Pandemic running week 9

Winter is over. The 10 day forecast has 3 days well into the 80's!!
There is no doubt about it, while I may be in better running shape at the moment than I have been at this point during the past couple years, the heat is going to slow me down.

Hello Summer

Last week went exactly as planned, logging 25 miles. My leg feels good, and I feel pretty fit (although it could have been the chilly, windy days talking....)
The snow from the previous week melted immediately and spring arrived. Yay! So did the bugs. BOO.

Spring

Eric and Ellie and I went on a tiny local hike over the weekend. The whole pandemic mess has completely disrupted our big hiking plans, but we are lucky to have local trails that have zero people on them. We plan to make the best of it!

Decent view for a tiny hill 

Evidently this week is the beginning of *theoretical training for Boston 2.0*

I plan to run 30 miles this week.

After that...

I'm just going to put in the work until the race gets cancelled for good, and then I am going to keep running.
I think I learned something important last year. Apparently, at 40, it takes a lot longer to get back into shape after a break than it does at 35. UGH OLD AGE!!!! Kidding though, I imagine in 10 years I will wish for the *fitness, speed, and excellent skin* that I have a 40 (because DAYUM, I sure look back 8/10 years ago and wonder WHAT the devil I was complaining about!!)

Here is what will be easy about Theoretical Boston 2.0 Training:
-I want to keep running.
-I am reasonably fit so it won't be, like, totally awful. Maybe?
-I do feel motivation not to fall off the running wagon. Because, as discussed, OLD.
-Not much else to do at the moment
-HEALTH....??? So much health plus many fitness goals. Pshhhh.

What will be hard:
-Well. Running.
-The fact that I don't believe I'm really race training. So, I'm going to have to trick myself into doing shit bag things like speed work and 18 mile long runs when it is 85, humid, and thunder.....
-Heat and humidity and all the dry heaving that causes.
-Possibly one million pandemic related things that I don't know exist.

BECAUSE WHO THE FUCK WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE LIVING THIS????

I mean, seriously.

Anyway. I am healthy, my family is healthy, my business is about to reopen (although my summer side hustle is in serious jeopardy...) So... so far so good? ISH?

So next week. I will give a glorious report on how my majestic marathon training is going. Eric keeps saying we are going to run a beer mile, so maybe that will spice things up a bit (plus, more barf related posts, I imagine!)

Pandemic Running: Week 6

Even though it feels like Groundhog Day, Spring is clearly arriving. I even saw the first of the black flies today, which is less than stellar!

It's good to see nature continuing in a normal way. spring is a lovely season (even though we are supposed to get SNOW tonight!) and it has been a very productive week for me in the yard work department.
For about 10 year I have been meaning to clean up the woods in front of our home, and to remove quite a few fallen trees, and crappy looking sticks/brush/mess. (and it was quite a mess!) Bottom line-I have NOT had the time. It occurred to me that I simply might not have had the motivation- but I got to it last weekend, and have made huge progress. Evidently, I really just didn't have time!

In the running department I met my 33 (point 7) mile goal, and felt good about the (junk) miles that I completed. Definitely low key running, but miles are miles and they were pretty enjoyable this week. When I am not training, I do tend to go out and cruise around mindlessly (hence- my "junk mile" description.)

Thanks to my new weird virtual teaching job, I also fit in a couple (livestream) workouts- and if you ever want to see someone fall down while leading a workout- join in. OMG. I should stick to running because I tend to do my strength work on the depths of my basement, and NOT on the internet! The whole thing is very hysterical.

So last week was about as even keel as one could ask for during this time. The weather was pretty decent, I was productive at "work" and got some long neglected projects done. I managed to get through my to-do lists daily (AND we are still living on the groceries we bought almost 3 weeks ago- winning!)

This coming week looks pretty hideous in the weather department, and I feel that might take a toll on my motivation and focus (and secretly, I am disappointed in myself for being so fragile! but seriously, I can handle a crisis if the sun is out. if we are getting 6 inches of snow, losing power for days, then getting wholloped with multiple days of pouring rain..... that's just a shitty bummer!!!)

I'm in the process of writing myself this week's to-do list, and I plan to keep it on the easier side.

I hope to run a full 26.2 over the total week. A little cut back, but I really don't feel like dealing with the treadmill for more than a couple runs.

So, there you have it. No end in sight but I'm trying to make the best of a bad situation.

Also, thanks for the comments. I can't seem to leave comments because blogger sucks, but I read and appreciate.

Stay healthy, stay safe, and may the odds be ever in our favor.

Pandemic Running: Week 4

How is it already week 4 of zombie apocalypse training??

