WEEK 47: 11 miles and Pie and Glove 5K and pictures

Monday: 35 minutes elliptical and light upper and core
Tuesday: 2 pathetic miles + elliptical because the run was so lethargic
Wednesday: 5 miles railtrail with Greg and Griffin early before traveling to NY; pretty good run- probably at my race pace the first half...
Thursday: PIE AND GLOVE 5K, Corning, NY; snowy! 22:49, log 4 miles
Friday: Travel, ugh
Saturday: sick
Sunday: sick

Clearly not the miles I wanted to aquire after finally getting in the mid-thirties last week, but I'm not feeling well today and will have time to make up for it this week I hope.  The 5K in Corning, NY went well.  I'm a little disappointed that I didn't PR by a larger margin, but it was a fun race.  It began to flurry right as we got there and it made for a nice atmosphere.  As the race started I was running pretty comfortably and thought I was probably going about an 8-8:30 pace.  I quickly decided I was ok with it and just kept steady.  I was really surprised to hit the first mile at 7:20.  I felt like I was running the same pace as Greg and I did the day before on the railtrail.  Mile 2: the same (7:21) and as we turned into the wind and snow furries I thought maybe I could get close to my goal.  I did, 22:49, a couple second PR (7:22 pace).  The problem is that I didn't push myself and I need to start getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.  "Do more 5K's" Greg says, so as he wishes that will be at the top of my agenda for a few months.  He got beat out by a Dartmouth kid in the end, but did still win a pie to take to Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house. 

This week, just get back at it.  A 5K in concord on saturday is tentatively planned.  Still don't feel organized, but it's a process, and I love it!

Here is a short article on the race in the local paper....
Pie and Glove 5K, Corning Leader

Here are some pictures from that day and a bunch from that camera I was waiting to get developed!



kate and jen




greg and jen




greg's pie...yes we are aware this is a TERRIBLE picture, but oh well.




After Baystate Marathon



All smiles after Baystate Marathon

Bringing it in at Baystate



The boys at Lil Rhody Runaround



Greg and Pard at Lil Rhody Runaround

Found Goupil at Madame Sheri Forest

Ashuelot-Hinsdale Railt Trail



Ashuelot Covered Bridge from railtrail



view from road section of Madame Sherri Forest Trail Race



WEEK 46: 35 miles and Lil Rhody Runaround

Monday: plyopower, TM 2 x 1 mile and 2 x .5 mile HMP (8 min/mile) with quater mile rests at 6.5, light upper and core...log 5 miles GOOD WORKOUT
Tuesday: Struggled for every one, but log 5 miles; not too sreo from plyopower, just a little tired from yesterdays workout.
Wednesday: 45 min elliptical, good cross training.
Thursday: 10 slow, stiff miles along westport road. Lots of cute cows though!
Friday: 3 mile TM, lackluster effort, new mizuno sneaks -pretty tight but light. will save for spring.
Saturday: 4 miles rail-trail with greg and griffin; brisk morning, added a couple strides...
Sunday: LIL RHODY 8 Mile Trail Race, RI

RACE REPORT
I wasn't feeling real confident going into the race on Sunday and really had no expectations. I've been a little off in reading how I'm feeling when it comes to running and fitness lately.  Sunday morning, Greg and I still woke pre-dawn and headed to the beach with Griffin and Jimmy for coffee and the sunrise (pictures eventually). That made for an early breakfast and gave us something to do while waiting for the later than usual 11am start.

At 9:45 we headed to Burlingame State Park for the race, which is an 8-mile course around Watchaug Pond (a little over a mile on roads).  We got registered and hung out with his friends and family waiting for the start (again, pictures eventually).  A perfect day for running - brisk and sunny.  Still at this point I had little expectation or idea of what I could do.  I figured under 80 should be a no brainer, but I wasn't sure, and would shoot for 75 minutes for a 9:30 pace.  Greg kept saying this was a fast trail race and FLAT compared to the trail races I have done all fall, but I was still skeptical.  Finally, at 11am we were gathered at the start and were off.  The downhill start was tricky when someone took a spill and was almost trampled.  I had Glenny in my sights for about 10 seconds. 

I didn't have much plan of attack except to get to the singletrack trail in a group that wouldn't be too slow.  I'm done feeling sorry for people who get stuck behind me, so really worked hard not to get stuck in the back.  I made it to the first trails confidently and think I was in a good spot- only one or two erratic runners passed me and I could keep up with those ahead.  We shifted grouping a little through the campground and I got ahead of more people as we went into the trails again.  LOTS of tripping and wiping out in there!  Now I know what I sound like to Greg when I am running behind him in Pisgah!  I did not falter however, and after a mile and a half or so I realized Pard (Greg's Dad) was just ahead and picked off a couple people so I could settled in behind him.  I knew he knew all the little steps around any obstructions and followed intently.  I planned to do that the rest of the way, but he stopped for some water just at the halfway and I went on ahead figuring he would catch up again (my stomach wanted no part of a water break).  At the "half" I thought I was doing ok at 34 minutes.  I forgot to throw the Mrs. Hammett's my gloves as they apparently directed traffic at the road and took pictures (below).

