Hills for breakfast, hold the gnats

May 17, 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

Sun, Mar 01, 2009

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
13.31	4.00	0.00	0.00	17.31

Objective: endurance & progression. 7 mi easy, 6 moderate, 4 MP effort (pace off w/ hills, & wind)

48 to 52 F. very windy (20mph w/ gusts to 40). Partly sunny, turning more cloudy.

Hello March! (Yes, Mr. Winter. I did receive your memo about how just because it's March doesn't mean you're through with me. Very impressive wind today. But I'll have you know I saw A Bee today. So there.)

I decided to have a little adventure today. After spending several miles running my usual haunts I went down the Parkway to old Snoqualmie to see... the track! Going down that hill (~2 miles and 5-12% grade) is always really hard on me because I'm not a natural heel striker but you really have to on a hill. As the wind howled, I comforted myself with the happy thought that all that wind would be behind me on the way up. (Not entirely, but pretty much was.) I remembered to bring my new key and successfully found and entered the beautiful high school track, ran a mile on it, and decided that was quite enough for today. After all, the point was just to break the ice and actually use my little key before I forgot where I put it, or that I even have it.

My "marathon pace" miles are, once again, effort level. I just cannot stick to a pace when I'm running up a steep hill, or when the wind is pushing me all over the place. Is this dishonest?

My plans for this run went quite well except for one thing. Being spoiled as I am by the abundant bathrooms and year round working drinking fountains up here on the Ridge, I totally forgot to plan for hydration. No money, no Camelbak, and every drinking fountain in town is closed down for the winter. At about 13 miles, I realized I was in trouble. I ended up drinking awkwardly from a sink in the creepy bathroom at the Railroad Museum. I just hope it was potable. If I die of some kind of poisoning later today, it's been really, really great blogging with you guys.

Blue Nike Triax 12 Miles: 17.31

Comments

From jefferey on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 15:33:42 from 67.171.56.220

I have plotted out fountains in Snoqualmie. Riverview Park 39000 Park St. which is about .8 miles from the bottom of the parkway on the way to the high school. Then, you should know where Centennial park is but if you don't its only .5 miles or so past the high school. Centennial Fields

39903 SE Park St.

You just plain pound the miles in don't you!! Nice jog..er job!

From jefferey on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 15:38:10 from 67.171.56.220

Ooops I copied the address for Centennial park off the website but that's not right. Sorry. It is on Park street next to the elementary school.

From Carolyn in Colorado on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 19:40:40 from 71.229.164.25

You're are absolutely amazing to run in wind like that. That's too bad about the water. I sincerely hope that it was potable and that you're around to blog for us for many years to come.

I don't think you're dishonest to claim marathon pace even when it's hampered by hills or wind. I don't know anyone who can maintain the same effort going uphill or into the wind without slowing.

I've got a middle school track and a high school track both a half mile or less from my house. The middle school track doesn't have a fence, but the track is smaller than a standard track. The high school track has a fence, but I don't know whether it's locked. Maybe I should try the track someday, but so far I've never had the desire to do track work.

From snoqualmie on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 21:07:44 from 67.171.56.164

Jeff, are those fountains working in the winter? The janitor at the h.s. looked at me like I was insane..."Drinking fountains? They don't work in winter!" What was I thinking?

Carolyn, the track was really nice and springy, and having a flat surface is always a treat for me. But it was a bit like the TM. Not quite as boring, but I definitely prefer the open road.

From JD on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 21:10:36 from 166.128.212.181

Nice run in tough conditions..again! Marathon pace effort too. That's nice you have your own private track to access, with your own key and all. Glad you were able to get over there and try it out.

From jefferey on Sun, Mar 01, 2009 at 21:46:25 from 67.171.56.220

The fountains at the parks have always worked for me. I had to map it out for long runs because I don't like to carry water with me.

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