Great day and 5k race for the 20th annual Lupus Loop. After yesterday's Snowtober mess, today was a pleasing bright sunshiny day. Still very cold and breezy but sun sure makes a huge difference.
My friend Kristie and her family organize a team - Linda's Loopers - for this race and I was pleased to make it this year. (Last year I woke up not feeling well). I crashed early and hard last night after supporting Phillyfit's 13-21-30 milers yesterday so by 7:30 am I was ready to go. Due to traffic issues every where else I was one of the first of our group to arrive. This proved to be an issue for my feet which were frozen by the time the race started and so I clumped along for 2/3 of the race.
There were several phillyfitters on Kristie's team in addtion to her friends and family. John C (who ran 30 yesterday) and Sherry (who ran 10 and hung around freezing to support her teamates) were there. Maureen was also there and she and I ran together. That was especially nice for me. I haven't run with her in over two years. She kept me moving and smiling.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Good week #2
I followed up the 6 miles on Saturday with 3 on Sunday. On Wednesday I went out with Jeannie and John on the Chester Valley Trail. At their pace this would have been a tempo run for me. I'm pretty sure they slowed it down some for me though so it was somwhere between their pace and mine. Still I kept up. We ran 15 minutes out. Took a short walk break and came back.
I was happy to have a run with Jeannie. She will be doing the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. She looks strong. Has a slight case of nerves but that is normal. John will be doing his first 21 miler on Saturday in preparation for Philly Marathon in November. He looked good too.
Thursday was an off day and today I went out for 30 minutes around the neighborhood. I'll be off tomorrow supporting Phillyfit for their 21 miler and then doing the Lupus Loop 5k with Kristie and her team on Sunday.
I was happy to have a run with Jeannie. She will be doing the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. She looks strong. Has a slight case of nerves but that is normal. John will be doing his first 21 miler on Saturday in preparation for Philly Marathon in November. He looked good too.
Thursday was an off day and today I went out for 30 minutes around the neighborhood. I'll be off tomorrow supporting Phillyfit for their 21 miler and then doing the Lupus Loop 5k with Kristie and her team on Sunday.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
6 miles of sunshine and crushed stone
Today I drove out to the Graterford Trailhed on the Perkiomen Trail with Mark. We were assigned to a water stop out there for our friends doing 21 miles today. I decided to do my 6 miles from there. We ran 3 miles toward Oaks and back.
I had picked this route for a variety of reasons. The top two were that it is mostly crushed stone/gravel at this point and I don't get to run out that way often so I thought it would be nice to have something new. BINGO! I had an awesome run. It was a gorgeous day; cold and crisp with bright sunshine. We ran 3 and 1's and I was surprised when the walk break came every time.
My knees and ankles felt good the whole way. I noticed my left hamstring toward the end but no real pain. I took an alleve the night before and this morning which probably helped the joints.
I left my watch at home today. I didn't want to be tempted to look at it at all. I didn't want to know our pace. I know I pushed it a bit because Mark was running with me but I was proud that I let myself lag a step behind keeping him from pushing me too hard. In the end, according to his watch we averaged 12 min miles almost on the dot. Not bad for all the struggles lately.
I had picked this route for a variety of reasons. The top two were that it is mostly crushed stone/gravel at this point and I don't get to run out that way often so I thought it would be nice to have something new. BINGO! I had an awesome run. It was a gorgeous day; cold and crisp with bright sunshine. We ran 3 and 1's and I was surprised when the walk break came every time.
My knees and ankles felt good the whole way. I noticed my left hamstring toward the end but no real pain. I took an alleve the night before and this morning which probably helped the joints.
I left my watch at home today. I didn't want to be tempted to look at it at all. I didn't want to know our pace. I know I pushed it a bit because Mark was running with me but I was proud that I let myself lag a step behind keeping him from pushing me too hard. In the end, according to his watch we averaged 12 min miles almost on the dot. Not bad for all the struggles lately.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Permission
40 minutes on Sunday; 2 mile walk on Monday; 45 minutes on Tuesday; off Wednesday and 25 minutes with only 2 walk breaks today. I've set the bar to zero now and will be taking it one day at a time for now.
A friend wrote in her blog a week or so ago about giving herself permission to walk and that's how she is going to get through the marathon coming up. I've given myself permission to suck** and that's how I'm not being disappointed in my workouts right now.
My goal was to be out 4 days this week and I did.
I will take off tomorrow and I'm supposed to run 10 miles on Saturday. I'm setting up a water stop for one of Phillyfit's new runners who is doing her 21 miler early. The water stop is out on the mostly gravel part of the trail. I'm going to drive out there and run 3 out and back from there. I'm hoping the grave (which I prefer) will feel better. At any rate it is motivating me to not just bag the whole thing. Yes, I know that's only 6. But I want to make sure I will be finished before the runner gets to the stop. If all goes well I'll do another 4 after group meeting or later in the day.
**Yeah i know that's harsh but I can't find another word at the moment. The important thing anyway is that I'm not giving up completely.
A friend wrote in her blog a week or so ago about giving herself permission to walk and that's how she is going to get through the marathon coming up. I've given myself permission to suck** and that's how I'm not being disappointed in my workouts right now.
My goal was to be out 4 days this week and I did.
