I want my cake and I want to eat it too. Is that so much to ask? I want the warm, sunshiny days of summer where I can leave the house in a skirt and tank top with no worries about catching a chill, but I also want the crispness of an autumn morning to invigorate me on my run. This morning, the temperature and humidity level were enough to cause me to feel weary of this summer and ready to move on.
Still, it's been worse and I suppose it will likely only get better from here on out, but I couldn't help but think of the PDR only a little more than two weeks away and I recalled my awful experience last year with the hot weather and interminable porto-potty lines. I'm hoping this year will be different. This will be my fifth half marathon - my third time running PDR. I've never gone under two hours at the PDR, but have in both of my other halfs... which doesn't really make sense since the other course I've run (Lehigh Valley Half - both times) is hillier. I'm hoping to go under two hours this year. I guess we shall see.
So... on to my run for the day... Did the Seeba loop again. Not much wildlife out and about this morning. I did get up close and personal with a lovely redtailed hawk sitting on the side of the trail. He allowed me to get about four feet away from him before he took flight, crossing the trail and giving me a nice view of his namesake red tail. Other than that... just bunnies... lots and lots of bunnies.
My running felt pretty good at the outset. I started to get tired and overheated around the third mile. I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this, but I make myself little deals - like I'll push it until a certain familiar bend in the trail and then I'll ease off a little. I try little tricks like that to keep myself motivated... sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Today I could have sworn that somehow the trail got longer - like those bulldozers clearing the space between the two loops must have somehow stretched out the path. The last mile and a half were uncomfortable but I just tried to think that this is what training is supposed to be - it's not supposed to feel comfortable or easy. Racing sure doesn't. So I just tried to think that this bit of discomfort will help prepare for the discomfort that surely will be the 13.1 miles of the PDR.
6.5 in 57:30
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Trying to get over myself
I don't exactly know why, but I have this thing where I really don't want to run with boys - especially boys that I happen to be dating. This has always been true. I know I'm not alone in this affliction as Amy and I have discussed it on many occasions. I think it has something to do with feeling inadequate. Yes, I'm allowed to psychoanalyze myself. Of course, I won't share all of my thoughts on this subject with you, dear reader, but I did want to write a little bit about this. I recognize that it's somewhat silly. Still, the feeling is one of discomfort (not the normal physical discomfort of running.... more psychological/emotional discomfort)... of feeling like I'm not fast enough of a runner and that my S.O. is 'humoring me' by running at such a slow pace... and that leads to feeling pissed off somehow... like I'm being patronized or something. No, it doesn't have to be logical or make sense. So, those bad feelings (which undermine my confidence in my running) coupled with the normal discomfort of running make for not such fun times.
When I first started running many moons ago, I would forbid my S.O. at the time from running with me. He had rowed crew in college and is one of those natural athletes that can wake up one day and run Broad Street without having trained and do it in a respectable time. Not me. I had to train for months and months and months to be able to sustain a halfway decent pace for the duration of the race. Over time I did allow him to run with me, though on very rare occasions. Eventually, because life is sometimes kind and irony can work in one's favor once in a while, I became much more fit as my S.O. continued to be lethargic. After a good long while, I actually wanted him to join me on the occasional run - mostly because I didn't like his lethargy and worried about his health.. but also because I knew I was the one with the upper (running) hand. Save any (God-forbid) catastrophe, this will never happen in my current relationship.
And all this brings me to my run today. If you haven't surmised by now, Seebo and I ran together this morning. He took me on a 6+ mile jaunt near the Art Museum that I imagine he has run many, many times. Given my above stated craziness, I was unsure of how I'd feel on this run. And now, several hours after the run, I'm still not really sure how I felt on the run. Not knowing the route I think added to the feelings of discomfort and uncertainty. Yes, I felt like I was holding him back. Of course he was gracious and kept pace with me. I know he was glad to be running together and less concerned about running anything close to SPRNTC fast. I'm hoping I can get over myself and enjoy running with him for the sake of running with him. But I suppose I have many more miles to log before that occurs.
A lot of internal drama in 6.25 miles (55 minutes and change).
