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

Tue, Sep 29, 2009

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
4.60	0.00	0.00	0.30	4.90

High 40sF, rain showers. Hill repeats: 6 x 30 seconds w/ 1 min. recovery on an 8% hill. 15 min. strength work.

Sean tells me I may cut back (even more) on some mileage this week as long as I do not abandon the intensity workouts, lest I "lose sharpness." Bless him, he believes I have sharpness to lose. I definitely have some dullness I could do without... But seriously, my legs felt 100% better after the hill repeats than they did before them. That was a surprise.

ETA: I think I'll take a day off tomorrow, which means that's it for September. What a month!

Lunaracers II Miles: 4.90

Comments

From Carolyn in Colorado on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 11:06:55 from 24.8.167.243

Yes, you have had quite a month. And you do have sharpness. How wonderful that the hill repeats made your legs feel better!

From auntieem on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 12:43:29 from 67.182.145.8

So glad the repeats felt good! I did the intense workouts last week, and one was scheduled for last night as well - just some mile pace 3 minutes. I elected to just run easy miles instead last night, as the resting seems like the way to go.

I believe you have plenty of sharpness, and you are going to use it on Oct. 11.

From JD on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 13:03:19 from 70.96.78.157

That's a good sign about the legs perking up after the hill repeats. You've had a very impressive month. Not just the mileage but the intensity of a lot of those miles.

From april27 on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 14:25:20 from 99.188.251.180

Oh I like the sound of that--getting permission to relax and that your legs felt better after hill sprints! That is awesome!

September has flown by!

From Dale on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 19:55:59 from 69.10.215.11

HA!!! I love the commentary!

Good sign that you felt stronger after the repeats. When that happens to me, it means my strength is coming around. Usually precedes a drop in easy run pace on the order of 10-20 sec/mile. Sounds like perfect timing!

From Snoqualmie on Tue, Sep 29, 2009 at 23:35:45 from 24.18.192.33

Dale - how I hope that happens to me!!

From Dale on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 00:55:50 from 69.10.215.11

Maybe this will help. My speedup is usually due to slightly longer strides, not faster turnover. Actually, it almost *feels* like turnover slows a bit but when I time things, the turnover is the same. I have had trouble getting my brain out of my own way when this happens!

From Snoqualmie on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 11:10:38 from 24.18.192.33

Well, that brings up a very interesting question - what specifically does one do to speed up? I am conscious of: slightly faster cadence, lifting my feet higher in back, touching down for less time (imagining hot pavement), leaning forward slightly more than usual, and a slightly more vigorous arm swing.

From Dale on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 11:25:39 from 69.10.215.11

For me its focusing on push-off more. Driving through with the stance leg. In speedwork I'll use the slightly faster cadence combined with stronger push-off.

Probably different for everyone though.

From auntieem on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 11:56:01 from 67.182.145.8

Speeding up to medium speed seems like same cadence, higher lift, and a little forward lean. Faster speeds I am aware that cadence is faster and probably stride is longer as well, with WAY more forward lean, and some emphasis on the push off. Also, the faster I go, the less relaxed my arms feel; arm swing is more driving.

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