Busy, Busy

I’ve been pretty busy in the workout department since last Thursday.  Of course, now I’m paying for it as my left hip is KILLING me (or maybe that’s just a reaction to the ART session from last night). 

But what was I doing until I decided to give my hip a break?

Friday was my wedding anniversary so Jason and I walked to a nearby pub for dinner and drinks.  After I rode my bike to and from work.  Does commuting by bike count as a workout if it’s only a few miles total? 

Saturday I did a strength workout but my stomach was upset so I didn’t push it very hard and had to rush out of the gym mid-set to use the bathroom.  I felt pretty out of it the rest of the day.

Thankfully I felt better on Sunday, though, because I joined Kim for some kayaking! 

We kayaked around a lake for about an hour.  I could really feel it working my arms but, believe it or not, I wasn’t sore at all the next day!  I have a feeling that if I’d done this last year or the year before I would have felt it for a few days afterward.  Strength training for the win!

Monday I took advantage of my day off and went for a long bike ride.  I rode from my apartment to Chicago’s lake front path and went south to where the path ends.  Then I turned around and headed back.

Although the air temps were warm there was a strong breeze coming in off the lake that made it pretty nice outside.  Minus the fact that the wind felt like it was going to blow me over or backward most of the ride.  I also explored some alternate ways to get home and ended up riding just over 25 miles.  I’m still not very fast on my bike but I am really enjoying being out on it.

And then Tuesday I went for a run all by my lonesome at lunch.  Been a LONG time since I’ve done that.

Funny how different the lake and the skyline can look from one day to the next, isn’t it?  I ran for 40 minutes and finished 4.5 miles.  And, even though it was straight-up sunny and warm I felt pretty good.  Racer back tan line, here I come!

When I got home from work I hit up the apartment gym for a quick strength session.

Now I’m taking a few days off from running.  I might do a strength session tonight or I might just rest.  That ART session left me really sore!

Several Things Thursday

Whew.  Sorry for dropping off the planet there for a minute.  Where have I been?  Moving to my new apartment!!

That’s our kitchen/living room/dining room/balcony

Finishing up packing, moving, unpacking, and getting settled took all of last week and the weekend.  Monday I was back at our previous abode finishing up a few things.  So, I didn’t get a workout until Tuesday.

What did I do Tuesday?  I went for a run at lunch.  Just 3ish miles.  I forgot my Garmin since I’m all out of sorts with the move.  The run felt strong, though, so I’d like to think it was a good pace.

On Wednesday I rode my bike to work.  It’s about 1.5 miles from my apartment to my office and it took me a little less than 15 minutes.  Of course, I had to dodge cabs and buses and now totally understand why drivers hate cyclists.  I’m TRYING to follow the rules but when buses and cabs cut me off or drive so close to the curb there’s no room for me I’m going to take some drastic maneuvers.

Riding home was a different story.  First I rode to my ART appointment and that was fine.  Easy, even.  But getting home meant trying to navigated super congested streets with very little room for cyclists.  I have a feeling I’ll be checking out some out-of-the way streets instead of taking the more direct route.  Riding my bike was exhilarating, though, when it wasn’t terrifying or irritating. 

And then Wednesday, after my adventures in bike riding, I used the gym in my apartment building for the first time.

 

I did the following workout.  You do the teal and the magenta sections three times each and the yellow sections once.  I had to lower some of the weights (specifically the bicep curls, tricep extensions and the chest presses) but overall it was a killer workout.  My glutes are still feeling it today.  Whew.

Source: foodandfunontherun.com via Erin on Pinterest

 

Should make for an interesting showing at the Chase Corporate Challenge this evening.  Yes, I’m running (but not racing).  But as a bandit.  I didn’t register so I’m just going to use someone else’s number.  Shhhh. 

Also, because I was so busy moving I didn’t get a chance to participate in Mag Mile Runner’s photo challenge for this week.  The prompt?  Your worst race. 

