Sore...so sore....
I went to the gym early, and ran 5 very slow miles (1/2 on the treadmill and 1/2 on the elliptical). I also biked 5.1 miles in 14:00. Hector saw how sore I was from the past few days and stretched me out...it was painful! He took the whole hour to stretch me and foam roller. As much as it hurt, I have to say I felt a million times better after he was done.
On another note, I entered a contest for the Minneapolis Marathon to submit a quote for banners that would be at each mile marker. While some were completely stupid, one of mine won! I'm sure you may recognize it on the mast head of this blog. :)
Check it out and the other winners here!
Tuesday
Sunday
March 29, 2009
Welcome to Chicago, where it will snow on one of the last days of March. It won't be just a dusting, oh-no, it will be 3 inches of slush with 30 mph winds. And in that mess, will be an 8k; the supposed marking of the summer running season in Chicago.
Did I really want to roll out of my nice warm bed for that? Not really, but I paid my $40 bucks and wanted my free beer (and lets face it, I needed the training run). It's a good thing I did, because I ROCKED IT!!
Yeah, my feet were pretty numb (and cold and wet), and my legs felt like lead from my 19 mile training run yesterday. But I had a monster 3.5 minute PR of 51:35 (oh, why did I walk through the two water stops!!!) which is a 10:23 av. pace.
Clearly, my winter marathon training has paid off. Boo-YA!
Did I really want to roll out of my nice warm bed for that? Not really, but I paid my $40 bucks and wanted my free beer (and lets face it, I needed the training run). It's a good thing I did, because I ROCKED IT!!
Yeah, my feet were pretty numb (and cold and wet), and my legs felt like lead from my 19 mile training run yesterday. But I had a monster 3.5 minute PR of 51:35 (oh, why did I walk through the two water stops!!!) which is a 10:23 av. pace.
Clearly, my winter marathon training has paid off. Boo-YA!
Saturday
March 28, 2009
Wind. It blows. Literally, figuratively and everything in between. Today's run was brutal. It was supposed to be 18, but it ended up at 18.5. The wind was 30+ mph, Lake Michigan was attacking the Lakefront path, and after about an hour, the sky was over cast dropping the temperatures. At about mile 13, I rolled my ankle and thought about packing it in, but I walked/ran (60/60) the next 3 miles.
Then I went with Danielle to the Shamrock Shuffle expo. We were so cold that we had to run the to Navy Pier. We were tired (she had run 20.5 at this point) but it was too cold to walk. That evened up the mileage to 19 for me and 21 for Danielle. We very seriously ate our way through the expo, followed by more carbo loading at Beer Bistro. I finished the 19 miles in total time of 3:45:11 (11:52-ish?).
Then I went with Danielle to the Shamrock Shuffle expo. We were so cold that we had to run the to Navy Pier. We were tired (she had run 20.5 at this point) but it was too cold to walk. That evened up the mileage to 19 for me and 21 for Danielle. We very seriously ate our way through the expo, followed by more carbo loading at Beer Bistro. I finished the 19 miles in total time of 3:45:11 (11:52-ish?).
Thursday
March 26, 2009
I really was going to run 5 miles day. That didn't happen. I made it 3 on Judy's treadmill (I hate treadmills). I guess 3 miles is better than no miles.
On another note...my boards are ready to be packed!! That means I might actually have time to work out?! Who knew?
On another note...my boards are ready to be packed!! That means I might actually have time to work out?! Who knew?
Tuesday
March 24, 2009
Yeah! I got in a mid-week work out! (Yes, it is possible!) I got home from work (a little stressed and frazzled) and I decided to run to the gym. I had mapped out a route that would add the mileage to get the mid-week long run taken care of. I was worried about time, so I cut out one of those miles. I ran from my house to Cicero and back (skipping the Portage loop) with a quick stop to grab my iPod that needed a little bit of a charge, and ran the rest of the way to the gym for a total of 5.2 miles.
I beat Hector there (I guess I could have ran around Portage once) and so I hopped on the treadmill for .6 mile until he got there. After a quick stretch, we did arms and core with only a little legs. He was kicking my ass today!
After that, I ran the 3.2 miles home. I was clearly tired, because the run home was much slower than my pace there. I also think I was running low on fuel. I hadn't run with a hydration belt, or taken any gu and I had been working out since 3:45 and it was after 6:00. I should have known better, because even when I run on the Lakefront Path, I have a shot blocks in that amount of time. So much for being stubborn. I do have to say the last 1/2 mile or so was pretty damn fast. I started feel some GI cramping and decided it was in my best interest to make it home quickly. I'll just leave it at that.
