SOREness

I haven't taken a day off since Sunday (my long 8 mile run). This is what happens to me, and I think lots of other runners. Running is actually addictive, it releases endorphins in the brain and has effects similar to opiate drug use. OBVIOUSLY, this is a much healthier alternative, but if you run everyday and don't get any rest, injuries will plague you.
On Tuesday I ran a quick 3. Since Brian was away all week, it was hard balancing working out, working and taking care of both pets! I get home from work around 6 and have to walk Stash for at least a half hour, THEN come home and get changed and run. Sometimes I'll take Stash with me, but dogs (at least mine) don't really understand the concept of pacing. A typical run with Stash involves being dragged around for a mile, followed by dragging him around for the duration of the run. I generally won't bring him on a run lasting more than 3 miles, and usually only bring him if he can run off leash for part or all of it. When I lived on the Cape he and I would run to the beach, then he could be off leash and swimming, chasing birds, or eating dead crabs while I cruised at my own pace down the beach. Unfortunately, city living doesn't really accommodate that, so the short of it is, I don't run with Stash as often as I would like to.
Yesterday I took a half day from work for ANOTHER interview (woot woot!!) and was home by 3. I took Stash to the dog park for an hour and then was able to run on my own for a decent amount of time, 4.5 miles. I was supposed to go to spinning last night, BUT it was the most beautiful day since I've lived in Boston (75, sunny, a little humid). The thought of going into a dark room in the basement of the YMCA to sweat it out seemed pretty silly and depressing, especially considering that over the past couple of days every tree and flower in Boston has bloomed. On my run last night I was so amazed at all of the flowers, LOTS of tulips!! I was able to maintain slightly under 9 minute miles for the 4.5, and was pleased with that. I'm definitely taking tonight off, mostly because I have Spanish class, but also because my left quad and hip flexor are hurting a bit. I will probably do some yoga/stretching tonight though, just to make sure I'm good to run on Friday.

MISSING: Toenail, last seen inside my running shoe, attached to my foot

After my long run yesterday, I was pretty sore. I decided it was a good idea to go on a short run today. It was really nasty all day, and for some reason when I came outside to run my 2.1 miles, the sun came out!! It was literally only out for a couple of minutes, and was gone by the time I was home. My foot kind of hurt yesterday, and I wore heels today at work because I had an interview. My little toe is kind of all curled from dancing and running, so that toenail has a propensity to fall off, and has fallen off after long races and runs before, GROSS. I was a bit surprised, but mostly sad when I pulled my shoe off today after my run and my toenail was missing again. I'm not sure how many times it will grow back, but it's almost summer AND a pedicure is kind of difficult without ten toenails. YOU'RE welcome, Mom.

8 miles :)

When I woke up this AM, I realized it was a perfect day for a run!! Sunny, 70 and a light breeze. Since I've been slacking lately, I got pretty ambitious and mapped out an 8 mile run for myself. For me, the best way to mentally prepare for a long run, is to set realistic goals for myself. I know I can run 5 miles pretty easily, so adding on three isn't necessarily going to break me down. BUT, I like to know where each mile mark is, and decided today I could walk IF I needed to, but only after I passed the six mile marker. Luckily, when I got there I felt GREAT!! I finished the whole run in a little under 70 minutes, which is right around 9 minute miles. Since the half marathon is rapidly approaching, I feel a lot more confident knowing I can maintain a reasonable pace for at least 8 miles. The goal for next week is to run 9, and to get back on track for my cross training this week. Since I had so many visitors last week it was hard to maintain a regular training schedule, but the key is to not let this continue. It's really easy to be afraid to get back into it, or to go easy on yourself on your first day back, but it's amazing how much of your endurance will be maintained even if you don't workout for a week. I am so happy I set out to run that far today, because I surprised myself, and that's the best Easter present I could get!

Lazy Lazy Lazy

UGH, I have been so busy the past few days, and now I realized it's been a week since the last time I ran!!! My family was in town visiting for the weekend, so definitely no working out going on. Lots of eating and walking though. Marathon Monday rolled right by with me watching everyone ELSE in the city run, then it was Tuesday (volunteer night), last night was Wednesday (Brian's last night before he left for a week) and NOW it's Thursday and my BFF is coming to town for the weekend!!! I'm afraid I won't be able to run until Sunday. I'm definitely going to have to make Sarah run with me.
In other news, the donations are still rolling in!! I'm now up to almost $400, or 20% of my fundraising goal. Thanks so much for all of the support, Keep it coming!!

Recovery Running 101

I just wanted to give a huge shout out to everyone who has donated so far!! As of today, I have reached 10% of my fundraising goal of $2,000. It's really awesome to see so many people excited about the cause, and some surprising donors so far!!! I can't believe how much progress I've already made, and the race isn't until October :)
Now, back to the running!! Brian and I suffered through a 3.75 mile run last night. I had forgotten how heavy legs can feel after race day. It's important to do a short/easy run after a race to release lactic acid buildup. It's ALSO really important to stretch well before AND after a your recovery run. I didn't think it would be so hard, because I didn't put forward a HUGE effort in the race on Sunday. It felt like I had two lead weights attached to both legs, and Brian even made the comment "this is what out of shape people must feel like." It was fun to see Brian on the other side for once, since I'm the one who is usually crying behind him. He even told me he hated me for making him run, HAHA. Moral of this story: don't be a hero. Definitely sticking to the 2 mile limit of a recovery run next time. Not really sure what we were trying to prove...