I'm sure I'm not the only one who is having a hard time keeping track of what day it is. Not to mention, time seems to be going both in warp speed, and super slow. 

If you asked me when the last time was that I ventured into public, I would confidently say 14 months OR 6 days. Very confusing!!

This particular week should be taking me straight into my 8th Boston Marathon. The weather has been about right for it, fluctuating madly between 55 degrees, 8 inches of snow, 55 degrees, then a huge wind storm with a deluge (pretty sure Mother Nature thought that day was marathon day!!)

Typical

So, yeah. Hanging in there. 

It has been a vastly superior Spring to last year, when we were still buried under massive amounts of snow. We really haven't had ground covering snow in a couple weeks, and the ice went out on the ponds and lakes last week. It's rare. There are also more birds, and robins in particular, then I have ever seen. It's just a bit odd, no real reason for it. We have had early springs before, but the bird activity is something outside the ordinary. 

Despite my good intentions, last weeks mileage was low. About 21 miles. I was working hard creating content for my new channel, and that took up a good bit of my time. 

I did, however, manage to get in a FEW strength workouts which is RARE! 

I'm including workouts in my video series, and when you are suddenly a fitness influencer (HAHAHA) you have to make videos which require about a million takes. SO, lots of extra reps for me. 

Anyway. Here we are. I ran today, on the treadmill as it was pouring. This got the week off to a good start, and I'd love to finish up with close to 30 miles. 

Anyway. Stay safe, stay healthy, and may the odds be ever in our favor. 

Boston Training 2020: Week 11: The time when I ran, possibly not well

The good news: Last week I was finally recovering from the death cold. 

On Monday I ran some serious bitch hills. Compared to the previous day, I was feeling a lot better and no longer felt like a bubble head. (My ears were still blocked though, and are actually STILL blocked. Absurd.)

The hill BEFORE bitch hill 

I shuffled around for some easy, late, after work treadmill miles on Tuesday. Boring, and my legs were pretty junky. (not sore, just made from concrete)

Wednesday was my official return to speedwork day, and also marked the first outdoor speed day of 2020. Kind of a big deal! 

I ran 6x1200 in the mid to teen 7's. I was quite happy with this, as I missed my last TWO speed sessions because of poor health. 

Post speedwork tired face

Thursday was another dead legs on the treadmill day. It was pouring buckets of rain, and we also got about 2 inches of slop, so it was GROSS out. 

I took two days off (off running, anyways) so that I could spend some time with my sister. 

We enjoyed a really fantastic lady date which included brunch, shopping for gorgeous handbags that are basically *investment* pieces (read: expensive...) going to soakology, and then having dinner (where I promptly had a colossal anxiety attack- cute! fun! #mylife)

Anywhoo. Fast forward to Sunday. It was windy AF, and chilly (about 24) but the roads were dry, and I was finally reasonably healthy, soon I went. 

After two days off, my legs had forgotten how to run. Luckily, after a few miles the feeling of junk leg began to ease up, and the run was decent, if not spectacular. The cold temps made breathing pretty sucky for the final few, but that's to be expected. 

I met my peeps at the pub (NOT "THE pub" because it closed.... but *another* pub.) We had fries and beer and laughed about the misfortune of having a terrible name (my sister and I have a list of terrible names that we always laugh about. inside joke maybe? who knows)

Pub run!!

Anyway. Clearly a better week than the past couple. The hill workout and the speed workout felt pretty decent. Everything else was mediocre. But, I finished a solid week and that is a win. 

Total miles: 46.7
Long run: 16.3
Coldest Day: It was about 6 on Sunday morning. And in the low 20's over the weekend 

Snow? Yeah, like 2 inches of slop plus an inch of rain on Thursday. Mess. No school 
Random: Kate and I would not name our children Keith, Kyle, Dwayne, or Quentin. No offense to people with those names, we are sure you are truly lovely. But maybe not our first choices. Or Todd. No. 

Boston Training 2020: Week 6: The time of the January thaw

Yep, you heard that right. 

Monday and Tuesday were cold and nasty, and then, BAM. spring came. 

And it. IS. AWESOME. 

Here you have last week, Cold mon/tues and THEN. BETTER.

It has been consistently in the upper 30's and low 40's. This weekend's snow storm was actually in the form of rain. And (most of) the roads are nice and clear. 

So this was week six. I feel like the foundation has been built, and it is time for the real work to commence. Yay?? 

I had a fine, but totally unexciting treadmill 6 last Tuesday. 

