Race Report: St. Patty's Day 5 Mile

I went to pick up my race packet on Thursday after I got an email from the race director saying that the first 400 to register would get shirts at pickup, and any early birds would get first dibs if they weren't in the first 400 to register.  I registered late so I scrambled to the pick up within an hour or two of opening.  The packet pickup left something to be desired....for sure.  I left with a heaping bag of swag.  My shirt is on backorder so I'll be getting it in 2-4 weeks, along with seemingly everyone else that was in line in front of me (???)  I realized that when I got home that the one swag item promised (a drink ticket to an Irish bar downtown) wasn't even there.  Jeri = mad.

Race Goals
*written race eve*

I've been toying around with a time goal for the last week and haven't been able to land on a number.  Having never done a 5 mile race, I didn't really know where to start.  Based on my genius logic my golas are as follows:

Goal A+:  Sub 40 min.  8 minute mile pace would be super sweet.  I don't know how likely this is as my 5k PR pace is 7:45 and that was after a round of speed training.  I really couldn't tell you what marathon training has done to my speed.  I guess we'll find out, huh?

Goal A:  40:25.  This would be a pace of 8:05 which I think is doable if I bust my booty.

Goal B:  Sub 41 min. Pace of 8:12.

It's interesting that I landed on these times after thinking about them all week.  At one point I was certain I was shooting for Sub 40.  The next I was going to shoot for my pace from last year's 5k (8:20).  Then it struck me how much my running has changed in one year.  One year ago my new PR was an 8:20 pace, and this year I'm trying to run a mile and a half at a faster pace.  Crazy. :)
[Editted to add:  When I got to work on Monday, I noticed 2 times on a sticky note based on the McMillan Calculator and using my most recent 5k PR and HM PR.  I had 39:50 (7:58 pace) and 40:34 (8:10 pace).

Race Report
I could not sleep the night before the race.  Holy buckets.  I kept having nightmares about my upcoming marathon (yes nightmares 2 full months out, I'm in for a lot of sleepless nights, I'm afraid).  Showing up late for the race, missing the race, all the dreams sucked and kept me tossing and turning all night.

When I finally got up and checked the weather I was a little bummed, 35* 10 mph winds, wind chill in the mid 20s.  Not as warm as previous planned.  Oh well.  I got to the race site early, per usual to get a little job and stretch-a-roo in. 

As the race was getting closer to starting, the runners started crowding into the streets, where we typically start the race. Until a cop came yelling and screaming at us that the road was not closed for the event. Yes, that meant all of us runners were starting the race on a bike trail that would accommodate three runners running abreast. I’ve never heard runners grumble and complain so much about a race being disorganized. :s
At the start I tried to get out fast so that I could settle into my groove asap. The race started on a slight downhill, so it worked out pretty perfectly. Contrary to the race elevation map, the route was actually hillier than I thought. Defnitely one of the hilliest parts of the bike trail in town. Within the first ½ mile we were charging up a monster hill. My pace for most of the first mile was in the 7:30’s-7:45’s so I imagine that hill slowed me down quite a bit.

Mile 1: 8:01

The second mile things started to get a bit hairy. There were areas of the trail that were completely flooded. We’re talking completely deviating from the trail on to thick mud 3” deep to avoid the foot or so of standing water from the river. Not ideal racing conditions, for sure. Of course, there were still some areas under bridges that were solid sheets of ice, which required some ice skating instead of running. There was a very short but steep hill during this mile.

Mile 2: 8:13

I could tell my pace was slipping in the third mile because a few people had passed me. When a girl roughly my age passed me, I felt my competitive edge kick in and vowed to keep her in my sights and beat her in the end. At the turn around, I noticed my time was 19:xx. Uh…what?? I definitely wasn’t on pace to get a sub-40, yet here it was. Oh wait. 2.38 miles. Yup, that might have something to do with it.
I totally had an extra burst of energy here knowing that I only had 2.38 miles to go instead of 2.5. Lame, I know. Plus I always do my best work in the last half of races. I’m never one to go out too fast, and like to save a lot in the tank for my kick at the end.

