Broad Street Run

Mandatory Rest Week

August 28, 2012 by Kristy 14 Comments

8 days, no running
I always take a week off from running after a marathon. I highly recommend it. It’s obviously a much needed mental and physical break but an added perk is you begin to crave and miss running again. That generally happens around Day 5 for me and I force myself to hold on for 2 more days.

This time around 7 days turned into 8 because I stayed up late Sunday night to watch the True Blood season finale. This season was a little strange, no? Thank god for Eric and Alcide or I may have stopped watching.

Looking ahead…
Today I eased back into running with 6 miles. I felt great, aside from the humidity. I may do a 5K soon (what?!) to see where I am speed-wise. My last speed workout was Broad Street back in May. I do have 2 HMs this Fall – Philly RnR in September and Philly HM in November. I’m toying with the idea of doing the Runner’s World HM in October. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet though. Bottom line – if I want to PR in any of these HMs, I need to get back on board with speed work. Sigh.

Final thoughts on the 50K and ultra running in general
Official results were finally posted and I came in 14 out of 25 overall and 3rd out of 6 females.

I think it’s always good to wait a few days after a race to assess how you really feel about it. That way, you know you’re not making rash conclusions and your judgment isn’t clouded. So what did I think?

It’s such a different experience than the marathon but I liked it. Really liked it. As long as there is no grass running.

I train by myself so the whole running-in-the-woods-by-yourself-with-no-spectators was OK by me. I’m used to it. It was like a very long training run.

I love that walking is completely acceptable as is eating actual food.

I love the low-key atmosphere. Think of how much mental energy you expend before lining up for a big race. The logistics of getting there, parking, bag check, waiting in line for the porta potties, and getting to your corral…it’s exhausting. And don’t get me started on the expos. For the 50K I waited in my car until 7:50 and walked about 50 feet to to start line.

The girl that finished 2nd came in at 5:15. I didn’t show up until 5:54. Where else can you have that much lag time between runners? Side note on the girl that finished 2nd: I did some stalking and found out she has a blog. She’s a 3:15 marathoner and a cancer survivor. She’s only 36. WOW.

I definitely can’t wait for my next ultra (already planning on a 50-miler!). But it won’t be this year. I want to relax a bit and just run HMs for a few months…and give my legs a break.

If you watch True Blood, what did you think of this season?

Do you like big races? I do Broad Street (a logistical nightmare) and Philly RnR every year. It’s tradition…I have to do them even though every year I say never again…

inal ultra thoughts 2nd place girl

Spontaneity

May 6, 2012 by Kristy 22 Comments

aka – Broad Street Run recap.

Warning: I’m going to start out negative and end on a positive note. This race is a bit of a nightmare. Back in the day, it used to be a fun and relatively small event. Now, it’s hysteria. From the expo, to parking, to the subway ride, to the porta potties…long lines everywhere. But what else can you expect when you allow 40,000 runners in? Broad needs to take a lesson from the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler – start doing a lottery system and cap the damn race!

So why do I run it every year? I love the course. Flat, fast, and straight ahead. And they do have good food at the finish.

I said earlier this week that I didn’t have a plan since I wasn’t sure how my legs would hold up 3 weeks post-Boston. My current PR is 1:19:13, from Cherry Blossom last year. I wasn’t sure I could beat it and frankly, I didn’t care. Honest. I just wanted to have a good time out there.

I started out Mile 1 just under 8:00 pace. I felt good but everyone always feel good during Mile 1.

By Mile 5 I was still running under 8:00 but I was just waiting for the dead marathon legs to set in.

Mile 6…still waiting for dead legs.

During Mile 7 I did the math and realized I could PR. I kicked it up a notch.

I crossed the finish line in 1:18:28 – a new PR!

Spontaneity works well, apparently. I may have to implement the no-plan plan more often. And all that speed work I did for Boston didn’t go to waste!

Do you have a love-hate relationship with a specific race because of its size? For me, it’s definitely Broad Street. But I love the course and the tradition of doing it each year.

