When my buddy Ted asked me to run the Hashathon 6 mile trail race, I answered with an emphatic YES!! Then, in the very back recesses of my mind, I was wondering if this was a smart idea for me. You see, I am a city gal and running on trails was as foreign to me as eating a food I’ve never tried or well, meeting a foreigner. Foreign. Something so very alien to me, but I am not the sort of person to not take on a challenge. Within reason of course, but I love to expand my horizons and stay active and this was the perfect way to do it.
I asked Ted if there was any chance I could get lost and he said “NO WAY”. So, with that in my head, I felt secure and ready to go. Now mind you, this was a trail race in NJ and not deep into the woods of some deserted and very far away land. It was NJ for goodness sakes. Cheesequake State Park, to be exact.
This year was the 30th running of the HAsHaTHon and a lot of folks were dressed “retro” with high knee socks and tie dyed tee shirts. So much fun just to scan my eyes around to view all the outfits. There was beer too. Well, I noticed one fine gentleman with a fuel belt, that held not one or even two, but six beers. I giggled at that.
So, off we went.
There’s Ted (far left in black shirt) who was running this for the 3rd year in a row. We immediately entered the forest to a single lane so it was hard to keep any momentum. Not that I had momentum, it was just hard to find. There was an over abundance of leaves, which this time of year is not unusual. I thought that leaves were slippery to run on, but not so much. Here is what I remember:
- Steep hills
- Leaves
- Steps and lots of them
- Foot bridges
- Rocks ~ sticks ~ branches
- Leaves
- Boulders
- Hearing people saying “on your left”
- Steep up and down hills
- Big trees
- Some mud which made my Saucony’s somewhat dirty
At about 4 miles into the race, the inevitable happened. I GOT LOST! But this city gal made sure not to get lost in the forest, this city gal left the park and got lost in the streets! Yes. Somehow, I took a wrong turn, and didn’t see the red markers anymore. And the markers were there, believe me. So, I flagged down a man on a motorcycle who fortunately for me, wasn’t going motorcycle fast and I very seriously asked him where the trail race was? He scratched his head in disbelieve and kindly pointed me back in the direction of the park. Saying something like “you need to be IN THE PARK where the runners are” So, I ran back the way I came ~ into the park and lo and behold I come to the last leg of the race. I crossed over the finish line and looked at Seth and he only said 5 miles! WHAT?
Now anybody who knows me, knows I could not stop at 5 miles if this was a 6 mile race. It didn’t feel right or complete. So, I found Ted and told him I need to finish up. He said go for it, so I ran the last mile of the course which took me back into the forest. For a split second and only for that one second did I think why did I go back into the forest, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
So my very first trail race is in the books. 6.01 miles in 1.25.07 ~ 14.10 min/mile.
I definitely want to run more trail races because it is quite an exhilarating feeling for me, you know being a city gal and all.
Today’s run went well:
6 miles ~ 1.02.22 10.25 min/mile
I’ve had some amazing runs too. After my 29.46 5k run ~ I then went on to run another 5k in 29.34! Felt incredible. So, I have a lot of work to do. I want to start running longer distances, something I have not done lately, plus speed workouts and lots of group runs thrown in for good measure.
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The greatest trick and most subtle secret to doing anything really, really well, Michelle, is loving that you get to do it at all.
And I’m pleased to say, you get to - |
I can’t help it. I love to run.
Wherever you are, be there totally. If you find your here and now intolerable and it makes you unhappy, you have three options: remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally.
Nike LunarGlide + RoadID ~ Do not leave home without it. Trust me.
I had a bit of weakness and bought myself a late birthday present in the form of new running kicks. I am so not a Nike gal, well haven’t been for a long time, but these called to me. So far so good, but I haven’t run enough miles in them to give them a proper assessment yet. Believe me, I am not the type to fall into the “all the cool kids have it” syndrome, but like I said they called to me. Plus, I was at the NYCM Expo and there was all the newest and greatest running stuff and I just saw Grete Waitz and told her how awesome I think she is, so I was kinda pumped up.
