Speedwork on a Friday!?

Today I went for a run and logged 9.5 miles of fun and speed. Yesterday we had killer storms all day and by time the rain cleared it was a steamy evening. The next day I opted to keep my planned six mile run with a friend and added on as many 800s as I felt I could do. Our morning run was a great run due to the cloudy start. Who knew the sun could change a run so much!? After I drove to the track and added 5x800s. Of course as I pulled up the sky cleared and the sun made its grand appearance.

I took a lap to find my groove and jumped into it. I felt good as I took two loops around the track each time. I jogged a ninety seconds recovery then walked to my starting mark. The last two 800s I could feel myself melting in the sun, but I pushed through five. At the end of my morning I had an easy six miles with a friend and another three and a half miles of speed. Feeling good!

Marathon Training is ON!

Today I went for a run and I’m back. I never left, but most of my voice went to trying social media to share my journey. I’ve learned this is still my favorite platform to share my journey. So today I went for a run and celebrated twenty miles that felt great! Let’s step back a second. Yesteday I signed up for the Valley Forge Marathon, an in person event, that seems likely! A real race!!! With marathon 38 penciled in as a live event, I laced up this morning ready to go and was not disappointed. After being away I finally took to the streets around my house for my long run. I decided to divide my run into three loops making it easy to refill my water once it started getting hot. It worked perfectly; however, I ended up chugging Gatorade before my last loop leaving me a little sloshy in my stomach for two miles.I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect sunrise run. My long runs lately have been sluggish and tough. To mix things up I’ve run while my husband biked along with me, I tried solo runs, morning and night runs, but in the end I felt heavy. Maybe I just needed to be where things were familiar and with a goal finally penciled in. I paused on Gerst to take in the sun which now had made its way above the horizon and was beginning to pull back the misty, nighttime blanket. I was pretty happy to have my phone to take a picture. To paraphrase a favorite marathon training quote, savor the process and the journey that gets you to the finish line because they are worth more than crossing a makeshift finish.

Easy Goes It

Today I went for a run and knocked out a great speed session. The last month I have been running five, mainly six days a week and my body is just not made for that. I’ve felt less motivated, sluggish in my runs and blah. While reviewing my training log, now that barre has been moved online, I’ve nailed a few less barre classes and replaced it with more running. I didn’t realize I miss the balance of rest, building strength and running. This week I decided to cut back. So far I ran five miles on Tuesday and six miles today. And I plan to rest tomorrow!!!

Today I brought back some speedwork that I haven’t done in a month. How else will I improve that mile time?! I did 6x400s and I felt great! I needed a change of pace, I felt more rested and I’ve also missed these cool morning runs. I did my warm up running to the track, but unfortunately they have now blocked off the entrance. Well, like a good runner we adapt and I moved to the parking lot. Bam. I got back by 7:45 office hours, faculty meeting and felt like I was back in my routine. Positive Thursday vibes for sure!

Easter Sunday

Today I went for a run and completed ten miles for Easter Sunday. It was a cool 38 degrees, yet peaceful morning. I completed four miles solo before my husband joined me for another six miles. Easy ten miles before watching mass online through our churches facebook page. My family, who usually comes together for Easter, celebrated individually like most families across the country. We all met online for a zoom call, but it’s just not the same. Social Distancing is the new norm and one that is met with mixed reviews. As a high school teacher who might not say goodbye to seniors or check in with struggling students, as a daughter who lives out of state from her family that has travel restrictions, and as a mother who wants her children to be able to see their Babcia and Pop pop – please stay home. The less people you interact with, the better.

Timed Mile

Today I went for a run and ran a timed mile. I have done mile repeats, but never have I ran one timed mile. And boy, was that tough! I remember conditioning in high school and doing timed miles, but that was decades ago! As part of my new goals for the month I completed my first, a timed mile, in 6:56. Now, I’m no Usain Bolt, but this was a good baseline to see where I can get to in a month! Considering my last speed workout was almost a month ago, I am pretty happy to be under 7 minutes! The winds were tough, but not as gusty as the previous day. My arms were pumping, and pacing was a beast for something that was over in four laps. So I started strong and just tried to hold on….. Now onto my next challenge! Let’s tackle another 5k and half marathon for the virtual Wahoo! Lemonade Running series!

April Goals

Today I went for a run and did five recovery miles to start the day. The beautiful, morning sun warmed the air and a breeze pushed me along. While I ran Saturday I noticed that my daughter’s painted rocks had all been removed. However today, new rocks popped up along my run including a palm tree, rubber ducky and flower rock. It was sad to see her beautiful rocks moved, but really heartwarming to see happy owners replaced them with new rocks. Together, we could use a lot more positive stories like this right now.

Goals. I’ve finally settled on some goals! It’s time to get back to breaking a 21:xx 5k! Therefore I pulled together a calendar to work on some speed, while still keeping some miles to be ready for my virtual Pittsburgh half marathon. So, game on! Let’s see what I can push myself to do! This seems terrifying because speed doesn’t seem like something I’ve ever done, but now is the time to try!