I had heard the second half might take a little longer than the first, so when I started to poop out a little bit I got discouraged.  I wish I had taken in a few more calories right before the start as we had such an early breakfast or I wish I would toughen up a little bit!  I settled in behind a girl that was going my speed. I felt bad being right behind her, but knew if I passed her she'd just have to pass me again.  I'm not very good at navigating yet so I chickened out and stayed right where I was.  There was some gnarly, rooty trail with slick leaf cover,  but no steep hills.  It really was a pretty flat course (whew). 

We made it to the road and I felt it was only fair that I pass this girl early and give her something to chase since I had just spent 3 miles on her shoulders.  I went ahead while telling her she did a great job in there.  We drove this part of the raod on the way in to the race, but I still had a hard time judging the distance and how tired I'd get!  The first part was downhill, then a SLIGHT uphill that almost stopped me dead in my tracks.  I panicked that I'd be a huge jackass when that girl passed me, but I held it together and made to the downhill finish still ahead.  I crossed at 1:08:20 (8:33 pace), covering the second half in the same time as the first.  Greg won overall and Pard came in only a minute behind me to win his age group.  Jonny, Glenny, and Justin were all happy (Boj was not) and it was fun to hear everyone's account of their race (I can't wait to read the blogs!). 

I was happy too.  Happy not to get my butt kicked by some ridiculous mountain like I have been all fall!  But also liked to think about the fact that this time last year I couldn't have run an 8:30 pace on roads- not even a 5K.  I was 8th in my age group and around 21st female.  Next year will be faster as I get better at trail running and running in general.  I'll have to try to take on that role of navigating more often, but as my first season of trail running comes to a close, I think I did alright overall.  I got a couple blood blisters on my big toes, but really feel good considering all the things that have been bugging me this month.  We hung out for a bit so Greg could bonk on his cooldown and then headed home for "Thanksgiving" with the Hammett's.  It was a great post-race meal! 

This week we head to NY for another Thanksgiving with my family and a 5K in Corning, NY.  I don't know what to expect for a time there either.  I think last year I ran a 26 or 27 something....yikes.  My last 5K was at Yankee Candle in mid-august and ran 22:51.  I think the courses are similar, so I guess that's my goal.  I hope Greg wins a pie since I don't have time to bake anything to take home for Thanksgiving (no pressure)!  It's hard to plan through the holidays, but this time last year is when I really started to make improvements.  I hope I can do it again, you know what's coming - "it's a process, and I love it!"  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Here are the halfway pictures Gina took and the start I stole from the race website...lots of orange out there in hunting season! Results are here: http://westerlytrackclub.org/rhody_2010.htm

Greg, notice the orange hat flying through the air on the right.

Jonny, black gloves in the air

Glenny, about to throw his gloves

Pard

Boj

me

WEEK 45: 22 miles

Monday: unmotivated
Tuesday: 3 miles, still unmotivated and crabby....getting sick?
Wednesday: AM1: circuit, not exactly "madness" but a good overall workout. TM intervals 5 x 7.5mph + 3 x 8 mph 45 sec: 45sec rest at 6.3 (1%); 2 miles
AM2: 5 mile KSC road loop; 44 minutes
Log 7 miles, feeling better...
Thursday: home improvement project
Friday: 5 mile Keene route, back to unmotivated...wtf
Saturday: unmotivated and swim meet...0
Sunday: 7 miles with Griffin on Ashuelot-Hinsdale Railtrail

WEEK SUMMARY
YICK, but today I ran with Griffin for the first time in awhile.  She always looks so joyful it's hard not to follow suit.  The run was good- first half way better than the second.  Kinda pooped right out at 50 minutes....gee I wonder why?  It was super nice out, but suddenly I am averse to feeling any discomfort and am finding it hard to push myself.  Pretty much the definition of unmotivated!  Hope it passes before I am back to a 10 minute mile race pace.  I don't have high hopes for Lil Rhody being a "good race" for me, but I know it's going to be a fun day with Greg's family and friends regardless.  It's sometimes a tough process, but I love it....

