Oh what a night

I almost didn't make it, the couch sucked me in. I woke up an hour after I should have started my run surounded by a pool of drool. It was tempting to stay there, I was comfy and the dogs were snuggling. This is when I get irritated with marathon training. Runs becomes do or die (well not that extreme but it feels that way), counting up mile after mile. Screw it, lets see what happens. I peeled myself off the sofa and ever so slowly changed into my running attire. Again, fate tried to destroy me, after shutting the front door I instantly realized I was locked out. Really?!?! Luckily I have done this before and it didn't take long to break in and then I took off, enough with the stalling. The weather felt sooo much better tonight, even running at 6pm. There was a breeze that actually felt like a breeze, the sun on my shoulders didn't feel like a death scan. I knew I didn't have time for the full 6 miles that had been planned but decided to just run and not think about it. And that's what I did, a few minutes in my thoughts settled. My breathing became rhythmic and I was comfortable. No garmin means I couldn't think about pace or distance. At this point I can gauge pretty well how fast I'm going based on how my legs and lungs felt. I could tell that this was feeling better than most outdoor runs had been lately. It was enjoyable, finally.

Miles trained today: 4.5

Days till the Harvard Pilgrim 10k: 4

Beach to Beacon: 37

Chicago: 102

Let's try this again

I tried to run this morning, I really tried. It was terrible. We made it to the top of the Blvd before I almost drowned in my own sweat. Heading back down, we called it quits and went back up Elmgrove. After a measely 2.5 miles I looked I just got out of the pool. Checking my phone on the way home, it was 91% humidity. Ugh! Now I'm stuck with having to run AGAIN this afternoon. The plan is 3 week day runs this week and Friday off so I have no choice. There was some debate about trying it outdoors again but I headed to the a/c. It was the best decision I've made in a while. The heat and humidity has been taking a toll. My pace feels a bit slower during the week, my legs heavier and my skin is getting a bit fried. This afternoon, it was cool. I was able to push the pace and since I knew I was hoping off after only 3.5 miles I was focused. The run ended with me smiling (not the case after most runs of recent memory) and with a pace of 9:37 per mile. I'll take it and to be honest won't rule out another treadmill run in the near future!

Miles trained today: 6

Days till the Harvard Pilgrim 10K: 5

Beach 2 Beacon: 39

Chicago: 103

One more week done

Finished up another week. Things are remaining on a positive upswing, both in terms of pain and mood. 33 miles with a long run of 11 and 1 yoga class. My long run was slower than last week's 9 miles but also much hotter. I must have become dehydrated and close to death because I decided to sign up for the crabman tri again. If nothing else it will force me to get in the pool more often and maybe even check out that tri club. One of the nicest things about running from the beach is hopping in the ocean immediately after. Joe says it doesn't count as an ice bath, but I'm telling you it's gotta come close. THe last 2 weeks after long runs followed by several minutes in the ocean my legs have felt good, I've been able to run after both runs. This week I'm looking for a 12 mile long run, 37ish miles total and it's the Harvard Pilgrim 10k. That's going to be a hot race, 9am start time next Sunday, UGH! I don't want to stack the schedule too full but if I could also squeeze in 2 swims and 1 yoga class I would be pleased.

PS - To the man who yelled at me out his car window tonight, "keep it up old lady": F off and why don't you try running 3 miles in 80 degree weather and 75% humidity, JACKASS!

