Ok, maybe running doesn't suck. Running in Virginia in the summer sucks. Yeah, that's more accurate. After a June of lots of rain and lower than average temps, suddenly summer has arrived in Virginia. Highs in the high 80s, low 90s. Humidity at 80-90%. Dew Points higher than 70*. It's like running in soup. I don't run well in soup. I have difficulty breathing. I can't cool down. My heart rate sky rockets. (And, yes, all of this is normal, according to Runners World). So, how am I surviving it? (My usual answer would be the treadmill, but mine needs repair. Boo.) Running slower - I've been leaving Garmin at home so I don't feel bad about how slow I am. Running shorter - 30-45 minutes is max these days Taking … [Read more...]
Five Things Friday
1. I've decided I'm going to carry my larger water bottle on Sunday since there are 6 miles between Aid Station #1 and Aid Station#2. I've only run with it twice (last night and this morning) and it's a bit heavy, but comfortable. I figure if my arm gets tired, I'll just drink the contents LOL. Win/Win! 2.You know what's really sexy? Black Running Socks. Know what's even sexier? Black running socks with shorts. On a 75* day. (Yes, I am leaning against the wall. I was feeling a little lightheaded from running in the heat without eating breakfast. 3. I only have one tab of the Nuun Cherry Limeade left. I'm saving it for the race to make sure I drink enough. You know you have an addiction when... 4. We are considering … [Read more...]
Three Things Thursday
I'm sure someday soon I'll actually have a coherent post. Today is not that day. Between end of school activities, trying to wrap up all my client work to go off the grid for a week (Ack!), and my usual day to day stuff, I can't seem to keep a single thought in my head for more than a few minutes. I've been relying heavily on jotting notes, which would work great if I then didn't immediately throw the notes away in a cleaning frenzy. 1. I took the boys to the pool for the first time yesterday. Some random observations: Other women are obviously more comfortable with their bodies than I am. Nearly every woman there had on a bikini, regardless of age or size. Athleta Gotta Have it Run Shorts really work well as a swim suit … [Read more...]
Isn’t that the way?
The heat here lately has been sucking all of my motivation to run long or run fast. I've been all about the short runs at a 10+ minute pace. Knowing today was going to be 78 degrees at 6:30 am and 80 degrees at 8:00 am, I wasn't particularly motivated to get up and out early. It was going to suck either way. Knowing I only needed 6 miles to hit my 20 for the week and knowing that I had two days to get the miles in didn't particularly motivate me either. I finally headed out at around 8:15, knowing I needed to be back by a few minutes to 9, I planned 3 easy miles. Mile 1 - 9:29 and it didn't suck. Hmm, mile 2 - 9:36 and it still felt pretty good. Mile 3 - 9:21, ok, that felt a little too fast. Mile 4 - 9:42. Crap, I'm feeling … [Read more...]
GU Recovery Brew Review and some heat training
GU Recovery Brew There were a few packages of Recovery Brew in the lovely package* I received a few weeks ago. I've now had both flavors after long runs, with one long run in between where I didn't use it. The verdict: It seems to make a difference, but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to get it. I tried the Orange Pineapple a few weeks ago after my 19 mile run. I didn't love the taste, but I managed to get most of it down. It didn't bother my stomach at all and seemed to give me some energy afterwards, but I didn't feel like it was anything spectacular. Last week I drank the Strawberry Watermelon flavor after my 20 mile run. Now this is a flavor I can get behind. I really liked it and had no trouble drinking the whole thing. I … [Read more...]
I am SO over summer (even though I’ve found more shorts)
Today was another hot and humid day here in the south. When the boys and I met up with friends for a walk to the playground at 8:30am this morning, it was already uncomfortable. We walked to the playground, hung out there for a while, walked to Whole Foods and Barnes and Noble (Jones has been reading Harry Potter, so I promised him the second movie) and then walked home. It was a total of 2.5 miles of walking and by the time we got home it was over 90 degrees. Needless to say, we didn't do much else outside today. I'm having a really hard time hitting 20 miles each week since August started. First, we were on vacation for a week. Then we got home and got hit with ridiculously hot weather. Now, both boys are home (no camps) and it's hot … [Read more...]
GW Parkway 10 miler race report
Short story: I finished in 1:31:03 and PR'd by at least three minutes. I was around 1400 out of 4000 runners and finished in the top 25% for women and for my age group. The rest of the story: The GW Parkway race begins at Mount Vernon and ends in Old Town Alexandria. Like many point to point races, this means a shuttle. I got up at 5 am in order to leave the house by 6 for an 8 o'clock race. I was already tired (Jones woke up twice and Shoo wet the bed 5 minutes before my alarm went off) and in a fragile emotional state (due to the death of our friend), so when I realized how hot it was going to be, I seriously considered going back to bed. Instead, I took a quick shower, coated myself in sunblock, and had a peanut butter … [Read more...]
