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December 29, 2004
Indian Summer
The weather has gone completely screwy here again. But I can't complain about running in shorts in December. It was in the 50's today, and the high for Saturday is 63!
My schedule today called for 10 with 4 at tempo pace, but since I was trying to make up some mileage I broke it into two runs, 6 during the day and 8 at night with 4 at tempo pace. I felt really good during my first run and went a little harder than I meant to. I was a little worried it would affect my workout later, but I felt great.
I had planned to do the tempo miles on the track while the rest of the group did whatever the group workout was, but a few of the guys wanted to do a 30 minute tempo run on the trail. They said they were going marathon pace, which would be about my tempo pace, 6:45, so I decided to join them. I think we started at about a 6:45 pace, but we definitely ran faster than that most of the time, probably closer to 6:30. We were running for time instead of distance, and I think we were pushing a little more than we would have with accurate splits. I felt strong the whole time, and I'm really glad I ran with them--I worked harder than I would have on my own. The best part, though, was that I didn't break a leg--the trail is really, really dark!
I'm planning to do 10 plus some cross training tomorrow. Which means I had better get to bed!
Posted by jessie at 10:51 PM | Comments (1)
December 28, 2004
Alive and Well
Of course, you'd never know that I am, since it's been so long since I posted. After I got back from Kansas, I was so busy trying to get caught up at work, and then I was even busier trying to get ahead at work so I could go away for Christmas...and if I don't post for a day or two, I feel like I have so much to write, that it's going to take me forever to write the entry, and I don't have enough time, so I put it off for another day, and then I have even MORE to write, so I put if off again, and then it seems insurmountable, ad infinitum.
To get back into it, I'm absolving myself of guilt--there's no way I'm going to be able to backtrack and provide detail on the last 2 weeks. And I doubt anyone wants to read a book-length entry detailing the last few weeks. So I'll just summarize:
Running has been going well. I officially started on my Boston schedule the week of December 13. My mileage is in the mid-60's right now, building up to 80 in February and March (I don't want to go back up to my Chicago level this spring, because I think that taking a full year to build back up to that mileage will make me much stronger in the long run.) I'm doing a lot less speed this training cycle, and focusing more on strength with a lot of hill work, tempo runs, and marathon pace long runs. I based my schedule on Pfitzinger's Advanced Marathoning, and I'm excited to see how it goes.
I'm not off to a great start this week, though. I was in Portland, OR visiting family for Christmas, and I didn't run as much as I should have. I felt really, terribly jet lagged, and just walking around was an effort the first full day I was there. So I decided to just let myself rest for once, and actually took the day completely off. Then I had planned to run when I got home from Portland last night instead of before leaving because we had a really early flight, but the flight was delayed and I got home late, and I just couldn't make myself get out the door. Luckily the 2 days were in different weeks, because I can make up the mileage from yesterday over the course of this week without much trouble. Last week was just a wash (although fortunately I did manage to get in a long run before I left town). This far out, it won't make a difference. Right? :-) I think I'm doing an okay job of not feeling guilty...or at least I'm making a good effort! Today, I had a good run in the morning and then a good cross training session at night, so I'm back on track.
Other news-I finally did make the transition to tights. It's gotten cold here-last week we had two days where it was 11 degrees when I ran! And I think things are trailing off with the boy--we're still emailing, but I haven't seen him in a while, and I'm not terribly upset about it. He didn't show up to my and my roommate's Christmas party after he said he would, which I thought was pretty crummy. I was pretty disappointed that night, but the next day, not so much. I was having a lot of fun hanging out with him, but upon further reflection I'm not sure it would ever progress beyond that. Who knows? I'm not writing it off yet.
Posted by jessie at 8:50 PM | Comments (2)
December 10, 2004
Home Again
I'm back in DC now, exhausted (more emotionally than physically) and glad to be home. The few days in Kansas were as good as such days can be. The service was really beautiful, and it was great how many family members and friends were able to attend. It seemed like the whole town was there--my grandparents have lived in St. Francis their entire lives, and they are loved by so many people. We spent a lot of time crying, but we spent a lot of time telling stories and laughing hysterically too. So it was exactly what it was supposed to be--a chance for everyone to mourn and say goodbye, but a chance to be grateful for my grandmother and for ach other.
I was able to run--I actually got in a workout at the high school's track--but more on that later. For now I'm going to bed, because I'm getting up for Saturday Long(ish-I'm only going 14) Run in the morning. The runs won't be "ish" for long, though--Boston training officially starts next week. More on that later as well.
PS-the boy came over after I got home last night--it's still going great! I need to come up with a new pseudonym for him, though-he's a year older than I am so he's not exactly a boy. I'll think of something right after I come up with a title for my next entry :-)
Posted by jessie at 9:58 PM | Comments (1)
December 6, 2004
Sad News
Sorry for the lack of posts over the weekend; our internet is out at home. I am so frustrated with our cable company, I could scream.
I won't be able to post this week, either. My grandmother passed away this weekend so I'm flying to St. Francis, Kansas tomorrow morning for the funeral. It was expected, and in many ways it's a blessing--she had Alzheimer's, and the last year has just been a waiting game. But it doesn't really make it easier. I'm okay right now, busy with the details of packing, tying up loose ends at work, etc., but I think that will change when I actually get out there and see my grandfather.