Mile 3: 8:21

Of course mile 3 and 4 were again dealing with the horribly muddy/flooded/ice conditions, so we’ll blame a little bit of my slower time on that, right? :)

Mile 4: 8:11

During the last “mile” I really tried to go all out. I wanted my pace to be below 8 minutes oh so bad. Unfortunately, I had totally forgotten about the gradual downhill at the start of the race that equates to a gradual uphill at the end. Um…uff da! Luckily Jeri the competitor wanted to pick off the people that had passed her during slow Mile #3 and started kicking it in to gear. The girl who passed me? Yes, buh bye. I saw my TEAM GREEN yelling for me right before the finish and I sped across the mat.

Mile 5: 6:03 (actually .76 miles for a pace of 7:57) Max pace: 6:27.

Final time: 38:51 (8:10 pace based on 4.76 miles, 7:47 pace for the full 5 miles)

So I guess technically I made my A+ goal, but not in a legit way. I was still pretty impressed with an 8:10 pace based on the fact that I am:
• In marathon training, hence not a lot of straight speed work
• Horrible conditions on the trail

I still think it’s interesting to compare last year with this year. Last year I ran the 5k as my big comeback race with an 8:20 pace. I was ecstatic and had broken my 5k PR that had stood for at least 2 years. This year, I was able to knock out 5* at a 10 second per mile faster pace. Heck ya! Also, based on the McMillan calculator for my HM time, I was at the exact pace expected.

And I managed to put a check mark next to a New Year’s Resolution: run a new race distance.
Special shout out to my big bro who completed his first sprint triathlon this Sunday and is signing up for #2 for 6 weeks from now. Sounds like someone else has gotten bit by the racing bug. :)

Race Stats:
Official time:  38:51 (pace 7:47)
Age group (20-29):  10 out of 50
Gender:  24 out of 123
Overall:  78 out of 210

Race Report: GW,MA!6.66MR

Even though I have been feeling under the weather, I still decided to hit the trail for the Global Warming, My Ass!* 6.66 Mile Run GW,MA!6.66MR Wednesday night after work.  I had an easy 7 miler on the schedule, and knew with a real race coming up on Saturday, I wouldn't have any other days to get the run in.  I figured I would rock the 6.66 "race" and have a pleasant little .34 mile cool down.

Prior to heading out I freaked slightly about wearing only running tights for the run.  I don't know what my deal is.  I can wear spandex shorts for volleyball or booty shorts a la Chic Runner but running tights make me extremely self concious.  After sending out a tweet, and getting many, "you're retarded, go run!" comments (ok, not at all everyone was super nice) I decided to go with it.  And to further combat my fear, photos for the whole world wide web.  Because if I can handle the world seeing me in spandex tights, than surely I wouldn't mind the 4-5 people that'll be seeing me in motion on the trail.  (Amazing logic, no?)

First thing to note when taking photos of black tights, try to not stand in front of an all black chair.  Look at the levitating upper body.  Jerbear, you are SO talented.

The second photo (which has been omitted), was actually taken in front of the sweet lady graphic on my wall.  So it looked like I had pink Medusa-like hair blowing in the breeze.  Second thing to note:  Do not take photo of black tights in front of white wall.  Yikes.

By the third photo I was sick of setting my timer and running back to my spot so I figured it would have to do.

And then just before heading out, one more picture, because apparently I'm feeling photogenic today.  Photo taken to highlight my GB Marathon training program.  Whoo!

As I was heading out the door, I remembered my running buddy/gym buddy/future Amazing Race partner had told me that part of the bike trail was closed.  Eff.  Let's make this GW,MA!6.66MR an EXTREME race.  GW,MA!6.66MR-X! 

