Don't Sell Yourself Short

There was a baby shower for one of my coworkers this past Thursday. As with most work parties, it was a potluck event and everyone had an assortment of snacks on their plates. Every time this happens, I get at least one comment about my ability to eat what I want because I run so much. But lately, I've noticed that a lot of the people that make those comments are just as active, if not more active than I am.

Thursday, two coworkers were talking about what we were eating and their frustration with exercise. One guy is currently running more frequently than I am and even moved his treadmill into his living room for extra motivation. Another girl regularly goes for 6-mile runs. But because I have a reputation as 'a runner', they assume that I do more than them. So today's lesson:

Don't Sell Yourself Short!

It reminds me of all the people that need to be convinced it's okay to call themselves runners. So many people think there's some arbitrary amount of running or accomplishments you have to achieve before you can be called a runner.

If you like to run... If you run every now and then... If you do a mix of running/jogging/walking... All of the above... It's okay to call yourself a runner. Give yourself credit. Pat yourself on the back. Embrace it!

Okay... Off my soap box and on with the post:
After yesterday's run, I saw this guy making his way across the sidewalk:

I wonder if he felt like he was going fast. Or if he compares his times to other slugs. Maybe he was setting a PR for crossing the sidewalk. I hope he was at least heading someplace warm because it was a lot colder this morning as predicted.

My plan for today's run was to repeat last week's run of the Kircher Park Trail Loop but I decided to tack on a lap around Route 66 State Park. It was a cold morning but my stride was feeling more comfortable so I just went with it.

I was doing fine until I stopped to admire some Cardinals in the park. I got my phone out of my armband to take pictures but the birds weren't cooperating and after several minutes, I gave up. Apparently, I stopped just long enough to cool off and for my sweat to get cold. As soon as I started running again, I turned a corner in the park and ran straight into a headwind. I was freezing! The last half of the run was a much colder experience than the first half!

Sunday
Goal For The Day: Long Run.
Distance: 7.61 Miles.
Time: 57:54. 7:37 Avg. (7:37, 7:29, 7:25, 7:27, 7:24, 7:29, 8:01, 4:59*).
Route: Kircher Park Trail To Rte. 66/1 Lap/Home.
Conditions: 25 degrees. 11:38AM.
Run Details On Garmin
Run Detais On Nike+

Notes: Two weeks of getting back into the routine. 15.35 Miles this week. Nike+ tidbit: 0.36M more and 0:15/M faster than the average of my last 7 runs. Nike+ Weekly Review: 5.1M Avg. 7:41/M Avg. 2,278 Calories.

Daily Miles: 7.61 Miles.
2013 Totals:
  Run - 28.54 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 0.00 meters.

A Short Long Run Gets Me To 400 Miles.

I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing final long run for my training.

It's supposed to be in the mid-to-upper 90's today and tomorrow but even at 78 degrees, this morning's run felt pretty comfortable. I didn't push the pace too hard and there was a very nice breeze keeping me cool so I cruised through two laps around the Lake.

Pic Source

The first lap was very consistent right under 7 minutes per mile and then I eased off for the last couple of miles. I'm supposed to be tapering, after all. I Love running down here. Catching glimpses of the Lake during the loop and then running across the dam... it doesn't get much better.

Today was also a test run for a new piece of gear. I had to buy some more duct tape for my boat yesterday and while I was in the hardware section, I saw a stand full of sunglasses that claimed to "block out dust, wind, and allergens". They have a strip of foam padding around the frames that basically keep them in contact with your face. They were only $10 so I grabbed a pair hoping they would help eliminate the painful sting of sweat in my eyes that I get on really hot days.

These things worked like a charm! They aren't the coolest looking sunglasses and it took me a little while to get used to them touching my face, but I didn't get a single drop of sweat in my eyes! If it's this hot next weekend, I'm definitely wearing them during the half marathon.

