I decided to blog now rather than this evening because I have a few minutes between work/running and coffee date/swim class. And, when I get home at 9pm tonite, I'm just going to want to shove some dinner in my mouth and hit the sack because I have an even earlier work day tomorrow (Pasty day = 5am start to shift, rather than 6am) I'm actually excited because I've never worked a Thursday (usually a long teaching day for me) so it should be fun for a change! I'm trying to see the bright side of my work this week.....
PSA: Spring is nice because there is finally no more ice in Michigan. Spring sucks because the wind is SO INTENSE in Michigan.
That PSA was the undercurrent of my run. Actually, as the title states, I'm pretty proud of today's run. I got out of work at 1pm, and felt fortunate. Some of the people in the pastry kitchen were just coming into work and said they were jealous that I was leaving because it was such a beautiful day! That is the good part about working these early shifts = still lots of the day left (when I don't have to go teach!) With that in mind, I was very phyched for this run. The sun was out and I felt like it was 'play time' after a day at work. After a quick change in my car, I set out on a new route into the farmland vs. the city like I usually do from the bakery. After the first 1/2 mile I could tell it wasn't good. The wind was SO STRONG, and my legs always feel sluggish from being on my feet for 7-8 hours. I kept thinking about marathonmadien and her 20 miler because I can only imagine how tough she had it! The good news (or so I told myself) was that I was headed against it for the first quarter of the run. Sooo, I just told myself that today was an easy day and I should just pack it in and chill out, run 9 min miles or whatever. Of course, no looking at the Garmin! I also didn't realize (or didn't think about) the fact that farm country = hilly. The course felt uphill more than downhill, which I realize wasn't possible considering I started and ended in the same place! I tried to just stride it out when I could and enjoy the run. There was zero shade and it was full on sun and probably in the 60s. Let me tell you - I LOVE the heat. It felt great. I can handle the heat better than most people (and suck at handling the cold) so it was great to run in the heat of the day.
Why am I proud? Because after a couple of days of *meh* runs (ie not horrible, but not great) this one was GOOD. I knew I had to be almost back to the bakery, so I looked at my watch right when it clicked to 8 miles- Mile 8 = 7:21!!! I had no idea. With that, I pushed the last mile, and ended up finishing 9 miles at a 7:26 min/mile pace! But for me, it is more about my splits because I'm so bad at keeping it even and I knew the first half was so uphill/windy. Splits:
7:13 - somehow I always start fast!?!
7:25
7:30
7:26
7:22
7:32
7:36
7:21
7:35
last mile cooldown (untimed)
This was the best part of the run for me- how close the miles were, despite the conditions. (ha, those splits are really close for me!) It is proving to me that my body can lock into a pace and keep it. The last mile was tough, but the others I spent zero time looking at my Garmin or thinking about pace other than "jeez this wind sucks, just keep moving forward!" Now, if only I could keep that pace for 26.2 miles rather than just 10 miles.....
Oh well. It is nice when a run surprises you, especially after a few runs that have felt just 'ok' or bad. I'm off to reset my body via swim class! It's my last one :( Tomorrow I probably won't get in a triple workout because of my early work schedule. Who knows what's on tap all I know is I LOVE THIS WEATHER! :)
Hope it is warm and sunny where you are! :)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
20- my favorite parts of every day, living like a professional runner, and TRIPLE TUESDAY (light addition)
So my title pretty much sums up all that I want to talk about in today's post, so I'll get to it:
1) My favorite parts of the day:
I was thinking about times during the day that I cherish, each and every day, and I've come to the conclusion that there are three points in the day I love:
a) Taking a hot shower after a run and swim at the Y. Something about the scalding hot water, and
rubbing choline out of my eyes that I love. So refreshing and relaxing, and I always feel
accomplished!
b) Eating egg whites + spinach with a cup of coffee (my every day b-fast) while playing around
online in my sweats before work, but post workout. Satisfying and some 'me time.' I love
getting back in comfy clothes post-workout, even if I have to change again right away for work!
c) Evening, post run preferably. TV time, internet time, or the like. Knowing that I get to sleep
soon (which as y'all probably know, i love!)
