With a strange Friday the 13th to start the weekend off, I found peace in running around in the beginning of this impending snow storm with my headphones on. Why am I running a half-marathon's distance in this terrible weather? The gauntlet's been thrown down for next May, going four for four in Pawtucket Half Marathons as the Knapp Tang showdown starts again.
In hindsight, the only time I came in faster was during the race of my life during the Pawtucket Half this year after a big night for Knapp. With every 5k, Knapp has exponentially improved as I have stalled and it wasn't even close at this last race. Should be a fun race come May 2014.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
On the other side of mid 20s, the late 20s
Running around with a respiratory infection I can't help but wonder why people would smoke? Breathing sucks.
Running with the fog rolling in was pretty cool tonight what with the 'BILTMORE' sign and the Bank of America building floating in mid air.
After a year of running it has come to my attention that the faster you are, the more race pics you garner. For obvious reasons as you are more likely alone and front and center. But I bet the majority of runners who buy race pics are newbies. Newbies are usually (but not always) slower than there veteran counterparts and have less pics. BUT, the photography companies charge a one time fee for pictures. The faster ones get better deals. Where am I going with this? I don't know, I think that infection is going to my brain.
Running with the fog rolling in was pretty cool tonight what with the 'BILTMORE' sign and the Bank of America building floating in mid air.
After a year of running it has come to my attention that the faster you are, the more race pics you garner. For obvious reasons as you are more likely alone and front and center. But I bet the majority of runners who buy race pics are newbies. Newbies are usually (but not always) slower than there veteran counterparts and have less pics. BUT, the photography companies charge a one time fee for pictures. The faster ones get better deals. Where am I going with this? I don't know, I think that infection is going to my brain.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Hartford Half Marathon
Hartford Half Marathon
List of omens/ typical excuses:
2nd shift Thursday, 1st shift Friday...To start off the morning on Friday, dropped an egg while trying to make an omelette to show myself how tired I was. Throughout Friday, I kept receiving random phone calls and texts from Texas. Do people know how to use phones/ enter numbers in correctly?
On the way to Hartford, we swerve last second to avoid a deer chilling in the street (which happens on the way back, too). I walk in toting my Ninja Turtles duffel bag to the surprise and delight of those that recognize the characters.
Cardinal sin:
Ate pizza for the first time in a long time the night before. At midnight.
Bonus:
Stayed with the most hospitable people ever, the Waldrons. Brian, our first resident, his father, and cousin would run the half as well. To validate our friendship, we both agreed and watched Without Limits races (minus Munich obvi) right before sleep at midnight and agreed this was the superior Pre movie.
Credentials:
Brian-just ran a 19:31 5k the week before
His dad-qualified for some small marathon in Boston
His cousin-cross country coach
Missed:
Expo day with THE Bill Rodgers.
Goal: 1:45/ have fun and enjoy running a new city.
Wake up at 5:30 am, (~9 hours of sleep in the past two nights), chewing on a banana and a Skippy-smeared raisin bagel. Rock my yellow Nike Free 4.0's which has brought me good luck along with my Tang Clan shirt and iPod. Brian, his father and I head over to pick up his cousin and we park with relative ease in Hartford, about a quarter mile from the race. On the ride over, there was plenty of locker room banter about the bachelors in the car and all the single ladies today which kept us loose and smiling.
Upon arrival, I was dumbfounded by the leaves changing, the beautiful weather in the 50s, and the awesome buildings downtown. In typical dad fashion, the phrase 'Where's Tang' kept getting uttered as I portapottied it solo and this phrase was said more than astronauts (badumpcha, credit Brian's cousin). We warmed up around the starting line which showed me the other side of Hartford.
The pre-race saw us trying to wiggle our way to the 1:45 pace setter to no avail since, this is A race and no one knows what that means. As we waited around for the start, we were treated to a funny emcee that wasn't English and an invocation...
Yeah, an invocation.
Due to the fact I was going through ACL music festival withdrawals, I started with my ACL playlist and Tame Impala.
The start of the race had us plodding along at 8:30 pace until a quarter mile in when I couldn't take it any more and rode the sidewalks. The first three felt very uneven as I stormed through the second and tried to dial it back for mile three. The GPS showed I had run an extra .08 already.
We split off from the marathoners and took a right when they took a left. We would not be that female runner in Canada that trained for a half, took a wrong turn, and oh, won the full marathon.
I tried to sit on people's paces and stay around 8's since my goal today was revised from sub 1:40 to sub 1:45 due to the hectic and swiss cheese training of the past month.
Skipped the first water stop, took the rest using the hooked finger and pinch technique.
Unfortunately I was dealing with not being fully evacuated and kept debating whether or not to hit up a portapotty.
At around mile 6, I couldn't stand it any more and went in to a portapotty for 52 seconds. How'd I know that? My GPS watch stops whenever I do so my finish time was 52 seconds slower than my watch.
Upon leaving, I broke in to a stinger packet that also left a glove on the course. RIP left light Nike glove, a casualty of running. (Bonus, get to buy new gloves...something's wrong with me) I tried running faster to keep 1:45 in my sights and came upon the 1:45 pace setter with his yellow jersey, sans 1:45 flag at about the 8 mile mark while in a residential area.
At this point I wasn't sure if I could stay within striking distance until the honey kicked in and I kept churning. I passed a tent that had vuvuzelas (these are still a thing?) and cow bells for free to which I knew I wanted one to commemorate this race.
We snaked through a picturesque park as I came side to side with the pace setter and his crew made up of other 1:45'ers. At one point, he said he was 5 seconds off the pace so I thought I gotta stay ahead of him, especially during the stretch where I let go and cruised on the downhills. Cruised, but this would not be the last 10k miracle a la the last half and the last full marathon as I had no extra gear to hit.
Exiting the park, I saw a sign spoofing the blog, Hyperbole and a Half's writer saying "run all the miles!"
I picked it up at mile 11 but the rolling hills turned in to an uphill as I tried to hold on for dear life and make sure the pace setter was in my rear view mirror. Ultimately, kept trying to relax and really stopped staring at my GPS.
Coming downhill on the last half mile or so, spot our cheering section from behind and veer right to tap em and bounce off to finish. The gag reflex showed up as I was aware of finishing soon. Where the finish line was confused me as I thought the building similar to the Gansett Casino was it. Wrong. The kid that was the shadow of the 1:45 pacer decided to sprint here to which I shrugged my shoulders, looking for someone to acknowledge the ridiculousness of it all.
The end saw me cycling Tame Impala's "Half Glass Full of Wine" and "Elephant" as my groin became sore thanks to the training hiatus.
