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January 31, 2008

Inspired Running in Nebraska Valley

Starting to feel the weight of winter I was feeling uninspired to run outside yesterday. Knowing that I always feel better and enjoy myself more outside I agreed to run with my friend Jen. We went to Stowe and decided to run on some of the back roads to avoid cars. We found some great trails that I am embarrassed to admit that I have not explored. They were an amazing find! We ran on snow-mobile trails that were not being used due to icy conditions. It was so nice, we were able to run on the snow without yak tracks or snowshoes. We ran out for a half hour which was slightly uphill and finished pretty fast coming downhill on our way back. I think this trail continues for quite some time so it will be a great long run destination for me. We were surrounded by the snowy woods and followed a rambling brook the entire time. The trails were packed enough that the ground was very solid. I felt very good.

Following the run my friend dropped me off at the gym and I decided to continue running. I ran another seven miles on the treadmill at 7.30 pace. I felt really good and was surprised that the run flew by. I lifted for about twenty minutes afterwards.

When I got home I thought there were poltergeist in our house. The lights were blinking on and off and all the electronics were turning on and off. Even though I knew it had to be the high winds I was getting a bit worried. We live on a country road with very few neighbors near us. The blinking got worse so I actually went to the car to wait for Mark in case a fire broke out. I was not that far off in my concerns. As it turns out, a neighbor called shortly afterwards to let us know that their circuit breaker was on fire. The electric company came for a visit within an hour and things returned to normal. It made for a long night but I did not mind. I was wide awake from all of my running.

Posted by mary at 7:44 AM | Comments (1)

January 30, 2008

Ice Has Arrived

This morning we woke up to a mini ice storm. After a few hours of rain last night the roads turned to ice and we enjoyed a two hour delay from school. I am not sure how the roads will be this afternoon when I go for my run. I may take the easy route and run at the gym. In addition to ice on the roads very high winds are expected.

Yesterday after a long day of work, almost twelve hours at school, I went to the gym. I did a half mile on the treadmill and called it a day off from running. My legs did not have any spunk. I did about forty minutes of lifting and called it a day.

On Monday I ran somewhere between 10-11 miles on the roads. I ran the first six with my friend Jen and the last 4-5 on my own. I felt really good and had good turn over.

I am getting really excited for my trip to CA at the end of February. I think it is the endless days of foggy gray skies with rare days of sunshine. I am not banking on 100% of the days in CA to be sunny but I am confident the running conditions will be great and the trails will be open and inspirational. Mark and I will spend five days in Mendocino helping my sister teach an outdoor education class involving running and trail maintenance and then we'll have another five days to explore and have fun in the Bay Area. The last Sunday of the trip I will run the Napa Marathon with my good friend Frank. My sister will pace me for the first or second half, we have not decided yet. As always I will shoot for sub 3 but I have done no speed work to justify this effort, just a good base with some added strength.

Time to prepare for the students to arrive.

Posted by mary at 8:49 AM | Comments (2)

January 27, 2008

Weekend Update

Thursday - On Thursday I went to the gym and did ten miles on the treadmill and picked it up for the second half to a seven minute pace. I then lifted for a half hour and then biked for 35 minutes. I felt much better than Wednesday.

Friday - Friday was an unexpected day off. We had tons of relatives in town for a funeral service. It was a tough and emotional day. I was happy to have the chance to be present with family members.

Saturday - Ran 9 miles in the morning with a cousin from Boston and my friend Jen. Felt really good, run was nice and easy. Went to Craftsbury in the afternoon and skied for about three hours. I really love the trails there and feel like I will be ready for next weekends ski tour.

Summary of the Week
Sunday - 12 miles with a group, lifting and biking
Monday - 11 miles and lifting
Tuesday - 11 miles and lifting
Wednesday - 3.5 miles
Thursday - 10 miles, lifting, biking
Friday - OFF
Saturday - 9 miles and skiing
Weekly Mileage - 56.5

Sunday - Went to Shelburne and ran 9 miles with my friend Mike. Ran another 9 miles after dropping Mike off at his house. It's really nice to drive up to the Burlington area for a run once a week because the runs feel so flat and the roads are clear of snow and ice. I felt good the entire time. I was really tired before the run and had a coffee on my way to the run at 6 in the morning and enjoyed another coffee after the run. Tonight I am headed to hot yoga.

