It was completely unexpected as I had completed 10.5 the day prior, but yesterday's five miles was better than I could have hoped for.
The air was still and crisp in the way that only fall can deliver, I'd just gotten off of work and had a busy night ahead of me (I had to assemble a shark costume for this weekend's tournament, and this included fighting the crowds on Capitol Hill at The Red Light and American Apparel), and this would be the one thing that I really did for myself. I was wearing my pink shorts and the Seattle Half-Marathon 2008 long-sleeve t-shirt, and as seems to be my trend these days, my iPod was set to my music nerd playlist (lots of classical piano, some jazz, some opera). It took no time for me to find my smooth - probably set in once I passed where Roanoake and Harvard meet, which makes sense because that's when I finish with the worst of the hills - and before I knew it, I was just zooming along Interlaken with nothing but the best days on my mind. Every light I encountered was green, which allowed me to run through the entirety of my course. This is not entirely unprecendented, but it is unusual while running along Eastlake and especially between the Interstate intersections on Roanoake. And when I ran into Eastlake for my last 1.2 miles, I don't know what came over me. My legs became lighter, my stride longer, and I kicked that thing out like it was no big deal.
All in all, I finished my 5 miles in just over 39 minutes. Ego boost!
In other news, I was contacted by one of my cousins recently. She ran her first half-marathon earlier this month and appears to have acquired the addiction. I think she and I may try to run one half (maybe even full!) marathon together. We're looking at a full sometime in October of next year. Any suggestions?
Happy Halloween to all. Take care this weekend :)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Double Digits!
10 miles, baby!
I meant to do this distance while I was in LA for the weekend, but my priority list was set, and skewed though it may be, running was not at the top of it. And I wasn't feeling entirely well on Monday or Tuesday, so it had to be a Wednesday run.
And it couldn't have been more perfect.
Though dry, it wasn't particularly warm - I had to bust out the Nike running knickers and long sleeves - and it was dark. We've fallen into the dark days up here, where the sun sets before you get off of work, so you're left running by the light of downtown. It could be much, much worse. I was lucky enough to run my first five miles on Lake Union with the company of Zach and his most excellent pooch Zedd, both wonderful running buddies that help the miles fly by. After we parted, my iPod ear buds were inserted, and the likes of Debussy, Miles Davis, and Vince Guaraldi accompanied me through some of my favorite parts of Seattle. I gained a special appreciation for the moment when my run brought me by McCaw Hall to enter the Seattle Center.
It was lit similarly to the above picture, and right before I entered this fountain-side corridor, Nessun Dorma from Puccini's opera Turandot started playing through my ear buds, and it accompanied me through the Seattle Center. It was beautiful - the lighting, the music, the Space Needle on the horizon, and running...you just can't let moments like that go. They're bliss, and how fortunate to have found it!
Running through downtown was a bit stressful and annoying. Lots of stoplights, lots of obstacles, but it still made for an interesting run. However, I was happy to leave it behind as I trudged up Capitol Hill to get to Cal Anderson Park. I have stated before that hills are my kryptonite. They intimidate me, and I think that mentality has made them that much more difficult. But, I made it. Last night, I made it all the way up the hill, no stops until I hit the light at Broadway, which was at the top of my ascent. On the way, I saw two good friends, which kind of rejuvenated me, but ultimately...I did it! And I kept going! As good as it felt, I think teh reassurance that I can survive hills is the best thing to come out of this run. I've been a little bit worried about my impending Seattle HM, simply because it IS a difficult run. The hills are plentiful and they are long. But, like everything, I just need to take it one step at a time, and last night's run gave me faith that I'm capable of doing so.
So...onward! I have a frisbee tournament this weekend, for which I will switch my schedule around a bit. Hoping to do my 11 miles on Monday of next week instead of Sunday, and will skip Friday's 4 miles to allow myself some rest - I mean, really, ultimate is a GREAT workout, and it can tire a girl out :)
Until next time, happy trails to any of you who read this. I appreciate your support more than I can express, and I love following your adventures through these crazy interwebz.
I meant to do this distance while I was in LA for the weekend, but my priority list was set, and skewed though it may be, running was not at the top of it. And I wasn't feeling entirely well on Monday or Tuesday, so it had to be a Wednesday run.
And it couldn't have been more perfect.
Though dry, it wasn't particularly warm - I had to bust out the Nike running knickers and long sleeves - and it was dark. We've fallen into the dark days up here, where the sun sets before you get off of work, so you're left running by the light of downtown. It could be much, much worse. I was lucky enough to run my first five miles on Lake Union with the company of Zach and his most excellent pooch Zedd, both wonderful running buddies that help the miles fly by. After we parted, my iPod ear buds were inserted, and the likes of Debussy, Miles Davis, and Vince Guaraldi accompanied me through some of my favorite parts of Seattle. I gained a special appreciation for the moment when my run brought me by McCaw Hall to enter the Seattle Center.
