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

Sun, Sep 14, 2008

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
23.65	0.00	0.00	0.00	23.65

Objective: Endurance, with hills

Weather: 50's F (felt warmer in sun towards end of the run), clear, light breeze

Fueling note: 5 Accel gels, taken at 45 min intervals after the first 5 miles.

A fantastic run! I am so pleased today. A hilly long run, with a monster hill thrown in at mile 17 to mimic the mile 17 climb up to the St. Johns Bridge at the Portland Marathon. I've thrown a big hill into lots of other long runs at that 17 mile mark (with varied success), but today I tackled one that is longer and steeper than Portland's, and I just sailed up it! I think I might be happier about that one hill than I am about achieving my mileage goal today.

It was a beautiful morning. I started quite early for a Sunday run, 5:00 AM, partly to beat the heat and partly because I had to get home on time to take over parenting duties: my husband is playing with an orchestra today that will back up Alice In Chains at half time at the Seahawks game. Pretty cool, huh? Anyway, in the first few miles of my run I enjoyed watching the beautiful moon in the conifers and dipping behind the mountains. After that, it was pretty mists on the ground in the parks and on the ponds. It was a really pretty morning.

And now I enter Taper Time. I don't want to taper! But I know I must. Just a small reduction this week, and much more after next Sunday.

Comments

From JD on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 13:28:21

Excellent job Snoqualmie! Especially taking down that hill before it had a chance to take you. Sounds like one of those great runs we all hope for.

An orchestra, Alice In Chains, and a Seahawks game...beautiful.

From Carolyn on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 15:56:19

Way to go! I'm glad to hear that your long run was such a positive experience.

What instrument does your husband play? My husband plays string bass in a local community orchestra.

From Dale on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 16:11:59

Wow, great run, especially with the hill. You're right, that St. John's Bridge hill is the one most folks should worry about but it sounds like you've got it nailed! Sounds like today's run was very strong so take it easy on the tapering for the first week or so....if you're feeling really good then consider backing off only slightly and keeping the intensity high for a tad longer. Sounds like you're peaking at just the right time! Exciting!!!

From Snoqualmie on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 18:56:03

Thanks everyone for the nice comments! It is always so encouraging! (Carolyn - hubby is a violinist. That's great you've got a musician in the house!)

From Kim on Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 20:50:12

What a positive run and post! You are feeling it! And you are helping all of us feel it too! I'm with you on the taper....not sure if I want to but know I must! Good luck! :o)

From Sean Sundwall on Mon, Sep 15, 2008 at 12:19:23

Good luck in Portland. Don't go too crazy on the taper. There is quite a bit of chatter out there that the traditional three-week taper is suboptimal. Just stay injury free and illness free...some thing that can be hard to do if you back off the training too much.

From Snoqualmie on Mon, Sep 15, 2008 at 21:33:56

Thanks, Sean. I appreciate the comment. Not only do I hate the taper, but I feel like I over-tapered on all my early marathons. I admit, I don't completely trust the 3 week taper.

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