Firecracker 5K!

4th of July was a rainy day, yet a great day for running. Danny woke me up around 5:30 with an accident, so after changing the sheets, I got about another 45 minutes or so of sleep. Got up around 7:15, and got ready. Had coffee, and a bagel w/PB. Left around 8:00. I had no troubles parking, and got my number, etc. Took care of 'business' early, which was nice.

Did a mile warmup, and felt ok. It was very humid, so I was already sweaty when I lined up.

As usual, the race did not start until around 9:10. Since this race only has a timing mat at the end, it is important to line up close to the front, but I was probably about 20 seconds behind the start.

Again, as usual, the first half mile was really crowded. I did not wear my Garmin, but did have a watch. I got going around the first hill, and focused on passing women. I did not see/hear the 1st mile, which in hindsight might have been good, as I just kept running. My goal was to best my time from last year, which was 22:51. I had only done 1 speed workout since late April, so was not gunning for a PR. I did want the AG win however!

At the turn I was around 11 minutes, and feeling pretty good. I did hear the 2-mile time of around 15 minutes, so got a bit worried. Turned out it was 2.1 miles. At this point I felt really good, and since I know the course so well, knew how many more hills there were. At about 2.25 miles I saw a woman who I thought was Tina S- a USC woman who I have never beat, who is a few years older than I am. I wasn't sure if it was her, but then I heard someone yell 'Go Tina'. At this point we were running on opposite sides of the road- my in the middle, she on the outside. I had this who conversation in my head about how I COULD do it, just to run with her, and take my time getting ahead of her. I did get ahead of her with about a .25 miles to go. This is where I think it really helps to know the course, b/c the Giant Eagle sign was in view, but I know that the finish was still .1 beyond it. I set my sights on a woman who looked a little older than myself who was ahead of me, and did not look back.

Just before the finish, a younger girl caught up and passed me. Again, the internal conversation. In the past, I would have just let her take me, but I am trying to be mentally as well as physically tough, so I dug deep, and passed both the younger and older woman right at the finish. The younger girl was kind enough to congratulate me, and thank me for pacing her during the race. That was a nice compliment. My watch said 22:06. Official time was 22:21. Not a PR, but a PB for the course. yea!

They didn't get the results up for quite some time. Ran into Jim Wilding, and asked him if he would pick up an award, should I have one, since we were heading up to Seven Springs. He was nice enough to do so. Got 1st in my AG!

I also got an email from a friend who said her brother-in-law told her I won my AG, and that I 'beat him by 16 seconds'. It was nice that she sent a congrats email, and nicer that I beat him. (tee hee!)

Had too much fun at Seven Springs with the Halls and Engels. Kids had an amazing time, and we had fun with campfire, sparklers, and 'Ticket to Ride' game.

I am still on the running every other day plan. I think I'm going to go see the Dr. to get the knee checked out to make sure everything is ok in there before I start the marathon training. I am actually debating doing a 1/2 marathon program for the Ikea race, then continuing with a 10 week marathon plan. We'll see. Due to the two vacations, a shorter plan might be in order.

I will most likely not race again until the Ikea race, but might do another 5K for speed workout.

You Never Know When Life is Going to Bite you on the Ass!

So, it finally happened to me-- after 17 years of running, TODAY I was attacked and bit by a dog-- on the *SS! Not the first time this dog has come after me, and thus I don't run on this street very often, but he ran right past his owner, crossed the street, teeth bared, growling. I, of course, turned away, and he bit me! There are marks on my skin, and one almost broke the skin.The jack*ss just stood there and said 'I'm sorry'. am thinking he should have to by me a new pair of running shoes at least!

Of course it turns out DH knows him- I filed a police report anyway-- I'm not letting the Club prevent me from my basic rights. Also want to make sure damn dog is up to date on his shots, b/c there is one welt which almost broke the skin. Bruise is now pretty purple color.

Sure makes getting up early to run look fun, eh?

Unique and Important Run

Thursday I did speedwork for the 1st time since the marathon. Did it on the treadmill, which I have decided is going to be my 'necessary evil' for speed/tempo running. Did 1 mile warmup, then 1 x 600, 1 x 700, 1 x 800, 1 x 700, 1 x 600, all at paces between 6:58 and 6:49. Felt great during, and the knee did not hurt. Have been doing weight training 2x a week, and will add another day or two of ten minutes of core work to the routine. Am getting frustrated that it is taking so long to lose this weight.

I had a very interesting run yesterday.

Started out on a soft trail I like to run longer runs on, and was planning to do 8M today, did my first speedwork since the marathon on Thursday and wanted to see how the knee would feel after the speedwork. I had my fuel belt on, which drives me crazy, but with the humidity at 3:00 this afternoon, was a necessary evil.