Saturday
Goal For The Day: Long Run.
Distance: 6.32 Miles.
Time: 46:36. 7:22 Avg. (6:56, 6:58, 7:17, 7:15, 7:49, 7:49, 2:28*).
Route: 2 x Lake Loop.
Conditions: 78 degrees. 9:26AM.
Run Details On Garmin

Notes: It's nice when my 'long run' is only 6 miles! Tomorrow is the big boat race. I'll probably count rowing my boat as a workout so I have an excuse to take the day off from running! I'll pick it up again on Monday.

Daily Miles: 6.32 Miles.
2012 Totals:
  Run - 403.40 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 8,250 meters.

At Least There Were Things To Look At

Ugh. Another hot morning.

It was a scorcher today. I didn't start my run early, but I was still out the door at a reasonable time. It didn't matter. It still felt hot on my long run today. There was even a breeze and the temperature wasn't as high as it will be later in the summer, but I was dogging it today.

I ran to Route 66 State Park, ran two laps, and then ran home. It was hot in the park because the breeze wasn't as strong and my second lap was slower than the first. Then the run home slowed down to the 8-minute range and I basically jogged the last mile as a cool-down.

I haven't been hydrating during my long runs like I did when I was training for New York and I think that's becoming an issue now that I'm creeping over 8 miles at a time. Tonight I noticed I had a very mild sunburn so the heat and sun were probably bad enough that I should have hydrated during the run.

There were a few perks to today's long run though. I was treated to several interesting sightings along the way:

The first was that the Sno Biz snow cone shack was being set up in town!!! I Love snow cones and I'm working my way through the entire menu of flavors at Sno Biz. Seeing them set up shop on my way through town made my morning. Unfortunately, I also passed them on my way back and they were more of a cruel tease almost 9 miles into a 10+ mile run.

Pic Source

When I was in the park, I passed an absolutely gorgeous butterfly that was sitting on a disgustingly large pile of dog poop. It was there on both laps so it must have been enjoying itself and I found it oddly humorous. I'm sure there's a lot of poetic irony in that image and I was sorry I left the camera at home today. Apparently, I'm not the only one who finds this sight mesmerizing because I did a google image search and plenty of people have pics of this very thing. For some reason, just seeing a picture of a butterfly on poop is a little gross though so I'll post a pic of this t-shirt instead:

Pic Source

Finally, when I topped the hill on Central on my way home, I had to stop at the intersection to wait for traffic. While I was waiting, a field mouse came darting through the intersection, dodging cars frantically as it ran through the busy street. It ran right past my feet and head-first into the curb. I guess it was in full-on fight or flight mode and ran into the curb in a panic. The little guy shook it off, hopped the curb, ran into the grass and bushes, and disappeared. I feel like it's pretty rare that I see mice (thankfully), let alone one dodging through an intersection, and especially not successfully. Good for him!

I got home, showered, put on my compression sleeves and took it easy for a couple of hours. Then Liz and I went out for some more yard work (The yard is looking good!) and the temperature dropped drastically as some rain moved in. Good old Missouri weather... always changing. I know I keep saying this, but I hope it decides to cool off for race day.

Sunday
Goal For The Day: Long Run.
Distance: 10.21 Miles.
Time: 1:18:27. 7:41 Avg. (7:08, 7:08, 7:16, 7:35, 7:14, 7:30, 7:35, 7:53, 8:09, 8:53, 2:02*).
Route: To Rte. 66/1 Lap/Home.
Conditions: 75 degrees. 9:29AM.
Run Details On Garmin

Notes: It was only 75 degrees at the start and almost 85 degrees by the time I finished. No wonder I felt like slowing down. I know this is better than when I'll be running in the mid-90's but I'm still being teased with 50 degree mornings right now. I'm also hoping that part of this is mental and physical fatigue from dense training. Hopefully on race day, I'll be rested and able to average 45-60 per mile faster than this. Hopefully. Not a single mile under 7-minute pace today. Ugh.

Daily Miles: 10.21 Miles.
2012 Totals:
  Run - 385.08 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 8,250 meters.

The Good Kind Of Slow

I flipped things around today and went for my run first and then spent the afternoon on my boat.

