After a long break...from writing...I'm back and in action. All I can really say about my latest training efforts is HOT. As in the temperature although I try and look decent while exercising to an extent. However, while my heat training has been well and good, I experienced a slight bummer this weekend. See it all started way back in the very merry month of May when I decided to visit my college pal Jeannie in Washington D.C. After much debate we decided on this past weekend because we both thought we were free. Little did I know that there was a race that I was supposed to run on that Sunday ahh! No problem, I thought, I would just take a flight back a day early and have plenty of time to get ready to race. Is that what happened? Not exactly...in fact not at all. As planned my friend Becky and I left Thursday afternoon for D.C. We arrived four hours later and I had a great weekend which I spent mostly inside because it was SO HOT like 104 degrees. I was making sure to hydrate properly all weekend long. When Saturday rolled around I was sad to leave, but alas, I was excited to race. I hopped in a cab (so city of me) and went to Reagan International Airport in D.C. where I would catch flight one of two. I got on board with no problem and even had extra extra room because no one was on the flight (ahhh yeaaah). However, even though I was thoroughly involved in my book I began to notice that we seemed to have been in the air for quite some time. That was when the captain said that there was a storm in Atlanta (stop one) and we were in a holding pattern. Yup, we were and we stayed there for an hour. A whole extra hour. Finally we landed, but when we did my phone was bombarded from texts from Southwest saying my second flight had already been delayed twice. It soon would be delayed a third and we did not leave until well after nine PM! I had to call my coach and tell him I could not make it to the race because I wouldn't arrive home until after midnight. I didn't think that would be good pre-meet. I was pretty bummed out about this so I drowned my sorrows in a higher grade than Taco Bell crunch wrap (a place named Leo's?) and a little gelato. Fortunately, my teammates all raced excellently, but I hope to be there next time.

Running side note: While in D.C. I stopped into a running store called Pacers to take a look at some calf sleeves because I felt that I might be in need. While chatting with the guy working he was telling me about their pacers running group. This is when I realized that he was the main feature in several very large running photos. He was also the only person working so i found this amusing. Also, I bought the calf sleeves and I am wearing them now.

In addition, I passed a lululemon athletica store and saw a plethora of running skirts. STOP. Get out of town...but I actually did because I am back in Ohio.

Anyway, just a short update on nothing all that exciting. Until next time Harriers.

Racing

Well everyone, another week or so has gone by and I have finally completed my first race with my new training group! Let me start by first saying this week was a very stressful one. On Sunday I got up at eight am to head to the Pittsburgh area to meet my friends Becky and Emma who were accompanying me on my road trip to Boston where I would be getting the remained of my stuff for my move back. We drove about nine or so hours and arrived where we spent a very hot and stuffy evening in my unairconditioned room. The next day we did a nice run around the wonderful Jamaica Pond which I will miss very much. The weather was breezy and awesome. We also did some sight seeing and had some seafood at Legal Seafood. It was excellent. The next day we packed and I did a brief workout before we went to Fire and Ice stir fry and then saw the movie Bling Ring. I cannot say that I recommend this move. Sorry Emma Watson. Anyway, the next day we skipped town and I headed back to Ohio where I promptly returned the rental car and went to bed in order to get up at six am for the Medina Twin Sizzler 5k.

The alarm went off at 5:50 and I was pretty shocked because I was exhausted and could not quite believe it. I quickly grabbed my bag, had some toast and headed out the door. I arrived in Medina and was surprised that it did not seem that all that many people were there yet, but I suppose I may have been earlier than most racers. After checking in and receiving my complimentary t shirt I ran into my teammate Lizzie and we started our warm up. Unfortunately, all those people who were not registering when I was began registering just shortly before the race was supposed to begin and therefore it was delayed. We were getting anxious so we decided to get a good spot at the start of the race. I like to be in front so I can get out, but it NEVER fails that several men or boys will stand in front of me. For instance, I heard one boy who looked about high school age say that he planned to run around a 19:30 and then he proceeded to get in my way. EXCUSE ME, I don't recall you asking me if I had planned to run around that pace or slower so please step aside. Anyway, I didn't actually say anything because I figured there were three + miles to get around any overconfident racers.