It was lit similarly to the above picture, and right before I entered this fountain-side corridor, Nessun Dorma from Puccini's opera Turandot started playing through my ear buds, and it accompanied me through the Seattle Center. It was beautiful - the lighting, the music, the Space Needle on the horizon, and running...you just can't let moments like that go. They're bliss, and how fortunate to have found it!
Running through downtown was a bit stressful and annoying. Lots of stoplights, lots of obstacles, but it still made for an interesting run. However, I was happy to leave it behind as I trudged up Capitol Hill to get to Cal Anderson Park. I have stated before that hills are my kryptonite. They intimidate me, and I think that mentality has made them that much more difficult. But, I made it. Last night, I made it all the way up the hill, no stops until I hit the light at Broadway, which was at the top of my ascent. On the way, I saw two good friends, which kind of rejuvenated me, but ultimately...I did it! And I kept going! As good as it felt, I think teh reassurance that I can survive hills is the best thing to come out of this run. I've been a little bit worried about my impending Seattle HM, simply because it IS a difficult run. The hills are plentiful and they are long. But, like everything, I just need to take it one step at a time, and last night's run gave me faith that I'm capable of doing so.
So...onward! I have a frisbee tournament this weekend, for which I will switch my schedule around a bit. Hoping to do my 11 miles on Monday of next week instead of Sunday, and will skip Friday's 4 miles to allow myself some rest - I mean, really, ultimate is a GREAT workout, and it can tire a girl out :)
Until next time, happy trails to any of you who read this. I appreciate your support more than I can express, and I love following your adventures through these crazy interwebz.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Hillacious is Bootylicious. Amirite?!
There's nothing quite like running up a beast of a hill to acquaint you with your capacity for pain, your mental fortitude, and of course, Mr. Maximus. Yes, I mean the one of the Gluteas variety. Yesterday's run brought me from Lake Union (14 feet above sea level) to the top of Capitol Hill at Volunteer Park (444 feet above sea level) within the first 2 miles of my run. I know it's not THAT brutal, but the fact that the majority of my ascent was concentrated to two very small regions made this a good hill trainer.
I don't think I've ever run from Eastlake to Volunteer Park without stopping at least once. My route again included Interlaken (love!), but instead of turning left at the fork in the road and continuing along the flat, winding tree-covered path, I took a right and trudged up an equally winding incline. I usually start to feel that lactic acid burn about halfway between the turn and the point where Interlaken intersects Galer. But yesterday...yesterday was different. Despite starting with tired legs (running, cycling, cycling, cycling, cycling, cycling, cycling, ad nauseum), the cobwebs from Monday's run seemed to be shed pretty easily, and my joints began to feel flexible and ready. My pace quickened on descents, and I reminded myself to take my time on hills, shortening my stride and breathing evenly. And before I knew it, I had conquered Interlaken in one go. Success continued as I turned right onto Galer, facing the last *really* steep incline of my run. Perhaps it was honing into the task before me and reminding myself that it was my responsibility to push myself through it, maybe it was Cannonball Adderley's improv on Autumn Leaves, maybe it was the beautiful fall day - but I found it in me to keep running, to push myself to the top of the hill. And wouldn't you know that Volunteer Park rewarded my efforts with a view of the gorgeous orange sun setting behind the Space Needle.
Hills: ouch. Burning muscles: fo' sho'. Feeling that much more ready and excited for the Seattle half-marathon: priceless.
I don't think I've ever run from Eastlake to Volunteer Park without stopping at least once. My route again included Interlaken (love!), but instead of turning left at the fork in the road and continuing along the flat, winding tree-covered path, I took a right and trudged up an equally winding incline. I usually start to feel that lactic acid burn about halfway between the turn and the point where Interlaken intersects Galer. But yesterday...yesterday was different. Despite starting with tired legs (running, cycling, cycling, cycling, cycling, cycling, cycling, ad nauseum), the cobwebs from Monday's run seemed to be shed pretty easily, and my joints began to feel flexible and ready. My pace quickened on descents, and I reminded myself to take my time on hills, shortening my stride and breathing evenly. And before I knew it, I had conquered Interlaken in one go. Success continued as I turned right onto Galer, facing the last *really* steep incline of my run. Perhaps it was honing into the task before me and reminding myself that it was my responsibility to push myself through it, maybe it was Cannonball Adderley's improv on Autumn Leaves, maybe it was the beautiful fall day - but I found it in me to keep running, to push myself to the top of the hill. And wouldn't you know that Volunteer Park rewarded my efforts with a view of the gorgeous orange sun setting behind the Space Needle.
Hills: ouch. Burning muscles: fo' sho'. Feeling that much more ready and excited for the Seattle half-marathon: priceless.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Interlaken Bliss
And I'm still moving along, like a leaf drifting lazily through the sun-streaked autumn air.
