No ponies under the hood...

Today we are under an "excess heat" advisory (that means too hot to think, let alone do anything else), so I was prompted to do the unthinkable and rise at 5:30am to get in my run before the heat set in and became too dangerous to run.  Who was I kidding?  It was hot at that time of day too...83 degrees at 5:30am!  Are you kidding me!?!?!  Well, it was better than the 90 degrees at 9pm last night, right?

The answer would be no.  Add in the humidity and I could barely get my legs to move.  It was oppressive, sticky, icky (what other words can I add in here to adequately describe the weather this morning).  But, I needed to run regardless.  So I headed in the general direction of Sandy Point State Park to try to hit five miles without wilting.  Getting my body to put one foot in front of another was a challenge.  This was not a pretty run. (And oh by the way, while the dead deer from last week may be gone the smell is not...ugh).

At any rate, I can feel accomplished that I put this one on the books, after all, I got up at 5:30am (I hate doing that for a run), I hit the goal for distance (which didn't look particularly feasible at the outside) and I did not sweat so hard as to flood the road.  I see ever so slightly cooler temperatures coming in tomorrow, maybe they won't be as bad.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  5.15
Time:   46:04 (average pace of 8:56 per mile)
Location:  Bay Head, Sandy Point State Park
Feeling:  Not quite like death, but I imagine pretty close

Turtles and naps...

Yeah, I don't recommend napping with turtles.  That's not what this post is about.  So then what's going on?  Nope, not as exciting as you think, but check it out anyway.

Over the next few days, the greater DC area is going to be hit by a heat wave.  Yep, but Friday the heat index will hit 110 degrees.  Guess who won't be able to run during the day?  Well, nobody that is sane, that's for sure...including me (sanity check may be in order regardless).  Today was the last shot at an afternoon run in the outdoors before the bad temps set in.  I didn't really set out with a distance in mind, except that I needed to put in four or more, five would be nice.

The run started out pretty decent.  My hamstrings were still tight, but at least my legs didn't seem to be heavy like yesterday.  I headed out on one of my normal DC routes, with some different directions along the same roads.  It was warm, borderline hot by the time I got up to Lincoln Park.  And that's when I saw what I really needed to be doing on a day like this.  That's right, I should have been napping in the middle of the park like that guy over there.  I took one look at him and had a real moment of jealousy.  Instead, I snapped his photo to blast to the world (because when you make someone jealous, its a no holds barred type moment) and kept on going.

Next I headed on down North Carolina Avenue toward Pennsylvania Avenue.  I take this particular road over toward Pennsylvania from time to time for a couple of reasons.  First and foremost, when the temps are rising like they were today, this road has a lot of nice, shady tree cover that makes it feel a lot cooler than out in the open.  Another fun reason to take North Carolina is the fun little turtle park near Eastern Market.  This place makes me smile.  So I stopped to finally snap a photo today so I could share the park on my blog.  You can see the one big turtle that anchors the area, but what isn't particularly visible are all the small little rock turtles that edge the rest of the relaxing and whimsical space.  Love it.  It also helps to lighten the mood for the rest of the run.

I finished this one without any real victories or pitfalls, just a decent few miles to add to the tally.  Now I move on to the days of heat advisories and hopefully the ability to get up at o'dark thirty so that I can run when its only 81 degrees out.  Geez.  Oh well, happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.36
Time:  37:18 (average pace of 8:33 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  Lighter but still need to work out the hamstrings

Socializing and running...

Running can be great for socializing.  Just look at my Saturday runs with Brie...hello, exercise and catching up with friends.  Awesome.  And in some cases, running is the only way you can find time to hang out when you are all busy, busy, busy.  Sometimes, though, they don't mesh...at least not in the same way.