2) Living like a professional runner
Today, since I had the day off from both jobs, I like to think I had a day like I would if I was a professional runner. I woke up early, got in a run and swim (easy, shakeouts), came home and had b-fast as mentioned above, and promptly took an hour nap. Got up and went about my day, then did another (harder) workout at 6pm. If only every day could be like this! Nap = heavenly. I always want to crawl back into bed post-swim, but instead must rush off to work. Today = amazing, not having to!
3) Triple Tuesday - diet version
Today was a triple Tuesday. I say 'diet' because everything was pretty light. Only in Michigan can you have to run in full on winter gear (22 degrees during my 7am run) in the morning, and a T-shirt and shorts (55 degrees at 6pm) in the same day! This morning was a quick 5 mile easy shakeout at 7:45min/mile pace, then a good, longish swim. Tonite, I met up with a couple guys to do 1/2 mile repeats. I was pretty much on my own because my normal training bud is nursing a sore hammy and wasn't there, and the other guys were slower/injured. We had to meet on this shady dirt/sand track that had tons of divets in it, because the high school tracks were busy tonite. I cranked out 8 repeats at an unknown pace, as we went 'watchless.' I felt just like Cassidy in "Once a Runner" so 'zen-like!' It was actually freeing, but I know the repeats were slower than last week. The effort was there though, which is what counts. A 12 mile day + swimming = good enough in my book!
Ok, I gotta run. Lots to pack up for tomorrow! 10 hour day at the bakery begins at 6am, plus meeting a friend for coffee, + running (of course), + last swim class ;( = lots of bags and gear to pack for being gone from my apartment 5:30am-9pm! I'm off!
1) My favorite parts of the day:
I was thinking about times during the day that I cherish, each and every day, and I've come to the conclusion that there are three points in the day I love:
a) Taking a hot shower after a run and swim at the Y. Something about the scalding hot water, and
rubbing choline out of my eyes that I love. So refreshing and relaxing, and I always feel
accomplished!
b) Eating egg whites + spinach with a cup of coffee (my every day b-fast) while playing around
online in my sweats before work, but post workout. Satisfying and some 'me time.' I love
getting back in comfy clothes post-workout, even if I have to change again right away for work!
c) Evening, post run preferably. TV time, internet time, or the like. Knowing that I get to sleep
soon (which as y'all probably know, i love!)
2) Living like a professional runner
Today, since I had the day off from both jobs, I like to think I had a day like I would if I was a professional runner. I woke up early, got in a run and swim (easy, shakeouts), came home and had b-fast as mentioned above, and promptly took an hour nap. Got up and went about my day, then did another (harder) workout at 6pm. If only every day could be like this! Nap = heavenly. I always want to crawl back into bed post-swim, but instead must rush off to work. Today = amazing, not having to!
3) Triple Tuesday - diet version
Today was a triple Tuesday. I say 'diet' because everything was pretty light. Only in Michigan can you have to run in full on winter gear (22 degrees during my 7am run) in the morning, and a T-shirt and shorts (55 degrees at 6pm) in the same day! This morning was a quick 5 mile easy shakeout at 7:45min/mile pace, then a good, longish swim. Tonite, I met up with a couple guys to do 1/2 mile repeats. I was pretty much on my own because my normal training bud is nursing a sore hammy and wasn't there, and the other guys were slower/injured. We had to meet on this shady dirt/sand track that had tons of divets in it, because the high school tracks were busy tonite. I cranked out 8 repeats at an unknown pace, as we went 'watchless.' I felt just like Cassidy in "Once a Runner" so 'zen-like!' It was actually freeing, but I know the repeats were slower than last week. The effort was there though, which is what counts. A 12 mile day + swimming = good enough in my book!