Then, that very evening I had a ticket to attend the NYT TimesTalks and on the panel were Grete Waitz, Joan Benoit Samuelson and Deena Kastor. With Lance Armstrong! I bought a ticket pretty much the day of the event, I mean how could I NOT attend this once in a lifetime talk? I wasn’t sure how I would react to seeing and hearing these woman ~ running legends but I have got to say, I was really choked up and shed a tear or two as they each told their story, stories that I knew already but was hungry to hear it in their own words, from their viewpoint. It really made my evening to hear how each of them thought the word PLODDER was not cool when talking about marathoners. Lance Armstrong was actually kinda cool ~ funny and he said that the marathon is HARD! I am referring to this article in case any of you have not read it yet Plodders have a place, but is it in a marathon?
The majority of the folks running marathons are slow! Majority RULES says Lance. In a marathon, the first 20 miles is transportation, then start running, say’s Grete.
I was motivated and inspired as much as one person can be motivated and inspired. TO JUST RUN because I love it. Always have and always will. Running is special. Running is awesome. Running just is.
On the day of my birthday Oct 27 ~ I thought to myself “today is the day I will run a sub 30 5K. It just is. I got out there all gung ho and set Seth ~ stood there a few moments just visualizing it and off I went. I knew pretty much immediately, it wasn’t going to happen. I felt sluggish and my legs were heavy. Instead of the gliding feeling I feel when a run is going well, I felt as if I was trudging through mud. Yeah, it wasn’t happening. Baby Bear ran 5k in 30.32 A 9.49 min/mile and it just wasn’t good enough.
You know I went over it in my mind, but all I could come up with is “I have no idea”. Then, a lot of my running buddies told me to move on and don’t think about it so much. My sister said the same thing. Some days are good and some days aren’t. So, I took the advice of my sister and friends and let it go.
Today, the very last day of October ~ Halloween ~ I awoke and decided to get out and go for a run. That’s it. Just run. Yes, I had Seth going but I didn’t glance at him so I really had no idea of where my pacing was. At about 2 miles in, I glanced. Yeah, I did. I saw 19.48. Hmm, pushing it, I thought, so I just kept at it. Pushing, but it didn’t feel hard today. You remember that gliding feeling I mentioned, well I was feeling that today. I knew I was nearing 3 miles and I glanced again. I saw 28.49 for 3 miles. Yikes. Run Michelle Run was all I heard in my mind. Nearing 5k ~ BOOM Baby Bear ran 5K in 29.46. 9.34 min/mile. Finally!
Ever since I broke my big toe on January 21st I have been struggling. My running really suffered as did my emotions right along with it. Sure, outwardly I was smiling and all happy, but inwardly I was really upset and hurting. It was as if the thing I loved to do was just ripped away from me. Worse than when you rip a bandaid off of a boo-boo. It hurt. And once I got the go ahead to run again, I worked my butt off and got nowhere FAST. And that hurt even more.
So, today is really bitter sweet for me. It is tinged with sadness, but oh is it special. Today really marks my comeback. Just knowing I can do it, is so huge. It is just a 5k but to me it may as well have been a marathon, and on the eve of the NYCM I am honored to have met a goal that I have been working on, almost all year long.
Ordinary people believe only in the possible. Extraordinary people visualize not what is possible or probable, but rather what is impossible. And by visualizing the impossible, they begin to see it as possible. Cherie Carter-Scott
So, here are the final details:
Who: Newton Founders, Danny Abshire and Jerry Lee and the Newton Running crew
What: Free Newton Running clinic and group run. Free Newton Running hat to all who attend! (someone will be there to watch bags and such)
When: Friday, October 30, 2009 7 AM EST
Where: The Boathouse in Central Park, New York, NY (click the link)
Newton wearer/runner or not, this is a great experience and we hope to see TONS of you there!
PLEASE TWEET THIS AND PASS THIS ALONG!
I am SOOOO excited! Once again, the Newton Running team will be heading to the Big Apple! They’re going to be here for the New York City Marathon which is being run next Sunday, November 1, 2009.
While they’re here, they wanted to spread the love to all of those who are die hard members of the Newton tribe and to all those who are curious to see what the Newton running philosophy and shoes are all about! If you wear other brands of shoes (or none at all!) come! For that matter, even if you’ve never heard of Newton, come on by!
