hello world

I've had several old friends ask about this blog of late, so you did it - got me blogging here again!  I feel like I'm in freshman Java class again writing 'hello world' code.

Things to come:
   What the heck has been happening since last summer?
   Why it's been especially quiet of late (hint: injury).  Visit to PT tomorrow will determine the rest of spring...fingers crossed!
   Pending PT advice, plans for Spring/Summer races

Oh yeah, have I mentioned I'm "dissertating"?  Defense in June...crazy busy with school but hoping to find solace in the streets running this spring.

And a quote from Runners World email today:
Do the work.  Do the analysis.  But feel your run.  Feel your race.  Feel the joy that is running.  (Kara Goucher)

TTFN...

When I run by myself I have my most intimate thoughts. I look for meaning in some of my important memories, I work through present difficulties, and I try to chart the best course for my future. I also do a lot of dreaming when I run...

Kara Goucher 

Saw this quote this morning in my inbox and it perfectly reflects how I spent 21 miles yesterday on a beautiful fall day at the trail around the lake... :)

Race Preview - The Bear!

I can't help but say the name of this race with a mountain scroungy voice "The Beeaaarrrr!"  

A bit over a year ago, Chris and I were joking on a run as I was telling him about some of the crazy races I heard about growing up in Boone including this "ridiculous race up to the very top of Grandfather Mountain.  I mean, it's like straight up, ha!  Those people are crazy."  His reply - "what about 2010?  If we were able to even finish it..." and a dream began.  Now, we know we will not only be able to finish (and not get picked up by the sag wagon) but also finish strong.  Times are not so important to us here - more of a race against one's self, although Chris wants to place top 10% of males and I'd be happy with top 25% of females and a time somewhere in the 55-60 min range.

The blog's been quiet this last month as intense training picked up after the Biltmore 15k.  Each week typically went like this:  Sunday = rest, Monday = track workout (8-10x 400s), Tuesday = 3-5 miles, Wednesday = hill workout, Thursday = rest or 3 easy, Friday = 3-5 miles, Saturday = Long run of 6-10 miles of hilly of a route as possible.

The hill workouts were a blast (well, somedays) so long as the heat wasn't too terrible.  After a 1.25 mile jog through the neighborhood to the park where the track is, there is a big ole hill with streets 1/4 mile long that go straight up it.  "Hanes Hill," as I've dubbed it, ranges from 8-20% grade with the last 150 ft leveling out which helps in the "up and over" a hill mentality and recovery training.  The first week I started with 3 laps of Hanes Hill before a recovery jog back home.  Each week thereafter, I added 1-2 laps and tried to notch my lap time down.

The real test came a week and a half ago - Pilot Mountain.  Our plan was to make it out there a few times, but schedules have been busy so we only had one chance at this.  The road from the ranger station to the top parking lot is 2.0 miles with an elevation gain of 974 feet.  The grade starts at 7% and steadily increases to 12% at the top of the mountain with many switchbacks.  It's a great analog to The Bear, being a bit steeper than the last 2 miles of that race.  The hope is that the long hilly runs in addition to track and hill workouts will give me the stamina and endurance needed to make it to the top of Grandfather.  I usually feel more confident if I can practice the course ahead of time, but this is not a public course for people to run.  I've visited Grandfather several times in the past though and am quite familiar with the famous switchbacks on the climb to the top.  

My reward for a hard earned finishers medal - a weekend in paradise!  The hubby and I will be pampered Friday morning with massages (and a birthday pedicure for me) before heading out to Valle Crucis to stay at a bed & breakfast for the rest of the weekend.  I'm quite excited about the vacation and can't wait to sneak a run or two in on the side of the Watauga River.  I used to spend summers at Camp Broadstone on the river and have many fond memories of capture the flag and catching lightening bugs.  Did I mention that I can't wait!?!?!  :D  

Happy Day Indeed! (Part 2)

Today is National Doughnut Day which brings back all sorts of wonderful memories of the Krispy Kreme Challenge a few months back.

Not sure which "National" day this week is more exciting!

(and yes, i will most definitely be getting my free doughnut at some point today)

Motivation

Today was the second day this week I (barely) outran a thunderstorm.  This one is throwing quite the lightening show - the lights just flickered in the house.  I think next time there's a strong chance of storms, I'll drive to the track/hill.  Today's hill repeats turned into a bit of a tempo run there at the end...

Happy Day Indeed!

Happy National Running Day 

I'll be celebrating by killing myself with a hill workout in near 90-degree heat this afternoon - woohoo!

By the Numbers

The Month of May By the Numbers:

Total Miles Run:       83.22
Total Calories Burned:  8,415
Max/Min Weight:     137/136
Longest Run (miles):  10.97
Hours Spent Running:      13.77
Number of Workouts:       25
Total Mileage on Shoes:  261

This month we ran the Biltmore 15k - it was a fantastic race and definitely the focus of training for the month with building mileage and then tapering/recovering.  From here through July (the hot months), I'll be cutting mileage back and focusing more on interval training and hill training to prepare for the shorter races this summer (Ryan's Rock N Roll 5k, The Bear, Beat the Heat 5k).  After I get through those races, it'll be time to start training for the OBX marathon!

Sunday I ran with Mom on the Boone Greenway, site of the Ryan's Rock N Roll 5k.  I'll be pacing her for her first 5k (June 19th).  While I won't be going for a PR that day, Chris will most certainly be able to on that course.  It is a beautiful greenway that weaves along the start of the New River.  The course is flat and fast and should be a fun one to run.