Let the taper begin!

Today was my final long run for the Belvoir Challenge and it was a test of mental toughness to even get out the door this afternoon.  The timing wasn't exactly great because we had our monthly club handicap race last night and I managed to squeak across the line with a pb of 21:57 for 3 miles.  I'm well pleased with that because I almost skipped the run because of feeling tired but have absolutely no clue how I managed to get that time.  It is proof that marathon training doesn't have to equate to running slower at all distances.

So why did I get out and run 20 miles the day after running hard? Well, that brings me to another race...our final winter BDL XC* race is on Sunday so if I wanted to get the long run done and be somewhat recovered then it had to be done today or tomorrow and they are predicting a temperature drop overnight so this afternoon had to be the time.  I'm not going to lie, it was difficult today. Running solo on a hillier route than the previous three 20 milers into a very cold wind meant there were a few times when I wanted to just call it good before I even got to the half-way point.  It did get better once I got to mile 12 but then struggled through the last 2.5.  The damn relentless wind meant I was having to constantly blow my nose--snot rockets are not in my skill set--so that was always throwing my pace off.  I also should have my sanity questioned as to why I included the mile long uphill of the aptly named Long Lane into my route.  One thing I did right was to route myself near the motorway services "just in case" around the 5 mile mark because it became an "Oh yeah, gotta find the loo NOW!"

Please don't get the impression that today was a horrible experience, it was just a challenge in several aspects and I definitely needed the experience of having one long run done all on my own.  However I'm fairly sure I'm not going to be one of those runners who are grumbling about the taper, I am READY for it...although feel free to come back and say I told you so if I do turn into a cranky runner one week out from Belvoir.

*No way am I skipping the final cross country unless it's absolutely necessary, there is only one point separating first and second place in my VF45 age category!

Books, races, and shoes

I'm adding "Running Like a Girl" by Alexandra Heminsley to my reading list after watching 3 youtube vids featuring her.  Seems like it would be a fun read and she comes across as quite charming.  

I started to sign up for the Stafford Half Marathon again since it's almost full (I ran it last March) but found this one instead, Newton's Fraction Half Marathon. Love the name, hopefully it will have a cool t-shirt and medal to match.  More importantly I hope it won't be near as miserable temperature wise in the UK as it was this year, so many people showed up to the Stafford race, collected their tee and medal (still seems odd they handed it out BEFORE the race), decided it was too cold to run and went back home.  Another tidbit that tilted me towards the Grantham race is that Brooks Running UK is sponsoring it, gotta love the #runhappy.

The bling--March 2013

Speaking of Brooks, I'm wondering when they will produce a shoe for the UK/Euro market specifically for fell running since the sport is huge over here. They do a shoe called the Aduro that's market specific but it's made for road running, not trail. I love my PureGrit 2 trail shoes but they are better suited for drier trails, the super-slick mud here in wet conditions leaves me sliding about a little too much for comfort.  In the meantime I've gone back to the Cascadia for the muckier stuff, I've even found some of the older 7s in stock online that my partner has bought me as part of my Crimble present.  

My old Cascadia 7s from 2012 along with a KT Tape sweat and mud fail (go with the pro version!)

Just for fun pic, trail runner "ice bath"

Also upcoming are the cross country Christmas Relays where I seem to have mistakenly been placed on the "fast" team. No pressure there then, lol.  This will be interesting because the only relay race I've done before was a road race, will have to see how this goes.  At least there won't be a long tunnel as part of the course......or there isn't as far as I know, I'm now having flashbacks from the Hogeye Half relay and my claustrophobia induced panic attack.  

XC Muddy Madness

Today was my first race with the club in the winter cross country series, reminded me how much I love the crazy muddy madness that is the sport of XC.  The league (is that the correct term?) rules are similar to the RRCA Grand Prix in the states in that you must have at least 3 women and 4 men on the teams. As for anything else, I'm not sure yet about the ins and outs of how it works other than it was free if you are a paid member of a running club and must wear the club kit during the race.  I will have to go and do my research because this was so much FUN!!!! Love the camaraderie and encouragement.

Still clean and almost 5 miles to go

Just a brief recap. Had my usual pre-race nervous upset stomach but thankfully got it all out of my system before heading out the door to the race. Didn't warm up (oops!). Dressed too warm for racing (know better). Wore regular running shoes instead of trail (haven't broken them in yet) or spikes (don't own any).  Two laps for 4.8 miles and part of that was spent slip-sliding around trying to not fall in the churned up mud.  Nearly face-planted directly in front of a woman runner right on my heels (all I could think was if I go down, she's coming over the top of me!). Twice through a just over ankle deep water hazard. Threw my gloves at my partner who was taking pics, then yelled thank you on the next lap.  Missed a right turn along with two other runners because the course marshal had moved (shades of Sara Low 5k, eh?). First 1.5 miles was spent thinking ohmygosh why do I do this, next part was settling in for the plod (but trying not to fall-recurring refrain, lol), final part was thinking where in the hell is that finish line, are they moving it about on purpose to tease me???  Best of all? Getting to hang out with like minded, crazy runner types :-)

click to see larger image for the lap splits

My splits are a bit abysmal but I'm not complaining, this gives me a goal to beat for the next one and hopefully make those a bit more even.  Improper shoes definitely played a part as well as the lack of speed training (more the latter I'm afraid).  Besides this was just dirty wholesome fun for a bright December Sunday, the weather was certainly near perfect. 

