Last Chase Run of the Season

Today was the last Chase Run of the season.  It was dark when I started down the path, and I couldn't see my Garmin to track my pace.  During past Chases, I checked my pace frequently, but this time only noted my pace at mile intervals and then during the final mile to make sure I wasn't slowing.  

I was paired with another runner, and the time sped by. When we were caught by another runner, I thought of asking my partner how she feels when she gets passed, but I didn't ask.  I answered my own question as we charged down the path side by side.  I noticed the passing, but I was focused on my own effort, so I didn't dwell on that.

We talked a little during the first two miles. I dodged puddles along the way and was surprised how quickly we came to the lake and the turnaround spot.    While ascending from the lake, I concentrated on  maintaining our pace and plowed through the puddles.

During the third mile, I noticed landmarks that indicated the end was near.  I was wrong, but it was okay, and I just kept going.  It took all season, but with knowledge of the path and knowing how I run it, the ending was in sight at the right time.

Bringing Happy Back with 15 Miles

When I opened the door Saturday morning, I felt the cool air, and my heart leaped.  This is a promising start for a long run, I thought.  My next thought was that I wouldn't have an excuse for sluggish performance.   For the past week, the temperatures were just below 70 degrees, which felt like a reprieve; the temperature on this morning, hovering just over 60 degrees, was chilly in comparison.

I arrived at the trail with one plan in mind to tackle 15 miles with the merging of two different groups, but I settled on a different plan of attack and saw many friendly, familiar faces along the way.  With the cooler temperatures the ATT came to life with a crowd I hadn't seen and an excitement I  hadn't experienced since early Spring.  When our group of five women set out amid other training groups, I flashed back to my Wilderness Road Girl Scout Camp days, most specifically eagerly walking through the woods on a gravel road with friends toward early morning activities.

Several cross country teams shared the trail with us, and my Kentucky friends might find it interesting  that I ran the trail with the Duke women's cross country team.   Their coach followed them on a bike during what must have been a warm up, and then they sprinted impressively with ease.  I began to feel old and slow.  Just then a passing group of high school boys encouraged my group by calling out, "Good job!" They meant it, and I needed to hear it.

Besides the temperature and the excitement, this morning was welcoming in another way. On the busy trail, I focused on dodging or being dodged by others and our conversation about home improvements.  During the week,  I ran mostly alone, and was absorbed in negative thoughts about Todd Akin, the republican vice presidential pick, the power of a few men, and the voices of women.   I wrestled with whether or not to update my blog because of my anger and the rant that I was about to unleash.  On this day I was happy being carefree for a while and affirming my strength after feeling angry for too many days.

Oops! Double Session?

Last night around 9:30PM, I looked at my training plan for today.  I hadn't realized I was in the highest mileage part of my training, and I saw that I missed a big run yesterday because I didn't look at my plan on Thursday night.  Oops!

My plan for Friday:  a double session with six miles at a brisk to fast pace in the morning and six miles in the evening.  I improvised a couple of days this week, but worked diligently.  I thought Friday would be a cross training day, and I decided to skip it as I faced yard work, activities following an early school release, and preparations for a birthday party.

When I made my plan, I was eager to try this double session, which is a part of a plan on the Bourbon Chase website.  The logic is that it prepares one to run three legs of the relay, which require a lot of miles with little rest or recovery time.  I was up for anything at the time I decided a double session was a good idea.  One of the plans might have included more than one double session.  I felt that was unrealistic and overly ambitious, so I just incorporated one into my plan.

During a 12 miler today, I shared that I missed this double session.  And, after having run 12 miles on Friday, finishing 6 in the evening, was supposed to run the twelve this morning.

"Who planned that?" asked a friend.

"I did," I replied, laughing loudly, followed by, "I know, right?"

What was I thinking six weeks ago?  Who has time for that?  Who do I think I am?  I'm glad I didn't check my training plan for Friday.  Then I would have felt bad about not being able to carry out my own plan.  I might have been disappointed, but now I just laugh.  I've run the Chase twice already without this double session.

