Oh, The Races You'll Miss!

Husband: You want to know the best thing about your pregnancy? No races.

BB: :(

My husband is a trooper.

He's the best race spectator in the world (I like to call him "Crew Chief"), and I think he definitely earned a break from the 5:00 am wake-up calls, navigating difficult race parking and having to talk me off the cliff when the slightest thing goes wrong (shirt isn't clean, can't find ipod, can't go to the potty, etc.). True <3

Running partner

This is Gracie Lou, mid-howl and rocking her new pink comfort-fit harness.

See, turns out Gracie's walking speed perfectly matches my pregnancy-wobble-run stride for stride. This keeps her from pulling the fire out of the leash (which is why I've always been so reluctant to walk her in the past).

Now when I say the word "WALK," Gracie starts into this horrible whimper-howl of excitement, all the while throwing herself at the garage door. It's pathetic. AND ADORABLE!

Grace does pretty well on our runs. She's hyper-focused and pays little attention to people or other dogs.

The only problem we have is with BIRDS. They send her into a complete frenzy.

Kind of like when the ice-cream truck rolls by (for me, at least). I start the whimper-howl and throw myself at the door until Hubs restrains me.

I have a perfectly good excuse for not updating this blog.

Poor, poor pitiful blog. Nearly abandoned!

Nearly!

For the past year and a half, I've used law school as my "I'm too busy to do XYZ" excuse but BOY can I top that one:

I've been doing everything in my power to destroy my usually orderly bathroom? No, actually...

For the past six months, I've been growing a HUMAN. Hubs and I are expecting our first tiny slow-runner at the end of June.

Yes, we are excited! Yes, we planned this! And no, we don't know what we're having and we won't until we meet the critter!

Pregnancy is no excuse to stop exercising. Crippling morning sickness, however, is a different story.

But now I'm in my second trimester, feeling great and running 5 days a week again.

Don't call it a comeback!

Of course, pregnant running is extra, extra slow for me. And I can hardly do more than 3 miles. And there are lots of SUPER FUN pregnancy side effects that come into play (you'll never guess what happens every time I sneeze...unless you're a mom or mom-to-be...in which case WHY DIDN'T YOU WARN ME?).

But considering I didn't run more than 4 total miles for 12 weeks, I am pretty excited to be hitting the pavement again...even if I am forced to wear Hubs' work-out tees because mine don't fit no mo'.

It is my intention to a) run until I pop (or am advised otherwise); b) keep updating this blog; and c) not allow this blog to become a "mommy-blog" by keeping it running-centric.

What hurts today?
My knees. But only in the middle of the night. My doc told me not to worry-- pregnancy loosens your ligaments and "the extra weight doesn't help" (she tells me delicately).

Long tread

The weather today was beautiful, but I opted to run at the gym instead.

It's my "long" run day (8 mi), and I don't know why I thought I could run for that long on a treadmill, but I thought "What the hey."

Well, I must have slipped into bizarro-running universe, because everything about my run today was the opposite of how I usually like to run:
a) I was on a treadmill
b) I was on a treadmill for more than 30 minutes
c) I was on a treadmill for more than 30 mintues in my running shoes (not my Vibrams)
d) I was on a treadmill for more than 30 minutes in my running shoes (not my Vibrams) while watching TV

And...it wasn't bad at all! Weird. Usually I get really bored on the t-mill, but today I was ok with it.

I know I'll be paying for it tomorrow, because my legs HATE my running shoes. Right now my hamstrings are scah-reeming.

In other news...school is COMING. Getting casebooks in the mail is like Opposite Christmas.

Broke(d)!

Preeeeetty sure I broke my Garmin.

I accidentally left it on ALL NIGHT and the battery was completely drained. I plugged 'er in to charge and got nuffin. I did the "soft reset" and got her rolling again, but when it stopped working right before my run.

SO. Trying not to panic. Although, running 8 miles without it (just like the old days) felt really good. I finished in 1:15, which is a little slower than usual, but not too far off my goal pace.