The aftermath

Love my Brooks running gear #runhappy #runmuddy

The "reward" after the race, Costa coffee stop for a large latte, egg sandwich and gingerbread muffin.

The partner also bought me a HUGE canister of Celebrations mini chocolate bars afterwards, he either loves me or is trying to fatten me up ;-)

laid back

Runs do not get much more laid back than today's ramble around the canal trails, blissful stuff despite (or maybe because of?) the light misting of rain.  Elsie wasn't too happy about being leashed up and made to go after all the fireworks from the surrounding area bonfire night celebrations (remember, remember the fifth of November) but once we got moving, she settled in quite well.

I decided to take a slight detour from the normal path today that took me underneath a landmark viaduct and over a very rickety footbridge spanning the rail-lines.  There was a sign before entering that cautioned it was unstable and that no more than 10 people at a time should be on it--honestly I didn't feel that safe crossing it with just Elsie's and my weight!

Oh, I almost forgot but there was almost a running wardrobe malfunction last week, put on a pair of my 3 year old Nike running capris and fortunately took a look in the mirror before heading out the door.......they have become completely see-through once on, ooooops!  They are now a wear as a bottom layer under shorts or a skirt item of clothing. I'm just glad I decided to take that glance in the mirror before subjecting the public to that much of my arse.

This is pretty much the permanent state of my Brooks :-)

Run Happy y'all

August rambling

Sunrise before a run

Amazing how a run in the rain--even for only a short time of it--can seem to cleanse the world and lift your spirits but it certainly does those things for me.  So nice to be getting a break from the oppressively hot temps we've been having, way too many daily high records were broken this year where I live and it happened much earlier in the summer than usual to boot.  It's gotten to where I just couldn't bear to leave the house because the heat zapped all my energy out within moments of stepping outside.  August however seems to be the exact opposite of what's normal for us so far and I'm not complaining at all.  Never thought I'd see the day where I was craving gray skies but here I am doing just that.

Run Happy! New Brooks kicks

Running has been a bit of a chore with the heat yet it is still my sanity saver.  I will say that it has been so incredibly nice not to be training for anything specific and not "having" to get in the workouts.  I go and meet up with friends and pretty much run whatever they are and my long runs are in the still having fun and not hurting afterwards (well sometimes they do hurt, lol) range of 10-13 miles.  Kind of settled in with running with a friend I refer to as Speedy Girl for most of my mileage.  She well earns that moniker by the way, on speed workouts where I don't get a head start, she blows me away.  My view is just watching her pull further (farther?) away, lol.  On the easy runs like today there's a lot of laughter, grumbling, venting, gabbing and it makes the time and miles fly by even on the runs where I'm struggling and feeling like the torture is never going to end.

Elsie hiding under a friend's car 

Today was a mixed bag, I was tired thanks to a restless dog that I'm keeping for another friend while she's on vacation and a "Hell on Wheels" Netflix viewing marathon I've been on for the past 3 nights.  The 100 jumping jacks on the mini trampoline last night also contributed some sore calves, OWIE!  I need to get back in the habit of doing those.....But this morning was overcast and we ended up getting to run in some gorgeous light rain, ahhhhh, the smell of rain hitting warm asphalt is one of the best scents ever in my opinion. We also chased down a woman we'd seen the past couple of weeks out running to ask if she wanted to run with us at sometime.  Yeah, it was kinda like "Hey, new girl! You wanna sit at our lunch table, do ya, huh, please!" lol. I'm sure she thought we were crazy, well I am but that's beside the point.

"Hell on Wheels" pic via AMC

There was also a woo-hoo catcall--well there is usually at least one on every run but Speedy Girl made the observation that she thought it was because of my tattoos.  I always just thought it was because it was women out running in short shorts and jog bras and she's not exactly hard on the eyes but she says I'm being stereotyped because of the ink and they feel I'm more open or ok to having that done.  Something to think about anyway although I still think it's mostly the sight of half-nekkid women out running that is the reason ;-)

Sorry, can't post a pic of Speedy Girl, but she looks MUCH better than I do!

Not sure if I should go back to putting my stats down for the workouts or not but my year to date mileage is already up to 1,135 miles with 4.5 months left to go. January was my lowest at 91, April the highest with 197.  This has been my highest mileage year since I started running in 2007 and I've not even set out for it to be and I'm not even training for a marathon.

PSA: Dogtown Coffee has added chicken and waffles to their menu! 

Cute Elsie pic just because :-)