Finished with the announcer saying "Aaron Tang, from Providence" and swag giveaway started as Brian's father and I finished at around the same time as we saw the speedsters cheering us on (his cousin at 1:25:30 :bows: and Brian at 1:32).
1:43:12 (gps 13.21 miles, 1:42:20 without porta break)
We received a nice water bottle, a sweet finisher's medal, a bag of food (a rarity now with the economy the way it is).
Heading back towards the starting line, everything had been cleaned up and you can hardly tell there was a race. The volunteers were great, the chute of people at the end helped cheer us on, and apparently its one of the lowest carbon foot print races.
After four grown men changed clothes at 11 A.M. in public (that's normal) and chugging chocolate milk at DD, we headed back to the beer and food tent (non-elite tents) to have a Harpoon, chug tomato soup, eat some grilled cheese, and drink another chocolate milk.
Other than cheering "Go Tang Go!" "Where'd Tango?", Brian's 2 year old Brady got me a cow bell, too. (Queue 'awwwwwws' from the females)
Post race:
Brian mentioned that the faster you are in a race, you tend to run by yourself and not "race" as much (as apparent by Knapp's 5k pics). #fastproblems
fried chicken and pizza, and a trip extending 4 OT game of Michigan and Penn State before we head home at 11:30 pm.
I thought about all the bands I've seen recently, and now I am thinking of all the states I've run in which just means one thing: I'm getting older.
Texas, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Florida, Virginia, Connecticut, Pennsylvania.
Going forward, I want to take a week break then think about how badly I want sub 1:40, sub 20. How I reach these goals is apparent in Brian's finishing times; speed work.
It was nice to meet another running family, lamenting about pacers, negative splits, gagging, walkers, etc.
It must be a dad thing to apply Ben Gay pre-race.
Chicago Marathon watching the day after, looking for Knapp on the coverage.
Great swag:
shirt, water bottle commemorating the 20th year of the race, bag, nice medal, and cow bell.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
The last of the Plano Runs?
Plano, don't stop being Plano
The Wave
Soul Skatin'
In the closing weeks before the Hartford Half Marathon, I find myself back in the friendly confines of Plano, Texas, the most suburb-y suburb in all of America. I'm working with a 90% waving and good morning percentage. The most obscene example? The wave AND smile from across the street.
As I always do, I slept in on my first day back home and took to the streets to tackle a ten'er. The first five flew by as the clouds and breeze helped keep the temperature Rhode Island-esque. I even took a page out of the Knapp playbook and popped the shirt off because of said confines and lack of ridicule on a Wednesday midday.
Then, the sun shined.
Regardless, I have been trying to take a step back in all facets during this week off as I have micromanaged and lived day to day. As far as the big picture of running, I need to rein in the lofty expectations and really stay happy for the fact I am still able to run fairly consistently and so far, without injury. If I never break 20 in a 5k, that's fine so long as I run for the next 40+ years (or more).
I'd like to take a quote, nay a way of life, from the great 1998 Disney Original classic, Brink!
Brink: We skate for fun. We're soul skaters.
I run for fun. I run to keep myself in shape. I run to clear my head or just to think about nothing but the next step and the next and the next and the...
And with that pseudo philosophical mumbo jumbo, my goal for this half is to enjoy it, see some friends I haven't seen in a while, and sit around a 1:45. (sub 1:40, pleeease sub 1:40)
The Wave
Soul Skatin'
In the closing weeks before the Hartford Half Marathon, I find myself back in the friendly confines of Plano, Texas, the most suburb-y suburb in all of America. I'm working with a 90% waving and good morning percentage. The most obscene example? The wave AND smile from across the street.
As I always do, I slept in on my first day back home and took to the streets to tackle a ten'er. The first five flew by as the clouds and breeze helped keep the temperature Rhode Island-esque. I even took a page out of the Knapp playbook and popped the shirt off because of said confines and lack of ridicule on a Wednesday midday.
Then, the sun shined.
Regardless, I have been trying to take a step back in all facets during this week off as I have micromanaged and lived day to day. As far as the big picture of running, I need to rein in the lofty expectations and really stay happy for the fact I am still able to run fairly consistently and so far, without injury. If I never break 20 in a 5k, that's fine so long as I run for the next 40+ years (or more).
I'd like to take a quote, nay a way of life, from the great 1998 Disney Original classic, Brink!
Brink: We skate for fun. We're soul skaters.
I run for fun. I run to keep myself in shape. I run to clear my head or just to think about nothing but the next step and the next and the next and the...
And with that pseudo philosophical mumbo jumbo, my goal for this half is to enjoy it, see some friends I haven't seen in a while, and sit around a 1:45. (sub 1:40, pleeease sub 1:40)
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Return to East Bay
After two 5ks in the wrong direction in terms of finishing time, I took a two day break to re-examine training and have determined a 1:45 for this half is more in the cards for me than a sub 1:40. What has helped was Knapp dragging me out to East Bay for half of his long run. Seemingly killing it last year on the path reinvigorated me, along with the picturesque day.
Proof?
Proof?
Sunday, September 22, 2013
CVS 5k race report
CVS 5k
Running celebrities in the house: Molly Huddle and hipster runner from Oregon place 1st and 3rd
Nights before:
2nd shift, engagement dinner, Boston. Last meal? Hazelnut cannoli from Mike's Pastry before a concert. Smart Aaron, smart.
Sunday:
From around midnight to the start of the race, we were treated with rain in Providence. From 11:15 am til the end of the race, we were treated with humidity. Somewhere in here, one of the twenty emcees asked the crowd what they thought of the race shirts. Purple? The lack of reaction was appropriate.
This time, the gang would consist of more than myself as Knapp, Kevin, Sri, Nikki, and Nikki gathered in the mall.
I quickly bibbed myself with pins in the rain as I tossed my CVS bag in Nikki's car.
Nikki and I lined up around the 20 minute logo in a tiny pocket free of people. People around us were more than likely going to walk but that wouldn't matter today.
The race was pretty flat and all up in my backyard.
As the race started, I hit my watch 2 seconds before the line and headed out around 6:45 pace, feeling pretty good and actually cracked a smile. This feeling of happiness would quickly stop.
It was another repeat of NK as I fell down to progressive positive splits. I had around a 7 for mile 2. I upgraded over the last race in that I only took the 2nd water station.
My gag reflex came at mile 1.75. Wanted to go for 6:30 after mile 2 but had nothing in the tank, shaking my fists mentally at going out late.