Danny Abshire, co-founder of Newton, will be heading up a clinic in Central Park on Friday morning, October 30 7am EST. Danny will go over the Newton philosophy and technique and then we will all go on a group run in Central Park, where he and other members of the Newton team will give pointers and tips for improving your technique and form.
As an added bonus, they’re going to come bearing gifts! Each participant in the free clinic will be given a Newton Running hat!
SEE YOU THERE!!!
If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Brandon at Brandon’s Marathon .
Hope to see all those running the NYCM at the Boathouse on Friday morning and even those who are not running it, like me.
Try to be like the turtle, at ease in your own shell.
Every time I race, I go to bed reliving the race in my head. And, sometimes I shed a tear or two. Yeah, it sucks to be me, sometimes. My confidence waivers, flapping back and forth in the wind. I think about how all around me, PR’s were being made and how all around me folks were running easy and how I was struggling. I can’t and won’t look for excuses, to excuse myself of the horrid performance in yesterday’s Nike Human Race. It is what it is. It is really inexcusable.
I ran a 10k in 1.11.14 ~ actually Seth said 6.30 miles. I felt like crud when I finished the race. Why you ask? It is really really hard to put into words the way I felt after the race. You know how you know you can do something, you have the ability and stamina yet you can’t seem to make it happen, time after time? Well, that is a bit of the way I felt.
Am I so weak mentally that I can’t push though the sod and the way I feel and the crowds and really push though whatever is in my own head? Because, that is unacceptable to me. I don’t dig weakness. Positivity breeds positivity! So, if I ran a good race, I would be so much more inclined to run my next race even better and faster. OR, since I ran such a suck ass race, my next race has no where to go but up?? Either way, my next race is going to be a good one.
Don’t get me wrong, I had fun yesterday, regardless. A cool friend of mine, decided to stick with me and run it with me and she is a way faster runner than I am. So, thank you Juliette!! What you did was greatly appreciated. The sea of red runners was a sight to see. It was kind of ironic actually. Nike, being this cool company made us all conform and wear the exact same outfits, putting the bib # on the tee shirt so you really had no choice.
Unfortunately, some of my friends had problems with the baggage check, waiting up to 1 hour to collect their bags at the end of the race, making them miss the post race festivities. Ah, Nike ~ get your act together and JUST DO IT!!
There was the post-race brunch, of course, which soothed my bruised ego for a while. Food can do that to a person, ya know? Comforting, I suppose. Then, I had the rest of the day to think.
Notice how you can barely see my eyes, hidden behind that Brooks Run Happy hat.
Today, the sun was blazing in the sky and it was Autumn at its’ best. Mother Nature roused me from my troubled sleep and kicked my butt out of bed. I stumbled around and decided on a 2 mile VFF run. With no goal and Seth on, I didn’t look and I ran hard. And fast. And ran 2 miles in 18.38 with mile 1 at 9.12 and mile 2 at 9.25. I think I can, I think I can. I know I CAN!!
You know that old saying, when life hands you lemons ~ make lemonade ~ for me its when life hands you a shitty race, get up the next day to prove to yourself you can do it. So, I did.
I have 3 races left on my schedule for 2009. Possibly a 4th, which would be a cool 6 mile trail race with my best running buddy. I know the goals I have set in my mind. I am going to work my ass off to achieve these goals, not for anybody else. ONLY for me. I have nothing to prove to the world, nor do I care what the world thinks. I only care what I think.
I don’t know what 2010 has in store for me, and I am not the type for long range planning, but I do have some race thoughts in my head, that again my best running buddy gave me the extra added confidence to think about tackling. Now I just have to believe. Be confident, in my own shell.
The mojo is there, the ability is there, the will to do it is there. So, what is left to do?
“Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.”
It was planned for a while. The run with my friends, I mean. October 21st. That date was stuck in my head and as the day came closer ~ I got a bit nervous. You see, the friends I was going to run with, well lets just say they are better, faster runners than I am. And I am cool with that. I got anxious thinking that the pace would be too slow for both TK and BW, but TK lovingly emailed me and said “We will find a pace that works for us all! xo That put a grin on my face.
