Rules violations...

Tonight I ran the Fleet Feet Annapolis Pumpkin Fun Run.  Thank you Fleet Feet, it was a great event!  Sadly, I did not find one of the three pumpkins hidden on the path that meant fame, glory and treasure (okay...maybe not fame and glory, but you did get a prize if you found one), but I did find some commaraderie for a dark, misty run through the streets of Annapolis.  Unfortunately, the fun doesn't completely make up for the rules violations that occured during this run.

First and foremost, I again broke my own rule to not run after dark.  Granted, I was clothed in my Saucony vizipro top that only a blind person would not be able to see, so I had that covered.  But if you know Annapolis, you know how treacherous night running is for the clumsy folk (aka me).  Uneven brick pavement and no light to see where it's uneven - let's be honest - sucks.  It would be super easy to end up seriously injured and out of commission.  So why did I do it?  Well, it sounded fun and I was originally going to be running it with my co-race director for the Anniversary Run 15K.

My rules violation, however, pales in comparison to the woman who was dressed almost entirely in black (with a muted splash of color added by her tulle tutu) and running in the road rather than on the sidewalk.  Under no circumstances - racing on a monitored/closed course or during a halloween fun run - is it ever okay to run after dark in dark clothing without a reflective belt at the very least.  On the success to fail scale, this lady gets a MAJOR FAIL for runner safety.  She's also one of the legitimate complaints from non-runner drivers.  Please lady, next time don't give Annapolitans a legitimate reason to complain about our great running community.

Rules violations - and potential for injury aside - I liked the event.  It was a slow easy pace and the dark, for some reason or another, causes one to feel as if they have not run nearly as far as the Garmin shows in the end.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.15
Time:   30:14 (average pace of 9:35 per mile)
Location:  Eastport through downtown Annapolis
Feeling:  No real strong pain in the shin, all in all not bad

Recapping 900...

Sandy's rolling out and, aside from massive cabin fever, we fared the storm really well.  That cabin fever, though, drove me out into the chilly sprinkles to stretch my legs and breath some fresh air this evening.

First off, on Saturday I passed the 900 mile mark.  Why didn't I talk about this on Saturday?  Because I crossed the mark while participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night.  Saturday was about the survivors, the fighters and the families grieving.  Actually, hitting the 90% mark on my goal during that event really brought so much more meaning to it than just hitting 900 on an average jaunt around Capitol Hill or down Bay Head Road.  Nothing wrong with those...every mile counts...but it just seemed more meaningful. 

So now I'm truly "running" the home stretch and am actually targeting a finish one full month ahead schedule, so long as my shin hangs in there. 

Today was not a record breaking day, or even noteworthy in the grand scheme of the past year.  It was merely a short run to stretch the legs as the diva slept in the car with my husband after a great afternoon of playing at the indoor playground in the mall. (whew...that was quite a sentence) It was a couple miles to cement my October achievement and to test my shin.

What was noteworthy about the run is that, in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, you can't take for granted those sunny days where running is easy....and you shouldn't discount the value of having a treadmill in the basement to provide moments of sanity when stuck inside (perhaps I should finally consider making the investment).  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  2.53
Time:   22:03 (average pace of 8:43 per mile)
Location:  Bay Head
Feeling:  my shin is a little painful, but bearable

Countdown and pain...

Tomorrow morning the diva and I leave for Florida.  It will be her first trip to Disney World - and first race period - and my third Disney race in the past two years.  Today is about putting miles on the log and not making my shin any worse than it already is.  Too bad that isn't really going to happen.

I knew the second I hit the pavement that this was going to be one painful run.  Not 100 meters in I was already feeling the pain radiating up my shin.  Why oh why?  I can't figure what I could have done to cause this.  Hmmm, or maybe its the shoes.  They are rather overworn at this point.  I've been meaning to buy a new pair for a while, but have just been lazy.  Running shoes should be changed out every 400-500 miles...these have more like 600 or so miles on them.  Or maybe my leg just can't bear the weight any longer?  Nah, I'm going with the shoes. 

Note to self - scour the race expo for a good sale on New Balance 1080v and just buy them.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.17
Time:   35:59 (average pace of 8:37 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  ouch...my shin hurts

A glutton for punishment...

Alright, I'm going to share a secret.  I'm not fantastic at taking a break when I need to.  What?  You already knew that?  Huh...I thought I hid it well.  Today was one of those days I needed to take it easy, but I'm racing this weekend in Florida, and I've not been putting in the number of miles I usually shoot for as a minimum.  So I laced up the shoes to head out for a lunch time run.

Washington is Washington.  The nanny brigade walks the children through the park for the afternoon fresh air, the dog walkers ply there trade throughout the side streets and the suits look important as the hurry toward whatever important meeting they have with important people.  And I just keep on running.

What's interesting about today, however, is not the scenery or the goings on around the Capitol, its the change in my physical condition.  My hamstring has bothered me, well, basically since college.  So when it is tight or screaming, it doesn't mean a whole lot except provide me with a reminder to replace the empty tube of Icy Hot (yes, I swear by that stuff...it should be in every gym bag).  That said, my hamstring actually feels decent today.  Instead I have intense pain radiating up my shin.  Shin splints?  Stress fracture?  Totally random?  Who knows.  All I know is I have no time for this and will just have to push through for the foreseeable future.

Minor injuries don't get me down, but I'll have to watch this one.  After all, the back injury a couple years ago that sidelined me for most of 2011 started out as just a minor injury.  I'm not about to go there again.  Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles:  4.03
Time:   34:09 (average pace of 8:28 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  my hamstring is okay, but I've got pain radiating up my shin