T#1: Training - My continued training was interrupted after marathon #4 because of injury, luckily an injury that I think is behind me. After the Charlottesville marathon, I went back to the hotel, showered up and my buddies and I who raced with me headed home. On the way to the car, my foot began to hurt. The bottom of my right foot. It was odd because I felt great throughout the marathon, even ran home from the finish line back to my hotel (only about .5 miles but still). My foot hurt for the next couple days, and I started to stress about the dreaded overuse stress fracture. After an x-ray and a week of no running, the foot was better and I was back on the horse! This weekend ran 7 miles on Saturday, 5 of them at sub 7/mile pace, then about 14 on Sunday. This morning at my usual 5am time ran 10x1/4 mile repeats at 6/mile pace.
T#2: Trails - My newest form of training has been to hit the trails near my house. I am luckily enough to live near Ridley Creek State Park, that has an extensive trail system that are great for running. Well, when I say great, I mean they kick my butt! Basically, they are either ascending or descending the entire time, which is great for my legs. Last weekend I ran the 3 miles to the Park, ran about 8 miles of trails and then ran home (and home is up 4 huge hills). It was a beast of a run, and it was 48 degrees and pouring rain to top it off. Good times!
T#3: Toys - I have been wanting to get a new running watch for some time now. I've looked at every GPS watch on the market, read the insanely extensive reviews that people write on amazon for all of them. I've had watches on hold at running stores. Not sure what I was waiting for, but I finally invested in the Garmin Forerunner 210 and love it. It gives me everything I want and need in a running watch, plus that little extra motivation to get out the door and run so I can play with my new toy!
Lastly, I can't stop reading about the Badwater Ultramarathon. It is insane, intense, extreme and I can't get enough of it. I read Dean Karnazes's second book, RUN where he talks about the race and then I bought two other books about it, want to watch the documentary Running on the Sun and have seen every Badwater race recap there is on youtube.com. I'm not going to go so far as to say I will do it someday, but...
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
4 marathons down!
This weekend Craig and I completed our 4th marathon of 2012, in attempt of our 12in12in12. It was the Charlottesville, VA marathon. Nice and scenic, but not nice and hilly. Our first 3 marathons were pancake flat so this one was much different with the hills, but we got powered through at our nice easy pace and feel good afterward.
Here we are at the finish. It was a beautiful day, especially the second half of the race and afterward. The start was a bit cold. It was an early start, 6:30 am and it was in the 30's at that time. But once the sun came up it was great.
Oh, yeah, and like the last marathon, I wore jeans again! After the love I received from www.joggingjeans.com, my new favorite website, there was no way I wasn't going to race in denim again! My outfit was a bit different this time as you can see, I sported the jeans clam-diggers. I guess you could call them jorts. I heard a few people on course comment, "are those jorts?" Oh yeah, pretty sweet
Craig and I snuggling before the race to stay warm
Ok, so Craig took this perfect picture for me. The guy in the background is wearing pants, not jeans, but not what most people would run a marathon in. And on top, he has a collared shirt on! I had a to get him in the picture with me, nice camera work, Craig. Also, this was close to the end of the race so we finished together. Well, close to the guy, because about 50 yards from the finish line, this guy took off like Carl Lewis as if he was trying to win Olympic Gold! Craig and I just looked at each other, it was hilarious.
So, 4 down, 8 to go. Next marathon is the Delaware marathon on May 13th, so we have some time off until then.
Here we are at the finish. It was a beautiful day, especially the second half of the race and afterward. The start was a bit cold. It was an early start, 6:30 am and it was in the 30's at that time. But once the sun came up it was great.
Oh, yeah, and like the last marathon, I wore jeans again! After the love I received from www.joggingjeans.com, my new favorite website, there was no way I wasn't going to race in denim again! My outfit was a bit different this time as you can see, I sported the jeans clam-diggers. I guess you could call them jorts. I heard a few people on course comment, "are those jorts?" Oh yeah, pretty sweet
Craig and I snuggling before the race to stay warm
Ok, so Craig took this perfect picture for me. The guy in the background is wearing pants, not jeans, but not what most people would run a marathon in. And on top, he has a collared shirt on! I had a to get him in the picture with me, nice camera work, Craig. Also, this was close to the end of the race so we finished together. Well, close to the guy, because about 50 yards from the finish line, this guy took off like Carl Lewis as if he was trying to win Olympic Gold! Craig and I just looked at each other, it was hilarious.
