I Still Exist

The time I usually spend reading/blogging I've been spending writing. Which is great, because I'm a writer at heart and when I get bit by the bug and my writer's block fades, I'm truly happy. But it also kind of stinks because there are only so many hours in the day. So when I'm done teaching and grading and running, I can either finally get my words down on paper (er...word doc), or I can blog. And right now blogging has had to take a back seat.

Making progress...I took some time off writing this summer because of all the traveling, etc.

Last Saturday we went to a Rays game and I indulged in a treat I haven't had since childhood.

Banana split flavor > everything else.

We spent Sunday and Monday with friends, so I pushed my Monday run to Tuesday and I got to experience the first hint of fall weather. 75 degrees, almost no humidity (so like, in the 80% range instead of 90%), and clear. I had one of my fastest runs this training cycle, which was greatly appreciated.

Totally psyched for cooler weather!

I missed my run Thursday because I'd pushed it to evening to meet a friend, but when she had to back out, I couldn't motivate myself to go.

All prepped for my next long run...I'm trying a few new flavors!

I've been really tired, which caused a mini angioedema flareup, so I slept through my morning run Saturday and moved it to nighttime. It was cool out post-rain shower, but still so humid I was covered in sweat and so damn thirsty. My mouth and throat feel so dry when I run that I end up chugging water...I could probably still run like that, but the fuelbelt is so awful when my stomach gets full. And then mentally I just can't seem to deal. 

At least it was pretty.

Mm, sweat.

All that is to say, blah blah blah, wah wah wah, I need to suck it up. Marathon training is hard. Running a marathon is going to be hard. The entire point of training is to build mental and physical toughness and grit so you can get through it. Some days I wonder if I'm cut out to run a full marathon, but I can't imagine not getting to that starting line, so if that's what I intend to do, I need to get serious about my training.

And I need to get back to your wonderful blogs! I miss you guys!

Link me to a post of yours I just can't miss, because I'm tempted to just mark my entire Bloglovin' feed as "read". I have something like 68 unread posts lol.

ABK

Back on Track

Thank you all for your kind words on the last couple posts. I forgot that even when the school year starts smoothly, it takes some major readjusting. This week my legs felt better and I was able to get all my runs done!

I mentioned in my last post that I ran Monday evening with Kristin. After having such a successful night run, I chose to do Thursday's at night, too. I just decided that some extra sleep might help me get over the long run hurdle I've been facing.

It started raining as I paused to take this selfie. It was the perfect way to finish my run.

I did five miles, repeating the bridge twice. It had stormed earlier so I got out a bit later than I planned. I forgot my visor so I was pretty glad the rain had stopped, but it started again just in the last mile, which was perfect. I hit some of my fastest paces in awhile, and was able to maintain them. Color me pleased!

She sent me this picture like three times. Talk about good motivation! (Steph has Celiac, too, so it's always important to figure out which brand of bread is best to use for this kind of delicacy.)

Coming off that run, I was feeling confident about my long run Saturday. I knew I wanted to get back into the double digits but still didn't want to ramp up from the lapsed mileage to the full 16 that's still waiting to be run. 

At this point, I've decided to get back to where I was when I had that week off and build again. (I can do that, because my training plan is like 26 weeks long haha.) Technically this week was a cutback week but I used it as a normal building week, so I'm finally back on track.

So this morning I was smart about my long run. I did my first three miles without my fuelbelt, then stopped by the car to put it on and did my next six miles with it. I paused at the car again to drop it off and finished my last two without it.

Finally! A weekend run that left me smiling and confident!

Starting without the weight of the belt, and therefore being more comfortable, went a long way in helping me get through those first few warmup miles. And losing it at the end was amazing! As a result, my paces were more even and were about a minute faster than they've been this summer. I didn't have to walk at all, although I did pause to stretch my calves a couple times when I took fuel.

I ended up doing 11 miles total and felt really good the entire time. I think the slightly lower humidity helped with that. (It was only 76 with 96% humidity when I finished haha.)

Pretty much how I feel after my training this week.

All things said and done, this was a great way to start the long weekend!

Are you running long this weekend?

 Are you a French toast fan?

Running in the rain: yay or nay?

ABK

Another Week Down

This week was good practice for when I'll be back at school...starting next week. I may never be a natural morning runner, but I've gotten into the habit over the last few weeks.

I've decided to move all my Wednesday runs to Thursday. I like the idea of doing my cross-training earlier in the week and taking a full rest day Friday before running long Saturday. Maybe I'll actually do some cross-training if it's after an easy run instead of after speed work.

Monday I had two easy scheduled, but because I missed my five on Saturday I decided to do a bit more. I pushed the pace and did four over the bridge. It was a nice little speed workout. I think I'm going to use the bridge and do repeats when my plan calls for speed; I prefer working on the incline and it makes me faster without as much work, it seems.