There was one hill, the finishing hill to the state house. This time I actually found myself racing the end with a couple others.
22:03.
In a funk? Declining? Too much training? Too little training? Late nights?
But enough about me, Knapp goes sub-21, 20:57 and a new PR, congratulations!
KOB, Sri and Nikki with nice outings on less mileage (maybe that's the key?)
Immediate results e-mailed, not bad CVS, not bad.
Swag: CVS athletic bag, trail mix, generic 'Crunch' granola bar, athletic tape, not bad?
I just took off the option on my log to view my 9 month obsession with posting a 30 mile/wk average. I am definitely considering a two week hiatus post half marathon.
Running celebrities in the house: Molly Huddle and hipster runner from Oregon place 1st and 3rd
Nights before:
2nd shift, engagement dinner, Boston. Last meal? Hazelnut cannoli from Mike's Pastry before a concert. Smart Aaron, smart.
Sunday:
From around midnight to the start of the race, we were treated with rain in Providence. From 11:15 am til the end of the race, we were treated with humidity. Somewhere in here, one of the twenty emcees asked the crowd what they thought of the race shirts. Purple? The lack of reaction was appropriate.
This time, the gang would consist of more than myself as Knapp, Kevin, Sri, Nikki, and Nikki gathered in the mall.
I quickly bibbed myself with pins in the rain as I tossed my CVS bag in Nikki's car.
Nikki and I lined up around the 20 minute logo in a tiny pocket free of people. People around us were more than likely going to walk but that wouldn't matter today.
The race was pretty flat and all up in my backyard.
As the race started, I hit my watch 2 seconds before the line and headed out around 6:45 pace, feeling pretty good and actually cracked a smile. This feeling of happiness would quickly stop.
It was another repeat of NK as I fell down to progressive positive splits. I had around a 7 for mile 2. I upgraded over the last race in that I only took the 2nd water station.
My gag reflex came at mile 1.75. Wanted to go for 6:30 after mile 2 but had nothing in the tank, shaking my fists mentally at going out late.
There was one hill, the finishing hill to the state house. This time I actually found myself racing the end with a couple others.
22:03.
In a funk? Declining? Too much training? Too little training? Late nights?
But enough about me, Knapp goes sub-21, 20:57 and a new PR, congratulations!
KOB, Sri and Nikki with nice outings on less mileage (maybe that's the key?)
Immediate results e-mailed, not bad CVS, not bad.
Swag: CVS athletic bag, trail mix, generic 'Crunch' granola bar, athletic tape, not bad?
I just took off the option on my log to view my 9 month obsession with posting a 30 mile/wk average. I am definitely considering a two week hiatus post half marathon.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
"Long" Run
Sunday night's "long" run of 11 miles post 5k abomination was going to be ho hum save for:
1) a runner on the Blackstone path running, then walking in to a bush. I kid you not.
2) running by a tall blonde practicing volleyball thinking there's no way Rhode Island is that small but it is; it's Ms. 44.
1) a runner on the Blackstone path running, then walking in to a bush. I kid you not.
2) running by a tall blonde practicing volleyball thinking there's no way Rhode Island is that small but it is; it's Ms. 44.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
North Kingstown 5k
Carousel of shifts the past 2 weeks (1st to 2nd to 3rd to 1st to 2nd... to 1st) and G.I. issues hampering me but let us get down to brass tax.
Today was a travesty. Mentally wasn't there, just the hobby jogger's equivalent of picking up a paycheck.
Woke up after a dream of missing the race and not caring.
Never felt comfortable, going solo to a race which is unheard of since my first 5k in Virginia Beach.
At 0.3 mile in, my mouth dried up and hydration came up as an issue. Had to take the water stations at mile 1 and 2 (What?!?) I tried to hold on to 6:40 pace, ended up with 6:45 and a bit under 7.
Let go of the pedal at mile 2 (in)voluntarily.
Checked out mentally, and 7:22'ed it in on the last mile.
No dramatic finish at the end as I held on with no one in sight (looked back multiple times) and squinted to see 21:xx approaching the left turn...
21:52.8...
So pissed, ran and lifted when I got back from NK.
CVS 5k in two weeks, see ya there.
Of note, they upgraded to chipped timing, throwing out my notion of starting at the front of the pack.
Today was a travesty. Mentally wasn't there, just the hobby jogger's equivalent of picking up a paycheck.
Woke up after a dream of missing the race and not caring.
Never felt comfortable, going solo to a race which is unheard of since my first 5k in Virginia Beach.
At 0.3 mile in, my mouth dried up and hydration came up as an issue. Had to take the water stations at mile 1 and 2 (What?!?) I tried to hold on to 6:40 pace, ended up with 6:45 and a bit under 7.
Let go of the pedal at mile 2 (in)voluntarily.
Checked out mentally, and 7:22'ed it in on the last mile.
No dramatic finish at the end as I held on with no one in sight (looked back multiple times) and squinted to see 21:xx approaching the left turn...
21:52.8...
So pissed, ran and lifted when I got back from NK.
CVS 5k in two weeks, see ya there.
Of note, they upgraded to chipped timing, throwing out my notion of starting at the front of the pack.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
The last Ashton Mills run?
An end of an era if you will occurred this weekend when Knapp and I tackled an easy 10 miler before moving out of Ashton Mills. These runs are a part of the training plans toward the Chicago Marathon and Hartford Half Marathon, respectively. The run was hallmarked by the shirtless Top Gun like run through the bike path one last time as we spoke on many a topic that made me realize we are adults (almost).
Personally, mile repeats are what you do if you like the feeling of throwing up. I had to not only amp myself up to keep the 7:30 pace during the mile repeats by pretending I was racing, but I had to control my gag reflexes on the last repeat as my body instinctively knew it was the end of this faux race.
5,000 miles over the past 4.5 years, just broke 1,000 and counting for the year, and finally back to 30.0 miles/wk average after fluctuating between 29.4 and 29.6 miles/wk. Today was a good day.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Blessing of the Fleet 2013
3rd shift this weekend so Wednesday's sleep before this race would be monumental. What did I do?
Night Before:
In a spur of the moment, overnight shift inducing act, I signed up a week before the Blessing of the Fleet 2013 thanks to the gentle nudge of peer pressure at work. Where am I? Pasta the night before right after second shift, disoriented from my sleeping pattern. Thankfully a coworker had picked up my race bib and dropped it off at work to save myself a drive all the way to southern Rhode Island.
Left the parking lot at work at 3:30pm in scrubs with my running shorts on underneath, arrive at Gansett High in a downpour around 4:30pm with my Ninja Turtles duffle bag full of my running gear. Parking spot right in front of the school which would prove to a be a blessing and a curse as we'll find out later.