Shortly after taking off, sure enough I meanandered up to the first Bike Trail closed sign.  Now good citizens of my city would've turned around and gone home.  Whereas I used my cunning brain power and logic to rationalize that this sign did not apply to me.  Bike trail?  What bike trail?  This here is my running trail.  And I don't see anything about a running trail being closed.  Let's venture on.

I did get a lot little nervous as I approached bridge #1 and noticed another bright orange sign.  It is one thing to run past a bike path closed sign.  It is quite another to past a "Do not cross this bridge as it may collapse and you will surely die via impact or shock from freezing cold water, possibly both" sign.

Being the rebel that I am.  I ventured on because I'm dumb.

Blatent disregard for cautionary signs:  0  Jeri:  2

I tippy toed across the bridge (because tippy toeing causes you to weigh less, thus NOT cause the bridge collapse and die via impact or shock from freezing cold water, possibly both.

Shortly there after I finally understood the closure signs.  There is a bridge that is being redone along the route.  Since there has been heavy construction traffic through the trail, there are thick mud pockets covering the trail.  The only way around the situation was to hightail it up the river embankment, through some slushy wet snow, and back down the otherside in extreme mud and yuckiness.  Enter:  EXTREME.  I'm not very extreme, so again, I tried to tippy toe down the river bank so I could keep my shoes from turning a darker shade of mud brown, and eventually made my way back to the trail.

My pace was borderline attrocious, but spot on for where I was supposed to be for my easy run, so whatever.  Plus I thought this virtual race was all about breaking laws via disobeying road closure signs (which I'm clearly winning, hands down, thus far).

Uh ya, don't try to cross *this* bridge any time soon, or you will surely die via impact or shock from freezing cold water, possibly both.  [Apparently this shiz is going on through the end of March!  Don't these a holes know that some of us are in the midst of MARATHON TRAINING?!?!]

The rest of the run race was actually really beautiful with the sun going down and the snow lining the river.  I tried to take some shots while running, but it's freakin' HARD.  I don't know how you guys take pictures while racing.  I also tried to get a legit picture of how high the snow drifts still are after a couple of weeks of above freezing temps and rain, but they didn't turn out and I was just ready to be done.

I finished the 6.66 miles in 1:05:29 for a pace of 9:50. 

And my poor shoes will never be the same.  RIP clean beautiful Asics.

Running Mojo, Where Art Thou?

Monday night I headed home from work with a pocketful of motivation.  Don't ask me where this motivation came from, but I'll run with it.  Mission:  spring cleaning!  As you may have noticed from my hoarder nostalgic shoe post, I tend to hold on to things because they have a special meaning to me.  Guys, I must confess, almost everything has sentimental value to me.  It's ridiculous.  I'm a pack rat to the nth degree.  I've been reading The Happiness Project (which I *highly* recommend btw) and one of the portions was about how the author did a major overhaul on her stuff to toss/donate/etc.  I decided I would take on my apartment with this same approach.

I managed to make it through almost my entire bedroom (closet included!) before dwindling into a pile of exhaustion.  Some gems of my purging process are the following:  Life to Do List (generated in Stats class 10.22.05), Qualities (a list of 42 qualities that I would like a mate to have)*, as well as future children's names, meanings and origins (wtf Jerbear?).

Guess what Life List Goal is going to be knocked off the list May 16th?!?!?  You betcha. :)

After filling up two garbage bags of things to take to the Goodwill (and filling up my trash with things to toss) it was off to the gym for my easy 7 miler.  I grabbed a couple of magazines and read along while I plodded the miles away.  A chica next to me was running the same pace (roughly) so I just zoned in on our legs hitting the belt at the same time and our pony tails bouncing back and forth in unison (via the window's reflection).  The run was really nothing to write home about, which is a bummer because it seems like all of my runs lately have been awesome! fantastic! 5 gold stars! worthy.