Pfft, "goal pace." I mean "don't walk, survive, think of dessert."

Guess I'll be running for duration (40 mins., 1 hour, etc.) until I figure this out.

Oh, and school is about to start again. HIP HIP!

9 month recap!

I've been a little distracted these past 9 months.

BUT I've kept running! And improving, sort of...I ran the KDF Mini in 2:06:26 (according to my Garmin). Thing is, I could have broke 2:00 hours if I had kept on the gas for the last three miles.




Instead, I was like, "eh."

And then I ran the Bluegrass 10K in 57:05. My chip time was 58:something, but I'm sticking with my Garmin time because...well, it's better. Very pumpkin-eater of me.

My goal was 55:00 and I would have been angry except for the fact that I had a CRITICAL ERROR in the um, digestive department around Mile 5 and had to limp towards the finish line.

And by "finish line" I mean "Dunkin Dounuts Bathroom that was on the Course."

And that story deserves its own post.

Sooooo, I'm gearing up for the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon in November. Oh, and more blog posts (for my husband, mom and mom-in-law who still read this blog).

Ok, ok...

It's freezing outside and I already pushed the ottoman out of the way to clear room for the exercise bike, but ENOUGH excuses...

It's time for a run.

So I'm strapping on my FiveFingers as I speak(type) and I'm heading out the door momentarily.

I'm halfway through my final exams, and when I'm finished I predict an epic comeback to the world of slow running.

Thanks to those of you who still read this (when I do update). I hope everyone is training strong and having great runs.

So a little 1L reflection that will only make sense to law students:
* Property: nicest professor until we saw our 9 page fact pattern for the final.
* Contracts: test is next week...it's hard not to like contracts. Everyone likes contracts!
* Civil Procedure: my favorite class...which means something is seriously wrong with me.
* Torts: worthless. WORTH. LESS.

Slim Down

A lot of the blogs I read are diet/fitness related, and they always have really insightful tips about healthy eating and exercise.

Here? Not so much.

I say eat what you want and if you're not happy with your body...well, I can't help you. I'm not an expert in anything health related and I don't act like I am.

I am however an expert in Jurassic Park quotes, but that may not help you do anything. Ever.

But I have discovered a great way to lose weight quickly! Just follow these easy steps:

1) Take LSAT.
2) Apply to law school.
3) Get in to law school.
4) Go to class.
5) Take both research final + Torts midterm + turn in first memo (EVER) in span of five days.

AND CHA-CHING! You'll drop weight like a prize fighter.

Seriously, my mileage has dropped to below 10 miles a week (far below it...try like, 4 miles) and I've managed to lose weight by stressing out.

I know I'm just losing muscle that took me a year and hundreds of miles to accumulate, so I'm not exactly jazzed about it.

BUT I feel a comeback coming...

Epic (fail) Return

HEY HEY!

Ok, so I haven't posted in two months...epic fail. But I have a good excuse! I'm a 1L! That's a totally legit excuse, right D.A.R.?!

Anyway, I didn't run that Downtown Doubler and I haven't trained for the L'Ville half. I haven't posted on Run the Ville and I haven't posted a +10 mile run since my marathon.

But the world keeps spinning!

But I have kept running, just not training. I'm running 100% in my Five-Fingers, even on the treadmill...which, I must say, is quite the audio-sensory experience with the THUDTHUDTHUD sound feet-with-no-padding-on-treadmill makes.

What can I say about being a 1L? Well, the most frustrating part of it all is the constant feeling of being one step behind. Even if I've read and briefed for class, there is always something else I could be doing.

For me, one day ahead is behind. There is no such thing as "being on top" of things.

I fully plan on diving back into training come Christmas Break. So I'll go retool the ol' race calendar and see how it goes.

Hope everyone's training is going well...I can't wait to cross (any) finish line again!

M.I.A.

Sorry for the lack of posted...I just finished my first week of law school today.