Ok, I gotta run. Lots to pack up for tomorrow! 10 hour day at the bakery begins at 6am, plus meeting a friend for coffee, + running (of course), + last swim class ;( = lots of bags and gear to pack for being gone from my apartment 5:30am-9pm! I'm off!
Monday, March 29, 2010
21- swimming at 3pm = priceless
Good evening!
Today was a busy, but productive day in my world! Worked a 7 hour shift at the bakery, went for a run, went for a swim, did about 1000 errands, and organized more of my apartment. Feels good.
As usual, I though of about 1,000,001 things I wanted to talk about on the blog when I was running/going through my day today, but by this time of night, my mind isn't totally functional! Today's run was *ok*. Two things I hate are 1) running after work and 2) running in the wind. Unfortunately, today held both of them. I did an 8 mile loop from the bakery and it is all downhill on the way out and all uphill on the way back. The wind was in my face the whole first half, hense negating the downhill love. Boo. Plus, I was freezing. Although I didn't feel as 'springy' as yesterday, I still held at a 7:39min/mile pace which I was surprised by (remember I don't look at the Garmin during the run!) The best part of today was my swim. After Friday-Sunday without one, it felt sooooo good. My whole body feel like it stretches and resets in the water- such a great feeling. And, such a treat to go at 3pm when it is bright in the pool area, not crowded, and most of the other swimmers are over the age of 70, so I get to feel speedy! ;)
In other news, I also turned in my keys at my old apartment, so I'm officially out of there! Good feeling. Moving forward is good. I can't wait to get more organized here and start decorating!
Tomorrow - day off from work! (Working M, W, Th, F, Sat this week) I'm going to try to get in triple workouts because I don't know if I can Thursday when I work 5:30am-1:30pm. Of course, some sleeping in and/or a nap will certainly be involved......
Have a great night! :)
Today was a busy, but productive day in my world! Worked a 7 hour shift at the bakery, went for a run, went for a swim, did about 1000 errands, and organized more of my apartment. Feels good.
As usual, I though of about 1,000,001 things I wanted to talk about on the blog when I was running/going through my day today, but by this time of night, my mind isn't totally functional! Today's run was *ok*. Two things I hate are 1) running after work and 2) running in the wind. Unfortunately, today held both of them. I did an 8 mile loop from the bakery and it is all downhill on the way out and all uphill on the way back. The wind was in my face the whole first half, hense negating the downhill love. Boo. Plus, I was freezing. Although I didn't feel as 'springy' as yesterday, I still held at a 7:39min/mile pace which I was surprised by (remember I don't look at the Garmin during the run!) The best part of today was my swim. After Friday-Sunday without one, it felt sooooo good. My whole body feel like it stretches and resets in the water- such a great feeling. And, such a treat to go at 3pm when it is bright in the pool area, not crowded, and most of the other swimmers are over the age of 70, so I get to feel speedy! ;)
In other news, I also turned in my keys at my old apartment, so I'm officially out of there! Good feeling. Moving forward is good. I can't wait to get more organized here and start decorating!
Tomorrow - day off from work! (Working M, W, Th, F, Sat this week) I'm going to try to get in triple workouts because I don't know if I can Thursday when I work 5:30am-1:30pm. Of course, some sleeping in and/or a nap will certainly be involved......
Have a great night! :)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
22- the workweek begins!
