2 posts in 2 days. Don't get used to this people.
20 miles outside this morning. 28-ish degrees, 8:34 average pace. Crap precipitation. I woke up at 6am to run in crap. I could have run on the nice, dry, warm treadmill, but no; I have to start getting my legs used to some pounding. I also wrote in my first 2011 post that all my long runs would be outside. I TMed last weekend's 20 miler, so outside I went.
I was stupidly hopeful the winter weather advisory was for after 10am. Instead I ran in ice-pellets on and off for close to 3 hours. Miles 1-4 were dry, 4-7 pellets (as David called them "little styrofoam balls") 7-10 dry, 10-13 ice pellets, 14-17 dry (look! is that the sun?!?!?!), 18-20 ice pellets (nope, not the sun, just Mother Nature being facetious. I was going to say, "Just Mommy N being a bitch" but we love Mommy N, don't want to get on her bad side). I finished soaking wet from head to toe.
On a postive note, it was fine temperature wise. I did wear a jacket, but more for wind/rain protection than temperature. It wasn't windy. There were a few miles spent running into ice pellets in the face, but it could have been much worse. Believe it or not, I have ran much worse wind. One bonus to cold weather running is wearing a hat or earband. Wind is much more tolerable when your hair isn't whipping around your face.
Another postive note is I wore my new headlamp! Yes, I own one. I got it for Christmas. It was 7am when we started. Dublin, Ohio is very well lit so I really didn't need it, but I wore it anyway and felt very hardcore. Like a real runner.
I ran the first 13 miles with Holly. She is a member of my running group, but somehow we'd never ran together before. This is surprising because I learned we have very similar PRs and recent marathon times and we're the same age. It was really fun to get to know her. She had knee surgery in fall of 2009 and ran Philly in November 2010. Her comeback continues!
We were attempted to run with the larger group for, oh, about 100 yards, but they were FLYING. 8 minute pace at least. We couldn't keep up, nor did we try. Many marathon runners make the mistake of running too fast too often (Guilty. Hi Injuries!). I'm still trying to learn to "Train Slow. Race Fast." So we let them go.
I had to run the last 7 by myself (and guess who forgot their iPod?). Somehow I was the only runner doing more than 14 miles. Or everyone else was smart and got out of the weather. Either way, I was on my own for 7 miles. Surprisingly, I didn't get lost. I also didn't mind the "quiet" miles. It was only an hour so I just lost myself in the styrofoam balls.
I should also mention I managed to lose my spare set of car keys. I had both sets on me because I started my car to warm it up this morning and I lock the doors when I do this. I then have to take my other keys so I can get in the car and, more importantly, lock the apartment door. I had them when I finished my run, but lost them before I got home. I stopped at the grocery store to buy myself a banana and a chocolate milk and I'm pretty sure my frozen fingers dropped them. Or quite possibly left them by the bananas. I've called twice and no one has turned them into the lost and found. They could also be either in the parking lot or in my car (I've looked, but cars have many hiding places).
I'm now lost as to how to end this. I feel I should wrap this up in some spiffy way, but I just need to foam roll. Plus, BoyToy is almost finished making dinner :)
See you (hopefully) soon!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
I'm back!!!
It only took a month :)
BoyToy and I were on the road in January; a week in Iowa, a week in Acapulco, a week in Minnesota, back to Ohio, and then to Orlando for 4 days. I managed to get all my runs in and even ran 5 times outside!!! Hooray for travel to southern places!
Run 1: Acapulco, Feb. 9, 6 miles
This was a 2 part run. BoyToy (understandably) did not want me to run outside in Mexico by myself, so he joined me for 3 miles back and forth in front of our resort. I was really proud of him because 3 miles is DOUBLE his daily mileage. He runs 4 or 5 times a week at the gym as a warm up to his strength training. That's it. But he braved the heat and humidity to keep me safe. Swoon.
The last 3 I did around the grounds of our resort. The resort has both a large pond and a long pool with a path around them. I could make a .67 mile lap out of these paths. It was a little tedious and boring, but the towel kid was there to entertain me. I named him "Coach". I passed the towel stand 5 times and each time he counted down my laps.
"5 more!"
"4 more!"
He was off of my count though and I finished when he said I had 3 left.
Run 2: Acapulco on the beach, 3 miles (after 7 on the hotel treadmill)
Beach running is frickin' tough. I mean W-O-R-K. 3 miles feels like 10. Once again BoyToy joined me, this time shirtless!!! He was being modest at first, even though I told him not to wear the shirt. He made it a quarter mile and the shirt was off. Too humid for a top. I even exposed my flabilicious stomach to the sun.
It was during this run that I entertained myself be singing the Baywatch theme song in my head. I only know the "I'll be ready" part. Literally. Those 3 words. Over. And Over. (Note to self: learn rest of Baywatch song.) I thought it would inspire me more to think I was Pamela Anderson, but my chest is too small and BoyToy wouldn't let me call him Hobie.
Run 3: Acapulco beach, 3 miles (7 previous on treadmill)
BoyToy didn't even attempt the shirt this time. We were also smart enough to each carry our own water. We shared a bottle the first time on the beach and it was gone before we hit 2 miles.
