no mile markers letting you know how far until it was over. But I finally finished. I won't underestimate trail running any more!
Now how am I going to rebuild my broken spirit??
Next Chattanooga: hills are an issue here as well. Ran once from a friends house while she watched one of the boys and the other one napped at another friend's house (oh yeah, husband is at home). Ran for about 3 miles on a highway I had driven on probably a thousand times and thought was mostly flat. WRONG!!! It was like a roller coaster. I decided my life is more important than a run on a highway with a speed limit of 55, no sidewalk, and consistant rolling hills. So I decided to run on some cross country trails. Ran there a little longer than expected (wrong turns, bad signage) but all in all I survived the run.
Needing to do a long run that weekend a friend's husband and I decided to do a 10.2 mile trail race. Background - I have never raced or even run trails......gulp. But I mean it is only 10.2 miles, I have done that many times, shouldn't be too hard, right? Maybe I will just slow my time a little....like a 9 or 9:30 minute mile. Famous last words! I finished in 2:00:46. Seriously. 11:51 minute miles. I didn't think the race would ever be over....There were crazy steep places you had to walk, the "Rock Garden" which I didn't think would ever end, and all the while no mile markers letting you know how far until it was over. But I finally finished. I won't underestimate trail running any more!
Now how am I going to rebuild my broken spirit??
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Point Taken
So I learned my lesson this morning. Angie, remember all those times you told me about back to back hard workouts, and not having enough time to recover. Yeah, point taken this morning! Usually Gina, Allison and I swim on Mondays so our hard tempo run on Tuesday morning feels great. The pool is closed all week for spring break so yesterday I decided to go for an "easy" 5 miles and ended up at an 8:33 minute pace. I am such a dummy. About mile 2 of this morning's hard tempo run I thought I was going to die. The funny thing was my heart rate wasn't even that high, but my perceived effort was through the roof! Gina had mercy on me and went ahead the last 2 miles. Following her yellow reflective vest in the dim distance gave me the motivation I needed to finish.
So lesson of the day, when it is an easy day or a cross-training day, follow the rules! Even elite athletes follow the rules.....
Gotta go, my oldest son just walked in and told me my younger son is "trapped".....Great.......
So lesson of the day, when it is an easy day or a cross-training day, follow the rules! Even elite athletes follow the rules.....
Gotta go, my oldest son just walked in and told me my younger son is "trapped".....Great.......
Monday, March 10, 2008
First Race of the Season
St Patrick's Day 8K, Washington, DC
39:06 (7:49MM)
Felt strong and great! Can't wait for the next race!!
39:06 (7:49MM)
Felt strong and great! Can't wait for the next race!!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Baby Pictures
Better late than never, right? Here are the promised pictures of the newest member of our Seemommyrun Race Team, Angie's adorable Noah. I figure if you finish a marathon before you are born you have a right to be on a team! Angie, you are doing a great job and we want to support you in any way we can! Can't wait for you to start running again although I am terrified you are going to fly by us since you aren't running for two anymore.
Noah's first marathon - he is hiding under the blue "Virginia is for Runners" tee-shirt!
Noah's first marathon - he is hiding under the blue "Virginia is for Runners" tee-shirt!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Chafe
So as any of my fellow running partners will attest, I have sensitive skin. Chaffing is ALWAYS a problem. I basically cover every part of my in bodyglide before a long run. It is a rare day that I get into the shower after a run and do not howl in pain when the water hits that "spot of the day". Today the heart rate monitor strap went too far....and I am going to start fighting back! I'm thinking about getting one of those sports bras that have the sensors included. Anyone have any experience with one of those? I specifically read about a bra made by Numetrex. The idea of running without a heart rate monitor strap is very exciting but replacing all my sports bras would definitely be a small fortune.
Happy showers are a good investment though, no?
Happy showers are a good investment though, no?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
A baby boy...
It's a baby boy for Angie and Keith, Noah Andrew. He was born on his due date, January 30th around 9am, 7lbs 2oz, 20 inches.
I will post pictures when I have them...
Congratulations Angie, when do we start running again??
I will post pictures when I have them...
Congratulations Angie, when do we start running again??
Monday, January 28, 2008
Running Tights
I love my running tights. Seriously. I bought my first pair after my eldest child was born and I was looking for some running motivation. I would put them on in the morning and all it took was a couple horrific passes by a mirror and I would be out the door! Last winter I spent weeks looking for a couple more pairs. I bought an Under Armor pair from REI and ended up returning them because they would fall down the whole run. Now if you think it is annoying when hose fall down you have not run in tights that are falling down. NIGHTMARE!!!! Then I found some that worked and I was in love. I feel like I have a relationship with my tights. They are with me on the hard runs, the long runs, the freezing cold runs and they do their job well.
This is all background for today's events. My husband is out of town so running is on a when-I-can-fit-it-in basis. Today I had a babysitter for a few hours and I needed to go to the grocery store, visit a friend, and squeeze in a run. I decided it was best to do it in that order as well (partially because I had to go to the grocery store first as we had no toilet paper or apple juice in the house, yikes!). So I dressed for my run and left the house.
Long story short... I did not feel the love I normally have for my tights while grocery shopping with other fully clothed people. I found myself doubting one of my favorite articles of clothing. The rift between me and my tights is not permanent but I don't think I will be wearing them in a non-athletic situation any time in the future.
So for anyone in the Harris Teeter on Lee Highway at around 11:30am today, the woman in the tights doesn't think she is hot stuff...her husband is just out of town!