Donning the Tang Clan shirt (hasn't failed me for PR worthy attempts) and Nike Frees, which seems to be the go to trendy pick.
Mother nature and fortune went hand in hand as the weather cleared up and sat at a decent mid 70s instead of a dreadful 90 like the week before.
The usual pedestrian crawl started the first half mile and continued for the first couple miles but I somehow got down to 8 minute pace. It was noted that I could not lose to the kid in Beats headphones because we get it, you spent 300 dollars on headphones. Mission accomplished at mile 2. My pacer for the first portion turned out to be an older lady who kept whooping it up at random.
My plan was to get half way in to the race and like my last long races, turn it on for the last 5-6 miles. Conservative was the mind set.
Miles 4-6 were along the main road that was straight and long, rocking my pace gently to sleep. It was at the beginning of this straight away where I clutched a free bag of ice to cool my neck and lower back.
You know what you got and what you don't got--I wanted to go after mile 4-6, couldn't until a little after 8. Wiser for knowing that, or wussed out and didn't go all in?
Around mile 7.5, saw my surrogate parents, the Hartnetts cheer me on.
Shots of whiskey and beer before mile 8. Not for me, just offered.
Somewhere in here, a group of 3 of us all involuntarily shook our arms loose. That's one way of seeing if someone knows you're right behind them.
Mile 8.3ish til the end, I stopped looking at my watch, making sure I held on to 8 minute pace and just went for it, smiling all the way. Around 9, passed the last co-worker and booked it to around the tune of 7:15 pace. Per usual, went too soon in the chute and got passed by the one dude I tried to "race" in the chute. Shook his hand and congratulated him afterward.
1:17:51. PR. On the right side of that arbitrary 80 minute cut off.
Wasn't the worst race, wasn't the best.
Meeting up after the race wasn't bad. What was bad/ a running joke at this race is trying to find our cars post race since we elected to not ride the stink busses and opted to walk to not 1, not 2, but 3 school parking lots in search of our cars. The walk took longer than the race.
Post race notes:
as noted by our female runner coworker, there were flagrant butt cheeks everywhere.
This race seems to bring the rebel side in me as this has been the site were I debuted my new haircut to the Hartnetts.
the race shirt/gray monstrosity rivals the first pawtucket half
hot dogs.
double rainbow.
no gag for the first time in a race but nauseous now probably from hunger.
an excellent question was posed, what would happen if you ran during the 10 mile walk an hour earlier?
2 nights before: 4am-2pm sleep...fml.
Night Before:
In a spur of the moment, overnight shift inducing act, I signed up a week before the Blessing of the Fleet 2013 thanks to the gentle nudge of peer pressure at work. Where am I? Pasta the night before right after second shift, disoriented from my sleeping pattern. Thankfully a coworker had picked up my race bib and dropped it off at work to save myself a drive all the way to southern Rhode Island.
Left the parking lot at work at 3:30pm in scrubs with my running shorts on underneath, arrive at Gansett High in a downpour around 4:30pm with my Ninja Turtles duffle bag full of my running gear. Parking spot right in front of the school which would prove to a be a blessing and a curse as we'll find out later.
Donning the Tang Clan shirt (hasn't failed me for PR worthy attempts) and Nike Frees, which seems to be the go to trendy pick.
Mother nature and fortune went hand in hand as the weather cleared up and sat at a decent mid 70s instead of a dreadful 90 like the week before.
The usual pedestrian crawl started the first half mile and continued for the first couple miles but I somehow got down to 8 minute pace. It was noted that I could not lose to the kid in Beats headphones because we get it, you spent 300 dollars on headphones. Mission accomplished at mile 2. My pacer for the first portion turned out to be an older lady who kept whooping it up at random.
My plan was to get half way in to the race and like my last long races, turn it on for the last 5-6 miles. Conservative was the mind set.
Miles 4-6 were along the main road that was straight and long, rocking my pace gently to sleep. It was at the beginning of this straight away where I clutched a free bag of ice to cool my neck and lower back.
You know what you got and what you don't got--I wanted to go after mile 4-6, couldn't until a little after 8. Wiser for knowing that, or wussed out and didn't go all in?
Around mile 7.5, saw my surrogate parents, the Hartnetts cheer me on.
Shots of whiskey and beer before mile 8. Not for me, just offered.
Somewhere in here, a group of 3 of us all involuntarily shook our arms loose. That's one way of seeing if someone knows you're right behind them.
Mile 8.3ish til the end, I stopped looking at my watch, making sure I held on to 8 minute pace and just went for it, smiling all the way. Around 9, passed the last co-worker and booked it to around the tune of 7:15 pace. Per usual, went too soon in the chute and got passed by the one dude I tried to "race" in the chute. Shook his hand and congratulated him afterward.
1:17:51. PR. On the right side of that arbitrary 80 minute cut off.
Wasn't the worst race, wasn't the best.
Meeting up after the race wasn't bad. What was bad/ a running joke at this race is trying to find our cars post race since we elected to not ride the stink busses and opted to walk to not 1, not 2, but 3 school parking lots in search of our cars. The walk took longer than the race.
Post race notes:
as noted by our female runner coworker, there were flagrant butt cheeks everywhere.
This race seems to bring the rebel side in me as this has been the site were I debuted my new haircut to the Hartnetts.
the race shirt/gray monstrosity rivals the first pawtucket half
hot dogs.
double rainbow.
no gag for the first time in a race but nauseous now probably from hunger.
an excellent question was posed, what would happen if you ran during the 10 mile walk an hour earlier?
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Long treadmill runs and the not too distant future
As I keep chugging along this year aiming for consistency, I found myself at an impasse when I rolled out for a ho hum 5 miler around Providence and not even a mile in felt a burning pain on my left foot and had to call it quits on that run. Per usual, the biggest fear was that well, that was the last run ever. I need a back up plan when that actually happens.
But as soon as I got my foot back, I tested it out for 3 hours on a treadmill. Seems normal right? And for whatever reason, on long runs my mind is okay with monotony for 3 hours yet the daily 5 mile run takes forever.
But as soon as I got my foot back, I tested it out for 3 hours on a treadmill. Seems normal right? And for whatever reason, on long runs my mind is okay with monotony for 3 hours yet the daily 5 mile run takes forever.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
nk5k13
Register by this Sunday, get 5 bucks off the NK5k on September 7th. I'm in and hoping it's not balls hot like last year. I do hope for clam chowder post-race.