Soldier Field 10 Miler 2011

That’s me in the red tank top.  I don’t know what it was about this race, but my heart wasn’t in it.  And afterward my hip hurt so bad it was the first time I was really worried about what I’d done to it.  I think it was my horrible form on that day.  I mean, look at me in that photo. Ugh.  Anyway, the Soldier Field 10 Mile race is this weekend and I’m not sad at all that I’m not running it. 

That’s what I have for you this Thursday.  How are you?

Fulfilled Wishes

 

Wednesday evening I wanted to squeeze in a strength workout.  I thought all day about which one to do and ultimate decided on my Top to Bottom workout with the addition of some more push-ups.  I also discovered something else.

 

I’ve been trying to do (and hold) a straight-legged V-sit since 2009!  And, look, I finally accomplished it!!!

And this wasn’t a fluke, either.  My camera was acting up so I had to do it several times before I got this photo. 

I guess all that physical therapy has been good for something!  It’s finally taught me how to use those lazy lower ab muscles. 

Speaking of physical therapy, after my lunch time run on Thursday (approximately 4 miles, pace unknown.  My Garmin battery was dead.) I could feel my hip slowly tightening up as I sat at my desk.  I tried to get up and stretch it out but that’s kind of difficult to do when you’re wearing a sheath dress.

Thankfully I had a physical therapy session scheduled for Thursday evening. She poked and prodded and pushed and then, lo and behold, I could feel just the slightest stretch in my left adductor when I went into a side lunge.  For the first time in almost a year I didn’t feel a strong, horrible pinching sensation in my hip!  It’s still tight but it felt so much better that I started laughing hysterically in the middle of the PT gym.  I really, really hope this means I’ve turned a corner! 

This weekend I probably won’t be working out.  Instead, I’ll be volunteering at the Illinois Marathon.  Course set-up from 4AM – 7AM and then course marshaling between miles 18 & 19 from 8:30 – 1:15 PM.  My mom and my husband are volunteering to drive one of the sag wagons, as well.  I wish I was running this race for a variety of reasons but volunteering is the next best thing.  You can’t have a race without volunteers and I like to give back. 

So, unless you're running the Illinois Marathon, I’ll see you on Monday!  Have a good weekend! 

Runners Must Be Crazy

Craziness Example 1: Running in the rain

Another rainy run on Thursday. Of course, when I decided to go running it was only misting but by the time we got outside it was coming down pretty good. The funny thing about running in the rain, though, is if you have on a hat (and don't wear glasses) you can barely tell it's raining. It's not until you get done and strip off your clothes that you realize how wet you are.

Only one other guy from the lunch time crew was able to go but we're close to the same pace (if I push it a little harder) so neither of us was out there alone. Of course, we weren't the only crazy runners doing our thing in the rain. Nope. We saw quite a few other runners as well as some cyclists.

Look, when you want to get in a workout you can't let Mother Nature deter you too much. In the end, we did almost 4.5 miles even though we originally said we were just going to do 3.

Rainy Lunch Run North by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Craziness Example 2: Signing up for last-minute races while traveling

I'm flying to Washington, DC on Saturday for a conference. We arrive Saturday evening but the conference stuff doesn't start until 11:30 AM on Sunday. The conference center is located across the river from Alexandria, Virgina in National Harbor, Maryland. In my quest to get in a run in as many states as possible I got online to Google running routes in the area.

Which of course meant I stumbled upon a running club website. Which had a list of races in the area.

Hmmm, I thought. I want to run a few miles on Sunday morning. I wonder if there's a race nearby. I think Kim is rubbing off on me :-)

A few clicks later and I landed on the website for the Inaugural Patent and Trademark Office Society 5K taking place less than 15 minutes from my hotel on Sunday morning.

So, I signed up. Hey, why not? Now I'm sure to get in at least one run while I'm there. I'll still need to run in Maryland, though....

