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

Mon, Mar 16, 2009

Easy Miles	Marathon Pace Miles	Threshold Miles	VO2 Max Miles	Total Distance
5.40	0.00	0.00	0.00	5.40

Objective: easy & slow

5:15 AM: Mid 30's F, snowing hard through mile 4, wind 5-10 mph, thin layer of snow on roads, building steadily throughout run (by mile 2, wished I had Yaktrax on)

20 min strength & stretching

Another run in sloppy conditions. I couldn't help getting a little stiff in the neck and shoulders, trying to keep the snow off my face and eyes. I wonder what it would be like to run with my big, warm ski goggles and a balaclava. :) At least my legs did feel really good today. But I became tired a little early, possibly because of traction issues.

This week's mileage will be a bit low. It was scheduled for a recovery week, even before I had to cut Sunday's run short. Thu-Sat will be part of a mini-taper for a half-m on Sunday. I can't figure out what planet my brain was on when I decided to race two weekends in a row. Maybe the half will just be a training run. I'll see how I feel.

I am starting to think about fall marathons. It would be nice to find one that is not too challenging (in case I am still after my BQ), not too hard to get to, possibly a good destination for a family vacation. It would be so easy to just do Portland again, but a bit boring as I've run it 3 times already. It could be nice to redeem myself there, as my last Portland was disastrous, or it could be just plain uninspiring. It sounds crazy, but I am thinking about Billings. I have cousins in Montana whom I would love to see, and we could perhaps go to Yellowstone. My other thought is So. Calif., with a trip to Disneyland for my DD. I'd love to hear other ideas! ???

Saucony Progrid Ride Miles: 5.40

Comments

From Carolyn in Colorado on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 10:39:34 from 71.229.164.25

Old Man Winter is still trying to beat you down, isn't he. You'll win in the end.

I didn't realize you had a half-marathon this weekend. You are a little crazy to race two weekends in a row.

As for a Fall Marathon, maybe there's one here in Colorado you could do. If you did, I would do it with you. But I don't know whether there is. I'd have to check. In any case, I wasn't really planning on a second marathon this year, but I'll be interested to see what you choose, and maybe I'll find a way to join you.

From Snoqualmie on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 10:44:39 from 67.171.56.164

That would be so much fun! I've got to find one that the family is willing to go to. It's funny, and kind of sweet, but they really want to come to my marathons. And therefore they want veto power over where we go. They've already nixed SF (Nike women's mar.).

From Metcalf Running on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 17:33:03 from 207.225.192.66

Of the two you posted I would do the Cali. one! There is a fall marathon in Logan Utah, I've never done it but heard that it is pretty. Depending on how I feel this year I might try it. Don't know if that is someplace your family would want to visit.

I'm racing two weekends in a row also (10 miler last weekend, 1/2 this weekend) then one weekend break before another 1/2 LOL I'm definately just using them as training vs. race.

From jefferey on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 20:00:14 from 71.32.85.209

How about Salmon, Id? Just a thought... I've got an uncle there and the marathon goes right by his place. Not sure how manure smell would be during the running of a marathon? :-)

From Snoqualmie on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 20:58:16 from 67.171.56.164

Wow, that's a beautiful course, Jeff. They cap it at 250 runners! Man, there will be more bears than runners out there. :) DD is cheering for a Montana trip at this point (Yellowstone).

From jefferey on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 21:33:43 from 71.32.85.209

I may have to rethink this Salmon, Idaho marathon. Check out some of the comments- Here is a good one-Put this marathon on your calendar for 2009! (about: 2008)

Course: 5 Organization: 5 Fans: 5

F. S. from Boise, Idaho (9/16/08)

3 previous marathons

1 Salmon Marathon

What a fantastic event the good folks in Salmon, Idaho put together. Put it on your race calendar for 2009! This point-to-point race starts at an altitude of 4,881 ft and follows a dirt road into Salmon, ID where it ends on the bank of the Salmon river at 3,931 feet. It is downhill with a few rolling hills. There are two inclines at mile 7 (steep, but short) and mile 14 where the course takes a 1.5-mile out-and-back up a drain. This is a fast course! In my running group of five, we set three PRs! The race is a Boston qualifier. The entire event is superbly organized! Support stations were every two miles with plenty of volunteers, water, Heed and porta-potties. The intersections along the road were staffed by members of a local horseback riding group. Other attractions included a moose at mile 3, a senior citizen group singing "God Bless America" at mile 5, hawks circling low in the sky at mile 18, and a herd of goats at mile 21. Sounds pretty sweet!

http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=2833090912

From april27 on Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 21:06:13 from 99.188.251.180

I have family in Missoula, MT...I heard they have a 1/2 there...It has intrigued me to go out that way..but from chicago I think it is a pain to get to...I think i would have to go to Washington just to catch a flight to Missoula. It is really weird how that works!

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