Tonight I was hitting the pavement for five in my quest to post 550 miles before the end of the month.  Okay, my body felt heavy.  I don't know if it was the day off yesterday or if I'm still a bit tired from pushing the speed a bit too much on Sunday, but overall it felt like it was all I could do to push to the end of the run.  So, I was certainly excited to run up behind some of my old colleagues from The Ohio State University - their President and federal relations team - walking in front of the capitol building.  I stopped to "socialize" and catch up with them a couple minutes (it's also always nice to hear "Stacie was the best MLA Senator DeWine ever had") before continuing on my way.  Luckily this was about a mile before I was finished because shortly after that diversion I ran into another colleague and stopped to socialize with her for, oh, about 30 minutes :) about all sorts of stuff - work, running for fundraising, kids, etc.  That social stop, however, made finishing the last quarter mile sheer torture.  Oh well, life goes on and it is fun to catch a few minutes chatting with good folks.

All in all, my pace was back to more normal speeds, the weather was pleasant and it felt good to put the pavement beneath my feet to think for a bit.  I'd also be remiss if I didn't recap my joy at my social encounters along the way.  I hope the rest of the week is just as nice and that the body lightens up.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  5.28
Time:   44:33 (average pace of 8:26 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  Heavy, a little tight in the hamstring

Running for cancer research...

I love running.  It is an extension of who I am and what keeps me calm (I can't say stress free...but perhaps less stressed?).  Several weeks ago, I made a commitment to use my love for running to help raise funds to fight cancer by entering races to benefit cancer research.  This past weekend I was able to enter the Friends of Melana 5K in my hometown.

I was in Garrettsville for a family event, and to see my niece, and learned about the 5K in conjunction with an annual festival downtown.  I thought "sure why not" and then learned the cause and knew "absolutely" I was going to be on that start line on race day.  Friends of Melana was named in memory of Melana Matson, a nine year old girl from Garrettsville, who in 2009, was diagnosed with brain cancer.  She lost her battle just nine months after her diagnosis.  Friends of Melana was formed to honor her memory and help to fund the fight against this cancer.

So on a beautiful Sunday morning, I trotted on downtown, surprisingly fast, (its only a mile from my mom's house so I decided to use it as a warm-up and to add up a couple more miles) and signed in for the race.  It's been about 14 years since I last lived in town, so I do not really recognize the new faces (or at least those who came out to sweat for cancer research) and just waited on my own for the starting gun (although I did chat a bit with Mrs. Z who was my gifted teacher through school and agreed to hold onto my race shirt for me).

When the race started, it started fast....one of the habits I've tried to break for years.  But it felt decent so I just went with it.  It was about 1/2 a mile in that I looked down at my pace and just thought "whoa...I'm going to die if I keep this up."  It was pretty fast for me.  A 1/4 mile later I looked down again and I was going even faster.  My first thought was, "I'm not a fast runner, this must be Kaitlyn and Joey carrying me."  (You may recall a post a few weeks ago about Kaitlyn and Joey...they have inspired this commitment this year).  It was then I decided that if they wanted me to go that fast, I wouldn't let them down.  And I don't think I did.

It was a hilly course, that's for sure.  The course started on Center Street up to Maple Avenue, down to Water Street, up Liberty, turned onto Pierce, then Brosius Road and back down Center Street to the finish.  Driven there lately?  Its rolling...and Center Street throws in a whopper uphill right before the finish line.  But rolling is good, rolling is fun.  I even got to see my old eighth grade English teacher and middle/high school track coach bike riding along the course.  It was great encouragement.  But mostly, I wanted to keep running for Kaitlyn and Joey.  And so I did.

So on this Sunday of small town parades, political booths along the street and Catholic church chicken dinner fundraisers, as a community we also accomplished a little something in honor of the children who did not have a cure available to them in hopes that those who come after will not have to know what childhood cancer can do.  Happy trails!!!

Oh, in the end, I turned in a 23:49 time...did not quite beat my standing PR from 19 years ago (23:10), but slipped in as my second best 5K ever.  Overall, I finished first among women 30-39 and fourth among all women.  I also got the opportunity to share some old stories with Jason Adkins about when he and his mom used to sit a couple rows behind his brother, Nathan, and I when we went on dates in middle school :)

Stats -
Miles:  5.21 (1.11 miles to the race, 5K during the race, and 1 mile trottomh back with my niece before picked up by my mom)
Time:   1st mile 9:07 (average pace of 8:12 per mile), 5K 23:49 (average pace of 7:41 per mile), last mile?  I have no idea...I was trotting with a three-year old who was convinced she could run like her aunt...it was slow, but I think she has a future :)
Location:  good old G-ville, Ohio
Feeling:  So great I can't even find the words

What is that smell....