Needless to say, it's been a bit time consuming.

However, I'm still running (or trying to) and I have a new race on the calendar: The Downtown Doubler!

It's a 15k/30k that starts and ends downtown.

Gonna try it "barefoot!"

New Feet

I took the plunge..

And bought a pair of Vibram Fivefingers KSOs.

Let's get the FAQs out of the way...

- Yes, I run in these.
- Yes, I can run on the road and gravel.
- Yes, I can run for "long" distances.
- No, they aren't water shoes (but they can be).
- No, they don't slow me down.

The Fivefingers replicate the sensation of barefoot running and allow the body to run as biomechanically "correct" as possible.

Ever since I started wearing my KSOs, my runner's knee pain has completely subsided. I also feel "lighter" without my Brooks weighing me down.

It takes a couple of runs to toughen up your feet (heels especially), but I'll take a couple of blisters over knee or hip pain any day.

Trail running is especially exciting in these babies...they let your toes grip on the roots and rocks as you hop through the woods.

I know that most runners I encounter think I'm nuts, but hey-- to each his own. I just call them Hybrids for my feet.

Muddy

Yesterday I felt like punishing my legs, so I took my run off-road.

I followed a little XC trail around the park and then cut back through my new favorite trail. Running in grass really jacks up the cardio intensity, and I really (really) need to get my aerobic level back up to where it was before my little hiatus.

This time the trail was muddy and slick...I almost ate dirt a couple times, but managed to keep my balance.

So far I've stuck to my 3 Day Training Plan:

Sunday: 5 mile "long" run (still trying to get my mojo back)
Monday: Cross
Tuesday: 4x400 on the treadmill
Wednesday: 3 miles on the TM (torture)
Thursday: 3 mile tempo/trail run

On to the weekend and hopefully a 7 or 8 miler in the country.

Have a good one!

Barefootin'

I really want a pair of these babies:


Barefoot running = less running related injuries.

Something to think about for all you runners out there suffering from ITBS and the like.

The ultimate question is: do I have the guts to wear these in public?

Wanted: New Training Plan

With all this slacking and school prep, I keep forgetting about the half marathon in October.

I can't 100% commit to running the thing until I get a better handle on my school schedule (which is TBA at the moment).

I know that I will make time to run...there isn't a doubt in my mind about that. But if the past year has taught me anything, it's that running and training are two different monsters.

Running is fun and casual. Training is fun and...stressful.

Runner's World has a Three Day Half Marathon Training Plan that might work for me:

Tuesdays: Speed work
Wednesdays: Tempo runs (starts at 3 miles and tops out at 8 miles)
Saturday OR Sunday: Long runs (6-12 miles)


Seems pretty flexible...I'd add a couple days of crosstraining. Also I may convert Tuesdays into short distance tempos rather than gut-busting speed sessions, although a little speed work certainly wouldn't hurt.

But can three days a week get the job done?

Until I settle on a plan, I'm just keeping it steady as she goes as far as running. Hubs and I are running tomorrow, and I'd like to get 5 miles with some trail running thrown in for good measure.

Now I'm off to kayak with my coworkers (and I'm totally counting this as crosstraining).

My First Trail Run

Knee still hurts, but not enough to stop me from getting out in this GREAT weather and running.

And today I tried my hand (and feet) at trail running...

And it. Was. AWESOME.

It was a "short" 1.25 mile loop, but I went the wrong way (a couple times) and ended up doing 3 miles on the trail.

It took a while to get used to that wobbley feeling in my ankles, but then I felt like I was absolutely FLYING down that trail.

It was certainly a different running experience-- now my calf and quads are more sore than they've been in a long time.

But it was rewarding enough that I will do it again...and soon.

Heck, I've even made a new blog tag for it-- that's commitment!

About that "100%"

So...when I said I was "100% okay" after my week long hiatus, I may have lied a bit. I just didn't know it!