I did the 7 miles in 1:06:28 for a pace of 9:30.

Tuesday I just could not bring myself to run.  I was tired and my body was all sorts of creaky/achy/painy.  I did up some yoga to loosen up the muscles and calm down the mind.  Small highlight:  I was able to hold crow's pose longer than I have ever been able to before!  Yay me.  But I was kind of freaking out:  Where the heck is my running mojo???

When I woke up Wednesday morning I clearly had the answer:  blech.  I'm sick.  No wonder my body is achy.  No wonder it's taking longer to recover from my runs than normal.  No wonder I don't feel like running.  My body is trying to use every extra ounce to get healthy.

*Yes, when compared to the infamous "list" N stacks up quite well.  His failing points:  #2 Lefthanded.  #5 plays guitar. #13 NOT a Vikings fan. #14 Preferably a Packers fan.  38 for 42 isn't *too* bad I guess. ;)

How do YOU stack up to "the list"?  That is...if you can read my crazy handwriting... :p

Weekend Wrap Up: Movies

My weekend can be summed up with one word:  movies.  Oh so many movies.  The dear boy looooooves movies.  I love weird movies.  We apparently don't love the same movies.  No surprise.  Not many share my weird movie interests.

About a month ago, I locked him in as my movie date for the premier of Alice in Wonderland.  (This is a major feat, as the boy can't plan his lunch until 11:55am.)  I love Alice in Wonderland (it was my favorite book as a child).  I love Tim Burton.  The man is a genius and can do no wrong in my eyes.  I love Johnny Depp + Tim Burton = Geniousity.

[I love AiW so much I have two t-shirts, and had to debate which one would get to be worn for the movie.  It was a big deal.  Somehow managed to not be a big enough deal to document by photo I guess.  Sweet life.]

I adored Alice in Wonderland.  I wanted to be Alice.  I wanted to own every dress that she wore in the movie (especially the red and black one--amazeballs).  I wanted to have tea at the Mad Hatter's tea party.  I wanted the Queen of Hearts to like me for my oversized forehead, and I wanted the White Queen to make me up in all of her pale glory.  Nick hated it.  We're talking complained on the way to the car, once we got home, and the next day.  What a baby.  Oh well.  I can put up with a butt ton of complaining for this gorgeous movie.  Unfortunately, we didn't see it in 3-D, so I might have to venture out to see it again.  Rest assured it will be sans Nick. 

Prior to going to Alice, we also watched Fast and the Furious 3.  Yes, I hate these movies.  I'm not much of an action movie type of girl.  The last F&tF movie I saw was Toyko Drift and apparently that doesn't even count as a "real" F&tF movie.  Whatever, it stank.  The movie was actually pretty good, and at least I could stare longingly at Paul Walker's baby blues if I got bored.  [See Nick, that's how you don't complain about a movie you don't enjoy.  Take notes.]

Sunday we headed off for movie date #2 in less than 24 hours (we're hardcore, truth) Shutter Island.  We have made several (roughly 4) attempts at seeing this movie and our plans have been thwarted every time.  I was actually really excited to see it, as I heard it was twisted and a "thinker movie." Thinker movie = guarenteed Jerbear stamp of approval.  Uh...not so much.  I didn't really enjoy this movie.  I was expecting WAY more.  Yes, it was a thinker movie, but not really if you're a thinker.  Oy, I probably just offended all of you now.  Ignore that sentence.  Throw tomatoes, just no bombs in the mail thankyouverymuch.

We also watched Taken (see I told you it was the weekend of movies!) which I have already seen before, but I truly love.  It's so good. 