Wednesday was speed day, a day when we said a final goodbye to 800's. (which I think is actually a lie. I'll probably do a couple during taper.) Either way, I did 7 at 7:30-7:36.

On Thursday I scooted (labored) over Bitch hill. The weather was quality, and it seemed wise to use my outdoor time to hit some hills. "Hills" on the treadmill never feel like the real deal to me. 

It was clear that more of this needs to happen- I was like "ughhhhhhhh steeeeeep woooooof."

I had a remarkably blah 16 miler on Saturday. My legs took miles to warm up. I felt like I was running uphill into a massive headwind until mile five, which just seems rude. Of course, during those miles I both had to pee, and was stopped by a random walker to "look at animal tracks, possibly a lynx or a mountain lion!!!" I quickly determined that they were tracks from my own dog. I told her "those are tracks from a WILD VIZSLA!!!!" She was more curious than I bargained for, and I had to curb the conversation as I was racing dusk. 

The run continued in an uninspired manner, especially when I hit over a mile of back road in decidedly poor condition. Despite the warm weather, it was full blown snow, ice and ZERO traction. On a day when one is already feeling like they have flat tires, this was a real smack in the teeth. Anyway. I persevered. 

With about 4 miles to go, I merged onto another, blissfully un-snowy, dirt road. Before long, I realized that I was seeing animal prints to pique my own interest. "Hmmmm" I thought to myself "This was one snazzy dog...." Of course, a short time later, I realized that I was actually tracking a WILD VIZSLA. Sure enough, I came across him soon enough and had to stop for a chat, as he is Ellie's full brother, and the only other Vizsla within 50 miles of us. I actually enjoyed seeing him so much, that the remaining miles of the run were the most pleasant of the day. 

I'm very honest with myself when it comes to stopped time during long runs. With 8+ minutes of stoped time during this one, I was feeling somewhat displeased. However, I know that in the big picture it makes no difference because dawdling is not a habitual thing for me. (I will always stop to pee-and there is just NO way I can manage a long run without 2 plus quick pee stops. But that is nature calling, and will also happen in a race.) 

So the meal of my story. Stop all you want. Do whatever. But be honest with yourself about your actual, honest-to-Garmin moving time. 

On Sunday I ran the easiest 5 miles that ever existed, and then the week was over. 

I'm being proactive for the first time ever. I have been remembering to stretch, foam roll and get ahead of the hip/back problems (those actually hinge more on snow than running- but shoveling is bound to happen....) 

Stats:
Total miles: 42.0
Long run: 16
Coldest Day: Tuesday was a high of 19 which was not pleasant. 

*we should just note, that Wednesday was the start of a lengthy January thaw*Snow NONE just rain this week
Random: I take note of all the road trash while I run. Bud light cans. One orange glove. A long, long screwdriver. One cashew. I see it all. 

Boston Marathon Training 2019: Game OVER (but not like, in a bad way.)

Yep, it's that time. Every year, just like Christmas. This is when I say "game over."

GAME OVER

Because there is only ONE week to go! So basically, no matter what has happened in the past few weeks, Or in ALL the weeks since November, there's nothing that can be done now! So sit back, chill tf out, do yo' damn laundry, and enjoy.

Thankfully, I was more of less back to normal last week. (physically, anyway. haha) After my Saturday massage I began to feel better. I was extremely thankful for this, as my back issue was drastically impacting my work day (and yes, running as well. but I was somewhat more concerned with how I was half assing my actual job.)

I had a short 4 mile run on Monday which felt ok- and not much more than that. My back was about 85% better (than it had been- even on a good day this winter it was still a little sketch) but my legs felt pretty dead, and my calves felt as thought they were working about 75% harder than normal. Weird.

Right, and it was also not really Spring for most of the week. In the end, we had a couple nice days. But not Tuesday morning.

Cold

On Wednesday I had a Chiro appointment which was pretty major. There were quite a few adjustments needed throughout my whole body, but there certainly seemed to be some rather significant problems in my pelvis. Gross. Once I headed out, I felt better than I had in weeks and was able to have a very normal feeling 5 miler. Good news. I have another Chiropractic visit next week to make sure that the improvements stuck, and then I'm on my own until after race day.

I hoofed it over bitch hill on Thursday, to find a smaller snowbank.

I can see over the snowbank!

Saturday brought about the final long run (I think I did a few easy miles on Friday- but who can remember?) 11 miles, on a pleasant day (about 53 degrees) at around an 8:20 pace.
Ummmm, but ALSO, there was a little garbage snow in the morning.