This has been an absolutely glorious fall in Seattle, possibly one of the best I've experienced (weather-wise) during my eight-year stay in the pacific northwest. And it has inspired an unprecedented motivation to get outside for equally glorious running.
i rediscovered the gift of the lunchtime run a week ago. Wednesday was, as always, scheduled to be a running day, a little 4-miler to recover a bit from Sunday's 8. My normal hours and schedule dictate that I run after work, however, Wednesday found me with plans. My good friend Daryl was kind enough to buy tickets to a musical (In the Heights , which was fabulous, in case you were interested), and I bought dinner for us as a thank you. In other words, there would be no post-work running this day. But, as I've mentioned, it has been an amazing un-Seattle fall, and the sun convinced me that I really didn't need that sandwich and that I would be far more satisfied with a lunchtime jaunt through Capitol Hill, downtown, and the Seattle Center. This happens to be the same route that I ran with Sam a few Fridays ago, but I really took a shining to it - some good hill training mixed with sight-seeing...why not? And it certainly beats a there-and-back a third of the way around Lake Union for the billionth time.
I know that you'll eventually tire of my gushing over the lovely sun in Seattle this autumn, but you have to understand that we're normally going into hibernation/hermit/hiding from the rain mode at this time of year. A typical Seattle October is gray, chilly, wet, and dark, all of which seem like great reasons to forsake a training run for a good cuddle in one's down comforter with a hot toddy in arm's reach.
That said, Friday was absolutely beautiful! It was that thin sunlight characteristic of fall, the kind that slices through the crisp, cool air and makes everything look a little bit surreal. At this point in the season, it seemed only appropriate to seek a tree-heavy route, which clearly brought me to Interlaken. For any of you who don't know, this particular street snakes along the north side of Capitol Hill, covers you in a canopy of tall, tall trees that wore the most colorful leaves. It also seemed like I'd only avoid the tempting draw of happy hour by employing my friend Zach and his awesome puppy Zedd to hold me to my training schedule. The three of us set out and finished a good Friday Five-Miler. I'm still finding more and more that I prefer running with others these days, which is a strange but really lovely change from my formerly solitary habits. I'm especially enjoying the chance to form a better friendship with Zach - he's a great running buddy and a great conversationalist. He makes the runs fly by, and he's helping me feel more and more confident in my ability to make it through the big 13.1.
I fell so much in love with running on Interlaken that I had to do it again. It worked out perfectly - I had a 9 mile run scheduled for Sunday, which did not happen on Sunday for a multitude of reasons (the best of which is spending a day reconnecting with a wonderful friend and hanging out with her amazing family - I couldn't bring myself to leave). So, it obviously needed to happen on Monday. This worked to my advantage because I could easily start in a good spot that didn't put me in the way of too many hills (unless I wanted them), and offers amazing views of the city, regardless of where the route takes me. AS stated, I could not imagine my 9 miler without running interlaken, and it was amazing. I tried this 9 miler with a playlist that differed significantly from the norm. rather than filling my ears with the typical classic rock awesomeness that floats me through most runs, i was enveloped in my classical and jazz piano playlist. i didn't expect how perfectly it would suit my mood and my run. While striding underneath Interlaken's gorgeous canopy, I was taken completely out of myself and out of my mind by Debussy's Arabesque No. 1. I saw the sun set over downtown from the north end of Lake Union while listening to Vince Guaraldi's Christmastime is Here. I think that the lack of lyrics and the moving melody lines put me at ease and helped me relax, which makes a huge difference while running. I cannot attest to this being a recipe for sucess, as my current hypothesis is based on an N=1 (but a 9 miler!). It is quite likely that my success during my run could be attributed to a good mood, but I'm interested to continue testing this new concept.
Anyway, it was a good run. I'm publishing the map on this blog for reference - it was a great route, and I'd recommend it to anyone.
40 days left, and 4 miles to add to my top distance. I think I'm doing okay.
This has been an absolutely glorious fall in Seattle, possibly one of the best I've experienced (weather-wise) during my eight-year stay in the pacific northwest. And it has inspired an unprecedented motivation to get outside for equally glorious running.
i rediscovered the gift of the lunchtime run a week ago. Wednesday was, as always, scheduled to be a running day, a little 4-miler to recover a bit from Sunday's 8. My normal hours and schedule dictate that I run after work, however, Wednesday found me with plans. My good friend Daryl was kind enough to buy tickets to a musical (In the Heights , which was fabulous, in case you were interested), and I bought dinner for us as a thank you. In other words, there would be no post-work running this day. But, as I've mentioned, it has been an amazing un-Seattle fall, and the sun convinced me that I really didn't need that sandwich and that I would be far more satisfied with a lunchtime jaunt through Capitol Hill, downtown, and the Seattle Center. This happens to be the same route that I ran with Sam a few Fridays ago, but I really took a shining to it - some good hill training mixed with sight-seeing...why not? And it certainly beats a there-and-back a third of the way around Lake Union for the billionth time.
