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 3: Snowy Long Run

When I decided I wouldn't run Boston 2012, I thought I could 'take it easy' through the winter and get runs in when I could but not stress over them.  So far that's not really been the case.  Take this weekend - I had 14 miles to do with speed.  I also had to go to New Jersey for my Goddaughters birthday party - oh and we were expected the most 'significant' snow accumulation thus far for this winter of about 5-7 inches.

After a lot of deliberating, my husband and I decided to trek down to New Jersey and do our long run down there.  I was kind of happy for the new scenery but kind of paranoid of where we'd actually do the run.  My friend lives off of a death trap of a road so that isn't an option.  There is a GREAT path that leads to another park but given the forecast, I didn't think that was a possibility.  My husband said that regardless we'd do the run so although I was dreading what I'd wake up to, I felt a bit more at ease.

We got to NJ very late and at that time - it really didn't look like it was going to snow and I felt even better that the path was going to be a viable option and all of my stressing would be for nothing (this is a typical pattern for me).  Well, yeah, kinda sorta.  We woke up and there was plenty of snow - I was concerned.  I was even more concerned once we got outside and saw just how much the roads were not treated/plowed.  Awesome.

I wasn't going to pay to go to a gym to do these 14 miles on the treadmill - I cannot stomach the treadmill nevermind paying extra money to do so.  This run was being done outside and heck, we headed to the path.

It was great at first - it actually looked plowed and so we started on our way and I was actually having fun - I love being able to enjoy the outdoors in the winter.  We hit another section of the path and well, that wasn't so plowed and by this time we were tredging through about 5 inches of snow (see pic).  Still having fun, we stopped and took a few photos.  It's a really peaceful path and again, just great to be outdoors.

This path was about 2.5 miles long - good for 5 miles back/forth but not quite the 14 I was looking for and speed- yeah- that wasn't happening.  The path took us to a park (I had done this same thing before). The park was 2 miles around and miraculously being plowed (mind you again, the roads were not plowed but the park was being plowed - makes no sense but good for me!).

We circled the park twice and well in the middle of that - the exhaustion of running through the snow really started to hit.  Wow, what a work out but man, I was exhausted.  I also didn't happen to sleep the night before so I was really hurting.

My husband and I agreed (well, I have to be forced into agreeing to cut miles no matter what) that if we could get 10 miles in then we were good - these conditions were just less than ideal.  Furthermore, the weather was changing to a frozen rain and well, it hurt.

We ended up circling the park twice and then heading back to my friends house.  An adventure for sure.  My hips/legs were aching last night even beyond what ibuprofen could help with but this is winter running isn't it.

If the intention was to kiss my a$$, it worked

Last night's track workout was a 'good' one ('good' meaning I know it is helping to whack me into shape - not to suggest I enjoyed it).  We had 10 60 second hill repeats followed by 6 2:30 progressive pick ups.

After 10 hill repeats I envisioned I wouldn't be able to muster these progressive pick ups but just like all of FB's other workouts, I was in fact able to do the entire workout.  The best thing about speed work is doing it at the Cove with the Going the Distance running friends - doing these workouts alone can be downright torturous but having someone share and motivate you through these workouts is invaluable.

I know last night pushed me more towards where I ultimately want to be.

Week 2 of 2012 running: easing into the norm

Week 2 for sure was a better week. It's really interesting to me even when I think I'm 'resting' i.e. no speed, running about 4-5 days a week and tossing in a 5K here and there, just how 'out of shape' I get.  It's fine, I know that I need to ease off the really intense training at various times during the year, but it's funny how despite still running, your body acclimates to a less intense regimen.

This week, some lower back pain eased up, some aches reappeared in my calf - yes, things are ramping up!  It feels good though, my body is starting to feel like it's snapping back to 'normal' and I'm excited about the return to the normal routine.  I'm not excited about how cold it has become - did my 6 miles today @ 15 degree F - my legs were so red that I had what looked like a sunburn! Gotta love the winter training.......so much for skiing this winter instead of running.

Total Miles This Week: 39 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.

Plans for 2012

With the start of the new year approaching, I've started thinking about goal races.  I'm already signed up and accepted to the NYC Half Marathon and I'm really looking forward to this.   I loved the NYC marathon and am looking forward to covering some of that course again with the half.  It also beats doing the New Bedford Half- not one of my favorite courses - on the same day :)

After some 'down' time this and last month - my body is in fairly good shape.  I have some tightness in my left calf and need to really get back to being more diligent with my corework but I think overall, I'm ready to go for the spring racing season.  Most importantly, I think my mind is recovered from a fairly roller coaster year when it came to running having dealt with a substantial injury and returning from that.

I officially signed back up with Fernando to start getting my weekly schedules again and I'm excited about it and excited to focus on running again.  I'm also happy to get myself to stop snacking on all the good treats that are still lingering in the house - especially the yummy frosted anise drop cookies!

In anticipation that this year with be another big year for marathon running, I asked Fernando what my best bet was for a fall marathon or if I should even been thinking of a fall marathon at this point.  I threw out either Chicago or NYC again.  I love both of these marathons but clearly NYC is a bit more convenient.  Fernando (FB) suggested and I agree that signed up for Chicago is my best bet in an effort to come up with what I hope would be a new PR.  I'm excited to have this long term goal and to really see where I can take my running this year.

I need to remember to do all the little things though to take care of my body so it doesn't desert me during the journey.  Bottom line, I'm excited to get the 2012 running party started!

Returning to Blog Again: Summary of Running in 2011

I was reminded of this blog today and realized I hadn't written anything this entire year.

Where to begin?  Well, I learned a big running lesson this year and that's to respect my body.

2011 began training for the 115th Boston Marathon, my third Boston and last - for awhile anyway.  I had a really good training for Boston last year despite the excessive amount of snow we had.  So when April rolled around I was really excited for Boston.  I knew I was going to have a great race.

However, Day 1 into the taper week, I started feeling some tightness in my left lower calf.  I blew it off as taper madness but it didn't seem to improve as the week wore on and Boston race day rapidly approached.  Being who I am, there wasn't anything that would stop me from running that race given I had qualified to get in with my current PR of 3:11:40, I got my under 10K race number and I was just euphoric with the vibe that comes from running this race.

Well, race day arrived and this tightness did not go away.  As a matter of fact, I felt pain for the entire race but foolishly, I did not stop despite seeing many medical tents along the way.  Miraculously, I earned myself a 3:16:56, a tibial stress syndrome and 10 unwelcomed weeks off from running.  I had never been so severely injured - never to the point where I couldn't even hop on one leg, nevermind run.

Well my husband earned his angel halo during those 10 weeks, I became reacquainted with my gym on the bike and elliptical and I learned that when something hurts, I must let it recover properly.    The remainder of my summer (the 10 weeks took me into June) was really getting back to where I had been pre-injury.

I had already decided to take a break from the marathons at this point (good timing).  So my focus was the Mohawk Hudson River Half Marathon in October.  I trained very hard for this race as, despite my injury, was looking to shave almost 3 minutes (sub-1:30) off of my prior half marathon PR (1:32:34).  The weather wasn't in our favor this day (80+ in early October), but I am proud to say that I was able to run a 1:30:37 (if only I could have found those 38 seconds!), a new half marathon PR.

Since October, I've run some fun, social races but really, looking back at 2011, this was a learning and recovery year.  I'm hoping that 2012 bring new, fun challenges at different distances.  Currently, I'm running but "resting" i.e. no intense speed workouts.  This will all change starting on January 2nd when I return to my regularly scheduled training with Coach Braz.  Happy Running to all in 2012!