Lost

Yesterday I ran my long trail run by myself due to the buddy's schedule conflict. It was perfect running weather - overcast, cool, and semi-rainy. I didn't mind spending hours by myself, especially since I could take my time and focus on form on the single track around the city.

A side note: everyone in the city seems to be suffering from allergies (and everything in the city is COVERED in pollen), but Dave and I *knock on wood* aren't bothered. Maybe living with lots of hairy animals helps.

The only bad part about the run was that I got lost. There is a trail system in a nearby park that I recently discovered, and I haven't yet figured it all out. There was a trail duathalon last weekend, and the markers for the race were still posted, so I decided to follow them. Around and around, up and down, I ran and stumbled for ages. Each path started looking the same after a while. Long story short, I found my way out but a two and a half hour run turned into three hours. So much for that future in Boy Scouting.

Doing my strength training workouts in the afternoon, separately from the runs, has been working great for me. I no longer have the "I'll be late for work" excuse, and they fight the mid-afternoon blahs.

Why We Wear Trail Shoes

One of the best reasons to have a running buddy is knowing that early in the morning, with severe thunderstorms forecast, someone is waiting for you. You could either keep him or her waiting (and be a big fat jerk) or you can drag your sorry ass out of bed. Yesterday I did just that (not the jerk part).

My buddy, Chris, and I had been running for all of five minutes when a little sprinkle started. A little later it was raining pretty steadily. And before long, we were in the midst of a full-blown thunderstorm. I was getting wet from overhead and underneath simultaneously: some puddles and creeks were up to my calves. Splash, splash, I ran right through them, whooping and giggling.

Two hours and fifteen minutes later, I was soaked, exhausted, and satisfied. (Of course I chose to wear a brand new pair of white socks, which are now discolored beyond recognition). Chris had led me up some serious hills, and it felt great to be heading off to a nice, warm shower.

Although I was worn out, I wasn't as useless as I thought. The rest of the day I spent grocery shopping, vacuuming, scrubbing the kitchen floor, and making dinner. Trail running really is better for your joints and your legs - I feel great today. But trail running shoes really are necessary. My nice, white running shoes are gross and smelly. Oh well. It was worth it.

I'm a Blogging Slacker

Although I may not have been writing much these past few weeks, it's not for lack of running...

So far the 50-mile training plan has been going well.

I have a new running partner for my long runs, which makes the hours go by much faster. He's close to me in speed, he's enthusiastic, and he doesn't mind when I swear or say inappropriate things. We've already bonded over two major events: discovering a new trail system and running on single track in the dark.

This plan is slightly different than past ones in that I've deliberately increased the amount of time I spend lifting weights. I am doing this two ways: by scheduling my sessions in the afternoon, separately from running workouts, and by keeping detailed notes. Both my marathons and the most recent 10k made me realize how much strength matters. And by "made me realize" I mean "caused me enough pain to get a clue". The best part of my new schedule is having Dave around on his days off: he and Zoe coach my form, while the kitties help me with flexibility.

Something else I've realized through pain is that trails are much more difficult to run. For example, yesterday I'm working hard, thinking we're cruising along, and Chris (my training buddy) tells me we've done less than 4 miles in 45 minutes. Oh goody. But the upside is that my knees don't hurt and I really feel worked by the end.

Yesterday I also tried a new drink supplement: NUUN. It's claim to greatness is that it has the benefits of electrolytes without added sugar. Although it tasted like flat soda, I really liked how un-sweet it was. When I drink Gatorade I have to dilute it to make it bearable; not so with NUUN.

10k Awesomeness: 46:30

Richmond has two major races every year: the Richmond Marathon in the fall and the Monument Avenue 10k in the spring. Months ago, Dave and I signed up for the 10k, planning to run it as a "fun run" (a.k.a. no training required). I even kept forgetting when it was until the day before. We were casual about it - I cleaned the kitchen before attaching my race number - and we jogged over to the starting line (ah, the beauty of local races). Having reiterated that not finishing together would, in Dave's words, "not emasculate" him, we shook hands before the starting line and parted.

I was relaxed throughout the race, enjoying the crowd and the costumes. Trying to avoid tossed cups at the water tables (why they have these in a 10k is beyond me) was the hardest part. Passing lots of people, however, was much easier than usual. I cruised in to the finish in 46:30. It was, it turns out, a PR!

In my age group, women 20-24, I was 20th out of 1547. Yay.

Dave did wonderfully as usual. He was only a few minutes behind me, but we spent an hour looking for each other in the rain. Giving up, I jogged back to the apartment in tears. He was waiting for me - thank goodness - and we were both very frustrated. And then the dog threw up over and over. Nothing like a little distraction... Thanks, Zoe.

Georgia Trip

We have been in Georgia the past few days for a Jones family gathering. It was nice to see everyone, but, sadly, it was because Dave's 92 year-old grandmother died last week. She was a dedicated Catholic, and her funeral reflected her wishes. It was just like the movies: there was a wake with an open casket (and a full rosary), a full Catholic mass at the actual funeral, and a grave-site ceremony. While neither Dave nor I are Christians - never mind Catholics - it was good to see at the various ceremonies the love with which her family looked back on memories with her. Plus, it was good to see everyone together.

Attending the funeral has inspired Dave and me to think about our own wishes for when we die. Something I'd like my surviving friends and family to include is a walk/run in my memory. It doesn't have to be terribly organized; it just has to be something everyone can enjoy together.

Friday's workout:
Weights in the afternoon: legs, arms, and abs/back (I forgot the exact exercises)

Saturday's workout:
one hour run

Sunday's workout:
1.75 hour trail run

Monday:
Day off

Today's workout:
20 minutes easy
20 minutes tempo (today, tempo pace is between 7:56 and 7:58 min/mi pace)
20 minutes easy