Week 4 2012 Running: Borderline Running Club Member #40 - 14 mile long run

Today the schedule called for a comfortable 14-15 miler.  Conveniently, the Borderline Running Club's route for which I was a RWOB (Runner without borders) included the last three borders I needed to become a member on a 14ish mile route.  I also was up for what my friend Thor calls a "social run": stories and good people.  I had done my last few runs alone and well, they were kind of lonely so I was looking forward to running with a good crowd.

The run started out bright and early which I have a love/hate relationship with.  I love being done with most of my Saturday untouched but don't like the early wake up.  My friend Hank picked me up at 6:15 to get to North Andover by 6:45 am where we were greeted by a bunch of BRC members ready to go.  A lot of them knew today I'd complete my borders and said so which was nice.  A note about the weather: yet another Saturday with highs in the 40s - I thought I'd dressed appropriately but nope, was sweating by the end - I won't lie, even though my husband is dying because we're not having a ski winter - I'm loving this mild weather!

Well, the course was brutal.  I sit here a good 6+ hours after finishing and my butt is kicked.  It was just over 7 miles out/back, water stops along the way and LOTS of rolling hills.  My friend Meg said over and over "I have no problem with hills".  Lately, I've been trying to figure out how I can like hills more.   They're critical part of training but 1) I'm not good at them and 2) I don't do well with things I'm not good at.  Nonetheless, it was nice being with a group of people for the long haul and getting the S. Andover, Middleton, and N. Reading borders to complete my 8 borders to be part of the Borderline Running Club - they're a nice group of people who like to drink beer.  Can't go wrong.

The best part: I got an even member number.  You see, the BRC (as opposed to the Goon Squad where you get quirky random names like mine, OCG - Obsessive Compulsive Gina/Goon take your pick), makes your member ID the # member you are.  TECHNICALLY - I am the 41st person to complete all of the borders.  However, knowing this ahead of time, I whined to one of the members that I really love even numbers so if there was someone else that could/would get inducted with me, I'd rather have an even number.  There is just something about odd numbers in life overall- I just don't like.  For example, I do get a minor wave of anxiety waiting to see what number bib I get for a race - I rather noticeable sense of relief washes over me when the bib number is even versus if it's odd, I'm kind of disappointed.

So at the conclusion of the run where I was to get my official BRC t-shirt, this member Matt cited a technicality that my friend Hank, who had completed his borders a few weeks earlier hadn't gotten his t-shirt that day and since I came in before him today, I actually got Member #40 and Hank, #41 (prearranged with Hank who agreed to sacrifice his true number - thanks Hank!!!).

As a side, I was dying for this run to be over today.  Just a hard training week and I'm beat! (also note to self: Jet Blackberry Gu - so gross) I got it done and also became an official member of a great group!

Total Miles run this week: ~42 miles

Week 1 of 2012 running

Just returned from the first 'long' run of 2012 (11.6 miles).  It was with the Borderline Running Club (BRC) out of Andover.  This is a great group I run with here and there (a few of them are part of the Goon Squad and others training with Fernando my coach)- I like the concept of their club (touch all the borders of Andover Massachusetts = membership) and the people that are part of their club (varying running levels and noone taking themselves too seriously).

With today's run, I got the Haverhill and the Boxford Borders which leaves me with only two borders left (North Reading and Middleton) to become a member of the BRC - it was a great run, warm for this time of year  with  new people to talk to.  It really beat the same ol' 10 milers that are close to my house (these runs are about 1/2 hour away) and this route in particular was hilly (not my favorite but ok once and awhile) with good scenery.

I can definitely feel the ramp up of training this week.  I'm sore and need to make sure I'm doing all the right stretching and core work as I ramp things up.  I've got a nagging little ache in my calf I think residual from a tibial stress syndrome I had last year but it's nothing that is inflammed or cause for concern - just more annoying!

I have also gotten back on the wagon with better eating, less beer (this won't be eliminated all together) and no more Christmas cookies calling me from the canisters in my kitchen.  Thus far, 2012 is shaping up nicely.

The Training Is On

Well, I'm here again in the midst of marathon training. My first I realize during a very hot summer - doesn't make it easy to keep the goal pace at all and as a result, I'm suffering more with the mental mind games.

The training is going well - I've got some shin/knee/per FB "attachment" issues but other than that, the miles are piling up and I feel really good. Actually, today I feel excited. Last week I was feeling like Debbie Downer, why do I do this blah blah blah blah.

Enter my Falmouth Road Race number - the best yet - F161 - puts me running elbows with my own elite Goons but then the Elites such as Meb and Sara Hall - can't beat that. It was just the shot in the arm I needed right now. On top of that, I ran with 5 other men Saturday for a nice 18 miles on a morning that the weather Gods finally threw us a bone...it was overcast, misty and for the most part cool (except it was pretty humid) - one of the best days yet for the long run. My Brewski had to sit out but his layoff this time, only for a day thank goodness.

Today I sit post a comfortable 5 miles the day before Yankee. Not sure what Yankee will bring - I hope to beat my 1:15:40 from last year but won't risk injury as I feel my body has been especially sensitive. I will head out with Enforcer and Showtime and see what happens. I'm looking forward to it.