On the way back home [waaaaaaaah] I had all but convinced myself to skip my 5 mile easy run.  It was dark.  It was late.  It was misting.  My legs were sore.  When I checked the weather report and realized it was above freezing after 9pm, I realized I didn't have an excuse not to run.  I decided I would head out for 3.  One mile in my legs felt great, so I decided to do the 4 mile route.  Forget that the 4 mile route includes some major hills.  Uh ouch.  Was going to stretch the run to 5 miles as previously planned, but was desperately hungry for supper.  I ended up with 4.25, which is considerably successful compared to zero.  However, I am pretty bummed that this is my first run of MARATHON TRAINING that I have missed/shortened.  Oh well.  Three quarters of a mile probably is going to kill me....I hope. :p

And just for fun.  I played around a bit with my camera this weekend.  Since I had just got done running 18 bloody god forsaken miles, I didn't do much pool playing.  Just pool picture taking.

As he was getting ready to go out, I suddenly remembered where my extreme like for backwards hats and hoodies came from.  Ten years later, some things don't change.  :)

Highlighting my sweet chucks (aka my hippie shoes per Nick).  [Yes I take being called a hippie as a compliment. ] N's lover bfff Joel.

The best part about running 18 miles:  you don't even have to get up to go to the bar to get your drinks.  They're brought to you.  Excellent.

Another New Personal Distance: 18 Miles

As previously toyed with, I ended up doing my 18 mile long run Friday afternoon.  After putting in a looooooooong day Thursday, I was more than ready to get out of work at noon on Friday.  Thursday night, I had every intention of waking up early Friday morning to eat cereal and toast for breakfast and to make a green smoothie to make sure I was properly fueled for my long run.

When I hopped out of bed, I was shocked to see that my blender was still filthy.  Uh...looks like someone forgot to turn the dishwasher ON.  Ooops.  No time to scrub that caked on crap.  Quick!  Cereal.  Forget to grab toast.  Excellent.  Protein bar, that'll hold me over.  [This my friends is why I plan things ahead, because my brain is mush in the morning.]  Cereal + protein bar is enough fuel to hold me over til lunch time.  NOT enough to hold me over for an 18 miler in lieu of lunch time.  Dodo brain.  On top of it all, I was fighting a two day headache.  Poop nuggets.  In fabulous/awesomeness/ohmygoshness news, the weather was glorious.  We're talking 30 degrees with wind gusts up to 21 mph.  Ok, I hate wind, but at least it wasn't Frigid McFrigidPants.

When I was getting ready to head out, I had to laugh when I grabbed my sunglasses.  Nothing says "legit runner" like fake D&G oversized sunglasses.  I've been rockin' these puppies for my last 3-4 long runs, and look like a complete fool, I'm sure.  You try running for 2 1/2-3 hours staring into snow banks reflecting the snow rays!  This chica does not want any extra premature wrinkles, k?

I started the run with the intention of running 9:40-9:50 mm.  Per Glenn's suggestion, I shouldn't be doing these LRs faster than +:30 from my goal pace.  Um...hi.  This pace HURTS.  I don't know what my deal is, but this is a horrifically uncomfortable pace for me.  Somewhere in my brain relaxed easy pace = form goes to hell.  I took my first GU at 4.5 miles and was so stinkin' excited for it.  Tummy so hungry.

1. 9:25

2. 9:37
3. 9:59
4. 9:49
5. 9:43

I kept plodding along during the 2nd quadrant of my run (yes I like to break up my run into quadrants, I also like to factor fractions and percentages while I run.  I'm the epitome of a number's nerd, danke!)  Highlights of this quadrant was an intense skunky smell.  I started looking every where to make sure that it was just the smell and not the offender, when a black squirrel darted in front of me!  I've never seen a black squirrel before, it was crazy.  [Sidenote:  When asking Mr. Nature aka Nick about it, turns out I'm not crazy, black squirrels are very uncommon in our area.  Made me feel better to not be 100% loco.  Perhaps just 80%.]