It was sunny and hot when I finished, perfect for a dip in the pool!

That's probably all mental, but what can I say? When you figure out what works, you work it!

So I planned to do my five mile bridge repeats Thursday; I had a leadership retreat to be at and needed to be ready to go at 8:30. Of course, I had forgotten to change my alarm from Wednesday to Thursday, so I overslept. I barely got in three miles.

I was glad I fit something in, but annoyed at my poor planning. Still, maybe it was for the best, because I was having some foot pain.

Saturday I had 12 scheduled. There was a time when running long alone was a deal-breaker for me. I had to take a minute to pat myself on the back when my alarm went off at 4:30am and I dutifully climbed out of bed.

I haven't gotten a hydration pack yet, so I used my belt for the first time in months. The water was appreciated, but the belt was annoying. I need to get used to it again...or get the pack I'm coveting.

16oz of water and 8oz of caffeinated Nuun. This was my first time using the Honey Stinger chews and I really liked them; they're less sticky and easier to eat than Gu Chomps.

 When I first began my run, it was pitch dark and I was the only one out.

Morning runs are the best. I feel like I'm the only one in the whole world.

Actually, I didn't see many runners Saturday, which made me wonder if I had my days screwed up again. The first six miles were wonderful; I stopped at the park to refill my water bottles and use the bathroom. The second half of the run was pretty rough. The minute the sun came up I was guzzling water and paying the price for it.

All done! This was my longest run since February.

I was glad I remembered a beach towel...post-run I was absolutely dripping.

I guess "sweat-wicking" is all relative in Florida.

I made sure to stretch better this week than last, but I'm feeling some normal aches. The run was slow toward the end (nothing slows me down like a full stomach), but I got it done.

So, not a bad week over all. Starting Monday, I'll be back at work full-time for teacher in-service days, so all my runs will have to be earlier. I guess it's time to get reacquainted with 4:30am!

How was your week of running?

Are you a morning or evening runner?

ABK

Race the Roof 15k

Last year, this race was an 8k that took us through a beautifully landscaped neighborhood and over scenic boardwalks. This year, runners were given the choice between a 5k and 15k, and I happily jumped on the opportunity to run a new race distance.

One of the women on my Ragnar team, Sarah, was also running this race. We carpooled, and when we got out at the venue, we were both reluctant to take our warmup shirts off...The temperature has finally dropped to autumn levels! It was 63 this morning pre-race, and topped out at 72 when we were finished.

That's what I call perfect race weather!

I was happy to get a little jog in before the start time; my legs have been leaden this week from the 10k last weekend and the start of volleyball, and my 3.6 miler on Wednesday was brutal. This morning, though, after intense rolling therapy all week, my legs felt fantastic. I felt ready for this race from the moment we got there.

The crowd waiting to start.

Sarah and I started out by Sean, another friend who is super fast, but knew we wouldn't be running "together". Sarah is the one who placed 3rd in her AG in the 10k last weekend.

Anyway, I found a nice easy pace early on. I watched others pass me and smiled a little, completely aware that by mile 3 many of them would be burned out. I kept to my pace and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery. I even took a picture - while running - along one of the boardwalks. It was just too pretty not to!

I didn't even have to stop to take it. Check out that gorgeous view!

This was the first race that allowed me to use my new fueling habits. I wore my Nathan fuelbelt and packed it with lemon Gu Chomps, gum, and chapstick. Because I wasn't sure about the exact location of the water stops, I took my first two chomps at mile 3.

The belt felt like I wasn't even wearing it; it stayed in place and was easy to handle.

I really hit my stride around mile 4. I just felt like it was time to ramp up the speed a little. Sure enough, I was soon passing many of the runners I had watched speed by me in the first mile or two.

I ate another chomp at mile 5. I waved and said "thank you" and "good morning" to all the volunteers. I was happily distracted along the entire route by the gorgeous views as the sun began to peak above the trees.

This is seriously one of the most beautiful races I've ever run, hands down. The route was much improved from last year; somehow, even adding 7k to the distance, they avoided that long stretch of road I remembered hating last time. We looped along neighborhood streets (I saw one woman in her bathrobe come out to get the paper as we passed) and ran along paths bordering lakes, fields, and the golf course.

I began to tire out around mile 7.5. It's hard for me to mentally keep myself going when I know I'm almost done. (Just something else to work on this year.) But at this point, it was too late to eat another chomp. So I just tucked in and kept going.

Around mile 8.5 I was tailing two young women in pink. We were alone on the course for awhile; I was the caboose. But something sparked as we made a turn off the road onto more boardwalk, and suddenly I was flying.

