Philly

thirty-six

February 10, 2013 by Kristy 21 Comments

Yesterday was my 36th birthday. Since my birthday fell on a Saturday, I naturally turned it into a birthday weekend. I believe birthdays should be celebrated….even if I am closer to 40 than 30. On that note, let’s change the subject.

I knew exactly how I wanted to start my birthday – with a long run. Abby must have read my mind and emailed me mid-week asking if I was up for a birthday run. Of course.

It always snows on my birthday. Always. But luckily Nemo didn’t destroy our plans and we managed 13 snowy miles. It was a literal winter wonderland (much like my 16-miler a few weeks ago).

Next up was spending the rest of the day with Matt and Hawk. We strolled around Chestnut Hill (a cute neighborhood in Philly) briefly, until it became too cold.

I have been fighting a cold all week long. By 6PM I was a snotty mess and felt awful. I tried to rally to go out to dinner but we ending up ordering pizza and watching a movie. I was in bed by 10:30. Party hardy.

But, it being my birthday weekend, we are doing dinner tonight instead. Followed by The Walking Dead. Oh, how times have changed.

What’s your ideal way to celebrate your birthday? For one of my birthdays, I really want to “run my age”. Too bad I wasn’t running marathons back when I turned 26.

running and such

January 7, 2013 by Kristy 10 Comments

running
The Rehoboth Beach Marathon was 4 weeks ago. Recovery time is over and it’s back to quasi-training. Quasi since I’m not training for anything specific, just maintaining my base (in the event that I do decide to train for something specific).

I really dislike training in the winter and the past 3 years I trained for a Spring marathon. Some years (2012) were mild while others (2011) were awful. I hate planning my training around Mother Nature, resorting to the treadmill, bundling up, and freezing fingers despite 2 layers of gloves.

But…I worked hard in 2012 and I want to maintain all that base building. So I’m putting in the mileage but not worrying about my long run if Mother Nature decides to dump a foot of snow on a Saturday. That’s the perk of quasi-training!

I realize I kinda stopped recapping my weekly mileage after Boston so here’s what I’ve been up to post-RBM:

Week 1 post – no miles (mandatory recovery week)

Week 2 post – 23 miles + barre

Week 3 post – 34 miles (including a run with Abby!) + barre

Week 4 post – 45 miles + barre

My goal is to maintain my base mileage in the 40s with appropriate drop back weeks built in. And keep up with barre class once per week.

and such
This weekend in pictures…

I love Philly.

Are you quasi-training or training for real this winter?

WHYY 12K Recap

November 11, 2012 by Kristy 19 Comments

I ran this race last year and proclaimed “never again”. The distance (7.45 miles) is strange and I end up running 10K pace and just feel miserable for the last mile. For some reason I ended up registering again…maybe to get some redemption?

I had 2 goals going into Saturday’s race:

1. Not race it. Instead I would use the race as a fast finish long run. A 13-mile warm up and then a 12K where I would keep the pace moderate.

2. Beat my time last year – even though I wasn’t racing it. Given my shitty performance last year (7:59 average pace), it shouldn’t be too hard.

I got up at the crack of dawn on Saturday and was running around Kelly Drive by 6:30AM. 13 nice and easy miles.

I love Philly

I finished up run #1 around 8:30 and had a 1/2 hour to change out of my cold, sweaty clothes, eat some Shot Bloks, sit in my car and blast the heat, and then head over to the race. I felt good.

The course is a simple out-and-back along Martin Luther King Drive. The weather was perfect. I kept my pace nice and controlled during the first mile. When I glanced at my Garmin it read 7:45 pace. Hmm.

I maintained 7:45 pace until the turnaround (mile 17). Then I got this incredible rush of endorphins. I loved everyone and everything. I dropped my pace slightly.

I saw Ann around mile 18 and got another little burst of energy (Hi Ann!). I kept pushing onward. I couldn’t believe how fresh my legs felt. If only this were a marathon.

I crossed the finish line in 57:15 (7:41 average pace). A 2+ minute PR from last year, even with a 13-mile warm up.

Overall – 38/374
Female – 8/223
AG – 4/51

I cannot wait for the Philly HM next weekend!

Ever get an endorphin rush and love everyone and everything? It’s like being a happy drunk.

Beautiful Weekend

October 21, 2012 by Kristy 17 Comments

The weather in Philly was gorgeous this weekend.

Perfect running weather. Although I didn’t run a single step.

We went out both Friday and Saturday night and I had brunch with friends on Sunday morning. Late nights, drinks, and long runs do not mix well at my age. A constant reminder why a social life is best saved for the off season.