Finally, after some delay, the horn/gun or whatever goes off and we plunged into a downhill (yay). Therefore, the start was fast. I was nervous, probably over eager and as many people know about me...I have a tendency to go out way too fast. I was probably 800 meters in when I heard two girls coming up behind me saying we were on target for about 5:33 through the mile. NO. Too fast. So I casually let them slip in front of me and I figured I'd hang on to them. We came through mile one just under 5:50. I was okay with this but was hoping for around 5:45. I knew I could not let up, but this is when the rolling hills started. That's when I started playing my favorite game- boy catching. See, my favorite part of racing post college is that there are guys in the race, and more often than not they would rather you do not pass them. My strategy is to catch up to one and speed up as they do when they see me at their side. I then attempt to either stay with them or pass. If I do pass I look to the next one. This worked well for me through mile two. We had a little bit of a downhill just after mile two, but I knew that just as we had started on the downhill we would indeed finish on an uphill. There was one girl ahead of me so I focused on keeping her in my sight as we headed down the stretch just before the hill. With about 300 meters to go I reached the hill and it was pretty ugly. It was gradual and yet just steep enough so that despite the fact that you are moving as fast as you can, you really are not going all that fast. I could see that I was under 18 minutes and I was pleased, but I knew it would be hard to stay under through the finish. As the hill leveled out just before the line I sprinted as fast as I could and clocked an 18:08. I was very pleased and felt really strong. Afterwards I enjoyed refreshments, chats with competitors and a brief awards ceremony. Overall a great way to start off my racing and a great way to start the 4th of July.

shout outs

Hello readers,

Well, I am about to start base week seven. Finally, I can say that I feel like I am in decent shape. There might be some of you out there rolling your eyes saying I was already in shape, and that is kind of true, but this past week there was a breakthrough of importance. Sure, it is one thing to be able to run a lot of miles, but it takes something more to run a workout. Up until this last week, as described in previous posts, all of my workouts had been a struggle. I had completed them all, but each rep was painful, filled with lactic acid, and seemed the length of at least a tenk. However, on Tuesday I was feeling pretty good during our usual warm up and I had some optimism, but I did not want to get too eager to speed around the track. 

We started the workout with one time 1600 meters at around 5:45. I told myself if this 1600 felt difficult then I still was not quite in shape because in my past I had run mile repeats under six and it wasn't too bad. In fact, I really usually like mile repeats. After two laps something new had happened. There was no usual surge of lactic acid that I had been experiencing when I did anything under 6 minute pace. Although I thought it was too good to be true, it continued and I felt good all the way through. To my surprise the 800 repeats after this felt good too. I had finally gotten over the wall. The wall of fitness one might say. In addition to that I was able to cool down without a side stitch!

Later in the week I did a tempo run with a teammate which really improved the tempo experience. I had not realized how difficult running tempos solo can be. Overall, my new development has been going well and I am really enjoying the group experience. I hope for the progress to continue.

In honor of feeling so cheerful about running, I would like to do a toast or "cheers" to some random runners I have encountered recently or in the past that have "added" to my running experience so to speak.

~To the man that I periodically pass on the trail that listens to his ipod without headphones and it always seems to be Katy Perry...here's to you.

~To the girl who I passed on the trail the other day who ominously yelled "look out for the bees" as she ran by...I thank you?

~To the man that I used to resent for parking side ways in a parking space, but now like because he says hi to me...I like your bandanna

~To all the people who wear headphones and don't hear my coming and then yell "Oh you scared me!"...you asked for it.

~To the people on the trail who stare at you but don't smile...although I have already addressed this...stop being a meanie.

~But really, to all the people out there running, here's to you.

Dashing and Disney

Hello readers, fellow athletes/harriers if you will,

I have returned from our family's grand trip to DisneyWorld. It was awesome, but I'll get there. First, a training update. The week before we left for our Disney trip things had been going really smoothly and I had been racking up the mileage with little problem. However, this smooth progress came to a screeching halt the Friday before our trip. I was scheduled to do a tempo run...which I did, but boy was it ugly. The day before I had done seven miles at about 7:10 pace and felt pretty decent, but I was sore. This was nothing too surprising, until Friday. I had been reluctant to get to the trail where I planned to run and this is kind of typical when my body is feeling tired. However, I knew that I was going to go so I hopped in the car and got to the trail. Once I was there I began a roughly eight minute warm up for two miles and that's when I knew this was not going to go well. I always try and stay optimistic so I told myself that once I had warmed up I would be ready. Hmm...kinda wrong. The objective of the tempo was to start at 6:55 and drop ten seconds every mile for five miles. After roughly two miles on pace I literally could hardly move. It was a combination of that jelly feeling you get after speed work and a literal feeling that my legs did not want to move back and forth anymore. This was a new feeling for me. I have been tired before, but not like this. However, I knew I to finish, especially if I wanted to get back to my car. So I sucked it up and went on. It was awful. I got through but not without some groaning and thoughts of despair. Once the actual tempo was over I could hardly move and managed a shuffle of a mile and a half cool down. There was rejoicing when I made it to the car. Needless to say, the "easy run" the next day was not easy and included much sweating and side cramps, but alas I made it.

