My first 16 miles ever!

Today I ran 16 miles. They were mostly good, high quality miles, even though the average time is much slower. I achieved 2 very important goals: I ran at a good, strong pace and I have no physical pain.  I know that I should have run at a slower pace, but I am trying to improve my form and run more strongly.  Most importantly, I want to do all those things and still feel fresh and lovely at the end!
I decided to do the run on a treadmill for a specific reason:  I wanted to make sure that I would do a good quality run.  Now whilst this might be a false positive, the treadmill has proven to be my friend in the past, and for me the issue is more psychological:  if I can do it on the treadmill, I can do it anywhere. Sixteen miles took me 3:06:21. Most of the miles were pretty fast, but since I was running on the treadmill I thought this strategy (of running faster) would make up for the  missing elements found in an outdoor run. I ran consistently, and when I needed to, I walked for a minute to recover.  That is actually a very useful strategy, as it allows me to come back at the same or even a faster speed for a prolonged time (not unlike a tempo run).  Given how good I felt afterwards, I think this might be the way forward for me to get a bit faster.
I am still in awe of the fact of how good I felt/feel after that.  Touch wood, nothing hurts.  Whilst I felt a bit tired, that was all, and I am so grateful.  Had I run outside, I am not sure if I would have had as good a run, but I needed this confirmation of where my training is at (given the last 2 weeks).  My next long run is 13 miles, and I will be doing it as another half marathon next Sunday.  When I got to mile 13 today, I still felt very good, considering that I was fading at mile 12 in my last half.  So, let's see what happens!
My other news is that I have decided to watch all 80 Boston Bruins ice hockey games this season.  So, having watched the 2 opening matches in Prague on tele, only 78 (plus playoffs) to go.  I am ordering a new shirt, and will probably go with Bergeron's name on the back.  I believe that the Stanley Cup is coming home to Boston!
                            

                                                                                                                                                          
Monica (an ex-colleague from Italy) and I on our way to a Bruins game in April this year.

The Boston Bruins face-off with the New York Rangers.

A 9 mile run

I went out for a run twice last week, and yesterday (Saturday), I went out for a 9 mile run.  That was not my original intention, but I hoped to do a bit more than 5 miles.  It was a very warm day and I had on capri tights and a long sleeved shirt!  Of course, before I left the flat I had no idea it would be so warm out.  I decided on a gentle pace, as I need to build up my base again and just get a few miles under my belt.  It was fine, and when I got back to Harvard Bridge, I decided that I had enough 'legs' to continue up to Boston Bridge.

As I ran along, there were loads of people out cycling, and just walking around.  There were also a series of rowing and sailing regattas going on at the same time (MIT and Boston Univ), so there were lots of families out on the river banks, with picnics.  It was very pleasant, and after an hour  I still felt fairly strong, albeit hot and bothered, and  I was in dire need of a t-shirt and shorts!  After lunch, I had a great nap - the kind you can only have after a long run.

                                                          

On a separate note, when I was in South Africa, I discovered some rather wonderful shoes by New Balance, based on a concept called Rainbow Running.  These multi-coloured shoes are available only in South Africa, since as the store manager told me, South Africa is the rainbow nation and NB were trying to encourage more people to run (although the picture above might belie that!)  Although I am a die-hard "Karhu" fan, I fell in love with these shoes, and tried to get a pair.  Unfortunately they did not have them in my size, so alas, that was that.  But I did have some very good chats with some of the guys in the shop, and it was refreshing to hear about the running scene in Cape Town, so many beautiful places to run.  But back to my shoe-story.  Here is a pic of the shoes in question.

How can you not love that!  In fact I am thinking of asking my mum to post me a pair....  Max, the guy in the shop also had a look at my Karhus and said "I know why you love running in these.  It's like running barefoot".  However, he also advised me to look after my feet and do my training in more supported shoes, keeping the Karhus for races.  With the current  popularity and revival of barefoot running, what is one to believe?  Does anyone have any ideas about this?