Before I found out about my grandmother, I had a great weekend, both running-wise and dating-wise. Saturday was the low-key half marathon, and I ran a 1:32, which was just about what I wanted to do. I wasn't expecting to run a very fast time, since I've only been consistently back for a week since New York, but I put in a good effort and it was a good workout. It was a gorgeous morning for a run, too, cold and sunny.
Sunday it was incredibly warm, almost 60 degrees--I wore just a sports bra and shorts. In December!! I did my favorite Sunday Run plus a few extra, and wound up with a little over 12. I had planned to take it pretty easy but I felt so good I wound up running pretty hard. I think that the last few months are adding up, and I'm finally getting a legit base back after my injury--I'm noticing a big difference in my recovery times and fatigue levels from even just a few weeks ago. I'm also noticing a big difference since I stopped wearing my orthotics--no more foot or hip pain! It stinks that I had to get hurt to learn that they weren't working, but at least I did learn. And the injury was character building, I guess.
I hung out with the boy both Saturday and Sunday, and had a great time. I really like him, and I think he really likes me too. It's exciting and scary-it's been a while since I liked someone, so I'm a little out of practice with risking my emotions. But I'm trying to ignore the fear and just go with the excitement.
This morning I ran a little over 8, and felt good. I'm going to the gym later for an hour on the elliptical and some lifting. I'm hoping I'll be able to run while I'm in Kansas, in large part because it's definitely the best coping mechanism I have.
I'm heading out of the office now-I'll write more when I'm back this weekend, I hope from home with my restored internet access.
Posted by jessie at 2:35 PM | Comments (8)
December 3, 2004
All I have to say about my date is...
Whoo-hoo!!
Posted by jessie at 9:35 AM | Comments (3)
December 2, 2004
Title trouble
Does anyone else have problems coming up with titles for their entries? I always try to come up with something interesting/clever, but I have yet to succeed. Titles were always my problem with papers in college, too--I'd write a kick-ass 50-pager and then be at a total loss to come up with 5 more words to put at the top. Oh well. I think I'll stop worrying about it and aim for boring but accurate.
"Track Workout on Wednesday December 1, 2004"
I'm very happy with my workout last night. I ran exactly what I wanted to, and finished feeling like I could have done a few more if I'd had to (although I was glad I didn't have to!)
After a 17 minute warm-up, I was ready to start the workout, which was 8x800 at 10k pace. I wanted to start at 3:15 and cut down to 3:10. I ran the first three in 3:14, and was a little worried because I felt like they were requiring a little more effort than they should. But I ran the 4th in 3:13, and it started to feel better--I think it took me a little longer to loosen up because of the cold. I ran the 5th in 3:13 too, then 3:11, 3:09, and 3:08. On the last two, this guy Evan who'd been sitting on my shoulder the whole night finally decided to take the lead for a few laps. It was nice to have someone else out in front; it always amazes me how much easier it feels when you've got someone leading. I felt really strong and smooth right on the last two, and we ran negative splits. I passed Evan at the end on the last one :-)
I only cooled down for a few minutes last night, so I expected to be sore this morning, but I felt pretty good. I ran 7 miles, and I would have enjoyed the run even if I had been sore. I went out 3 miles on a bike path along the river (it's the path I hate, but I only hate it on the way back), then crossed a bridge over to the DC side, ran back along the other shore, and then crossed back over into Virginia. I love early mornings along the Potomac-the sun comes up and reflects off of the water and the monuments, and there are usually people out rowing. It looks like it should be a cheesy postcard, but it's real, and it puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day.
(The mood is helped by the fact that I have my second date tonight! Updates tomorrow.)
Today at lunch I did 40 minutes on the elliptical, and when I get home I'm planning to do some abs stuff--Alison is motivating me. Tomorrow I'm going to make an all cross-training day because I don't want to bump my mileage up too much yet. Plus I'm running a half-marathon on Saturday--totally low-key, one of my club's Snowball Series races, but I'd still like to feel rested for it.
Posted by jessie at 4:07 PM | Comments (23)
December 1, 2004
Global Warming
Seriously, the weather is crazy. This morning it was pouring rain, so I went outside all bundled up, expecting it to be freezing and already dreading a cold wet night at the track. But no, it was about 60 degrees out, and I was a sweaty mess by the time I got to my office. So I didn't wear a coat when I went to the gym at lunch, and guess what? The sky was perfectly clear and blue, the wind was gusting 30 mph, and I froze my butt off during the 2-block walk. So now I'm dreading the wind at the track--I hate it when you come around the curve, and it's like slamming into a wall. I really, truly, viscerally despise wind, but I'm trying to look at the workout tonight as good practice for windy race conditions. At least it's not windy AND raining.
The workout tonight is 8x800 at 10k pace, and I'm looking forward to it since I've been feeling so good the last few days. I want to start them at 3:15, and then cut down to 3:10. I'm kind of nervous since it's been a while since I've done a hard workout. But if it doesn't go well, I'll just blame the wind. I think it's been long enough that I can't use New York as my excuse anymore :-)
Last night I went to the gym and did 40 minutes on the elliptical and some abs stuff, and today I did 30 on the elliptical. My time on the elliptical has been greatly improved by a trip to the library last weekend to restock my trash murder mystery collection. Nothing like serial killers to motivate you to work out!
Posted by jessie at 4:13 PM | Comments (0)