While I was very frustrated, now I am somewhat glad that Sunday I was not feeling well and could not complete my long run so I had a day off which I think wound up being really good for my body. Training continued at Disney, but was a little lack luster. It may be surprising to some of you that Disney characters do not join you while you are running. In fact, I was kind of shocked that I felt like I was the only person running...at least at our resort. This location was not ideal for running, so most running consisted of several small loops within the resort. Some people were shocked at my presence and others were amused. ASIDE from running Disney World was awesome. This was my first trip to the place and it was super fun. Day one was mostly travel but then my pal Jess Y (Best of Jess fame) and I hit up Hollywood studios for an evening of fun where we did the Tower of Terror, Star Tours, and the Rockin Roller Coaster (Starring Aerosmith...but they weren't there).

 Day two my family and Jess went to the Magic Kingdom which was massive and really cool. Our first stop was at the President's Hall of Fame where there was much debate (among ourselves) over whether the President's were real humans or robots...they were indeed robots. Almost as shocking as when I found out Salem the cat from Sabrina was not real. We also waited FOREVER to go to The Haunted Mansion. Apparently Jess had realized that this was not an actual roller coaster, but my brother and I did not. Needless to say this was annoying and kind of funny when we realized. We rode the tea cups with my mom which she enjoyed, but made me a tad nauseous. Later Jess and I were the last one's left and so we went to further explore and got on the Turbo...tower...something like that. It is this ride where you get in a rocket and it spins you in circles.The rockets are not that big. Most times adults get their own rocket while one child and one adult can ride together, but don't worry Jess and I were basically forced to ride together. After that Jess and I did some type of Buzz light year shooting game. Jess, my brother and I had dinner together at the House of Blues where we had a Mickey drawing contest. I will not disclose who won (I used to want to be an artist...). After dinner Jess and I ventured back to the park while a torrential downpour took place. While most people fled the scene we forged on and got on all the best rides with little wait. SPACE MOUNTAIN awesome. Front seat baby. Thunder Mountain, also good. We also got sweet ponchos.

Day three was my least favorite park day...sorry everyone. Animal Kingdom...my mom and brothers favorite. However, there was an awesome ride...EXPEDITION EVEREST. First you wind through a building talking all about the Yeti. Then you travel up to Everest where you go backwards (scariest part) and then plunge down. It was the coolest and the gift shop had such cute yeti stuffed animals. After that we did a couple of little safari things and watched monkeys clean each other before the rain began and we headed back to the hotel. Later that night Jess and I hit the bar and were surprised to find it packed with families singing along to the resort favorite singer and piano player: Yeehaw Bob. Quite a hoot.

Day four was unfortunately hurricane whether so we did not get to go to EPCOT. This was disappointing but    we were all tired and so we napped and watched tv and such. I hit up the gift shop for some stellar souvenirs. Later Jess and I went to downtown Disney to check out the shops and gorged on desserts including my Mike (from Monster's Inc.) Cake eyeball. We also went to the LEGO land shop. So awesome.

That concludes my trip ladies and gents. Hope you enjoyed reading.

Workouts and running skirts

I am back...as in...writing again after a little over a week of training has past. Overall, the past week and a half has been fairly productive for me...roughly 50-55 miles. I would consider this a lot of mileage. Some people may not agree, but I think there is one thing that can be agreed upon and that...brings me to a classic scenario from when I worked at City Sports in Boston which I do miss. Anyway, OFTEN, people would step onto the shoe floor, and as the shoe person, I would ask them "What kind of training are you doing?" and said person would say "Well...I run A LOT," and they would look at me with big eyes as if they were personally shocked by the amount of mileage they were doing. I would then ask roughly how many miles a week they were running so I could help guide them in the shoe selection process. These people would then say something like "like 15 miles." I hate to be a running snob...but...if you are running merely fifteen miles a week you should probably step away form the $150 dollar shoe section because you simply don't need that amount of EVO foam or whatever underneath your foot. Try Sears (get it?). But props to anyone who runs at all just putting that out there,but don't overspend on shoes ladies and gents.