But in all, it was an hour of weight training and a total of 9 miles in 1:45:03
I beat Hector there (I guess I could have ran around Portage once) and so I hopped on the treadmill for .6 mile until he got there. After a quick stretch, we did arms and core with only a little legs. He was kicking my ass today!
After that, I ran the 3.2 miles home. I was clearly tired, because the run home was much slower than my pace there. I also think I was running low on fuel. I hadn't run with a hydration belt, or taken any gu and I had been working out since 3:45 and it was after 6:00. I should have known better, because even when I run on the Lakefront Path, I have a shot blocks in that amount of time. So much for being stubborn. I do have to say the last 1/2 mile or so was pretty damn fast. I started feel some GI cramping and decided it was in my best interest to make it home quickly. I'll just leave it at that.
But in all, it was an hour of weight training and a total of 9 miles in 1:45:03
Saturday
March 21, 2009
It was such a beautiful day for a run! In fact, I was over dressed and had to take off a layer! That's always fantastic! I loved all 12 miles, and ran them in 2:22:45.
I did get a ton of laughs on the path. I was wearing the shirt Barb had given me for my birthday. It says across bottom back (above my butt) "Does this shirt make my butt look fast?" Several people had read it to me while I was running, and my group, of course thought it was hilarious. It's always nice to make people laugh!
I did get a ton of laughs on the path. I was wearing the shirt Barb had given me for my birthday. It says across bottom back (above my butt) "Does this shirt make my butt look fast?" Several people had read it to me while I was running, and my group, of course thought it was hilarious. It's always nice to make people laugh!
Thursday
March 19, 2009
Hector's back! Hector's back!! Hector's Back!!!
I was out running miles when he called asking if I was coming in for my regular appointment, so I ran home and got to the gym. I did two more on the treadmill for a total of 4 miles in just of 40 minutes and then an hour of weight training with Hector. :)
I was out running miles when he called asking if I was coming in for my regular appointment, so I ran home and got to the gym. I did two more on the treadmill for a total of 4 miles in just of 40 minutes and then an hour of weight training with Hector. :)
Monday
March 16, 2009
I met Danielle at her house and we walked to Lincoln Square (about a mile) for a drink. The special at Daley's was for these Cherry Coke things...it was Diet Coke (at least for me) and Cherry Vodka. Tasty! Then we went to the Old Town School of Folk Music for a Pilates class. (I know, the location sounds weird to me too...but it kicked my ass!) and then back to the bar for another drink followed by the walk home.
Danielle pointed out that this was truly a cross training day for me...walking and Pilates instead of running and hard liquor instead of beer! I think I like this brand of cross training!
Danielle pointed out that this was truly a cross training day for me...walking and Pilates instead of running and hard liquor instead of beer! I think I like this brand of cross training!
Sunday
March 15, 2009
I so very much wanted to stay snuggled up in bed this morning. No, I didn't go out yesterday. In fact, I think this marks the first time since I've been legally allowed in bars that I haven't gone out for St. Patrick's Day. Sad. (Stupid boards!)
Any who, made it an easy day (because my IT band is very tight) on the elliptical and only did 3 miles. And then John kicked both Melissa and my asses. It was a whole lotta push-ups kinda day. Most of mine were sad, but I made sure on the last one that the brim of my hat touched the floor. :D
Oh, and you may be wondering, "What happened to Hector?" BIG problems at the gym. I'm hoping he will be back on Tuesday. If not, I'm going to be a very sad, and distraught Bethie.
Any who, made it an easy day (because my IT band is very tight) on the elliptical and only did 3 miles. And then John kicked both Melissa and my asses. It was a whole lotta push-ups kinda day. Most of mine were sad, but I made sure on the last one that the brim of my hat touched the floor. :D
Oh, and you may be wondering, "What happened to Hector?" BIG problems at the gym. I'm hoping he will be back on Tuesday. If not, I'm going to be a very sad, and distraught Bethie.
Saturday
March 14, 2009
OMG.
Seriously.
Ok, so today shouldn't have been this hard. In fact, it probably was the perfect day for a run. Almost no wind, clear blue skys, drunk people to entertain me... what more could I ask? Oh, how about for my gut to behave itself and not make me feel like there's a leprechaun tying it up in knots. Yeah, that would be great. Thanks.
The first half of the run wasn't bad. I was a little wheezy, but manageable. I knew something was up this morning and I was hoping I'd be ok for the run. Unfortuantely, I had to make a few stops in the bathrooms along the path (thank God, they're open now!) From North Ave. back to the start, it just wasn't good. I had horrible cramps. I struggled through mile 13. I hit 14 and went to the Galloway method I use when I'm feeling less than fab on a run. Run 60 walk 60. I can convince myself to run for 60 seconds. Then I get to walk. It's really what got me home. And I end up running the 60 faster than I would normally run, so it all balances out. Using this method, I still made it back at 3:06:24 which gives me an 11:40 average pace. Not too bad, considering.