So, 4 down, 8 to go. Next marathon is the Delaware marathon on May 13th, so we have some time off until then.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Spring Break training
In between last week's Ocean Drive (jeans) marathon and next weekend's Charlottesville marathon had to do a little running, so while I was down at the beach for Spring Break mini-vaca I had the chance to run on the beach. It was nice day yesterday, a bit windy, but felt nice to run somewhere beautiful like on the beach. Ran for an hour and 20 minutes, dodging the waves as the tide came up. Felt a little naked in shorts after wearing jeans to run my last marathon. Maybe that is my next marathon outfit to outdo the jeans, my birthday suit??!!! Race officials didn't mind the jeans, but they may not be too psyched about me running naked!
After the run came home and laid on the deck in the sun, below is the view from the deck. So relaxing, and the warm sun felt awesome.
And Casey was out with me, as usual, licking the sweat off me. What a dog.
Charlottesville in 5 days. Not sure what I'm going to wear, maybe I'll go conventional running attire. But after my jeans outfit inspired by www.joggingjeans.com and all the love I got from my new friend Jill, my days of running in denim are DEFINITELY NOT OVER!!!
After the run came home and laid on the deck in the sun, below is the view from the deck. So relaxing, and the warm sun felt awesome.
And Casey was out with me, as usual, licking the sweat off me. What a dog.
Charlottesville in 5 days. Not sure what I'm going to wear, maybe I'll go conventional running attire. But after my jeans outfit inspired by www.joggingjeans.com and all the love I got from my new friend Jill, my days of running in denim are DEFINITELY NOT OVER!!!
Monday, March 26, 2012
My Jeans Marathon
The 12in12in12 is moving along, with our 3rd marathon under our belt. The first three of our 12 marathons in 12 months have been unique in their own ways. The first being in Miami, a city I love because I always have an unreal time whenever I visit, and this time was no exception (thanks to Steph, owner of Cheeseburger Baby - the best cheeseburger dive in the world that somehow Guy Fiere has never been to!).
Then there was Myrtle Beach in February. Missed my flight. Rented a car. Left at 3:30 Friday. Drove for 11 hours. Slept 2 hours. Ran marathon. Flew home after. Overall time spent in Myrtle Beach was approximately 12 hours. Crazy.
For our 3rd marathon, we ran in Cape May, NJ. A very small marathon called the Ocean Drive marathon. It was memorable. See below.
Yes, that is me, running in jeans! I got the idea from an awesome website I heard about in Runner's World, http://www.joggingjeans.com/. Basically, it is a site dedicated to individuals, who, well... jog in jeans. Some people do it for fun, others do it because at 80 years old that's just what you do. So I thought I would do it too. Here I am with Craig before the race, with a smile, but not sure what I was getting myself into.
As you can see, I completed the look with huge belt buckle, camo shirt and 19 year old (literally) hat. And for the last month grew out a fu mancu mustache. Below is an action shot right within the first mile. So at this point, I'm still feeling good. The few people I told before the marathon had me thinking there would be serious chafing issues. Also, the forecast called for rain, so I wasn't sure what it would feel like to run in waterlogged jeans, but I was prepared to find out.
But, as you can see from the smile on our faces below at the finish line, we made it, the jeans held up, and I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have many issues. I sacrificed some comfort, couldn't really stretch since denim doesn't really have the appropriate elasticity, and ignored the numerous looks I received from "real runners" who obviously didn't approve of my non-technical gear.
Craig posted the picture on his facebook page and then sent me this picture with his facebook comments attached. It's hard to read on my blog, but if you can zoom in or download the picture, there's some pretty good comments. I especially liked the question, "Did Schultz bag a 10-pointer on the way to the race?"
In about a week, check out the website, http://www.joggingjeans.com/. I submitted my picture and am hoping she will post it on the site. Even if I don't make the cut, it is pretty awesome site to check out just for fun.
Our next race, marathon #4 of the 12in12in12 is coming up in less than 2 weeks. Craig and I will be running the hilly Charlottesville, VA marathon. Wish us luck, we may need it!
Then there was Myrtle Beach in February. Missed my flight. Rented a car. Left at 3:30 Friday. Drove for 11 hours. Slept 2 hours. Ran marathon. Flew home after. Overall time spent in Myrtle Beach was approximately 12 hours. Crazy.
For our 3rd marathon, we ran in Cape May, NJ. A very small marathon called the Ocean Drive marathon. It was memorable. See below.
Yes, that is me, running in jeans! I got the idea from an awesome website I heard about in Runner's World, http://www.joggingjeans.com/. Basically, it is a site dedicated to individuals, who, well... jog in jeans. Some people do it for fun, others do it because at 80 years old that's just what you do. So I thought I would do it too. Here I am with Craig before the race, with a smile, but not sure what I was getting myself into.
As you can see, I completed the look with huge belt buckle, camo shirt and 19 year old (literally) hat. And for the last month grew out a fu mancu mustache. Below is an action shot right within the first mile. So at this point, I'm still feeling good. The few people I told before the marathon had me thinking there would be serious chafing issues. Also, the forecast called for rain, so I wasn't sure what it would feel like to run in waterlogged jeans, but I was prepared to find out.