A lap around the Lake is just over 3 miles so I planned three laps to get in the 9-10 mile range. Next week, I'll peak at 10-12 miles and then start a week-long taper going into the half marathon.

The weather has been great all weekend and this morning was more of the same. Most people haven't started migrating to the Lake for the weekends yet, so it was nice and quiet for my run. Long Runs aren't supposed to be too fast, they're more about mileage and I was in the mood to take it easy so I took my time looping the Lake.

When I got back, Liz made ham and cheese biscuits for our Mother's Day breakfast and we ate out on the screened-in porch. It was about as relaxing as a morning can get.

Then I got back to work. A quick trip to the store for some final supplies and a little more work and my boat was ready for a quick test.

(At least she floats... that's always good!)

The test went well and I got a head start on the decorations so I shouldn't have to do a ton of work on the holiday weekend.

It was great spending Mother's Day at the Lake and it was a productive weekend all around!

Sunday

Goal For The Day: Long Run.

Distance: 9.35 Miles.

Time: 1:11:33. 7:39 Avg. (7:49, 7:23, 7:21, 7:40, 7:53, 7:36, 7:28, 7:42, 7:58, 2:39*).

Route: 3 x Lake Loop.

Conditions: 58 degrees. 8:20AM.

Run Details On Garmin

Notes: It would have been easy to stop after the second lap but I'm glad I went for all three. The last lap felt very relaxed and was the pleasant kind of running I had been missing this week.

Daily Miles: 9.35 Miles.

2012 Totals:

  Run - 358.60 Miles.

  Bike - 0.00 Miles.

  Swim - 8,250 meters.

Not Acclimated

Today, I planned to get in the Long Run that I ended up shortening last week. I wanted to run 8-10 miles this morning and figured I could just go late enough in the morning that I could cut the grass when I got back without waking the neighbors too early on a Sunday. My plan to leave later in the morning meant I didn't successfully beat the heat.

I left the house around 8:45 and it was already hot and crazy humid. The first three miles were fine because there was an occasional breeze, but when I got into Route 66 State Park, the air was dead. The park is nice and flat, but today it was like running in a sauna and I'm definitely not acclimated to the heat and humidity yet.

Pic Source

(This guy ran an 'underwater marathon' for wounded troops.

His name is Brad and the guy who wrote the article is named Brad.

And my name is Brad and this is what it felt like running outside today.)

Each mile was slightly slower than the one before it. Then as I was leaving the park, I stopped to give someone directions to get back to the highway. I also realized I really had to pee so I went into the brick oven that they call a restroom in Kircher Park. When I started running again, I was drenched in sweat and even less motivated to worry about my pace.

Thankfully, there was more of a breeze when I got back into the hills of town but I still took it easy. In fact, I pretty much jogged the last mile as a cool-down. When I hit 8 miles even, I was still about a quarter of a mile from home so I stopped and walked the rest of the way to cool down some more before going back in the house.

I downed some Gatorade and towelled off before cutting the grass. By the time I was finished, I was feeling pretty wiped out. I should have taken a nap because I felt drained the rest of the day.

On the bright side, I put on my new compression sleeves when I finally sat down for lunch and they felt amazing!!! I think I'll get a lot of use out of them!

Sunday
Goal For The Day: Long Run.
Distance: 8.01 Miles.
Time: 1:00:29. 7:33 Avg. (6:55, 6:56, 6:57, 7:21, 7:30, 7:48, 7:50, 9:01, 0:07*).
Route: To Rte. 66/1 Lap/Home
Conditions: 78 degrees and humid. 8:42AM.
Run Details On Garmin

Notes: Today was a good reminder that Hospital Hill could be a hot one. Most of my marathons and halves have been cold-weather runs. I realized I was imagining a cold morning for Hospital Hill. That isn't very likely for the first week of June.

Daily Miles: 8.01 Miles.
2012 Totals:
  Run - 326.18 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 7,450 meters.