How's my running going? On my long run today, I Heismann-ed a car.
How's my running going? On my long run today, I Heismann-ed a car.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Sunday
Note to self: do not get sunburnt all over, running will be a pain. Everything is sore before you even run.
Update: if you go run or sweat, prepare to freak out as beads of sweat hang off you like a wax museum figure of yourself...sweating. It's like braille and your body is telling you to WEAR SUNSCREEN.
Update: if you go run or sweat, prepare to freak out as beads of sweat hang off you like a wax museum figure of yourself...sweating. It's like braille and your body is telling you to WEAR SUNSCREEN.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
San Francisco
After a week on the left coast, I am left wondering how anyone can sight see San Fran without running or having the ability to walk uphill for miles on end?
There are also definitely a lot more runners out there and it seems as though they are more health-conscious out there; saw a free outdoor gym on the path to the Golden Gate Bridge.
While sprinting to our flight and missing it by a minute, all I could muster up to ask was "I wonder what our pace was?" My sister shot back with "of course you would ask that".
There are also definitely a lot more runners out there and it seems as though they are more health-conscious out there; saw a free outdoor gym on the path to the Golden Gate Bridge.
While sprinting to our flight and missing it by a minute, all I could muster up to ask was "I wonder what our pace was?" My sister shot back with "of course you would ask that".
Monday, May 20, 2013
Spring Semester over
As I return to Texas for my annual need of live music, friends, family, and food, I have tried to keep up with running as well. Per usual, I enjoy Plano's 1:1 ratio of miles on the trail to water fountains. With bathrooms to boot. Unfortunately, I am either finally noticing my back feels off or the pavement here is much different. And as always, the air just isn't as crisp here and the faucet water smells. Home sweet home.
Before coming down, I got to enjoy a nice hill workout with Pat and Lauren in Boston where I have now toyed with the idea of sending it up to Boston at the end of the year. Who knows?
Before coming down, I got to enjoy a nice hill workout with Pat and Lauren in Boston where I have now toyed with the idea of sending it up to Boston at the end of the year. Who knows?
Sunday, May 12, 2013
"off season"
Post half marathon, I have taken whether consciously or not, a week off from running 30 miles and working out to go out and socialize and rest (my inner leg muscles aka groin is still sore). It's that time of the year when it is the end of the "school" year aka my trip back to Texas. Miles run will come by sporadically at best but when I return, I'm gonna try to get faster for a 5k in the near future.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Navigant Running Festival Half Marathon
Pre-race:
I have worked it out that it is not the night before the race that is important but two nights before that is big. Sleep: 8 hours. This after going out during an uncharacteristic Tang week.
The day before the race was packet pick up at Rhode Runner (which I feel like they usually notify runners at least 48 hrs before--I think I got a days notice). When I say packet pick up, that is a loose term as this was a no frills packet, which I totally support. I decided to jog 2 miles over to pick it up and did not realize that the packet, excuse me 'packet', would be in a tiny black bag.
Aaron, why would you mention such a trivial thing like that? This detail should not be of any concern in say, most of America. However, I would be traversing back through Downtown Providence. With a black bag.
Anyways, I walked back, inhaled salmon, squash, rice, and a whole box of pasta. Yea, a whole box.
Sleep: 4 hrs despite being physically in bed at 9 pm, followed by a 4 am phone call from a Texas number; thanks a lot.
Commandments/ Running Sins committed:
Thou shall hydrate
Thou shall rest
Thou shall not use gear that you did not don whilst training
6:15 am:
PB and banana sandwiches, 3 trips to the John, and we were off.
The Race itself:
Parked at the Apex (still a mystery to me what that is) in Pawtucket. I had not even realized I was sans TP belt, but after walking to the restrooms with Jess, found out I also had on my Faux Ban wayfarer sunglasses that I use for driving and being a general poseur.
Good news is we used the restrooms in the ... civic center? so there was no need for a TP belt. Either way it was not a portapotty. And as for the sunglasses, that proved to be fortunate as it was pretty sunny today and they didn't slip down my nose too much.
Jess, Knapp, and I felt that this would not really be a PR day since our training had been hindered by Mother Nature during this seemingly perma-winter.
Knapp spotted the only pacer with a stick that had 1:45 written on it--perfect, the time I wanted to get. Knapp had the right idea, follow the pacer for the beginning since we have been known to go out quickly. Let's just follow it for 13.1 miles and see how we feel.
As this was our third go around on this rodeo, we knew we were lining up the wrong way at the starting line. There was a 40 second moment of silence which some of the more chatty runners didn't even realize. How you do not notice 1,000 people around you all going silent at once with a couple runners shushing you is beyond me.
This time around, I sported my iPod with my 1:45 playlist (technically 1:44:50, but who's counting?) with the addition of Coldplay's "Clocks" to calm myself for the beginning. The race started with no bobbing and weaving thanks to the perfect amount of runners after hitting start on our watches.
We ran around a loop before returning to the start for our first half mile with Knapp ahead of me. After the 5k in March, I decided that my game plan was to run even for the first 10 miles. For the first 3 miles or so, we stayed in the 1:45 pack, content on listening to the pacer speak about hitting 7:30s, 7:45s for the beginning, 8's throughout, then 8:15s at the end along with a marathon next week along with asking a volunteer who was pointing out the way if that indeed was the right way.
Our history with this course allowed me to feel comfortable while passing familiar businesses, parks, and houses. This however was home court advantage for Knapp as we closed in on his neighborhood.
I knew we had to negotiate our way through hills in the middle of this race so mentally I was waiting for a gargantuan climb. My memory did not serve me correctly since the hills on the road were not as bad as I thought. What must have truly helped was the fact today was between 46 and 52 degrees whereas last year seemed to be in the 70s. Oh yeah, and that dang black cotton shirt I wore that had to be tossed at Sri and Nikki at the half way point.
Knapp and I traded the lead throughout and as we came to the hills in his neck of the woods, I knew I had entered his home turf along with the fact we were on hills. Somewhere in here, there was a water station that flip flopped cups; they put water in the Gatorade cups and vice versa. Always have to pay attention or if you're like the runner behind me, yell at the volunteers.
We hit the all too familiar bike path still on pace and as I tried to pull ahead on every downhill, Knapp came roaring back. We hit the halfway point and I had decided that that was the time to reach in to my memory banks and pretend like this was the last 10k during the Philly Marathon.
This is where I believe we have evolved. This wasn't a "Without Limits" flashback, this was from my own experiences. I realize now why I don't get myself pumped up as much as I did in the beginning with Pre and Kara Goucher videos. Imitation was the only thing I had to draw from, like kids pretending to be MJ in the drive way.
