Hills for breakfast, hold the gnats

May 19, 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

Thu, Jan 29, 2009

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
9.13	0.00	0.00	0.00	9.13

Objective: 4 easy, 4 moderate, 1+ easy, with hill sprints (sort of; see below)

Conditions at 4:50 AM: Same as yesterday: 39F, heavy mist, SE wind 5-10 mph

After run: 15 min strength work

OK. About those hill sprints... With apologies to Mr. Brad Hudson, I decided to sprinkle them throughout my run, seeing as how I get a steep grade hill at least once every mile in this neighborhood, and "rollers" in between. I'll admit, I have a very hard time following rules. Not to say that I won't do it "right" in the future, but I really liked just throwing the sprints in here and there when a short, steep hill presented itself.

I have an addition observation about arm swing, to continue the discussion from last week. Thomas Miller recommends the arm swing that Deena is using, where the forward motion brings the hand up and in, close to the heart. The Chi Running guy says to keep the arm at a 90 degree angle. Both recommend (along with other coaches) that the elbow come backwards pretty far (for speed anyway). Sooooo... I did an informal experiment with both methods to compare them today. I believe the Miller/Deena Way felt easier and more natural. It seems like the concept of centrifugal force is at work here: that the arms require less energy to swing when they are kept close to the body. What do you think, bloggers? And by the way, I am equally preoccupied with the whole push off vs. heel lift motion, but I just don't have anything to say about it. haha

Special treat today. A guy on Ravelry (that's my virtual knitting community) posted a link to his wonderful photo essay of his Boston Marathon, here. (Surprised at guys who knit? Don't be!)

Hope you're smiling by now. :) Sno

Red Nike Structure Triax 11 Miles: 9.13

Comments

From Carolyn in Colorado on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 11:30:23

I am smiling as a matter of fact. That photo essay of the Boston Marathon was wonderful! Thanks for the special treat!

BTW, I think your hill sprints are just fine. Hudson would probably be all for them. He loves hills.

From JD on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 14:48:38

4:50 AM? Does 4:50 AM really exist? Never heard of it.

BTW, what does strength work entail? I do pushups/situps several times a week, is that the same thing?

From Metcalf Running on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 15:56:22

Sno, those are great links... my sister and my olderst daughter are knitters :) and the pictures of boston make me want to run it even more :)

BTW good run for the day

From Snoqualmie on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 17:05:46

JD, my strength work: always abs (various exercises), always pushups, and then a mixture (sort of rotating) of lunges, hamstring curls on the big ball, all kinds of dumbbell work for arms, shoulders and back, a few stretches and finish w/ The Stick (ah!).

From jefferey on Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 00:51:07

My buddy Bruce calls it the stick of Death. ...another round is one by Snoqualmie...

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