Another 7 miles in Prospect Park this morning, and I couldn’t be looking more forward to my upcoming change of venue. I ran late enough this morning that there were cars in the park… don’t think I’ll do that again. It totally freaks me out, and, on top of that, the morning drivers seem a bit more preoccupied with getting to where they’re going than those in the early evenings.
The run itself was ok; a little slow, but consistent. Slowest mile (8:35) was right smack in the middle. I felt pretty good, and had no trouble getting up, but the run was a bit of a drag, possibly because of what I listened to. This week’s This American Life was both a rerun and a bummer (though a great story) and just didn’t get me motivated. I actually remember listening to it before running the exact same route a couple of years ago. This is why I’ve been concentrating on making mixes and playlists and things, it really does make a difference for me.
On that note, I have to recommend the new pay-what-you-want Girl Talk album, Feed The Animals. It’s a hyper-ADD mix of bits and pieces of all sorts of songs. I’m not really a fan of mash-ups, but this album is perfect for exercising… I strongly recommend it to Beth for her spinning classes (at least the ones that don’t mind some dirty words). It’s this album (and specifically the masterful sampling of VU’s “Sunday Morning”) that really got me through the muggy run Sunday evening. It’s an album that keeps you listening for what’s next– great for running, but perhaps a little too distracting for real life. We’ll see.
Oh, and happy birthday, Bethy! I wish I was there to celebrate with you.
Next run, and probably next report, will be from sunny Southern California. I’ve got another 7 to finish up this week, then it’s on to week one of my NYC Marathon training.
Embarked on my 21-mile week last night at 7:45. We had an early evening storm, so I went to a 90 minute yoga class before I ran, counting on the rain to cool things down. All it did was make it unbearably humid. My 7 miles were sluggish, but pretty unremarkable otherwise. Probably as much due to the North Carolina overload we engaged in at the Birds of Avalon/Polvo show the night before as much as the weather. I took it pretty easy, but still managed to nearly reach my heart-rate ceiling. My splits were pretty consistent. My lower legs were a bit weak for the rest of the evening, and kinda sore when I woke up this morning.
Luckily I ran into Kelly before she left the park so I could change my pizza order for dinner. The Grandma and Sicilian slices she brought me were exactly what I needed.
Finished a 7-miler yesterday evening just in time to meet Kelly for a picnic and the Metropolitan Opera in Prospect Park. Split-wise, it was an interesting run; I don’t know that I’ve ever had a non-race run with 2 sub-7-minute miles. Mile 2, which I thought I was running at about 8:30 pace, was actually 6:55– a testament to how good I’ve been feeling lately, I guess. I also had a 6:55 mile at mile six, thanks to an anonymous stranger.
Somewhere during mile 5 I heard a weird sound, and turned to see a kid on a little training bike careening toward me and a guy close on my tail. Usually, the few people who pass me totally smoke me, but I eventually heard this guy’s steps steady behind me. Once there was room (lots of walkers on the path due to the opera) he caught me, and we kept pace with one another, non competitively, for the next mile and a half or so. It was great. He really kept me going. About halfway into mile 6, right at the base of the hill, he chirped “thanks!” and headed off out of the park. I’ve never really run with anyone before, but it was really nice to have someone keeping me honest through the part of the run I’d likely have slacked on were I alone.
This was one of those moments where I felt like an actual real runner, which is rare. Nathaniel mentions being treated badly at running stores until he reached a certain level of fitness and running acumen, and I’ve experienced the same thing. I guess this was a more positive one of those moments.
That’s my plan for building from my post-marathon week off toward starting my training, in 2 weeks for NYC. I’m in the middle of my 19 week; running 7 tonight or tomorrow to make the target. Part of my 21 miles next week will be in Southern California!
Two of my other runs this week were on the awesome Charlotte Greenway, in different directions. Nathaniel wanted to see them, so here they are:
I didn’t get temps for the Charlotte runs, but it was hot as hell. The last two of those I ran with my new shoes, some Brooks Adrenalines, and some new Injinji toe-socks. I’m a big fan of both now (sorry New Balance 992s and Target socks– I still got much love for you).
The folks at Run For Your Life were really helpful and taught me a lot about shoes. This pair is much, much lighter, and are only giving me support where I need it. & the socks are keeping my jacked-up toes from tearing one another apart. I went back and picked up a few more pairs before leaving Charlotte.