As I started to encroach in the 7:30-7:45/mile pace, I began picking runners to run to, 'draft', and pass. I had no idea honestly if this was a good move but the idea for today was go for 1:45 or go broke.
I had picked up a Runner's World tip on water cups a couple weeks before that went without a hitch save for the one I fumbled at around mile 10. Basically, squeeze and hook your index finger in to make the cup more narrow and manageable.
It was around this time that I slowly chewed on some honey as well. That would later get my pocket sticky since I forgot a half-opened packet was still around.
I kept chugging along waiting for either myself to implode, Knapp to catch me and pass me a la the last race, or for me to drop a finishing kick during the last 5k. Instead, I hummed along and tried to take out both of our finishing kicks.
Crossing a bridge before hitting Mickey D's, I kept pushing to pass runners.
Somewhere in here I went back and forth with a couple runners on what I always equate to a real life Banshee Boardwalk from Mario Kart 64.
At mile 11, I calculated that I could run 10 minute miles and still be on goal. From mile 11 to 12, I hovered around a Camelbak runner then passed him before hitting the shaded area that I so desperately needed last year. Coming up to the last mile I broke the gloves out again and tried to hold on for dear life even if I was trying to trick my body in to thinking it was finishing kick time. I fell off pace back to 7:40 until the last 0.1 mile.
No lie, I had in my paranoid mind that Knapp was right behind me the whole time and waiting to kick at the end.
The Knapp clan saw me as I turned on the after burners to "Dude" a spent girl right at the end (the opposite of getting "chicked"). All I could think of was how pale my quads had become as the sprint shifted my shorts higher and I beat her by the slimmest of margins.
Unofficially 1:40:46 with only a slight gag reflex. Odd, since I hydrated poorly. I returned to cheer on Knapp as he was going to crush 1:45 as well. As the Knapps and I talked about the race, we thought we had missed Jess finish so we went on our way to the usual post-Pawtucket half dining experience, the Modern Diner.
Modern Diner with the Knapps was a nice way to celebrate after another 2 runners go sub 1:45, excuse me, destroy 1:45.
Maple Bacon Cornmeal Pancakes, seating arrangements and the lack of fruit in the meals was a nice way to prep for my Texas trip in two weeks.
Cinco de Mayo post race? Sounds tougher than the race itself.
Notes/ The Future:
Part of the packet included a wristband that had "Rhode Island runs for Boston". I thought that was a nice touch and wore it. At some point during the race, I looked down at it and consciously picked up the pace in support.
Tangents were run as best as I could. I had 13.12 miles on my watch.
As we can now cross off sub 1:45 its on to sub 20 5k then...retire?
Do I sport the wayfarers from now on during races?
Since my splits were pretty even, of course my dependable GPS watch freezes.
I have worked it out that it is not the night before the race that is important but two nights before that is big. Sleep: 8 hours. This after going out during an uncharacteristic Tang week.
The day before the race was packet pick up at Rhode Runner (which I feel like they usually notify runners at least 48 hrs before--I think I got a days notice). When I say packet pick up, that is a loose term as this was a no frills packet, which I totally support. I decided to jog 2 miles over to pick it up and did not realize that the packet, excuse me 'packet', would be in a tiny black bag.
Aaron, why would you mention such a trivial thing like that? This detail should not be of any concern in say, most of America. However, I would be traversing back through Downtown Providence. With a black bag.
Anyways, I walked back, inhaled salmon, squash, rice, and a whole box of pasta. Yea, a whole box.
Sleep: 4 hrs despite being physically in bed at 9 pm, followed by a 4 am phone call from a Texas number; thanks a lot.
Commandments/ Running Sins committed:
Thou shall hydrate
Thou shall rest
Thou shall not use gear that you did not don whilst training
6:15 am:
PB and banana sandwiches, 3 trips to the John, and we were off.
The Race itself:
Parked at the Apex (still a mystery to me what that is) in Pawtucket. I had not even realized I was sans TP belt, but after walking to the restrooms with Jess, found out I also had on my Faux Ban wayfarer sunglasses that I use for driving and being a general poseur.
Good news is we used the restrooms in the ... civic center? so there was no need for a TP belt. Either way it was not a portapotty. And as for the sunglasses, that proved to be fortunate as it was pretty sunny today and they didn't slip down my nose too much.
Jess, Knapp, and I felt that this would not really be a PR day since our training had been hindered by Mother Nature during this seemingly perma-winter.
Knapp spotted the only pacer with a stick that had 1:45 written on it--perfect, the time I wanted to get. Knapp had the right idea, follow the pacer for the beginning since we have been known to go out quickly. Let's just follow it for 13.1 miles and see how we feel.
As this was our third go around on this rodeo, we knew we were lining up the wrong way at the starting line. There was a 40 second moment of silence which some of the more chatty runners didn't even realize. How you do not notice 1,000 people around you all going silent at once with a couple runners shushing you is beyond me.
This time around, I sported my iPod with my 1:45 playlist (technically 1:44:50, but who's counting?) with the addition of Coldplay's "Clocks" to calm myself for the beginning. The race started with no bobbing and weaving thanks to the perfect amount of runners after hitting start on our watches.
We ran around a loop before returning to the start for our first half mile with Knapp ahead of me. After the 5k in March, I decided that my game plan was to run even for the first 10 miles. For the first 3 miles or so, we stayed in the 1:45 pack, content on listening to the pacer speak about hitting 7:30s, 7:45s for the beginning, 8's throughout, then 8:15s at the end along with a marathon next week along with asking a volunteer who was pointing out the way if that indeed was the right way.
Our history with this course allowed me to feel comfortable while passing familiar businesses, parks, and houses. This however was home court advantage for Knapp as we closed in on his neighborhood.
I knew we had to negotiate our way through hills in the middle of this race so mentally I was waiting for a gargantuan climb. My memory did not serve me correctly since the hills on the road were not as bad as I thought. What must have truly helped was the fact today was between 46 and 52 degrees whereas last year seemed to be in the 70s. Oh yeah, and that dang black cotton shirt I wore that had to be tossed at Sri and Nikki at the half way point.
Knapp and I traded the lead throughout and as we came to the hills in his neck of the woods, I knew I had entered his home turf along with the fact we were on hills. Somewhere in here, there was a water station that flip flopped cups; they put water in the Gatorade cups and vice versa. Always have to pay attention or if you're like the runner behind me, yell at the volunteers.
