Hills for breakfast, hold the gnats

May 05, 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
8.760.000.000.008.76

50F with pockets of much warmer and much cooler air all over the neighborhood. Clear and starry.   G-A run.  20 min weights. 

I went about 4.5 miles and stopped at the park bathroom, then two things happened.  

First my Garmin got weird.  This is the second time in the past two weeks it has done something odd, but I thought the first time was low battery. After running a route I know to be 4.5 miles, suddenly the watch said 2.55.  I clicked through some other data screens and then it said 10.77 miles.  Gr.  I re-booted the watch and started over.  

After that it seemed fine, but my one year warranty ends in less than a month. Should I go back into REI and ask for an exchange (for the 3rd time!)? I hate to go through watches like they are paper towels, and all my other runs have been normal this month.  Wait and see? Or operate before the tumor grows?

The second thing that happened at mile 4.5 was this:  I decided to move faster.  I am still technically in my recovery period but I am just so sick and tired of "jogging."  And something clicked.  Maybe it was my audiobook ending, and me switching over to my Running Music playlist.  For whatever reason(s), I just decided to pick up the pace.  And the first mile after that was all uphill so I don't know what I was thinking!  But after a couple of minutes it felt great!   By mile 6 I was only about 20 seconds slower than MP on the flats and downhills, and 45-60 seconds slower than MP on the uphills.  

Time to look forward!  Tentative 2011 marathon schedule:  Yakima River Canyon (April), Newport (June), CIM (December).   Also: Nookachamps Half Marathon (January) and maybe Tacoma half (August).  A half in October as well???  

Next race: Turkey Trot in November.  Might do another 5K in December as well. 

 

Brooks ST3 II Miles: 8.76
Comments
From allie on Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 12:47:53 from 161.38.218.168

the other day my garmin started clicking off miles every 15 seconds. i ran 10 miles in less than four minutes! that is when i decided i could break 18 minutes in a 5K. ha!

i like your plan for next year. i am considering CIM for this year (or maybe next year?) it looks like a good one.

From RAD on Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 12:56:45 from 67.172.229.125

Nice work Sno, it sure is nice when everything clicks together!

I'd take the Garmin back, might as well start fresh if you can. If it's being flaky don't settle or wait, just grab a new one. I am, however, often in awe at how often people seem to have troubles with their garmins (knock on wood) I've never had any problem except my kids turning it on when I don't know and the battery running out on me. I've had mine for nearly 2 years now with no worries - maybe I got a good one, or maybe I just don't use mine to it's full extent and so it doesn't get mad. I just turn it on to track miles and paces, then turn it off, download, charge and repeat.

Can't wait for Turkey Trot! Always a good fun run.

From Dale on Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 13:35:12 from 69.10.215.11

Ditch the 405 and go with the 310XT. My 405s (all 3) were nothing but buggy trouble. Of course, I've had a couple of minor glitches with my 310XT lately too. Wish someone else made a good GPS watch.

From rAtTLeTrAp on Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 16:46:32 from 72.102.48.131

Good news about that sudden burst of speed. Bummer about the garmin. I have yet to hear about a happy 405 owner. Most people with 305s love them and they are really cheap now that the newer models are out.

Check amazon for prices and reviews.

The resolution series would be great training for Yakima in April...

From april27 on Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 17:59:07 from 99.188.251.180

I have had no problsm with the 405...except when it isn't plugged into the wall charging and dies mid run. I'm over my one year of owning it as well!

From auntieem on Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 23:42:56 from 98.247.176.184

I will either join you at Nookachamps or try the Geoduck Gallop, February 9, on my son's Evergreen campus in Olympia.

From nicole on Sat, Oct 16, 2010 at 12:34:39 from 76.22.105.167

Your plan looks good! Tell me about the Newport Marathon - what are the hills really like? I don't see an elevation map on their website? Since its been 5 full days I've already forgotten about the pain and thinking about another marathon :-). Newport seems like my home-town race and is on my birthday, so that might be fun!

From Snoqualmie on Sat, Oct 16, 2010 at 13:08:25 from 24.18.192.33

Nicole - Newport is great. People typically do really well there. I believe I would have done well if the sun hadn't decided to come out (for the only time that week!). I had been training pretty much in 40F and found myself running in 70s. (You can read my race report for the gory details.)

In the first 4 miles you get a variety of short hills and a really nasty one at mile 4. The backside of that bad hill is much more gradual and you get it again at the very end of the race, mile 25 or so. It feels pretty tough as it gets steeper right at the top, but then you sail down at 26 and into the finish chutes.

Other than those hills, the course really is quite flat. Some very slight inclines along the route, but basically flat.

I really think I need to give that course another shot, since I had such a bad day there. And going to the Oregon coast is always a treat.

There are a number of hotels right on the beach near the start, but the finish line is about a mile or two away. We stayed at the Elizabeth St. Inn and liked it a lot.

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