I know that you'll eventually tire of my gushing over the lovely sun in Seattle this autumn, but you have to understand that we're normally going into hibernation/hermit/hiding from the rain mode at this time of year. A typical Seattle October is gray, chilly, wet, and dark, all of which seem like great reasons to forsake a training run for a good cuddle in one's down comforter with a hot toddy in arm's reach.
That said, Friday was absolutely beautiful! It was that thin sunlight characteristic of fall, the kind that slices through the crisp, cool air and makes everything look a little bit surreal. At this point in the season, it seemed only appropriate to seek a tree-heavy route, which clearly brought me to Interlaken. For any of you who don't know, this particular street snakes along the north side of Capitol Hill, covers you in a canopy of tall, tall trees that wore the most colorful leaves. It also seemed like I'd only avoid the tempting draw of happy hour by employing my friend Zach and his awesome puppy Zedd to hold me to my training schedule. The three of us set out and finished a good Friday Five-Miler. I'm still finding more and more that I prefer running with others these days, which is a strange but really lovely change from my formerly solitary habits. I'm especially enjoying the chance to form a better friendship with Zach - he's a great running buddy and a great conversationalist. He makes the runs fly by, and he's helping me feel more and more confident in my ability to make it through the big 13.1.
I fell so much in love with running on Interlaken that I had to do it again. It worked out perfectly - I had a 9 mile run scheduled for Sunday, which did not happen on Sunday for a multitude of reasons (the best of which is spending a day reconnecting with a wonderful friend and hanging out with her amazing family - I couldn't bring myself to leave). So, it obviously needed to happen on Monday. This worked to my advantage because I could easily start in a good spot that didn't put me in the way of too many hills (unless I wanted them), and offers amazing views of the city, regardless of where the route takes me. AS stated, I could not imagine my 9 miler without running interlaken, and it was amazing. I tried this 9 miler with a playlist that differed significantly from the norm. rather than filling my ears with the typical classic rock awesomeness that floats me through most runs, i was enveloped in my classical and jazz piano playlist. i didn't expect how perfectly it would suit my mood and my run. While striding underneath Interlaken's gorgeous canopy, I was taken completely out of myself and out of my mind by Debussy's Arabesque No. 1. I saw the sun set over downtown from the north end of Lake Union while listening to Vince Guaraldi's Christmastime is Here. I think that the lack of lyrics and the moving melody lines put me at ease and helped me relax, which makes a huge difference while running. I cannot attest to this being a recipe for sucess, as my current hypothesis is based on an N=1 (but a 9 miler!). It is quite likely that my success during my run could be attributed to a good mood, but I'm interested to continue testing this new concept.
Anyway, it was a good run. I'm publishing the map on this blog for reference - it was a great route, and I'd recommend it to anyone.
40 days left, and 4 miles to add to my top distance. I think I'm doing okay.
Monday, October 11, 2010
OMG, shoes
So...I broke my own rule.
I used to replace my shoes on a regular basis, as the professionals recommend. But, then I spent almost a year recovering from a big injury, and the lack of running led me to believe that I could train for and run the 2010 Seattle HM in the pair that I'd purchased right before my injury really set it. It's not like they were brand new. I ran in them irregularly starting in September of last year. I also spent a lot of that time working for a non-profit (which, while fulfilling - we're working to treat Malaria! - paid terribly), and I really could not afford new running shoes until I started my industry job in June.
During Friday's run, I started feeling the dreaded pain: my left knee was starting to hurt, especially during descents, and both of my shins started to feel a bit tender.
Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no! I have a half-marathon! I am just getting back, finally finding my smooth! I'm finally happy with running again! Shins, you are NOT allowed to take this away from me!
I figured the easiest fix would probably be new shoes. On my way home from brunch this morning, I made a stop in to Super Jock 'n Jill with a specific request: Please fit me with Brooks Defyance in a ladies' 9.5. The salesman, Cory, asked me if I was at all interested in trying on other shoes, and I knew for sure that it would be a waste of time because yes, in fact, I've been running in Brooks for the last four years, and the Defyance has gotten me through two other half marathons. Why would I change something that has obviously worked? Still...why not? I'm a girl, I like trying on shoes, right? Plus, the new Defyance colors just don't match my running outfits.
...(oh my god, I'm kidding! I run in whatever's clean which rarely, if ever, matches).
So, Cory brought me through the gamut of neutral stride shoes. Adidas Supernovas, Asics Nimbus, Mizunos, New Balance, Saucony...I'd wear these and compare them to the feel of the new pair of Defyances. I think my least favorite upon first feel were the Saucony shoes, but Cory insisted that I go run the hill with one on my left foot and a Defyance on my right. And what I found couldn't be right, so I tried the other way around - the Defyance on my left and the Saucony on my right.