Serendipity

I wasn't able to attend the track workout on Wednesday night because I had to be somewhere else after work. So I brought my running stuff to work with plans to do a solo run along the lakefront at lunch.

Then I was emailing with Kim about our respective weekends when she mentioned she had brought her running stuff to work. Was there any chance I happened to have mine?

Why, yes, yes there was!

This is why we're best friends. Totally on the same wavelength :-)

So we met up for a quick 4 miler out and back along the lake. I hadn't run in almost a week (since last Thursday) and I felt like I was sucking wind the entire time. And when we got done my left hip felt SO tight. If I only I could figure out a way to easily bring my foam roller to work. Maybe I should just order another one and have it shipped directly here.

Anyway, regardless of how the run felt, it was so awesome that Kim and I were able to meet up last minute.

Lunch Run w/Kim by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

These Legs

The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathonphotos are up and there are some really good ones of me, Kim, and the two of us together.

I'm super excited about my finish line photos.

At Chicago I'm not even sure I got a finish line photo, so these more than make up for it.

But you know what I saw when I looked at these photos?

Did I see the smile on my face? Did I see how strong I looked?

No. My eyes immediately gravitated towards my thighs. And my hips.

Since I haven't really been able to strength train I feel flabby and gross. I felt like these pictures were just highlighting that fact.

But yesterday, after a 4 mile run at lunch where I finally felt good again I realized something.

Those thighs and hips, those legs, they carried me for 26.2 miles in a time I never dared to imagine.

Those legs carried me on a 4 mile run along the Chicago lakefront less than week after running that marathon.

Those legs, no matter what they look like, are strong and capable. So, sure, I don't look like the women on the cover of Runners World. That doesn't mean I'm not a strong runner. Sure, I don't look like the celebrities on the cover of the fashion magazines, but that's not the point.

I'm proud of what my legs can do. And that's what's important.

Recovery Run Fail

If I learned anything about myself during the Madison to Chicago Ragnar Relay it was that my legs don't mind pumping out some fast miles when they're tired. Already did a fast, hard run less than 24 hours ago? That's okay. You can do another one.

So on Thursday I did. What was supposed to be a lunch time recovery run turned into another tempo run. I didn't do it on purpose! It's just that I was running with guys from work and they tend to be faster than me. Although, I think I was pulling one of them along at the end while our fastest guy forged on ahead.

It was a great day for running. I wore capris and a short sleeved top and was actually too warm. I totally could have gone for shorts and a tank top. It may have been in the mid 50s but the sun was out. And, yes, there was a breeze. More like a wind. At first I thought the fact that the wind was at our backs for the first 2.5 miles was responsible for my speed but I managed to crank out comparable miles on the way back even with the wind right in my face.

My knees were a little achy but everything else seemed fine. I was pushing myself but my legs didn't feel like they were burning and I didn't feel like I was gasping for air. Strange considering I just did speedwork the night before, right? You'd think my legs would be tired. Apparently that was just a warm up for them.

In the end, we did 4.9 miles at an 8:30 pace (with a few pauses for traffic and water). If I could recreate how I felt on Thursday at the 10Ks I'm doing after Milwaukee I will have a new 10K PR in the bag. Maybe I just need to do some speedwork the day before?

Lunch Run South by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Tricksy Weather

I swear yesterday the high was only supposed to be in the low 80s. I figured at noon it would still be only in the upper 70s.

I should have known better when I left my house wearing a cardigan and felt a little warm.

Still, I soldiered on and rallied the troops for a lunch time run. Kim was even able to join us!

We went south on the lakefront path because it's usually less busy and I like the scenery a little better. Did you know that 70,000 people use the lakefront path daily? That is a LOT of people!

Turns out the weather felt a lot warmer, too. That 9:25 average pace felt pretty rough towards the end and all we did was 4 miles. Of course, I was running on tired legs having done almost 8 miles just the evening before.

Kim and I stuck together, though, and I was even able to grunt out some answers to her conversational questions.