On the evening I was supposed to run part two of a double session, my youngest daughter had been invited to a birthday party in a neighboring town at 5-7PM, and I had promised my oldest daughter that we would make cupcakes for her party.  All that was enough.  As it was, frosting and decorating the cupcakes had to wait until this afternoon.

I am more comfortable running outdoors than making just about anything in the kitchen, but on this particular Friday, I was meant to be oblivious to a training schedule and be just a mom making cupcakes with her nine-year-old daughter who was full of anticipation for a her luau themed party.  

Little Red Riding Hood of Marathon Training

 

Today I switched things up at the last minute and headed to the ATT for a weekday run.  I drove my youngest daughter to school after picture day preparation drama, which led to her missing the bus.  Then instead of my usual Thursday drive to the Y, I went to the trail to experience some last minute independence before my girls track out of school for three weeks.  I am determined to make this a good vacation from school for them even though I feel out of synch.  Who would want to be on summer break when all of your after school activities start for the year?    

I don't remember the last time I ran on the trail during the week, but I do it from time to time.  Today I was in luck when I saw a friend's basket filled with training provisions on another friend's car.  I set out  in their preferred direction hoping to connect with them.  Sure enough, as I began, they were finishing their first six miles and headed toward the basket.  One of these women is the self-proclaimed little red riding hood of marathon training.  I know she is seriously in training when she brings her basket of extra bottles and GU.  She usually does long runs on Saturday, but she altered her training because of weekend family plans.  We enjoyed five slow, flat miles together.  And, I added on until I reached six miles.  When I drove away, I had a feeling that this morning was just right.  

Reflecting on the Games

My 13 miler yesterday with a friend was bearable because of her company.  We marveled about the Olympic athletes, especially the runners.  On these warm, humid, and sluggish training runs, it's good to have company and plenty of fluids.

My hill eater friend had given me a packet of Heed to try, and I mixed it with water and drank it during the run.  She is concerned that I'm consuming too much artificial coloring from Gatorade.  I'll have to put this on my shopping list.  My foot was fine, and I will continue with training.

This morning I awoke to the roar of the crowd from the Olympic Marathon course blaring from the TV.  My nine-year-old was watching the men's marathon.  She was joined by her little sister who had fallen asleep on the couch last night watching the final track relays with me.

My girls and I have not been getting our usual amount of rest during these Olympic games. I've heard others talk about not getting enough sleep, but I might be more guilty of influencing my girls to stay up late than others.

I imagine that most parents feel like I do.  I hope that my girls are inspired by watching great feats and motivated to try their best in sports familiar to them and that they have their horizons expanded and curiosity piqued by watching sports that are new to them.  When my girls watch the fastest women in the world handing off a baton, I wonder if they are inspired to do the same.

I am proud of the Olympic athletes and am glad that they can be role models for my girls.  I've read plenty of articles about the games ranging from Nike's brilliant marketing tactic with the neon track shoes to my favorite, that strong is the new pretty.  I am ready for strong to be pretty for all girls.

It's the Little Things

The Wednesday hill run went well.  I felt strong at times and slow at times.  Around mile 6.5 or 7, my form started to deteriorate.  That shows I need more hills or more rest.  I enjoyed the run with a friend who could have easily been far ahead of me, but she slowed her pace to help guide me on the dark route that I haven't yet committed to memory.

Today's run seemed slow.  The most exciting thing about it was my new shorts that rock!  I bought the Dart and Dash shorts at Lululemon yesterday after returning a pair to Athleta.   These are the basic style I prefer with, get this -- five pockets.  Plus the shorts have a stylish silicone design on the sides to hold my shirt in place so that it doesn't ride up while running.   I topped the shorts with my purple Athleta Energy top, which is also really cool with two pockets.  I felt like a kangaroo!  With my Nathan water bottle holder and its pocket for a phone, I had eight places to stash my stuff.  I only used two today.  It's the little things that get me excited.