And as it turns out, Cory rocked my world. Four years of brand loylalty: done. The Saucony ProGrid Ride 3s were like running on clouds. Perfect cushioning, but great movement and much more reactive than the Defyance.
I put these new shoes to the test with Sunday's long run OH MY GOD! Who knew that new shoes would make such a big difference? I felt comfortable, light, and springy. Maybe it was psychosomatic, but I'll take the lack of shin and knee pain any day.
Saucony, I give your product an enthusiastic thumbs up. Thanks for helping me chase my distance :)
I used to replace my shoes on a regular basis, as the professionals recommend. But, then I spent almost a year recovering from a big injury, and the lack of running led me to believe that I could train for and run the 2010 Seattle HM in the pair that I'd purchased right before my injury really set it. It's not like they were brand new. I ran in them irregularly starting in September of last year. I also spent a lot of that time working for a non-profit (which, while fulfilling - we're working to treat Malaria! - paid terribly), and I really could not afford new running shoes until I started my industry job in June.
During Friday's run, I started feeling the dreaded pain: my left knee was starting to hurt, especially during descents, and both of my shins started to feel a bit tender.
Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no! I have a half-marathon! I am just getting back, finally finding my smooth! I'm finally happy with running again! Shins, you are NOT allowed to take this away from me!
I figured the easiest fix would probably be new shoes. On my way home from brunch this morning, I made a stop in to Super Jock 'n Jill with a specific request: Please fit me with Brooks Defyance in a ladies' 9.5. The salesman, Cory, asked me if I was at all interested in trying on other shoes, and I knew for sure that it would be a waste of time because yes, in fact, I've been running in Brooks for the last four years, and the Defyance has gotten me through two other half marathons. Why would I change something that has obviously worked? Still...why not? I'm a girl, I like trying on shoes, right? Plus, the new Defyance colors just don't match my running outfits.
...(oh my god, I'm kidding! I run in whatever's clean which rarely, if ever, matches).
So, Cory brought me through the gamut of neutral stride shoes. Adidas Supernovas, Asics Nimbus, Mizunos, New Balance, Saucony...I'd wear these and compare them to the feel of the new pair of Defyances. I think my least favorite upon first feel were the Saucony shoes, but Cory insisted that I go run the hill with one on my left foot and a Defyance on my right. And what I found couldn't be right, so I tried the other way around - the Defyance on my left and the Saucony on my right.
And as it turns out, Cory rocked my world. Four years of brand loylalty: done. The Saucony ProGrid Ride 3s were like running on clouds. Perfect cushioning, but great movement and much more reactive than the Defyance.
I put these new shoes to the test with Sunday's long run OH MY GOD! Who knew that new shoes would make such a big difference? I felt comfortable, light, and springy. Maybe it was psychosomatic, but I'll take the lack of shin and knee pain any day.
Saucony, I give your product an enthusiastic thumbs up. Thanks for helping me chase my distance :)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Buddies
I've had two excellent training runs since my last update. I think that this positivity could, in part, be attributed to the fact that I enjoyed a most excellent birthday week. Among the many highlights was what I've decided to consider "cross-training" on Thursday.
...so, I ride bikes every Thursday with a club that describes itself as "a drinking club with a cycling problem." This is accurate. This particular Thursday brought with it a soundsystem attached to a Surly Long Haul Trucker, Faygo cocktails, and a dance party in SODO at a former hobo camp underneath I-5. THe whole club presented a cupcake bearing a lit candle and sang "Happy Birthday" to me at this location -- possibly the most memorable happy birthday I'll ever receive :) By the way, dancing - like, when you put your whole self and all your energy and personality into it - is an incredible work-out.
"The Club," photo courtesy of Deven Wilson
As usual, my Thursday night gallivanting kept me up until the wee hours of Friday morning, and I honestly was not feeling the scheduled 4 mile training run. I was worn out from lack of sleep, distance on bike, and as mentioned, hours upon hours of vigorous dancing. This run was not going to happen without the help of a friend, and luckily for me, Sam rose to the occasion. With his company and enthusiasm to motivate me, we covered a pleasant post-work five miles on a gorgeous Seattle fall evening. We maintained an easy pace such that conversation did not strain either of us, but still remained within my goal of 10 minutes per mile or less. The route was fantastic - mildly hilly, but it broke me out of the South Lake Union monotony, and showed us views of downtown, the Seattle Center, and Lake Union. As I noted when running with my sister in Bozeman, the company helps. It kept me out of my mind (for example, I'll usually over-analyze my stride, my speed, or I'll dog on myself for failing to reach previously achieved ease in certain situations), and it allowed me to get to know a friend a bit better.