After yesterday's heat, even well after sunset, I decided a morning run was in order today to try to beat the mercury climb.  Holy bejeezus though, it was 81 degrees with 79% humidity at 6:30am.  So the morning temps weren't really a huge improvement.  Oh well, 81...87...whatever.  A hot run is a hot run.  (Do people really choose to do yoga in rooms hotter than this?  Definitely not my thing.)  Off we go.

So I'm heading down College Parkway toward Sandy Point State Park dripping sweat less than a mile in, when I start to get this smell in my nose.  Not pleasant but not horribly overpowering either.  Then I see it, the poor dead deer on the side of the road.  Okay first I want to cry for the poor thing, but really I want to go faster so that I don't have to see it any longer than necessary.  It didn't seem to register that since I was on an out and back run that I'd have to pass the creature again.  On the way back, oh probably half a mile away, it finally registered....I'm going to have to run by the deer again.  Since I knew what the smell was going to be, I think my body was already rebelling.  I picked up the pace, averted my eyes and then almost tossed my stomach contents as the smell slammed into me head on.  I feel sorry for the deer and hope animal control gives her a burial quick....(a) she deserves it and (b) I'll need to find another running route if they don't.

After that traumatic experience, I made it back to the house just ahead of my neighborhood coffee-drinking dog-walking klatch.  Just another day in Annapolis.  Happy trails!

Stats:
Miles:  4.01
Time:   33:58 (average pace of 8:28 per mile)
Location:  Bay Head, Log Inn Road
Feeling:  the legs were finally loose, which is a change from every other run this week

Short and sweet...

Short and sweet is not how I would describe tonight's run.  More like short and SWEATY.  I waited until well after dark so the temperature would drop a bit and the heat advisory would expire.   Okay, let's be honest, I was waiting for after dark because I needed it to coole down and then I decided to wait some more after I ate my second ice cream cone of the day.  Let's just say waiting until after dark cannot possibly have helped me in the temperature department.  In fact, writing this post just two hours after the run at 11:25pm, it is still more than 87 degrees outside.  It was so hot and humid when I ran  that my Garmin was fogged up the whole time.  Thank goodness this weather is just an anomaly or I may be forced to do one of two things - (a) run on the dreadmill all summer or (b) learn to get up and run at 3am.  Yeah, neither of those is happening, my friends.

So as I'm trudging along, cutting the air with a knife, and trying to find some air that wasn't too thick to choke into my lungs I had a couple interesting things happen.  First, I had a fox streak across the road in front of me.  That is the second fox that has appeared during one of my runs this year.  (S)he was very pretty...almost a strawberry blonde.  Okay, there's a slim possibility (s)he could also have been a cat, but I'm calling it a fox and sticking to it. 

Second, I thought good driving etiquette is to turm off your brights when approaching another car, am I right?  Now I know I'm not the equivalent of a car (at least I hope not) but I know that car saw me, then turned his brights on blinding me and never turned them back off.  So rude.  I'm certain I was seeing stars the next half mile.

So aside from a foggy Garmin, no breathable air, streaked by a fox and blinded by a rude driver, tonight was great.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  2.07
Time:   17:36 (average pace of 8:30 per mile)
Location:  Bay Head and Revell Downs
Feeling:   Like I was trying to breath heavy metals into my lungs....holy humidity and heat

Rhythm is gonna get you...

If you are a runner, you know getting into that rhythm during a workout really matters.  If you can't find that pace that keeps you steady, the whole run will feel off kilter.  That's how it felt tonight.  I just could not find my rhythm.  What caused that?  Could be anything, or it could just be a mediocre run.  Back in the day when I was just getting back into running about 7-8 years ago, I would have just ended a run like this before it could drive me to burn out - got out before it could feel like a chore.  These days I am a more mature runner and can handle the not so good days along with the good days.

