Running home

I really didn't need another long run this week, but something was calling me to run into Bayville. I'm not sure what or why I felt that urge, but I did. I ran all the way "home" to the house where I spent my childhood. Funny, but when I was a child, this distance...between home and where I attended High School, seemed like the longest distance in the world. In fact, I was sure that I rode it on my bicycle a few times as a high schooler. I don't think I really ever knew the actual distance. But today I found out.

4 miles there...4 miles back. I woud have swore it was twice that. I was very surprised. As I ran, I recalled many fond memories of my childhood. Not to mention, homes that I passed where I spent hours or overnights at friend's homes. It all seems so much smaller now. As a kid, Bayville was a grand town with one major road, and 4 traffic lights. That's it...just 4. And still...it has 4. But it is just 4 miles there and 4 miles back.

(((((sigh)))))

I'm home.

Welcome to Bayville!

The Bayville Bridge

The beach where we fished and spent our summers

I never jumped!

Where we got our bait!

The house where I grew up on 16th Street.

Weather: Some sun, temps in the 50s.

Clothing: Shorts, short sleeved top, sports bra, hat, sunglasses, Brooks Ghost sneakers.

Do you still live in the town you were raised in? If not, how often do you make it "home"?

A Tale of Three sisters...

Today, I walked 3 miles with my sisters! Life can't be more rewarding than that.

New York State of Mind, Part II

Stayed with sister #2 last night, with little sleep, but excited to get back out there for a run. I just love the weather here. It is perfectly perfect for long runs. With temps in the 50s and little in the way of wind...it just doesn't get any better.

Today I logged a nice and easy 7 miles, passing my former High School two times...

Only bummers about New York? Lots of cars...and little shoulder room. People aren't as friendly or accommodating either, as they are in Minnesota.

But, it sure is pretty. And it is my original home!

Weather: Partly Cloudy, temps in the 50s.
Clothing: Shorts, sports bra, neon pink jacket, Brooks Ghost sneakers.

New York State of Mind

Arrived in New York yesterday! Today, I'm car-less. No problem! Gotta food shop so I can prepare pureed meals for my sister. My plan is to walk the mile or so to the grocery store, and then walk home with a load on my back. Unfortunately, I forgot to start my Runmeter app until I started walking home. Bummer. But I got a picture!

Actually, I took this to send to my husband since he was having a bad morning. I thought the sight of me carrying all these groceries would cheer him up.

I ended up doing the walk and then getting a run in around noonish. It just seemed like a terrible thing to waste a perfectly good day to run.

Running on Long Island is kinda like running in Colorado, minus the initial elevation. The hills are brutal. I walked down the biggies, and jogged the shoreline, then walked back up the hill. I think I logged about a 7 mile run despite the late start.

Weather: Don't recall...think it was partly cloudy and in the 50s.
Clothing: Shorts, sports bra, jacket. Didn't need the jacket.

The week ahead

Plan to run again on Tuesday - Kathie's surgery date. I'm very scattered. Did not eat dinner. That won't help anything, I know. But I'm not hungry.

No post race pain. Just minor soreness, especially inner thighs. That is a first! Also, lots of stress in back of neck and in the shoulders. I need to work on loosening upper body more before long runs!

The Last Minute Half Marathon

I ran the Belle Plaine half marathon today. I got plenty of sleep, and woke up at my regular time. This race had a 9am start time. Perfect for me! I was unsure how long it would take me to get there so I left early. I arrived about an hour pre-race so I picked up my packet and sat in my warm and dry car until 10 minutes before the gun sounded...and enjoyed my banana, while I pondered what to wear. I brought a few jackets with me and a pair of pants, but ended up in shorts and compression socks, short sleeve top, and rain jacket.

It wasn't raining, but it was threatening. This is what held me back in the first place as it was promising to be a wash out. I've done this before...been caught in a downpour without anything to keep my somewhat dry. So I was pondering how to go into this run. I decided the rain jacket over top was the best bet.

I finished well, somewhere between the two other previous half marathons I ran this year. 1:45:19. I'm pleased with that! And since I went alone, I was able to stay until the times were posted. I actually finished first in my age group and was pretty shocked, since I swear I saw a few women pass me and thought for SURE they were older than I.  But, I got that medal AND a beer mug! I even could have had a free beer post run, but somehow coffee sounded better to me. No bagels, though! Bummer.