Changing Plans Amid Aches and Pains

To prepare for the Bourbon Chase, I made a training plan based on my past plans and the runner and racer plans on the Chase website.   I've been evaluating the resulting plan and trying to decide if and how to adjust it.   The reason is twofold: First, I've got some aches and pains, and second, I'm doubting my hill training element is strenuous enough.

A little over a week ago, I had a message and asked the therapist to focus on my legs.  For a few days after the message, beginning with the first run, I noticed a pain or soreness deep inside the tissue of my upper leg. That eventually faded.

On my long Saturday run, I noticed my right, front foot was sore.  Then I realized I had experienced that the previous weekend.   This gives me pause.  I decided to monitor it this week before considering how or if to approach Saturday's run.  Do I rest now with the hope that this goes away well before the race? I want to push onward, but common sense says to rest so as to not risk injury.

I've felt something like this before while training for a marathon.  My orthopedist informed me that I was on the verge of a stress fracture,  and that I would not be running my race.  I continued to train with cycling classes, aqua jogging, and a few runs at times.  I went to the starting line thinking I might only make it a few miles.  I was able to complete the race without pain or injury.    

Additionally, a friend mentioned that I should consider running more hills to prepare, and she suggested Umstead State Park for some short runs together.  That is where one goes to work the hills.  I used to go there on Saturdays, but for a shorter, weekday run it seems logistically difficult to get there with kids' schedules and a husband in training, too.  I will run in Umstead again, just not now.

Alternatively, I can join friends for their mid-week, eight-mile, hilly course.  I would rather take my planned cycling and yoga classes mid morning than face this run.  If I am healthy, this will do me good.  My first leg of the Chase is ranked as difficult with its 8.4 miles of hills.  I'll give it a go in the morning.     

We Ate Hills for Breakfast

Yesterday morning the fog was thick while I drove to my third Chase Run.  When we started our mile-and-a-half warm up in 100% humidity, it was like running in the clouds.  After reaching the trail head, I was the third runner to start of 10 based on our predicted paces for the 4 mile Chase (with the option to add another three quarters of a mile).

As the men zoomed down the trail past me, I thought, "I've been caught."  People passing me said a few words of encouragement, such as, "Great job."  I said something silly like, "You caught me," or "Go get 'em."

I wore my Timex Ironman watch along with my Garmin because I've been having trouble with my Garmin.  I was able to track my time with the watch and my pace with the Garmin.   My pace was inconsistent because I don't regulate pace well in general, but throwing hills into the mix makes it even more inconsistent.   My aim was to stay ahead of my target 8:15 pace.  When I looked at my Garmin and noticed I had drifted to a slower pace, I took quicker steps.  

On this run I noticed I was running a slight down hill for two miles.  I felt defeated knowing that it would be two miles up hill on the way back.  But on the return trip, the subtle, gradual ascent wasn't as bad as I imagined.  In the past I noted that the second half of the Chase requires more effort and feels uncomfortable.  I thought it was because I was tired after two hard run miles.  This run is good training for the Kentucky Bourbon Chase.

When I came to the last, steep incline, I thought I was 10 seconds from my predicted finish time.  At the end, my watch read 32:18, and I reported to coach that I was 18 seconds slower than my goal.  After a half mile into the cool down, I realized that I was ahead of pace.  My finish time should have been 33 minutes for an 8:15 pace.   Two friends were ahead of pace, too.  We were all pleased.

During the cool down, I sang "Happy Birthday" to my friend who chose to start her birthday with this crazy run.   She brought carrot cake cupcakes made by another friend to celebrate.  I gave her a picture of a technical shirt that my dear husband and I designed and ordered for her that reads "I Eat Hills for Breakfast."  She was the one who planted the phrase in my head that helped me get through a recent hill workout.  I was tempted to order one of those shirts for myself .  We did eat hills for breakfast and then some carrot cake.