easy run

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

October 26, 2011 by Kristy 17 Comments

10/26/11
6 miles easy / 55:36 / 9:16 avg pace

1. I got my Knuckle Lights in the mail yesterday and they are awesome. They are comfortable, provide enough light (but not too much), and they are discreet. Call me vain but I can’t see myself wearing a headlamp ever.

2. I posted this a long time ago, when I had about 5 readers. I’m sure many of you have seen it (or a variation of it) but I promise you will laugh. It’s worth the 2 minutes and 23 seconds. I swear this is what my co-workers think of me.

3. Lastly, just because he is so darn cute.

Have you seen the “I’m a Runner” video? They have a ton of different ones and they are all hysterical!

Lehigh Valley Marathon: Week 12 Recap

August 23, 2011 by Kristy 13 Comments

8/23/11
7 miles speed
*10 x 400m. The last time I did this workout (12 x 400m) I averaged 1:36 and ended with up with a sore hamstring for the remainder of the week (due to overstriding). I held back today and averaged 1:50. Much slower but I have a happy hamstring! Although I did run the last repeat in 1:34 just to make sure I still had it in me 😉

Let’s recap week 12…

MON: 7 miles easy
TUE: 11 miles tempo
WED: 7 miles speed
THU: 6 3 miles easy (thunderstorm)
FRI: 9 miles easy
SAT: rest/HLS
SUN: 15 miles long

A total of 52 miles for the week. After Thursday’s derailed run, I was hell-bent on getting my 55 miles in. That feeling faded quickly when life and the weekend got in the way. So I maxed out at 52/53 miles this training cycle. My intention was to max out at 60 but my legs had other plans. There is a reason why the FIRST training plan focuses on low mileage. It’s difficult to run hard 3 days, add in 2 easy 8-milers, and repeat week after week.

But my legs feel rested and ready for my 22-miler on Friday. I can’t wait. I always treat the last “long” run of a training cycle like a dress rehearsal for race day. I’ll wear the same clothes…and maybe even the same socks and hair bands if I have a particularly good run. I guess I’m superstitious?!

Question – do you treat your last long run (before the taper) like a dress rehearsal for the big day? Or do you just go with the flow?

What I Love Wednesday

August 3, 2011 by Kristy 9 Comments

8/3/11
8 miles easy / 1:14 / 9:15 avg pace

My iPad
Matt completely shocked me and bought me an iPad for our anniversary! For the record, I bought him an equally awesome gift – a weekend away in the Fall (drive-able destination of his choice). I’m slowly learning how to use the iPad and I’m so excited at all the possibilities.

Orla Kiely Bag
I’m a total bag person. I can do without clothes or shoe shopping but bag shopping? Heaven on earth. The Coach outlet is the death of me. I discovered this line of bags in Ireland and fell in love. I thought it was a local Irish designer until I saw the bag in a store in Philly. Turns out they have shops in London. I stalked the website until they had a sale and got this bag for 50% off!

(via)

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate KIND Bars
So unbelievably good! If you are familiar with Peanut Chews (Philly candy), these KIND bars taste the same but are obviously way better for you. And they have 7g of protein in each bar. There are a ton of other flavors too but I like to trick myself into thinking I’m actually eating Peanut Chews 🙂

(via)
I need some app suggestions for my iPad. Any good ones? Restaurant apps? Running log apps? I’m currently using an old school excel spreadsheet.
What are you loving these days?

Lehigh Valley Marathon: Week 7 Recap

July 18, 2011 by Kristy 8 Comments

7/19/11
7 miles easy / 1:04 / 9:09 avg pace

Am I really on Week 8 already?! Time is flying by and race day will be here before I know it. I just got the butterflies/nervous feeling typing that! No matter how many marathons you run, the nerves are always there. Especially when you ~~want~~ need to BQ. No pressure though 😉

Week 7 was so-so. I wanted to keep my mileage at 50 but couldn’t due to my left quad soreness (resulting from dehydration on a long run). My quad felt fine by Tuesday but I didn’t want to push it. So no speed work for the week but I did have a good (short) long run and a good tempo run, so I can’t complain.

MON: 8 easy
TUE: 4 easy with a running club (details to come…)
WED: 8 tempo
THU: rest
FRI: 13 long
SAT: 10 easy
SUN: rest

A total of 43 miles for the week. I’m planning on 54 miles this week. It’s supposed to 100 degrees on Friday with crazy humidity. This will be a good test for Operation Hydration. I’m going to carry salt packets with me on my long run to see if they help and drink more water than I usually do all week. I’m not afraid of hydrating too much (fun fact: I check the color of my pee all the time). I know my body and if you saw how much I sweat, I think you would agree! On that gross note, I’m outta here!

Random Thursday: 5 Facts About Me

June 23, 2011 by Kristy 16 Comments

6/23/11
8 miles easy / 1:17 / 9:37 avg pace

I could bore you with the details of my 8-miler this morning or I could bore you with 5 random facts. I know you’d love to know more about me, so let’s get to it!

1. I don’t like any of my food to touch on a plate. Those paper plates with dividers are the best invention ever. I also eat one food at a time: meat first, then veggies, then rice, etc.

2. I got my belly button pierced when I was 18 and just took it out a few weeks ago. I had it for so long (16 years!) I barely noticed it anymore.

3. I have never been stung by a bee. The thought of being stung terrifies me.

4. I walked at 9 months of age. I have asked my mom repeatedly to verify the validity of this milestone and she swears to it. Matt, on the other hand, doesn’t believe it.

5. I love ketchup and pretty much drench my food in it. A grilled cheese and ketchup is my favorite.

So now my strangeness is confirmed!

I want to know some random facts about you! Please tell me something!

Lehigh Valley Marathon: Week 3 Recap

June 20, 2011 by Kristy 7 Comments

6/21/11
8 miles tempo / 1:10 / 8:45 avg pace
*2 miles easy, 4 miles at 8:00 pace, 2 miles easy

Last week was a little rough. I was sick on Monday which threw my schedule off. As a result, I had to run Tuesday through Friday…with Friday being 17 miles. Ugh, my legs were feeling it. I generally like to take the day before a long run as a rest day, but that’s not always possible. I did manage to eek out 45 miles for the week though!

MON: sick
TUE: 7 miles speed
WED: 8 miles easy
THU: 5 miles easy
FRI: 17 miles
SAT: rest
SUN: 8 miles tempo

I have a similar problem this week since I’ll be down the shore over the weekend (leaving Friday!). I’ll be doing 20 miles on Friday and then recovering by dancing and drinking large amounts of beer. I’ll let you know how that goes!