We hit the all too familiar bike path still on pace and as I tried to pull ahead on every downhill, Knapp came roaring back. We hit the halfway point and I had decided that that was the time to reach in to my memory banks and pretend like this was the last 10k during the Philly Marathon.
This is where I believe we have evolved. This wasn't a "Without Limits" flashback, this was from my own experiences. I realize now why I don't get myself pumped up as much as I did in the beginning with Pre and Kara Goucher videos. Imitation was the only thing I had to draw from, like kids pretending to be MJ in the drive way.
As I started to encroach in the 7:30-7:45/mile pace, I began picking runners to run to, 'draft', and pass. I had no idea honestly if this was a good move but the idea for today was go for 1:45 or go broke.
I had picked up a Runner's World tip on water cups a couple weeks before that went without a hitch save for the one I fumbled at around mile 10. Basically, squeeze and hook your index finger in to make the cup more narrow and manageable.
It was around this time that I slowly chewed on some honey as well. That would later get my pocket sticky since I forgot a half-opened packet was still around.
I kept chugging along waiting for either myself to implode, Knapp to catch me and pass me a la the last race, or for me to drop a finishing kick during the last 5k. Instead, I hummed along and tried to take out both of our finishing kicks.
Crossing a bridge before hitting Mickey D's, I kept pushing to pass runners.
Somewhere in here I went back and forth with a couple runners on what I always equate to a real life Banshee Boardwalk from Mario Kart 64.
At mile 11, I calculated that I could run 10 minute miles and still be on goal. From mile 11 to 12, I hovered around a Camelbak runner then passed him before hitting the shaded area that I so desperately needed last year. Coming up to the last mile I broke the gloves out again and tried to hold on for dear life even if I was trying to trick my body in to thinking it was finishing kick time. I fell off pace back to 7:40 until the last 0.1 mile.
No lie, I had in my paranoid mind that Knapp was right behind me the whole time and waiting to kick at the end.
The Knapp clan saw me as I turned on the after burners to "Dude" a spent girl right at the end (the opposite of getting "chicked"). All I could think of was how pale my quads had become as the sprint shifted my shorts higher and I beat her by the slimmest of margins.
Unofficially 1:40:46 with only a slight gag reflex. Odd, since I hydrated poorly. I returned to cheer on Knapp as he was going to crush 1:45 as well. As the Knapps and I talked about the race, we thought we had missed Jess finish so we went on our way to the usual post-Pawtucket half dining experience, the Modern Diner.
Modern Diner with the Knapps was a nice way to celebrate after another 2 runners go sub 1:45, excuse me, destroy 1:45.
Maple Bacon Cornmeal Pancakes, seating arrangements and the lack of fruit in the meals was a nice way to prep for my Texas trip in two weeks.
Cinco de Mayo post race? Sounds tougher than the race itself.
Notes/ The Future:
Part of the packet included a wristband that had "Rhode Island runs for Boston". I thought that was a nice touch and wore it. At some point during the race, I looked down at it and consciously picked up the pace in support.
Tangents were run as best as I could. I had 13.12 miles on my watch.
As we can now cross off sub 1:45 its on to sub 20 5k then...retire?
Do I sport the wayfarers from now on during races?
Since my splits were pretty even, of course my dependable GPS watch freezes.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
2 weeks to go
That's right ladies and gentlemen, a fortnight until the 3rd annual half marathon in Pawtucket. As with every future race, this'll be the most mileage and experience we'll have going in to it. How many times have I run 13.1 this year?
Once.
Hopefully making that twice after tomorrow.
What I have found odd during this build up is the fact that my running log this year has assumed the weekend warrior pose; it is basically a Friday through Sunday miles heavy week with very few runs sprinkled during the work week.
Once.
Hopefully making that twice after tomorrow.
What I have found odd during this build up is the fact that my running log this year has assumed the weekend warrior pose; it is basically a Friday through Sunday miles heavy week with very few runs sprinkled during the work week.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Progress Report
As the first quarter of this year is already over (what?), I have upped mileage to 30 miles/week consistently and it feels a bit like a bunch of junk miles. No real training plan, just running mostly on the treadmill and sometimes outside thanks to the extended winter.
After reading the latest Runner's World featuring Kara Goucher on the front, I feel a little better going in to the Pawtucket Half Marathon. Why's that?
Well, after reading about the mental side of training, I now realize that my running log's 'quality' section is not to gauge how terrible it went but to frame how well it went. One of the trainers even has runners look at their log and label each workout as either a loss or a win to help build confidence in the fact that most runs are tiny wins that add up to hopefully a great race and one bad workout doesn't destroy confidence.
Also, I may have hit a rut since most of my runs have been on the same route, at basically the same pace, for about the same distance. While quite obvious, I should be varying my workouts with hills, a faster run, a long run, etc.
So after the half, gonna attack my 5k time before another half in the fall.
After reading the latest Runner's World featuring Kara Goucher on the front, I feel a little better going in to the Pawtucket Half Marathon. Why's that?
Well, after reading about the mental side of training, I now realize that my running log's 'quality' section is not to gauge how terrible it went but to frame how well it went. One of the trainers even has runners look at their log and label each workout as either a loss or a win to help build confidence in the fact that most runs are tiny wins that add up to hopefully a great race and one bad workout doesn't destroy confidence.
Also, I may have hit a rut since most of my runs have been on the same route, at basically the same pace, for about the same distance. While quite obvious, I should be varying my workouts with hills, a faster run, a long run, etc.
So after the half, gonna attack my 5k time before another half in the fall.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Sleep, Jumper cables, Puke Solo Cups
After having a lovely night at McCormick and Schmicks, I had my car valeted for the 2nd time to my knowledge and the headlights were switched from automatically turning itself off to on all the time. Note to self and all: always check that post-valet. To my surprise the next morning, my car wouldn't start.
Panic?
No, take a 2 hr nap and be okay with walking to work. Upon telling this story to friends, only would a runner be okay with not having a car.
Found out 1st hand sleep 2 nights before is more important than the night before thanks to a rotating schedule of fun going from 2nd shift to 1st to 2nd then to 1st.
And as for today's run? Dodging all that St. Patrick's Day has to offer: vomit and solo cups.
Panic?
No, take a 2 hr nap and be okay with walking to work. Upon telling this story to friends, only would a runner be okay with not having a car.
Found out 1st hand sleep 2 nights before is more important than the night before thanks to a rotating schedule of fun going from 2nd shift to 1st to 2nd then to 1st.