Afterwards, though, I was wiped. I know I just said that sometimes a run leaves me feeling energized. Yesterday, though, all I wanted to do was fall asleep at my desk. Doesn't help that the sun comes in my office windows in the afternoon and makes me warm and sleepy.

Regardless, it was nice to get out there and enjoy the day.

Lunch Run South by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

In Threes

I guess I have three runs to update about, huh?

This is what happens when I don't blog on the weekend. Oh well.

Monday night I wanted to get in more than the usual 5.5 miles but since it was our Run of the Month we had post-run plans for dinner at my favorite restaurant. I invited Jason to join us for dinner since I figure he's an official club member (he holds our gear at races and takes pictures). So I ended up running 2 miles to the club run starting point and then doing 5.5 miles with the club for a total of 7.5 miles. Worked out pretty well! My first two miles were quite speedy compared to the rest of them. Not really how it's supposed to go. At least the rest of the miles were fairly even? Anyway, it was a pretty good run for this time of year. It was warm out, but not stifling. I took my handheld water bottle and Jacob shared margarita flavored Shot Bloks.

Monday Night OPRC Plus by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Tuesday I did a three mile run at lunch. The sun was blazing but at least there was a cool breeze off Lake Michigan. Still, I took it easy and we stopped for water twice. The boys did the full 4 mile route but us gals just did 3. That's really all I wanted to do, anyway. My legs were pretty tired from running 7.5 miles less than 24 hours before. 10.5 miles in 18 hours? You'd think I was running a relay or something!

Lunch Run North by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Then on Wednesday I tried something a little different. Wednesday is normally our track workout day but this is our "by" week. Of course, I can't leave well enough alone so I took a look at the FIRST marathon training plan on which I based my marathon training plan to see what was on the schedule for this week. The result? 4x800 @ 8:05 minute/mile w/1:30 minute rest intervals. So I decided I'd do it on the treadmill in the gym at work so that I could get it out of the way and maybe lift weights in the evening.

I did a 1.5 mile warm-up and then cranked the treadmill up to 7.5 MPH at a 1.5% incline. Woof. That first half mile felt rough. I took a 2 minute rest break instead of 1:30 and then tried again at closer to 8:20 minute/mile. Still rough. Not sure what was up with that. Too fast? Legs too tired? This cold I seem to be fighting off? I took a quarter mile rest break and then tried one more time. I only made it a tenth of a mile before I called it quits. I just wasn't feeling it. But, I'm guessing that sometimes it's smarter to end a workout early instead of pushing through when you're fatigued. I ended up doing 3 miles total on the treadmill and was sweating in places I didn't know I could sweat. So 2x800 instead of 4x800. I think the treadmill and I do better on 400 meter intervals. I'll have to remember that for next time.

A Four Mile Lunch

I think we're going for an alcohol theme on this here blog this week.

Just kidding.

Except my Garmin apparently decided that taking a three (or four) martini lunch sounded better than running yesterday and, as such, didn't pick up a satellite signal until 2.5 miles into our 4 mile lunch time run. I just said screw it and didn't even bother to hit "Start" at that point.

So I ran by feel and I think I felt pretty good. Much better than Monday night. Especially considering we were running into the 10+ mile an hour wind for 2.5 miles. One of the guys I was running with said he read that when you're biking into the wind you should put in earplugs so you can't hear the wind. Apparently hearing the wind psyches you out and causes you to go slower than you need to. He figured the same thing would apply to running. Could be an interesting experiment.

Other fun running-related items from Tuesday? We had our first Madison to Chicago relay team meeting. We assigned vans and chose which legs each person is running. I'm in Van 2 and am runner #11. What does that mean?

I get to run 5.8 miles starting at approximately 7:30 PM. Then 4 miles at 4:00 AM. And, finally, 8.2 miles around 1:30 PM. It's definitely going to be an adventure and a half.