An average autumn Saturday afternoon in New England

Yesterday I went out for a 14 mile run. In the morning I bit the bullet and decided to go with the Garmin Forerunner 405. Actually the decision was sort of made for me, and I went with it. Given the idiotic letter I had received from Garmin vis-a-vis George Hincapie, I had decided to try Polar first. Well the shop I went to yesterday did not have any more GPS Polars in stock, and since I did not want to spend hours trawling around the shops, I went with the Garmin. I decided to sort all the mechanics out on Sunday.
Saturday was a windy day. The temperature was around 57°F, and the real feel was 37°F, with the wind at 30mph. Autumn weather can be quite difficult to run in, as I never seem to get my clothing right. As soon as I set off, it was so windy that I had to turn back and leave my hat with the concierge at home. Setting off the second time, I had to stop after half a mile as I was baking. Thankfully I had a sleeveless top on underneath. That being said, it did feel a bit brisk at the same time. And so it continued, past the Museum of Science, until I started down the opposite side of the river.
It was so windy, I could not breathe, and I could not see. My nose started running, my eyes were streaming and I had to stop several times just to catch my breath. Yup, it was then that I had a total recall.....not only did I remember what Hyannis was like when I did the 10K this past February, but I also remembered running last winter and just how cold it was!
On and on it went, and worse of all, I started feeling light-headedly hungry! I suppose a cream cheese bagel for brunch is not sufficient fuel for a long run. Thank goodness for GUs, but there was no instant magic. It took a few more miles of agony before I started feeling ok again, and at this point I had reached with blustery side of the river again. Anyway, I finished the run, but it was a wake up call.
What possessed me to sign up for a February marathon in New England? The upside is that these runs in this weather will allow me to be better prepared, but the enormity of what lies ahead has finally sunk in. I arrived home in pain, my ears were ringing and I was frozen to the bone. But after a hot shower, all was right with the world. It was a great run, and I enjoyed it through thin and thinner!

ps. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I did not enjoy the run whilst I was doing it. I struggled with it, I suffered through it, and just hoped that it would end soon. I think the 'joy' came afterwards - joy at having finished it. But it was a lousy run, and I was disappointed in how slow I was.

Fourteen Miles

I have just finished week 8 of 18 in my marathon training programme.  Today was a 14 mile run, but after the run I realised that I had in fact done next week's run - this week I was supposed to do 10.  Well never mind, I can just do 14 again, should be good for building up the old endurance.

This week was ok, but I missed Friday's run. Reason being that I went out on Thursday night and had a few cocktails that completely screwed up my system.  I was really annoyed with myself, as I really felt off on Friday.  I felt like I had poisoned my system, and the effect was still the same today.  The long run was long and hard!  Well, no more cocktails - it's just too much hassle.

I tried out the new super compression tights today, and boy are they tight!  They do hold the muscles in, as well as the knees, which started feeling a bit wobbly around mile 12.  I actually ran for a mile and then had to go home and change as I was wearing an under armour base layer, and I was baking after 5 minutes.  The thought of running 14 miles in this condition was too much to bear, so I ran home and changed.

I also decided to have lunch and go out a bit later.  Long story short, it took more than 9 miles before I started feeling comfortable.  I felt full and it was tough pounding out those miles.  Still, one day I will nail this nutrition business.  I have no idea why I did not have a banana or a power bar, but chose the remainder of my pizza from dinner.  Still, I am chalking it all up to experience.  Hopefully I will make fewer of these mistakes in the future.

At the end of my run, I could 'feel' my legs, and walked for 20 minutes on the treadmill when I got home, then stretched and had a glorious shower.  I am pleased with my run, but think it could have been a lot better.  I need to be a bit more organized and thoughtful about what I need to do, rather than just doing it.

