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RUN Week 12, Saturday 1/28 - Run #1 January 29, 2006

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Running, Blacksburg VA, Training Stats , add a comment

"I feel bruised from within."

Context

City, State: Blacksbur, VA.
Location: Trail.
Course: 8-mile NRV Huckleberry [map].
Terrain: Hilly; paved.
Distance & Time: 7.89 miles; 01:14:46.
Pace, Speed & RPE: 9:28/mi; 6.3 mph; 6 (somewhat harder).
HRR: 154-174 (Aerobic High).
HR(avg.): 171 bpm.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

The Run

Synopsis

Overall

I feel bruised from within. The 8-mile run was fine. It was the later 5-mile run/walk with the dog that was the clincher. I think my legs are on fire. They feel HOT. And this is even after a three-hour nap, and three meals later.

The get-up and go this morning was awesome. I got up at 5:00 AM to make my PBBJ toast and Gatorade chaser (the Tangerine flavor is awesome!). Then I ran around getting dressed, trying to find my fleece headband, keys, and water bottle. I probably should've done that last night because then Kashia must have been tired of waiting for me out in the car because I heard the single “honk” outside and knew I was late. (When am I not? Sheesh.) I hopped into her car and was shocked at how cold it was outside, but glad to be going.

The ride was short, but we crammed a lot of chatting in. I haven't seen her over a week b/c our shedules have been opposite. She's going to do her first Tri this year–inspired by my talking about it! How cool is that? To date, that's four people I've recruited into this chaos (Sam, Jenn, Josh, and Kashia). I also found out that she, too, hates Blockbuster for their past ridiculous return practices/policies and so we both use Netflix (speaking of which, I saw House of Flying Daggers last night and I have to say, it's my favorite of all the ones to have come out in that genre. It's such a perfect human tragedy with the excellent cinematography I've come to expect from such productions.)

We arrived, I met more people than names I can remember, and after short time, we set up for “two on top” which means two miles around the mall waiting for sunrise before setting off on the trail below. I ran those two miles (flats) faster than normal for me. But I don't get to run too many flats nowadays. It ran those two in 8:05/mi and 8:14/mi, respectively. Heading from there we dropped down the trail and immediately started a slow, but steady, not-too-steep climb uphill towards Warm Hearth station. The scenery was all new to me. It was hard to focus on pacing and running becuase I just wanted to spend all my time looking around. It is definitely easier to say that miles 4.0 through 5.76 on the Huckleberry are the more interesting ones. There's this neat cravass we run through, a rickety-looking wooden covered bridge that crosses over the train tracks far below, the Corning rail bypass and junction, the old Merrimac Mine Site, and icefalls all along the way. I'm taking my camera and going for a walk 'round there sometime soon.

The run itself was starting to wear thin by mile 6 b/c of a side cramp that just wouldn't go away. I know it's because of breakfast … I ate too closely to running. I hate that when it happens, but you do what you can. Eventually, it subsided to a dull ache and I was able to continue on. Coming back was much easier, I have to say. The old adage is true, what goes up, must come down. Hallelujah! I didn't keep pace with Diann or Kashia, but I out-paced the two other ladies that I started out running with. I am happy with my performance and am feeling relatively confident about the upcoming half-marathon. Next week I'll have a 14-mile run to do. This is fun. It's neat to find myself saying, “Oh, sure, I can do that,” and not give it another thought. Now, if only I could find myself thinking that about swimming right now … Hmmmmmmm …

RUN Week 12, Wednesday 1/25 - Run January 26, 2006

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Running, Blacksburg VA, Training Stats , add a comment

"Bad Dog! Bad Pants! Bad Weather! Good Run! Good husband! I'm Glad I went."

Context

City, State: Blacksburg, VA.
Location: City.
Course: Course: 4-mile Runabout Sports Club Run [map]
Terrain: Hilly; paved.
Distance & Time: 3.92 miles; 00:38:29.
Pace, Speed & RPE: 9:50/mi; 6.1 mph; 4 (somewhat light).
HRR: 154-174 (Aerobic High).
HR(avg.): 161 bpm.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

The Run

Synopsis

Overall

Bad Dog! Bad Pants! Bad Weather! Good husband! Good run! I'm glad I went. The pace was good for me. VERY comfortable. The dog wasn't so good. He was PULLING. I mean really, really pulling; he got all sleek looking with his ears laid back and started that gazelle leaping/running thing I've seen him do when he's off-leash. Only problem was that he was on-leash and I could barely contain him. He wanted to RUN and sniff passing joggers and get right next to them. Oh … he was being a dog. An annoying dog; I hate people with annoying dogs and today I was one of them. Ugh. He's never really run in a group setting before. I doubt he'll be running in a group setting ever again. Too bad, but it's better for everyone. I'll just be sure to take him out with just me beforehand.