I'm also 90% sure I'm signing up for the Grand Haven Duathlon. I'm just waiting for another woman from work to confirm whether or not she's signing up, too. We have a free place to stay in Grand Haven thanks to one of the guys from the lunch time running crew but if she doesn't sign up it will just be me and several guys from work. And, while I like all of them, I thought that would be kind of weird. What do you think?

Wind Beneath My Wings

I managed to get out for a short run at lunch time on Thursday. Thankfully the rain they had originally predicted stayed away. Unfortunately the wind was blowing in from the lake with a vengeance.

We went south along the lakefront path, past the aquarium and Solider Field. The first mile went by quickly and I was pleased that my pace was around 9:00 without feeling like I was pushing it.

Turns out that the wind had a hand in that. I slowed down so that the other woman in the group could keep up and when we turned around at mile 2 I realized why that first mile had felt so effortless. I was being propelled by the wind.

That last 1.6 miles were straight into the wind. I put my all into it because I just wanted to be done. Originally I'd planned to run 5 miles but I'm glad we turned around when we did. I couldn't imagine being out there for longer than I was already!

I pushed myself hard for the last half mile trying to catch up to the guys who had pulled away. I felt bad for leaving my female running companion but my body just didn't want to go slow. When I made it to the intersection where we turn off the path I decided to wait for her and then just walk leisurely back to our starting point. Meaning I only did a total of 3.68 miles instead of 4 but, hey, almost half of it was into the wind so I think that counts for something.

Lunch Time Run South - Short by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

This is the Zits

Source

Runners talk about a lot of things that non-runners would probably find horrifying. Blackened toenails, being rubbed raw in compromising places, and emergency pit stops are all acceptable topics of conversation when you're with runners. But the one I don't hear about all that often is the topic of acne. Zits. Huge red or white spots on your face, back, chest, or other inconvenient spot. Is this because I'm the only one with this issue?

Yesterday I went out for a run at lunch (3.38 miles at a 9:28 average pace) and realized that I couldn't put my visor down as low as I wanted on my forehead. And why not? Because I have a huge, painful, red zit right in the center of my forehead, exactly where my visor usually covers.

I actually noticed it on Sunday after my 5K race but it wasn't quite so painful then. Since it appeared in a spot that my visor sits I can only assume it appeared in part due to the sweat that accumulates and gets held there by the visor.

So don't wear the visor, you say. Very funny. Have you seen me sweat? Even yesterday, when I was almost underdressed (capris, tank top, arm warmers) and I stayed relatively dry the visor had soaked up enough sweat to have a nice dark sweat line on it. I sweat. A lot. I need the visor to keep it out of my eyes. Which I guess means I have to deal with a zit that makes it look like I've converted to Hinduism.



Except mine is higher up than that.

Please tell me I'm not the only person who suffers the pain and agony of unfortunately placed pimples!

A Little Recovery

Since we moved our speedwork session to Wednesday night this week I was finally able to get out with my lunch time group and run on Thursday. And I don't think we could have asked for a more perfect day.

Well, except for the wind.

Regardless, Thursday was the perfect remedy for the winter blues. 60 degrees and a little overcast. I wore shorts and a short-sleeved shirt but could have easily gotten away with a tank top!

I ran with the other woman in the lunch time group and we pushed the pace a little fast on our first mile. She was crying uncle so we slowed down. I didn't really mind, though, since I was counting it as a recovery run after Wednesday night's time trial. A nice, easy, 4.2 mile recovery run.

Lunch Run North by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

I love being able to run at lunch. Sure, I go back to the office looking a little ragged but as long as I don't have any afternoon meetings, who cares? My boss is great about it and my coworkers don't even notice. The only downside is that I'm RAVENOUS for the rest of the day.

My shin was a little achy afterward but it's nothing a little ice won't fix.

Good thing, too. Because I've got a half marathon on Sunday! I've said before I'm not going to race it, especially because of the hills.