I say this often but it is worth repeating. When your body is screaming for rest, it’s best to listen. When I wake up and have no desire to run, I know it’s time to stay in bed and sleep. And so I did. Saturday and Sunday. Until 10:00AM. I think the last time I slept that late was college.

Not running long does have its perks. It’s nice to lounge in bed, wake up slowly, have breakfast, watch TV, and not be tired by 12PM. Your legs aren’t sore, they don’t crack and pop going down the stairs, you’re not wearing compression sleeves, not peeing every 1/2 hour, and don’t eat everything in sight.

It’s nice for a weekend. Only a weekend.

We spent most of Saturday outside at the dog park. Hawk enjoyed himself.

What’s the biggest perk to NOT running long on the weekend (on the rare occasion you don’t do a long run)? I would have to say it’s the sleeping in without an alarm and having a leisurely morning.

Celebrating…

April 22, 2012 by Kristy 21 Comments

It’s nearly 1 week post-Boston and I’m still smiling and celebrating.

Check out this post-race picture. I don’t even remember posing for it. Even though I’m rocking the halo of frizz and my smile resembles a Cheshire cat, I love it. It’s nothing more than pure bliss and happiness.

Too bad it costs $50 to download you…

So what have I been doing all week? Going out to dinner, drinking, sleeping, and no running. I always take a week off post-marathon to recharge physically and mentally.

I got a pedicure on Thursday and a massage on Friday. The massage included a “chakra balancing”. I had to Google it when I got home. In the middle of the massage these stones/crystals were placed midline down my body. I have no clue what went on after that because I passed out cold for 30 minutes. Apparently my chakras were unbalanced? Regardless, it was the best massage I ever had.

On Saturday, Matt and I went to the Mutter Museum. If you like weird medical anomalies, this place is for you. Diseases of Secretion, a slide of Einstein’s brain (for real), the Soap Lady (disturbing), and the Big Colon (need I say more?). You’re lucky they don’t allow pictures.

We spent the rest of the day at Rittenhouse Square, one of our favorite spots in the city. Matt and I people-watched and Hawk chased pigeons.

So pretty

We went to dinner at Village Whiskey on Saturday night, which we heard has the best burgers in Philly. They were very good, but the best in the city? Not sure…

And then we had brunch on Sunday morning. Oh my god, I’m practically busting out of my sweatpants.

No more celebrating. I cannot wait to run again tomorrow. One week off is enough for me.

Do you like weird medical stuff? I love it. I used to be addicted to Mystery Diagnosis.

How much time do you take off between races? I always take a week post-marathon. Always.

A Good Run and Good Fun

March 12, 2012 by Kristy 16 Comments

Happy Monday, folks! I’m struggling a bit this morning. I could blame it on Daylight Savings but it’s more likely due to Saturday night fun (yes, I went out)! Before I get to that, let’s talk running!

I “only” had to do 15 miles for my long run this weekend so I made them speedy. I had a great MP run on Tuesday so I wanted to push the number of miles at MP up a bit with my long run. The result? 15 miles in 2:06 (8:24 average pace). Success! I started with a 1-mile warm up, then 13 miles at MP (8:20), and a 1-mile cool down.

8:18, 8:29 (hill), 8:13, 8:14, 8:21, 8:22, 8:28 (hill), 8:21, 8:20, 8:16, 8:15, 8:14, 8:16

I want to say these miles felt as effortless as they did on Tuesday but they didn’t. I was running into a brutal headwind most of the time and my allergies were awful. I’m happy that I was able to maintain MP despite all that though.

Saturday night was a much anticipated night out. We made these plans months ago. Most of my friends have babies so getting everyone together (both the guys and girls) is tough. It was also the Erin Express, Philly’s Irish bar crawl. I was an enthusiastic Erin Express participant multiple times in my 20s…you are pretty much drunk by 4pm and just plain obnoxious. We wanted to avoid any bar with Erin Expressers at all costs. By the time we met up, the sea of green youngins were dwindling and we snagged a table at Oh! Shea’s. We were there for awhile before moving onto another bar.

Matt and I got home at 2am (technically it was 3am – damn Daylight Savings). Sunday was an intentional rest hangover day for me and I needed it. I have no idea how I used to do this every weekend. Youth, I guess.

Ever do a St. Patty’s Day bar crawl? My last Erin Express was when I was 28. I think we were too old then. I do love celebrating SPD though.

Do you plan your rest days around your social life? I used to all the time. My lack of social life right now affords me lots of flexibility with rest days Years ago, rest days were strictly scheduled around my Saturday night shenanigans.