Posted by mary at 1:22 PM | Comments (0)

January 24, 2008

Feeling Beat

I tried to do the workout yesterday with my friend Ron who I coach. It was snowing and the roads were slick. The workout was a hard 200 followed by a tempo 200 for a total of 400 meter repeat. I realized after my first attempt that I did not have the legs for the workout. My hamstrings were really tight and I had zero turnover. We have a road marked out with 100 meter marks and we line cones up for the workout. I decided to run behind my friend and time him. He ran a six minute pace and I stayed at seven minute pace. The snow intensity increased during the workout as well as the slickness of the run. After ten we stopped. I only did a half mile run cool down because I was quite beat. I had another late night with family so unfortunately was not able to catch up on rest. I am planning to do an easy run on the treadmill tonight. Hopefully I will feel better.

Posted by mary at 8:10 AM | Comments (0)

January 23, 2008

Update

Training so far has been good this week despite lots going on around town. It's been a hard week for a lot of reasons but going out for a run always makes things easier.

Monday I ran 11 miles on the treadmill. I was thinking I would be on the treadmill longer than anyone else at the gym and much to my surprise the man two treadmills over was on the treadmill for two hours. He looked quite fit - I was thinking maybe a tri-athlete. I was impressed. After the run I lifted for a half hour.

Yesterday I ran the Fitzgerald Loop with my friend Jen and then ran another five miles with the dog. I think it was somewhere between 10 and 11 miles. I ran pretty easy but picked if up for the last four miles.

Today I have a workout scheduled with some friends, 20 x 200. It is snowing now so hopefully the roads will not be too slick. We'll see. Afterwards, I'd like to go to the gym and do some biking and lifting.

Posted by mary at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)

January 20, 2008

Weekend Update

Thursday - After work I ran six miles around town by myself. I felt pretty good but was a bit overdressed. I met two friends at the end of the six mile run for an additional four miles.

Friday - I ran ten miles on the treadmill at an 8 to 7.15 pace. I could have run outside but the consistency of the treadmill and the good footing made me opt for the indoor gym. I also did a half hour of lifting and a half hour on the bike.

Saturday - Mark and I drove to NH and went to Bretton Woods to go nordic skiing. We spent about five hours all together on the trails classic skiing. The trails were really nice and not very hilly at all. This allowed me to really focus on my form and get some quality practice time in for the day. It was a very clear day and in some spots we could see views of Mt. Washington above us. Bretton Woods is only an hour and a half away so I am sure we will visit again. I wanted to run but was pretty tired by the time we got home.

Sunday - Met a group of runners in Richmond for a 12 mile run. It was very cold this morning, about 5 degrees out. We ran an out and back course at a good pace. It was nice to have company for that long. My hip flexors were sore from skiing but otherwise I was good. I was going to add on another 3 miles but was happy with the pace of the run and wanted to give my hips a break. Following the run I did forty minutes on the bike and lifted at the gym.

Summary of Last Week's Training
Sunday - Hiking and Hot Yoga
Monday - 15 miles and Lifting and bike
Tuesday - 10 miles
Wednesday - 6 miles with intervals, bike and lifting
Thursday - 10 miles
Friday - 10 miles and lifting and biking
Saturday - 15 miles or so of skiing
Total Mileage: 51 miles of running with two days of no running (cross-training)

I am going to see if I can still get into the Boston Prep next week and possibly do that run next Sunday, a 16 mile training run that I did last year. It's a race but I'll use it for a long run and pick it up if I feel good. My bad leg gets really sore in cold weather so I'll play it by ear.

Posted by mary at 2:33 PM | Comments (1)

January 17, 2008

Colder Weather Arrives!

Tuesday's are a long day for me because I have a graduate course after school from 3-6. Following the course I usually meet my friend Jen for a run. This is good motivation to get out and do my workout. This Tuesday I met her for a five mile run and continued with another 5 miles once I dropped her off at her house. After having heavy legs on Monday I was happy that my legs felt good and I was able to feel good running. The roads were no longer slippery and full of snow so I felt like I was going somewhere.

Wednesday nights are workouts and this Wed. was no exception. I usually have a local group get together. The number of participants has dwindled this winter. I had two people join me yesterday. One was a student from school who runs track and one is my friend Ron who is a hearty Vermonter who runs in any and all kinds of weather. Ron is training for a 3.45 marathon at Boston and the Vermont City Marathon so I usually pace him or my friend Jen. We ran 7 x 800 in 3.30 on a course he marked off on the road. Ron had every 100 meters marked off with orange cones so it was very easy to stay right on 1.45 pace per quarter. We did a two mile warm up and two mile cool down. It was about 10 degrees out so it was very nice to have company. After the workout I was quite chilled and not up for staying outside so I went to the gym. At the gym I did a half hour on the bike and a half hour of lifting.

