Tonight after work I ran from the studio down to the trail. I did intervals of speedy(ish) running. After warming up for about 9 minutes, I ran hard for 2 minutes. Then easy for 2 minutes. I did this 3 times and was at my turnaround point. After turning around I ran easy for a few minutes, trying to recover. Then I decided I would do the same thing only for shorter time, as my breathing was not allowing me to push very hard. So I did 1 minute hard, 1 minute easy twice. After that I just ran easy the rest of the way back to the park to the water fountain. Then I ran back to the studio.
Greg was out on the trail at the same time with our friend Roman. Those speedsters are way faster than me (especially Roman who just did a 5K in 20:02) so I can't run with them. I left the studio before they did and we saw each other on the trail after I had turned around- they were still heading out. On my way back, I really really really didn't want them to pass me. Before I turned off the trail back onto the streets, I saw them and thought for sure they'd catch me, but they didn't. I guess I was far enough in front. Tee hee. Not that it would have really mattered. Just more for my confidence than anything else.
There were a lot of people on the trail tonight, especially cyclists, which makes me want to go for a ride. I think I'll bring my bike to the studio tomorrow and go some time during the day for a bit. I need to get the butt used to the saddle again - it's been way too long!
One more thing of note while on the trail. I saw many runners while I was out there. There is usually an exchange of the head nod or a quick, grunted 'hi' to acknowledge one another. Well, one runner that I met going the opposite direction went beyond this. He took the trouble to clap and say nice job to me as we passed. It took me by surprise, as I was just about to nod his direction. But after that I couldn't help but smile huge. Thanks Mr. Encouraging Runner Dude!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Eye Run 5K Race Report
The Eye Run 5K (and this year a 10K also) is held at Luxottica, so it's a fun and convenient race to do since it's only a few miles from my house. It is also very fun to see people I used to work with as well as currently work with.
It started out to be a wet and soggy morning. But it was warm, and soon after the race started, it stopped raining. There were a lot of puddles to navigate, some the size of cars thanks to construction that is being done on Western Row.
My only goal was to run sub 30 minutes. This is embarrassing to admit, but I thought maybe I could keep a 9:30 pace. My first mile was 9:30 on the nose. Second mile was a little slower. But then there was a slight downhill where I think I made some time back. Then before turning back into the Lux parking lot, there is a slight uphill - enough to make my breathing crazy. I struggled here. Then I had a wee bit of a kick near the end (and I mean wee) and I made it in 29:45. So that is a 9:36 pace. Yay!
I suppose I'm happy that I did what I wanted to do. Now I'll have to see about shaving the next one to under 28 minutes.
It started out to be a wet and soggy morning. But it was warm, and soon after the race started, it stopped raining. There were a lot of puddles to navigate, some the size of cars thanks to construction that is being done on Western Row.
My only goal was to run sub 30 minutes. This is embarrassing to admit, but I thought maybe I could keep a 9:30 pace. My first mile was 9:30 on the nose. Second mile was a little slower. But then there was a slight downhill where I think I made some time back. Then before turning back into the Lux parking lot, there is a slight uphill - enough to make my breathing crazy. I struggled here. Then I had a wee bit of a kick near the end (and I mean wee) and I made it in 29:45. So that is a 9:36 pace. Yay!
I suppose I'm happy that I did what I wanted to do. Now I'll have to see about shaving the next one to under 28 minutes.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Flying Pig Half Marathon Race Report
It's been a week. Time I get a post about the race done!
Overall, it was a fun day. The slightly wet weather had me nervous it could be a wash-out, but it was only a light drizzle in the beginning. And with the cool temperatures, it really was nice for running.
I got up at 4 to get ready. I'm getting better with my race-day OCD. I think I only retied my shoes 2 times :) We arrived downtown about 6. Daryl and I lined up at the start, and Greg took some pictures. Daryl is posing like a boss. I just look uncomfortable.
The gun (or maybe cannon?) went off, and after 6 minutes we were across the start line. I settled into a comfortable, easy pace. Perhaps I'm somewhere in the blur...
The course first goes into Kentucky over a bridge. Then back into downtown Cincinnati around the 4 mile. My breathing was easy - I was actually just breathing through my nose! That's difficult for me to do sometimes just sitting at my desk, thanks to my allergies, so I was impressed. I felt great and happy that it was so easy so far. This photo is from the website and was taken by Michael E. Anderson. I'm in it- how crazy is that!
Coming out of downtown, there is a climb. A long climb. I completely forgot how severe this hill was. It is long and quite steep in some parts. It killed me and my legs. After that I thought, well I'll make up my pace on the downhill at the end. Nice plan, but the hill really took a lot out of me. I had taken a piece of candy from a woman near the end of the huge hill section. It was one of those orange slice gummies.
I was really hoping for a boost, but all it did was give me bits of gummy to pick out of my teeth with my tongue for a couple of miles. Not distracting enough.
I somewhat recovered through miles 7 - 8 - 9, but I was really beginning to hurt. This was the beginning of my mental downfall. I was really tired. I really wanted to lay down on the grass. I kept trying to tell myself only 4 more miles, but I didn't feel like running 4 more miles.