I will take off tomorrow and I'm supposed to run 10 miles on Saturday. I'm setting up a water stop for one of Phillyfit's new runners who is doing her 21 miler early. The water stop is out on the mostly gravel part of the trail. I'm going to drive out there and run 3 out and back from there. I'm hoping the grave (which I prefer) will feel better. At any rate it is motivating me to not just bag the whole thing. Yes, I know that's only 6. But I want to make sure I will be finished before the runner gets to the stop. If all goes well I'll do another 4 after group meeting or later in the day.
**Yeah i know that's harsh but I can't find another word at the moment. The important thing anyway is that I'm not giving up completely.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Moving forward
10 miles today. We ran the loop then over to the 2 mile tree on River Trail at Betzwood and back. I ran with Elaine and Mary. The loop was windy (but not as windy as it likely was later).
I'd rate this run a 2.5. I wasn't entirely comfortable to make it a 2 but not stressed enough to call it a 3.
I rolled my feet on a tennis ball before heading out in the morning and I think that may have helped with the plantar fasciatis. I've been rolling the tennis ball while sitting at my desk at work during the week as well. I'm still having tightnes in my left hamstring. I was only a slight pain at the beginning. Mostly just a naggin annoyance. By mile 8 though it became really bothersome. I must do a better job of stretching it before I run. Probably a warm up walk and some stretching. I'm also going to get a foam roller. So many people say good things about them. I did a little research online about how to use one and it seems like a good idea. At the very least it won't do any harm.
I'm looking forward to the yoga class on Wednesday. I've never tried yoga but I've read that it's good weight bearing excercise and good for flexibility; something these old bones could really use. Let's just hope I don't lose my nerve about going.
I'd rate this run a 2.5. I wasn't entirely comfortable to make it a 2 but not stressed enough to call it a 3.
I rolled my feet on a tennis ball before heading out in the morning and I think that may have helped with the plantar fasciatis. I've been rolling the tennis ball while sitting at my desk at work during the week as well. I'm still having tightnes in my left hamstring. I was only a slight pain at the beginning. Mostly just a naggin annoyance. By mile 8 though it became really bothersome. I must do a better job of stretching it before I run. Probably a warm up walk and some stretching. I'm also going to get a foam roller. So many people say good things about them. I did a little research online about how to use one and it seems like a good idea. At the very least it won't do any harm.
I'm looking forward to the yoga class on Wednesday. I've never tried yoga but I've read that it's good weight bearing excercise and good for flexibility; something these old bones could really use. Let's just hope I don't lose my nerve about going.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Needing direction
It seems like all I do here anymore is whine about things or talk about starting over. I need to do one and quit the other. Really.
Recently, I revisited posts from my training for the 2010 Goofy Challenge. I felt strong then. I had discipline and direction. I don't feel any of those now. How do I get it back? Having a goal is not the answer. Despite having races on my schedule I haven't held it together. Maybe I need a different kind of goal? Right now I think I have to start with one day at a time.
I think this funk may be affecting my leadership in Phillyfit too. I don't think my personal running activities influence my ability to organize the group (my natural obsessive dorky tendencies do take care of that) but my funk does seem to be affecting my enthusiasm for the job and likely is showing. The group is coming into the final weeks now - longest run of the season in three weeks - I need to be more attentive to their needs.
Here's hoping for a good week. Stay tuned.
Recently, I revisited posts from my training for the 2010 Goofy Challenge. I felt strong then. I had discipline and direction. I don't feel any of those now. How do I get it back? Having a goal is not the answer. Despite having races on my schedule I haven't held it together. Maybe I need a different kind of goal? Right now I think I have to start with one day at a time.
I think this funk may be affecting my leadership in Phillyfit too. I don't think my personal running activities influence my ability to organize the group (my natural obsessive dorky tendencies do take care of that) but my funk does seem to be affecting my enthusiasm for the job and likely is showing. The group is coming into the final weeks now - longest run of the season in three weeks - I need to be more attentive to their needs.
Here's hoping for a good week. Stay tuned.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
OCNJ Half Completed
First let me congratulate Jamie for her awesome PR (20+ MINUTES) at this race. She trained well, she ran well and I'm so proud of and excited for her. I think a marathon may be in her future some day :)
My weekend started with Phillyfit's Saturday miles. I did not run. I was just there. Kristie came over about 4ish and we headed down to OC. We chatted the whole way and before I knew it we were on route 9 heading into Marmora. With Kristie navigating we worked our way to Jamie's in-laws house. I wrote the house number down as 13 but it was actually 31. There was no 13 which was a bit disconcerting at first. Then I remembered she told me what was on the mailbox and that helped us get straightened out.
This was the first time I met Jamie in person and I was also introduced to her two adorable children, Ben and Elijah. Jamie's father in law had prepared an awesome pasta dinner for us. It was an early night. Everyone was in bed by 9:00 p.m. I slept better than I thought I would being in a strange place. Guess I was just that tired.
My weekend started with Phillyfit's Saturday miles. I did not run. I was just there. Kristie came over about 4ish and we headed down to OC. We chatted the whole way and before I knew it we were on route 9 heading into Marmora. With Kristie navigating we worked our way to Jamie's in-laws house. I wrote the house number down as 13 but it was actually 31. There was no 13 which was a bit disconcerting at first. Then I remembered she told me what was on the mailbox and that helped us get straightened out.
This was the first time I met Jamie in person and I was also introduced to her two adorable children, Ben and Elijah. Jamie's father in law had prepared an awesome pasta dinner for us. It was an early night. Everyone was in bed by 9:00 p.m. I slept better than I thought I would being in a strange place. Guess I was just that tired.
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