Hills for breakfast, hold the gnats

November 16, 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

Sat, Jun 13, 2009

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
16.10	4.50	0.00	0.00	20.60

Low 50s & cloudy, changing to low 60s and sunny. North wind. Endurance run + club run + Spirit Crusher Hill + 4.5 miles @ MP+20 down to MP before cool down.

Every now and then a run just shines for some reason. That was today. Legs felt great. Energy, great. Magic Shoes, great.

I ran about 7 miles around the neighborhood and down to the meeting place before the club run. I only ended up running with the club for about a mile, because I was determined not to run on gravel today. It probably would have been ok, but I had a plan and wanted to stick with it. No one wanted to run on the streets with me, so I just went as far as the trail head with them.

There were no runners who said they would like to run at 11:00 pace (my choice), and a big group who did want to run at 10:00. So I tucked in with them, thinking I'd just get left behind in a bit, and that would be fine since I wasn't going where they were going. How long do you suppose it will take me to figure out that people don't say what pace they really want, or maybe that they don't know their pace? We were at 10:40-10:50 the whole time I ran with them. lol

I came back through town on my own and hit the bottom of Spirit Crusher Hill at mile 11.5 That was the strongest run up that hill I have ever done! I stopped once at the drinking fountain about 2/3 of the way up, and other than that I ran steady. The worst of the hill comes at the last .5 miles and my pace was reduced to around 14:00 but I didn't stop, didn't feel overwhelmed, and didn't break down physically or mentally even a little bit. Yay!

But it gets even better. At about mile 16 I had been back in the 'hood for a while and decided to finish with a route going out to the Heights, where Jefferey lives. Things were still feeling pretty good, so I decided right there and then to run that part with more effort. Each mile got faster than the last! That hasn't happened to me since... um... I'll get back to you on that.

I let my last mile be easy, but even then I felt really good and my form was still in check. Today was as good as last week was awful. I sure appreciate the confidence booster.

I'll be back on the blog later today to leave comments for all my dear friends. Right now I'm late for showering so I can get going to my Knit-in Public event. Today is World Wide Knit In Public Day! Totally crazy, I know. But there is a K.I.P just up the road at my library, so DD and I are going.

Brooks ST3 Miles: 20.60

Comments

From JD on Sat, Jun 13, 2009 at 14:29:54 from 64.65.159.206

Awesome running today, and great mileage this week! Whew!

I never knit in public...I'm modest like that. LOL!!

From Bonnie on Sat, Jun 13, 2009 at 15:32:13 from 75.164.110.212

Wide World Knit in Public Day?? wow, who knew!! WWKIMPD ...

Great run Sno!

From auntieem on Sat, Jun 13, 2009 at 16:32:32 from 67.182.145.8

I am sooo happy for you! I wish I could have been in your shoes, or maybe in my shoes running beside you. Be very happy about that run. Especially the spirit crusher hill part.

My run was really good today too; see my blog; if I can do that pace on Seattle R&R I'll be smilin'!

Thanks for the reminder to knit in public. I wonder if floaty boat on the lake counts as "public".

From Carolyn in Colorado on Sat, Jun 13, 2009 at 18:49:51 from 71.229.164.25

I'm so glad you had a great run! I knew you had it in you. Way to conquer the Spirit Crusher Hill.

Knit in public, eh. We quilters don't try to quilt in public, to my knowledge. Quilting gear isn't as portable as knitting, I suppose. It really bites that you can't take knitting needles on an airplane and knit while you wait in the airport or on the plane (at least I assume that you can't). I was thinking about that the other day for some reason.

From Snoqualmie on Sat, Jun 13, 2009 at 20:23:33 from 67.171.56.164

JD - Your secret is safe with us.

Bonnie - I give up. ... KIMPD? I am so tired now (5pm) that all I can think of is knit in my pajamas day.

Carolyn - Yes, knitting in airports and on planes is ok in the US and Canada, hit and miss in other countries. Mexico will confiscate your needles. We knitters are a pretty dangerous bunch you know.

A - Floatie boats count. ;)

From Metcalf Running on Sat, Jun 13, 2009 at 21:53:04 from 97.126.140.236

WOW Sno, so glad you had such a good run... gives me hope that I might come around soon.

From Snoqualmie Ridge Runner on Sun, Jun 14, 2009 at 01:16:03 from 67.171.56.220

Wait...What? Where is the drinking fountain 2/3 the way up spirit crusher/dream stealer hill? Sounds like you are starting to own the hills! I like the sound of that!!! Lot of miles today...keep yourself under control on Sunday OK :-)

From Snoqualmie on Sun, Jun 14, 2009 at 11:07:20 from 67.171.56.164

Yes! It's in that little park with the basketball court (or is it tennis?), on the east side of the Parkway. You can also opt for the trail in the woods at that point if you want to get out of the sun. I didn't feel comfortable in there all by myself so I stick with the Parkway.

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