This is all background for today's events. My husband is out of town so running is on a when-I-can-fit-it-in basis. Today I had a babysitter for a few hours and I needed to go to the grocery store, visit a friend, and squeeze in a run. I decided it was best to do it in that order as well (partially because I had to go to the grocery store first as we had no toilet paper or apple juice in the house, yikes!). So I dressed for my run and left the house.
Long story short... I did not feel the love I normally have for my tights while grocery shopping with other fully clothed people. I found myself doubting one of my favorite articles of clothing. The rift between me and my tights is not permanent but I don't think I will be wearing them in a non-athletic situation any time in the future.
So for anyone in the Harris Teeter on Lee Highway at around 11:30am today, the woman in the tights doesn't think she is hot stuff...her husband is just out of town!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Question of the Week
When is Angie going to have her baby?
I think we should start a pool......My guess is Friday Jan 25th at 2:07pm
Any other takers?
I think we should start a pool......My guess is Friday Jan 25th at 2:07pm
Any other takers?
Speed work
YUCK. That is the first thing I think of when those two horrible words come to mind. And we start this Thursday. Double YUCK. We did a semi-tempo run last Thurs so this week it is intervals. Again, YUCK. The only thing I cling onto is the workout is fast and I get an extra half hour of sleep! Between 5 and 6am every second counts. So I will report on how the intervals go this week. The plan is to do either a tempo run or intervals every other week, it will help out in race times but will be hard for the training.
I feel like we are getting into a little bit of a rut and my mid-section is paying the consequences. I am going to try to be more regular with Pilates as that helps my running immensely. The nice thing is that we don't really have to up mileage for another couple of months. We are at about 26 miles a week or so and I feel comfortable with that for my base. Can't wait to start racing again...
I feel like we are getting into a little bit of a rut and my mid-section is paying the consequences. I am going to try to be more regular with Pilates as that helps my running immensely. The nice thing is that we don't really have to up mileage for another couple of months. We are at about 26 miles a week or so and I feel comfortable with that for my base. Can't wait to start racing again...
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Registered
Just registered for Zooma Annapolis. Allison has as well. I can't wait, it should be so much fun. Now I just need to sign up for the Baltimore Marathon. It is always so hard for me to actually pull the trigger on registrations. Anyone else have that problem? I probably look at the web page about 15 times and fill it out at least twice before I finally submit it. I know, I know......commitment problems!!!
The good news is we ran this morning and so are off tomorrow....So we don't have to worry about breaking anything running in snow and/or ice. Should all melt by Saturday so we should be all set for the long weekend run. And then Starbucks afterward, that makes the whole 10 miles totally worth it!!!
The good news is we ran this morning and so are off tomorrow....So we don't have to worry about breaking anything running in snow and/or ice. Should all melt by Saturday so we should be all set for the long weekend run. And then Starbucks afterward, that makes the whole 10 miles totally worth it!!!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Group Picture
Here is a picture of everyone at Starbucks after a Saturday long run. Seriously, we don't only wear those "Virginia is for Runners" tee-shirts, just every time we are photographed!
Races
So here is the list of races up for consideration or that we are signed up for in 2008:
March 9 (Sun) - St Patrick's Day 8K (DC)
March 29 (Sat) - National Marathon and Half Marathon
April 6 (Sun) - Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
May 10 (Sat) - Arlington Battle of the Boulevard 10K
May 11 (Sun) - Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon
June 1 (Sun) - Zooma Annapolis Women's Half Marathon and 10K
July 19 (Sat) - Rockville Rotary Twilight 8K Runfest
Fall Marathon Choices in the area:
Oct 11 (Sat) - Baltimore Marathon
Nov 15 (Sat) - Richmond Marathon
Nov 23 (Sun) - Philly Marathon
March 9 (Sun) - St Patrick's Day 8K (DC)
March 29 (Sat) - National Marathon and Half Marathon
April 6 (Sun) - Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
May 10 (Sat) - Arlington Battle of the Boulevard 10K
May 11 (Sun) - Virginia Run Sprint Triathlon
June 1 (Sun) - Zooma Annapolis Women's Half Marathon and 10K
July 19 (Sat) - Rockville Rotary Twilight 8K Runfest
Fall Marathon Choices in the area:
Oct 11 (Sat) - Baltimore Marathon
Nov 15 (Sat) - Richmond Marathon
Nov 23 (Sun) - Philly Marathon
Photos
I must admit I love blogs. Maybe not my own, but other people's and most importantly I love seeing pictures. So today I am posting some photos of our group. These are after the Marine Corps Marathon October 28th 2007.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
New, New, New.
New year, new blog, new race team......I don't think I can handle all the change!
Coldest run of the season this morning, 5 miles at 19 degrees. Body temp was fine but my face was freezing at the beginning. I eventually warmed up and I feel like I will be able to handle this winter. The hardest part for me is getting out of the car at Gina's house. There is nothing better than a cold morning, running tights, and seat warmers.....mmmmmmm. But then you have to exit the car and start running, painful.
It is nice to spend time outside in the cold air and clear your lungs, I also love the ritual of dressing in the many layers required in the winter. Laying out the short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, vest, jacket, tights, etc. the night before, checking the weather report to see the temperature in the morning. Those are all the things I love about winter running!
Coldest run of the season this morning, 5 miles at 19 degrees. Body temp was fine but my face was freezing at the beginning. I eventually warmed up and I feel like I will be able to handle this winter. The hardest part for me is getting out of the car at Gina's house. There is nothing better than a cold morning, running tights, and seat warmers.....mmmmmmm. But then you have to exit the car and start running, painful.
It is nice to spend time outside in the cold air and clear your lungs, I also love the ritual of dressing in the many layers required in the winter. Laying out the short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, vest, jacket, tights, etc. the night before, checking the weather report to see the temperature in the morning. Those are all the things I love about winter running!
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