Run 4: 11 miles in Orlando
BoyToy was once again very concerned about me running outside in a strange place. He didn't run with me (he had golf clubs to check out) but I was required to carry my phone. I had to carry it in my hand because it kept slipping out of my bra (that darn small chest again - no shelf properties!). Sort of a hassle, but I was able to photograph myself:
and upload it to facebook without even breaking stride!
We were in Orlando to attend the PGA Merchandise show at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). I figured to stay safe I would do laps around the OCCC - believe me, its big enough - but there are no people around the back sides. I made the executive decision to then run up and down I-Drive. More people, more traffic, but they have sidewalks on each side to comfortably run on.
Run 5: Orlando, 7 miles
Surprisingly not hung over.
I even found a friend! Liz, a buyer at another Columbus club, joined me for 2 miles. It was a nice break in the middle of my run. I was able to change up the route since I had a buddy. Plus I had someone to talk to - even before she joined me. Our hotels were about 1.5 miles from each other so as I was running to meet her I had to call her twice to figure out where exactly I was and where exactly the hotel was. Once again still running the entire time.
Liz is also smarter than I am. She wore tights. I froze my buns off in shorts. It was about 45 degrees, so not too bad, but I was wishing I would have at least worn (heck, packed) half tights. Plus, I sort of love my half tights. They are my favorite running bottom. They don't head south like my full tights and they prevent thigh chafing! :)
That was January. 5 runs, 30 miles total. A 1.2 runs outside per week average.
I am having difficulty updating my stats. When I open the gadget my internet freezes and I have to close out of everthing. Frustration. Maybe BoyToy can figure it out.
BoyToy and I were on the road in January; a week in Iowa, a week in Acapulco, a week in Minnesota, back to Ohio, and then to Orlando for 4 days. I managed to get all my runs in and even ran 5 times outside!!! Hooray for travel to southern places!
Run 1: Acapulco, Feb. 9, 6 miles
This was a 2 part run. BoyToy (understandably) did not want me to run outside in Mexico by myself, so he joined me for 3 miles back and forth in front of our resort. I was really proud of him because 3 miles is DOUBLE his daily mileage. He runs 4 or 5 times a week at the gym as a warm up to his strength training. That's it. But he braved the heat and humidity to keep me safe. Swoon.
The last 3 I did around the grounds of our resort. The resort has both a large pond and a long pool with a path around them. I could make a .67 mile lap out of these paths. It was a little tedious and boring, but the towel kid was there to entertain me. I named him "Coach". I passed the towel stand 5 times and each time he counted down my laps.
"5 more!"
"4 more!"
He was off of my count though and I finished when he said I had 3 left.
Run 2: Acapulco on the beach, 3 miles (after 7 on the hotel treadmill)
Beach running is frickin' tough. I mean W-O-R-K. 3 miles feels like 10. Once again BoyToy joined me, this time shirtless!!! He was being modest at first, even though I told him not to wear the shirt. He made it a quarter mile and the shirt was off. Too humid for a top. I even exposed my flabilicious stomach to the sun.
It was during this run that I entertained myself be singing the Baywatch theme song in my head. I only know the "I'll be ready" part. Literally. Those 3 words. Over. And Over. (Note to self: learn rest of Baywatch song.) I thought it would inspire me more to think I was Pamela Anderson, but my chest is too small and BoyToy wouldn't let me call him Hobie.
Run 3: Acapulco beach, 3 miles (7 previous on treadmill)
BoyToy didn't even attempt the shirt this time. We were also smart enough to each carry our own water. We shared a bottle the first time on the beach and it was gone before we hit 2 miles.
Run 4: 11 miles in Orlando
BoyToy was once again very concerned about me running outside in a strange place. He didn't run with me (he had golf clubs to check out) but I was required to carry my phone. I had to carry it in my hand because it kept slipping out of my bra (that darn small chest again - no shelf properties!). Sort of a hassle, but I was able to photograph myself:
and upload it to facebook without even breaking stride!
We were in Orlando to attend the PGA Merchandise show at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). I figured to stay safe I would do laps around the OCCC - believe me, its big enough - but there are no people around the back sides. I made the executive decision to then run up and down I-Drive. More people, more traffic, but they have sidewalks on each side to comfortably run on.
Run 5: Orlando, 7 miles
Surprisingly not hung over.
I even found a friend! Liz, a buyer at another Columbus club, joined me for 2 miles. It was a nice break in the middle of my run. I was able to change up the route since I had a buddy. Plus I had someone to talk to - even before she joined me. Our hotels were about 1.5 miles from each other so as I was running to meet her I had to call her twice to figure out where exactly I was and where exactly the hotel was. Once again still running the entire time.
Liz is also smarter than I am. She wore tights. I froze my buns off in shorts. It was about 45 degrees, so not too bad, but I was wishing I would have at least worn (heck, packed) half tights. Plus, I sort of love my half tights. They are my favorite running bottom. They don't head south like my full tights and they prevent thigh chafing! :)
That was January. 5 runs, 30 miles total. A 1.2 runs outside per week average.
I am having difficulty updating my stats. When I open the gadget my internet freezes and I have to close out of everthing. Frustration. Maybe BoyToy can figure it out.
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