It was also during this point that I ran farther on the trail than I ever have before, and let me tell you, I will not be again.  I ran in a very not-so-super-safe area.  Eek.  I accidentally ran just below the bluff that the State Penitentary sits on.  :s  As in, if I'm a prisoner and I make a break for it, I'd be heading for the trail that Jerbear is cruising along on.  I will tell you that I have never been as alert of a runner as I was during that 1-2 mile total.  iPod off, head swiveling, high tailing it (ha! ok, that part didn't happen, I was tired.)  I had to chuckle when I saw a sign with a bike going up a steep incline.  Now you're just toying with me and my hatred for inclines/hills. :p  Awesome.

6. 9:46
7. 9:36
8. 9:57

9. 9:57

At the turn around, I pretty much just wanted to be home.  9 = 18, right?  Told you I was a math nerd.  Instead, I trudged along.  Going back over hills that I had previously cursed.  [Yes Jeri, it is a good idea to plan 4 miles of hills in the middle of your 18 miler.  Genius lovebug.]  It was during this time that I realized I still had two GUs left and only one planned GU break (one every 4.5 miles for 18 miles does NOT = 4, again excellent math skills, good thing I'm practicing!).  To my delight, this meant I could take MORE during the remaining 9 miles to hopefully combat my shitty fueling.  Math fail = win!

Highlights of this one sixth (3 miles) of my run:  seeing a dude running along in shorts.  Now I realize it's above freezing (by 2 *whole* degrees) but really??  Now you're just showing off your super human insulated skin.  Fool.  It was also during this portion that I was running into those lovely up to 21 mph wind gusts.

10. 10:03

11. 9:48
12. 9:43

When I started the remaining third of the run, I pumped myself up:  less then an hour of running to go!  You know you're a runner when you can get pumped about that on a LR, eh?  I also was getting myself pumped up because all day I had it in my brain that I had to work for 4 hours + run for 3 hours + shower/get ready/pack + drive one hour to see the boy.  Hustle lady! 

At this point the extra GUs really did help.  Once I rounded the corner at mile 13, the wind was somewhat at my back and I said a big F you to the slow LR pace.  I let my legs do their thing, and it felt goooood.

13. 9:36

14. 9:27
15. 9:28

I had a pleasant run in with my alma mater's cross country team with about 2.5 miles to go.  Coming up on a highly muddy/puddly area I see mud and yuck a-flyin' into the air as the boys were whizzing by me in the opposite direction.  Most girls would probably be excited by this, but unfortunately I'm not very attracted to runner boys.  Gasp.  I know.  Sorry runner boys out there, but give me a boy who played college football, or looks like he played college football, and I'm pretty much guarenteed to be gaga and googly eyed.  I love me a big muscular teddy bear, what can I say?

With a couple of miles left I hadtogotothebathroomrightnow hence the faster than necessary paces.  GUs make you go...  Who Knew?  They probably shouldn't steal that for their marketing campaign any time soon.

16. 9:33

17. 8:59
18. 8:40
 
I finished the 18 miles in 2:53:15 for a pace of 9:38.
 

Needless to say my shoes don't look nearly as *new* as they did a few weeks ago, prior to seeing anything but the treadmill.  My socks:  Also not so pretty.  Immediately after the run, the only thing I noticed hurting was my lower back.  It was tiiiiiiight.

Major downfall of the excessive puddles and mud:  running almost 3 hours in wet socks = mad blisters.  Oy.  We're talking water blisters, still the sole (thankfully) blood blister, and air blisters.  Yeouch.  When I finally got to Minnesota later that evening, I requested that Nick carry me everywhere because my feet hurt so bad.  He declined.  Rude.

Things I learned (or in some cases relearned) from 18:

1. Fuel you dumb @$$.  Fuel and then fuel some more.  Just to be safe, fuel on top of that.
2. It is necessary to have more time elapse between a hard tempo run and a long run.  36 hours does not cut it.  2 1/2 days at least.
3. For runs over 16 miles, I should probably have more water than my 12 oz. handheld. Must stash water bottles in the future.
4. Focus on form with a slower pace.  Your knees will hate you otherwise.

