Turkey Trotting

Miles: Various
Time: Various
Mood: Various

As my ever-loving roommate reminded me today, I haven't posted in over a week. (Sincerest apologies, Jen dear.)

I ran a few times last week, nothing notable to report. Distances of three miles or less. One day was only a mile because I tried to run with Bandit around my parent's neighborhood and he was a pill and a half, so we had to go home early.

Someone is tired after his mini-run.

Another day was a mile and a half because someone let me drink an entire bottle of champage by myself the night before - when she was supposed to be helping me (thank you, Triny).

Managed to eat and drink like a complete jackass over the break. And I'm not sorry.

I did get in a three-miler on Monday morning, and have taken the last two days off due to an upcoming school presentation that's becoming a total time-suck. Buuuuut I brought my running stuff to work so I can go straight to the gym after. The plan? 4.5 miles.

Here's hoping I'm able to shower once I'm done. Did I mention we can't use the water at home?

P.S. Tomorrow I can buy food again. And by food I mean lettuce.

Green Miles

Run: 4.5
Time: Approx. 48:00 (first 4 at 11 split)
Mood: Strong

Awesome run at the gym with the help of Green Mile. I plugged in and covered the mile display and just ran. Was only planning on 4 but did the extra half mile b/c I wanted to see the part of the movie where John Coffey saves the warden's wife. Again, punched out the last half at an 8:15 pace.

I read that the average person gains 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years. I'm not making it up, really. Honestly, after we had our house Thanksgiving dinner last night, I can totally see how it happens.

This is not allowed. I figure I burnt around 500 calories on my run yesterday (not including to the two hours of leaf raking) so that at least puts a dent in dinner. And this shall be the strategy going forward. Days when there is festive intake, shall contain grueling output.

Can't wait for real Thanksgiving.

"Make Winter Your B*tch"

Run: 3.1
Time: 32:Something
Mood: Visible

Things we learned at the gym last night:

• Wearing day-glo yellow in the gym...not such a hot idea. Not only are you highly visible in the mirrors, but when you're switching from machine to machine trying to find one that has a working monitor, people will see you. Not only see you, but SEE you.
• Pay no attention to the kid mumbling to himself on the treadmill next to you. He's harmless.
• I need to start doing upper-body strength training. It's embarassing.

Ended up doing a 5K last night on the treadmill. While I may be generally grumpy about having to run indoors, I'm trying to make the best of it by using the speed pace effectively. As my runs come to a close, I crank up the speed. Finished last night's 3.1 at an 8:14 pace...which feels so freaking fast when you've been doing an 11/10:30 split.

Winter slump is setting in. When it's cold out, I don't want to walk to the gym - didn't run on Monday for that exact reason.

But we are gonna crack down. Finalizing my training calendar as we speak.

To quote a new blogger (Ben Does Life) I just discovered, I'm going to make winter my bitch. :)

Side note: I'm trying out the whole "5-6 small meals a day" thing, and it's working out well.

Damage Report

I've run twice since my last post. 4 miles on the treadmill, and then 2.5 outside today. Today's run was supposed to be a long one, 5 or 6 miles, but I started hurting around mile 1. My right hip flexor is definitely screwed. I'm a little pissed about it.

Also, there's an insane hill on the route I took today. No lie. Legit hill. Went a little slowly.

The three glasses of wine last night prolly didn't help either.

Bah.

Run: 3 miles
Time: I have no idea
Mood: Crankarific

I had to run on a treadmill. Inside. Enough said.

I forgot that gyms surround you with mirrors. I don't want to talk about it.

P.S. Preeeetty positive there is something up with the hip flexor. Sore again today. But only sore immediately after a run.

Back at It!

Run: 2 miles
Time: 21:08
Mood: Scrumtrulescent

Some of you may have noticed that I haven’t posted in a week...and…well…that’s because I haven’t really run in a week. That’s right, took some time off after the 10K. Say something.

This week starts the working-up-to-ten-miles stage of training. I’m making a new calendar for the next three months, and it will involve running five times a week (up from the previous three) and working mileage up to ten miles, then back to six, then back to ten – it will cycle this way until about four months before the 2011 MCM. At that point, I start tacking on mileage to build up to 26. But for now, we focus on the big 1-0.

Today, thanks to daylight savings, I was able to run at 6:30 this morning. It won’t last long, and it’s getting dark at 5:30 now – so we get a gym membership this week to use the treadmill. I still plan on doing my long runs outside on the weekends to get the cold air in my lungs. Today’s run felt great though.

Side note: We may have the beginnings of our first injury. The week before the 10K my right hip flexor was bugging a tiny bit, and after the 6.2 both of my hips were sore. This morning’s run triggered that bugging again and my right flexor was sore after I finished. I don’t think it has anything to do with my new shoes, but I’m trying to stretch it as well as I can and not overdo it. I’d rather baby something like this now, than ignore it and have a bigger injury in six months.

Next race on the horizon: Cherry Blossom 10-Miler (if I can get registered through the lottery).

MCM 10K - PhotoPost

Run: 6.2
Time: 1:10
Mood: Felt great!

This is going to me mostly a photo blog, because pictures speak 1,000 words today. My friends came out to support me and celebrated Halloween to the fullest. (Love you ladies.)

Race went well, it was really fun to be there with all those people. Hip flexors are sore now, but otherwise feeling good. Rehydrating and eating Halloween candy today.

Quote of the day from Boyer as I was groaning after my post-race nap: "This is only the beginning."

P.S. Finishing at the top of a hill = not fun. Good to know for next year's marathon finish.

Ready...

Set....

Go!

Oh wait, not yet.

My support group...

Post-race.

I ran.

"Are those Teletubbies?"

Seriously, you guys are great.

Snipers keeping us safe.

Waiting for the Metro.

"Teletubbies in outer spaaaace!"

They. Waved. At. Everyone.