Miles trained today: 3

Days till the Harvard Pilgrim 10k: 7

Beach 2 Beacon: 41

Chicago: 105

Perfect, just perfect

Today was one of the most beautiful runs to date, which is funny becuase it wasn't expected to be. We had planned on 10 miles from home before heading for the beach, but when we got up to run our motivation stayed in bed. So we decided to head to the beach early and see what happened. Joe lead the way once we got on the road in our sneaks. Taking a right out of the beach parking lot we ran along the beach road, past the Ocean Mist and into the neighborhoods of Ocean Ave. It wasn't long before we came across stairs leading to East Matunuck Beach, at this early hour it was filled with walkers, runners and dogs. We ran across the beach to the jeti and looked out to Salty Brine Beach, with no way to cross we doubled back and hopped onto Succotash Rd. We followed the for a while and ran into the marshlands before hitting a dead end at Gooseberry lighthouse. By the time we hit our beach again with our car we had run just about 6 miles and the debate began. Do we run another 3 or 4 now, or run long tomorrow. After much debate we took off through the corn fields and followed Card's Pond Rd. to Moonstone Beach Rd turning back after 1.5 miles. The entire run was GORGEOUS, the ocean was amazingly calm and there was a nice cooling breeze for the majority of our run. So many birds, too many too count and there were times I wished I knew more to identify them by. In 9 miles we ran on beach, grass, broken shell, and dirt road. It was perfect, just perfect.

Miles trained today: 9

Days till the Harvard Pilgrim 10k: 15

Beach 2 Beacon: 49

Chicago marathon: 113

Joe! Where are you?

A new morning route brought us out over the bike path into East Providence. We had just cleared the last of what seemed like too many uphills when we lost Joe. He was pooped. After a few moments of joking it became clear that he was a lost cause. The plan was for Jen and I to continue on and come back later with the car. We finished up, at what could only be called a crawl. I got in the car and off I went to find the boy. When I hit the end of Elmgrove I started to get nervous. No worries I started down Gano with my eyes peeled and still nothing. What the hell? Where is he? I figured he must have sat on the steps at the bridge, nope, not there either. It’s no secret that I tend to jump to the worst case senerio outlook in a heartbeat. I began to panic, in my mind Joe had been attacked by the creepy guy on the bike path in a flannel shirt and jeans. What to do, what to do…I drove back to the stadium hoping I had passed him. Finally there ahead of me I spotted the black basket-ball shorts. I speed up and opened the car door. No the creep didn’t attack him on the bridge; he took Taber rather than Elmgrove. After some water and a big bowl of cereal he started to perk back up, tomorrow I’ll make sure we are clear on the route out as well as the route back!

Miles trained today: 6
Days till The Harvard Pilgrim 10k: 17
Beach 2 Beacon: 51
Chicago Marathon: 115

I'm ready, maybe

Ok, I'm ready to really train for Chicago. I've had a few false starts. In actuality my training was supposed to start 2 weeks ago, then postponed till last week and still it hasn't started. To be completely honest I haven't been interested in training for this marathon at all. This will be the 4th time I have started marathon training and I know exactly what I am getting myself into. This training was going to be focused on really jacking up my mileage. It's just not what I need right now. If it becomes a chore I will quit. If I can't get my head into it, I will get hurt. I have decided not to give away my number for Chicago, it's too late for that; I'm ready to train. My mileage will be lower (no higher than mid to high 40's). I'm only running 5 days a week and will have 1 day of cross training and 1 day off. In the past once marathon training started, cross training went right out the window. I'm going to try to get a 20 and 21 mile long run in, previous attempts have ended in long runs no longer than 16 miles. Also, there will be NO monster month! Late in the training when the long runs are 16 plus, I will run hard for a week and then back off for a week, I'm hoping that helps with injury prevention. We'll see how it goes, I feel good about it. Going forward I will state my weekly goals and let you know how I do. So far so good this week, I'm looking for 31-33 miles with a long run of 10 and 1 day of swimming.

Miles trained today: 6

Days till the Harvard Pilgrim 10k: 18

Beach 2 Beacon: 52

Chicago Marathon: 116

Matunuck

It's summer, so that means we will be at the beach every free moment. In the past running has cramped our style when it comes to the beach. If we can't get there early enough to beat the traffic, there is no point. So this summer we plan on doing most of our weekend runs in South Kingstown. Today was the first attempt and it was a really nice run. We parked at the beach and headed up the beach road, turning onto Matunuck School House Rd. Heading out was nice, plenty of shade and a cool breeze. At one point I thought about how it was not going to be this nice heading back but forgot about it. Until we turned around after 4 miles. It got uncomfortable quick. Finally I gave up and ran on the wrong side of the road in an attempt to get more cover from the shade. It wasn't too long before we hit the beach road again. Unfortunately it's over a half mile before we hit the beach parking lot but we could see it for quite a while. I found myself picking up speed only to poop out and fall back again. No worries we made it back to the car and kept a pace just under 10 min miles. We'll be back tomorrow for a bit of a longer run and are hoping to have a bit more sun to enjoy after the run!