Speaking of complaining, I pretty much spent the whole weekend complaining to Nick about random aches and pains, because I'm a *bit* of a complainer.  At one point I said:

J: maybe I'll just become a marathoner and call it good.  One is probably good enough, right?

N:  Or you could just do them once every 6 months, that wouldn't be so bad, right?

J:  Or I could do 3 in 3 consecutive months to be a Maniac!  Or I could do 2 in one weekend!

N:  What?!?!?!?  People actually DO that?!?!?!?!?

Heh heh.  It's kind of nice to see a perspective that is removed from the crazy runner world every once in a while. 

I *may* have seen Alice in Wonderland this weekend, hence the many references.  More on that to come.

New Camera Take 2 + Tempo Time

Wednesday morning I was a woman on a mission.  Mission:  Replace digital camera.  Well I suppose the mission actually began with some research Tuesday night.  I scoured Walmart/Target/Best Buy for their cheapest digital cameras (as mine seem to have a 4 month life, apparently).  As Slomohusky gracefully put it, "Uh...you're kind of hard on cameras..."  YUP!  Mental note:  Camera's do not like to be dropped.  I was planning on having a fun weekend with the boy toy, and have a race next weekend, so no time to spare before getting a new camera.  Lucky for me, I saw my exact same camera, but 50 bones cheaper. 

Now you may think it's silly to buy a camera that broke after 4 months of use.  Well if you had saw how hard I had dropped the camera on Saturday, you'd be impressed the thing was still in one piece.  "I am She-Ra Warrior Princess!!"  Or something like that.  My logic was:  a) already have a memory card b) extra battery and charger and c) back up parts!  Ok, seriously I hope it doesn't come to C because then I officially suck-o at life-o.  Before work I headed to Walmart to pick up my new BFF.  Did you know that they don't staff the electronic section at 7:30am?  Well now you do.  Of course as soon as I got to my car, I had to check out my pictures from Saturday night's shenanigans that led to said camera distruction.  As promised, please enjoy.

I thought the randomness of this one looked similar to a pic in the opening credits of HIMYM so I played around with the coloring a bit.

Yes, I'm getting bunny ears at the age of 26. My friends are mature. Who am I kidding, if they were, I wouldn't be friends with them. :p

Wednesday night I had a tempo run on tap.  All day long I had thought it was a 7 mile run, silly Jerbear, it's actually 8.  That seems kind of long, no?  Then I got to thinking about it....I completed a full 13.1 miles at a quicker pace.  I should be able to handle 6 tempo miles.  Genius.  

Anyways, I hopped to the gym wearing the least amount of clothes possible that would still allow me admittance to the fitness facility.  Best believe that if I had the body for it, I would be wearing a sports bra and bun huggers a la college track & XC studs to eliminate attempt to eliminate my excessive sweating during these tough runs.  None the less, I did dig out a very light running tank to aid in the not-sweat-so-much department.

My goal pace for the tempo miles was 8:40.  After my warm up, I was off and feeling good.  I don't know what my deal is by lately my tempo runs have been feeling awesome (yes count that up to jinxing my next one fo sho).  I do this fun little trick where I convince myself I have one less mile to run than I really do, since my final mile never "counts" because its the one that I get to go all out in.  Doesn't make sense when I type it out, but it tricks my brain like no other.  The unfortunate part about tempo runs is that after the "I don't quite count final tempo mile" there is still an easy cool-down mile a-creepin'.  Luckily I had a celebrity mag to read while I was clomping along.  Yes, I officially feel like I "clomp" when I run at that speed.  It's attrocious.

I ended up doing 8 miles in 1:11:01 (ten seconds slower and I could've been sooooo cooooool, drat).  My pace for the run was 8:58 and my pace for the tempo miles was 8:36.  Uh..heck yes.  My hammies were tiiiiiiight during that final mile so I made sure to stretch extra well afterwards.

