No room at the inn...

Er, rather, no public restrooms.  Today being the Epiphany Sunday, and therefore the last day of the Christmas season, forgive me a final seasonal reference.  It was one of the first things that popped in my mind as I realized just how unfriendly many of the businesses are on the Broadneck Peninsula.

Last year I recall devoting space in a post to  reminding myself that, because one of my best running buddies was pregnant, that all running routes must contain access to restrooms.  I paid heed to this for all those long runs with her, however I have been less diligent on my own runs. 

Inevitably, a runner from time to time finds desperate need for a restroom during a training run.  That was me today about 2.5 miles into a long run....with no restroom in the vicinity.  There was a strip mall about a mile from where I was, I figured I could find one there.  No way.  Just about every business had a sign out that said "no public restroom"...including the motel.  I was miserable.  Finally I arrived at the McDonald's and have never been so happy to see the golden arches.

Once I was a happy camper again, I still had about 5.5 miles to go in my planned distance.  I had an enjoyable (new) route planned down through Amberley, which abuts some beautiful creek fronts.  The afternoon was warm, the vistas were inspirational and I was ready to get a moving.  The only thing that would have made it a better day would have been a couple of running buddies to share (the good parts) with.  Perhaps I can drag one of them out next week.

All things considered, the run ended on a high note and my ipod reminded me that I really am living, as One Republic says, "The Good Life."  I liked the route, my hamstrings are only moderately crabby and I hit my target miles for the week.  (Incidentally, my math was a bit off yesterday...I don't need 28 miles per week, I need 26 miles per week...so I'm now ahead).  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  9.2
Time:   1:26:58 (average pace of 9:27 per mile)
Location:  Bay Head, College Parkway, Skidmore, Amberley
Feeling:  relieved...after a certain point

Other:  push-ups: 10/3600; squats: 25/3600; sit-ups: 80/12,000

Getting things rolling...

Four days in....that's it, but I'm working to establish the right pacing routine for the year.  Mathematically, I need to lay down about 28 miles per week to hit my yearly mileage target.  That's about sixish miles per week more than last year.  It doesn't seem like much, but it can be challenging if you have a difficult schedule.  Nonetheless, I'm committed.

That's why, today, I went out for six miles on a weekday as opposed to four to five (that and this week is short in the grand scheme of things since the 1st fell on a Tuesday).

I have to say, if you are going to push more out of your weekday run, today was the day to do it.  It was beautiful out.  The sun was shining, the air temperature was a balmy 45 degrees and the roads from Capitol Hill to RFK stadium were nice and quiet.  My legs and lungs were working in concert and my ipod was pumping out motivation through my ear pods.  The road, or rather the sidewalk, was my friend, even though my left hamstring is still a little hinky.

I have to say, it took a lot of strength not to take a picture of an ornamental Woodstock (you know...Snoopy's friend), who seemed to have a little too much fun on New Year's and fell from his perch on a swing near Stanton Park.  Aside from that, I was really left to my own thoughts, which means I had work on my mind this week.  Oh well, still a cleansing effort.

This leaves me with nine more miles to do this weekend.  I can honestly say I'm really looking forward to it.  While I had many 25-30 miles weeks in 2012, they weren't necessary.  Changing the mindset to making them "necessary" is a great adventure...perhaps I can get to 30-35 miles per week.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  6.01
Time:   54:16 (average pace of 9:01 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park, RFK Stadium
Feeling:  the attitude is great...the hamstring okay

New year, some old routines...

When embarking on the new (as in new goals or new adventures), sometimes bringing along parts of the old routine help bridge looking down the tunnel toward the finish line.  It's only the second day of the year, but I'm glad for old routines and old routes to get me through otherwise tough runs. 

The first couple months of running for the yearly goal mileage are always the toughest...early in setting out to meet new goals is the most vulnerable time. It's easy to say "I'm not really too far into this, so I'm not wasting much if I quit now."  Once you've hit, say, the 30% goal, you've just put too much into to stop.  At least that's how it is for me.  Those vulnerable days are when habits and routines help you puch through.

Today was a tough run.  My hamstrings were tight (some old habits and routines - such as not stretching right after a long run like yesterday - are not the good ones to fall back on) and the air was cold and slightly windy.  There was lots to be done and  time is always short.  I could have found a hundred reasons to put off running until I was religated to the treadmill.  Instead I put my big girl panties on and took that first step out the door.

Not fast, not slow, but one foot in front of the other and after a half mile or so I was glad I didn't make an excuse to skip my daily one on one time.  The streets of one of my most regular routes were quiet and comfortable, mucle memory kicked in and - though the hamstring never loosened up...must hit the icy hot tonight - I got it done. 

Tomorrow (or the next day) will feel as awesome as January 1...they can't all feel great.  Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles:  3.81
Time:   33:52 (average pace of 8:53 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  one of these days I will get a hamstring transplant...in the meantime, muscle tightness feels just like old times

Guns blazing...

The best way to get going on reaching a goal is to dive right in and get your hands dirty...or feet in my case.  Not one to sit still and let a good morning - and the opportunity to hang with friends - pass me by, I was excited to join in the Annapolis Striders tradition of taking over the streets of Annapolis for a run on New Year's Day :)

Now, most of the fun run runners didn't hit the streets until 9am, but I'm so ready to get started on my miles this year that I hit the road at 8am.  Those earlier miles through the Naval Academy were made great because I was joined by one of my neighbors, Kristen.  I've never run with Kristen before.  I'll be honest, she's fast and sort of intimidates me, so I was afraid to slow her down too much.  I'm glad we ran together though.  She was a great partner, and I'd love to spend more time running with her this coming year.  It was a great morning for a run...as we passed through the Naval Academy, there were so many others out and all with a ready smile and a "Happy New Year".

The melee of the 9am run was charging.  So many great friends were out for the run I'm not sure who was still at home.  To top it off, the group of a couple hundred runners literally took over the streets of Annapolis...sorry drivers.  I spent this second part to my new year run with none other than my favorite running buddy and best friend - Brie - which seems like a fitting start to the year.  We also ran with Erin, who is another amazingly fit and motivational runner.  It was a nice even pace as we headed over the Naval Academy bridge and down toward Jonas Green Park to leap up and tap the cake shaped balloon hung from a road sign.  It was a wonderful 45 minutes of girl chat, waving to friends as you pass them and stretching the legs in a much needed run.

After the run, we went to Starbucks to refuel the right way - grande skim gingerbread latter, hold the whip - with Lara, Gloria, Jen, Jen and Brie for more girl talk with the greatest running crew this side of the Mississippi.  All in all, this is the way to get going on a goal.  If the rest of the year is anything like today, it will be a great adventure.

Stats -
Miles:  4.82 (with Kristen) + 4.4 (with Brie and Erin)
Time:   45:24 (average pace of 9:25 per mile) + 46:42 (average pace of 10:36 per mile)
Location:  Annapolis, starting at CIty Dock and including the Naval Academy
Feeling:  my muscles are well-rested and ready for 2013...good call taking December easy

Other:  I haven't completed any of the strength work yet, but as I do it will be added here as cumulatives rather than as a day by day "this is how many I did today".  Here's how it will go:  push-ups: 0/3600; squats: 0/3600; sit-ups: 0/12,000