Gross

Luckily, it warmed up well, and was a really nice day! And the workout: Basically a carbon copy of the final long-ish run from last year. Hopefully, a good omen. I also saw a fox hunting a turkey, so that was cool. And random.

Looks almost like Spring!

No workout on Sunday, but a 90 minute massage/trigger point session that sucked (but not as badly as last week.)

My feelings

Since it was national beer day, we then took Ellie to the pub and she fell asleep. Lame!

Perfect

So, during the great back crisis of 2019, I missed approximately 212 workouts.
Or, 3, to be more accurate.
I missed my biggest bitch hill workout.
I missed my final chance at downhill reps (which were already lacking...)
And, I missed my final long-long run which was expected to be about 16-17 miles.

UGH. I must assume though, that 3 workouts won't have made or broken me. There was nothing I could have done about it anyway, so I'm not going to ruminate.

The weather is looking alright for race day. No complaints from me!

Terrible photo

So this week will be all about fluffing around as per the taper usual. I'll run a couple little 800's or something mid week, and then put the legs up and on ice.

And that, my friends, is that.
March was a super month of running- I finally felt that things were really solidifying. I am going to take that confidence to the start line and run the shit out of this race.

Stats:
Mileage: 30.5
Crisis bodywork appointments: 2
Actual sobbing meltdowns: ZEERO
Times I ran 0.04 miles and stopped: ALSO ZERO, SO A HUGE WIN
Times I was so pissed: ZEROOOOOOOOOO

Boston Marathon Training 2019: Week 12

And here we are, just 3 weeks away from race day (umm, that came up quick.)
(edited to add: I had this post ready to go yesterday and when I hit publish I discovered that blogger was malfunctioning. I lost half my post and all the pics. So I'm going to cobble this back together, but I am annoyed.)

I am once again in Wave 3, corral 1. I can't help but think that I am the slowest person in that particular corral. Oh well, I can start in the back (or knowing me, just basically miss the start, and start when/wherever.)

The past week was a good week, and a big week. A warm (er) week, and a cold week! An up week, and a down week (like, literally, not like feelings wise or anything.) A fast week and a slow week (but mostly fast, woof.)

Monday was a nice, slow day. 5-ish recovery miles, a few done with my crazy ass puppy, and a few (far less exciting ones) without her.

*AND THEN THE WORK BEGAN*

Wednesday was evening speedwork day, with 6x1 mile reps on the agenda. This workout went really well, and I managed to complete every repeat in the low 7's (like, the fastest one was a 7:08. Jesus Christ, I have basically become Shalane Flanagan!!! orrrr not.)
Oh, and winter is still going strong. It warmed up to right around 40, but it was a freezing morning.

Cold. Why?

Thursday was big bad bitch hill day. Luckily, unlike last week, I was able to do this a full 24 hours after speed work instead of 11.
Since this was a peak week, I added in an extra lap up the bitchiest part of the hill.
And the snowbanks are still stupid, STUPID BIG.

12' snowbanks

I also took Ellie for a short hike on Thursday evening, to let her work on her own running skills!

RUN!!

On Friday the weather was just disgusting. 3 inches of snow, a bunch of rain, wind, SHIT.
I hate to do downhill reps on the treadmill, because it is impossible to make them as aggressive as I would like to (the treadmill's best decline is 3%, and then your pace is limited to 8MPH.) So, I did what I could, but the workout just does not feel as legit done this way.
*Sigh* Either way. It beat certain death on the roads. And I did 3x1.5 miles downhill, so it was still ok.

Saturday was "rest" day this weekend, and I actually made a concerted effort to limit the time spent on my feet. Evidently, this is the best I can do (and it really is- this was the bare minimum of steps taken on a "light work" Saturday...)

Basically, I slept all day

And this brings us to Sunday. Long run day. It was warm enough! (48!) Less wind than the previous day, when it was a hurricane. And enough sun so that shorts and a tee shirt were in order.

SUMMER!! or, 48 degrees

Despite the run getting off to an iffy start (nothing major- just a sloshy stomach for whatever reason) it ended up being solid. A couple minutes of stopped time (like, 4 minutes total) for a quick outfit change, to say hello to Eric and Ellie as they drove past me, and a couple pee breaks. As much as I'd like to eliminate all stops, I also don't care to pee myself.

A little bit of hip soreness starting at mile 17 reminded me of the need for some focus on that area for the next few weeks. 3 weeks isn't long, but it's enough time for me to make a little headway in that area,.

Anyways, I arrived at the pub on schedule.
And met my friends!

Ellie is embaressed by us 

And Ellie met hers.