My treat for an excellent tempo run?  Coldstone ice cream.  If I was a food blogger, I would insert my glorious foodie picture here, but instead I just ate it.  Yummy tummy.

February in Review

It's that time of the month again (not that time of the month...eew... like I would declare that for the whole world wide web (WWWW?) to read....) my month in review.

February in Review
Total Miles: 124 which is up from 81.5 last month (compared to 54.37 in 2009). This is my 3rd highest mileage month of all time.

Time spent: 19:17:08.  I ran almost a full 8 hours more this month than last, and we were even cheated with only 28 days this month.  Heck ya.  (Last month was 11:25:01.)

Total Runs: 16 for an average of 7.75/run.  (whoa! that seems like a lot!) (Last month was 5.82/run).

Highest weekly mileage: 2/22/2010 — 2/28/2010: 35.0 Mi 5:30:49 (11 miles farther than January)

Favorite run: My tempo run where all was right with the world, the birds were chirping (I'd imagine, I was inside), the heavens were singing, there was a beam of light from above as I frolicked along on the treadmill effortlessly at neckbreaking speeds (ok not quite, but go with it).

Most hardcore run: I'd have to say my longest run to date of 16 miles was pretty hardcore.  Not only was it the farthest I've gone, but it was done with 3-4 miles of loose snow and roughly 1-2 cumulative miles of ice, and I *still* managed to have a faster pace than last weeks 14 miler.  Winner winner, chicken dinner.

Favorite Race: The Knights Classic Sprint (ha, just made that up) aka the footrace where I raced Nick for the length of the basketball court and *almost* beat him.
 
I'm contemplating doing a major switcheroo with my schedule this week.  I may be working a 12 hour shift on Thursday so I can leave work on Friday at noon to do my 18 miler.  This would free up my weekend (other than an easy 5 miler that would need to get done) for going out of town for fun shenanigans.  Could be worth it.  Or perhaps I would fall asleep at the wheel after running that far.... we'll see.
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Monday afternoon I was itching to get out of work.  SUNSHINE.  It was a'beamin' into my office window and my body was craving some of its awesomeness.  I rushed out of work towards home, and even toyed with the idea of digging out my capri pants for the run.  News flash Jeri:  30 degrees is still below freezing.  Also, you're dumb.

Luckily, I opted to wear pants (as opposed to capris, not like running around without pants was an option...ya) but failed to grab a headband for my ears.  They were a little on the bright-red-and-burning-with cold-side by the time I got home.

I headed out for 6 easy miles and was so excited to see so many people out enjoying the beautiful weather!  Within a 1/2 mile of my doorstep I saw my buddy Todd running, a mile and a half in I saw a girl I went to Bible camp with as a grade schooler and have still kept in touch with.  YAY for seeing people while running.  And the best part of the run was when I randomly followed a running duo around a loop around the park vs. through the bike trails per usual.  This loop was the exact same distance as the trail is and got me to the portion of the trail that wasn't covered in snow and ice!  Remember the hellacious loose snow for the first two and last two miles of my 16 miler?  Yeah, totally avoided.  WIN! 

I had thought I was running easy, but apparently I was running a smidge faster than that.  Luckily there were still some random patches of ice/huge puddles I had to go around/mud to trudge through to slow me down in some areas. 

I did 6 miles in 56:44 for a pace of 9:28 and made it home while the sun was still on the horizon.
1. 9:08
2. 9:18
3. 9:29
4. 9:47
5. 9:24
6. 9:34

After my run, I noticed something dark on my toe, and had just assumed it was some black lint from my work socks.  Post-shower I realized it was my first blood blister.  EEW!  I swear I was just boasting about how "prissy little Jeri is oh so blessed not to have to deal with gross blood blisters and only has to handle little dinky water blisters."  Well, I guess that came back to haunt me then didn't it?  Naaaaasty ---->