Miles trained today: 8

Days till the Harvard Pilgrim 10k: 22

Beach 2 Beacon 10k: 56

Chicago Marathon: 120

Camping

When I was a kid our family vacations were spent in the woods a various campgrounds. Camping is part of my earliest memories. Different campgrounds with friends and family. Cape Cod, MA, RI, CT all over New England. Rain, sun, heat, some of the worst thunderstorms, cold nights all kinds of weather. My Dad had a part of the basement dedicated to his camping gear, we had everything it seemed like. Tarps of all colors, shapes and sizes and just as many different kinds of rope to go along with all the tarps. Even a coffee maker for the portable stove. Did I forget to mention that we camped in tents, ONLY? I remember when I had a friend with a camper I was shocked to see how the other side lived. All of these memories flooded me during my run tonight. My new i-pod ear buds were failing me and about 2.5 miles in I got sick of playing with them and turned it off. Joe and Jessica were too far ahead for me to even see in the dark. I heard the rain falling on the leaves, trees and the rain coat I was wearing; too many times it seemed like we camped in the rain and that sound brought it all back. Fond memories. Luckily all it did was give me the urge to hop into my dry car after 5 miles, not to camp. I may run in the rain, but I'm a hotel girl when it comes to traveling.

Miles trained today: 5

Days till Harvard Pilgril 10k: 25

Beach 2 Beacon: 59

Chicago Marathon: 124

Blvd Challenge

That's it, I've had it. I can't run on the friggin Blvd one more time! For some reason the majority of my running routes touch the Blvd at one point at another. It's nice to run, the traffic isn't bad but God it's getting boring. Even today we were on there for about a mile, give or take a little. It's to the point now my hamstrings groan when we get close. I have no reason to hate it, I just do, it's boring (or I'm getting bored with the training). I'm guessing I run that road at least 3 if not 4 or 5 times a week. Not always the whole thing, but it's always there. Fairly flat and always tempting. I bet I could run down the middle with a blindfold and only trip 3 times. There are runners who have run it far more often than I have and good for them. For the next 2 weeks I pledge to not step foot on the Blvd. Seems easy, but I'm a creature of habit, my little pigs won't touch that road until 6/23. I'm hoping absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Miles trained today: 5

Days till the Harvard Pilgrim 1ok: 26

Beach 2 Beacon: 60

Chicago Maratho: 124

Quiet

A late day run with heat and humidity at higher than preferred levels meant that I wasn't really looking forward to this run. Combine that with a day at the beach and it's shocking that I ran at all. My mood needed an adjustment in only the way that running can adjust a mood. Lincoln Woods was where I ended up, I knew it would be shady. My i-pod died overseas somewhere between Boston and Costa Rica and I desperately tried one more time to bring it back, including slamming it against my dashboard several times. No luck. I started out and was immediately calmed by the quiet. Even though the loop was full of people and a few passing cars it was very quiet. I focused on my breathing right away and all anxieties were lulled away. I was alone so there was no worry about pace, there were no worries about falling behind or keeping up. There were no conversations to be had and I refused to allow my thoughts to wander back on issues that had been the focus of the weekends perseverations. I finished the 1st loop quicker than I had imagined and kept going. Finishing the 2nd loop there was a brief moment where I questioned going around a third time and just a quickly decided to get in my car and head home.

Miles trained today: 5

Days till Harvard Pilgrim 10k: 27

Beach 2 Beacon 10k: 61

Chicago Marathon: 125