When I first started running many moons ago, I would forbid my S.O. at the time from running with me. He had rowed crew in college and is one of those natural athletes that can wake up one day and run Broad Street without having trained and do it in a respectable time. Not me. I had to train for months and months and months to be able to sustain a halfway decent pace for the duration of the race. Over time I did allow him to run with me, though on very rare occasions. Eventually, because life is sometimes kind and irony can work in one's favor once in a while, I became much more fit as my S.O. continued to be lethargic. After a good long while, I actually wanted him to join me on the occasional run - mostly because I didn't like his lethargy and worried about his health.. but also because I knew I was the one with the upper (running) hand. Save any (God-forbid) catastrophe, this will never happen in my current relationship.
And all this brings me to my run today. If you haven't surmised by now, Seebo and I ran together this morning. He took me on a 6+ mile jaunt near the Art Museum that I imagine he has run many, many times. Given my above stated craziness, I was unsure of how I'd feel on this run. And now, several hours after the run, I'm still not really sure how I felt on the run. Not knowing the route I think added to the feelings of discomfort and uncertainty. Yes, I felt like I was holding him back. Of course he was gracious and kept pace with me. I know he was glad to be running together and less concerned about running anything close to SPRNTC fast. I'm hoping I can get over myself and enjoy running with him for the sake of running with him. But I suppose I have many more miles to log before that occurs.
A lot of internal drama in 6.25 miles (55 minutes and change).
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Don't ask
I don't really even want to talk about today's run. It was miserable.... hot, humid, early, long. I planned to do 12 on the drives - 6 out and 6 back. I just never found my groove. Can't say exactly why, other than the above stated miserableness of the conditions. I wound up doing eleven... which is disappointing, but better than nothing. I didn't have my watch, which was a good thing because then I probably would have felt even worse because I know I was S.L.O.W.
But it's done and over and time to move on to the next run.
Oh yeah and I lost one of my iPod earphone thingies - so add that to the list of things to whine about. Grrr.
But it's done and over and time to move on to the next run.
Oh yeah and I lost one of my iPod earphone thingies - so add that to the list of things to whine about. Grrr.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Listening to my body
This is something I need to do more... or better. Yesterday afternoon - for reasons unbeknownst to me - I was having some really painful abdominal issues. So much so that I was concerned about making it through my last two therapy sessions. I hadn't eaten anything out of the ordinary... I don't know what it was, just one of those inexplicable things. Now, since Wednesday night was a salsa night, I didn't run yesterday morning - leaving my run for afterwork. I was hoping the pain would subside enough by then to get my run in.
I headed out to do the Sebeka loop around 6:30pm. I was looking forward to the run being over, so I went out a bit faster than I normally do. To my surprise, I felt pretty darn good and zoomed through the first two, two and a half miles at a nice clip. As I reached about the halfway point of the loop, I got a really wicked side stitch. Determined not to be a wuss, I kept running for about another quarter mile or more but eventually had to stop and walk for about a minute and a half or two. But at that point, I really wanted the run to be over, so I picked it back up to a run again - though at a considerably slower pace.
On the one hand I was disappointed because I had a really nice pace going initially and was interested to see if I could sustain it for the whole loop. On the other hand, I realized that it might not have been too wise of me to go out so fast on a day where, just hours before, I was questioning my ability to simply sit and be "therapeutic" for fifty minutes. Cramps/side stitches are uncommon for me. I know I've suffered with less than a dozen incidents like that in the seven plus years I've been running. Unfortunately, the stitch didn't really go away for the rest of the run, though it became more tolerable for the last mile, mile and a half.
Call it 6.25 in 55.
I headed out to do the Sebeka loop around 6:30pm. I was looking forward to the run being over, so I went out a bit faster than I normally do. To my surprise, I felt pretty darn good and zoomed through the first two, two and a half miles at a nice clip. As I reached about the halfway point of the loop, I got a really wicked side stitch. Determined not to be a wuss, I kept running for about another quarter mile or more but eventually had to stop and walk for about a minute and a half or two. But at that point, I really wanted the run to be over, so I picked it back up to a run again - though at a considerably slower pace.