Winston stole her bone

So, I'm feeling good. More fit than a month ago! Time for me to begin to predict the start of Summer on April 15th (hey- I'm not being gloomy, I'm just being historically accurate!) I feel physically good, and mentally significantly better than pre-Hyannis. But if it is 67 (or like, 60) there is no way I can be physically ready for that change. Oh well.

 Stats:

Mileage: 51.7
Long run: 20.2
Beer at pub: The typical triple/double, which is called a Pentacream, FYI
Coldest day: It was 9 on Wednesday morning. Gross. And 34 with 35 MPH wind on Saturday, also gross.
Snow days: The 3" snow, plus rain, plus gross made for an early release Friday

How to run a 50k with no actual training, in 11 easy steps!!

I think the best advice that I can give on this particular subject is "don't."

That being said, if you just want to throw caution to the wind (as I do) and run the ever loving f**k out of your legs just for kicks, then here is how to do it.

(note: for those of you who might be new to me, I'm obviously 100% full of shit. Never, EVER come to me for advice!! Training for endurance races is actually serious business, and even though I did not *train* specifically for this event, I have been running decent mileage for a number of years, and thus, can pull stunts like this and remain intact. Please do NOT attempt this if you have never run before!! Dear Lord!!)

But yes, I did just complete a 50K at Pineland yesterday. Totally unplanned. 100% spontaneous.
No, I really, REALLY did not train for this (as any of you who follow me on Strava are sure to have noticed.)
Also, I really did pull the trigger on this one the moment before online registration closed. So yeah, last minute.
So, now that I am an expert on how to almost win (or get like, 100th place) at a 50K, on junk miles only training, I have written up this handy dandy guide.

Today's blog is brought to you by the giant *rooster*

Step 1 for running a 50k, untrained: Pick the right weather day (meaning, you must wait until 24 hours before to sign up. #planning)
The REAL reason that I decided to participate was to capitalize on the ideal weather. 58 degrees, cloudy, breezy. The only thing missing was some heavy rain!! This is KEY because if you plan ahead, and your race ends up being on a 90 degree day, it will be awful for you. So no planning ahead, just wing it.

The face of a highly prepared woman.

Step 2: Have a rock solid training plan:
Or.... Marathon train all winter and then run junk miles all Spring. When you don't actually have anything to train for, junk miles are key. I ran some crap miles all last week before (first) being lazy for a day or two and (then) deciding that "lazy" was a good "taper" because, obviously. I ran 26.2 miles back in April some point, and that was obviously *instrumental* in getting me to the start of this adventure. (I need a sarcastic face emoji, for right here.)

Step 3: Give yourself a ton of time to prepare at the start, because everyone is *so* competitive: 
Well.... I didn't give myself a ton of time, but I did make it to the start before the gun went off. (shut up Danielle and Sarah.) As I drove in, I saw the 50 milers loping along through the hayfields, already well into their day (no thanks. but I was pleased not to see the 50k-ers starting without me.)
There was a good sized crowd lined up for the 50k, and while I did my best to line up as far back as possible, people kept moving back in line to get into last position. So, I would move farther back. And then they would. I would then move back even farther. And then they would... on and on this went, until the announcer basically yelled at people to get up to the start line!

Just let me start at the back!

Step 4: Know the damn terrain that you will be running on.
(FYI: I actually knew quite a bit about this particular aspect.)
Pineland is a hilly stupid farm. This is the only difficult part of running any of their races. While they are "trail" races, what that means for this location is running on dirt roads (like atv, or very wide xc ski trails) and wide, mowed grass paths. There is not one step of challenging single track terrain. No large rock faces to scramble over, no stream crossings. You even run on pavement for a hot minute.
It's like trail running for city folk. (like, trail shoes totally optional.)
HOWEVER. The easy appearance of the footing doesn't mean it is an easy walk in the park (hay field). The hills are quite relentless, with the elevation for the 50k coming it at over 3k'. There are definitely a few steep hills, and if you aren't careful they will smack you in the face your second trip around! Also, the hay fields are all cambered and your will always be running with one leg rather lower than the other (my left leg calls shenanigans on this every time I run this race.)
Anyway. I know that Pineland kind of sucks, so my 24 hours of preparation allowed me to mentally achieve zen, to embrace the suck.

Hilly Field. ALL ALONE!!!

Step 5: Have a (mental) turn by turn directional guide for how you will run each mile of the course.
Well. I knew that I was going to show up. Check!
I planned to run 25k for sure.
I thought then I would run around the first "loop" again, and then bail. Or walk. Or maybe something entirely different. I got bored for a while at mile 8 and thought maybe I'd just stop then.
Who could really know.
I figured I would run, at some speed, until I was over it. (winning here, as usual.)
Luckily, at Pineland you don't need *actual* turn by turn directions, because it is impossible to get lost. If you go off course, you will end up in with the cows.

