We're having accreditation at work this week, and my having to "do stuff" has kept me from writing on the blog.
Our trip to Plymouth was a blast: the weather was perfect, and it was so nice to see my crazy, eclectic family. How comforting it is to be associated with people I respect (and to share some genes!) Dave finally got to see people he's been hearing stories about for a year and a half. And...drum roll, please...I didn't miss a workout the whole weekend (but I did eat a lot of tasty junk food).
Last weekend I finished my longest solo run ever: 4 hours. The hardest part was the last three miles, which took me out of the shady, cool woods and onto the shimmering streets of Richmond. I didn't stop (figuratively) running when I got home - I drove Dave to work, went grocery shopping, cleaned the bathroom, studied for GREs, picked Dave up, and made dinner (yummy broccoli quiche with a homemade crust and salad). I thus have a new theory about recovery: pretend like you didn't do the physical work, carry on with your normal day, and you'll feel fine. Oh, and take the next day off from running.
My good online friend, Chiarunner, coincidentally mentioned triathlons in a recent blog post. I say "coincidentally" because I've been thinking about trying one out after my race this fall (oh, and I don't believe in fate). I think my legs will need a break from just running.
Finally, I'm off to another state this weekend, as Dave and I are going to a wedding in Kansas City, MO. This time I've decided to enjoy myself, run as much as I can, and give myself wiggle room in my workout schedule.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
What Do You Mean I Have to Be Flexible?!
Like many who are drawn to endurance sports, I tend to be just the slightest bit OCD about my workouts and other things like my meal and bed times. (Okay, Dave, you can stop laughing knowingly.) This can be a challenge in every-day-life and especially when traveling.
This weekend we are going to Plymouth, MA, for a Brannan/Branigan family reunion. Thus I have to figure out how I'm going to squeeze in 30+ miles of running while we visit with folks I haven't seen in ages. I am choosing to look at this as an opportunity to be creative and resourceful, especially since Plymouth has beautiful waterfront views but no trails.
Here is my plan: instead of doing a medium-long run on Saturday and a long long run on Sunday, I am going to do my long long run tomorrow morning before we leave and shuffle everything around that. I think it'll work out.
My next challenge is deciding whether to bring food, go to the grocery store while we're there, or rely on what's provided for me. Because, you know, I get pretty cranky if I don't have my pre-run PB&J, post-run cereal, and specific fruit and veg snacks throughout the day.
I'm going to stop because now I sound like a crazy person even to myself.
Molly
This weekend we are going to Plymouth, MA, for a Brannan/Branigan family reunion. Thus I have to figure out how I'm going to squeeze in 30+ miles of running while we visit with folks I haven't seen in ages. I am choosing to look at this as an opportunity to be creative and resourceful, especially since Plymouth has beautiful waterfront views but no trails.
Here is my plan: instead of doing a medium-long run on Saturday and a long long run on Sunday, I am going to do my long long run tomorrow morning before we leave and shuffle everything around that. I think it'll work out.
My next challenge is deciding whether to bring food, go to the grocery store while we're there, or rely on what's provided for me. Because, you know, I get pretty cranky if I don't have my pre-run PB&J, post-run cereal, and specific fruit and veg snacks throughout the day.
I'm going to stop because now I sound like a crazy person even to myself.
Molly
Monday, June 9, 2008
Hot Hot Hot
It finally feels like a Virginia summer: it's been around 100 degrees for the past few days. Our air conditioner is humming along (keep going!), and sane people are staying indoors.
I, on the other hand, ran 30 miles on Saturday and Sunday combined. Saturday I went out by myself, armed with a bottle filled with half Gatorade/half water, salt tablets, and a knowledge of all the area's water fountains. Using my patented run/walk-uphill strategy, I covered about 11 miles in two hours on the trails.
Sunday was even hotter, but luckily I had a running buddy with a cooler. We did a loop on the trails twice, stopping in between to refill water bottles and snack. It was so hot that I put ice cubes in my shorts and bra. Aaaahhhh...
We both hit some pretty low points during the three hour run. However, I realized that one of the best parts of having someone else there is that your low points don't coincide, so you can talk each other back to optimism.
We averaged 13 min/miles, and I was amazingly hydrated by the end. The rest of the day I carried on as normal, grocery shopping, vacuuming, and eating lots of chocolate-covered Marcona almonds. And pizza. And beer. Yum. I love long-distance running!
I, on the other hand, ran 30 miles on Saturday and Sunday combined. Saturday I went out by myself, armed with a bottle filled with half Gatorade/half water, salt tablets, and a knowledge of all the area's water fountains. Using my patented run/walk-uphill strategy, I covered about 11 miles in two hours on the trails.
Sunday was even hotter, but luckily I had a running buddy with a cooler. We did a loop on the trails twice, stopping in between to refill water bottles and snack. It was so hot that I put ice cubes in my shorts and bra. Aaaahhhh...
We both hit some pretty low points during the three hour run. However, I realized that one of the best parts of having someone else there is that your low points don't coincide, so you can talk each other back to optimism.
We averaged 13 min/miles, and I was amazingly hydrated by the end. The rest of the day I carried on as normal, grocery shopping, vacuuming, and eating lots of chocolate-covered Marcona almonds. And pizza. And beer. Yum. I love long-distance running!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Hill Sprints
My butt hurts. In a good way.
This morning's workout in the humid, occasionally rainy Virginia weather was a 90 minute run including 12 hill sprints. Supposedly, these ten second bursts of speed uphill, each followed by a two minute jog, are one of the best ways to increase speed and power. While I don't need speed for the 50-miler, I do need strength (so my legs will last 12 hours). Plus, it's nice just to have a break from the LSD (long slow distance).
As a side note, apparently everyone with whom I run gets injured. Dave, who was already injured to begin with, is even creakier than before we met. (Sorry, babe). Chris, my long run buddy, recently dealt with an infection in his joint fluid. And, most recently, my new running buddy, Stephanie, took a major fall and cut herself up. Watch out, running world!
This morning's workout in the humid, occasionally rainy Virginia weather was a 90 minute run including 12 hill sprints. Supposedly, these ten second bursts of speed uphill, each followed by a two minute jog, are one of the best ways to increase speed and power. While I don't need speed for the 50-miler, I do need strength (so my legs will last 12 hours). Plus, it's nice just to have a break from the LSD (long slow distance).
As a side note, apparently everyone with whom I run gets injured. Dave, who was already injured to begin with, is even creakier than before we met. (Sorry, babe). Chris, my long run buddy, recently dealt with an infection in his joint fluid. And, most recently, my new running buddy, Stephanie, took a major fall and cut herself up. Watch out, running world!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
