Sunday, July 31, 2011

Room to grow

I've had a rough time running lately. I'd like to blame it on the heat. And in part, I will. I feel like I've been enjoying running this summer, but as part of that, not really training particularly hard. As a result, I've kind of hit a plateau. I half joked before the Thursday night Charles River race this past week that I was expecting my pace for the 4 mile race would be about the same as my 12 mile run last Saturday. I guess that's the trade-off; I have not dreaded speed work or mid-week tempo runs (because I haven't been doing them) but as a result, I haven't gotten much faster this summer either.

For the record, I did run the race last Thursday faster than the previous 2 of the series by about 7 seconds per mile. But it has got me reconsidering my summer non-training plans...

Recent running performance aside, I squeaked in an 8-mile run on Saturday, but otherwise took a small break from running this weekend. I exchanged my regular weekend miles for holes on the golf course. While home in NY, I went golfing with my dad for a belated birthday present. I admitted to taking lessons before the big event, but I failed to tell him I had never actually hit a real golf ball. Fortunately, my dad is the most positive man in the world and was extremely patient as I suffered through the first 2 holes.

It's been a long time since I have learned something new. Learning is fun, but putting it into practice can be frustrating! I don't assume at all I should be good immediately, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to be. Golf is a sport, and I can't help but want to win.

But it got better. So much so that I agreed to play again today. We played a slightly longer 9 hole course. I shot one stroke better than yesterday and overall played much more consistently. Progress.

I'm leaving NY tomorrow well-rested and a bit rejuvenated. Home does that. I'm ready to go back to Boston and play some more golf as well as start thinking about some upcoming races and how I want to prepare for them. My new endeavor and my old favorite...there's still plenty of room to grow in both of these sports.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Running again with an old friend and Happy Birthday DAD!!

Despite some warm weather and a busy schedule, I was able to log 30 quality miles this week. Following my 5 miler along the Jersey shore last Sunday, I was tricked into a treadmill run on Wednesday. While I much rather would have been outside, the sheets of rain falling in Kenmore Square and a 7:00 dinner date with my visiting mom left me resigned to the treadmill for 6 miles of speedwork. Somehow, it wasn't torturous and I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner, and the company, at East Coast Grill afterwards.

Friday morning I ran again. Usually Friday mornings runs are not my best and I try to avoid them. Perhaps my legs felt refreshed after yoga Thursday night, or perhaps it was a fluke, but I was cruising. And sweating. And apparently Garmin doesn't like sweat. So while I know I ran well, I was disappointed when I could not turn my watch off for several minutes after I finished, leaving me to only guess what a good Friday morning run I really had.

But the icing on the cake was today's long run. I made it 13.5 miles up and down the Charles, with a detour into Boston. But the best part was the 4.5 miles I ran with my old running pal, Brenna. Although we trained hours together each week before the marathon, we have only run together once since. So it was a real treat. And she always pushes me a bit (even when she says she feels like crap), so I ran a bit better than usual as well.

Finally, I want to wish a big Happy Birthday to my Dad! I've been secretly planning his birthday present for weeks and his email to thank me this week made my day. I could see him smiling as I read it. Although I have never swung a golf club (excluding putters on courses with windmills), my dad consistently asks me to golf with him. I always decline, insisting it would be no fun for me or those behind us, if I were to attempt to play. So in June, I decided my gift to him (and maybe partly to me too) would be to go golfing with him. I officially added a new sport to my resume and I signed up for lessons (And look who made the website!).

I'm heading home at the end of the month and the plan is to play together then. I'm off to the driving range a few more times before then and while I don't think it will be pretty, I'm at least ready to try. Plus, if my dad is half as happy golfing together as he sounded when I told him, then it's all worth it.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Not quite a vacation from running


This weekend I traded my long run for a longer drive. Friday night, I headed south for the Jersey Shore to reunite with 5 college pals. I packed my running stuff, but had already decided I would gladly bypass running this weekend if the plans of the group did not really allow room for it. I was on "vacation" for the weekend, and that meant staying up late, sleeping in, relaxing in the sun and indulging in a delicious menu (that had been decided days ago).

After 6 hours of mild traffic and rain, I arrived! I ate the plate of dinner that had been saved for me and sat around the kitchen table catching up until well after my bedtime. As we made plans for breakfast, I was asked if I was going to run in the morning. Maybe. Saturday morning, there would be no alarm.

I slept past 10:30 on Saturday morning. And it felt amazing. But after a delicious breakfast of fruit, yogurt and bagels and some time to digest, I was eager to check out the boardwalk - in running shoes. So I got dressed and headed out.



I sort of knew what I was setting myself up for, heading out to run at noon in the middle of July. I had no intention of making this a regular "long" run. The goal was just over 7, and while it would be my longest run of the week, it would only be by 1/10 of a mile. As expected, it was hot. But there was a great breeze from the ocean and for the most part, I was so preoccupied taking in the beauty of the beach and people watching, that I didn't really feel so bad until about mile 5. The last 2 miles were hot, but by then, I was almost done and back at the house, the pool was just waiting for me to jump in.

Again this morning I had no intention of running. I woke up before most of the rest of the house and decided to actually go for a walk. When I returned home after about 2 miles and everyone was still asleep, I traded my flip flops for running shoes and decided to take advantage one the beautiful scenery one more time. This time, I ran a 5 mile loop that took me through the neighborhood, up to the boardwalk and then back home. Just in time for breakfast.

On my 6 hour drive home today, I had some time to think about what a great weekend this was. I love my running routes and routines here in Boston, but it was really fun to trade in a few miles for a new place to run. What a treat to have such a beautiful weekend, with great friends...and still squeak in a few runs!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

33 for 33

I'm not sure why, but this week, to celebrate my 33rd birthday, I decided I would run 33 miles. I guess I felt I wanted to celebrate being healthy and able to enjoy another year of one of my favorite activities. I modified the practice of Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray who at 56, still runs his age on his birthday. While I wasn't up for all those miles at once, I decided across the course of the week was good enough.

It wasn't that far of a stretch from my usual weekly running schedule, as I've been averaging around 28 miles per week for the last month or so. But with a few birthday celebrations this week, it was a little tougher than I thought to squeeze in those extra miles.

But I did. After almost deciding to bag the idea on Friday when I was further behind schedule than I had hoped, I was motivated by some friendly teasing from Arizona. So I set out for a long run on Saturday, hoping that would take away a large portion of my remaining mileage. And it did. I ran 14 miles, the longest I have run since the marathon in April.

With 6.9 miles remaining, I set out this morning to meet my goal. I ran a bit over 4 miles on my own before meeting up with my old college roommate. Before I enjoyed running, Jackie and I would force ourselves to run to prepare for our respective pre-seasons (hers was soccer, mine, volleyball). I still don't understand why we never realized 3:00pm, in June/July, in Baltimore was an awful time to run. Perhaps that is partly why we hated it. Anyway, with humidity reminiscent of those Baltimore days, we set of for about 3 miles. The company and conversation was outstanding; a great finish to my 33 miles. And a great start to a new year.