And as for today's run? Dodging all that St. Patrick's Day has to offer: vomit and solo cups.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The Lottery and goals for the year
So the results of the Chicago Marathon travesty continue to not surprise me; for the 15k spots left, 36k entered. Knapp got in and I (rightfully so) found an e-mail in my spam folder that sounded like a college rejection letter. "Thanks for applying but unfortunately blah blah blah".
The bad news: we won't be running the Chicago Marathon.
The good news: we won't be running the Chicago Marathon.
So if we go back to the original plan of no marathons this year, I can run the New Hampshire half in the fall with an ex-resident. What goal do I have in mind for this race? After this morning's run with Providence running buddy Angela, apparently I will have to run sub 1:40 since she has run a 1:46 for the Newport one.
The bad news: we won't be running the Chicago Marathon.
The good news: we won't be running the Chicago Marathon.
So if we go back to the original plan of no marathons this year, I can run the New Hampshire half in the fall with an ex-resident. What goal do I have in mind for this race? After this morning's run with Providence running buddy Angela, apparently I will have to run sub 1:40 since she has run a 1:46 for the Newport one.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
St Pat's 5k Race Report
"Photoshopped"; I am actually not in this pic as I am in real life 10 seconds behind.
The first race of 2013, St. Pats 5k in Providence, 11:15 am 3/9/13
Going in to the first race of 2013, I would be lying through my teeth if I said that I wasn't scared of Knapp heading in to this race. Case in point, I may have gotten too cute with the racing strategy that was hatched by Coach Bober which entailed following for mile 1 then taking off (if the pace was honest). Would this strategy work? What strategy would Knapp bring to the table?
Excuses upfront: The nights leading up to this race was erratic at best what with third shift the week before and lack of sleep nights before.
Knapp, Sri, and I headed for Providence Place Mall the morning of, got our bibs and hung around the cold and windy weather, wearing appropriate Guinness sweatpants. For some reason, when Knapp and I were getting our tech tees, a volunteer took one look at us and kept emphasizing the large and extra large shirts.
Knapp and I warmed up for around half a mile 20 minutes before the race, de-sweatclothes'ed ourselves and snuck in to the top 50 runners of the loosely-termed 'corral'. It was apparent we snuck through walkers galore that were upfront.
British MC in the house along with the Mayor and the man that I tortured to get us a team of the first Pawtucket Half led to the 1 pre-recorded 'Star Spangled Banner' CD that Rhode Island owns.
As the MC counted down from 10, my GPS watch stopped as I had to start it up right before crossing the line. I followed Knapp throughout the first mile as we were running at a blistering 6:30 pace through streets that had parade-goers unsure of what madness they were watching. 6:30 is a place we had no right to inhabit which was reflected in the rest of the race. Here is where the caveat was lost on me when push came to shove: "If the pace was honest". Lesson learned.
I tried to make what I could muster up as a 'move' and couldn't have been ahead by more than 10 seconds from mile 1 to 2 where I dragged through at roughly 7:00 pace. I kept looking behind me thinking Knapp would come from behind.
Most of the race was out and back except for a turn in to a hilly neighborhood that threw me off since it was the opposite direction of the map I thought I had found of the course. Around mile 2-2.5, Knapp popped up and gave me a fist bump. I just became a rabbit and now, my lunch was about to get eaten.
Contact was growing further and further and as I saw that there was a 400 left, I had left my kick back at mile 1. Knapp finished roughly 10 seconds ahead and I knew that we were not sub 21. The emcee was making fun of everyone's music selection as they sprinted in (something about Elvis Presley was being uttered as I tried to hold back throwing up); thankfully I avoided this by going sans music. Do I want music in the future?
Hats off to Knapp for winning our first actual race and I can't wait to lace em up again for round 2.
Special shout out to Sri for being our soccer mom, carrying our suspicious looking black plastic bags with future race adverts and our tech tee, and for the original pictures for the mash up above.
Lungs are screaming and the take home message is to run your race evenly.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
checking in
As I finally received my 1st issue of Runner's World via snail mail, one thing came to mind: the cover's different. Oh, and it definitely feels like it's "greener" aka cheaper paper.
It should come as no surprise (since my running log is public) that I have been ramping up mileage. During this phase or whenever I get my base up, it reminds me of Cool Runnings (specifically their bobsled) which had its limits tested and then the shoddy sled fell apart. I'm at the part where they zoom in on the nuts and bolts shaking loose (not a euphemism).
Chicago Marathon: to update everyone else, Knapp and I tried signing up as soon as the noon central standard start time approached and went with what has been the worst experience for signing up yet. The site crashed for hours then shut down indefinitely. Somehow, 30k runners snuck in meaning 15k spots left. Active.com, you are the Ticketmaster of runners. Keep in mind, I have taken my head out of my butt and had to share this:
It should come as no surprise (since my running log is public) that I have been ramping up mileage. During this phase or whenever I get my base up, it reminds me of Cool Runnings (specifically their bobsled) which had its limits tested and then the shoddy sled fell apart. I'm at the part where they zoom in on the nuts and bolts shaking loose (not a euphemism).
Chicago Marathon: to update everyone else, Knapp and I tried signing up as soon as the noon central standard start time approached and went with what has been the worst experience for signing up yet. The site crashed for hours then shut down indefinitely. Somehow, 30k runners snuck in meaning 15k spots left. Active.com, you are the Ticketmaster of runners. Keep in mind, I have taken my head out of my butt and had to share this:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Upcoming races
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Adrian Peterson, I get you. I just came up short of 1300 miles for 2012 by 7 miles. 2013, watch out.
Running: the cure to not purposefully sleeping for 25 hrs straight. After trying to lift after 3rd shift and coming up with a pounding headache, I ran for an hour. Washed away the involuntary insomnia known as the graveyard shift.
As we find ourselves elbow to elbow with resolutionists, I am here to say that in our 4th season, I am ready to find the next gear. After a pair of 26.2s last year, it's time to hit some 5ks, halfs, and maybe another full. Good luck, and see you at the next race.
Running: the cure to not purposefully sleeping for 25 hrs straight. After trying to lift after 3rd shift and coming up with a pounding headache, I ran for an hour. Washed away the involuntary insomnia known as the graveyard shift.
As we find ourselves elbow to elbow with resolutionists, I am here to say that in our 4th season, I am ready to find the next gear. After a pair of 26.2s last year, it's time to hit some 5ks, halfs, and maybe another full. Good luck, and see you at the next race.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Running in the Cold
I've run once in the past 4 or 5 months, but for you who are still pounding the pavement, I found this article interesting... http://gizmodo.com/5978216/everything-you-need-to-know-about-running-in-the-cold
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