Happy cows

Step 6: Nail the nutrition and hydration 
(I totally did) 
Right away, like at mile 3 I began to get hungry. This is never a great sign that early on, but I was pretty well stocked and planned to use the excellent aid stations. Over the years I have become much (MUCH) better at eating and drinking while running, and actually consider myself to be quite an expert in that area.
Over the course of the race I consumed:
-2 bottles of water (I carry one in my flip belt, and I refilled it half way through)
-Quite a few small cups of gatorade, starting at the half way point. I do not train with gatorade but I was parched and water wasn't doing the trick.
-2.5 bananas. I hate bananas. But I like them during very big runs (weird) I also will not eat unpeeled bananas that other hands have touched (gross) so I was VERY VERY HAPPY that the aid stations happily gave me some nice, whole, clean ones.
-a few little cups of pickles. YUM. (and only from the aid stations that had individual cups of snacks. No snack trough for this lady.
-peanut butter filled pretzels (a very good choice)
-one tiny cup of ice cold coke
-5 packets of untapped syrup, which is the gold standard for race fuel as far as I am concerned (I have used it exclusively for a year, and can't sing the praises loud enough.)
The moral of the story is that I might have been hungry for a hot minute, but I refused to stay that way.
I also refused to run doing the pee dance, and I stopped to pee 3 times.

Step 7: Don't be a jackass
Don't try to run fast. Ever, not even one step. Or, do. But don't say I didn't warn you!
During my first 50k I bolted off like a madwoman and paid the price.
Don't be me (of 2013), don't be that guy. If you normally run a marathon on the road, at an 8:00 pace (assuming, of course that you are not secretly an elite trail runner, undercover) plan to add actual honest to God minutes to your per mile pace. I ran an 11:20 pace, (which, of course took into account my 5+ minutes of stopped time, as it does/should.)
Even though I walked up every hill during both laps, I was still pretty friggin creaky for the last few miles.
Also, if you are going too fast you will not be able to take selfies, and snaps.

The all important selfie

Step 8: Wear the right kit
Don't wear the shorts that chafe your lady bits, even if they do have the best pockets.
Consider wearing your trail shoes maybe once (this year) before running 30 miles.
So, this segment of the program is basically "what not to do".  Heed my warnings.

Step 9: Prepare for things to not feel all that great at some point. Prepare to carry on.
I actually felt just fine for the vast majority of this run. I felt a little foggy just after the half way point, so I walked, had a big snack, and then felt good again.
I began to feel the impact of the mileage around 20, but did not feel sore until 24. And then it got pretty unpleasant. (I was just sore though, I mentally felt good, and my stomach was great.)
But the real TMI moment? Ready? So, as mentioned, my lady-parts-region (although, thank heavens not my *actual* lady bits) became super nasty chafed. And (as we all know) I have this really big fibroid. I had to pee late in the race, and I sneezed and peed just the littlest bit (as one does, shut up). My chafing burned like the fire of 1,000 suns and it was a horrible moment. The worst! (so, I pulled over immediately and peed.) Clearly the advice here is simple: don't pee yourself.

Step 10: Don't expect to win the race if you haven't trained. 
I, however, would not expect to win the race even if I HAD trained, so what's the difference, really?
While I did not win the race, I ran very close to the time that I predicted for myself. I expected to take 6 hours, and I managed 5:47 (about 40 minutes slower than my *best* 50k at Pineland effort.)
Really, the training for a 50k is pretty unpleasant, so I almost prefer the slower time, as completely skipping the training is pretty great! Fuck it! I'm not going to train at all for anything, anymore!

Not winning! Not caring!

Step 11: Because 10 is not enough, when the advice is of this elite caliber: 
Prepare to have a nice day. Really.
If I had ceased to have a nice day, I would have walked my ass back to my car and gone to get some pizza.
But, I did have a nice time. The weather was very pleasant. I enjoyed a perfect mix of running alone (which I like, when I am not pushing for a fast pace) and running with some very nice people. (Hi Mari and Haley!) I enjoyed looking at the cows, and the scenery (and the never ending hills..)
I enjoyed collecting my big green bell, even thought they tried to give me a tiny stupid one. I was like, "nope, I get a BIG bell, yo."

Big green bell

So there you have it. A very comprehensive guide to doing something that *in real life* requires quite a bit of training, with no training at all.