Anyway, back to what I was talking about...I have upped my mileage. All of this mileage has been pretty good, pretty attainable aside from one thing which brings me to the topic of: workouts. The term "in-shape" is deceiving. Would I consider myself in shape right now? Yes. Would I consider it the best shape of my life? No. This becomes apparent when I go to do a workout. When I say workout I mean shorter, faster intervals...not a cute tempo run. For instance, today we did a series of 1000 meter repeats. While most of my teammates, who have been at this a while, were ahead of me and going what I would consider very quick. I was told to do my 1000's at roughly a little under six min. pace. I was thinking "this should be easy. Wrong." I was pretty confident through the first 100 meters when the wind is blowing through my hair...but then that turn...thats when things took a turn (hah). That's when the lactic acid starts flowing in and I am wondering if I always feel this from workout out or if this is new? I then think...well what if like a vain pops out of my leg? Could that happen? Then dehydration sets in and I have a headache and I am sure that I will pass out before I finish my next rep. But you wanna know what the hardest part is for me? Cooling down. Once I finish reps, or a race, I do not want to cool down. I know you are supposed to and stuff but I do not want to. I can literally hardly move...how am I supposed to keep going? Then there is the classic pesky side stitch that creeps in making it so you aren't just running slower but a little lop sided. All in all, I still cool down...just as I did today. I also made it through my workout without passing out or having a vain pop out. This is a true runners blog in that people who don't run might be horrified by this, but I love it.

As promised: What is the deal with running skirts? Look, I am not trying to offend anyone because if you get out there and run, good for you...but a skirt? I have made an effort to understand, but I can't. For instance, I once read a book where a woman who is anti-running skirt puts one on and has a change of heart. She claimed it made her feel sexy and free...but I am not buying it. If anything that makes me beg the argument of should women be trying to look sexy when running? Hmm...feminize that readers. If anyone wants to share any insight please do because I'd love to hear it. Really. All I know is I will not be rushing out to buy one any time soon. It'll have to wait with my running pumps and running push up bra...

That's all for now folks. Thanks for reading.

Hello bloggers, readers, fellow humankind...

So this is my seconds...third...maybe fourth attempt at blogging if you count my xanga which I only wish I could still pull excerpts from. Anyway, this blog holds a new concept about a journey. A journey through many many miles. This post signifies my start with a new team in a new (old) location. A journey to possible...greatness? That we will have to see about. My goal with each post will be to talk about my progress in each week and also a (running) topic of my choosing. Let's begin shall we?

This week I began running with a development group...not a club. Therefore, the objective is indeed to develop. This is something that I hope to do. his means that each week I have specific objectives (miles, workouts). I made a discovery this week that I had not given much thought in the past, but now I must admit...confess. I am terrible at pacing my runs...unless I am on a track. Most of the time I try not to wear a watch running at all because most of my runs are out and back and I am very OCD about either matching my out time or negative splitting. Wearing a watch became necessary this week when my Coach began telling me what pace to run my miles at. Oh...new concept. I thought about this and I was like but wait...in College I was always on pace for track workouts, good job Meredith. But not really good job Meredith because I was running with a pack and once again, never wore a watch. This reminded me of all the times I started out a 5k like it was a 400 meter dash only to struggle later. It also reminded me of the one time I raced using a watch and strategically paced my miles and landed a pr...hmm. That's weird. (Mind you...this is one year after I collapsed at this same race through the finish and a man from the stands said "What's that? Road kill?). Anyway, so in logging my runs and miles this week I couldn't help but realize that I was not any good at that. For instance when told to run miles at 7:25 pace...its not good to come through at like...6:50. And how? I asked myself...i don't know. I mean sure, not every run is flat and sometimes they are downhill...but how does this happen? Needs work that's for sure. The good news is that as the week went on this improved...somewhat. So that is a summary of week one for you aside from a close encounter with a skunk, but don't worry I made it.

Topic: People who refuse to smile or acknowledge when on trails.

 This is something I feel strongly about. As a runner, I feel I can fairly say that I understand that not every day is an awesome day for running. I mean I enjoy running and most of the time I look forward to it, but there are certain days when I don't really feel like going to a busy trail and seeing a bunch of random people I may or may not know. On these days I usually go to a more desolate trail. BUT regardless of where I am running, I ALWAYS acknowledge the people I pass on the trail, especially runners. There are two categories of avoiders. 1) People who see you, but pretend they don't. 2) People who make it clear that they see you but make no acknowledgement of your presence. I don't get it. First, to people who pretend they don't see me...you see me, I know you do. This trail is less than three feet across. I hope you feel at least a little bad that I just smiled at you or said hello and you did nothing. Second, to people who make eye contact with you and do not acknowledge you...why? I know you see me. I know because you are looking at me. In fact, a lot of times these people look angry. But the thing is...I didn't make you come out here...I didn't make you step out onto this trail so don't be mad at me about it. I just wanna be like "hey, we are in this together," but apparently they don't feel this shared bond. It's really too bad. THEN there are the people who you kind of know, but they pretend they don't know you. I'm like HELLO i was in second grade with your daughter and you recognize me (this is not an actual example)! Anyway, I bring this up because the past week I have experienced this quite a bit,but you know what? I won't let the haters steal my shine. Further, I have noticed that the "true" runners always seem to smile. Take that definition as you will.

Until next time.
Next week: running skirts.