Here's how it went...first off, I made the good decision not to run in the high sun and heat of the day, opting for an evening run when I got home from work (I've really got to learn how to run in the morning before I head into the city...it could just solve some of my problems).  So yay for me on that account.  That's about the only good part.  Well, that and my running partner.  My husband joined me tonight.  He needs to build base miles so he can trim his 3 mile time for work.  Second, it was still really warm and super humid when we ran.  The air was so thick it made breathing difficult, so no rhythm there.  Third, my hamstrings were still tight, also breaking up the rhythm. 

What were the high points?  Or at least the interesting stories?  There were a couple.  For one, there was the really stiff rustle in the grass as I ran in the trail next to the road.  I have no idea what it was (let's hope it wasn't something slithery or I'm bound never to run that route again...very limiting).  And then, perhaps one of the most interesting sights I'll see all week, was when I turned around to see my husband jogging alongside a car giving the driver directions to get back onto route 50.  Uh, here's my question...why not just stop to give directions instead of continuing to jog breathless and speaking?  Let's suffice it to say, it was Jason. Ha.  Here's hoping to find my rhythm tomorrow.  Happy trails!

***P.S.  I just signed up for my first 5K to benefit an organization combatting brain cancer this coming Sunday in my hometown.  Let's beat these diseases!
Stats -
Miles:  5.51
Time:   48:14 (average pace of 8:45 per mile)
Location:  Broadneck Peninsula, Bay Head, Log Inn
Feeling:  Rough, but got it in

Fashion critique extraordinaire...

Washington, DC is not exactly the fashion capitol of the world.  That said, the city is at least noted for its conservative suit and tie turn out.  Not high fashion, but suitaby neat and formal in its appearance...or so they want the rest of the world to believe.  Since today's run was slightly sprinkling, and I needed something to cut through the work-related thinking that threatened to plunge me into a new level of crazy, I checked out the fashion roaming the DC streets near Capitol Hill.

I could start with the girl whose cut off denim shorts were baggy enough to share with another human and her striped socks that clashed with the colors of her shirt, or I could start with the lady whose running skirt had seen better/less see through days, but I'll start with the lobbyist whose skirt was so short and tight (and she did not boast the appropriate physique) that it left little to the imagination.  Ugh, did no one remember to tell her this is a conservative town when it comes to clothing?  She looked a lot like the interns that give late teen fashion a bad name.  Oh wait, and how about the guy wearing white shoes that had royal blue soles with black pants?  Really?  At any rate, it provides a diversion from the serious thinking.

Now how was the actual run? :)  It was a good one.  The hamstrings (both of them) started out tight and the left calf muscle reared its ugly head at about the two mile mark, but it was no where near as sluggish as yesterday and almost back to normal with the body.  I enjoyed the run, sweaty as it was (the temperature was deceiving...it was chilly, but very humid).  It was the perfect start to what I hope will turn out to be a 25 miles week (yeah, I'd like to hit 550 before the end of June).  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.14
Time:   33:14 (average pace of 8:01 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  Open and loose except the hamstrings and left calf

Nose to the grindstone...

After hitting the 50% mark last week, I decided it was high time to reward myself and take that rest period I needed after the marathon a couple weeks ago.  After all, the last thing I want and need with a busy training schedule and personal schedule this summer is to become too exhausted and risk injury.  Or worse, end up burned out.  The last several days offered the perfect opportunity to leave my running shoes at home (though I actually did not...and almost used them) as I headed up to Newport, RI to graduate with my second Master's degree from the Naval War College (another resolution I made at the beginning of the year was to finally finish the degree, which had been hanging over me for the past several years....I started it in 2005).

When I hit the pavement this morning I knew it was going to be rough.  I can run day after day and not end up with the same kind of stiffness I get from a ton of walking and balancing on a boat in choppy water.  We walked several miles in Newport Friday (and in flip flops no less, which makes it worse) and then spent Saturday out on the boat (with great friends!...battling the wake left behind by speedboats with little care for others).  My legs were tight today, particularly my left calf muscles, which has caused problems in the past. 