On the one hand I was disappointed because I had a really nice pace going initially and was interested to see if I could sustain it for the whole loop. On the other hand, I realized that it might not have been too wise of me to go out so fast on a day where, just hours before, I was questioning my ability to simply sit and be "therapeutic" for fifty minutes. Cramps/side stitches are uncommon for me. I know I've suffered with less than a dozen incidents like that in the seven plus years I've been running. Unfortunately, the stitch didn't really go away for the rest of the run, though it became more tolerable for the last mile, mile and a half.
Call it 6.25 in 55.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
I could have....but I didn't
... run outside, that is. In case you haven't noticed.... it's been raining for going on three days now. I don't mind the rain too much, but just didn't feel in the mood to get drenched. So, yes, another treddy day.
I've shifted my runs a bit this week to accomodate some weekend plans. Normally I don't run on Tuesdays - or if I do, it's only for two miles after my spin class. My legs were noticably tired from Sunday's run so I took the first two miles fairly easy - first mile around 9:25 pace, second mile a little faster - 9:1? pace. From there I picked up the pace a bit - didn't keep track of the splits for the other miles, but my average pace was 8:44 for six and a half miles.
In the past two or three weeks I've been cognizant of my stress fracture - the beast that's been haunting me for years now. I'm chalking it up to the fact that I've been putting in more miles each week and I'm trying to run faster too. I expect it will adjust/adapt in time.
I've shifted my runs a bit this week to accomodate some weekend plans. Normally I don't run on Tuesdays - or if I do, it's only for two miles after my spin class. My legs were noticably tired from Sunday's run so I took the first two miles fairly easy - first mile around 9:25 pace, second mile a little faster - 9:1? pace. From there I picked up the pace a bit - didn't keep track of the splits for the other miles, but my average pace was 8:44 for six and a half miles.
In the past two or three weeks I've been cognizant of my stress fracture - the beast that's been haunting me for years now. I'm chalking it up to the fact that I've been putting in more miles each week and I'm trying to run faster too. I expect it will adjust/adapt in time.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
By Hood and By Wood
As the Distance Run draws near, Amy and I have to try to convince each other to do longer and longer long runs. Last weekend we did eleven.... today we were slated for twelve. Amy has some rollercoasters to ride later today, so we needed to head out early. How early? 6:30 early. I told her the only way I'd get up to run that early on a Sunday (that wasn't going to be 100 degrees) was if she came to me.
I planned out a route that would get us twelve - through some of the neighborhood around here and then up a road... down a road... and into Tinicum from the other end... one and a half loops around Darby Lake and then home again home again, jiggity jig.
I warned Amy that I wasn't familiar with a few of the initial miles of our trek and so I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of elevation changes or whether we'd have a sidewalk to run on or whether we'd be shoulder to shoulder with passing cars. Fortunately for much of the way, we did have somewhere to run... be it a sidewalk or a well worn path along the edge of a cemetery. Unfortunately, the scenery was a little less than picturesque. I think part of Hook Road could best be described as ghetto-industrial. Prime real estate for two cute redheads to get stolen. Amy later told me she was rehearsing some karate moves in her head should the situation have called for it. Luckily, it didn't.
I think we were both relieved when we finally reached the entrance to Tinicum - which, by the way, was only about four miles into our trek. Tinicum was in her glory, as usual... we saw a large gathering of egrets - probably about thirty or more - in Darby Lake. As we made our way around the loop we encountered a few deer, rabbits (of course), and a "rafter" of wild turkeys (yes, I looked that up). I didn't know what they were when I first spied them crossing the trail up ahead, but I remembered Seebo had said he's seen some here, so I deduced that's what they were. There were a coupla bigguns - maybe if I get fast enough by November I can chase one down for Thanksgiving dinner.
The rest of the run.... well... it was long. I'm really, really glad that it's over. I know Amy was too. As we cooled down and walked towards home we made an unofficial pact to never allow anyone to ever talk us into a full marathon. So now I'm home, showered, and just finished a lovely breakfast (spinach and onion omelet with whole wheat toast with fig spread... and coffee). Lots to do today, but first I may take a little nap. And that, my friends, is a very exciting prospect.
12 miles in 1hr 52min.
I planned out a route that would get us twelve - through some of the neighborhood around here and then up a road... down a road... and into Tinicum from the other end... one and a half loops around Darby Lake and then home again home again, jiggity jig.