WEEK 44: 23 miles

Monday  5+miles Keene Loop, 45 minutes, windy, saw a blue heron!
Tuesday 6+ miles (53min), Keene loop plus an extra loop...windy!
Wednesday  lazy
Thursday Short Circuit, log 2 miles Friday 7 miles TM/62 minutes- hills, pickups, felt good.
Saturday Plyoppower + 3 miles TM
Sunday 0
Miles: 23
Previous week: 27

WEEK SUMMARY
Yikes, the week kind of got away from me.  Not many miles, but a couple good workouts.  Work got in the way of running 7 on Sunday to get 30 miles- and I wanted to hang with friends instead- I admit it.  Also my calves were (are) so sore from plyopower I'm not sure I couldve run a step as I was barely walking. Anyway, I guess i'm not focused on miles right now- just winging it for awhile- gotta get fitter, leaner, and faster this winter. It's a process...and I love it!

WEEK 43: 27 miles and Madame Sherri Forest "is this the Trail?" Race

Monday: Circuit + 3mi TM (10 min pyramid and 8 x 30 sec intervals)

Tuesday: RUN 5mi KSC -Baker -Eastern loop

Wednesday: off - tiny bit of hip strength

Thursday: Circuit Madness

RUN 2.5 miles TM with 4 .25 mi pickups to 7.5

CIRCUIT 1:back lunges x 20, pigeon reach x 20, center box squat jumps x 15, bench tucks x 15, Thru x 2;

RUN 1 mile- mid .5 mi pickup to 7.5

CIRCUIT 2: SB overhead press/chest press x 15 each, split squat with tricep press x 16, SB dead bug x30, SB hamstring curls x 15, crunches; 2 x thru

RUN 2.5 miles TM (2 x .5 mi and 1 x .25 pickups to 7.5mph); Good fricken workout, Log 6 miles

Friday: 5 mile KSC-eastern ave route

Saturday: worked then cooked all day

Sunday: Madame Sherri Trail Race; Log 8 miles

WEEK SUMMARY

Well, I doubled my miles from last week- ok that wasn't very hard.  Still not getting the miles I would/should have but I'm ok with it right now.  It's kind of nice not to stress about getting in that "long run" each week and I think the short stuff has been good for my fitness and "injuries".  Getting in a couple days of circuit madness has been good also.

So the race ("run") this weekend.  I had never been in Madame Sherri Forest and had only learned of its existence a couple weeks ago.  It ended up that Greg, Glen, Fyffe, Ference, and Goupil came to run, so of course it would be an eventful day!  I decided to do the 7 mile instead of  the 5K because… why not?  Plus Greg made me because he paid for my registration. JUST KIDDING!

It was a crisp morning and even some rain while the director was giving "directions".  I had a sense of foreboding right from the start.  Oh well, off we went.  I was caught behind a mom and daughter for the first mile so quickly lost Glenn's screaming yellow shirt from sight.  After almost missing the very first turn (luckily the race director was right behind me) the course goes up Daniels Mtn (I think).  At the top I caught up to a woman in bright blue and we questioned which way to go from there and think we decided correctly.  We descended down the back of the mountain while 2 guys and then Goupil pass us halfway down...wait a minute, they should have been way ahead!  I told Goupil to go catch Glenny in the yellow and stick with him (he never did).  At that point I decided I was going to stick with this woman (Elizabeth)  as long as I could because I was scared to get lost.  We got to the road section and then headed back up Daniels Mtn (?).  This ascent gave me flashbacks of Monroe.  I hiked quite a bit, but so did Liz and we again questioned our way at the top.  We must have chosen correctly because a couple miles later we found a sign pointing the 7 milers on a turn. 

We went where told (Ann Stokes Loop) and I felt a big blister on my foot.  I let Elizabeth get ahead, although I could see her blue shirt every now and then through the trees.  I got to a couple little bridges and headed up a bank...wrong.  I quickly realized I was no longer on a trail and I couldn't see a blue shirt.  DRATS!  I could still see the bridges so I just angled down the hill and suddenly found myself on trail again.  Whew.  I followed this trail to an intersection and had no idea which way to go.  I stood there a little while and saw a hiker.  I asked him if he saw any runners and he said yes...yay!  I started running again in the direction he gave me and saw little Ellie through the trees!  Jeez, I didn't think I had taken that long for the boys to bring out the dogs, but when I got to the group they explained they were going out to find Goupil!  Yikes!  I chatted for a couple minutes and kissed the doggies and decided I better go officially finish.  I did and thanked Elizabeth for navigating the entire run.  I was really lucky she was there or the dogs would have been for me!  (Goupil was found...at about the 2 hour mark)

Greg, Justin, and Ferenc stuck together to win and I was happy to have finished in 1:20ish.  The footing was tough with all the leaves and the climbs were pretty tough.  Overall, a good workout.  I am super excited for the FLAT Lil Rhody!

THIS WEEK: just keep doing what I'm doing with the gym workouts and road runs.  Maybe get in a longer run this weekend.  My work schedule will once again be changing, which means a change in when and how long I have to run - might start having to get up at the butt-crack of dawn again. It's a process...and I love it!