I did a brisk 3 miler on Tuesday and DANG did my knee object. I'm pretty confident it's good ol' runner's knee, I just don't know why it came on now.

After my run, I went shopping for some school clothes (ahh, back to school). And then my car wouldn't start. URGH.

And nothing says "Happy Birthday" like a busted knee and a car that won't start!

Yeah, yesterday was my 24th birthday.

The bright side? I'm getting faster. And isn't that what it's all about?

Weekend report...

Days like Saturday make me wonder how I ever ran a marathon in the first place...(if you stepped outside on Saturday then you now what I'm talking about).

It was SWELTERING. The air was absolutely soupy...

There were several moments when I thought I was going to vomit or pass out. I told myself it was all in my head (it was) and kept chugging.

But when my Garmin chirped and let me know I hit 2 miles, I turned around. 4 miles, 42 minutes of misery.

Sunday's exercise was a lot more entertaining...I played my first lacrosse game in over a year. I woke up so so so sore this morning. That's the sign of a good game.

Box O' Nerd

Wow, I've been slacking in the blogging arena.

I have a new schedule at work which affords me a couple days off here and there, so this week I've thrown myself headfirst into some projects around the house.

I've also been able to get my runs and workouts finished before noon! Oh, what a feeling.

Today the track at the park was really crowded, so I grabbed my stick and headed over to the lacrosse field to shoot on a goal for a while.

And then on the way home I kept giggling repeating the phrase "laCROSSe training."

Here's my week so far:
Sunday: Speed work, 5 x 400
Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: 4 mile tempo
Wednesday: 30 minutes elliptical

Thursday: 1 mile warm-up, 45 minutes lacrosse shooting

Oh, and there's also been a lot of this:

One of my coworkers (a former law student) gave me what I am affectionately referring to as a "Box o' Nerd."

It's a huge box filled with law school related materials.




I haven't touched most of it, but I am thumbing through all the articles on essay exams and general "how to not embarrass yourself as a 1L" stuff.

Speedy post

Here's a quick post about SPEED WORKOUTS...

Here are my stats (these are 400m laps):

- 1:50 (7:23/mile)
- 1:58 (8:01/mile)
- 1:40 (6:42/mile)
- 1:50 (7:23/mile)
- 1:42 (6:44/mile)

Still getting a hang of speed work...after my first lap I realized I was going too fast, so I tried to keep it consistent at a 8:00/mile pace.

Whoopsie.

Dream Sheet

The results from the Hatfield McCoy Marathon were posted and LO AND BEHOLD I came in 6th in my age group...out of 7 runners.

I said to Hubs, "I came in second to last in my age group."

To which he exuberantly replied, "YOU BEAT SOMEONE!"

Ah, the optimism of Hubs.

That's a good crew chief/grilled cheese maker/husband for ya.

Now that I've sufficiently buttered him up, moving on to my marathon dream sheet -- races on my "must-do" list (Hubs is shaking his head):


1) Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon
If this race were a tagline for an action movie, it would be "This time...it's about REDEMPTION." I ran the half this past April and it was the most unpleasant of my race experiences. It was hot, runners were grumpy...in fact I've yet to hear a positive race report from anyone I know. I'd like a chance to redeem myself (I think we all would).


2) Rock n' Roll Arizona Marathon
The Rock n' Roll marathons have a reputation of being fun and "runner friendly." Plus one of my BFFs lives in Phoenix now, so I love to work in a mini-vacation to see her too!


4) Kiawah Island Marathon
Sigh...I love Charleston, I love Kiawah. Why not? Trying to talk my Mom into doing this one with me in 2010.


5) Valley of Fire Marathon
This is a challenging, small-town race in the same vein as Hatfield McCoy. It's also a GORGEOUS course...it might not be a possibility for the next couple of years but it's definitely my ultimate "dream" marathon.

(Hubs is now furiously writing an email explaining why we can't spend any more money on marathons and traveling to marathons).

Don't worry, Hubs...I'm just daydreaming about blisters and GUs.