CUCB2020

Today I ran my virtual Cherry Blossom 10 miler in my Perry Hall neighborhood. Due to COVID19 the race was cancelled, but how could I not take part in one of my favorite Spring races in my favorites places!!! I was hoping for a solid pace between 8:15-8:30. I feel like prior to all this my 5k training had me moving at a decent pace. Well newsflash that was prior to three weeks being stuck at home. Today I worked for those 10 miles. I started off on my normal loop and by mile two I was back at my car in order to take off my long sleeve top. I kept my watch running because it’s a true virtual race, right!? I took off again struggling to find my pace. I kept seeing 7:40 and tried to slow down knowing I would pay for this later. About mile four and a half I had looped back towards my car. I began to walk, took a gel and picked it up again. I looped back around and passed a cute five year old girl learning to ride her bike with excitement. She honestly was doing a better job at her endeavour than I was, hands down. I took the straightaway stretch and walked the hill. Man, the sun was stronger than what I was accustomed to and my stomach was not responding to all the water I was guzzling. I looped one last time and vowed to push through these last two miles without walking. No doubt that last .10 was tough and I hit the watch button and immediately started walking. That was rough. A late start and warmer temperatures did not work to my advantage, but boy did I struggle to find my pace through that run. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a strong upbeat tempo run and it showed! Regardless I finished my last two miles on goal pace 8:14 and 8:15. That’s something I can hang my hat on. Cherry Blossoms – I’ll get you next year!!!

In like a lion out like a lion?

Today I went for a run and finished 179 miles for the month of March. That was a pretty huge jump from 120 in February. I started the month thinking I was going to rock a 5k this spring, meet up with teammates at the Cherry Blossom 10 miler and have fun in Pittsburgh doing a half marathon. Well, that changed quickly and I adapted to my 5×10 mile challenge. But now that I’ve logged these miles I’m ready to switch gears and go back to some shorter distances! I still have the Virtual Pittsburgh Half Marathon in May, but looking forward to some shorter miles!

5×10 miles Challenge

Today I went for a run and completed my 5 x 10 mile challenge. I set out on this challenge with the goal of running 3 days x 10 miles per day. It started a few years ago when I did a 2 x 10 day challenge and had a blast doing it! With no races planned and no training schedule narrowing my flexibility, it seemed like a perfect time to do it. I set out on day one from my house after we all worked through our school routine. It was mid afternoon, in the mid 60s, warm and I took to the streets. It was almost shocking how humid it was, but I enjoyed the sun, smell of flowers and good tunes to push me along.

Day two was overcast after a rainy morning. I set out with my husband for the first six miles and we looped around our normal backroads in a steady mist. It was a quiet afternoon, with people opting to stay inside after the gloomy morning. We made it back to the car and I finished my last four miles with an uptempo push. Another ten done!

Day three was uncharted territory, I’ve never done three in a row and it made me nervous, yet gittery! My legs felt pretty solid with only a little fatigue as I took to the streets. I switched up taking a different route, incorporating my favorite backroads. It was a cool morning, but the sun warmed face and kept my stride steady. Another ten crushed.

I went home that night and decided I still had gas in the tank to push through another ten. I had an early meeting, but took to the streets afterwards on another beautiful spring morning. This route went the opposite direction and added a few new roads I had never taken. The best part was a steady incline that took me to the top of Chapel hill where I had a perfect view of the town. I paused, took a deep breath and exhaled the stress of this quarantine, the uphill battle I had just conquered and began to push through the mental barriers I have always placed on my running. Another ten conquered.

Day five and I had no clue what to think. Physically I was feeling pretty solid with only a dull ache in my piriformis muscle. It was a rainy Saturday morning and the forecast showed a window that would allow me to squeeze in a run in hopefully a light mist. Well, I was wrong! The light mist became a steady rain with strong gusts the last two miles. I completed a final fifth route that took me to through familiar neighborhoods the opposite direction. Queen, Rod Stewart, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks and Bruce pushed me along, as a kept a steady stride. The last two miles I began to push with my heart, knowing the finish line was near… and then I crossed it. Five consecutive days of ten miles complete.

Races have been canceled, training has been placed on hold and I have nothing to run for, but running and myself. This challenge was the perfect thing at the right time. John Cena posted a tweet the other day, “The uncomfortable is a difficult place to be, but also provides a platform to grow if you allow yourself. It’s VERY hard, but do your best to see the gain and growth thru the uncomfortable.”

Today I learned that my comfort zone shouldn’t define my running. I ran with my heart the last five days and learned to focus on my strengths, test my boundaries and push past what I thought was uncomfortable. That makes me proud and gives me something to hang my hat on.

All Races Canceled

Today I went for a run in honor of all the runs that have been canceled. I’m not sure what the future holds but things are slowly getting canceled or postponed and the uncertainty is something foreign. This weekend I was supposed to run my St. Pat’s 10k in DC, but sadly it was canceled. Bummer. I really look forward to this race. After my last 5K I was hoping to really push the pace and continue pushing through the uncomfortable feeling you work through during the last part of a 5k. Things change and instead of getting upset or mad – you adjust and move on. The love of running #loveyourrun is more than a PR, a BQ or a PB. Running is more than numbers, which many forget often. So we adjust our training, give thanks we were not haunted by a lingering injury and continue to run because of the joy it brings. I met up with my friends and ran a self proclaimed Taco Bell Harbor Half in honor of all the races that would not be run this spring. Cheers to finding the next challenge!