So...when it was time for me to run 8 miles for Sunday's training, I consulted the Facebooks for any interested parties to keep me company. And I learned that all it takes is asking. Sure enough, Zach, a former frisbee teammate of mine agreed to run half of my route with me. Once again, the four miles that we ran together absolutely flew by - I enjoyed the chance to be out of my head and to concentrate on the conversation. My buddy-run got me from the starting point (my office) around SLU to the University Bridge. Zach and I parted ways, and I continued with my iPod along the Burke-Gilman trail, across the Montlake bridge, through the Montlake playfield, and along the water until the street intersected Eastlake, which brought me back to my car. I loved the route, and I loved the Seattle autumn weather. There was a point along the train that brings me from Montlake Bridge to the Montlake play field where the trees formed this gorgeous canopy of orange and yellow, and the light rain just solidified the falltime feeling. I felt invigorated and invincible, like I could burst into a million pieces from happiness. It has been so long since I've run this far! My only stop during this run was when Zach and I parted ways after about 4 miles, and I felt great when I finished. I guess that there really IS something to this training!
...so, I ride bikes every Thursday with a club that describes itself as "a drinking club with a cycling problem." This is accurate. This particular Thursday brought with it a soundsystem attached to a Surly Long Haul Trucker, Faygo cocktails, and a dance party in SODO at a former hobo camp underneath I-5. THe whole club presented a cupcake bearing a lit candle and sang "Happy Birthday" to me at this location -- possibly the most memorable happy birthday I'll ever receive :) By the way, dancing - like, when you put your whole self and all your energy and personality into it - is an incredible work-out.
"The Club," photo courtesy of Deven Wilson As usual, my Thursday night gallivanting kept me up until the wee hours of Friday morning, and I honestly was not feeling the scheduled 4 mile training run. I was worn out from lack of sleep, distance on bike, and as mentioned, hours upon hours of vigorous dancing. This run was not going to happen without the help of a friend, and luckily for me, Sam rose to the occasion. With his company and enthusiasm to motivate me, we covered a pleasant post-work five miles on a gorgeous Seattle fall evening. We maintained an easy pace such that conversation did not strain either of us, but still remained within my goal of 10 minutes per mile or less. The route was fantastic - mildly hilly, but it broke me out of the South Lake Union monotony, and showed us views of downtown, the Seattle Center, and Lake Union. As I noted when running with my sister in Bozeman, the company helps. It kept me out of my mind (for example, I'll usually over-analyze my stride, my speed, or I'll dog on myself for failing to reach previously achieved ease in certain situations), and it allowed me to get to know a friend a bit better.
So...when it was time for me to run 8 miles for Sunday's training, I consulted the Facebooks for any interested parties to keep me company. And I learned that all it takes is asking. Sure enough, Zach, a former frisbee teammate of mine agreed to run half of my route with me. Once again, the four miles that we ran together absolutely flew by - I enjoyed the chance to be out of my head and to concentrate on the conversation. My buddy-run got me from the starting point (my office) around SLU to the University Bridge. Zach and I parted ways, and I continued with my iPod along the Burke-Gilman trail, across the Montlake bridge, through the Montlake playfield, and along the water until the street intersected Eastlake, which brought me back to my car. I loved the route, and I loved the Seattle autumn weather. There was a point along the train that brings me from Montlake Bridge to the Montlake play field where the trees formed this gorgeous canopy of orange and yellow, and the light rain just solidified the falltime feeling. I felt invigorated and invincible, like I could burst into a million pieces from happiness. It has been so long since I've run this far! My only stop during this run was when Zach and I parted ways after about 4 miles, and I felt great when I finished. I guess that there really IS something to this training!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Foggy First
...first run as a 27-year-old, that is!
woke up to my alarm at 6 this morning, which is how my morning usually starts. i normally fail at life, hitting snooze for about an hour and a half before glancing at the clock and realizing how late it is, jumping out of bed, brushing my teeth, packing my bag (invariably forgetting SOMETHING important, like breakfast or my helmet) and running out the door with my bike to ride the 8 miles to work. today was different. i got up, brushed my teeth, packed my bag, and rode to work in the chilly, dark fog of the seattle morning with my red light blinking and love songs on my iPod.
having arrived at work with ample time before i actually needed to be there, i decided to knock out my 4 miles before starting my day. i usually shower there anyway (bike commuting!), and i had my running clothes with me so that i could avoid another hill-laden greenwood run...in other words, i had all the necessary components in place. plus, it was in the low 50sF, low-hanging clouds were playing with the light so as to make an amazing sunrise, and the wind was minimally present. furthermore, this would allow me more time after work to celebrate the fact that i survived being 26 years old.
it wasn't my best run, but i did get it done. i think that my preference of night running will need to change if i decide to participate in more half-marathons in the future, which seem to start between 6:30 am and 8 am. because it didn't feel right, because my 4 miles today and yesterday's 3 seemed void of my "smooth" (i love this term, but i can't take credit for it. it was keyed by another running blogger, Slomohusky), i tried to analyze my good days versus my bad and find some key difference.
for the most part, my harder runs happen on weekdays. not in terms of distance, but as overall satisfaction with my performance goes, weekends seem to be where i find my smooth, my rhythm, my stride. what happens during weekdays? yes, i work, but that hadn't been a major factor during my last big running streak. i tend to drink socially on weekends, but from what i've read, that should hinder me rather than help. oh, right. i commute at least 16 miles a day on bicycle every single day during the week. half of those are uphill (greenwood living *grumble*). so, 5 days a week, i'm worn down, my legs are tired, and they feel leaden because they're used as my primary form of transportation.