Well, the weekend was nice while it lasted, but now I'm back home and ready to start my workweek. I'm on break from teaching, so it will be a 40 hour week at the bakery which I am kind of pumped about. All the shifts are early (blah) but I only have to go to one job per day which is nice and I live about 10 minutes from the bakery vs. 45 minutes from where I teach. So hopefully the week will be open for unpacking more, errands/catching up on life, and LOTs of running and swimming ;)
Speaking of which, today's run up north was amazing! I ran the first 2 miles with my mom and pop and then they turned back for their 4 miler as I kept going on my loop around the nearby 'twin' lake of the lake we live on. When we started out running it just felt SO GOOD. Just to run. I commented something to my parents about how cool it is just to step out your door and GO. And let your body just do its thing. I love that I've been running my whole life and it is so natural for my body. Like breathing. Sure, all runs don't feel great all the time, but for the most part, running just feels so right. I don't think my parents' understood. My mom was freezing and my dad wasn't talking- not a good sign, lol. Once they turned back my body just WENT. I feel into the 7:30 min/mile pace and kept it fairly naturally for the next 7 miles. I don't know how to describe it other than I just felt springy and 'light on my feet' (which is unusual as I'm not a tiny 5' 90# runner, rather I'm 5'9"). Running just felt good, in my body and in my soul. I'm happy with how well my legs recovered from Friday and looking forward to the training week ahead. Ok, I better stop with all my corny gushing! Overall, satisfying run with the first 2 miles of warmup, then the last 7 averaging 7:32, with the last mile uphill at 7:20. Happy.
Then, unfortunatly it was time to head home. Located my car at the airport where I parked it, and my parents' and I each forked off on respective freeways. It was weird coming home to my new place- still not quite 'home' yet. However, once I jump in my bed it will be all good! Speaking of which, I better be off and setting my alarm for 4:45am. Good times.
Hope everyone starts their weeks off amazingly! :)
Speaking of which, today's run up north was amazing! I ran the first 2 miles with my mom and pop and then they turned back for their 4 miler as I kept going on my loop around the nearby 'twin' lake of the lake we live on. When we started out running it just felt SO GOOD. Just to run. I commented something to my parents about how cool it is just to step out your door and GO. And let your body just do its thing. I love that I've been running my whole life and it is so natural for my body. Like breathing. Sure, all runs don't feel great all the time, but for the most part, running just feels so right. I don't think my parents' understood. My mom was freezing and my dad wasn't talking- not a good sign, lol. Once they turned back my body just WENT. I feel into the 7:30 min/mile pace and kept it fairly naturally for the next 7 miles. I don't know how to describe it other than I just felt springy and 'light on my feet' (which is unusual as I'm not a tiny 5' 90# runner, rather I'm 5'9"). Running just felt good, in my body and in my soul. I'm happy with how well my legs recovered from Friday and looking forward to the training week ahead. Ok, I better stop with all my corny gushing! Overall, satisfying run with the first 2 miles of warmup, then the last 7 averaging 7:32, with the last mile uphill at 7:20. Happy.
Then, unfortunatly it was time to head home. Located my car at the airport where I parked it, and my parents' and I each forked off on respective freeways. It was weird coming home to my new place- still not quite 'home' yet. However, once I jump in my bed it will be all good! Speaking of which, I better be off and setting my alarm for 4:45am. Good times.
Hope everyone starts their weeks off amazingly! :)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
23- just what I needed
Today was great- just what I needed! I got to do all of my favorite things including a) sleeping in b) being up north c) running and d) not having to prep/work. Twas just what I needed!
After a nice, restful sleep in my cloud-bed, coffee and chilling made for a nice morning. We drove into a nearby town so my parents could furniture shop, and I took the opportunity to go for a recovery run in a new place! I've actually raced a 5K in this town before, and it has a nice trail that stretches along a lake. The run was nice- my legs felt better at the end than the beginning which is always the point of a recovery run after a LR day. I did wake up feeling a bit sore from yesterday's hills so I was OK with hitting a 8:09min/mile pace on today's run. We did sommore errands while we were out and came home to a late lunch. The afternoon was filled with spring cleaning and chilling out. And here I am! Soooo nice not to have to work today. I appreciate it more than ever lately!
Tomorrow is a half day here, then driving back downstate where my car is, and finishing the drive back to my place, while my parents go back to theirs. And Monday starts my 40 hour workweek at the bakery. Good times.
I'm actually feeling pretty good/positive about my training. Today is 8 weeks until my "peak" marathon at Bayshore. Although Boston is in 3 weeks, I'm really happy about my decision to make it a training run and keep it low pressure. I really feel like I will be ready and peaking in 8 weeks and don't feel stressed at all about Boston because I have no expectations and have taken the urgency out of it. I'm hoping that my runs keep progressing as they have and am going to do my best to make sure that this happens. I just feel good knowing that I actually have TIME. Bayshore, I'm coming for ya!