I got back to the start and the Lung Power team was there. Yeah, the one that supports the Hustle up the Hancock. They had snacks!! While I have not yet partaken, they had CHEDDAR BUNNIES and SNACK PACKS!! How awesome is that?! Totally made the 16 miles worth it.
Seriously.
Ok, so today shouldn't have been this hard. In fact, it probably was the perfect day for a run. Almost no wind, clear blue skys, drunk people to entertain me... what more could I ask? Oh, how about for my gut to behave itself and not make me feel like there's a leprechaun tying it up in knots. Yeah, that would be great. Thanks.
The first half of the run wasn't bad. I was a little wheezy, but manageable. I knew something was up this morning and I was hoping I'd be ok for the run. Unfortuantely, I had to make a few stops in the bathrooms along the path (thank God, they're open now!) From North Ave. back to the start, it just wasn't good. I had horrible cramps. I struggled through mile 13. I hit 14 and went to the Galloway method I use when I'm feeling less than fab on a run. Run 60 walk 60. I can convince myself to run for 60 seconds. Then I get to walk. It's really what got me home. And I end up running the 60 faster than I would normally run, so it all balances out. Using this method, I still made it back at 3:06:24 which gives me an 11:40 average pace. Not too bad, considering.
I got back to the start and the Lung Power team was there. Yeah, the one that supports the Hustle up the Hancock. They had snacks!! While I have not yet partaken, they had CHEDDAR BUNNIES and SNACK PACKS!! How awesome is that?! Totally made the 16 miles worth it.
Thursday
March 12, 2009
I still have the Fuckits.
But I made myself go out and run. It was chilly! Why is it 25 degrees in the middle of March? The average this time of year is supposed to be 40 (says Tom Skilling). But it was light later, so I made myself go. And really, it's what I needed.
I started out thinking I would do the 4 miler, but as I was out there, I said "Just one more mile!" And I made it before dark. Yes, I know 5 shouldn't be this hard, but with all the crap that's been going on lately, it's hard to give myself the time to go. I'm glad I did because I feel much better about things. I guess sometimes all you need is a little pavement and an iPod to make things seem a little better.
But I made myself go out and run. It was chilly! Why is it 25 degrees in the middle of March? The average this time of year is supposed to be 40 (says Tom Skilling). But it was light later, so I made myself go. And really, it's what I needed.
I started out thinking I would do the 4 miler, but as I was out there, I said "Just one more mile!" And I made it before dark. Yes, I know 5 shouldn't be this hard, but with all the crap that's been going on lately, it's hard to give myself the time to go. I'm glad I did because I feel much better about things. I guess sometimes all you need is a little pavement and an iPod to make things seem a little better.
Saturday
March 7, 2009
I have a case of the Fuckits. I knew it wasn't going to be good, but then again, I didn't think it would be this bad. But to be fair--it wasn't completely my fault (thank you, Mother Nature).
We started the 15 miles, and things were going well. The sky wasn't too ominous, cloudy but not bad. We hit the turn around at the sledding hill near Soldier Field and the heavens opened and the Good Lord seemed to smite us! It was in-freakin'-sane! We made it to the tunnel just north of Roosevelt and regrouped. Between the lightning and hail, we decided to bail (safety first!) and head to a bar. (Have I mentioned I LOVE my running group?!)
So we made it 8 miles, and headed to an Irish pub. Isn't marathon training fun?
We started the 15 miles, and things were going well. The sky wasn't too ominous, cloudy but not bad. We hit the turn around at the sledding hill near Soldier Field and the heavens opened and the Good Lord seemed to smite us! It was in-freakin'-sane! We made it to the tunnel just north of Roosevelt and regrouped. Between the lightning and hail, we decided to bail (safety first!) and head to a bar. (Have I mentioned I LOVE my running group?!)
So we made it 8 miles, and headed to an Irish pub. Isn't marathon training fun?
Thursday
March 5, 2009
I went to the gym today and was still feeling mopey and glum. I ran 2 miles on the treadmill, worked with Hector (who commented that I still was not my usual self). And then did the last two miles I needed to do.
I was feeling like running when I started, but as I progressed, I was thinking about Grandpa. I did not want to be crying on the treadmill, so I stopped after a total of 4. I think it's time for a good ol' fashioned Irish Wake.
I was feeling like running when I started, but as I progressed, I was thinking about Grandpa. I did not want to be crying on the treadmill, so I stopped after a total of 4. I think it's time for a good ol' fashioned Irish Wake.
Tuesday
March 3, 2009
Ran one mile in the eleven minute range. Worked with Hector, but didn't really feel like it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)