Now let me just give you a bit of background. TK ~ what an awesome chica she is. Full of life and enthusiasm and love of the run. Her blog Pigtailsflying is always an awesome read. She ran the - Fifth Avenue Mile 9/21/08 – 6:36. Did you read that right?? Yes, you did!! Then there is BW of BrandonMarathon‘ fame. Check him out. He is IRONMAN. He is an Opera Singer and he is an all-around awesome dude.
So, we met up at 72nd Street and 5th Avenue and we each made sure our Garmin’s were set to go, and we went. Into the park, in the dark, which I have never done before. I was a newbie venturing into unknown territory. All I kept thinking was keep up Michelle, keep up. It was dark and then all of a sudden we were climbing up the mountain. Errr, the hill. Cat hill. That dreaded hill that a lot of peeps do their hill repeats on. Yeah, that one. So, on we went. Then there were steps. UP! To the unbelievably awesome reservoir. I have never run there before so this was a treat! It offered really sensational views of the city. Just twinkling lights and the crunch of runners feet blazing by me. It was awesome and I was sweating and breathing hard.
BUT, TK and BW never left me. They never said “later for you Michelle” Nope. They stayed with me. Always making sure I was with them. Never made me feel inferior. In fact, just the opposite. I dig that in people. They gave me good tips on running form that I am going to work on. Good tips on running up hills, that I am going to work on.
I read TK’s blog post today and it made me giggle:
The three of us running together truly is a case of Goldilocks–Brandon is Papa Bear, I am Mama Bear, and Michelle is Baby Bear. We range the gamut in height and speed, but managed to sort it out and find a Just Right pace.
So, I dub myself Baby Bear Learning. And, in learning about running and in running with TK and BW, I learned that there are indeed good people out there. People who do what they say they will do. People who make plans weeks in advance, and make it happen. People, whom I am quite honestly, very happy to have met. It was a Just Right run.
I ended up with 5.76 miles in 1.00.10. With a 1842 elevation gain. My hamstring, while not at 100% gave me zero arguments and let me do my thang!!!
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you’ve said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Yep, that is how I am feeling these days. The dreams I’ve had have been perilously teetering on the brink of reality. And then to think I can run down that dream, what the fuck?
All I do is try to run down and catch up. I am given a few months of glorious running and then it is snatched away, like Hobbs telling Calvin that he is not real. Or did he? I don’t remember.
“Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won’t help.” And, believe me I wear those lucky rocketship underpants a lot. Mostly when I run. Get the picture.
So, no whining from me. Just the facts ma’am. The left hamstring is taking a bit longer to heal than I had hoped for. I ran today and loved/hated every second of it. SLOW run. Just a 2 miler. No need to push now. Just need to be out there and moving. I can’t let my legs get used to, you know ~ not moving. That won’t do. Plus, I’ve been cycling. In the last 4 days I have ridden a total of 68 miles. I really dig cycling a lot. And I know I can be really good at it, except for the very small fact that my bike is just not meant for speed. And I am. Meant for speed, that is.
I adore the feeling of moving fast. On a bike and most especially when running. It is not really a feeling I can put into words, so I won’t even try.
So, WHO SAYS?
Who says I can’t get stoned
Turn off the lights and the telephone
Me in my house alone
Who says I can’t get stoned
Who says I can’t be free
From all of the things that I used to be
Rewrite my history
Who says I can’t be free
It’s been a long night in New York City
It’s been a long night in Baton Rouge
I don’t remember you looking any better
But then again I don’t remember you
Who says I can’t get stoned
Call up a girl that I used to know
Fake love for an hour or so
Who says I can’t get stoned
Who says I can’t take time
Meet all the girls in the county line
Wait on fate to send a sign
Who says I can’t take time
It’s been a long night in New York City
It’s been a long night in Austin too
I don’t remember you looking any better
But then again I don’t remember you
It is OCTOBER. The month of my birth and my most favorite month of the year. Not so much because it is my birthday month, but more because it is a new season and a change from the never ending humid hotness of summer when everyday is the same day. Autumn brings with it beautiful sunrises and an explosion of colors.