I warned Amy that I wasn't familiar with a few of the initial miles of our trek and so I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of elevation changes or whether we'd have a sidewalk to run on or whether we'd be shoulder to shoulder with passing cars. Fortunately for much of the way, we did have somewhere to run... be it a sidewalk or a well worn path along the edge of a cemetery. Unfortunately, the scenery was a little less than picturesque. I think part of Hook Road could best be described as ghetto-industrial. Prime real estate for two cute redheads to get stolen. Amy later told me she was rehearsing some karate moves in her head should the situation have called for it. Luckily, it didn't.
I think we were both relieved when we finally reached the entrance to Tinicum - which, by the way, was only about four miles into our trek. Tinicum was in her glory, as usual... we saw a large gathering of egrets - probably about thirty or more - in Darby Lake. As we made our way around the loop we encountered a few deer, rabbits (of course), and a "rafter" of wild turkeys (yes, I looked that up). I didn't know what they were when I first spied them crossing the trail up ahead, but I remembered Seebo had said he's seen some here, so I deduced that's what they were. There were a coupla bigguns - maybe if I get fast enough by November I can chase one down for Thanksgiving dinner.
The rest of the run.... well... it was long. I'm really, really glad that it's over. I know Amy was too. As we cooled down and walked towards home we made an unofficial pact to never allow anyone to ever talk us into a full marathon. So now I'm home, showered, and just finished a lovely breakfast (spinach and onion omelet with whole wheat toast with fig spread... and coffee). Lots to do today, but first I may take a little nap. And that, my friends, is a very exciting prospect.
12 miles in 1hr 52min.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Jenny from the Block
I was out kind of late Thursday night watching El Cantante with my favorite salsera, Jill. I'm not typically a Jenny-from-the-block fan, but I really did like the movie and walked out of there with some respect for JLo and her hubby's acting skills.... but please don't tell anyone.
The late night did not lend itself to an early morning run so I postponed it until after work and since it was hot - I did the treadmill thing. I think I can handle one treddy workout a week - otherwise I start to go crazy.
Being as such... there isn't much to report - the gym is the gym. Ran 5.5 miles in 47:35.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Sebeka Loop
Not much time to write today. All I'll say is that I was very thankful to have non-nasty weather this morning so I could run outside. The loop I did was really a small figure eight of Tinicum which combines the two sections that Seebo and I had originally confused.
It was a great morning to run - wish I had more time to write about it. Deer in the usual places, ton-of-bunnies, and the fox was the same place I left him last time.
6.5 in 57:15
It was a great morning to run - wish I had more time to write about it. Deer in the usual places, ton-of-bunnies, and the fox was the same place I left him last time.
6.5 in 57:15
Sunday, August 12, 2007
We Love Philly
Usually, I think about what I might write in my blog while I'm running. Somehow that didn't happen today. Either I flaked or I just got too wrapped up in the run itself to think of anything other than my form, my pace, etc.... Umm.... yeah... What's more likely is that I was too busy talking with Amy, trying to solve all life's problems and discover the mysteries of the universe. We almost got there - a few more miles and I bet we would have figured it out.
Today we were aiming for eleven miles. I have a physical/psychological aversion to anything over ten. More than ten just seems really long to me, but PDR is only a little over a month away. Amy, being the wonderful person that she is, planned out a three mile trek around City Hall to add onto the Art Museum loop to give us the mileage we were looking for. She also smartly suggested we do the City Hall bit first - good call.
We headed out, up the Parkway, and Amy rightly noted that we'd be sure to see lots of homeless folks on this route. Right she was. Up the parkway... through Love Park... around City Hall... back through Love Park (around the other side of the fountain this time).... and then back down the parkway. It was like a Who's Who of the Philly homeless.
And then onto the loop. That old familiar stomping ground. Not too much to note - other than the water fountain we were gunning for was much farther along than we thought. We had a nice breeze most of the way and as long as you were in the shade, it wasn't too, too hot. I picked it up for the last mile or so - especially in that last half to quarter mile. As I told Amy, no way in hell Blondie was going to beat me to the traffic light at Lloyd Hall. She gave chase, but it wasn't happening for her - today was not your day, Blondie.
