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!

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.

One sweaty weekend

Summer is coming. We haven't gotten there yet, but Saturday, I had my first really sweaty run, and it was barely 80 degrees when I finished. But despite feeling like I had been running in the rain again, it turned out to be a great morning to run.

I set out for about 12 miles along the Charles. All my regular running buddies were unavailable this weekend, so I took off solo. Running for almost 2 hours alone can be intimidating, but as I started, I found the first 5 miles passed really quickly and had no doubt I'd finish all 12 just fine. Lucky for me, I didn't have to. I ran into Tommy M. on my turnaround at the Mass Ave Bridge and he was nice enough to join me for the next 6.5 miles of my run. And I thought those first 5 miles went fast! I ended up finishing with 13 miles and very salty.

Today, I was excited to finally take a yoga class with my favorite instructor, omgal, Rebecca Pacheco. I've missed her class for 2 weeks and it was the one thing on my to do list today I was not skipping.

In case I thought yesterday's run was a hot one, this class put things in perspective. The temperature outside plus the heat in the studio led to one very soggy yogi (me). I swear other people were not sweating as much! It always makes me laugh when I bend forward in a stretch and see not just drops of sweat falling from my skin, but an actual stream. Hot. Literally. But the class was awesome and just what I needed.

I'm sipping my third glass of water - after a bottle of vitamin water and a glass of Crystal Light lemonade. No dehydration here. Bring it on summer, I'm ready.

Singin', er, runnin' in the rain

My trust in the weather predictions has been weak, at best, lately. All week, the forecast talked about near-100 degree temperatures on Thursday and I woke up to a downpour. So this morning, with grey skies, I really didn't believe it would do more than drizzle as I headed out for a longish run. Ten minutes into my run, it started to rain.

It started out as a misty drizzle, but slowly the rain increased in volume and intensity to the point where it was flat out "raining". Funny thing is, while I could see the water drip off the rim of my hat and see the rain hitting the water along the Charles, it never felt that bad. While it wasn't really hot today, the rain was cooling, though not cold. And while I saw my grey t-shirt getting greyer, my shoes were still dry, so I was in good shape, apparel-wise. In fact, it wasn't until I stopped to meet friends half way through my run that I noticed my shorts were sticking to my legs.

I'm not training for anything specific right now. But I decided last night I was going to run 12 miles today, and "weather" or not I was doing it was not a question. By the time I met my friends, it had pretty much stopped raining - lucky them. Good company and poor calculations on my part led me to run 13.5 miles, a little further than intended and my longest run since the marathon. But it felt great. I don't know it it was the temperature or the cup of coffee I drank before I ran (I usually save that for after), but the whole run felt smooth and easy. I finished with an overall pace of 8:20, about 10 seconds/mile faster than my long runs have been in previous weeks. And the best part was my last mile clocked in at a sub-8 minute pace.

I'm still not ready to pick a race to train for seriously right now. I like running when, how and how far I want right now. But if I could guarantee every long run would feel this good, ok, even most long runs, I could be convinced.

The most wonderful time of the year

Every year there is the "morning". It's the morning I wake up and it's light out already at 5:00ish. The temperature is perfect for shorts and a tee shirt, around 60 degrees. I'm sleepy, as usual, but I'm happy to get up and get outside to run.

Today was that morning.

If I could put this morning in a bottle and save it all year, I would. I went out for just under 6 miles. I forgot my Garmin, but I know my usual routes well enough to estimate pretty closely by now. The run flew by. I didn't think at all really about how long I had been running, just what was around me. I forgot how tired I felt when my alarm went off and how sore my legs were from my workout yesterday. The sun was bright, but the air was cool enough that I never got too sweaty. I even ran around the block as I approached home, just to stay out a bit longer.

The last 2 springs, I didn't really get to run all that much, first figuring out what was wrong with my hip and then recovering from the surgery to fix it. I appreciated these days, but it wasn't the same. I knew what I was missing then, and couldn't wait until I had the chance to enjoy it again.

Yes, I know it's a little silly, but these days don't come around all that often, so when they do, they need to be embraced. And by Thursday, I'm sure I'll be whining about the humidity anyway...

It's cool to run in the pool

Wednesdays are my day off from running. I don't know why, but for about the last 10 months, my schedule has left Wednesdays for cross training. Thinking practically, it's probably a good mid-week break and the pattern has stuck.

But today, Wednesday, is National Running Day and I felt obligated to participate. However, today I did not run around my neighborhood, along the Charles or even on a treadmill. I ran in the pool.

Pool running, or "aqua jogging" is actually a great way to cross train. It makes use of same muscles used to run without the impact. I became quite familiar with pool running and many of the pools available in the Boston area when I was injured the last 2 years. I own my own Aqua Jogging belt, and I admit I even own the shoes. I actually had "workouts" I designed for myself in the pool and even logged a personal record 3 hour pool run with my then-injured pal Shannon last spring.

Unfortunately, one of the things I love most about running is how simple it is. 1) Put on a decent pair of running shoes; 2) open the door; 3) go. Pool running...not so simple. It requires finding a facility with a pool - preferably with sections deeper than 5 feet so my feet don't hit the bottom, ensuring the pool hours work with my schedule, commuting to the pool (in today's case, 40 minutes to travel 4 miles - thanks Red Sox), changing into a swimsuit and water belt (and sometime shoes), showering and then actually getting in the pool to begin my workout.

However, it was a great option when I had no choice and it remains a great option to keep my joints healthy, when I choose to take advantage of it. I probably won't do it consistently, especially when the weather is nice, but today, it was cool to run in the pool.

The other side

Today I participated in Boston's Run to Remember. But not as a runner. For the second year in a row, I volunteered with the Alzheimer's Association at the water stop just past Mile 1 on the course. With Memorial Day weekend plans up in the air until mid-week, I only decided Friday to volunteer, and of course, I'm glad I did.

I'm not up for racing 13.1 miles yet and didn't feel like paying a race registration fee to just run the distance. I did have a great 12 mile run yesterday and I am psyched to just be loving running again right now. But it was still great to feel a part of the event, see my friends running and help out one of my favorite causes.

I think all runners should volunteer at a race from time to time. While it is not to same as running a race, it is a great way to be a part of an event. It also helps one gain a little appreciation for those involved behind the scenes. Since I volunteered for my first race, I have now made it a point to thank each volunteer who hands me a cup of water of places a medal around my neck at the finish line. While it may not be as physically taxing as running the race itself, many volunteers are at the race early in the morning, on their feet in whatever weather presents itself for hours, perhaps getting water thrown at their feet (if they are lucky), and staying well after the last runners cross the finish line. I'd say that's worth the extra breath to say thanks as I run by.