Shhhh!

Sorry so quiet - been battling sickness and trying to rest so I can hit the road sooner rather than later. Chris is running his **first marathon** on Saturday - I'll post pics, etc. I think I've convinced myself to start training in May for the Freedom's Run Marathon October 2nd - will likely either a) be signing up as soon as I can after Chris's inspiring finish or b) turning tail after see just how crazy you have to be to run one....More to come

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Pictured: Jack and Jill, my own little Spring Bunnies

Ah, it is that time of year again when the Spring Bunnies abound. A few days of nice weather after just a cold winter will draw out even the most fair-weather runner and while I am happy to see Spring Bunnies bounding down the road, enjoying running and getting back into shape after winter hibernation, it is difficult to share the path at times. Runner etiquette is a rarity on days like these and I combat my frustrations openly. Runners not moving over to let you pass, runners not crossing roads safely (making drivers frustrated who may take it out on the next runner), runners picking up their pace as to not "get passed" and prove to themselves that they are "still in shape"...the list goes on. In perhaps the center of all frustrations is the nearby public track.

Up the hill in our neighborhood, I know the off-beaten paths enough that I can run in (somewhat) solitude and enjoy the outing. But at the track....oh, at the track...walkers walk in the left lanes, people walk their dogs (and let them defecate on the track!?!?!), people let their kids "play" on the track -weaving in and out of runners, Spring Bunnies "jog" in the left lane and all I want to do is get a good, hard 8x400 in! I ran into this a few weeks ago and nearly lost it when a Granny was walking with 4 kids, holding hands in a daisy chain, on the inside 5 lanes of the 6 lane track! I love having a public track less than a mile from the house (by the time I run there, my warmup is already done) but it's days like this when I must weigh the options of politely yelling "left! left! left!" every time I pass someone or yelling "walkers stay to the right please!" vs getting in a good workout. After talking with my friend M who is a track coach, I've gotten a heads up that the Spring Bunnies are abounding this week down at the track.

So today, I'm going to try something new. I've mapped out the block around my house at the top of Hawthorne Hill where it is the most level in the neighboring 1/2 mile area. The block is just over 400 m so I can use this as my own "track" today. No cushy surfacing, but eh, aside from the corners I'll have to turn it shouldn't be too awful. I can do my hard 400m then jog 500m and repeat. I'm sure my neighbors will wonder what the heck that crazy girl is running loops and loops for, but I know I'll be able to get in a better workout and not be nearly as frustrated. I love to encourage others in their running, but today I can't share the road - I just can't. It's a "me" kind of day and I'm going to be selfish. I may have to share the sidewalk with a Spring Bunny and that's okay - I just can't share the public track today - not politely at least.

I kind of miss the crappy winter weather and the shared moment of running by another runner with the slight nod in appreciation of another person who shares the winter roads so infrequently traversed...

Daily Quote

I get a daily quote sent to my inbox every morning. They are usually read and discarded without much thought, but this one struck me and rings true in my daily running endeavors:

“A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.”

― Patricia Neal

Spring has Sprung?

Today we hopped over to Greensboro to explore the amazing Bur-Mil Park and its trails with a small group. The planned route was a 10k with about 1 mile on the greenway, 4.5 miles on the Owl's Roost trail (very technical - rocks, roots, rolling hills), and then short hop back on the greenway before heading onto a branch of the Big Loop, finishing on a steep uphill before topping out at the field and running down and across the open field. The run was fantastic and the group was great! We did the 10k in about 59 minutes with a few stops to let bikers pass. After about a 10 min break to hit the restrooms and get some water, 3 of us headed back out to run it again! My legs were getting a bit tired and I was getting complacent right about the time I ate the trail. Full superman onto my side, hip smashing into a rock/root of some kind. But, I was able to get right back up and dust off the trail to keep going. Lesson learned (a bruise and few cuts later). The second lap took about 60-62 minutes including my tumble, so the pace was pretty even throughout the morning. It was a great 12 1/2 miles and I really enjoyed getting out on the trails - can't wait for more trail running this spring.

We took full advantage of the park and gorgeous 60-degree weather by packing a picnic early this morning. A few pics of our picnic - pb&j, clif bars, fruit and perrier from a quick stop by whole food this morning:

Enjoying our picnic basket we got for Christmas and some Perrier

Mmmm - healthy food!

Thank goodness the geese were nice to not attack us

My monster blood blister I got from trying to do trail running in my "retired" nikes now.
Yuck! Between this and the tumble, I feel more like a trail runner now...

Resting

Any runner will tell you - rest is important! They'll also acknowledge, it is tough to rest.

I tend to be hyper-organized and have training plans all mapped out, but I know I need to be flexible. This being said, it's annoying to not follow the plan. Yesterday we had our 7th snow of the season and of late, we've been swinging from 65 degrees to 30 degrees every other day it seems here in the Piedmont. This inevitably makes me sick every Spring. Add on to this that people at my office and Chris's office have been out sick, it's no wonder that we've both been feeling crummy this week. I missed my run yesterday and will probably miss today's. Major bummer, but I barely have enough energy to get through the workday - running a 5 mile tempo tonight just doesn't seem feasible.

I'm due for a step-back week and I guess now is as good a time to do it. I'll fidget with my plan later on and work these rest days into the plan in a positive way. The weather is supposed to be great this weekend so hopefully I can get out and make the most of it...

By the Numbers

This Month By the Numbers:

Total Miles Run: 101.11 miles First 100+ mile month!
Total Calories Burned: 10,886
Max/Min Weight: 144/142
Longest Run (miles): 13.35 miles
Total Mileage on Shoes: 390.24 (yellow Nikes), 14.29 on new Nikes

Most interesting distraction of the month:

Running down the hill on Knollwood on recycling day and seeing a (used?) plastic tampon applicator on the sidewalk by the recycling bin. The distraction/internal conversation that ensued as I jumped over it was quite interesting including questions like - what is that doing on a sidewalk? was the person trying to recycle it? are those even recyclable? oh good golly i'm glad i use a stainless steel water bottle each day instead of plastic water bottles made from recycled materials...

Although I didn't get to run my Half, it was good to have the realization that I was, in fact, ready for it and confident when the time came. Hopefully the next 6 weeks will prove to be challenging and help with speed, endurance, and strength. I have no races this month, just helping Chris get to/through his first Marathon on 3/20 while I keep trucking down the road to my Half. This Sunday we're going out to Bur-Mil park in G'boro to do some trail running. I've been a bit anxious to get out to the Pilot Mtn trails to see what the Half will be like, but alas, the trails are still closed until they dry out. The Bur-Mil trails should be fun though!