I overtook the two girls...to the point that they weren't even in my hindsight as I looked back. The last stretch from 8.5 to 9 was completely empty of volunteers and runners. I thought maybe I had gotten lost...I've never been completely and totally alone during a race!

But I didn't dare stop, in case one of the pink girls caught me. Finally I saw a volunteer, who directed me at the turn. (I wasn't off course, just uniquely timed I guess.) The last two boardwalks were heaven for my legs. I pounded around the final turn, burst through a copse of trees, and raced to the finish.

The clock was ticking 1:34:xx and in that moment I wanted to beat 1:35. I cranked it out and gave it my all at the finish, coming in at 1:34:49. As this is my only 15k, it's an automatic PR.

Success!

My pace was faster than last weekend's 10k, and considering the extra distance, I'm really happy with that. I successfully maintained a steady pace and saw negative splits in the second half of the run. I even ran miles 7 and 8 at a sub-10 pace!

Sean getting his medal, and us afterward, with our bling! (I really enjoy the banana peel I haven't bothered to throw away yet...I guess I was holding onto it for sentimental reasons.)

I found Sean after the finish; he placed 3rd in his AG! We walked over to breakfast together; this race always sponsors a great spread. Sarah's husband and kids had come to cheer her on, and she was playing with them at the swings in the park. (Have I mentioned yet that this venue is perfect for racing for a million reasons?) She had placed 2nd in her AG! (Remember, this is only her third race ever.)

I was too short to get a picture of Sarah getting her medal, but here she is showing it off!

This was one of those races that will easily top my favorites list. It has restored my faith in my ability to run long distances. It gave me the opportunity to practice fueling at a race. (I need to perfect my strategy.) I smiled during the entire race and just felt absolutely great.

Post-race exuberance! (My fuelbelt is doing a great job giving me that Steve Urkel look I was going for.)

Another milestone from today? I got my first blister. I know, I know...4 years of running and no blisters? I've been lucky. Next time I'll remember the Body Glide.

I'll never again take for granted the effects of beautiful surroundings and cooler weather!

ABK

Gear Report: Nathan Fuel Belt, Kayano 19, and Blog Recommendations

Before I even begin today's post, I need to thank you guys for keeping me accountable. Because I was so excited to use my new fuel belt and share a brief review, I had to get out of bed today to use it!

I'm glad I did, because I also caught glimpses of three shooting stars leftover from the Perseid meteor shower that was super bright Sunday and Monday.

I know it seems like I post photos of new shoes at least once a week, but I really mean it this time.

I can already feel the neon making me faster!

I went back to Fit2Run with my Adrenalines in hand. After giving them a shot since July, I just knew they weren't right for me. The employee who took my return was surprised I hadn't been fitted for the Trance, as they're really the equivelant of the Asics Kayano. Still, I told him at this point I just wanted what I knew worked for me.

The 19s are slightly more narrow in the toe, so I sized up to 8.5 rather than an 8.

I walked out fifteen minutes later (after an extremely awkward fitting during which I had to apologize for my I've-been-wearing-work-shoes-without-socks-all-day-smelly-feet) with a gorgeous pair of Kayano 19s. I am thrilled!

So preeeettyyyy.

This is it, guys. I know these are meant for me!

Anyway, this morning I woke up at 4:25, ate a few SportsBeans, and read some blogs until I was awake enough to get moving.
I ran with my new Nathan Speed 4R fuel belt. I only put in two bottles because my run was only going to be three miles. I definitely noticed a little sloshing, and I think one of the bottles was leaking a little because I didn't close the cap all the way.

I went for basic black, but there are pink and blue options, too.

I like that there's no closure on the nipple of the bottle; it has a one-way system built in and all you have to do is squeeze the bottle to get a perfect jet of water. The belt didn't wiggle; it definitely sat where I secured it. The pocket is the perfect size for my keys, and will be great for fuels on my longer runs.

Nothing like a fuzzy under-the-street-light shot to really provide a clear picture.

My arms never clipped the bottles and they were easy to remove from the belt while running. The extra weight will take awhile to get used to, and I definitely noticed it once I took the belt off, but during the run I didn't feel it affected my gait. (I was a little slower today, but that could be remnants from the long run Sunday...my hamstrings are still a little tired.) The water didn't stay super cold, but I guess that's to be expected.

I wore my new shoes, and felt absolutely awesome.

I kind of love that they look like rainbow sherbet.

Finally, I'm happy to mention that I've updated my What I'm Reading list to include the blogs I've been obsessed with lately! I just added the new ones to the top; the blogs aren't in any particular order. Believe me, they're all worth checking out!

Do you run with water/fuel?
Recommend a blog you're loving right now!
What are your thoughts on this new trend of super-bright running shoes?

ABK