track fan

2:24:08.  Sort of the same run as last week, but instead of a 4-5 gradual down/up hill grade in the middle I added on 4-5 miles of very steep rolling hills instead (most of them shorter than a mile uphill but very steep grades).  The last 20 mins is a pretty steep grind, and I am happy to say I felt great and kept up a very solid pace (not fast, just solid).  It was 77F and sunny -- I know many of you think that sounds good compared to the cold -- but actually I prefer the cold, especially on long runs (and when I am not really acclimated). That said, although it felt really warm, it wasn't bad, and for long runs at a slow pace it isn't that bad (not as bad as 100F that is for sure ;-)).

So, a good friend of mine from Nashville ran the Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race last year, and won the masters race (it is a 18, 22, 20 mile race over 3 days)  and wants me to run it with her this year - in June.  Normally, I would tell her, "I am too young to start ultrarunning" -- but, since I am hoping to run a competitive 50K for my birthday, it might be a fun way to get used to difficult trail runs ... so, I am actually thinking about this year.  My motivation for todays very hilly run was .... I could run this pace for a long time, lets practice that ;-).  My main concern about changing gears - from short(er)/faster races is that I am still actually getting faster and I don't want to lose that edge while I am so close to running a 3:20 or faster marathon ... but on the other hand, if I can stay healthy, I still might be able to run a pretty solid marathon next spring even after doing these two races (the 60 mile stage race and then a 50K).  So, I am mulling it over ... and it sounds kind of fun.

Lot's of really good track this weekend, the USATF indoor championships (getting ready for the World Championships) and NCAA regional championships - where collegiate athletes qualify for the NCAA indoor champs in a couple weeks.  Good to see Arizona get 2nd in the Mountain Pacific ... Lawi Lalang won the 3K and Arizona for a new meet record by 7 seconds!  Julie Labonte (also of U of A) got a new shot put meet record.  It was a great meet!

I hope you all have a great rest of the weekend! 

AM: (8+ miles, 1:06:39).   23:38wu/22:59cd + 10 x 1` w/1` recovery.  Ahhhh ... found a great, hilly, dirt road.  Good to be running hard(er) again!  

PM: easy 4.

Had to rush to work today, it was my day to give lab meeting and I regaled them with my "new" talk: "Incorporating Biomarkers into Clinical Trials".   This is my second "test case" for this talk - which is an evolutionary process - the first were the biostatistics grad students, and now a bunch of cancer biologists/cellular and molecular biologists/biochemists.   Except for the lab director (who slept through most of it) - I could tell they were enthralled (not ;-)).

I hope you are all doing well!!  Happy trails! 

1:06:47.   Nice run in the early morning -- not the 4AM kind of morning, but more the 7AM kind ;-).

Went up to see John to get some laser treatment on my foot ... ouch.  Feel much better though.  He assigned me some back exercises.  He also reminded me that I am getting old, and told me he is worried about bone loss.  Yea, get in line buddy, everyone is worried about some or another body part these days.  I tell you bloggers, my 40s were a breeze, this 50s is not so easy ;-).  Was very excited to run into Alicia Shay (nee Craig) at John's I am so excited -- I think she may be healthy enough to run in the trials in June!!  She is such an amazing athlete it would be really cool to see her competing again!

Happy Leap Day! 

AM: (9 miles, 1:17:44).  Interesting.  I ran about 6.5 miles easy and then ran the last 20` at MP.  I ran this same "workout" last September, and the last 20` this time was near 15 secs slower (bummer), BUT, the overall run was faster by over a minute.  So, I guess I am happy ;-).  

I am still working on getting my eating back up to speed.  I kind of like that I have lost weight (I am still down about 8 lbs) - but I am still trying to get my nutrition worked out.  One of the things my doctor said was *don't skip meals* - and I try hard not to, but somehow two times this week I was not able to eat lunch until 3PM - which meant, of course, that I did not really eat dinner.  It is not really my fault, both days I quite literally had meetings for 6 hours straight and it just wasn't feasible to eat.  I think I just need to try to schedule things a little better.  Anyway - I am just happy to be feeling better!!  I am eliminating wheat gluten from my diet for the next couple of weeks, to see if this helps.  Alicia Shay and I were talking yesterday and she said that true blue celiac disease runs in her family, along with gluten sensitivity, and many of her family had similar problems to mine.   The problem, for me, is that being a vegetarian makes it difficult to ensure that I get enough protein and other things that are often in foods with high wheat gluten content.  The "gluten-free" stuff in stores is really not always that healthy, so I really believe that natural (not processed) alternatives are "best".  The problem is that we are so busy that planning meals (and, obviously finding time to eat them ;-) ) is not really that easy.  

PM: easy 4.

Happy March, bloggers!! 

somewhere between 7 and 7.5 ... I just enjoyed the day.  1:04:02.  My hips hurt like a sommagun.  Not from running, but from the side planks and "superman" back exercises that John has me doing.  Can feel it in my obliques, and hips -- but I guess in a 'good' way!  I have been doing quite a few ab exercises for a few months now, so planks are pretty easy (though they are not the exercise I have been doing) -- but whooeee is my back weak.

Happy Friday bloggers, have two projects I have to finish today - I am really hoping to be able to take a whole day off this weekend (both days would be too much to ask, but one day?? I certainly hope so!). 

AM: (8 miles, 1:13:13).  Easy run, nice and warm.  Brought carrots for Big Boy and CoCo.

PM: 4 easy.

Busy day -- but can't concentrate for lack of hearing about allie's race!  I was so depressed this morning, both because I was not able to race and because I was not able to spend time with allie.  BUT, I know she knows that I was with her in spirit!  Now I wish I knew how she did!!!

Happy Saturday bloggers, run far, run fun.