Longer Distance Running

In an extended fit of insanity I signed up for several long races for this fall. So I am pretty much commented to working on distance running to get ready and I don’t have time for slacking from now on till winter. What I have found about putting in longer runs is that in addition to the issues of sore and strained muscles there are rubbing burns and bruised toes to deal with. On the plus side I think my fitness has improved some and my running muscles have become a little more hardened and resilient. Although early on it was hard to imagine running for hours at a time, I have found it to be OK, tiring leaving me sore, but OK. Running for hours at a time is not fun like hiking for hours but not too bad. I still have a long way to go on my endurance distance training to be ready and my speed is still slow. I am still coming in after a long run thinking “finally I am finished, I can now collapse” not “I could really run another 9 miles now, no problem.” Also for the two half marathons I have ran so far, I have not felt ready to turn around and run it again. I am working some on speed but I hope to work more on my speed this winter. I thank I am just naturally slow.

In general since the beginning of our effort I have found I enjoy running more than I did when I was in college and expect to continue long term. I do not find running actually fun but it seems to be a satisfyingly really great intense cardio workout. I also like MCRRC and intend to stay a member in the future. The running clubs seem to be really great organizations and the running community seems to be really nice and friendly. Also since the posted running training schedule included weight/strength work as suggested cross training that helped motivate me to add that to my regular routine. I hope this should help slow down the normal degeneration of my muscles and bones now that I am on the wrong side of the hill.

A Lot of Not, A Poem by Dr. Seuss?

Fillmore Glen State Park, Moravia, New York

Look at this pretty path that we walked quickly at the week before last! I thought I took a photo of the treacherous stone stairs that Chris and I sprinted up, but alas, I cannot find it. That turned out to be a bad decision though since we had just started out on the path after sitting in the car for an hour, as it resulted in a mini-asthma attack. Or I am very out of shape. It is likely the latter, or both, sigh. Upstate New York is so gorgeous though! I wish we had more time to explore, four days was not enough.

Well, since this is not a travel blog, I must discuss "running." However, I would like to point out that Chris's 85 year old Opa exclaimed that I am "a good marcher" on a separate fast walking occasion in NY.

I keep saying things to myself like, "today is such a gorgeous day for a run!" while I instead make plans to go shopping and gorge on delicious chocolate at Max Brenner in Bethesda. Or, "as soon as I stop feeling so sick and tired after work I'm going to start running again!"

Well, I have made it through to the second trimester and I am no longer sick or tired. So I guess i'm out of excuses. And maybe since the hubster has a prescribed ban from boxing with the heavy bag for 6 months, he might go for a run with me? Perhaps you can help me convince him?

skip a week - weekly update

Here we see the lunch break Missy in her natural environment panting her way back to work.

Still here. Still running. I ran during my lunch break today as its not as hot as it should be in August.
I did 2.x miles maybe .3 or .5 I am not actually sure. I am feeling super virtuous! Sill using Zombies, Run! for music and entertainment. I just love that game. My pace has really improved. I am now doing 10 min 15 s miles so I have dropped a whole minute in 2 weeks. I am quite happy about that.
Now all I have to do is keep it up.
While I am running I am always fantasizing abut the amazing things I am going to do as a runner.
I am nearly constantly thinking about my Marathon to be or about how I will be in the top ten finishers in my age group for some 5K. I am not sure what it is about running that elicits these delusions of grandeur. I am not usually prone to them.
Its fun anyway to feel the progress.
I have been so stressed out of late and the running helps tremendously much with that. I am much easier to be around when I am working out.

weekly Missy update

Last night I ran 2.2 miles and got bitten by one zombie but evaded 2 others.
I am doing 11 minute miles. That feels so slow. On the other hand I am still running and upping my mileage comfortably.I am on track for 3 mile runs by the end of this week. Once I hit three I will start working on speed.
Zombies, Run! is really helping me out. The enforced sprinting to avoid zombies makes the rest of the run more comfortable and helps tremendously is shaking off the sort of shuffling run I am inclined to do. Somehow the short sprints help me hit a good rhythm and after they occur I am moving more smoothly and much more quickly.
Anyone have good music suggestions?
My playlist is getting stale.

Riley's Rumble

258  79/199    4/20     317 Licia Scearce         F 51 Silver Spring MD    MCRRC 2:07:50  9:46 2:08:44  9:50

i cant find any pictures

but still

Go Licia GOOOO!!!