Overall though, I can think of little to complain about.  The morning was getting soupy, yes, but it was very peaceful and perfect for getting the kinks out of the muscles.  There roads were clear of cars and the only wildlife that passed me by was the coffee klatch with their dogs walking through my neighborhood.  It was so peaceful and I actually had so little on my mind (for once) that I actually listened to my ipod for a change (usually I can go for miles without really hearing anything streaming through the headphones because I am so distracted by my thoughts).  It was a nice end to the weekend and a good launch into the coming week.

Stats -
Miles:  4.06
Time:  35:53 (average pace of 8:50 per mile)
Location:  Broadneck Peninsula - Bay Head to Log Inn
Feeling:  Stiff and a little painful in the left calf

Owning it (the 50% mark)...

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep? 6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you 'Cause there's a spark in you
You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause baby you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh" As you shoot across the sky

These are the words I heard today streaming out of my ipod as I crossed the 500 mile mark in my quest to log 1000 miles this year.  The words reminded me that sometimes we set really lofty goals and we feel only moments from failure, that we may have lost direction somewhere along the way.  But baby I'm owning this one and shooting as far across the sky as I can go.  That's right, I am now more than half way there and less than half of the year behind me! 

This is what 500 looks like! Yes, I stopped to take a photo...

Today felt monumental.  Yeah, I know that there are still about 499.25 miles to go to really take down my goal, but man did 50% feel good.  I've never been great about keeping a log of my miles, but I'm fairly certain I've never laid down this many miles in a half year in my past.  There were days I didn't feel like running, but the call to reach for my goals was too great.  There were rainy days, but achievement had a greater pull.  And there were days when there wasn't enough time to breath, let alone run, but carving out time kept me going.  I'm keeping my eyes on the prize and I feel fantastic about it!  If you've got a goal, stick with it, you'll feel so amazing in the end and along the way!

So, what was the run really like?  Well I don't remember a whole lot about the route, or the people I passed (well there was that accident on Maryland Avenue that shut down several blocks for the police activity), or even the temperature, but I do remember feeling light enough to dance into the air and happy enough to sing at the top of my lungs (don't worry, I spared Washington that joyful encounter).

As I started, so I shall finish.  Just after Katy Perry bounced me across that momentous mark, I was struck by words from the next song that came through my earphones (...someone must have stacked the playlist for today).  While taken slightly out of context, all that I care about is the strength I felt and the absolute connection to "I am bulletproof, nothing to lose....I am titanium."  Here's to holding onto that feeling for the next 500 miles!  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.54
Time:   29:14 (average pace of 8:15 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  HELL YEAH!!!

Baby buggy raincovers...

Today was wet.  I watched out my window for a break in the weather, and the second I saw people walking around without umbrellas (during the time period I would take lunch, that is) I changed into my running clothes to grab a few miles before the next downpour.  Well, it was a valiant effort but for naught.  By the time I got back downstairs from the locker room the sky was oozing with moisture again.  Since it was only light to moderate rain, I just decided to go with it.

Frankly, the rain was warm and it felt wonderful to stretch out in.  The only reason I really avoid rainy day running during the day is because then I have wet hair.  Oh well.  I can do this once.  Running in the rain was a much better idea than running in yesterday's blazing heat...so much so that I passed a number of other runners out enjoying the weather.

The one sight I saw repeatedlytoday, however, that puzzles me was baby buggy after baby buggy with a rain cover over the baby.  Now, if you know Washington DC weather, you know when it's raining that means great loads of humidity.  Today was no exception.  So, I have to wonder what it's like sitting inside that little baby sauna created by trapping the humidity in and not releasing the heat.  Really, I saw at least five of these and it continued to puzzle my mind throughout the entire run.  Hopefully they had little fans or air conditioners in there with them. 

Overall, I enjoyed the run.  It was swift, it was wet (and I really couldn't tell you which was the sweaty wet and which was the rainy wet) and it brought me even closer to the halfway mark toward my goal.  Great times!  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.1
Time:   24:49 (average pace of 8:00 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  Ahh, this was a good one

Rebel runner...