So, yeah. 13.1 mile training run (with medal) here I come!

Unexpected (plus Giveaway winner!)

My calendar was finally clear enough on a Tuesday that I was able to get out yesterday and run at lunch. Just me and four guys. That's cool, though. I spent most of the run chatting with our resident triathlete about area duathlons and triathlons. He's trying to convince me to do a triathlon. I say let me do a duathlon first!

Anyway, we were so caught up in chatting that I didn't realize how fast we were going. Turns out we did 3.8 miles at an 8:50 pace! Okay, THAT was unexpected. This was my fourth day of running in a row - something I hardly ever do. I'd run hard on Sunday and relatively long on Monday night. And I was mostly keeping up my end of the conversation so I obviously wasn't sucking wind too badly.

Amazingly, I wasn't exhausted afterward either like I usually am after a lunch run. My leg didn't bother me at all during the run and only had some minimal achy-ness later. And today it feels fine (as long as I wear my running shoes. Dress shoes are still a no-go).

Definitely unexpected. But welcome!

Lunch Time Run South by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

And as for who won the Element Bars Giveaway? The random number generator chose number 9 and commenter number 9 was.....my friend Mitmee! Congrats!

Sad that you didn't win? Don't worry, you can still order your dream creation. Element Bars is offering my blog readers 15% off if you use code eri15 at the checkout. Or you can use this link for 20% off a variety pack with free shipping.

North by Northwest

After Monday night's harrowing run I was itching to get out there and get in some faster miles. I figured the lunch time running crew would be good for a fast, short run.

Although, when 11:30 came and went and the round-em-up email hadn't gone out I began to wonder. Was it still too icy on the path? Was everyone stuck in meetings? Were they all going to wuss out?

I'll be honest, the thought of going out there and getting sweaty and pushing myself all alone was not appealing. So I sent out the email and thankfully got some responses.

And, thankfully, the path was not icy at all. Sure, there were some big, cold puddles but no ice. Which meant I was able to push the pace. I didn't always pause my Garmin for stops so here's what I got:

Mile 1 - 9:28
Mile 2 - 9:00
Mile 3 - 8:21
Mile .19 - 9:17 pace

Nice, huh? It was tough but enjoyable. Yes, there are things that can be both.

Although I may be paying the price now. My left shin feels achy. Good thing I've got a day off before my next speed session!

Lunchtime North by snmnstrz21 at Garmin Connect - Details

Four on the Floor

What does "four on the floor" even mean? Is it a car reference? I think it has something to do with an engine and putting the gas pedal all the way down. I could be wrong, though.

Regardless, I definitely put my gas pedal all the way down during my lunch run on Tuesday. The combination of wind, literally freezing temperatures, and my only running buddy being someone who runs a 10K in 46 minutes (that's almost 10 minutes faster than me) made me push hard for our 4 miler.

We started out into the wind which may have slowed us down some. It also took my breath away so I wasn't all that talkative during the first two miles. Then, on the second half of the run I was sucking wind and there was no way I could talk. I was not surprised to see my average pace drop to sub-9 minutes and when I uploaded my Garmin stats I also wasn't surprised to see that my splits looked like this:

Mile 1 - 9:29 (wind and stopping for traffic)
Mile 2 - 8:46
Mile 3 - 8:30
Mile 4 - 8:43

I pushed it HARD during that third mile and even so my running buddy took off on ahead for the last mile. That's okay with me, though, because I wasn't exactly talkative company.

I was really glad to get in a run at lunch but I think my speed and the weather conditions really took it out of me. At 4:00 my brain totally checked out (too bad I was in a meeting), I was starving when I got home, and could barely manage to make dinner. Oops. It's been so long since I ran at lunch that I forgot I need to bring lots of post-run snacks.

When I walked into my office after running my boss took one look at me and said, "Please tell me you didn't go running. It's COLD out there!" I may not like to run in the rain but cold will never stop me. I'll just put my foot to the floor and power on.

