The Power of Friendship

I met my friend Amy at Lloyd Hall this morning. You have no idea how nice it is to type that sentence. I miss running with Amy - the miles go by so much more quickly when we're gabbing away. When the alarm went off at 6:30 - my first thought was 'gotta meet Amy'. My second thought was, 'S***, it's raining.' Luckily the first thought was a more powerful force than the second and I was able to get out the door to meet her at 7:30.

The weather was pretty nasty - upper 40s, raining, fairly windy. I'm sure, had I been going it alone, that I would have been miserable much of the time. But it really wasn't all that bad. Somehow, I think that when I run in the rain I don't get as dehydrated... like I absorb the water through osmosis. Don't think there is much truth to that, but I still like the thought.

We did the loop at a relaxed pace and caught up on each other's lives and, of course, did our best to solve each other's problems. After dropping Amy off at Lloyd Hall, I set off to do another four miles. I was feeling good at the end of my run with Amy and was interested to see what I could do for those last four. I was surprised and somewhat dismayed that despite what seemed like a good effort, I was only pulling out 9 minute miles. This didn't make me too happy. I tried to tell myself that I was tired from running the 8.25 with Amy. Still, I didn't like the splits. I tried to keep in mind that, at this point, what's most important is being on my feet and running - no matter the pace - for an extended period of time. And that I did.

8.25 miles in 82 minutes. 4 miles in 36 minutes.... total of 12.25 in 118 minutes.

An update on my contusion (thanks, Amy, for the word). I've been a bit obsessed with it's progression.... can't say why really, other than the fact that I haven't had a bruise like this in a long time... maybe ever. It's puuuurty.

Three's Company

Today was my third to last long run before Allentown has it's way with me. I'm feeling more anxious for this race than I think I have for any other race before and I don't really like the feeling. I don't usually get nervous for races or dread their approach. Quite the contrary. It's more typical for me to get excited about the (hopefully) cool things at the expo, to look forward to the pre-race dinner, and to think about what kind of gooey ice cream concoction I'll consume post-race. Those thoughts don't impress me much at this point. While I am looking forward to spending some time with Amy, the race itself has me feeling ill at ease.

I met up with the Philly Runners group at 9:30 and set out with Helena, whom I had met before. Another runner, Mike, kept pace with us and so the three of us wound our way around the loop. As is typical lately, the winds were fierce heading up West River Drive. I was thankful for my running companions and the easy conversation about Helena's wedding plans, our mixed European heritages, and, of course, the impending Pennsylvania primary. I had thoughts of stopping around the half way mark, but as soon as we crossed the bridge, I was feeling better for having the wind (sort of) at my back and a slight downhill to coast. The miles were averaging a 8:40 pace - which is about where I want to be for Allentown.

Once we reached Lloyd Hall, our mini group split up and I stopped for some water and to stretch out an achy back. Then I headed back up Kelly Drive to get in two and a half more miles to give me an even eleven (yes, I realize 11 is an odd number) for the day. The last mile, I was tired - very tired - but I know that's what I'll be facing during the last two or so miles of Allentown, so I kept telling myself "get used to it".

11 miles in 95 minutes.

Nag, nag, nag

I'm sick of catching flack from Seebo for not updating my blog.... so here goes. Big whoop.... I ran the loop yesterday. Ok... I won't reduce it to simply that. I met up with the Philly Runners crew and managed to actually run with a group of nice folks (usually I wind up running solo) for at least seven of the eight and a half miles. I was glad for the company and conversation, though it can be kind of tough to do the whole get-to-know-ya thang when you're battling a rough headwind up West River Drive.

I'm debating whether or not to go upstairs to see if I have my final time on my watch because, honestly, I don't remember it. I can say that most miles were somewhere around 8:40 pace... which I was sort of okay with. I managed to eek out an 8:17 mile somewhere around the 7th mile - but that was with some tailwind and a concerted effort. Still, it was nice to see.

The best thing about this run was that my calves behaved themselves and, overall, the aches and pains were at a minimum. Cooling down and stretching, I noticed a bit of the old hip pain - though this time in my left hip instead of my right. I'm not worried yet. Maybe I'll employ some of my old PT tricks on it to see if I can head it off at the pass.

I really need to get my butt in gear for Allentown. Eight weeks and counting and right now my long runs are at a kind of pathetic eight and a half to nine miles. Next weekend I'll shoot for ten to ten and a half. If I put it in writing (which I just did), hopefully it will happen.

I'll get back to you on the time.... maybe.

Congratualtions to Seebo and Wesner for running a spectacular 10k today.

Becky Crocker

Laying on my couch, hair still damp from my shower, waiting for my chocolate cake to bake. What a difference a week makes. I wasn't sure how I was going to get through today's run. I've been a bit more stressed than usual lately and had a terrible night sleep last night. I almost wussed out of today's run, but as my sister so accurately stated, "You'll be grumpy if you don't." And she's right.

So, now for the third consecutive week, I've met the Philly Runners crew down by the Art Museum for their Saturday morning loop. And just like the last two weeks, I found myself running alone for the vast majority of the time. I was more okay with this today than I had been in past weeks; lots kickin' around in my mind to mull over.

The last two weeks I've done this run have been difficult. I felt like I was struggling to hold onto 8:40 miles and by the time the sixth mile rolled around, I had felt like I hit the wall. With that history in mind, I made a conscious effort to not pressure myself too much about the pace for those initial two or three miles. I made a point of trying to run comfortably. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was averaging right around 8:30 miles and I felt good.

In the dozens of times I have run the Art Museum loop, I have usually run up Kelly Drive first. The Philly Runners go the other way. Psychologically, I don't like this change. My body and mind are accustomed to the other direction and while this may not seem like a big deal, it's taken some getting used to for me. Not sure why I'm even mentioning it, other than it's interesting to me how much of a difference that seems to make.

Crossing over Falls Bridge, my legs were feeling tired, but not like I wanted to stop and I was encouraged to see that my mile splits were remaining fairly consistent. Around the two mile mark, two folks from Philly Runners caught up with me. We chatted a bit and I was able to hang with them for the better part of the next mile, but then they were gone and I was fine with that. Actually, I was thankful to have had them pull me through that seventh mile since that is where I've kind of pooped out the last two weeks. Overall, a better run than the previous two weekend loops.

Cake should be done soon.

8.5 in 71 minutes.