The best news? I'm really none the worse for it. My chafing has already retreated, and my legs are marathon level sore, nothing too extreme! I now plan to retire the 50k distance for a few more years, when I may actually put forth a modicum of training effort (or not, tbh. I felt pretty ok about how this run went!)

Running, Horse showing, making ugly looking food, and more!

Somehow I managed to fit in 40 miles last week, even though I had a ton of work stuff going on.

On Monday I took my first run in a long while over the infamous Bitch Hill. It was a glorious Spring day, and even though it was hilly (some things never change) I had a really nice outing.

Always pretty

I also found a tiny Robin's egg that had blown out of its nest. It was been SUCH a windy Spring around here. We always have a windy April, but May has continued to be so blustery. 

Sorry little egg

Once I got home, Eric and I made 5 batches of pesto from the kale and basil that my Dad grows in his indoor garden. I can't imagine how much that much basil would have cost me in real life, so this is one of my favorite activities (is making pesto an activity? I guess it is.)

Batch 1 of 5, and about $100 worth of basil

On Wednesday I ran across town to meet Eric in Norway after he finished up the Green Machine group ride. It was a really, REALLY, fantastic weather day (temps the low 60's, sun, and breeze. perfect.) I should have stayed home and worked on household projects, but it was far too pleasant of a night to pass up running.

Super athletic power couple

While I fully intended to run on Thursday, life seemed to have other plans for me and I decided to peace out on the whole plan. Honestly, even when I am marathon training there are some days when staying home payoff more than a run!

On Friday, I ran some quality junk miles in a new pair of shoes. I am trying to wait for the Hoka Clifton 4's (not sure when they are coming...) And the Brooks Ghost 10's seem to be ok. Not Hoka level good, but I got a good deal on themes that makes me feel positive!

New. 

Eric and I have been trying to expand out breakfast food horizons lately. We need something quick and easy in the mornings, and toast with PB&Honey almost always does the trick. We recently tried the Muesli (basically, overnight oats) from the Run Fast, Eat Slow cookbook. The final step to these oats, is to add a grated apple. This step made them almost inedible to me, as they looked like cat puke (Eric said they looked like tuna... still not good.) and the texture was exactly what you would expect from cold oats with a grated apple added. *barf* However, they tasted great.
I made them again, without the weirdly offensive apple, with excellent results. They still look gross, but it is a gross level that I can handle!

Slightly gross looking breakfast

On Saturday, we had some pretty ideal marathon weather. It was in the upper 50's, drizzley, and quite windy.
I DID NOT run a marathon, but I did run abut 13 miles to the pub. I met Lee and Eric there, and we had pizza and talked about the Royal Wedding (I secretly love Royal Weddings!)

Sharing tiny beers!

On Sunday, I had a horse show outing with my little one which took up the whole day. I wasn't planning to run at all, but decided to head out for a couple very easy miles when I got home. The weather all day had been muggy and damp, but as things dried out I definitely felt like getting (back) outdoors! I really mean it when I say "short" run. It was just over 2 miles, so nothing tricky!

Baby horse at the show!

Next week (well, this week at this point) is probably going to be a little lower in mileage. I am considering possible "race" options for Sunday (since I actually have most of the day off) but this plan is still completely up in the air. So we shall see!

Stats:
Miles run: 40.2
Elevation: 2,178
My placement in my Strava running club: I had to go check, because I am no used to this being something I care about. But 14th. That seems good!
Hottest day: Gross humid upper 70's on Sunday

The week with 16 miles instead of 60

Last week was amazingly, and completely uneventful in the running department.
There was a good reason that last week was my random 60 mile week, there was NO way that could have happened this past week!
I knew that I had 3 days that were going to be completely out of the question for running, with two others being highly questionable. I actually thought that a zero week might be a terrific idea, but the weekend was just too nice to pass up (plus, I finally had time to hit the road!)

Eric joined me for a Saturday pub run, after what feels like a long time of not running together. It was a really stellar weather day (60, dry, breeze, sun) and it was a solid run.

Here we are again!

Typical Saturday

Doing this run, I definitely was noticing the need for a new pair of shoes, which is a little crappy at this point. I believe I have just over 300 miles on these Clifton 3's (which is a perfectly reasonable number, if we are being honest.) BUT....  I became extremely spoiled with the Clifton 2's. They held up incredibly well even as their mileage came close to 600. *sigh*
Since the Clifton 4's are not a thing yet, and I am not super crazy about the 3's I may try another shoe for a bit. BUT WHAT??? I like my shoes nice and cushy, so feel free to give suggestions.

Sunday marked my first trip up Hawk Mountain this Spring.