When the race took the turn onto Gilbert (going the right way down Gilbert...downhill), I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I relaxed and smoothed out my stride, letting the hill take me down it pretty quickly. Making up time didn't really seem possible anymore since I had slowed down so much. But I was happy to be "running" again, no longer moving along at a snail's pace.
There was another rough part at mile 12. Just flat and a diversion from the nice straight path we had been heading on toward the finish line. I just wanted to be done! I tried to pick up the pace, but for the first time felt a sudden wave of nausea. My mouth did that tight clenching kind of thing that reminded me of throwing up. So I eased back off. My legs hurt so bad.
In the last bit of the course, I was making all kinds of "I'm in pain" faces that I'm sure were entertaining for those watching. I'm sure I provoked some "Oh, she doesn't look good!" comments to be mumbled among the people lining the course. But I had to get through it. Here I eeked out a smile because I saw Greg with the camera.
As soon as I actually saw the finish "swine", I gave a tiny push using the little bit I had left. I crossed the line and was soooooooooo glad to be done!
I wish I had felt better throughout the race, but looking back, my "training" was very, very minimal. So I really don't think I could have done any better unless I had trained more. I've never hurt so bad after a race. Greg found me slooowly inching my way through Sawyer Point, trying to make my way to our meeting point. The look on his face told me that I must have been visibly wearing on my face the pain I was feeling. I sat down and stretched while Greg went to look for Daryl. He didn't find him and that meant that I had to get up and start helping to look, which was agonizing. After we did find Daryl, we slowly headed back in the direction of the car. Greg ran ahead and picked us up somewhere around where the start line was, for which I was grateful.
Here's me helping Daryl up, though he was in much better shape than I.
The finishers!
Overall, it was a fun day. The slightly wet weather had me nervous it could be a wash-out, but it was only a light drizzle in the beginning. And with the cool temperatures, it really was nice for running.
I got up at 4 to get ready. I'm getting better with my race-day OCD. I think I only retied my shoes 2 times :) We arrived downtown about 6. Daryl and I lined up at the start, and Greg took some pictures. Daryl is posing like a boss. I just look uncomfortable.
The gun (or maybe cannon?) went off, and after 6 minutes we were across the start line. I settled into a comfortable, easy pace. Perhaps I'm somewhere in the blur...
The course first goes into Kentucky over a bridge. Then back into downtown Cincinnati around the 4 mile. My breathing was easy - I was actually just breathing through my nose! That's difficult for me to do sometimes just sitting at my desk, thanks to my allergies, so I was impressed. I felt great and happy that it was so easy so far. This photo is from the website and was taken by Michael E. Anderson. I'm in it- how crazy is that!
Coming out of downtown, there is a climb. A long climb. I completely forgot how severe this hill was. It is long and quite steep in some parts. It killed me and my legs. After that I thought, well I'll make up my pace on the downhill at the end. Nice plan, but the hill really took a lot out of me. I had taken a piece of candy from a woman near the end of the huge hill section. It was one of those orange slice gummies.
I was really hoping for a boost, but all it did was give me bits of gummy to pick out of my teeth with my tongue for a couple of miles. Not distracting enough.
I somewhat recovered through miles 7 - 8 - 9, but I was really beginning to hurt. This was the beginning of my mental downfall. I was really tired. I really wanted to lay down on the grass. I kept trying to tell myself only 4 more miles, but I didn't feel like running 4 more miles.
When the race took the turn onto Gilbert (going the right way down Gilbert...downhill), I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I relaxed and smoothed out my stride, letting the hill take me down it pretty quickly. Making up time didn't really seem possible anymore since I had slowed down so much. But I was happy to be "running" again, no longer moving along at a snail's pace.
There was another rough part at mile 12. Just flat and a diversion from the nice straight path we had been heading on toward the finish line. I just wanted to be done! I tried to pick up the pace, but for the first time felt a sudden wave of nausea. My mouth did that tight clenching kind of thing that reminded me of throwing up. So I eased back off. My legs hurt so bad.
In the last bit of the course, I was making all kinds of "I'm in pain" faces that I'm sure were entertaining for those watching. I'm sure I provoked some "Oh, she doesn't look good!" comments to be mumbled among the people lining the course. But I had to get through it. Here I eeked out a smile because I saw Greg with the camera.
As soon as I actually saw the finish "swine", I gave a tiny push using the little bit I had left. I crossed the line and was soooooooooo glad to be done!
I wish I had felt better throughout the race, but looking back, my "training" was very, very minimal. So I really don't think I could have done any better unless I had trained more. I've never hurt so bad after a race. Greg found me slooowly inching my way through Sawyer Point, trying to make my way to our meeting point. The look on his face told me that I must have been visibly wearing on my face the pain I was feeling. I sat down and stretched while Greg went to look for Daryl. He didn't find him and that meant that I had to get up and start helping to look, which was agonizing. After we did find Daryl, we slowly headed back in the direction of the car. Greg ran ahead and picked us up somewhere around where the start line was, for which I was grateful.
Here's me helping Daryl up, though he was in much better shape than I.
The finishers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)