The Absentminded Runner

Before I post about the Turkey Trot 10K I feel I need to make a post about Thursday's run. I mentioned that I hoped to get in a short run on Thursday at lunch. Well, I completely forgot to pack my bag the night before (trying to cram in a panel speaking engagement, a trip to the gym, and dinner will do that to you). I threw some items in my bag in the morning and, per usual when I do that, I ran down the inventory of important things as I walked to the train.

Shoes? Check
Bottoms? Check
Tops? Check
Sports bra? Check
Socks? Check
Towel? Check
Face wash? Check
Make up? Check
Hair brush? Check
Deodorant? Check
Gloves? Check
Hair tie? Check

Alright, good to go. All the essentials were packed.

Do you notice anything missing?

How about the Garmin and my visor? Yeah, those were not-so-check.

Which means that I ran 3 miles sans visor and with no idea of my pace. I only know the distance because we ran the usual 3 mile route. And when I say "we" I mean me and one of the faster guys in our group. Yep, the only people man enough (or with enough free time) to brave Thursday's chilly and overcast weather were me and Hap.

Hap told me I could set the pace but I hate doing that when running with someone faster. So, I pushed it hard for the first mile and a half and (I think to Hap's dismay) suggested we turn around at the 1.5 mile mark.

It was a tough three miles. I'd been leading a training session all morning in a computer lab where we aren't technically supposed to have liquids. So, in order to set a good example, I didn't bring my water bottle. Plus, since I was doing that during my usual snack time I had to eat my morning snack earlier than usual. All that (plus my lack of running lately) combined for a rough run. I hope I didn't slow Hap down too much. I appreciated that he stayed with me.

Post-run I wasn't feeling too optimistic about the upcoming 10K. But how did it turn out? Stay tuned!

A Perfect Storm

After essentially not running at lunch all summer due to scheduling issues, I was finally able to get out there yesterday. Unfortunately most of the regular crew was unavailable but, thankfully, one of my female running buddies came out to run.

It wasn't a fast run, by any means. We both ran the Chicago Marathon and, as we discussed, have actually been slacking a bit in the running department. Lately I'm lucky if I get in two runs a week.

I wore capris and my long-sleeved Chicago Half Marathon shirt. It was the first time I'd worn that shirt and it turned out to be more like a tent than a top. Dear Race Organizers: PLEASE have women's cut shirts. Please please please. A men's small is NOT the same as a women's small. And to add insult to injury I didn't really need a long-sleeved top. It was a a lot warmer than it originally seemed and I was hot by the end of the first mile.

At least until we turned around to do the "back" portion of our out-and-back route. When we'd started the sun was shining but when we started heading back towards downtown we saw the dark and ominous clouds that had rolled in from the northwest. The air temperature seemed to drop and we got hit with a few raindrops. Thankfully we made it back before the rain really started.

We did our 4 mile route (which is actually more like 5) and averaged a 9:50 pace with a few pauses for traffic. Sadly, I don't have my fun stats or maps to show you because Bones in Motion (the website I used to use) was bought by Adidas miCoach which currently does not support Garmin data uploads. Boo to that!

Do you use any online run statistic trackers? If so, which ones?

Chicago Running

Yesterday I braved wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour to get in a quick lunch time run. Technically this should have been a recovery run but, as always, I ran fairly speedy.

The run itself was pretty uneventful. It took me a bit to settle in during the first mile due to stops for traffic, crazy wind making it seem like we were running in place, and general leg fatigue (as Jason pointed out, I did run 23 miles over the weekend and that's more than I used to run in one week). I settled down during the last two and a half miles, though. A nine minute pace still doesn't feel particularly easy, but it's definitely easier than the 8:30 pace I ran on Monday.

Also, running at lunch is a great way to beat the midday blahs. It doesn't help the 3PM hunger, though. It makes that much worse. And, of course, I didn't bring enough food so I was STARVING by the time I got home.