But, as you can see from the smile on our faces below at the finish line, we made it, the jeans held up, and I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have many issues. I sacrificed some comfort, couldn't really stretch since denim doesn't really have the appropriate elasticity, and ignored the numerous looks I received from "real runners" who obviously didn't approve of my non-technical gear.
Craig posted the picture on his facebook page and then sent me this picture with his facebook comments attached. It's hard to read on my blog, but if you can zoom in or download the picture, there's some pretty good comments. I especially liked the question, "Did Schultz bag a 10-pointer on the way to the race?"
In about a week, check out the website, http://www.joggingjeans.com/. I submitted my picture and am hoping she will post it on the site. Even if I don't make the cut, it is pretty awesome site to check out just for fun.Our next race, marathon #4 of the 12in12in12 is coming up in less than 2 weeks. Craig and I will be running the hilly Charlottesville, VA marathon. Wish us luck, we may need it!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
This is a picture of my treadmill deck. I noticed recently it wasn't feeling right, too soft and saggy. So I called the treadmill company and a guy came out and said I had cracked the deck. This is what it looked like when he took it out. I destroyed that sucker. Is it proof I run too much???!!! 
Anyway, they fixed it up and it looks all better as you can see above. I hope so, can't imagine not having the mill to run on in the mornings and catch up on soccer games I've missedPounded out some miles this weekend. Did 10 on Saturday and then thought I was doing 20 today, but mapped it on mapmyrun.com and it was only 19.25, which kind of stinks but I'll get over it. Didn't wear a watch but felt pretty good, and feel good tonight.
2 weeks until marathon #3 in Cape May, NJ. Looking forward to it, feels like forever since Myrtle Beach marathon.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Great running quote
I saw this quote from famous marathoner Deena Kastor that I liked. Hope it is true!!!
|
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Marathon #2 complete!
Here we are at the finish of marathon #2, Myrtle Beach.
This marathon ended up being an adventure, that's for sure. The race went well, we paced ourselves and didn't kill ourselves, trying to ease through the first few marathons so as not to tax our bodies more than we have to.
However, it was before the marathon that didn't go as planned for me. The race was on Saturday, I had a flight booked for friday afternoon. But I couldn't get out of work so had to change the flight. Not to say I am cheap, but although I needed to change the flight I didn't want to transfer onto the later flight because it was going to cost $350 at first, then went up to over $600!!! They said I could wait until the day of the flight and I could transfer for $50. So I decided to gamble. I should know, gamblers always lose. I lost. Flight was booked.
So when I called Friday there were no flights. I drove to the airport, and instead of hopping on a plane, I rented a car and started driving at 3:35pm. I estimated around 10 hours, but didn't know I would get stuck in a 10 mile backup (yes 1o miles) right in Philly and then get to DC at prime time rush hour traffic. It was brutal. Worst drive of my life, I was tired and cranky for first half of it. But pounded some coffee with dinner, and then a Monster energy drink, which was awful, but must have done the trick. Because I got a second wind and felt wide awake for the rest of the trip. Arrived in Myrtle beach at 2:30am.
So went to sleep by 3am, woke up before my alarm at 4:56am. Ran 26.2 miles. Was back on a flight to Philadelphia at 3:24pm Saturday. Just a normal 24 hours.
This marathon ended up being an adventure, that's for sure. The race went well, we paced ourselves and didn't kill ourselves, trying to ease through the first few marathons so as not to tax our bodies more than we have to.
However, it was before the marathon that didn't go as planned for me. The race was on Saturday, I had a flight booked for friday afternoon. But I couldn't get out of work so had to change the flight. Not to say I am cheap, but although I needed to change the flight I didn't want to transfer onto the later flight because it was going to cost $350 at first, then went up to over $600!!! They said I could wait until the day of the flight and I could transfer for $50. So I decided to gamble. I should know, gamblers always lose. I lost. Flight was booked.
So when I called Friday there were no flights. I drove to the airport, and instead of hopping on a plane, I rented a car and started driving at 3:35pm. I estimated around 10 hours, but didn't know I would get stuck in a 10 mile backup (yes 1o miles) right in Philly and then get to DC at prime time rush hour traffic. It was brutal. Worst drive of my life, I was tired and cranky for first half of it. But pounded some coffee with dinner, and then a Monster energy drink, which was awful, but must have done the trick. Because I got a second wind and felt wide awake for the rest of the trip. Arrived in Myrtle beach at 2:30am.
So went to sleep by 3am, woke up before my alarm at 4:56am. Ran 26.2 miles. Was back on a flight to Philadelphia at 3:24pm Saturday. Just a normal 24 hours.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