Afterwards, Amy and I walked to Whole Foods and got ourselves a lovely little brunch, complete with some delicious fresh figs. We love Philly.
Overall, 11 miles in 1hr, 42min.
Today we were aiming for eleven miles. I have a physical/psychological aversion to anything over ten. More than ten just seems really long to me, but PDR is only a little over a month away. Amy, being the wonderful person that she is, planned out a three mile trek around City Hall to add onto the Art Museum loop to give us the mileage we were looking for. She also smartly suggested we do the City Hall bit first - good call.
We headed out, up the Parkway, and Amy rightly noted that we'd be sure to see lots of homeless folks on this route. Right she was. Up the parkway... through Love Park... around City Hall... back through Love Park (around the other side of the fountain this time).... and then back down the parkway. It was like a Who's Who of the Philly homeless.
And then onto the loop. That old familiar stomping ground. Not too much to note - other than the water fountain we were gunning for was much farther along than we thought. We had a nice breeze most of the way and as long as you were in the shade, it wasn't too, too hot. I picked it up for the last mile or so - especially in that last half to quarter mile. As I told Amy, no way in hell Blondie was going to beat me to the traffic light at Lloyd Hall. She gave chase, but it wasn't happening for her - today was not your day, Blondie.
Afterwards, Amy and I walked to Whole Foods and got ourselves a lovely little brunch, complete with some delicious fresh figs. We love Philly.
Overall, 11 miles in 1hr, 42min.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Every callous tells a story... and things that make you go Ewww.
***Warning*** Not for those with queasy stomachs.
My feet are not so pretty to behold. They're not the kind that look cute in strappy sandals - not that that stops me. Running does not help matters. On the rare occasion that I get a pedicure, I am sure to tell whoever is unfortunate enough to have that job ... "Don't bother with the callouses... I need those." Lately, I've been getting blood blisters underneath some of my callouses. Yummy, huh? These are very painful/sensitive to the touch and I don't know if I'm better off leaving them alone or going for the blood letting. Being the scientist that I am, I decided to do an experiment. Since I had a blood blister on each foot, I decided to lance one and leave the other be. Yes, it was gross. I don't do so well with blood. I'll spare you the rest of the details. My findings: Lancing is better.
Okay... moving on... The heat has let up a bit, though not the humidity... but I figured this was my chance to get back outside to run. I've been getting to loathe the gym. I've already been there three days this week. Enough, I decided. So out I went. I ran a neighborhood loop - passing the track - yes... passing it. I've decided I'm not going there again for a little while - my heart just hasn't been in it. Maybe in the fall. A few hills here and there which, I convinced myself, were good for me. Somewhere between mile three and four, I encountered a stretch of road that I really liked - not for the scenery or anything, but it had these lovely, gentle rolling hills. The kind where you just slightly more than barely notice the gentle ascention and declination of the road. The kind of road where you could get lost in your own cadence... run for miles and miles....
"HEY... YOU WANNA RIDE TO THE GYM?" And the spell was broken. I know this guy... well, know him in the sense that I recognize him as one of those lecherous middle aged men who hangs out at the gym all the time. I've actually overheard him say to one of his cronies that he wasn't going to go upstairs (where the free weights and nautilus machines are) yet because all the hot chicks were still on the cardio equipment (which is downstairs). Ewww. I politely declined.
The rest of the run was uneventful. I felt pretty good despite the fact that I was drenched with sweat. Overall, the loop was 6.15 miles - done in 55:40.
My feet are not so pretty to behold. They're not the kind that look cute in strappy sandals - not that that stops me. Running does not help matters. On the rare occasion that I get a pedicure, I am sure to tell whoever is unfortunate enough to have that job ... "Don't bother with the callouses... I need those." Lately, I've been getting blood blisters underneath some of my callouses. Yummy, huh? These are very painful/sensitive to the touch and I don't know if I'm better off leaving them alone or going for the blood letting. Being the scientist that I am, I decided to do an experiment. Since I had a blood blister on each foot, I decided to lance one and leave the other be. Yes, it was gross. I don't do so well with blood. I'll spare you the rest of the details. My findings: Lancing is better.