Thankfully, I was able to eat before I headed to first running club meeting of the 10-11 season. Our speaker? Carey Pinkowski, the race director of the Chicago Marathon. He's been race director for 21 years and he's been speaking to the club before the marathon for each of those 21 years.

Carey shared some behind-the-scenes information on how they get such a huge event up and running. Including the fact that race employees go door to door handing out fliers telling residents and businesses who live along the course what to expect. He joked that one of the reasons so many people come out to cheer on race day is because they figure they can't leave their house so they might as well get into the spirit of the event.

Carey also gave us some interesting stats about the race. I took notes so I could share them with you :-)

Fun Chicago Marathon Facts

This is the 33rd year for the Chicago Marathon

Registration for the 2010 Chicago Marathon filled up 50 days after opening

43% of people who registered for the Chicago Marathon are first time marathoners

Only about 1/4 of the runners are from Illinois. Another 1/4 are from outside the U.S. The rest are from all over the U.S.

In 2009 the average race day temperature was 57^oF cooler than in 2008

He told us about how he woos the elites to come run Chicago and you could literally feel his excitement about the field this year.

Of course, we asked questions and gave suggestions. Who knows? Maybe one day one of our suggestions will get incorporated into this event! And in just over one month I'll be participating in this event as one of those first time marathoners. Which means next year I'm sure to have my own suggestions :-)

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Lunch time run stats

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 591 ft Location: -- Elev. Gain: -7 ft Date: 09/07/10 Up/Downhill: [+157/-164] Time: 12:18 PM Difficulty: 1.8 / 5.0 Performance Distance: 3.62 miles Time: 0:33:01 Speed: 6.6 mph Pace: 9' 07 /mi Calories: 428 Map   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 44 +0' 37 6.2 -0.4 +7 ft 2 8' 47 -0' 20 6.8 +0.2 -20 ft 3 8' 58 -0' 09 6.7 +0.1 0 ft end 8' 58 -0' 09 6.7 +0.1 +3 ft Versus average of 9' 07 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Road Runner

I haven't run at lunch time in months. The weather has been horrible and I didn't really want to spend my afternoons in a heat-induced coma.

But yesterday I couldn't turn down the opportunity. The weather was fabulous, the sky was overcast, and since I won't be doing a long run this weekend, I thought it would be good to get in some extra mileage.

So I packed my gym bag and headed out with the guys for a lunch time run. Most of the group went 4 miles but I opted for 3. And those were 3 speedy miles, let me tell you. I thought I'd run slow since I'd just run a speedy 8.5 less than 24 hours before but apparently not.

Actually, one of the other reasons I wanted to run at lunch was because I feel like I've been slowing down lately. I remembered that when I was feeling fast in the spring it was because I was running with both the OPRC and my lunch time group. I know that running long distances uses different muscles than running short distances and that it's expected that you'll lose some speed when training for a marathon. I've tried to combat that by doing speedwork on a weekly basis but since I haven't run less than 4 miles since May (until yesterday!) I feel like I've forgotten how to run fast. I'm in awe that I managed to run 3.5 miles at an 8:12 pace at the end of May. Could I do that now? I honestly have no idea.

So I ran three miles and it felt good. And if the weather stays cooler and less humid I plan to be out there again.

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Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 586 ft Location: -- Elev. Gain: +7 ft Date: 08/17/10 Up/Downhill: [+108/-101] Time: 12:19 PM Difficulty: 1.8 / 5.0 Performance Distance: 3.08 miles Time: 0:28:09 Speed: 6.6 mph Pace: 9' 08 /mi Calories: 375 Map   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 8' 54 -0' 14 6.7 +0.2 -10 ft 2 9' 29 +0' 21 6.3 -0.2 -3 ft 3 8' 50 -0' 18 6.8 +0.2 +16 ft end 9' 05 -0' 03 6.6 +0.0 +3 ft Versus average of 9' 08 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com