Doyle's 5 Miler

SO Brian and I ran the  Doyle's 5 Miler yesterday (Sunday) with a group of friends. It couldn't have been nicer out, mid 60s, sunny, nice breeze. My unofficial time was 48:20, which beat my goal of 50 minutes (10 minute miles). I think I definitely could have run faster, as my last mile split was under 8 minutes. Madi, Patty and I took it out nice and easy, and were chatting for a good part of the race, so we weren't taking it too seriously. There were also a LOT of other runners, right up until the chute I was weaving in and out of people. I even had a lady try to budge me in the chute, which I thought was pretty lame considering we obviously weren't in position to win the race or anything. I also want to congratulate Brian and Chris, who took out their first mile in 5:45 and were able to maintain 6 min miles for the duration of the race, finishing in 33 minutes. Their efforts were definitely inspirational, as I'm not sure either of them has been training too seriously. Like all great runners, racing was followed by lots of eating and drinking!! By 3PM I had run 5 miles AND had a buzz on, did I forget to mention the pitchers of Sam Adams Summer?? Between the Sam Summer and the weather, yesterday was a REAL spring day, hooray!!! This means lots of running outside, and more importantly, drinking outside :)

Heartbreak HELL

I have the "joy" of living about a mile away from the infamous Heartbreak Hill. I generally avoid it at all costs, but Brian mapped this nice little 4.25 mile run which includes it, so I figured I'd give it a shot today. UMMMM, yeah. I made it, but it HURT. A lot. It was included in mile 3-4, it's not an extremely steep hill, but it's LONG and there aren't any breaks, it's consistently going up for about a mile.   Although it hurt a lot on the way up, it's all down hill from there back to my house. I have a five miler this weekend, so I will probably only do a couple of short runs tomorrow and Friday so I can rest on Saturday before the race!! If you're in Boston and you want to come cheer me on, AND drink some Guinness let me know. The race ends at Doyle's in Jamaica Plain.

Every Challenge is an Opportunity to Get Stronger

"Every challenge is an opportunity to get stronger, you wouldn't be here on a Sunday if that wasn't true." That's how Ed started our class off today, along with an announcement that today was 80's music day!!! Honestly, I can't get over how inspirational Ed is as an instructor and athlete. It isn't just the awesome Cure remixes and the Talking Heads soundtrack, every time I spin in his class, he somehow pushes me to actually work harder. I was nervous about class today because I ran to the gym. It's only 1.5 miles, but it's the first time I've stacked a workout in a while. DEFN Stacking: doing something hard, then doing something else equally as hard. For triathlon training, you stack your workouts to prepare for the race (since in essence the triathlon is one long stacked workout). Today I ran 1.5 to the gym, then did a 70 minute spin class, then ran another 0.5 miles. Getting off the bike and running is the most difficult transition, and for me it was the hardest part of the triathlon. Last Fall, I was unable to keep my desired mile pace for the first 1.5 miles, because my legs were so tired coming off the bike. I am trying to work practicing that transition into my training routine this time around. Luckily today, the 0.5 miles from the gym were to meet Brian for Brunch, so I had the thoughts of baklava and hazelnut lattes to keep me going. Reward for doing 90 minutes of high intensity cardio: hazelnut latte, a bowl of lentil soup, a chopped salad  (apple, walnut, golden raisin and gorgonzola with cranberry vin) and TWO pieces of baklava. YUM.

April Fools

I'd like to start by giving a HUGE shout out to mother nature for exercising her sense of humor on April Fool's Day. Snow, really? Unfortunately, the snow stuck me on the treadmill, so instead of my "easy" 4 miles, I ended up doing a 40 minute interval workout. DEFN Intervals: running fast, then running slow, then fast again, and doing this for a prolonged amount of time. I like to start my intervals with a nice jog that builds to my baseline speed (today it was 6.5MPH on the treadmill).  I ran a mile at this pace, and then started bumping up the speed for 2 minutes at a time. Something like 2 each at 7, 7.5, 8.0 and back down. Then doing some speed sets, 1 minute each at 7.5, 8, 8.5, each with 1 minute "rest" back at 6.5. I did my speed set two times, then ran for another mile at 6.5. 40-ish minutes later I was sweating my butt off, AND watching the red sox lose (although I still don't actually know the outcome of the game at this moment). The good news, aside from a possible red sox loss :), is that interval workouts not only build endurance and speed, but they are the most effective method for burning fat!
Food for Thought: I just learned yesterday that over 4.000 people from 30 different organizations have pledged to fast for the week to protest House budget cuts to food programs for women and children (mostly to WIC and school lunch programs). I am bummed I JUST found out about this yesterday, because this is something I definitely would have participated in. Check out a sweet public announcement from OxFam America. "You may think hunger is about too many people and not enough food, but it's not true. Our planet produces enough food to feed every man, woman and child. Hunger is about Power. Hunger is about inequality. And women and girls face the most inequality of all."