Today I broke my own rules - multiple, as in more than one...actually more than two.  I've developed the rules to respond to my own deficiencies, not out of some moral obligation to be a disciplined athlete (because, let's be honest, I run for myself and enjoyment not because I'm any good).  Today I ran in high temperatures in the middle of the day, I ran after dark and I literally ate and ran.  At least two of those seem to be contradictory...yep, I also did two runs today, which I also try not to do because the second is always tight in the legs.  Why would I do all this, and in a single day?  Being within arms reach of a goal has a way of making a person do crazy things.

I am so hell bent on getting to 500 before I leave for Newport that I will hush that cautious voice in my head that tells me I'm not being smart.  I'll brave sweating buckets (oh yeah, I know that one was less than intelligent because I did not pass a single other jogger, and I've never not passed another jogger in DC).  I'll brave a rebelling stomach (there's a reason they say don't eat and then do something active right away...it sucks if you can't get blood moving to the critical muscles because it's distracting with digestion).  I'll brave injury (if you've read my blog in the past you know I don't run at night because I can't see - and often turn my ankle - rather than because of the dangers lurking down dark alleys).  I'll brave the tight muscles of the second run because it means I can add more miles to the tally.  Yee haw.

All that said, I did have to add an extra leap over the mouse that ran out of the weeds at me and then endure multiple head on collisions with the unsuspecting lightning bugs.  Poor lightning bugs.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  6.09
Time:   54:44 (average paces of 9:08 per mile on the first run and 8:50 on the second)
Locations:  Capitol Hill/Lincoln Park, Broadneck Peninsula/Bayhead Road
Feeling:  my body was heavy and hot, not cycling through well enough

Home turf...

Happy National Outdoors Day!!!  While I did not make it to one of the state and national parks that were free today, I can truly say I did this one up in style.  Starting out with my morning run. 

This may be the first Saturday that was entirely mine, with no specific obligations or things I absolutely had to do before sundown.  So then what was I doing up at 6am?  I did not want to waste the beautiful day. After walking the dogs and eating a bit of breakfast, I hit the pavement on my home turf for the first time in, oh, probably at least a month - basically I started my run from home.  Since I was looking for a longer (though not ginormously long) run (yeah, still got that 500 mile goal in my sights), I headed toward Podickory Point to watch the sun rise over the bay and cruise by the waterfront homes picking out my next house (assuming I finally win that megamillions lottery).  Too bad I'm not rolling in the money yet, I found at least a half dozen that were just waiting for my couch to grace the living room and my feet to perch on the porch railing with a glass of wine.

The bay is meditative, and makes a run move by quickly, but this particular route - up Log Inn Road - is like running through a private tunnel formed by the trees.  Its quiet and perfect for thinking, or in my case, run dancing to the tunes flowing out of my ipod in relative privacy.  It was early enough that I wasn't even competed with boaters heading out to the yacht club yet to hit the water.  Goodness I love running on my home turf.

The rest of the day was equally productive and relaxing.  After my run, I spent about an hour trying to find the garden I know I have in the backyard under the weeds...success!  And then I spent more time outside with the dogs before heading out to my friend, Ann's, house to head out on the water for the afternoon.  It was fantastic on the water - snacks, conversation and Margaret Mitchell's house.  What a wonderful day!  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  8.04
Time:  1:11:58 (average pace of 8:57 per mile)
Location:  Broadneck Peninsula - Bay Head to Sandy Point
Feeling:  Loose and good, though really sweaty

Little diversions...

I'm on a mad tear to finish those last twentyish miles to hit the big half way mark.  That said, I also realize I need to get adequate rest so that I don't wear my body out and end up injured.  So, with that, I tried VERY hard to glue my rear to my chair today and not go running.  I tried everything I could think of and yet I still found myself lacing up the shoes and hitting the pavement for five miles.  And it was hot.

I knew, starting out, that if I was going to finish the run (since I started it I needed to make the most of it), I was going to need to divert my attention and find things I don't often see or locate new little novelties tucked away in the neighborhoods around Capitol Hill.  Well, to start with, I took off in a slightly different direction and decided to check out the West front of the Capitol building....I rarely go out there.  It also offers a nice view down the mall to the Washington Monument, and a phenomenal view of the big dig (anybody know what they heck is going on down on the mall?).