Okay... moving on... The heat has let up a bit, though not the humidity... but I figured this was my chance to get back outside to run. I've been getting to loathe the gym. I've already been there three days this week. Enough, I decided. So out I went. I ran a neighborhood loop - passing the track - yes... passing it. I've decided I'm not going there again for a little while - my heart just hasn't been in it. Maybe in the fall. A few hills here and there which, I convinced myself, were good for me. Somewhere between mile three and four, I encountered a stretch of road that I really liked - not for the scenery or anything, but it had these lovely, gentle rolling hills. The kind where you just slightly more than barely notice the gentle ascention and declination of the road. The kind of road where you could get lost in your own cadence... run for miles and miles....
"HEY... YOU WANNA RIDE TO THE GYM?" And the spell was broken. I know this guy... well, know him in the sense that I recognize him as one of those lecherous middle aged men who hangs out at the gym all the time. I've actually overheard him say to one of his cronies that he wasn't going to go upstairs (where the free weights and nautilus machines are) yet because all the hot chicks were still on the cardio equipment (which is downstairs). Ewww. I politely declined.
The rest of the run was uneventful. I felt pretty good despite the fact that I was drenched with sweat. Overall, the loop was 6.15 miles - done in 55:40.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Wahooooo Australia!!!!
No... I did not just win a fabulous, all expenses paid trip or anything nearly like that. You may or may not have noticed, dear reader, that there is a curious little map-o-the-world located at the bottom of this page with a bunch of red dots on it. This is my "Cluster Map" - which gives me great pleasure as it enables me to see where in the world folks have stumbled onto my blog (whether they read it or not is another story... and really matters not... but, I digress). For a while I had been 'discovered' only on four of the seven continents. I don't hold out much hope for Antarctica, but I was a little peeved that the entire continents of Africa and Australia had not yet stumbled onto my little page of narcissistic running ramblings. How unjust, I thought. Typically, I don't check my darling Cluster Map until after I post my blog for the day. But today, acting on a whim, I checked before posting and LOW AND BEHOLD.... AUSTRALIA!!! I realize the likelihood that this is only exciting for me... but hey, it's my blog, so there.
Oh... yeah... running. Not much to say on that end. Since it's been hotternhell, I've been logging the miles on the treddy - two yesterday, post spin class and six today. No idea on the time for yesterday... just an easy run, probably around a 9:20ish pace. Today (I just did the math) an average 8:43 pace (6 miles in 52:15).
Oh... yeah... running. Not much to say on that end. Since it's been hotternhell, I've been logging the miles on the treddy - two yesterday, post spin class and six today. No idea on the time for yesterday... just an easy run, probably around a 9:20ish pace. Today (I just did the math) an average 8:43 pace (6 miles in 52:15).
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Central Park
This weekend Seebo and I took a trip up to New York. This was the first time I've been to New York (for more than just a drive-thru) since becoming one of the running ilk. Of course, we had to run Central Park. Most of the info I have found on the running loop that encircles the park says its six miles. To me, it seemed a bit short of that, but hey, even USATF (which - much to my dismay, has nothing to do with alcohol, tobacco, and firearms) says it's six (or 6.04 to be exact), so I won't argue.
As we walked to the park from our hotel, Seebo mentioned that the course was "kind of hilly". "Oh", I said... silly Seebo.... doesn't he know me well enough to know that I had already done my own research as to the terrain elevation? Sheesh.
And hilly it was, especially towards the end, but I didn't mind it too much - which is somewhat surprising given how hill averse I am usually. It was a sticky morning - temps were in the upper 70s and humidity was in the mid 80s by 7am. I just did one loop - which was plenty for me. 6 miles in 53 minutes.
As we walked to the park from our hotel, Seebo mentioned that the course was "kind of hilly". "Oh", I said... silly Seebo.... doesn't he know me well enough to know that I had already done my own research as to the terrain elevation? Sheesh.
And hilly it was, especially towards the end, but I didn't mind it too much - which is somewhat surprising given how hill averse I am usually. It was a sticky morning - temps were in the upper 70s and humidity was in the mid 80s by 7am. I just did one loop - which was plenty for me. 6 miles in 53 minutes.
Friday, August 3, 2007
The Beauty of Speed*
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel running last night (Thursday) given that I had just done my long run on Wednesday morning. All these changes make me nervous. But, these days I'm feeling committed to, at the very least, getting in some kind of run three to four times a week.