IT MAKES SENSE!!!
that said, i don't know how triathletes do it.
anyway, another 4 on Friday, then 8 on Saturday. Onward.
woke up to my alarm at 6 this morning, which is how my morning usually starts. i normally fail at life, hitting snooze for about an hour and a half before glancing at the clock and realizing how late it is, jumping out of bed, brushing my teeth, packing my bag (invariably forgetting SOMETHING important, like breakfast or my helmet) and running out the door with my bike to ride the 8 miles to work. today was different. i got up, brushed my teeth, packed my bag, and rode to work in the chilly, dark fog of the seattle morning with my red light blinking and love songs on my iPod.
having arrived at work with ample time before i actually needed to be there, i decided to knock out my 4 miles before starting my day. i usually shower there anyway (bike commuting!), and i had my running clothes with me so that i could avoid another hill-laden greenwood run...in other words, i had all the necessary components in place. plus, it was in the low 50sF, low-hanging clouds were playing with the light so as to make an amazing sunrise, and the wind was minimally present. furthermore, this would allow me more time after work to celebrate the fact that i survived being 26 years old.
it wasn't my best run, but i did get it done. i think that my preference of night running will need to change if i decide to participate in more half-marathons in the future, which seem to start between 6:30 am and 8 am. because it didn't feel right, because my 4 miles today and yesterday's 3 seemed void of my "smooth" (i love this term, but i can't take credit for it. it was keyed by another running blogger, Slomohusky), i tried to analyze my good days versus my bad and find some key difference.
for the most part, my harder runs happen on weekdays. not in terms of distance, but as overall satisfaction with my performance goes, weekends seem to be where i find my smooth, my rhythm, my stride. what happens during weekdays? yes, i work, but that hadn't been a major factor during my last big running streak. i tend to drink socially on weekends, but from what i've read, that should hinder me rather than help. oh, right. i commute at least 16 miles a day on bicycle every single day during the week. half of those are uphill (greenwood living *grumble*). so, 5 days a week, i'm worn down, my legs are tired, and they feel leaden because they're used as my primary form of transportation.
IT MAKES SENSE!!!
that said, i don't know how triathletes do it.
anyway, another 4 on Friday, then 8 on Saturday. Onward.
Plateaus
Holy crap, I'm bad at this. As I assured you, my many (*ahem*...5) readers after my last hiatus, the lack of writing is not representative of me skipping training runs. I just keep forgetting the part where I write about it.
Ok, so the day after my First Friday Four-miler in Bozeman, I got to do a 60 mile bicycle ride through West Yellowstone to Old Faithful and back. It's a tradition that my mom, my sister, and I have as a way to celebrate my early October birthday. We could not have asked for better weather - sunny, 70F, bison...ya, really.
It's a flat ride, and the hills that do exist really don't hold a candle to what Seattle puts me through on a daily basis. The ease with which I rode the route this year feels like measurable progress, and that sense of accomplishment could not have come at a better time. I'm looking into the possibility of renting a fixed gear bicycle for the ride next year. Ya...really.
Sadly, I could only ride that high for so long. We were completely stretched for time on Sunday, and I didn't have a chance to finish my 6 miles that day (I did see an amazing sunset in Yellowstone, though. If you're interested in those pictures and in the ones I took from the ride, you can check out my set on flickr: Yellowstone). So, threw off my schedule. I decided to just use Sunday as my rest day instead of Tuesday, running 6 miles on Monday and my recovery 3 on Tuesday, then jump back into the regular schedule on Wednesday.
...And every single one of those runs were torture. Even the three milers on Tuesday, Wednesday, and again on Friday. I was sluggish, bored, and my stride and rhythm were completely off. I want to blame it on the route I chose for my 6 miles (yeah...mapmyrun.com failed to save that one, I guess - no map, sorry), which started me west on 85th. If you're ever curious as to why they call that neighborhood crown hill, go running there. Picture Max's crown from Where the Wild Things Are. Now picture running up and down each spike. THAT is Crown Hill, and is the primary reason I hate running up here so much. Anyway, the route brought me down the stairs at 85th and 32nd, along the marina (always lovely), then uphill for 3 F***ING MILES. And it's not an easy uphill haul. Even worse - it was quite possibly the most humidity I've experienced since playing Ultimate in Hawaii. I was totally soaked by the time the run was done. And maybe it can be entirely attributed to the difficulty of that run, the failures, the mental and emotional breakdown as I started freaking out about my ability to finish the Seattle 1/2, but the next three runs just plain sucked. 3 miles, each! I kept them flat, I had the best possible music on my iPod, but it just wasn't right. Still, I completed them, and I'm proud of myself for sticking it out.
