Ten Miles, Goal Speed, and a Quad Strain

I went to bed last night unsure how far I'd run in the morning. Maybe 10... or 8... or 11. I slept till 8 am and decided I'd run ten miles. The simplest, and maybe most challenging, thing to do was to run from my apartment to the end of Massachusetts Avenue and back. It is exactly five miles each way. I was trying to get out asap so I ate a lighter breakfast.

But for some reason I was really nervous about this run. Only two weeks ago, I ran 13 miles. But that felt like so long ago. It was also really cold all of a sudden and rain was in the forecast. I just didn't think I was going to have that much fun and I thought it was going to be hard. So I procrastinated.

I wore my gator shirt again today. I can't not. We're playing Alabama and that is huge. Luckily my man was up so I didn't have to take awkward before pictures of myself. He could take awkward before pictures of me instead.

I took two Gus with me on this run: Vanilla (caffeinated) and Espresso (double caffeinated).

I spent a couple minutes freaking out about the weather. Wind jacket or short sleeves? Ear warmers? Can't get sick! Ahhh!

I got over myself and left the apartment. But then walked back and forth from my building to the corner like three times before I actually got going. I would see people wearing hoodies and boots and think I absolutely needed long sleeves. Then I'd see someone running in shorts and think I was fine. Finally, I just ran. I was cold at first, yes, but I like to think that just encouraged me to run faster. It was a big mental game at the beginning. For some reason, ten miles was really challenging my mind. I think it had something to do with my "need for speed". I knew this would be harder because I would run faster. I would really push myself. And I was right- it was hard. But it was also fun.

I checked my watch a lot, especially early on. My friend Hadley said she could never wear a watch because she'd check it too frequently and the distance would pass so slowly. She doesn't even like mile markers in races and won't look at the course map before she runs one. Checking my watch kinda does the opposite for me though. It makes me want to push myself and so I run faster. It keeps me in check.

Through the first two and a half miles, my ears really hurt from the cold. That was not going to be pleasant for 8 more miles. And I worried it would make me sick. I thought of Josh at home on the couch, editing pictures. I imagined him deciding to come cheer me on and driving down mass ave. Maybe he would also read my mind and bring me some ear warmers. He didn't though... Eventually the pain went away and I forgot all about it.

Around mile 3.5, I was on one of the few flat stretches of this route and I knew it was time for Gu. I debated which one to take. Vanilla or Espresso? The double caffeine could be nice. But I have a weak stomach, with a particular weakness for coffee, so I worried this might make need a bathroom fast. I still couldn't decide. So I reached in my sports bra, where they were being stored, and pulled out the mystery winner. Espresso it was! I opened it cleanly and took it in three swallows. It was tasty. The consistency of thick pudding. It made me want water but I sipped my bottle conservatively, not wanting to cramp up. I really can't say if the stuff made a difference or not. But it felt fine to take it so, in case it subtly boosted my energy, I've decided I'll take at least one gu on race day.

Then I ran up and down hill for another mile and a half. I turned around and ran up and down hill some more. It was raining, I'm not really sure when it started or when it stopped. I was in a groove of rolling hills. And I was loving my garmin. The "average pace per mile" feature is intersting because it really broke up the run, for speed's sake, to one mile at a time. I was always focused on the pace of the current mile, not the run overall. And with the consistent hilliness of this run, I would go downhill and my speed would increase and then I'd go uphill and it would decrease. But I had no idea what my average pace was throughout and I became really curious around mile 8. I had run a 9:07 mile, a 9:10 mile, a 9:40something mile, and an 8:40something mile. And a bunch of others I couldn't remember- so I had no idea. Could have been 9:02, 9:10 or 9:30. I was pretty sure it wasn't 8:59 though. Luckily, the last .8 miles was all downhill. So, when I got there, I ran quickly to pick up speed. At the end, I was almost sprinting, and my left quad started to hurt. So I slowed down. I got to my corner and stopped the watch. Exactly 10.00 miles. Like a curious cat, I immediately stopped the run, saved it, and went to my history to see the overall pace.

9.01 minutes per mile! Amazing! That means I can do it. If I can run 10 miles at 9:01, I can run 13.1 at 9:07. I may be naive but I believe completely that the run I did today was as hilly as Baltimore will be. I hope I'm right.

I returned with these crazy pigtails, which I did about around mile three. I left with a ponytail but the straight short hair and the ponytail weren't working for me. Maybe I do it up like a little girl on race day?

I made myself the #1 recovery drink. With a little extra chocolate powder. Delicious.

And then I dragged Josh to the store with me to pick up fixings for the lox bagel I was craving. I indulged but the $8 wild Alaskan smoked salmon was so worth it.

I felt the same sharp knee pain that I felt after my 13 mile run so I acted fast. Icing them helped.