I am a fall junky. I love sweaters, rain, changing leaves, soup and pumpkin bread. Normally, the prospect of fall is dimmed by winter’s promise of cold, dark days, but after the summer we’ve had, I’m not intimidated. I love the crisp cool days where running is not only a pleasure but I crave it more now then ever.
Utter joy. Octoberfest and pumpkin ales, leaves changing colors and then slowly falling down for us to jump into and play. The crispness in the air, the first frost that kills the bugs …. Plus the thought of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season is always anticipatory.
I found an awesome recipe today for Impossible Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes, that are really not impossible at all, at Baking Bites. GO THERE. I shall be baking these.
And so it goes. On October 24th I am running a 10k. The Nike Human Race. The lofty goal has been reduced just a bit to let me run the thing and have fun while doing so. Let my hamstring, the left one, be cool.
Then November 1st is a great day in NYC running. You know, the day they close the city to allow 35,000 people to run through the streets without worrying about cars or buses or traffic of any kind. I intend to be out there rooting for all my running buddies.
So, I will end by saying that if any of you feel the need to to fart, go into my office. Ok, so I am watching “The Office”.
I was told I should smile more. What do you think?
I am rockin the push ups. Dude I am so there. And by there, I mean I am nearing the end of week 6 and my last test.
I thought the fight was over
All battles won
I thought you lit your blind folds
And watched them burn
I thought that I could show you
All that I’ve found
But these barriers dictate all sight and all sound
So here I was getting my running on. Day after day. Monday I had an awesome run. I met my goal of running 6 miles in under 1 hour. Here are the stats for you number hungry peeps.
6 Miles 58.52
9.49 min/mile
Mile 1 10.17 2 10.15 3 10.21 4 9.49 5 8.55 6 9.14
It was at the mega fast mile #5 that I felt it. My left hamstring sort of gave a pop. Not a maddening intense pain that had me stopping or anything, but a pain that was noticeable and annoying. Yet, I kept on running. I had to right? I was running my best and was on track to meet my goal. I couldn’t stop. So, when I hit Seth at 58.52 I still had a smile on my face. And I could have kept going, at that fast pace. I was so in the zone ~ the mojo was flowing and my legs (minus left hamstring) had more to give to me.
BARRIER BROKEN!
Now, I have to deal with the pain. So, I ice ~ stretch and curse. I will not run until I am pain free or able to run so that the pain does not get worse.
BARRIER BACK UP!
This is typical for me. I do great for a while, then TICK TICK BOOM. So what is a girl to do? Wallow in self pity? Become depressed while shoving HOHO’s in my mouth faster than I can chew and swallow? Not sure why I picked HoHo’s as the thing to shove into my mouth, but Whateva! Become the ultimate couch potato or home fry as I like to call it? Nah, none of the above dude!!
BARRIERS SLOWLY GOING DOWN:
Cycling has become this thing I do. This fun activity that makes me move and honestly, I have come to enjoy it A LOT! Sure, it takes a lot longer than going for a 5 mile run. Sure, I would rather be riding a Specialized AMIRA or Cannondale Synapse but for right now, I am lugging around a heavy ass mountain bike that does the job but not quite. I can go fast, but not fast enough. I am on the precipice of being a good cyclist or being a very good cyclist. Just hanging on the edge. Cycling is freedom and fun and speed. It is the air blowing in my face. It is freedom. Those bikes up there, though ~ they give me a sweet ass bikegasm.
Not to worry though, running is my first love. But, if I cannot do it, then I need to do something else that I can do just as good.
Barriers Barriers Barriers.
I read, with admiration, everybody’s training and racing and the barriers that those peeps overcome. It gives me a sense of pride to know that there are folks out there who move their ass and choose between being a couch potato or being an active member of society. I don’t see it any other way, really. Sure, sitting on one’s butt viewing a film and drinking a pumpkin ale is awesome and I do it. A LOT! But I also move A LOT!
BARRIERS BREAKING DOWN.
With my left hamstring feeling tight and painful, I have no other choice but to cycle. And cycle hard. I plan a 50 miler this weekend, weather permitting. I wish I had some company to enjoy the day with, but most of my friends are running this weekend in races. I support them all and as they run, I will cycle to freedom.