Pretty

It was a warmer day (72) but really just perfect.
The mountain is still a bit of a mess after the logging extravaganza of last fall and winter. Now that things are greening up, it looks better and also seems to have survived the drenching rains of April. (I was worried about possible erosion.)
It was a fun run, a little weird getting back on the trail after so much pavement running, but weird in a good way! And super pretty.

Rocks and things that are not pavement

So, with this crazy, busy, appointment and commitment filled week behind me, next week looks (slightly more) open for running. I hope to be able to get around 35 miles in, with the possibility of a speed workout tossed in there (or not) as the case may be. I haven't made a big push for bike miles at this point but that will happen as the weather becomes warmer and the roads get better.

Oh, and a random note. The amount of laundry this past week vs the 60 mile week was SO much less. I thought I might have been exaggerating about the laundry sitch but I certainly was not. AT ALL. So much soggy, smelly clothing.
The moral of the story is that winners like me run 16 mile weeks to avoid doing 300 loads of stank clothes.

Stats:
Miles run: SIXTEEN! HAH!!
Elevation: 1,307
My placement in my Strava running club: From an all time high of 4th last week I dropped, predictably, to 48th.
Hottest day: 79 but I totally avoided running that day because #omgsobusy

Boston recovery week 2: the one with actual recovery

After being super sick last week, I was thankful to be feeling much better this week. I still had a lingering cough (and some tiredness) but was considerably better than I had been!

Eric and I moseyed out for the first bike ride of the year on Monday. It was in the mid 60's which felt downright toasty. I was a bit unprepared, as the helmet that I wore last year was finally declared unfit for use (it was olddddd.) Eric gave me his mountain bike helmet to wear, and I felt like a complete douchebag!
I complained enough to prompt Eric to order me up my own sparkling new ROAD bike helmet, which I am super excited about and plan to use often!

Absurd

After our Monday ride, I continued to NOT work out. I really did a good job avoiding running.

On Saturday we ventured out for a pub run!
It was 70, the warmest say of the year thus far.

Before we started! 

Eric has been battling a sinus infection for over a month, and he was feeling pretty terrible. (pleased to say, that as of today he is finally making some headway.) It was my first run since Boston and I was just shit! My legs were shit, my lungs were burning and disgusting, and my stomach was junk!
Luckily, the weather was nice enough to distract from the torment.

All done, thank the Lord

I had to pass on the pub run (well, bike) last week because I was too sick for public appearances. (I am super conscious of NOT spreading my germs!) So I was happy to be back at Bear Bones, drinking a Triple Cream like a normal person!

A nice day at the pub

So recovery is now over, and I can do whatever I want!
Last year, after running the Providence marathon I (first) collapsed into a heap of uselessness, and (second) decided to run every hill in my town (I think I got all except the ones that don't even count.)

So what stupid things shall I do now?

1: Run a low key 60 mile week. This is something I wanted to do last year, but I waited too long after marathon season and wasn't fit enough. I plan to do this using lazy miles, probably to the pub, with zero actual workouts involved. While part of my brain thinks this is a weird thing to do, it's no more weird than anything else I have ever done! *I plan to do this SOON before I lose my fitness*

2: At some point this spring or summer, set a single ride mileage PR on my bike. I believe this will be anything over 30 or 35 miles. I will check.

3: Hike!!! Eric, Lee (and probably my cousin Evan because he is always up for mountains) will be climbing a couple mountains this summer. (Eric, Evan and I will do the Presidential Traverse someday. We shall NOT be running this, much to Evan's dismay!)

4: Run a decent 5k. Or, conversely, a decent "short" (5k-10k distance) race. This might be a fall goal, I can't imagine that speed work will be of interest to me this summer. #lazy

5: Run all 3 of the Bradbury Races and become a legit, sweatshirt awarded, badass!

6: Duathlons are hard to find (and vanishing) but I would really enjoy participating in another one. Perhaps not as my first time on a bike in 4 years (like last year...)

7: Once school is out (because I teach too late to join in until then) hit up the Wednesday night Green Machine bike rides. I'm totally going to be in the 12mph group for a while, but I don't give af.

So, that's it for now! Happy to be feeling better and getting back to my normal routine.

oh.... and it appears that summer is gonna be here FULL fucking force next week. Son of a.....

Wednesday is a little extra...

Stats:
Miles run- SEVEN
Elevation- 389 feet SO EXTREME
Bike miles- 12 (and I was legit tired after. so sick)
Warmest day- 70
Coldest day- (it's spring now, so this is the last week of this nonsense) It was 40 one morning.