More Pre-Baby Prep And 300 Miles in 2012

The final step of painting the nursery took longer than we thought today. We had a relaxing morning after a stormy night, did a little work in the nursery, took a break for a supply run and ate lunch, did more nursery work, and then it was 5:30.

(Mickey cloud in our nursery.)



I originally planned to run 8-10 miles today but the day was filled with important baby prep so I mowed the lawn (it's supposed to rain the next few days) and then slipped on my running shoes and went out for a shorter, faster run.

I ran to Kircher Park and back and tried to push the pace a little since I was only running 6 miles. It was one of those days where I could lock into a pace and stay pretty close to 6:45 per mile just by feel. I hardly glanced at my watch. The best part was keeping my pace under 7 minutes even in the last mile-and-a-half while running up the big hills on the way home. The hill repeats are already paying off!

I've decided to attend the first of the track workouts Missouri Running Co. is offering tomorrow night as long as it isn't raining. If it's storming or they cancel the workout, I'll meet Liz for a swim. I'm looking forward to an organized speed workout so I hope the rain holds off. But a night at the gym with Liz is a pretty nice backup plan!

Sunday

Goal For The Day: Long Run.

Distance: 6.00 Miles.

Time: 40:47. 6:48 Avg. (6:55, 6:30, 6:45, 6:45, 6:57, 6:52).

Route: Kircher Park Loop.

Conditions: 64 degrees. 6:29PM.

Run Details On Garmin

Notes: The nursery looks awesome. The lawn is mowed. I had a great run. I passed 300 miles running in 2012. And Liz made an awesome dinner of parmesan tilapia that made me feel even more healthy!

Daily Miles: 6.00 Miles.

2012 Totals:

  Run - 304.20 Miles.

  Bike - 0.00 Miles.

  Swim - 7,450 meters.

Feeling More Focused

I struggled to find my focus early this year. I didn't have a specific goal in mind. I was still running because I Love it, but I wasn't 'training' and I wasn't running on any particular schedule. Over the past week, I've been getting back into more purposeful running and I'm starting to feel more focused again.

Pic Source

Registering for the Hospital Hill Half was a big step because it gave me a specific race to think about.

I think it helped that I started blogging again. It gives me more direction to have things laid out in writing. And I think it helps with accountability.

I think it also helped to prepare some training schedules for friends during the past week or so. Even though I'm not the one running the races these schedules are for, working on them got me back in the training mindset.

After an afternoon of organizing the house to make it more baby-ready, I went for a Long Run that was a great way to unwind. But it was also the first Long Run I've done in a while that felt like a training run. I made more of an effort to push my pace a little and I caught myself thinking about my upcoming half marathon several times.

I ran 8 miles today and it was obvious I was a little rusty. I didn't really feel comfortable until about 4 miles into the run. After that, I settled down and everything felt smoother but my perceived effort is still off. I felt like I was moving at a really fast clip later in the run but my watch kept me grounded in reality. Which is fine... I can't instantly return to top shape... all in good time.

Sunday
Goal For The Day: Long Run.
Distance: 8.26 Miles.
Time: 57:18. 6:56 Avg. (6:54, 6:33, 6:47, 6:44, 6:51, 7:04, 6:53, 7:34, 1:55*).
Route: To Rte 66/1 Lap/Home.
Conditions: 58 degrees. 3:56PM.
Run Details On Garmin

Notes: The entire run to Rte 66 felt a little awkward. I'm happy with the pace, but I was constantly thinking about my stride and how my feet were landing. By the time I left the park to go home, I felt more settled and by miles 5 and 6, I thought I was really moving but my pace was actually slowing. The 7:04 definitely felt faster than that. I'm okay with the 7:34 since it includes the hill on Central and the Days Inn hill, but I would be thrilled if those hills didn't slow me down so much. Of course, the hill on Central is also responsible for the 6:33 I ran in Mile 2, so I guess it balances out.

Daily Miles: 8.26 Miles.
2012 Totals:
  Run - 280.54 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 6,550 meters.