Hills for breakfast, hold the gnats

December 25, 2024

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Location:

Snoqualmie,WA,

Member Since:

Jan 31, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Marathon PR: 4:17 at Portland Marathon, Oct. 2007

5K PR 24:37 2009

10K PR 52:58 2010

Have run 22 marathons to date.

No injuries, ever. :)

Short-Term Running Goals:

Qualify for Boston (4:05 for my age/gender) - or, perhaps, to use my desire for a BQ as a way to get in the hated speed work so I don't just get slower and slower over the years. This goal is "under (re)construction" right now, until I figure out whether it is truly what I want. :)

Long-Term Running Goals:

To continue learning about myself and about running, and to enjoy being a fit, happy runner for life. To always know why I am running and the best way to get the most (both mentally and physically) out of my runs. To keep a sense of humor and remain optimistic about myself as a runner. To enjoy running more and more with every passing year.

Personal:

Baby boomer generation. Jogged a little in my 20's and 30's. Started running seriously in 2002. Low-carb runner since January 2010.

I love long runs and cold, cloudy weather. I don't believe in "junk miles." I am an optimist. I adore dark chocolate, fog, my family, and knitting -- not necessarily in that order.

"As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are." -- Joan Benoit Samuelson

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00
Brooks ST3 Lifetime Miles:						891.35
Vibram Five Fingers KSO Lifetime Miles:						23.77
Brooks ST3 II Lifetime Miles:						965.17
Lunaracers II Lifetime Miles:						198.23
Mizuno Wave Universe 3 Lifetime Miles:						104.14
Asics Piranha Lifetime Miles:						536.83
RunAmocs (Softstar) Lifetime Miles:						16.23
Piranha II Lifetime Miles:						219.53

Sun, Apr 26, 2009

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
7.32	5.00	0.00	0.00	12.32

Objective: 6 easy, 5MP effort level on hills, 1+ cool down (14:08, 11:23, 10:41, 10:36, 11:01, 11:04 // 10:17, 9:14, 9:46, 9:55, 9:34 // 9:50, 11:19)

8AM: 38F rising to 45F, wind 10 mph, mostly cloudy w/ sun breaks

It was a bit of a weird run. First I had a false start, when I got about 25 yards and realised the brand new running skirt I was testing would not work out. I just hope I can get my money back; although I removed the tags, I did not sweat on it. lol It is an awesome skirt for distance running, with cool pockets all across the back, but the under-shorts rode up on me. I guess that 14 minute mile came from all the walking. If I cannot get my money back, anyone want to buy it? It will work well for someone who has less, um, "curve" in her thighs. Size is medium (waist 27-29").

Weirdness continued as I seemed to have boundless energy during the easy 6 (had to constantly remind myself to hold back), and not nearly enough energy during the 5 MP. The first "fast" mile unfortunately began with a half mile of up hill climb, and by the end of the mile I was going anaerobic to get the pace right. That is not something I can do for 4+ hours.

After fretting over my pace for about 10 minutes I decided to stop Garmin Gazing and only go by feel. Much happier. And considering the hills and the wind, the paces are not too bad. They are also (mostly) not BQ pace, which is 9:20.

We'll see how the rest of the taper leaves me feeling, but at this point I am not setting my sights on a BQ in Eugene. Not specifically anyway. In my mind there is a big difference between hoping and planning. I am going to keep my effort at the aerobic level I was today, try not to look at my watch, keep good form, and enjoy the ride. I plan to run my first mile somewhat easily (~10:00), and when I get to around mile 23 I hope to push as hard as I can. With 7 days to go, that's the plan. :D

ETA: Veggie challenge report... Friday 3 out of 4 (missed the snack), Saturday - successful.

Triax 12 II Miles: 12.32

Comments

From Bonnie on Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 14:58:45 from 71.210.125.219

Sno ... I like the "going by feel" part, and I am glad it felt good. I would not give up on the BQ, I would just try really hard not to 'watch gaze'. I think you have a really good race in you, but I think you (like me - so I can say this) are over-thinking it right now. You have so much experience with the distance that you just need to relax and judge how you feel and how much longer you have to run (during the race) and I bet you will surprise yourself.

When are you arriving in Eugene? We are getting in on Thursday night - I was planning on going to the expo on Friday and just relaxing on Saturday ... if you guys get in on Friday we should go to dinner -- my 2nd cousin lives in Eugene too (she is a lovely young lady who is graduating from Oregon this spring).

Have a great week!

From Snoqualmie on Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 15:37:50 from 67.171.56.164

PM'ing you on the Eugene details! How exciting...

From nicole on Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 18:05:54 from 70.6.62.62

yippee for last long run! I am so excited for you and will be waiting impatiently by the computer next weekend! you will dominate! also, I also always have trouble with those spandex shorts riding up, they don't seem to make them for my body type. good luck this week!

From Carolyn in Colorado on Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 18:51:53 from 71.229.164.25

Great pace on the MP part, especially given a half mile of uphill. That sounds like a killer.

Too bad the skirt didn't work out for you.

I like your phrase "Garmin Gazing." I'm often guilty of it. On my long run yesterday, I would only let myself look at it whenever a song ended (I was listening to my mp3 player), when I passed a mile marker, or when it beeped at me.

I agree with Bonnie that you shouldn't give up on BQing at Eugene. Just don't make it the be all and end all. Have a good time and if you're feeling good, go for it. I think you've got it in you.

I've been thinking about whether I would actually go to Boston if and when I actually BQ. I've decided that if you BQ and I BQ this year and you're going to Boston, then I'll go.

It's great that you and Bonnie are meeting up. I really need to meet both of you some time.

From snoqualmie on Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 20:38:54 from 67.171.56.164

Carolyn, I have two more shots at BQ'g this year: I am signed up for Seattle Rock n Roll in June (just for fun, bcz it's right on the heels of Eugene, but you never know), and ??? marathon in the fall, probably Billings or Bellingham WA or some other. Nice to know I have time to pick. Anyhow, it seems like I should be able to get my 4:05 in 2009. So yes, come to Boston you speedy thing!

Boston has so many attractions for me. One of these days when I'm feeling like I want to wallow in it (or celebrate? ), I will blog about that.

Nicole, thanks for your encouragement!

From jefferey on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 01:10:41 from 67.171.56.220

Sno, What's the course like in Eugene? Any hills? Cuz if there are...you're in the money. If not, you are still there from all the hard work on the hills here. I think you are going to surprise yourself with the energy left from whipping up on Old Man Winter...

From Snoqualmie on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 08:18:46 from 67.171.56.164

Thanks so much, Jeff. I'm definitely lovin' the words of encouragement these days. Taper madness nightmares have begun; trying to stay calm. Eugene is relatively flat, though I have learned that no race websites are really to be trusted. :)

From april27 on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 09:49:07 from 99.188.251.180

I think when I stress about time on a run is when I start having phantom pains and when I start sort of freaking out and having self doubt...sooo relax and have fun at Eugene...You will make it to Boston but you should have fun along the way.

The fear of "Garmin Gazing" I think has kept me from getting one...When I had the Nike + I was always looking at it....so I have gone back to my old method of bringing my phone with and I just get the average pace for the run and judge myself at the end of a run instead of during.

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