My pants were being bad pants. I felt as thought I could've run really fast today if my pants didn't keep trying for my ankles. What's up with all my clothing? Losing weight is starting to become annoyingly expensive. I think I'm going to try to shorten the elastic in some of the waistbands, first. It's either that or I'm going to become the “Bottomless Runner of Blacksburg!” Eh, no thanks.

The weather … there was white stuff swirling around all today. I think it was snow, but it never landed on anything. I just moved sideways all day, swirling up and down, bouncing off cars, roads, trees, walls, me. It was pretty, and fluffy-looking, but it made for really cold weather. I thought my legs might freeze or that my ears would get frostbite. The others laughed at me. Apparently I'm a warm-weather Cali-girl without much of a clue. Good to know I won't get frostbite–I rather like my fingers, toes, nose, and ears.

Josh came with me. He complained and hemmed and hawwed all the way up to the point of departure from home. He was citing tummy rumblings, Mexican lunch, feeling tired, etc. as reasons for not going. But I said, you have to go and you're going with me at 5:45 pm, so be sure you're ready. He got ready and came along, so it wasn't like he didn't really want to go. Otherwise, he would've just stayed home, right? I think he's glad he went (aside from the dog fiasco). I'm glad he went. I really like his company, even if he is a little slower than I right now. I just had a good run. It was short and sweet and despite the annoyances, it was truly fine overall.

I met Steven Baker and another Stephen from the Virginia Tech Tri Club. I was in contact with them back in November and even ran with other members of the club back then. (How slow I was then compared to now!) It was great to chat with them about upcoming training plans and the season and events, etc. Tri folks are so nice. I have yet to meet one that isn't. I'm looking forward to having people to swim with. It looks as though pool accessibility problems will be solved come March. Hooray! Until then, I have the community Aquatic Center, and that starts tomorrow for me. Lots to look forward to!

RUN Week 12, Tuesday 1/24 - Run January 24, 2006

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Running, Blacksburg VA, Training Stats , add a comment

"Copious consumption of chocolate does not good nutrition make."

Context

City, State: Blacksburg, VA.
Location: City & Trail.
Course: 7-mile Huckleberry [map]
Terrain: Hilly; paved.
Distance and/or Time: 7 miles; 01:08:54.
Speed and/or RPE: 9:51/mi; 6.1 mph; 7 (hard-heavy).
HRR: 154-174 (Aerobic High).
HR(avg.): 160 bpm.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

The Run

Synopsis

Overall

Copious consumption of chocolate does not good nutrition make. OMG, what is wrong with me? I can't stop eating chocolate. It's not just a bag. It's not just one day. We're talking about all the chocolate I can buy and/or get my hands on (ice cream, goodies, cakes, brownies) and I'm going on today being the fourth … the good news is that I think I can say it's finally quelled.

Seriously, though. How much chocolate can one person really crave … it's ridiculous to think it doesn't have some effect on my running performance. For two days I told myself, “Look, it's not a big deal, you'll run it off.” By day three, I was starting to worry. Today as day four, I had half a Hershey's dark chocolate bar for “breakfast” and then figured out that if I was going to get any running in today, it would have to be this morning. Talk about nutritional problems.

So, I felt like a lead butt today. Actually, my lap times say otherwise (averaging my goal race pace of 10:00/mi), but mentally … it was something else. I swear I even felt my assets jiggling the whole way, something that I have not noticed in a long time. So, is there actually chocolate-caused jiggling going on, or is it chocolate-guilt jiggling going on? I have to wonder.

In any case, it was a brutal, non-enjoyable run. That said, Calen had a great time. (He even got to dip into the icy water for a bit.) I got to experience a non-whining dog day because of it. So, that's a plus!

Theorectically, I'm going swimming tonight, too. I dunno' about that. I've got a lot of work and school stuff to catch-up on, and I already spent an hour of “free time” lounging around with Josh doing nothing but cuddling and whispering.

Oh, well. It's just a few days of being bad. At least I had a bowl of Fiber One Flakes with my chocolate milk … not all is lost.