Shopping at Triathlete Sports

Triathlete Sports were having a sale, with 10% off all purchases, so to celebrate my first half marathon, I ordered some stuff.  I love capri length tights, so I ordered a pair from Orca.  The reasoning behind buying Orca was that I tried out their 2XU wetsuit this summer, and it was awesome!  So, naturally when I saw they made running tights too, I thought I would try a pair.
The sportive tight is made from Orca Form which provides muscle support.  Indeed when I tried it on, it felt like getting into a wetsuit.  These tights are tight!  I have only tried them on once, but they feel and look like they have been sprayed on.  They are well elasticated around the waist, and have quite a few reflective strips and logos, which make them ideal for running in poor light.  I saw a pair of Zoot tights, but since I wanted a black pair, I thought to go with Orca.  The verdict is still out, as I have not yet been for a run in them, but watch this space.
My second purchase was a present for my dear friend Kathy.  Kathy is a fabulous runner who still runs, but no longer does any marathons.  For her I chose a Louis Garneau top from their 2010 collection.  It is in a gorgeous turquoise colour with black panels and reflective strips.  The fabric is wonderful and Kathy loved it!
My third and perhaps most important purchase was a box of GUs.  I had tried almost all the flavours, and  had come to the conclusion that I only liked the Espresso GU.  After 2 of them though, I feel quite hyperactive.  I had also been through the range of hammergels, and did not bond with any of their flavours.  I had tried taking kitkat 2 finger snack bars with me on long runs, but the taste is quite awful, even though they are useful when you do not have any alternatives around.  I admit that I bought the chocolate outrage flavour blindly - I have never seen this in any of the shops I have visited (and believe me, I have been to many, in various states), so I have never tried it.
So I was waiting for the weekend to try out both capris and GU.  When the weekend finally came around, it was raining all the time.  Since I had another engagement on Sunday, I swapped my long run and rest day, and went out for a 10 miler on Saturday.  I had a GU before I left, but nothing could have prepared me for the taste of heaven that is their chocolate outrage offering.  It is divine....not unlike chocolate icing, but without the stultefying sweetness.  Super yum, I found my running fix!
Since it was raining heavily when I left for my run, I wore long running tights to keep my legs a bit warm at least.  And it was a wonderful run.  Very few people were out, so I could hear myself running through puddles and the squishing sound of trainers on water-logged grass.  It was the first time I actually managed to run on the grass around the Charles River, as it is usually taken over by doggies and small children.  I was a bit tired at the end, but I had also run at a much increased pace than last week.  This gives me hope for a sub 2 half one day......
Triathlete Sports are a great online resource.  They ship within 24 hours and you get exactly what you ordered.  I have bought stuff from them in the past, and have been very satisfied.  Excellent customer service, and they keep some great lines such as KSwiss, Louis Garneau, etc.

An amazing run - 8 miles!

Last Sunday my long run was an 8 miler. Given some of the health issues I have been having lately, I was feeling slightly bothered, and thought about taking the easy option, and doing it on the treadmill. However, I guess the key to the long run in marathon training is to actually get out and run the distance itself. I decided to stay close to home, and if I needed to, I could always stop and walk for a bit, or even walk home.
Sunday was a beautiful day, the sun was up and the wind was blowing. I took a bottle of water and off I went. It was a truly stunning day and everyone was out. I started at a leisurely pace, and continued at what I think was a 5.8 pace. Not terribly fast, but I wanted to finish the run. When I finished the run, it turned out to be 9 miles in total, and was such a great feeling. The longest run I ever did outdoors, was a 12 mile run in Italy, but then I used to run with Francesco (my running partner) who used to spur me on as well as set a good pace.
What was special about the run on Sunday is that now I can truly say I can run alone! I am free of my angst.
It was a great run, the beautiful autumn colours along the Charles River were magnificent. It left me with a good feeling, and I am looking forward to my next long run, which is a simple 6 miles next Sunday.

An eight mile run in Ohio.

Training this week was a bit of a hit and a miss.  I only did 1 short run as there was so much to do at work.  In addition, we were driving up to Ohio as Stuart had tickets to the Ohio State vs USC game.  The game was great, and although I do not know too much about American Football, I have decided to learn a bit more about it.  I have watched a few games on telly, but it's quite something to sit with a crowd of 106,033 spectators!
However, come Sunday and I had a long run scheduled.  It was tough to get into the mental frame of it, since the long drive up, the game and sightseeing had all left me in dire need of a relax.  Still, I managed to do the run, and am pleased to report that I have improved my time by 20 minutes.  The last time (Jan) I did an 8 mile run, it took me 1 hour and 40 minutes.  On Sunday it took me 1 hour 25 minutes.
All in all, I had a great run, a great long weekend, and the game was terrific!  I also had some time to think about nutrition and diets, but that's for tomorrow.