« May 2005 | Main | July 2005 »

June 15, 2005

Can't Take a Zero Today

I don't have a lot to say because my week has not been that newsworthy, but I figured I would sign on and roll anyway. Actually, yesterday was a GREAT running day! I ran 5.5 in the morning on the treadmill and then I met Ricky for a nice 6.5 mile run in the evening. We switched up paces quite a bit and I usually find that intolerable and annoying if it is not labeled an intentional "fartlek," but for some reason we really hit our stride together nicely and we respond instantly to each other's pick-ups and slow downs. The wind was fierce and angry coming off of Lake Michigan, but we fought through it. I did not time our run, but I am guessing that we ran the majority of it around 7 minute pace. My morning run was done around 8:00. I have been sticking to 8 minute pace on the treadmill - which takes an extraordinary amount of self-discipline, but keeping the pace reasonable is allowing me to hang in the 50s every week without getting injured. I am fairly confident that this is going to be another 50 mile week.

Today was more difficult than yesterday. I crawled out of bed and felt like a semi-truck nailed me. I was cold and head-achy all morning and afternoon, but my legs felt spunky and jumpy and I had an urge to exercise them. I decided around 6PM to hop on the treadmill and just drain my legs a bit - I ran 3 miles at 7:00 minute pace and called it quits. Deep down inside, I really did not want to record a giant 0 in my running log either. I justified my 3 mile run by telling myself it was only 21 minutes! I actually feel better now.

I am psyched for tomorrow - I am working at the running store from 10-6. I plan to run 4-5 in the AM and then I am meeting a long-time friend around 6:30 to pound out another 6-9. She is an amazing talent - she rarely trains for marathons but she easily runs them in under 3:20. I think if she decided to chase a sub 3 she would get it. But she does not seem to run to compete - she truly loves the freedom and sense of happiness and peace that she receives from it. She keeps me grounded and in love with the sport.

Oh - for some who are wondering, B. and I are getting hitched on October 22, 2005 in Boston, MA - my old stomping ground. Since I am a total tomboy at heart and I hate poofy dresses and formal events, we are keeping everything very small and fun! My dress is nothing flashy or princess-like. It is simple, yet elegant. We are not doing a formal reception - just dinner and LOTS of drinks at a loungy type of restaurant. We only have 4 months to go and we have done very little planning. Have I mentioned that I am a professional procrastinator?

Posted by bridget at 10:00 PM | Comments (4)

June 13, 2005

"Hi, my name is . . ."

Via Barb and Audrey, I have decided to join in the fun and post the survey on my blog. I am not wildly interesting or sleepily boring so here goes . . .

three physical things you like about yourself.
1) my legs - they're pretty strong.
2) my blue eyes - somewhat almond shaped.
3) my black toenails - they make me look tougher than I really am!

three physical things you don’t.
1) my stomach circa 2005 (I liked it circa 1996 - I am copying this
straight from Barb's blog) I don't have a lot of "junk in the trunk" because it all sits in my belly - seriously.
2) my arms - shake! rattle! & roll!
3) my high-arched feet . . . trouble-makers.

three things that scare you.
1) death and illness.
2) public speaking and being the center of attention (hence, the need for a small wedding).
3) the possibility of someday raising kids in a world that I am unsure of and question.

three of your everyday essentials.
1) bagels & candy (the sugary stuff like starburst jelly beans).
2) running.
3) coffee - black or a latte.

three things you are wearing now.
1) a 1960s-70s looking tie-dyed t-shirt.
2) Mizunos!
3) B's Polar watch.

three of your favorite bands or musical artists.
1) Belle & Sebastian - "Stars of Track & Field are beautiful people."
2) Cat Stevens - I once sang "Peace Train" and "Moonshadow" karioke.
3) Arcade Fire.

three things you want in a relationship
1) Trust and security.
2) Friendship.
3) Lots of laughs and happiness.
(B. has all of these and many more amazing qualities!)