I have also recently signed up for two Turkey Trots. A 5k and a 5 miler. Plus I have this Nike Human Race ~ because I am human, after all. I’ve got lofty goals for these races. And, why shouldn’t I have these lofty goals? Gotta think big right?
I admit, sometimes I can’t fight the power, and I get discouraged. But, only for a moment. Or two. Then I totally snap out of that shit.
Have you noticed, that the more you hurry, the slower you go?
The more you wait, the longer it takes?
The more you worry, the less you dream?
But the more you live, love, and laugh, Michelle, the more you live, love, and laugh.
Weird?
The Universe
Yeah, weird.
BARRIER’S GONE!!
“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live” – Henry David Thoreau (THANK YOU PUNKROCKRUNNER)
There is nothing quite so gentle, deep, and irrational as our running—and nothing quite so savage, and so wild.
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. -Albert Einstein
Keep it moving folks. Nothing to see here!!
Knowing I gave everything, means everything!
Ever since I had the opportunity to see Dean Karnazes give one of his motivational talks, I have been delighted at just getting out there and having fun with my runs. When asked “how do you do it Dean?” he answers “easy, I just put one foot in front of the other and run”! He loves running and it shows.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have no intention of running 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states. With my body physiology I probably wouldn’t last more than 2 marathons. Dean, however has never been injured while running, or should I say because of running. He has that amazing physiology where he can literally run forever. Sure, if he falls like at the Trans Rockies Run. From his blog:
I took a tumble along a steep section of trail and ended up cracking three ribs. I’ve always been able to say to people that I’ve never suffered an injury, running related or otherwise. Time to swallow my pride, gulp, and eat those words.
As I was listening to him speak, I envisioned myself up there speaking words of wisdom, then I realized I don’t have any words of wisdom. The most popular question of course is WHY does he do what he does? He loves running and the pure joy it gives to him. The awesomeness that a solitary run can give to you is unparalleled and I am unable to come up with anything similar or worthy of comparison. Neither can Dean. What we both agree on, is that everybody runs for a different reason and each and every reason is incredible.
To lose weight, to stay healthy, to keep your heart pumping, because I love it, I feel free, fun races, awesome peeps, I could go on and on. But, I won’t. You all know the reasons and you all have your reasons.
Dean made me see that running is so simple ~ and we make it complicated. Sure, I struggle most days to maintain a pace that I think I am worthy off. Sure, I push past the pain when my legs feel sluggish. My mind kicks in to gear and it pushes my body and then when both mind and body are in sync my pace is there. But, that does not happen for every single run. But, when both mind and body are in sync I feel as though I could run forever and with a big grin on my face. There is no pain, only happy place feelings. Gosh, I love that feeling. So much better than putting unnatural drugs into your body.
So, running. For the month of September I ran 101 miles. I did 5 speed workouts. Yasso 800’s, which I have come to love. My fastest 800 was a 4.09 (8.20 min/mile) I am still in that range after my speed workout yesterday, my fastest 800 being 4.11. I did not participate in any races. I ran some fast runs ~ some slow trots. Did this on 9/22/09
Mile 1 10.00
Mile 2 10.07
Mile 3 9.52
Mile 4 9.50
Mile 5 9.36
5 Miles 49.26 9.53 min/mile.
I also ran 7 miles on 9/30/09 to complete 101 miles in 1.10.37 10.05 min/mile. Ran negative splits last mile in 9.21. So, I am getting there. Slowly but surely. Sometimes, too slow for my liking but be patient grasshopper is my motto so who am I to argue.
I have also ran 2x in my VFF’s KSO’s. Running barefoot is a whole different thang. It is childlike and liberating. I really concentrate on my stride and gait during these runs. I don’t run high mileage in them. I did 2 miles in 20.19 2nd mile in 9.48.
So, I am feeling it. The mojo is there for sure. And now thanks to Dean Karnazes I am approaching running with a childlike glee and open delightfulness that I don’t show very often. I don’t complain if the run is harder than usual, because I am still out there. I don’t say this run sucked because no run sucks. I don’t think to myself UGH I don’t want to get my butt out of my warm and cozy bed to run, I look forward to getting my butt out of my warm and cozy bed to run. I am thankful I am a runner. I am thankful I decided to take that first step that day so very long ago and didn’t stop.