I had a few hours to hang out, and wander the Cleveland Park day festival in the rain. But then there was more sweating on the agenda. Soccer game #2 for the season was scheduled at 4:45 today and I was not feeling it. But we were going to have no subs and they needed me. One person didn't show up and we ended up being a man down. I was kind of careless but I still gave a good effort in the first half. I ran a lot and had some good plays. By the end of it, though, my quad pain was back and it was worse than during the run. With a real fear of injuring myself, I was the lamest soccer player ever in the second half. I barely ran at all and when I had to, I hobbled. I just kinda stood there and provided passing relief when I was needed. I had a few defensive stops but I was inactive to the point of real embarrassment. I hate to not give everything I have and normally I would. I could have run but it would have hurt and it would have likely strained my quad more which is the last thing I need. So I was lame.

I came home and discovered the magical world of Garmin Connect. I uploaded all of my runs and learned so much about my pace, splits, even the elevation of my run. So this is a breakdown of how fast I ran each mile, how much elevation I gained and lost, how fast my best pace was, and how many calories I burned. This is the coolest thing ever. But, mile four, I'm pretty sure I didn't run 4:16 minutes per mile. Ever. Even for one second. Thanks for trying though.

And... wonder of all wonders, here is an elevation chart for the run. I had no idea the Garmin could do this and I am more than pleased. I ran out and back to it is basically symmetrical. But you can see it was hilly. Let's see how it compares to Baltimore.

TODAY

BALTIMORE 13.1

So I ran many more rolling hills today but there are some much more steady (and long!!) inclines on race day. But whatever. Enough analyzing. I'll be fine!

I am currently on the R.I.C.E. recovery plan and am fine. I can feel a little pain when I walk but it doesn't seem like anything that will last two weeks. I regret playing soccer but I also would never sit and watch as my team played two (wo)men down. After October 15th, I'll be able to throw my heart more into soccer. But for now, it's all about running! And R.I.C.E.ing! Happy Saturday night and GO GATORS!


Tell me: Any advice for a quad strain? Do you think I actually ran a 4:16 pace?! Hah!

Taking Medicine and Cheering on the Gators

I apologize for my absence the past few days. Blogging, and life in general, is way less fun when I have no sweaty adventures to report on. I am still feeling crappy and finally went to the doctor this morning. And, by this morning, I mean that I went there at 11:30 and didn't leave until 2:30. I was told that I have allergic rheumatitis or something which is causing nasal drip, making my head feel like a balloon, and causing me to feel over-exerted very easily. Sounds about right. I was given two prescriptions and a few recommendations for OTC drugs and am supposed to feel better (and ready to run again) in about 36 hours. Thank god!

 I have been just sitting around eating and drinking the most cleansing things I could get my hands on, afraid to work out and make myself worse. But I have become SO BORED! Josh and I took an hour long walk last night which was the most exercise I've had all week. It was fun but I am ready for more! Baltimore is three weeks from today and I need to keep in tip-top shape. At least I have an answer and a solution so now I can be optimistic. I was also told that I have a slow pulse and a very strong. Probably true for any runner but still nice to hear that I'm healthy, despite being unhealthy at the moment.

They YAY! thing about today is that it's another gator game day. Today I am thinking about how much I miss being in Gainesville on game days. And it's not just that I miss going to the swamp and cheering on the gators in person. They are playing in Lexington, KY tonight so being at home in FL wouldn't make a difference. What I miss the most is living in a place where all of my friends are all about the gators too. I'm thinking about fun memories like these...

FSU 2009

LSU 2008

Nathan in the swamp!

No tailgating? I don't think so.

FL/GA most tailgated in parking lot ever

National Championship 2006. And Nicole's 20th Birthday!

South Carolina 2008

Last game in the swamp as students!

Ditto.

Luckily, I have wonderful friends like Ben in DC, who throw parties and invite Josh and I to take control of the TV during them so we can participate and still cheer on our beloved gators. We are heading to his place at half time of the current UF v. UK game in my new gator shirt, with my homemade (ORANGE) pumpkin cream cheese muffins in hand.

Happy Saturday, happy recovery, and GO GATORS!

Saturday Morning Run and Soccer Game

It's another game day. For the Florida Gators and for me. So I woke up early and put on my school-spirited running gear. And I got at least one "go gators" on the road!

I met Nikki in Woodley Park and we started our 13 mile run together. It was really great to do a long run with her again. We went north on the Rock Creek Park trail and then on Beach Drive, which is closed to cars on the weekends. Running thirteen miles wasn't such a great feat, as I've been slowly building up to it for weeks and knew I was ready. But running and talking for thirteen miles was different. It was fun though, and not that hard. We talked about running tricks and food, races, work, family histories, and plans. We returned to Woodley Park, said a quick goodbye, and went our separate ways. I ran another .2 miles uphill on Connecticut Ave and then Josh showed up, in the car, to drive us to our soccer game. I hopped in, feeling really weird going from running for two hours straight to sitting in a car, without even a little walk in between. Not the healthiest recovery. My kneecaps started to feel some sharp pain that was really uncomfortable. It lasted only about ten minutes and they've been fine since.