...because, let's face it, Sunday's run affirmed my love for this sport. I took a slower pace than my 24-year-old self would have. It took me about 54 minutes to finish this route, but I felt like I could have run another 2 before completely tuckering out. I think a few outside influences helped, too. I was in a particularly delightful mood and I tend to do my best runs when I'm happy at the start. I also, by happenstance, discovered that if a song brings with it wonderful memories, it doesn't have to be a high-adrenaline pump-up song, or one with a beat that matches my stride, so long as it's something that helps me escape to whatever happy mental place I need to reach in order to pull out those last few miles. Finally -- this was my first night training run. I know I should be running in the morning, but I've always felt best at night, and this one was especially nice. Just under 60F, still air, abandoned streets, and that area along the north part of Green Lake where you can see the Queen Anne radio towers and the Space Needle (SO Seattle, and I SO love this city). COnsidering that I've passed the halfway point, I'm feeling better about my ability to finish the 13.1 in late November, and may even consider myself excited.
TOnight's run....yeah. Just reaffirmed that I need to stop running in Greenwood. It just pisses me off too much.
4 tomorrow, and I'll probably be tardy in writing about it, as tomorrow's my birthday! Until next time, happy trails!
Ok, so the day after my First Friday Four-miler in Bozeman, I got to do a 60 mile bicycle ride through West Yellowstone to Old Faithful and back. It's a tradition that my mom, my sister, and I have as a way to celebrate my early October birthday. We could not have asked for better weather - sunny, 70F, bison...ya, really.
It's a flat ride, and the hills that do exist really don't hold a candle to what Seattle puts me through on a daily basis. The ease with which I rode the route this year feels like measurable progress, and that sense of accomplishment could not have come at a better time. I'm looking into the possibility of renting a fixed gear bicycle for the ride next year. Ya...really.
Sadly, I could only ride that high for so long. We were completely stretched for time on Sunday, and I didn't have a chance to finish my 6 miles that day (I did see an amazing sunset in Yellowstone, though. If you're interested in those pictures and in the ones I took from the ride, you can check out my set on flickr: Yellowstone). So, threw off my schedule. I decided to just use Sunday as my rest day instead of Tuesday, running 6 miles on Monday and my recovery 3 on Tuesday, then jump back into the regular schedule on Wednesday.
...And every single one of those runs were torture. Even the three milers on Tuesday, Wednesday, and again on Friday. I was sluggish, bored, and my stride and rhythm were completely off. I want to blame it on the route I chose for my 6 miles (yeah...mapmyrun.com failed to save that one, I guess - no map, sorry), which started me west on 85th. If you're ever curious as to why they call that neighborhood crown hill, go running there. Picture Max's crown from Where the Wild Things Are. Now picture running up and down each spike. THAT is Crown Hill, and is the primary reason I hate running up here so much. Anyway, the route brought me down the stairs at 85th and 32nd, along the marina (always lovely), then uphill for 3 F***ING MILES. And it's not an easy uphill haul. Even worse - it was quite possibly the most humidity I've experienced since playing Ultimate in Hawaii. I was totally soaked by the time the run was done. And maybe it can be entirely attributed to the difficulty of that run, the failures, the mental and emotional breakdown as I started freaking out about my ability to finish the Seattle 1/2, but the next three runs just plain sucked. 3 miles, each! I kept them flat, I had the best possible music on my iPod, but it just wasn't right. Still, I completed them, and I'm proud of myself for sticking it out.
...because, let's face it, Sunday's run affirmed my love for this sport. I took a slower pace than my 24-year-old self would have. It took me about 54 minutes to finish this route, but I felt like I could have run another 2 before completely tuckering out. I think a few outside influences helped, too. I was in a particularly delightful mood and I tend to do my best runs when I'm happy at the start. I also, by happenstance, discovered that if a song brings with it wonderful memories, it doesn't have to be a high-adrenaline pump-up song, or one with a beat that matches my stride, so long as it's something that helps me escape to whatever happy mental place I need to reach in order to pull out those last few miles. Finally -- this was my first night training run. I know I should be running in the morning, but I've always felt best at night, and this one was especially nice. Just under 60F, still air, abandoned streets, and that area along the north part of Green Lake where you can see the Queen Anne radio towers and the Space Needle (SO Seattle, and I SO love this city). COnsidering that I've passed the halfway point, I'm feeling better about my ability to finish the 13.1 in late November, and may even consider myself excited.
TOnight's run....yeah. Just reaffirmed that I need to stop running in Greenwood. It just pisses me off too much.
4 tomorrow, and I'll probably be tardy in writing about it, as tomorrow's my birthday! Until next time, happy trails!
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