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December 24, 2005
Slip n Slide
I always wanted a slip n slide as a kid, but I think my mom worried about our general safety too much (although I vaguely recall having one for a summer; I wore a lot of hip bruises that year from rolling over rocks). Today I awoke to a balmy 35 degrees in chicago and met my friend, Kim, for a run. I overdressed, of course, but I appropriately stripped down to just my base layer once we hit the lakefront. Getting to the lakefront was another story.
I have a habit - formed sometime around the age of 17 - of falling at least once every winter (hence the strange slip n slide metaphor). I registered that fall in the books today. Kim and I took a relatively unknown street to the lakefront and decided to run in the street as opposed to over the slush-ice-water covered sidewalks. Somewhere in between the sidewalk and the street, I slipped. Fortunately, I landed on my right hand and prevented my knee from slamming into the concrete. We laughed it off and almost immediately regained our momentum.
I did not take all of our splits, but the splits that I caught hovered right around - or slightly under - 7 minute pace. This run convinced me that the treadmill I log many of my winter miles on is totally off. 7:30 pace on the treadmill feels closer to 7:10 pace outside. It could just be me, but I think the 10 mile hard runs I have been putting in - getting down to 6:30 pace - have me fitter than I have been in a looooooong time.
Speaking of treadmills, I am a wimp. Yes, I adore winter running, but I detest ice . . . I really, really detest ice. As a result, I have become good friends with a certain TRUE treadmill. I don't care if some running gods and gurus and speedsters disagree with my soft spot for the treadmill - I am going to use it ALL winter long! I will continue to do my long runs and semi-long runs outside, but everything else will be moved indoors if and when there is ice on the ground.
This week has been a confidence booster. I will hit my highest mileage in over a year: 61. That's kind of like a milestone for me, especially considering the fact that my legs feel peppy - like an over-caffeniated cheerleader (not that I have anything against cheerleaders - my older sister, katie, cheered for years!!). My glutes are tired, but not horrifyingly painful.
I would love to race a half in the next couple of weeks to test my fitness level, but I probably need a warmer climate and a few hundred miles outside of the midwest to realize that desire. Hmmm. Maybe B. will volunteer some of his Starwood points to my running endeavors. I am sure there are lots of great halfs out west - maybe even near Seattle (where my twin sister is!!).
And speaking of twin sisters, I really miss mine. This Christmas eve marks the first one in our lives that we will not see each other. That makes me extremely sad . . . I wish she were in Chicago right now.
My mom says that I need to blog more so I am going to try to update more regularly ;)
Posted by bridget at December 24, 2005 02:18 PM
Comments
I'm glad you got your annual fall out of the way and it wasn't too bad. I think the treadmill is a great way to get fast, and since I think it's harder than running outside, I'm definitely not going to pass judgement on anyone who runs on a treadmill. I'm just impressed when people can do it without going out of their minds with boredom.
It sounds like you've been putting in some awesome training!! It's so great to read that you're in such good shape. I hope you can find a nice, warm(ish) race where you can show off your fitness.
Happy holidays!
Posted by: Alison at December 24, 2005 04:47 PM
Come to the Naples half with me!!!!!! it's a flat race and it's the 22nd and we could meet and share hotel expenses and sit in the sun (or in the hotel, as we'd be there to race!) i am seriously looking for someone to go with for two reason- 1) it's cheaper and 2) and more importantly, i think it would be more fun. florida in january- who can beat it:)
Posted by: Lilly at December 26, 2005 04:45 PM