We arrived at the soccer field and I changed into cleats and shin guards. A few of our players didn't show up so we were without a single sub. I was thrown in midfield which meant a lot of running (con), but less pressure to be aggressive defensively and prevent shots and breakaways (pro). To my, and my teammates', amazement, I held strong throughout. I had some lazy periods but I also had a lot of really good plays and runs. I had one assist and we won 2-0. And I wasn't completely spent. But I did take some time to lie on the fluffy turf afterward.

I have tried to be very careful with what I consume today, given the headaches my long runs have been giving me and my back to back run and soccer game. I ate whole wheat toast with peanut butter and honey for breakfast. Then had half a pack of cherry (caffeine infused) sports beans and about 20 oz. of water throughout. Between run and game, I finished the pack, drank about 16 oz. of chocolate milk, and had an entire pack of Clif Bar Shot Roks which are like little energy bar balls that can be eaten in about two bites each. Within about 1.5 hours of the game ending, I had a chicken salad sandwich on freshly cut olive oil ciabatta, cucumber onion dill salad, and grilled veggies. Throughout the soccer game and since, I have drunk about 200 more oz. of water. 

I made it until about 4:30 before any feeling of a headache. I have one now but it is slight. I think that the added electrolytes and the chocolate milk did help me feel better throughout the day. And watching the gators play now makes me happy, as always. I am actually a little shocked at how good I feel given the added hour of soccer. I am proud of myself and I'm not ashamed to say it. Baltimore half is four weeks from today and I feel ready. I want it noooooow!

11.17 Miles and GO GATORS!

I woke up this morning at 6:30 am and dressed myself in some ORANGE and BLUE running gear. Because, my friends, it is game day. It is college football season and I will let that influence my wardrobe every Saturday for the next three or more months.

Luckily, I'm a gator, and so I am strong. Despite my nerves last night, I knew my legs had eleven miles in them. Around 7:45, I left my apartment to prove that fact. I ran 2.37 miles to Ingrid's apartment and then waited almost ten minutes for her ass to come downstairs. While waiting, I took pictures of my gator fan feet and the fanny pack I was wearing so you readers could have a chance to make fun of me for it.

Laugh all you want but this free, piece of crap fanny pack let me bring my camera and take pictures along the way but avoid the complications of taking iphone pics that I experienced last week. I said that I'd be telling you about my runs and not showing you but, luckily, I can still do both. Jen, of Always Training Trio, suggested using a fitness belt to make things easier (and less nerdy looking) so I am going to look into that.

Together, Ingrid and I ran another touristy route that was a little under six miles long. She was going on about 5 hours of sleep so I was impressed by her energy, and her ability to respond to text messages throughout. We ran pretty slowly, which I think was good for both of us. We talked about lots of things, one of which was the feeling of community you get when running the streets so early in the morning. One of my favorite things about 6 AM runs before work is that 70% of people (total guestimation) you see out are also running. The same thing happens when you're up and running by 8 AM on a Saturday morning. It's a good reason to do this more often. We took turns photographing each other, and ourselves together, but never stopped running to do it. I also took a few creeper pictures of other runners in this little "community" I speak of.

White House!

Washington Monument!

Smithsonian Headquarters!

Capitol Building!

Union Station!

At mile 8.15, it was byebye Ingrid. We didn't stop to say goodbye so my legs kept going going going. I ran up 16th street, which is a long uphill road out of the city. I contemplated turning on Park Road and running through Mount Pleasant, making my route a bit longer. But when I reached Columbia and 16th, I made a last minute decision to turn and run through Adam's Morgan. Good thing I did because I ran by Nikki on a walk home with her own bottle of water and gym bag. Nikki, my friend training for her first marathon, was a member of the Saturday morning running community. Six weeks out from her marathon, she ran 15 miles this morning and rocked it! So yay and congrats to her!!

I reached the zoo and was .25 miles from home so I started to push it. I reached home and knew I had more in me. I had run 11.17 so I didn't keep going, but I decided I need to figure out how to pace myself better. Because I want to get the best time I can but still be able to finish. I don't want to finish 13.1 miles and feel like I could have done the whole thing faster. Maybe what I want is to feel like I've used every ounce of energy I have at the end, because that means I've done my best and made the fastest time I possibly could. Obviously, I still don't have this training thing completely down. But I'm working at it and, either way, it's so good to know I can run 11 miles and feel good at the end of it.

Good is a relative term, of course. I was tired as shit, super sweaty, and still have a slight headache. I sat on the floor and made Josh get me water and gatorade. I also made him stretch me and shake out my legs. I concocted a really thick bluuberry smoothie and ate a smorgasbord of peanut butter and banana, leftover salad and bread, hummus, and goat cheese.

Now it's off to Pour House, the gator game watch bar on Capitol Hill for some beer, bar food, and football. It's mission accomplished for Carrie and I hope it will be for the Florida Gators as well.


Are you a college football fan? If so, what's your team? Do you ever plan your running outfits to show some school spirit?