After work, I headed to the gym - I wasn't even going to pretend to run outside at 6:30 when the temps were still in the 90s. I know that the Philly Runners meet at the Art Museum at 6:30 on Thursdays and more power to them... not for me.
As I've said in earlier posts, I'm just starting to learn about the different running lingo. I've heard terms thrown around here and there over the years I've run, but have never applied them to myself. I've read and heard people talk about doing "intervals", "fartleks", "tempo runs", and the like, but never felt like I was a runner in that sense of the word. I don't even know what my tempo pace would be (one article I looked at said that tempo pace is approximately 15 to 30 seconds per mile slower than 10K race pace... which would be fine if I knew what my 10k race pace was). When people talk about doing part of their run at 10k pace or doing a tempo run, I usually think, "I have three speeds... stop, walk, and run." As I've been coming out of my little turtle shell more and more, I'm beginning to think/realize that these funny little terms can mean something to me too... though I'm not sure what yet.
So, to make a long post short (too late, I know), I decided to try to push myself a bit on this treaddy workout. I wasn't in the mood to simulate a track workout with 400 intervals, as I probably should have, so I just figured I'd pick up the pace. Warmed up for a mile or so and then increased the pace steadily until I was running around 7.1mph for a few miles... a bit faster or slower here and there depending on what song was on the iPod... so maybe this was more of an iFartlek (credit: Ian) than a tempo run, but either way, I pushed myself to run faster for a longer distance than is usual for me.... and I felt pretty darn good.
Overall, I did 5.5 miles in 47:15.
* A Tori song off her latest album.
After work, I headed to the gym - I wasn't even going to pretend to run outside at 6:30 when the temps were still in the 90s. I know that the Philly Runners meet at the Art Museum at 6:30 on Thursdays and more power to them... not for me.
As I've said in earlier posts, I'm just starting to learn about the different running lingo. I've heard terms thrown around here and there over the years I've run, but have never applied them to myself. I've read and heard people talk about doing "intervals", "fartleks", "tempo runs", and the like, but never felt like I was a runner in that sense of the word. I don't even know what my tempo pace would be (one article I looked at said that tempo pace is approximately 15 to 30 seconds per mile slower than 10K race pace... which would be fine if I knew what my 10k race pace was). When people talk about doing part of their run at 10k pace or doing a tempo run, I usually think, "I have three speeds... stop, walk, and run." As I've been coming out of my little turtle shell more and more, I'm beginning to think/realize that these funny little terms can mean something to me too... though I'm not sure what yet.
So, to make a long post short (too late, I know), I decided to try to push myself a bit on this treaddy workout. I wasn't in the mood to simulate a track workout with 400 intervals, as I probably should have, so I just figured I'd pick up the pace. Warmed up for a mile or so and then increased the pace steadily until I was running around 7.1mph for a few miles... a bit faster or slower here and there depending on what song was on the iPod... so maybe this was more of an iFartlek (credit: Ian) than a tempo run, but either way, I pushed myself to run faster for a longer distance than is usual for me.... and I felt pretty darn good.
Overall, I did 5.5 miles in 47:15.
* A Tori song off her latest album.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Going long ... on a Wednesday?... and why I'm running.
Last Sunday when Amy and I were running the drives, we laughed when we saw that someone had spray painted "Why are you running?" on the path. Good question, we agreed, and on that thick and sticky-hot morning we were wondering the same thing.
Given the change in my life and running schedules for this week, today seemed the best opportunity to get in my long run. So I set my sights on Tinicum. Knowing that it's better for me to add in the beginning than on the end, I added a quick jaunt through the neighborhoods to add a little over a half mile before heading to the tried and true figure 8 Tinicum loop.
A little while back, Seebo and I were discussing the mileage of this loop and through our disagreement as to the distance, we discovered that we were using slightly different connecting routes between the two loops. I had forgotten about the trail Seebo uses - one where we shared a walk many, many moons ago and where he got into a pissing contest with a senior citizen about birds. I told him it wasn't nice to beat up on old ladies, but he said she had it coming.
