Hills for breakfast, hold the gnats

April 29, 2024

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Location:

Snoqualmie,WA,

Member Since:

Jan 31, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Marathon PR: 4:17 at Portland Marathon, Oct. 2007

5K PR 24:37 2009

10K PR 52:58 2010

Have run 22 marathons to date.

No injuries, ever.   :)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Qualify for Boston (4:05 for my age/gender) - or, perhaps, to use my desire for a BQ as a way to get in the hated speed work so I don't just get slower and slower over the years.  This goal is "under (re)construction" right now, until I figure out whether it is truly what I want. :) 


Long-Term Running Goals:

To continue learning about myself and about running, and to enjoy being a fit, happy runner for life.   To always know why I am running and the best way to get the most (both mentally and physically) out of my runs.  To keep a sense of humor and remain optimistic about myself as a runner.  To enjoy running more and more with every passing year. 

Personal:

Baby boomer generation.  Jogged a little in my 20's and 30's.  Started running seriously in 2002.  Low-carb runner since January 2010. 

I love long runs and cold, cloudy weather.  I don't believe in "junk miles."  I am an optimist.  I adore dark chocolate, fog, my family, and knitting -- not necessarily in that order.  

"As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are."  -- Joan Benoit Samuelson 


Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Brooks ST3 Lifetime Miles: 891.35
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Lifetime Miles: 23.77
Brooks ST3 II Lifetime Miles: 965.17
Lunaracers II Lifetime Miles: 198.23
Mizuno Wave Universe 3 Lifetime Miles: 104.14
Asics Piranha Lifetime Miles: 536.83
RunAmocs (Softstar) Lifetime Miles: 16.23
Piranha II Lifetime Miles: 219.53
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.700.004.000.0010.70

38F; occasional light drizzle and light wind (~10 mph).  Tempo run: 4 mile w.u., 4 x 1 mile at 10K pace w/ 30 sec. recovery b/t.  (8:39, 8:48, 8:28, 8:39), 2.7 cool down, last mile on TM. 

"...at 10K pace..." Hahahahahahaha! That' me cracking up at the thought that I actually know my 10K pace, seeing as how I haven't run a 10K since August of 08.  Pick a number! OK, how about 8:40?  

Actually, during the first mile I just went by feel, getting the speed to a pace where I could think to myself, "I could do this for nearly an hour, but it would be hard," and sticking with that pace.  Second mile was a little hillier than the other miles, hence a bit slower. Third mile was definitely too fast (pant-o-meter too high).  I'm flabbergasted that two of the miles were identical; it's not like me to be so consistent.  ;)

The 30 second breaks were a great idea, if I do say so myself. I have had psychological issues with tempo workouts since last summer, to the point where I'll either worry about the workout so much that I don't sleep at night, or compromise my plan because the thought of how hard it will be is almost paralyzing.  Breaking it up even just a little worked beautifully, and I still worked hard enough to have my legs feel like jello for about 10 minutes after the tempo miles were done. 

Nevertheless, when I ran out of time and had to go home, I still felt like running a bit more.  A mile on the dreadmill cured me of that.  lol   I just love seeing the number 10 on one of my weekday logs.   

Product recommendation...  Thermos Intak Steel Hydro bottle.   (from Target)  My friend has been carrying one around for over a year and recommending it to me. But I almost didn't buy one, because dang! $20 for a water bottle?!?  Worth. Every. Penny.   I adore this thing.  I'd say I'm drinking almost twice as much water now.  Convenient, spill proof, easy care, water stays cool, fits in car cup holder, ergonomic to hold & to sip from.  

Asics Piranha Miles: 10.70
Comments
From Carolyn in Colorado on Wed, Apr 07, 2010 at 12:43:22 from 198.241.174.15

Great job on the tempo run. I get intimidated by tempo runs too.

That's a pretty groovy looking water bottle.

From Dale on Wed, Apr 07, 2010 at 13:19:52 from 69.10.215.11

I know exactly what you mean about dreading tempo runs. I think we've both blogged about this before, yes? Anyway, I like the Hudson versions of 2/3/4 x 10 minutes and 2/3 x 15 minutes, with varying breaks (shorter deeper into training). Thinking in terms of minutes somehow makes it easier to deal with than miles. Plus, they seemed to prep me well enough for my last marathon, so my final worry that they were cheating me was invalid.

Good job on the tempo!

From Marathon Dreamer on Wed, Apr 07, 2010 at 13:49:46 from 200.52.168.2

I hear you girl!! I am not a big fan of tempo runs either. They are hard and they hurt!!! I do the same- with just taking a quick breather I can re-focus and I don't get so mentally overwhelmed with the thought of running that far and that fast!! Breaking it up a bit makes it that much more do-able, and when you only take a short breather, it really doesn't do anything to the effectiveness of the workout from what I hear. Good for you!! Great run!!!

From Kelli on Wed, Apr 07, 2010 at 18:35:36 from 71.219.92.128

Oh, that sounds like a GREAT water bottle!!!! And if you say it is worth it, I believe you!

Great running days. I hear you on the whole 5k/10k pace thing, I just GUESS as well.

From JD on Wed, Apr 07, 2010 at 21:34:37 from 32.176.53.114

Nice mid week 10 miler. Great mile intervals! I agree about the 30 sec. break in between. Just knowing there's a break makes a huge psychological difference for me.

From april27 on Wed, Apr 07, 2010 at 21:42:34 from 99.188.251.180

you forgot to mention that the bottle is pretty!

From Snoqualmie on Thu, Apr 08, 2010 at 11:54:32 from 24.18.192.33

April - it comes in different designs too. I have a dark red one.

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