two truths and a lie (which is a lie?).
1) I tried to fly when I was 4 and cracked a bone in my foot.
2) I have never had Clif Shot.
3) I met Michael Jordan.

three physical things that turn you on.
1) curious eyes.
2) an honest smile.
3) Soccer player legs.

three of your favorite hobbies.
1) Running/other sports.
2) Writing.
3) Exploring/Traveling.

three things you want to do really badly right now.
1) go running.
2) clean the kitchen (pathetic, I know, but it's messiness is driving me dizzy).
3) escape to an island somewhere with a pad of paper, a pen and a hammock.

three careers you are considering.
1) Teaching college composition.
2) Managing/owning a running store - in the distant future.
3) Writing . . . which falls under the umbrella of "dreaming." I have always wanted to be a starving artist ;)

three places you want to go on vacation.
1) Africa (my twin sister is leaving for Africa in July).
2) Europe (Germany, Italy, Spain . . . backpacking trip).
3) Hawaii.

three things you want to do before you die.
1) Travel the world.
2) Write a book.
3) Run a sub 3 hour marathon and maybe - just maybe - break 2:50 someday.

Posted by bridget at 12:48 PM | Comments (4)

June 11, 2005

Week in Review - Steamboat 15K

Since I last posted, I mentioned that I have been feeling pretty smooth and excited. The past two weeks I have logged 50 miles (this is a GIANT deal for me!). My legs feel fresher than they have in a really long time, and I am slowly feeling my running body returning to shape (not there yet . . . there's still a few wiggles that I feel when I am pounding the concrete!!!). At any rate, I broke my running streak at 20 days on Tuesday. I didn't necessarily want to take the day off - and I love the fact that I am at that point where it kills to take days off - but I decided not to push my luck. I think a day of complete rest salvaged my body for this morning's run. I am pumped to be back at a point where running is part of my everyday routine and I feel lost and antsy and moody without my friend (friend meaning miles in the bank).

So my twin sister, her friend from college, and our friend from Kenya, Ricky, all piled into my car late on Friday night and drove 3 hours from Chicago to Central Illinois. Peoria boasts a great running community mostly fueled by its classic running store, "Running Central," and its famous state cross country course. Peoria - aside from being the capital of Catepillar - also has something that Chicago does not: HILLS. I have professed my love for hills many times, and I hold fast to that love, but it really sucked today! I was not prepared for 2 steep 300 meter hills and some smaller bumps along the way.

Ricky and I decided that we would bust out 6:40s and run together the entire race. Some background: Ricky is Kalenjin and he has the longest, skinniest legs that I have ever seen! With no training he clipped off 6:02s in a recent race. I figured it was going to be a challenge to chase those legs. But today was not his day. We started off at a fast pace together, but it felt good. We hit the mile around 6:35 and I felt great. After we climbed the first hill, Ricky stopped. So I stopped. He tried to jog again, but he just didn't have the magic and his hamstring was misbehaving. Unsure of what to do, I slowed to a jog - hoping that he would catch up again and we could coast together. After about a 1/2 mile of trotting, I picked it back up and tried to get back into a comfortably hard pace.

I ended up finishing as the 4th woman in 64-65 minutes. I probably lost about 2 minutes stopping and jogging, but they are 2 minutes I was glad to lose :) I suppose my pace came out to 6:58, but it was probably more in the arena of 6:45-6:55. The good news is that I never felt like I was racing. I honestly felt like I was just easily coasting. I am gaining confidence from these spontaneous races - I really think that if 6:58 pace is feeling this comfortable that maybe I have a sub 3 in my legs this fall :) I need to believe!!

I may pass on Chicago, though. It's getting enormous and crowded. Because I have no problem pushing myself by myself, I think I may run a smaller fall marathon. Maybe Quad Cities? Any suggestions?

Posted by bridget at 06:51 PM | Comments (4)

June 04, 2005

Race Chaos!