So, after the 1st two miles, my right knee was hurting, not aching, but hurting. I was pissed, and stopped to walk a bit. I ran two more miles, then started thinking "what the hell am I doing, I can't get hurt at this stage" and then walked another 1/4 mile or so, and was going to call it a day. So, I got back to my car, ditched the fuel belt and these little IT Band straps I wear on my knees (VERY sexy, BTW) and decided to at least get a good walk in. I started running again after a little bit, the knee felt better. I ended up doing six more miles, for a total of 10, and the knee felt great!

Obviously an unique run, but also important for two reasons:
1) I was willing/able to STOP when the knee hurt, and
2) Gave it a second chance and stuck with the run, albeit at a walk/run pace for the first 4 miles.

Overall pace was 9:31, which also was surprising and motivating. Knee feels good today!

Went out for sushi w/DH last night-- yummy dinner and good chat. Mistake was going to the Club for another drink. Oh well.

Boys have a b-day party later today, and we are going to Church in awhile. Yucky weather, nice lazy day.

Back at it!

RR: ran 4 easy Friday and 5 today. Knee feels MUCH better. I am going to run every other day for the next couple of weeks, and see how things go. It will be interesting to see how the 5K on 4th of July is, b/c I have not done any speedwork since April. Might have to do some 800s next week.

NRR: Have vowed to lose these damn 4 pounds-- 1 down, 3 to go. Frustrating, but all it takes is willpower, right?

Boys start playground camp and acting camp this week-- yea! Tommy is also doing the golf clinic, so they will be busy, and I will have some time to myself again-- which I desperately need.

Cheers!

Take it Easy...

So- the mileage challenge was not the best thing for my old legs-- ran 28 miles last week, but have not run since Friday and its Tuesday. Knees have been hurting in different places, so I am taking it easy this week.

Today is GNO, so I am planning to swim, then take the Group Power class at Healthtrax before the drinks/dinner at the Club. I'm not sure if the Group Power is messing with my knees, or the ramped-up mileage. Am going to take it back to 20 mpw for the rest of June, then slowly build to the first week of training for Philly.

I am planning to do Pfitz again, but might modify it to a 15 week program, mostly due to the vacations we are taking-- I don't want to be obsessing about mileage when we are in Washington visiting with the other families. We'll see--

TTFN!

June Mileage Challenge

Ok- so I haven't posted for awhile-- been going through some yucky emotional stuff, and this is not the place for venting about that- might have to start another log/blog somewhere else for all that crap.

Anyway, I feel as though I have had a renewed interest in running for running's sake: not training, just getting out there and doing whatever feels right for that day. Inspiration has come in two forms:
1) the June Mileage Challenge on RW online: I don't want to be a big slacker, and want to post mpw of 25,28,30,35 or somewhere in that realm for a goal total for the month of 130 miles. Most of these miles will be very slow, and I'm not even sure I'm going to get a race in due to the combination of lack of races, DH's golf and boys' baseball games. Oh well- I've got my eye on breaking 21:30 again at the 4th of July 5K, so that is the prize for now.

2) Trying to lose the weight that has creeped on since running the marathon, combined with Deep Creek/Birthday celebrations. Goal is to run at least 3M a day until the 3lbs. come off. We'll see how long THAT takes!

Have also been doing strength training classes at Healthtrax, which will hopefully benefit my running and overall physique. Although I don't harbor any hopes of being as thin as I was a few years ago, it would be nice to feel good in my fun outfits.

Go team north!

Sunday: 10M
Monday: 4.5M
Tuesday: 6.25M

PMS: Post- Marathon Syndrome

Yes-- I've got it BAD! I'm not sure if its the letdown of the race being .25 miles too long ('adjusted' time is 3:47:07!) or the lack of structure that I anticipate over the next few weeks/months, or the fact that I'm finally letting in what happened with my brother last month.

ANYWAY-- I've been in the dumps big time! Ran 3M on both Th and Fr, and got up today to run but couldn't get it in b/c it was raining, the club wasn't open yet....

RR: I am really pleased with my adjusted time b/c that exceeds my secret goal time of 3:48. So, I should be really happy, right? I guess over time it will sink in.

A very busy weekend: boys had hockey tryouts this morning, which went well in the fact that they skated very well-- both of them, but not well in the fact that there might only be two teams next year at their level. This is something I have to let go b/c it is out of my hands.

Gotta go- everyone is here for the afternoon: mom, dad, Megan. Tommy has a baseball game, then we're going out shortly after that.

Happy Birthday to me- ugh!