Running does not define me, but it makes me a better person. It is a huge part of my life and I am cool with that. Knowing I gave everything, means everything. Just live each day and make each day the best day. I am no longer bogged down by negativity. I am choosing to live and not to be upset by those negative nelly’s that seem to thrive all around me. I will only surround myself with awesome ~ positive people. And let’s face it, athletes are awesome positive people. That can-do attitude simply cannot be beat. I can! Can you?
Even after all these years, running continues to amaze me. Mostly in its ability to clarify – to make things OK and bring you back down to earth, even when things are insane. Especially when things are insane. Mark Remy, Executive Editor, runnersworld.com
Running is elementary, it is elegant in it’s simplicity.
Pardon me, but would ya mind if I fired me cannon through your porthole?
I know I treat running as if it was a complicated scientific experiment ~ but really it is simple. One foot in front of the other faster and faster. So easy and so simple.
I have been doing speed workouts and fartleks during my daily runs. And it is all working and making me faster.
But, I don’t want my running to be complicated. I want it to be joyful and enjoyable and fun. I want to end each and every run with a big grin on my face. I don’t want to hurt myself doing what I love, because then I won’t love it anymore and I can’t have that.
After reading a post by my friend Cris it really got me thinking. It got me thinking how much I DO NOT want to run a marathon. At least not right now. I don’t want to burn out during training. I don’t want to come to hate each and every run. To me, that is not what my running is about.
Sure, I want to run faster and I will. Sure, I will run races but not marathons. Shorter distances for me are much more doable and much more enjoyable. Not wanting to run a marathon doesn’t make me less of a runner. I’ve had some pretty darn good runs lately.
Sunday 5 miles 49.32 Felt amazing and could have run more but decided to stop at 5. Today ran 6 miler in 1.02.39. Another run that felt easy. Perhaps the speed workouts I’ve been doing are actually working?? Why have I never done speed workouts before? Plus, I am feeling healthy, no injuries to speak of. So why play with what is working for me? Why screw up a good thing?
Here is a bit of a write up about my 55 mile bike ride called NY Century!
You know when your wearing a hat all day long ~ then you take the hat off but you still kinda feel like your wearing a hat? Well I feel like my helmet is still on my head, only its not.
What a ride. This was the most I have ever ridden. EVAH! The reason it says 52.87 is because my garmin decided to run out of battery. And it was fully charged when I started the ride. NOT COOL GARMIN!
Some funny stuff:
We rode by Nathans in Coney Island and I saw many of the cyclists eating there and on line to buy hotdogs. So, I stop and ask is this a rest stop ~ and they all scream out “this is our informal hotdog reststop”. Now, I live about 10 minutes from Nathans so why I stopped there is anyones guess. Why I then bought and ate Nathans french fries at 10am in the morning is also anyones guess. They were really good though! :O)
Then we rode right past my apartment building at about mile 25 I think.
We rode through many many “hoods” that I would never ride to by myself, which was actually pretty cool. Then some not so nice “hoods”. Lots of turning and hills and ups and downs.
The Triboro Bridge was really bad. I guess if I had looked at the sheet they had given us at the start I would have seen this:
“Onto Triboro Bridge Ped/Bike Path Dismount and Walk Bike Caution – Many sets of stairs. So I dismounted – many times.
All in all it was a fun day. My quads – legs – shins all fine.
I think I may do this next http://www.nycc.org/eny/ Sounds like a nice route.
It was a lot of fun ~ this cycling.
“Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly” – Sir Francis de Sales
So, I attended the Fashion Night Out at Niketown in NYC where Kara Goucher was the guest of honor. I would have liked to participate in the run but since I ran the speed workout the night before and I ran this AM I was pooped ~ I know, poor excuse! :O( They were running 3 miles.
She is adorable really. Very humble and young looking. The best part was when they asked her “what is your 24 hours before and 24 hours after running a marathon like for you.
She got really emotional and started crying a bit and said that she writes her family and husband a letter thanking them for their support and then when she crosses the finish line of the marathon she becomes emotional again and it stays with her for a while, all the training and hard work ~ and she wiped away a tear. Very endearing.