Ok, I hope everyone is having a good weekend. I certainly am! :)
After a nice, restful sleep in my cloud-bed, coffee and chilling made for a nice morning. We drove into a nearby town so my parents could furniture shop, and I took the opportunity to go for a recovery run in a new place! I've actually raced a 5K in this town before, and it has a nice trail that stretches along a lake. The run was nice- my legs felt better at the end than the beginning which is always the point of a recovery run after a LR day. I did wake up feeling a bit sore from yesterday's hills so I was OK with hitting a 8:09min/mile pace on today's run. We did sommore errands while we were out and came home to a late lunch. The afternoon was filled with spring cleaning and chilling out. And here I am! Soooo nice not to have to work today. I appreciate it more than ever lately!
Tomorrow is a half day here, then driving back downstate where my car is, and finishing the drive back to my place, while my parents go back to theirs. And Monday starts my 40 hour workweek at the bakery. Good times.
I'm actually feeling pretty good/positive about my training. Today is 8 weeks until my "peak" marathon at Bayshore. Although Boston is in 3 weeks, I'm really happy about my decision to make it a training run and keep it low pressure. I really feel like I will be ready and peaking in 8 weeks and don't feel stressed at all about Boston because I have no expectations and have taken the urgency out of it. I'm hoping that my runs keep progressing as they have and am going to do my best to make sure that this happens. I just feel good knowing that I actually have TIME. Bayshore, I'm coming for ya!
Ok, I hope everyone is having a good weekend. I certainly am! :)
Friday, March 26, 2010
24- Long Run with Pops!
Today was all about my Pops! I'm so proud of him- 15.2 miles on his big 5-2! It was his longest run ever, and I am so proud of him- what an honor to be part of that. Let me back up....
The morning began in the pre-dawn hours at 5am. I had to get up and on the road to meet my parents to go up north! We met at 7:30am, dumped my car (ie parked it at the airport) and continued as one for the drive. The car was packed with all our food and such for the weekend + the cat who actually had to make the trip because his cat sitter (ie me!) was coming too. After chatting for a bit, a coffee stop, and me promptly passing out with a fleece blanket over my face- we were there! Unfortunately it was FREEZING. Snow flurries and 20 degrees! Although not ideal (ie driving/getting up early/lunch time), we set off for our run at 12 noon. Up north = hilly. Hillier than my town and MUCH hillier than my parents. We were bundled to the max too, cuz of the chilly temps. That wasn't cool. I hate wearing lots of clothes!
Honestly, the miles went by pretty fast and I was surprised at how easy is was for my dad and how conversational we were. The route was a big loop, which was nice too because I hadn't run it since the summer. For me, I was pleased at how great my legs felt after a decently hard week of running + swimming. I tried to let my dad set the pace because honestly, I didn't really care. We finished at about a 9 min/mile pace which I was so happy with for my dad- he is in such good shape! I am so happy/blessed to be able to run with my dad!
I continued on for a few more miles afterward, and about an 8:30pace. I ended up running 19 miles- I hate the number 20! Nature was calling at this point + I was hungry as it was almost 3pm, and I hadn't eaten since a yogurt for b-fast at 9am in the car! I was happy with how comfortable the run felt overall. I realize the pace was slower than usual, but still 19 miles is 19 miles!
The rest of the day was spent preparing and eating foods + presents. Now we are just chilling out with the limited TV selection of up north and I am trying to keep my eyes from closing. The best part is that it is only FRIDAY and I have my long run done for the weekend. I really love the LR, but I hate always having to push it to Sunday because of my work schedule. I'm looking forward to a weekend of shorter runs + random up north shopping + 2 new free-reading books + NO WORK! Andddd, the best part of all- 2 days to sleep in! If you guys 'know' me, you know this is what I crave after my early wakeups all week long! Speaking of which......
