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Strange Encounters

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7/1/11
18 miles / 2:35 / 8:37 avg pace

Today I had one of those “am I dreaming, please pinch me” runs.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous (no humidity) and I felt amazing.  I just ran based on feel and didn’t pay too much attention to my Garmin.  The result?  Basically a marathon-paced long run!  Woo hoo…what a great way to start the holiday weekend!

When I wrote about my 20-miler last Friday, I neglected to tell you about my “strange man” encounter.  It just didn’t fit well with the whole how-to-survive-a-bachelorette-party theme 😉  Before I get into the story, let me preface by saying I’m the most paranoid and neurotic runner I know, in terms of safety. Where I do my long runs is very safe but it’s better to be skeptical than sorry.

I was nearing the very end of my run (mile 19.5) when I got a rock in my shoe. I tried unsuccessfully to wiggle it out of the way but ended up having to stop. I was directly across from my car and my plan was to run out 0.25 miles and then back to my car to complete my 20. As I was getting the rock from my shoe, another runner past me – a male in his 50s – and asked if I was OK. I told him it was just a rock and I was fine. He then proceeds to tell me that I was keeping a good pace for him and did I want to run the remaining miles together? Now, this has happened to me before so I didn’t think the question was an odd one. I tell him that I’m literally running another 0.25 miles and then turning around, hoping that he would be like “OK, see ya later, have a nice run”. His response? “OK”!

As I was tying my shoe I was debating on whether he was a killer or a kidnapper. He didn’t seem to be (from my very brief encounter with him) and my car was right across the street. It was almost 9am so there were lots of cars around (and other runners). So I stood up and started running with him.

Me and strange man (SM):  Blah, blah, it’s so hot today, blah, blah…
Me:  My name is Kristy.
SM:  My name is Bill.
SM:  Are you married?
Me:  [a little shocked at the question] Yes.
SM:  Me too.
Me:  Well, it’s time for me to turn around. Have a good run!

With that I started booking it back to my car. Whose follow-up question to “hi, my name is” is “are you married”? WTF? Next time I see Bill, I’m doing some unplanned speed work!

Have you ever had any “strange man” encounters? On the flip side, I have met some wonderful people while running. It’s not all bad!

Lehigh Valley Marathon: Week 4 Recap

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Last week I hit 47 miles!  I’m dropping back my mileage a bit this week but next week I’m hoping to hit 50.  I love how this drop-back week still includes an 18-miler.  That just isn’t right!

MON: 8 miles easy (was supposed to be either a hill repeat or speed day but my legs were not feelin’ it)
TUE:  8 miles tempo
WED:  rest
THU:  8 miles easy
FRI:  20 miles hot and steamy
SAT:  3 miles easy
SUN:  rest

Notice the lack of yoga or strength training recently?  When things get busy, it’s always the first to go.  My motivation for yoga or ST is nowhere near my motivation to run.  It’s a constant work in progress.

Originally I had planned on alternating hill repeats and speed work this cycle.  I really need that steady dose of speed work so I’m ditching the hill repeats.  My long runs are fairly hilly and I think they’ll provide me with the preparation I need for LVM.

I’m also doing a 2-week taper for LVM.  I was a complete nut case during the taper period for the NJ Marathon.  Three weeks is too much time for me, mentally and physically (even though my mileage only really dropped 2 weeks before, I hate doing my 22-miler 3 weeks out).  I did a 2 1/2 week taper for Steamtown and it worked out just fine.

Have you ever tried a 2-week taper?  Do you prefer it to the traditional 3-week taper?  

How To Run 20 Miles And Survive A Bachelorette Party

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6/24/11
20 miles / 2:57 / 8:51 avg pace
*This was a tough one.  It was so humid you could cut the air with a knife.  My average pace felt hard and there wasn’t an inch of me that was dry.  Check out my shorts post-run (I can’t believe I’m posting this awful close-up).  I wore my Lululemon Willpower shorts and they are absolutely fantastic.  Nike tempo what?!

This weekend is my friend Amanda’s bachelorette party so I’m heading down the shore today for some drinking and dancing with the Mains. So what am I doing to ensure I can still dance (and stay awake) after 20 miles?

1. Drink chocolate milk immediately post-run. I literally put the chocolate milk in a thermos and wrap it in an ice pack so I can drink it right away. I don’t mess around!

2. Foam roll. I spent a good 10 minutes foam rolling when I got home.

3. Ice bath. I generally don’t ice bath but I’ll take all the help I can get today.

4. Coffee/carbs/water. After a 5:00AM wake-up call, I desperately need coffee in order to hang tonight. And then I’ll need lots of water to counteract the dehydration from the 20-miler, coffee, and (eventually) beer. I’ll also be eating a mini-meal of carbs every 3-4 hours. Empty stomach + beer = bad news.

5. If all else fails, drink beer. It’ll numb the soreness in your legs!  Yes, that is asparagus on the side there.  You need to balance out the beer with some healthy eats.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Lehigh Valley Marathon: Week 3 Recap

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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!

A Bloody 15 Miles

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6/11/11

15 miles / 2:13 / 8:52 avg pace

Catchy title, huh?  I’m sure wannabe vampires will now be directed to my blog.  I always keep it real on RTLR and today I’m going to show you the ugly side of marathon training.  If you have a weak stomach, you’ve been warned.  If you love gruesome stuff like me, then you are in for a treat.

Right before mile 6 I have to cross this wooden plank bridge.  It’s not my favorite part of my long run since it’s high (I hate heights) and I’m scared of tripping on one of the planks.  So I generally run across the bridge no slower than 8:30 pace so I can get it over with and reduce the risk of tripping.  Here’s a picture of the bridge:

It’s super narrow and you can only go as fast as the people in front of you.  Today I got stuck behind a Team in Training group and we were going slow (10:30-11:00 pace).  I had to change my stride and I could feel that my feet were shuffling.  See where I’m going with this!?  Of course I trip over a plank and fall on my right knee.  After I crossed the bridge I took a peek at the damage.  Blood was running down my knee and it was more of a gash than a scrap.  My knee felt fine so I finished my run (another 9 miles).  I did make a pit stop to clean up the wound.  The damage…nice and close for ya:

I got home and showered but the gash wouldn’t close and it kept bleeding.  I figured I needed a few stitches and a tetanus shot.  So on our way to DC (for a wedding) we made a pit stop at Bryn Mawr Hospital.  I ended up with 2 stitches and a tetanus shot.  The PA said that since the gash was over a joint it would probably open up when I ran so a few stitches would be the way to go.  Good times.

The aftermath.  It feels fine now but the bruising is setting in.

I think I’m OK to still dance tonight 🙂

I fall all the time when I run.  I’m pretty klutzy.  Last year I fell while running down the shore (see scar to the right on my knee).

Have you ever tripped or fallen on a run?  Got any battle wounds?

Progress!

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6/4/11

13 miles / 1:53 / 8:42 avg pace

Today was a good run.  I was excited and the weather was beautiful.  I swear I’m not pulling anyone’s leg when I say that I was excited.  I love long runs and look forward to them each week.

I’m doing my long runs on the same hilly route I used for Steamtown last year (beginning – hills, middle – flat, end – hills).  Two things really stood out after this run:

  • The first mile is especially hilly and last year my pace would always be around 9:50.  Today I ran the first mile in 9:23.
  • My overall time – 1:53 – is 4 minutes shy of my half marathon PR (1:49) last September.  I think it’s time to race another half marathon!
I love seeing progress in numbers.  It’s so satisfying knowing all your hard work is finally paying off!