She also said one of her workouts that Alberto Salazar makes her do is 8 x 1 miles with 1/4 jog at 4.55 pace and 18 mile tempo runs at 5.10 ~ 5.40 ~ 5.10? She had me at 8 x 1 miles at 4.55 pace!!
When she said that she runs 8 x 1 miles at 4.55 pace there was an audible gasp from the audience. And when I say audible I mean I gasped the loudest. How insane is that to run 1 mile in 4.55 pace? Or is it insane that I run 1 mile in 9.30 pace?
Anyway, Kara is really cool and down to earth. Like a regular person, ummm because she is a regular person. And I don’t mean regular in the sense that she poops everyday, I mean regular like you and me regular.
And speaking of speed and regular I did my second speed workout and my first speed workout with the Nike Pacer’s group on Wednesday evening. Man, what a workout. It kicked my ASS! Then kicked some more!!
The workout called for:
This week we are going back to cruise intervals with a workout of 4-7 x 1000 at 10-15 seconds slower per mile than 5K pace. What makes the workout interesting is that we will just take a very short 1-minute recovery between each interval. This type of workout is great for building your lactate threshold, but the key is control.
Yeah, whatever that means. Do I really want to build my lactate threshold and/or be in control?? Because that seemed to be key!!
We met at Paragon Sports and had to run 1.75 miles to the track ~ through the streets of Manhattan. What a scene. 60 runners weaving in and out of traffic. Then there was me.
Warm up 1.75 miles ~ my garmin simply wasn’t having it and took the entire 1.75 to find satellite. I was so pissed off that Seth was not timing the w/u ~ every 3 seconds during the warm up run I was glancing at him giving him the tongue cluck and the evil eye ~ I am pretty sure at one point, when we stopped for a light, I sort of put my hands on my head as if to stretch, but really I was pointing Seth up to the sky to help facilitate the finding of the satellite. Seth must have been asleep and I couldn’t wake him up. Yeah, story of my life.
At the track: (track was really nice) Seth finally awoke. He was all like YO bitch what up YO?? Yes, that is how he speaks to me sometimes.
Interval 1 0.52 4.32 (8.45 min/mile)
Interval 2 0.64 5.36 (8.45 min/mile)
Interval 3 0.65 6.03 (9.22 min/mile)
Interval 4 0.54 5.16 (9.40 min/mile)
Cool Down??? 1.75 23.51
So, interval 1 I decided to do 800 and I’m all like take that bitch I just ran a 4.30 1/2. I ROCK! Interval 2 I decided to do the 1000 because like I said, I ROCK! Not bad, same pace as the 800. Interval 3, sure instead of feeling like I ROCK ~ I started feeling more like I PEBBLE!! Still did the 1000, but I slowed considerably. By then I was cooked like a turkey. But, no I slowly started my own 800 ~ slowly ~ came in in 5.16. I will call that the cool down before the cool down.
Now it is 7.40pm and we needed to get back to Paragon before 8pm closing So now I PEBBLE is running back through the streets of Manhattan which included a footbridge uphill. I was cursing the day I was born. Well not really, but I did curse at some homeless dude. Got back (barely) grabbed two waters and drank as if it was the last water on earth.
Then I went home.
I am beginning to really love speed workouts. They should kick ASS. That is the whole point. To push yourself harder than normal to get the most out of the workout. Or some such shit like that!! Oh, at one point the 6 minute milers blew past me so fast that I don’t even know if I really saw them or I was hallucinating.
Fun times.
Today, because I was a wuss last night
And didn’t run with Kara and the group I decided to run 3 miles today in her honor! And also in honor of all those who lost their lives in 9/11. It was a rainy windy run but I had to do it. 3 miles 31.02 10.20 min/mile.
Mile 1 10.45
Mile 2 10.30
Mile 3 9.46
Tomorrow is a total rest day for me because Sunday I am riding in the NYC Century Bike ride and I am signed up for the 55 mile ride. I am looking forward to that!!
Have a great Friday folks!
People begin running for any number of motives, but we stick to it for one basic reason-to find out who we really are.
George Sheehan, M.D.