Posted by mary at 10:42 AM | Comments (0)

January 15, 2008

Kahtoola Event Canceled

The 6 and 24 hour snowshoe event scheduled for this Saturday has just been canceled. I am disappointed because I was looking forward to the adventure and the challenge of being on my snowshoes for 6 hours. I was a bit worried about some winter weather predicted to arrive Friday and the drive to the event so it takes that piece out of the way.

Instead, if we have sufficient snow, I think I will rally to do a long ski to prepare for the Craftsbury Marathon on my classic skis and a longish run. I will have my work cut out for me.

Posted by mary at 4:46 PM | Comments (1)

Snowy Run

On Monday we had snow all day but it did not add up to much. However, it did make the roads very slick and slippery. I should have worn better shoes. I was slipping and sliding everywhere for the first six miles of my run on the dirt roads. I ran for two hours but most definitely did not run my hoped for 15 miles. Some parts of the run I was just slidding way too much. I ran a course with great views and enjoyed being outside for the two hours. After the run I went to the gym and biked for a half hour and lifted for a half hour. I have a late meeting tonight and am crossing my fingers to get an hour to ten miles in tonight depending on my energy level and the conditions. It is much colder today than it was yesterday.

Posted by mary at 7:37 AM | Comments (0)

January 13, 2008

Weekend Update

Friday - Ran an hour Friday with some friends in Stowe on a nice rural road surronded by trees and a rambling brook. After the run I went to the gym and lifted and then did a half hour on the bike. Mark and I then went out to dinner and Stowe which was a great break from cooking which is not my forte. I am trying to learn to cook one new item a week, last week it was chili. This week I may do an old favorite that I have not made in about three years - spring rolls!

Saturday - Ran for two hours in Burlington. I met my friend Mike for the middle hour of the run. We ran along the Burlington Bike path and ran from Shelbourne. Mild weather and nice clear skies. My legs were really fatigued for most of the run. Spent the rest of the afternoon at an indoor track meet at the Univeristy of VT and then did some errands. We met some friends for dinner at American Flatbread for some great pizza which was a great way to end the day.

Sunday - I decided to rest at home in the morning, do errands, make some breakfast with Mark, and resist the urge to hop out of bed and run. In retrospect I should have run first and then relaxed because once my afternoon started I had no time to run. I met a friend to hike Camel's Hump at noon. We hiked in snowshoes and enjoyed some spectacular views. Following the hike I went to hot yoga for an hour and a half and then went to dinner at Mark's Moms house, a third night in the row without cooking! Great!

Mileage for the Past Week:
Sunday: 13
Monday: 3 miles and 30 min bike and lift
Tuesday: 10 miles
Wednesday: 10 miles with 12 x 400's and 30 min. bike and lift
Thursday: 5 miles (not feeling well)
Friday: 8 miles and 30 min. bike and lift
Saturday: 15 miles
64 miles for the week!

Tomorrow I plan to do another two hour run. There is supposed to be a snow storm but I think this time Southern New England is expected to get hit harder than Northern VT. We need more snow so I am hoping we get more than is currently predicted.

Posted by mary at 9:26 PM | Comments (1)

January 11, 2008

Rainy Weather

We have been bomarded with lots of rain. Most of the snow has melted away and the conditions for skiing are rather poor at the moment.

Wednesday - Ran six miles after work with my friend Mike. We did the needle-eye loop at a good pace. It is a town loop that passes along the "big" shopping areas of Morrisville. The first half is not that scenic because of this but the second half passes the Lamoille Reservoir and has better scenary. We ran a good pace and had a good conversation.

About thirty minutes after this run I met with my friend Ron who I coach in the marathon. He is in his early 60's and is in constant training for various marathons. His scheduled workout was 12 x 400s. We ran a mile warm up and then did 12 x 400 at 1.40 pace with a short recovery and ran a mile cool down.

Following this workout I met Mark at the gym - swimming hole and did a strength workout there. I lifted for a half hour and then biked for forty minutes - working on my spinning. I usually spin about 100 rpms. Mark has been injured the past three months and is just starting to cross-train again with biking, skiing, and lifting. He may have a torn ACL but he is waiting for the MRI. He has been really depressed about it and consequently so have I.