Thursday Updates

May 3, 2012 by Kristy 19 Comments

Erica Sara Necklace
I’m not normally a necklace wearer, but I instantly loved this Erica Sara necklace that Meggie featured on her blog last month. I love the button concept and the ability to personalize it. So what does mine say? BOSTON 4-16-12. I didn’t want the word “marathon” or “26.2” included – I wanted it short and sweet and not obvious.

Broad Street Run
I’m running Broad Street this Sunday, the flattest and fastest (and most crowded) 10-miler. I’m transforming into spontaneous Kristy and running without a plan or a strategy. It’s too soon after Boston to tell how my legs will hold up (although my quads are feeling back to normal) so I’m just gonna go with the flow (gasp!).

Coaching
I don’t talk about coaching often but I realized earlier this week that it has been a year since I started my little coaching biz (officially…unofficially, I’ve been coaching for years). To say that it’s completely rewarding and fulfilling is an understatement. I just need to figure out a way to do it full-time

Hawk has seasonal allergies
Yes, just like me! On Saturday his one eye was a green, goopy mess. Since this has happened before, I immediately started giving him Benadryl. A few hours later he was pawing at it – something he never does – so we went to the vet. We walked out with this and some eye drops…

cone of shame

Don’t let the slightly pleasant look fool you, Hawk was miserable. Thankfully we didn’t need to leave the cone on too long since the Benadryl kicked in pretty quickly. Poor guy!

Are you more spontaneous or more of a planner? I’m interested to see your response, as I know most runners are Type A.

Now What?

April 24, 2012 by Kristy 24 Comments

Some people have asked me what I plan on doing after Boston. For many years I just ran marathons and chipped away at my time until I BQ’d. This is the first time in a long time where I don’t really have anything major planned. And, I must admit, it feels good!

I do have some plans though. Please, I’m not that spontaneous and fly-by-the-seat-of-my pants.

Immediate
I’m definitely burned out a bit from racing marathons. I need a break. So I’m taking what I love about marathon training – high mileage – and sticking to it. So how is that a break? I’m decreasing the intensity of those miles. No more track work for the foreseeable future. Tempo and progression runs will be done if I feel like it. But mostly, I’m going to run whatever pace I feel like on that day. Sounds a little bit like ultra training, huh?

Sooner or Later
Ultras! 50Ks and 50-milers! Running long is my favorite aspect of running so I think ultra training would be a good fit (because, let’s be honest, speed is not my forte). I’m not rushing into it yet and haven’t committed to anything race-wise but there just so happens to be a few ultras bookmarked in my favorites! We’ll see!

Future
BQ’ing again. I know I have a 3:3X in me and I would love to get another shot at Boston…and race it.

Racing
Other than Broad Street (popular 10-mile race here in Philly) on May 6, I have nothing planned except for 2 HMs in the Fall.

I’m really excited about this new running “chapter” as cheesy as that sounds. It’s very different from how I spent the past 10 years running but this change is much needed. Only good can come from it!

What are your running plans right now? For the future?

Random Thoughts and Boston Week 6 Recap

February 14, 2012 by Kristy 10 Comments

Barre class from hell
I had to take a rest day on Monday after the barre class from hell. My right upper hamstring and glute were so sore that sleeping in and eating ice cream (instead of running) were completely necessary. I even had to foam roll! No barre class for me this week.

I don’t scream for ice cream
Speaking of ice cream, it’s wreaking havoc on my GI system. I know, TMI…but this is a running blog and runners have GI issues. So Monday night ice cream did not bode well for my early Tuesday morning run. I’m going to give up ice cream for awhile (the horror!) and see if my GI issues go away (I’m betting they will). I’ll just have to up my consumption of cookies to compensate.

Broad Street Run – I’m in!
The Broad Street Run is a super popular 10-mile race in Philly held every May. I generally run it every year, despite it being a pain in the ass every year. They do cap the number of runners but it’s still too crowded. The tradeoff is a great course and a fun race. Yesterday they had a special early registration for Blue Cross Blue Shield members. Score! This race is 3 weeks post-Boston so I *hope* I’m recovered by then and can take advantage of my marathon fitness to PR.