So I have to admit, the ensuing chaos from this race has now made national headlines and it was all over the chicago news last night. My race re-cap from www.marathonguide.com even made the NBC 5 news! That was kind of exciting and totally amusing. I do feel awful that I am amused by this debacle because the bottom line is that people were forced to run 27.2 miles (or 13.6 in the half, or 14.6 in my case!) and that is NOT right. One runner wrote in that he was happy to finish his first ultra - I had to chuckle at that comment. I do encourage everyone to read the reviews of the Lakeshore marathon on www.chicagoaa.com and marathonguide.com. The Chicago Tribune also plastered the story on its front page yesterday and that is what set off the media firestorm.

Aside from my newsworthy half marathon to kick off the week, I am ecstatic to report that I am now on a 15 day running streak. This is giant news for me since I have literally been in a running slump since 2002. OUCH. When I met Alison in Boston this year, I predicted that this may be my summer of redemption! I am just *really* hoping for a healthy and injury-free summer of running. I think it also helps that I am approaching this new running streak with an upbeat and optimistic attitude. I am also not afraid to log 2 miles in my running log. I used to have a poor attitude and I would simply not run if it was not going to be 6-8 miles; I considered anything less a waste of time. I think I am finally maturing as a runner and realizing that consistency at this point is more important than miles.

That said, I will hit 50 miles this week - yipppeee! I have already made a pact with myself that I will not exceed 65 miles/week this summer. I am putting myself on a long term plan that will have me running 50-65 miles this summer and hopefully 70-75 next year, and maybe 80-85 in 2 years, and possibly even a 100 miles 3-4 years from now. I want to climb to that point slowly and steadily and - most importantly - healthily.

Since I have posted 43 miles already this week, I plan to run 3-5 this afternoon and bike or lift, and run 10 miles tomorrow AM. THIS IS SO EXCITING!

Posted by bridget at 10:56 AM | Comments (5)

June 01, 2005

Just for Kicks . . .

Check out the runners' comments on the Lakeshore marathon on www.marathonguide.com

I really wish the race director could organize this race a little better because everyone agrees that the course is fantastic . . . but there is a total lack of organization. Last year the marathon was 25 miles. This year it was 27. There were no mile markers after 6 for the half and I only recall 4 water stations. If I were the race director I would seriously flee the city!

Posted by bridget at 12:05 PM | Comments (2)

Doublemint Twins!

I put off running until 7:30 last night - I almost violated my "I am going to run everyday - even if it's just 15 minutes" rule. My legs were feeling the whip lash effect from Monday's half. But around 7:15PM my twin sister, Aine (spelled the gaelic way), called and invited me to run with her. I was so excited. Aine just returned from Surf camp in Costa Rica and she has the killer tan, not to mention the bruises from surfing, to prove it. We always have a blast when we run, but last night was like "old times." She was a bit off her rocker with a glowing sense of humor, and I was a little loopy from my recent rekindled relatonship with running and the fact that I stuck to my guns and quit my job.

Some of the best runs Aine and I ever had were the few times she flew out to Boston to visit me during college. Growing up she was more into basketball (she has a sweet3 point shot) than running. So when I would fly out the door for my daily 3 mile refresher, she would strap on her rollerblades and tag along with me. I swear all of my 3 mile PRs were set during that time . . . she thought it was fun to race me, and I could not turn down a fair challenge. I love the fact that she enjoys running now-a-days.

We went our usual route in the city - which takes us to Lincoln Park Zoo and the lakefront before we turn around and head back west. We were laughing the entire time. It still amazes me that people look at us and wonder if we are related in some way. She is taller and lankier than me and our faces are shaped a little differently, but we still look like sisters, if not twins. We had a total blast - I think escaping to Costa Rica was the best thing that she could have done.

By the way, the Marathon that accompanied the half on Monday that I ran was 27 miles long! The half was also long. People are up in arms over the disorganization of the race . . . my heart literally breaks for people who were gunning for a Boston Qualifier, but missed it because the course was 27+ miles. That stings.

Posted by bridget at 07:59 AM | Comments (2)