Then I headed back to one of my normal routes up Pennsylvania Avenue, but instead of turning toward Lincoln Park on 11th or 13th, I turned off on 12th.  And that's when I found the delightful little garden creatures that made me smile.  By then I was beyond my second mile, and once I've hit that point I'm basically in a rythym and can keep going for a while.  I can honestly say, the heat had me turning down the intensity a notch.  I didn't have my heart rate monitor on, but if I had I imagine I would have seen a couple marked spikes.  Ah well, only a few more miles to go (...read 20) until I hit 500.  I can slow down and take a break then.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -

Miles:  5.04

Time:   44:29 (average pace of 8:49 per mile)

Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park

Feeling:  pretty decent, but sweaty

Who knew?...

In memory of D-Day's heroes.

Well, really...who knew that June was made for running?  (Can we say 70 degree weather?!?!?!) And, hey, who knew that today we would celebrate both D-day and National Running Day?!?!?  I'm grateful for all of it.  Thank you to our brave heroes of World War II, who fought valiantly on the beaches of France on June 6 in 1944 and thank you to the person with the foresight to encourage America to celebrate the sport of running on the first Wednesday of June.  Certainly there can be no even comparison between the two, but I am grateful nonetheless that two such celebrations could fall on the same glorious June day in the DC area.

To those who know the joys of the pavement or trail beneath
your feet and to those who may join our ranks :)

If you missed out on the opportunity to show your love for running, then you truly missed out.  I'm not sure we'll see another perfect running day until fall, given the standard heat and humidity of the mid-Atlantic region during the summer.  So, while I had very little time today, I made the effort to stretch my legs in celebration of a sport that keeps me grounded.  Thank you to the coaches who taught me that running isn't a form of inhumane torture.  Thank you to my running gear for the miles and miles of comfort.  And most of all, thanks to all my friends who keep the long runs fun and engaging.  I only hope that I can inspire at least one person to run they way each of you have inspired me to keep going, through the rough days, the injuries and certainly the days I wanted to quit.

Happy national running day and happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.27
Time:   27:45 (average pace of 8:27 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  Free

New running skirt...

Not a stellar performace today.  The left hamstring is still a bit tight, but its getting better.  That said, my legs felt like lead.  Wow, where did that come from?  Over four miles of feeling like my legs weren't moving even though the stats were showing I'm driving back down toward my normal pace.  Is it fatigue and I just need another rest day?  Or is it something else?  Whatever it is/was, I worked through it and finished the run.  After all, I'm determined to hit the 500 mile mark before heading to Newport next week.

The leaden legs aside, I had running skirt issues today.  I started out looking forward to the new running skirt.  It was the same brand as one I've been wearing the past year (so much in fact it basically was worn through), just a slightly different style and material.  In fact, I liked the style much better than the old one.  So it was with sadness that I looked down at the skirt at about mile three to realize it seemed to be shrinking up...not shrinking but the material seemed to be catching together.  It was really weird.  I've never seen anything like this in any of my other running skirts, shorts, capris or pants.  I'll wash it once, see if the material works itself out a little, and if not I will disappointedly return it next week.  Sad.  Oh well, after all it didn't have the elastic catches on the legs so maybe it wasn't meant to be.  Better luck with the next one.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.53
Time:   39:39 (average time of 8:45 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  must figure out why the legs were so heavy

Loosening up...

One big difference I have always noticed following trail runs, versus road races, no matter the distance I have very little soreness afterward.  Following both of my road marathons (in 2005 and 2007) I was terribly sore and could be found walking stairs backwards for a few days.  Now, I don't know whether to attribute this to the harder surfaces of the road creating more wear on my body than dirt trails, or if it has more to do with the fact that I take a preemptive icy hot bath after long races nowadays (since 2009), but I'm happy to accept the present outcomes....relatively easy recoveries.

This marathon was no different.  Sure I had a bit of soreness in my left hamstring, but if you follow my blog you know that isn't an uncommon occurance.  I've actually had tight hammies, paticularly the left, semi-regularly since college (my dreaded problem area).  Since I was feeling no tightness or soreness today, except the left hammy, I decided to take a nice easy jog to loosen up the remaining acid buildup in the muscles so I can start piling the miles back on by the end of the week (I'm aiming to hit my 50% target for the year in the next week and a half).  Today was an absolutely beautiful day to get it done.