Boston Week 6 Recap
MON: rest – starting the week off right Smile Honestly, I couldn’t get out of bed. That usually doesn’t happen so, when it does, I listen.
TUE: 9 miles tempo with 5 miles @ 7:50 pace (7:55, 7:53, 8:03, 7:56, 7:51).
WED: 8 miles easy (9:15 pace)
THU: 3 miles easy (birthday run!)
FRI: 8 miles with 6 miles at MP (8:13, 8:13, 8:08, 8:08, 8:05, 8:08). Technically faster than MP!
SAT: 20 miles long, slow distance (8:57 average pace)
SUN: barre class from hell

48 miles total and a solid week, in my book! This week I drop back on my long run (13 miles) which means my short runs need to be extra long to make up the mileage. I kinda enjoy these mid-week medium long runs.

Does ice cream the night before a run cause anyone else GI woes?

Do you have a race that you do each year but it’s beginning to get super crowded and annoying? That would be Broad Street for me.

Are you a fan of mid-week medium long runs?

April Races

March 10, 2011 by Kristy 4 Comments

3/10/11

7 miles tempo

1:02

8:51 avg pace

1 mile warm-up, 5 miles at 8:41 (~ goal marathon pace), 1 mile cool-down. Done on the dreaded treadmill. Ugh. Each week I say no more treadmill and then the rain forces me inside.

Onto fun stuff…I have 2 races coming up in April! I haven’t raced since the Philly Half Marathon last November so I’m looking forward to it. And it’ll be good prep for the NJ Marathon on May 1.

Cherry Blossom 10-Miler – April 3
So excited about this race! This has been on my “races to do” list for a long time. I love 10-milers because you can run faster than half marathon pace but not all out (and I hate to run all out, hence no 5 or 10Ks for me). I usually do the Broad Street Run here in Philly (a very popular 10-miler – super flat and fast) but this year it’s the same day as my marathon. Bummer. So the Cherry Blossom is filling my need for a 10-mile race this Spring.

The race uses a lottery system for entry, so I was very lucky to get in on my first try. I love running DC races. Matt and I lived there for 3 years after college and it’s where I began running. I could run the Marine Corps Marathon every year and never get bored.

My PR for the 10-miler is 1:23. I think I can beat that on April 3 🙂 Fingers crossed!

Penn Relays Distance Classic 20K – April 17
I ran this race back in 2009. This race is pretty interesting. They don’t promote it so you don’t receive any reminder emails about next year’s race. Trying to find the active.com site to sign-up is difficult. Back in 2009, less than 200 people actually ran the race. It’s supposed to kick-off the Penn Relays but I wouldn’t call it much of a kick-off! Do I love it? Absolutely! The race starts and ends at Franklin Field, on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus. Since it’s such a small size, the race director literally yells for everyone to gather on the street (there are no seeds) and yells go! No fuss whatsoever.

Funny but true story…since there are so few runners, you can imagine that everyone gets pretty spread out by the end of the race. I was coming back through Penn’s campus (towards the finish at Franklin Field) and I was following a girl up ahead of me. She was pretty far ahead and turned so she was no longer in my view. When I eventually got to the turn she was no where to be found. Uh oh. I wasn’t sure which way the race went but I knew the general direction. I asked a Penn security guard if he saw any runners with bibs go by. He looked at me like I had 10 heads. Not so helpful. So I went in the general direction back to Franklin Field. I have no idea if I remained on the race course or not. Can you imagine being completely alone during a race?!?!

My friend Jimmy also ran the race that year. He almost got lost but was smart enough to pick up his pace so he had someone in front of him to follow. He is running the race this year too. We are both writing down the last few turns of the race just in case…

Two weeks after this race is my marathon so I decided to not race the Distance Classic. I’m going to use this race as a marathon-paced run. I don’t want to risk going all out 2 weeks before the marathon (especially since this race is only 2 weeks after the Cherry Blossom 10-miler). Call me conservative but I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the marathon that I worked so long and hard for.

Phew…long-winded race explanations, huh? I must be excited 🙂