Thursday - Attempted to go for a ski. I went to the ski course at our school and managed to do the 1.5 mile loop twice and stopped. The course was very icy and I had no control over my skis at all. I realized what a novice I was. Following this I ran an easy 5.5 miles with my friend Jen. We did the Needle Eye loop again. I wanted to run more but at the end of the run I felt very ill so I called it a day.

Friday - After school today I plan to run in Stowe for an hour with my friend and then go to the gym.

Saturday morning I have a two hour run in Burlington planned with a friend.

Sunday I plan to do a great local hike, run, and yoga.

Monday my plan is to do another 2 hour run because I have the day off from school.

Posted by mary at 2:00 PM | Comments (1)

January 8, 2008

Quick Update

Sunday: 2 hour ski in the a.m. Classic in Elmore - Pond Loop and Ledges Loop, did multiple variations of these loops in addition to the field loop. Rolling and very pretty along cross-country ski trails. Relaxing

P.M. 13 mile run in town, Upper Elmore to Bliss Hill Loop, hit the wall after 65 min. very wiped out, don't think I had enough to drink during the day, very dehydrated, relatively mild out.

Monday: 30 minutes on the bike - very stiff and sore from Sunday's training, 40 minutes of weight lifting and core body work, 3 mile run easy - very stiff - mild weather around 35.

TuesdayRan 10 miles easy through town, very mild out, about 40 degrees, felt much better than Monday.

Posted by mary at 5:37 PM | Comments (0)

January 6, 2008

2008 Goals

I have not been a great blogger in general and have been even worse during the fall of 2007 for a variety of reasons but namely due to a lack of internet access at home which has been great in some respects but made me feel a bit out of the loop in other respects. I am excited to start a new year of training, adventures, and races in 2008! I have started the year with lots of skiing and running.

So far my plans for 2008 include but are not limited to the following:

January 19th: Kathoola Moonlight 6 hour race
http://www.matsroing.com/
This should be a great chance to be outside for six hours. It is a loop course unfortunately. Originally it was advertised as a bagging race, see how many peaks you can bag in 6 or 24 hours and that was very appealing to me. Now it is a one to one and a half hour loop that will be repeated for the duration of the 6 or 24 hour period. I will most likely do the 6 hour period because 24 hours on the same loop could be a bit mind numbing even for me. 24 hours with new views would be a totally different story.

February 2nd: Craftsbury Marathon
http://www.craftsbury.com/skiing/marathon/
I will do the 25k ski tour since I am a beginner skier and this was a big goal of mine just getting to the point where I could enter this event. I am still on wax-less skis and I am still snow plowing down the hills. I hope my skiing has improved by the time the marathon arrives.

February 16th: Martha Vineyards 20 miler
http://www.mvmultisport.com/
This should be a great chance to have some company for a long run and maybe get a bit of turnover. This will be my last longer training run for the Napa marathon.

March 2nd: Napa Valley Marathon
http://www.napavalleymarathon.org/
I will run this marathon at the end of my one week vacation in CA visiting my sister Liz and her family. I am going to run this with my former coach and training friend Frank. We are going to do our best to break the 3 hour mark.

March 8th: Pittsfield Peaks Snowshoe 1/2 marathon or marathon
www.peak.com
We will see how I am feeling after the marathon and see how long I can stay in this event. I guess I will have a good idea after doing the 6 hour Kahtoola Snowshoe event in a few weeks. It will also depend on how I am feeling after the Napa Marathon.

In April I am undecided - there are two half marathon options, one in VT and one in CT early in the month and I will most likely do at least one of them. I may also do the Lake Waramuag Ultra in CT on the 20th of April but I am not a big fan of running on the road for that distance. We'll see.

May 25th: Pineland Farms 50k in Maine - followed by VCM marathon or relay the next day.

Sometime between June 18th - June 25th I'd like to run/hike the entire long trail and I would like to recruit someone to run with me if possible, otherwise this will be a solo adventure.

July 19th I will either do the VT 100 again or the Tahoe Rim 100 mile race depending if I am on the east coast at that point or in CA at that point in the summer.

This is as far ahead as I can plan. I am excited about the first three months of the year and hopefully I can fill in some fun things for mud season there in March/April and early May. Once the trails open up I will be running on the long trail as much as I can.

Until then I partition out my day with a run, ski, and then another run.

I am going to try to continue to update!

Posted by mary at 2:55 PM | Comments (4)