Have a great Friday Night! :)
The morning began in the pre-dawn hours at 5am. I had to get up and on the road to meet my parents to go up north! We met at 7:30am, dumped my car (ie parked it at the airport) and continued as one for the drive. The car was packed with all our food and such for the weekend + the cat who actually had to make the trip because his cat sitter (ie me!) was coming too. After chatting for a bit, a coffee stop, and me promptly passing out with a fleece blanket over my face- we were there! Unfortunately it was FREEZING. Snow flurries and 20 degrees! Although not ideal (ie driving/getting up early/lunch time), we set off for our run at 12 noon. Up north = hilly. Hillier than my town and MUCH hillier than my parents. We were bundled to the max too, cuz of the chilly temps. That wasn't cool. I hate wearing lots of clothes!
Honestly, the miles went by pretty fast and I was surprised at how easy is was for my dad and how conversational we were. The route was a big loop, which was nice too because I hadn't run it since the summer. For me, I was pleased at how great my legs felt after a decently hard week of running + swimming. I tried to let my dad set the pace because honestly, I didn't really care. We finished at about a 9 min/mile pace which I was so happy with for my dad- he is in such good shape! I am so happy/blessed to be able to run with my dad!
I continued on for a few more miles afterward, and about an 8:30pace. I ended up running 19 miles- I hate the number 20! Nature was calling at this point + I was hungry as it was almost 3pm, and I hadn't eaten since a yogurt for b-fast at 9am in the car! I was happy with how comfortable the run felt overall. I realize the pace was slower than usual, but still 19 miles is 19 miles!
The rest of the day was spent preparing and eating foods + presents. Now we are just chilling out with the limited TV selection of up north and I am trying to keep my eyes from closing. The best part is that it is only FRIDAY and I have my long run done for the weekend. I really love the LR, but I hate always having to push it to Sunday because of my work schedule. I'm looking forward to a weekend of shorter runs + random up north shopping + 2 new free-reading books + NO WORK! Andddd, the best part of all- 2 days to sleep in! If you guys 'know' me, you know this is what I crave after my early wakeups all week long! Speaking of which......
Have a great Friday Night! :)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
25- On break!
Ok, this is going to be SHORT tonite because I am too tired to think and put together sentences, plus I need to clean up and pack up for UP NORTH tomorrow!
Triple Thursday = double Thursday today, which I'm OK with after Triple Tuesday. I woke up sore from all of the kicking drills my swim instructor put me through last night. Knowing that I'm doing my long run tomorrow, I decided to just swim this morning, then run with my running group tonite. Good decision. Kept the run easy tonite because my run bud is fighting a hamstring pull from our killer track workout Tuesday night. I love running with him though because our conversations revolve so much around running, and we can talk or not talk and its not awkward. Good run. Good times.
Ok, really that's all I've got. I'm on break from teaching now for 13 days, which is exciting. I am meeting my Mom and Dad in the middle of the state at 6:30am tomorrow morning and we are driving up north for the weekend. Tomorrow is my dad's b-day so we have a long run planned. Annnd, I'm not bringing ANY prep work with me, so I can simply enjoy the weekend, work free!
I'm off!
Triple Thursday = double Thursday today, which I'm OK with after Triple Tuesday. I woke up sore from all of the kicking drills my swim instructor put me through last night. Knowing that I'm doing my long run tomorrow, I decided to just swim this morning, then run with my running group tonite. Good decision. Kept the run easy tonite because my run bud is fighting a hamstring pull from our killer track workout Tuesday night. I love running with him though because our conversations revolve so much around running, and we can talk or not talk and its not awkward. Good run. Good times.
Ok, really that's all I've got. I'm on break from teaching now for 13 days, which is exciting. I am meeting my Mom and Dad in the middle of the state at 6:30am tomorrow morning and we are driving up north for the weekend. Tomorrow is my dad's b-day so we have a long run planned. Annnd, I'm not bringing ANY prep work with me, so I can simply enjoy the weekend, work free!
I'm off!
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