After work I set out in search of a few random slow miles, winding through my usual haunts on Capitol Hill and up to Lincoln Park, shaving off the add-ons that get me my traditional five mile jogs.  The first mile was, of course, tighter than the other two, but it also loosened up relatively quickly.  That's not to say I was cruising at my normal pace - I wasn't - but going well enough to feel satisfied.  It was also great to see so many other joggers and walkers out enjoying the waning rays of sun in the twilight.  Always inspirational in these times of growing couch potatoes.  At any rate, I should have a couple more slow runs this week just to keep shaking any leftover problems out and then back on track later this week (fingers crossed).  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.08
Time:   28:11 (average pace of 9:09 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  a little stiff, but fairing better than many

North Face 2012...

Four years ago I ran my first North Face Endurance Challenge 50k with a great group of friends.  I loved everything about that race - the course, the race organization, the runners.  It was at that point that I decided ultratrail running was a pretty darn cool thing.  The 2010 50K race saw me scratching after 20 miles due to extreme jet lag, stomach cramps and 90 degree temps with something like 90% humidity.  The 2011 race was fun, but due to a back injury the fall before I competed as part of a marathon relay team instead of in one of the major distances.  Fast foward to 2012....almost two years after that back injury I was ready to return to marathon+ distances.  My goal for North Face this year was to complete the marathon distance back pain free...and I can report success on that mark!!!

First off, I have to say I never could have come this far or completed this race without the best running buddy the world over.  I've said it before, but you'll hear me say it over and over again - THANK YOU BRIE!!!  Sure, I like to run alone most days of the week, but that long run is never the same without great conversation and motivation along the way.  I'm also glad to have shared the toughest terrain I've ever raced with one of my best friends.  Holy hell, if you've read about the terrain for North Face you've read that tough mudder has no mud whatsoever compared to what we traversed for 26.2 miles today. 

Let's just say, that storm mother nature opened up on us last night left the trail under about 3-6 inches of sloppy, slippery mud over at least 16 miles of the course.  I am amazed that there were not a great number of injuries throughout the day.  First of all, the mud filled up the tread on shoes leaving us with nothing to grab the trail.  Second, some of the slippery parts were on hills with somewhat steep grades.  Third, the mud was so sticky you had to pull on your ankles to get your shoes out.  It certainly made for some super slow going just to ensure you could stay upright...those shoes may need retiring after this run.

All that said, this was a super great day surrounded by people with real heart.  The course was beautiful (if a little dirtier than ever), the day was beautiful (hello 70 degrees in June!!!), our crew was awesome (uh yeah, there are advantages to having a husband who doesn't like to run such as having someone to bring you clean dry socks at the halfway point...thanks Jay!) and the company couldn't have been better.  Not to mention there was a free beer waiting at the finish line.  I can't think of any other way I would have liked to spend this dazzling Saturday (now it's time to go home and start shipping off the sweat and caked on salt) .  I can't wait for next year's race (which rumor has it may move to March...can we say 50K distance here I come?)!  Until then, happy trails!!!

Also need to send a shout out to the terrific Annapolis trio finishing the 50 miler today - Lara, Gloria and Danielle - you all are crazy, but I love you!!  And also to those fantastic pacers who jumped in to support their runners throughout the race - and chat with Brie and I for a bit during a break - Jen and Missy - you're role is so important to the folks on the trail!!

The most amazing finishers in the marathon
distance at the North Face Endurance Challenge!

Stats -

Miles:  26.2 (my Garmin said it was a little more than a mile longer, but I think the Garmin was confused by the tree cover so I've lopped off the distance to marathon only)

Time:   5:40:08 (average pace of 12:58 per mile...our total time was longer due to aid station stops and chatting with buddies we ran into along the way but my handy dandy Garmin only captures time moving)

Location:  Algonkian Regional Park to Great Falls Park and back, Virginia
Feeling:  Women pay lots of money for mud baths, how can one feel bad after getting it for free!?!