The wildlife was plentiful this morning. Heading into Tinicum, where the trail is quite wide and parallels 95, just as it turns left to hook into the first loop, I saw two does and a fawn. I guess I wasn't sufficiently intimidating because they didn't do much more than twitch an ear and allow their gaze to slowly follow me as I passed. Of course there were bunnies aplenty. I have to thank Seebo for reminding me of the other connecting path because it was on this section that I encountered my old friend, Red Fox. Seems we were both out for our morning jaunts, me heading north, he heading south... we encountered one another as we each rounded the bend and both slowed to a near stop about ten feet apart. It was a long second or two as I regarded him regarding me. He seemed nonplussed by my presence, but equally indifferent. Without haste, he then tucked into the brush just leaving me to smile at my luck.
Rounding Darby Lake (first on the make-out tower side), I could see the now expected large gathering of egrets and herons in the distance on the other side of the lake. I had hoped they'd still be there when I came around and was not disappointed. A subgroup of about a dozen egrets were hanging out to the left of the trail in a smaller circle of water. Like my last trip through these parts, I startled them enough so they took flight, lifting themselves out of the water... a few tried to perch on the upper branches of some nearby trees, but were too heavy to be supported. Flapping a bit ungracefully as they realized this would not be their perch, they again took off towards the larger body of water where they then settled in with the primary group.
Heading back towards the initial loop and nearing the end of my run, I encountered one last piece of ... wildlife. This one did not flee from me. No, in fact, he strode towards me, letting me absorb the sight of him in his fully glory (well, except for some running shoes and shorts... and a hat, I think). Within a minute of this sighting, a song came on my iPod... a song by Chris Knight that brings to mind images of dusty country roads, cowboy hats and boots, and well worn jeans. The sentiment fit nicely.
All of this.... is why I'm running.
A little over 10 in 93 minutes.
Given the change in my life and running schedules for this week, today seemed the best opportunity to get in my long run. So I set my sights on Tinicum. Knowing that it's better for me to add in the beginning than on the end, I added a quick jaunt through the neighborhoods to add a little over a half mile before heading to the tried and true figure 8 Tinicum loop.
A little while back, Seebo and I were discussing the mileage of this loop and through our disagreement as to the distance, we discovered that we were using slightly different connecting routes between the two loops. I had forgotten about the trail Seebo uses - one where we shared a walk many, many moons ago and where he got into a pissing contest with a senior citizen about birds. I told him it wasn't nice to beat up on old ladies, but he said she had it coming.
The wildlife was plentiful this morning. Heading into Tinicum, where the trail is quite wide and parallels 95, just as it turns left to hook into the first loop, I saw two does and a fawn. I guess I wasn't sufficiently intimidating because they didn't do much more than twitch an ear and allow their gaze to slowly follow me as I passed. Of course there were bunnies aplenty. I have to thank Seebo for reminding me of the other connecting path because it was on this section that I encountered my old friend, Red Fox. Seems we were both out for our morning jaunts, me heading north, he heading south... we encountered one another as we each rounded the bend and both slowed to a near stop about ten feet apart. It was a long second or two as I regarded him regarding me. He seemed nonplussed by my presence, but equally indifferent. Without haste, he then tucked into the brush just leaving me to smile at my luck.
Rounding Darby Lake (first on the make-out tower side), I could see the now expected large gathering of egrets and herons in the distance on the other side of the lake. I had hoped they'd still be there when I came around and was not disappointed. A subgroup of about a dozen egrets were hanging out to the left of the trail in a smaller circle of water. Like my last trip through these parts, I startled them enough so they took flight, lifting themselves out of the water... a few tried to perch on the upper branches of some nearby trees, but were too heavy to be supported. Flapping a bit ungracefully as they realized this would not be their perch, they again took off towards the larger body of water where they then settled in with the primary group.
Heading back towards the initial loop and nearing the end of my run, I encountered one last piece of ... wildlife. This one did not flee from me. No, in fact, he strode towards me, letting me absorb the sight of him in his fully glory (well, except for some running shoes and shorts... and a hat, I think). Within a minute of this sighting, a song came on my iPod... a song by Chris Knight that brings to mind images of dusty country roads, cowboy hats and boots, and well worn jeans. The sentiment fit nicely.
All of this.... is why I'm running.
A little over 10 in 93 minutes.
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