It was an extremely hilly run. I got kind of nauseous at times. This was a first. I have yet to get sick on a run. This was the first time I felt that it could happen. I definitely did NOT hydrate enough pre-run, post-run or during the run, for that matter. I kept thinking "...as soon as I get past this hill, I'll take a sip...", but it seemed like I never got past that hill! However, no pains, no aches, and no residual soreness.

Note to self: Do NOT wear Fila rain jacket again for a long run. All I did was sweat, and the jacket filled with water. I chafed along my waist where the jacket fell against my skin. Ouch! That jacket does not breathe correctly. I'll save it for fishing.

Still need to attempt some metronome training this week. That would be the only chi-component I have not attempted.

Here is the link to my Belle Plaine run.

Weather: Cloudy and misty. Temps near 50°.
Clothing: Fila shorts, sports bra, short sleeved shirt, Fila rain jacket. Brooks Ghost Sneakers.

Did you ever attempt a race run in a new piece of clothing?

Outdoor Run

Cool and windy today. I stayed in inner neighborhoods to avoid the wind. OK run. I felt best towards the end. No nagging pains.

Have not yet decided about Saturday's half marathon. It'll depend on the weather. If there is no rain on the radar, I'll go run it.

Feeling tired tonight, but no aches.

Weather: 39°-40°. Brisk north wind.

Clothing: Black Capri Compression Pant, Lime Jacket, Sports Bra.

Outdoor Run

Today, I ran 7 miles to County Road 2 and back. It is a great run, pretty much uphill for the first half then downhill for second. Cool weather following a showery morning. Had to hold off on my regular morning run time so I ate a little too much before running. Still, a good run.


Weather: Clouds and sun. Temps around 50°.
Clothing: Grey Capri Compression Pant, Pink Jacket, Sports Bra and Tank Top.

Outdoor Run

Felt GREAT! No nagging pains. It was cold. 34° with brisk north wind. Ran fast! About 7:30-7:40 pace. 6 mies, then jogged 1. Could be my fastest 10k time at around 46:30.

Feel OK tonight. Just shoulder and neck soreness but that could be from computer work. Still contemplating the Belle Plaine Half Marathon next week.



Weather: 34° with brisk north wind. Cloudy with a few flurries.

Clothing: Capris compression pant, Pink Jacket, sports bra, no shirt. In retrospect, should've worn another layer. Brooks Ghost sneakers

Treadmill Walk

90 minute treadmill walk.
4.0 mph. Varying incline from 4-12%

Treadmill Walk

90 minute treadmill walk.
4.0 mph. Varying incline from 4-12%

Present Condition

In Danny Dreyer's book, Chi Running, he asks the reader to assess their current condition...and to be honest. In the past, I'd be a pessimist, and likely not give myself enough credit for the shape I am in. Today, thought, I'm a bit more of an optimist. After sitcking with P90X for a few years now, and increasing my running milage, I honestly believe that I'm in the best shape of my life...at least beyond the age of 20. Therefore, here are the answers to Danny's questions.

Physical Assessment:

Health-Excellent

Physically fit - could be a few pounds lighter IMHO

Current Weight - 117-118 pounds. I think I'm best at 115.

Currently recovering from minor, unknown injuries. 

1. The most annoying is a tightness in the right calf and shin. The pain alternates between the two locations. I'm pretty sure that it is a shin splint. Could it be from the compression sleeves? Have laid off of them for a week.

2. Left outer foot pain. Think I stepped in a divot while fishing. Pain comes and goes. Getting better at this point in time.

3. A little back thigh cramping. Blaming dehydration.

My Aspirations:

I want to try 26.2. I've done 13.1 three times this year and a typical run for me these days is 7 miles. Certainly 10 miles is a no brainer. I could say speed doesn't matter, but I'd be stretching the truth. I'd love to do 8 miles/hr. That would be one aspiration before my 50th birthday. I'd alos like to remain injury free...an ultimate goal. Since I can't pinpoint the cause of these previous injuries, I'd blame them on form and technique, hence the Chi-Running book.

My Future:

The rest of my life? Run and stay in tip-top shape for as long as I am able. I'd love to try a marathon or longer.

Mental Assessment:

1. I run because I am good at it. I love the "me" time. I love the fresh air. I love seeing what I can do!

2. I'd like to continue running 25-30 miles a week or about an hour a day.

3. I prefer to train alone but love doing races with friends! I'd like to do about 3-5 races a year.

Today's Run

A shorter 4.75 run today. Some calf tightness returning.

Today's Run

8 miles on a half dirt, half pavement run. Again, practied lean and kickback. Little or no residual pain.