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April 24, 2006
Back At It
I get a day off from running today since I have run six days in a row. My mileage isn't up there yet, but I'm ok with that right now. It can be quite difficult getting back into the swing of things. On Saturday, I almost ran a 10k in a neighboring town, but didn't have enough motivation to go there just yet. I happily watched the race while Brad won it (by 4 minutes just doing a tempo run--must be nice). Instead I ran later with Brad while he did a recovery run. It was only a 35 minute run, but after 5 minutes, the goal was to keep up with him. We like to run over to the middle school fields and do a couple 1.5+ mile loops on the grass. In the past, I usually end up slightly behind him, so one day he "made me" stay with him. Since it's only a short run, it's not a big deal and I get to run a little faster than normal. We'll see what happens when my mileage increases because this run wipes me out a little. It will have to be the second run of a double or something in order for me to survive. I was a little tired yesterday, but I managed to run for an hour, my longest run in a while.
Random question (sort of): I'm interested in buying a water bottle holder (name?) for the summer. Does anyone have one they'd recommend? I also noticed you can get them with the bottle upright, diagonal, or horizontal.
Posted by Caitlin at 7:29 PM | Comments (6)
April 20, 2006
On Vacation
Since it is April vacation for school and I have nothing better to do, I have been "home" in Northampton since yesterday morning. No, seriously, I miss my family and my hometown, and am very glad to be here. I'll be extremely sad when I have to leave tomorrow.
Marathon Monday was mine and Brad's (correct grammar??) 2nd anniversary. I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but I watched the early Boston Marathon coverage while Brad was out running. As a matter of fact, I was enjoying it so much, that I didn't even want to leave to go on our little trip. I really wanted to stay and watch all of the coverage. When Brad got back from his run, and knowing how upset I was about not running, he asked me why I was doing that to myself. I proudly stated I was fine. That was until I saw the segment on the Hoyt's. They bring me to tears every time. I find them so inspirational and should really write them a letter and make a donation. I had a brother who had Spina Bifida and was in a wheelchair. Easter Seals also did tremendous things for my brother. In 1983 (I think), he was the Massachusetts Easter Seals Child. I'm digressing a bit here...
So, as the marathon was starting, Brad and I left for Mystic, CT, where we would be staying in order to go to Foxwoods. Hopkinton is only one exit away from our exit, so as we drove by, we noticed all the police blocking off the exit and all the helicopters flying around advertising something. When we arrived in Mystic we were unable to check in to the hotel, so we briefly checked out Olde Mistick Village and a cute, little running store called Kelley's Pace. A short time later, we checked into the hotel and took a shuttle to Foxwoods. We stayed there about four hours, mostly playing the slot machines, but we also checked out the shops and ate dinner. I suggested we eat at the Hard Rock Cafe, because we ate at one on our honeymoon. Note: I'm a sentimental geek.
As far as running, I've run anywhere between 35 minutes and 50 minutes. I'm definitely out of shape. I need to get in better shape before it gets any warmer, because I was dying today. It wasn't even that hot, but I was struggling. The day I ran 50 minutes was tough too, because in the middle of my run, I saw Brad in the middle of his long run, and tried to cut down a street to catch him. Unfortunately, I had to sprint up a hill for 3 minutes in order to just say "hi." Question: Is anyone else such a geek that they would be so excited to see their spouse/significant other in the middle of their run that they would push their body to the extreme just to see him or her? I mean I really like him and all, but I had just seen him an hour ago.
Posted by Caitlin at 10:27 PM | Comments (5)
April 14, 2006
Not Boston Bound
Wow, this is the longest I've gone without an entry, but I didn't really have anything to say. Well, except for that I won't be on the starting line in Boston. I've known for a while, but didn't really want to admit it because that would make it real.
As I waited for my blistered foot to heal (for a tough layer of skin to grow back), I quickly started to fall out of shape. I still thought I could run the marathon, but with every run it became clear that wasn't going to happen. My foot was too sensitive and I constantly felt a "hot spot." It would not have held up for 3.5+ hours. So, two weeks ago, I just decided to stop running. It was easier than trying to hold out hope. I took four straight days off. Since then I have been running minimally when I feel like it. Now that I'm on vacation from work, I'm going to get back into it. My foot is definitely looking better. I think it should be fully healed (hopefully) by the time I'm ready to do anything of significant distance.
Good luck to anyone running the marathon. I feel badly, but I won't be there because I'm too disappointed to enjoy it and I know I'd be miserable. Monday is also mine and Brad's 2 yr. anniversary so we made alternative plans. I'll be thinking of everyone though.
Posted by Caitlin at 11:13 PM | Comments (1)