One last 4 mile run to post before I leave for Charlotte to see my peeps. I’m looking forward to some great southern food, some cheerwine, and hopeful, my first 5+ mile run since the ‘thon. Also, though she doesn’t know it, I’m gonna bug Beth to take me to Run For Your Life to pick up some new kicks. I’ve been running in NB 992s for years, and feel I might benefit from a change– something a little lighter, hopefully (not that there aren’t other reasons!). I currently use some posted heel orthotics, and I’m interested to see if the gait analysis will set me free from those. They’re an extry $60 a year or so.
I’m also working out some changes for this site; I’ve upgraded Wordpress (for the first time since 2004!) and figure I might as well give things an overhaul and play with some of the new features and add-ons.
So, I’m off to Charlotte in the morning, returning Monday night. Sadly, I’m going to miss Beth’s spinning class, which is probably for the best, so she won’t work me to death out of sibling competition.
I waited until the evening to run on Monday, but I should have just bit the bullet and gotten up while it was still dark. I ran another semi-easy four, made a bit harder by the fact that it was 90 degrees outside. Felt ok, but my shins are still a little achey… I’m hoping this isn’t another bout of early training shin splints, but I think I’m just to sensitive to it after last year.
After reading the article about music in this month’s Runner’s World, I also decided to make Monday’s run my first in ages with no headphones. Learning to go the distance without my iPod was actually one of my New Year’s Resolutions this year, and here I am in June giving it a shot for the first time. It wasn’t bad at all, but I did miss the motivation effects of my jams. Also, I found it harder to keep my mind from wandering. They say that it allows you to listen to your body more, but the music my body makes is not very interesting. Like a too-long Stooges song with no guitars. I just feel like I should be able to operate in no-headphones mode because I’m sure there’s a race in my future where they’re prohibited. I think it’s just elitism, mainly, that has race planners against them. I heard someone seemingly in charge at Buffalo refer to the slower runners as “iPod people,” intended as an insult, complete with eye-roll. I don’t want to get on a rant about this, but I’ve seen waaaay more dangerous stuff than iPods going on in races including dogs and strollers (even in races that were iPod-unfriendly). I think planners should focus on making their courses safer, and I was glad to see that some planners are looking at things this way.
Yoga-wise, I had a great day Sunday, and held my longest no-wall headstand ever.
My plan was to do about 50% of my normal mileage this week, so my 4 milers on Wednesday and Friday filled that out for me. I was a little sluggish on Friday, after the Katrina Benefit (feat. Neko case!) we went to Thursday night, a long day at work, and an incredibly heavy diner lunch. My shins have been a little sore, so I’m taking it easy today. Standing and sweating at the Belmont Stakes all day yesterday took it out of me as well. I may go to a yoga class tonight, though, just to stay streched out.
I went to 2 spinning classes this week, and realized, with the help of my heart rate monitor, that I never really my blood pumping on the bike as much as I do running. I had always thought it was the other way around, but apparently it’s all in my head. I usually top out at near 181 or so on my runs, and I’m lucky if I get to 161 on the bike. Strange.
I counted out the weeks to the NYC Marathon, and it looks like I’ll be starting the Hal Higdon program during the first week of July. I’ll be in Southern California that week, so I should have a few nice runs before I come back to the city to run in the brutal heat. I’m thinking I’ll be getting up pretty early to avoid the sun this summer.
Ran another 4 on Sunday, this time quite a bit faster. It was about 81 degrees when I went out, which wore me out a bit, but didn’t seem to mess with my speed or breathing.
After seeing my marathon splits, I’m convinced I need to go out and figure out my PRs for various events. I’m certain that the first half of the marathon was my fastest half to date. & at the 3.2 mile mark on this run I think I probably got close to a 5K record. Funny how avoiding races for a few months causes you to lose touch with your times. Here are some PRs from my NYRR races last year. I’ll work on breaking them over the next few months. I also wan to see what I can do on an all-out mile, but I’ll save that for a cool day.
5K: I’m shocked– haven’t run an official one in at least a year.
4mi: 29:20 (Run for Central Park, July 2007)
5mi: 38:41 (WABC Fight/Prostate Cancer, July 2007)
10K: 47:34 (Healthy Kidney 10K, May 2007)
Half: 1:46:40 (Brooklyn Half, April 2007)
Marathon: 3:44:15 (2008 Buffalo Marathon)
I’m pretty sure I beat all of those records in my first 13.1 miles, but I didn’t pay too close attention. Hopefully I can beat most of them before I start my official NYC Marathon training in a few weeks.
