Sunday, September 20, 2009

Summer Trail Running+Pre-race Pasta@Mrs. Robino's=PR!

race report to follow, just a quick post:
I wasn'ty sure what would happen, but when out fast. Absolutely perfect weather for a run: cool & sunny September day. Had some issues mid race. After they cleared I was able to finish strong with a new PR! 1:31:10 on my own watch. Will wait to see what the PDR chip time is. Heard that Ryan Hall beat all the Kenyans to win with a 1:01:xx

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Upcoming Race Schedule

Did a 4 mile treadmill run today (easy pace_8:30) with good stretch and then hit the weights for a bit of upper body. I had actually planned 5 or 6 but my calves felt tight and I had absolutely no energy. Even after warming up, when the running then gets easier, I never really felt like I was in the groove. So i cut it a little short and figured this is supposed to be an easy week anyway. A bit of taper for the PDR half on Sunday.

I saw a few runners at the Y today that I know. Chris, Scott, Carole *and their crew*. It's nice to say a quick hi to fellow runners. Chris is running Philly this weekend...not sure of others. Carole, you are looking great - very fit & fast. What's your secret to staying so lean?? awesome! Also today found out that Ray (in run club ) is running Philly. He & I have done a few runs together this year. Ray's much faster than me at long distance races. I can match him in 5k's. I'd be tempted to run along with him on Sunday, but the end result might be too fast and then leave me busted/bonked/walking. It's tempting....hrmmmm....

Today I signed up for the DDC-15k on Oct.11th and the Conestoga 10 Mile Trail race on Sept.27th. I've mentioned the Conestoga in blog before (maybe? where is that post??). DDC could be an obvious PR attempt if the weather is cool. Conestoga, I've heard about this one for years. Although it's short for a true classic trail race, it's considered very difficult for the distance. Very steep climbs & descents, some just too dangerous for running...more like hand over hand climbing. I've hiked most of the course, never run it, and it really is a tough section of trail. My 10 mile PR is 1:07:30 but this race will be more about finishing without getting hurt. Estimated run time is double the PR time! Even the course record seems incredibly slow, something like 1:35?? but it's because there's some parts that you just can't run, too dangerous!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Man vs. Mt Bike

Sunday I did get out into the woods for my planned 8 miles. Tried to take it easy on the pace. Had fun out there, lots of mud & downed branches. Several very large trees down including one huge oak that fell across trail (near the upper boulder area of Eden ridge). I like these obstacles to climb over, but i'm pretty sure they will clear them out quickly like always.

I did have a near miss head-on collision with a dingbat on a mtb bike. Crazy bee-otch! At the end I happened to see her & bf/hubby in parking lot. So I very nicely go over, strike up a conversation and steered topic to rules of trail/priorities. They were like immediately, "yeah, we know, but hadn't been out in a while and sort of forgot the courtesy of always letting hikers & runners take their line first. The dude was nice enough about it, but the girl never actually apologized. This is a perfect example why bikers should be banned from most single-track trails around here...too many users already...no manners (on & off the trails!)...and everyone knows the bikes do the most damage to the trails. It's losers like this lady that give mtb riders a bad name!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

week end miles

Like a first run after a long layoff, I have to ease back into this blogger thing. Start slowly and hope to feel good after an easy warm up.

Today I ran 5 around the neighborhood. Was to be easy pace but got running a bit faster than planned. Typical.
Lots of folks out cleaning up after thunderstorm Friday night. A house in the back of the neighborhood burned down about 2 weeks ago, this is only the second time I'm going by it. It's still the same looking as the other day. They need to knock down what's left (not much, family got out safely, grill too close to siding and unattended).

Other news items: Cub Scout popcorn sale began today. woo-hoooo. We had fun standing outside grocery store for 2 hours today selling. big fun. Also... my older son scored a goal in his soccer game today! This is his first goal since joining the travel team last year. He was usually about 2 goals per season in the recreational level, but has been mostly on D or midfield since moving up to travel.

Tomorrow I plan on 8 miles in the woods...we'll see how muddy I am when I come home!
Philly Distance Run is exactly one week away. I have come around full circle since signing up for this race back in June. First I was going to nail a PR 'fur-sur'. Then I was going to focus my fall racing on trails instead, and so PDR was just for fun/nothing serious. But after some encouraging workouts I'm back to taking this race serious. A true PR attempt is still a dicey proposition - I don't want to blow up late in the race and finish in misery. When it's this close between maybe PR or not the weather & other race day situations will be key factors. So I'll probably wait till last minute to decide on pace. The pace needed for a PR is 7:05 (my current PR is 1:33:57).

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Great Expectations

I really wish I was going out for a run in the woods today; however, with a busy schedule, a plan for 10 miles tomorrow, and my hip pain still nagging at me... there's no running today on my scheduled day off.
God, what an awesome early fall day! I'd love to be free to do as I wish. There is literally not a cloud inthe sky. Totally clear bright blue. It's so beautiful that it's almost making me sad that I don't get to enjoy it. Why do I react that way?? Some of my younger fb friends occasionally post "fml" (Fuck My Life). It's not all that bad, but I'd really like to ditch it all today and just run free 'n easy in the woods.

Recently I've:
not posted in a along time,
ran a fast 10k race,
had a red tailed fox cross my path,
got my mtb tuned up,
dreamed of a falcon soaring overhead,
caught a praying mantis & a bullfrog (younger son wouldn't touch first & dropped second after getting pee'd on by his first frog),
jumped in the surf of the Atlantic,
passed a test,
carved a piece of oak with my pocket knife,
got caught in a total cloud-burst downpour,
had dirty no-holds-barred 'secret' sex,
saw a big black racer snake,
been listening to The Gaslight Anthem,
found a small box turtle,
drove my car real fast,
got off trail & had to scramble over an unexpected boulder field,
got drunk all by myself & almost cried,
fell asleep on the couch & left the front light on,
been touched by a friend,
bought a new pair of trail shoes,

had some higher highs & lower lows.