8.19.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 22

Eight. Weeks. Left.

Week 21's long run was pushed until Monday, plus a little extra cardio for good measure. Since I'm relegated to running twice weekly, I opted to go to a spin class after my long run to really tire out my legs. It worked and somehow I unknowingly signed up for the hardest spin class known to man, full of sprint intervals and climbing sprints.

The eight miles felt better than I anticipated. Knowing I'd be annoyed, tired and not wanting to run long on a work day, I changed my scenery and ran through town, stopping to grab a few miles on the track to focus on form and keeping my knee in the right spot. At my PT session last week, the Doc noticed I stand/run/walk/move with my right foot/leg kicked slightly to the right, instead of pointing straight ahead. She blamed most of my current injury on poor mechanics (super) and said I could probably fix it if I paid attention to my form and practiced running on straight lines. The track provided a welcomed distraction from running through town with hills (...so, so many hills), blown out sidewalks, tree roots, traffic, rocks and a multitude of other hazards. The first few miles were annoying, but by mile three everything fell into place for a comfortable last five miles.

Saturday I got up and out for my week 22 long run before it got too warm. This was another run I took to the city (albeit a different one) to help the miles tick away "faster". In 10miles I took a tour of old tree lined streets and 19th century mansions, watched racehorses during their warm up, window shopped in town and used the public library as spot to refill my water. At the beginning of the run I wasn't into it, but I seemed to fall into a good rhythm around mile four that carried my legs through the end and I was free to enjoy my surroundings.

Running twice a week seems to have had a positive impact on my mental game. I'm not sure if it's because I'm looking forward to long runs more because I'm running fewer times weekly, or because I've abandoned "the plan" and the need to have my excel training log mirror the prescribed workouts. Whatever it is, I'm glad my mood has shifted and I'm learning to love the long run.


   

Monday: 8mi; 60min spin; 45min total body
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: rest
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 60min spin; strength training; stretching 
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: 3.55mi
                scheduled - 7mi  
Friday: PT strength training
                scheduled - 4mi  
Saturday: 10.15mi
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest
                scheduled - 15mi

Weekly mileage: 21.70mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 24mi

8.14.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 21

still hanging on my wall.
Back at it. I didn't get a long run in this weekend because Saturday was a fake rest day. I had tickets to the PGA championship and spent the day in the sun schlepping around the golf course following Jason Dufner and Jim Furyk. While it wasn't a run, I was wearing running kicks and probably walked more than 5miles (uphill both ways, of course). After my fake rest day, I needed wanted an actual rest day, so I spent Sunday doing the exact opposite of working out: watching TV and napping.

I promise long run will happen on Monday.

This week also marked the one year anniversary of the great fracture of 2012. Just sayin. 

Monday: 60min spin; 45min total body
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: 60min spin
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 3mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: rest
                scheduled - 7mi  
Friday: PT strength training
                scheduled - 4mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest
                scheduled - 10mi

Weekly mileage: 3mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 24mi

8.06.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 20

Ten weeks left.

My faith was restored after a 5mi long run on Saturday. Unsatisfied with the advice from doctor #1, I went back to my sports medicine orthopedist who said "Of course you can run. Just keep it to twice a week and dont be an idiot." After I stopped clapping, I grabbed my physical therapy script and was on my way (I should also mention that he said if my pain was beyond a 5 on a scale of 1-10 I should stop; obviously my pain will never exceed a 5).

Que some more crackle/snap/pop of my knee as my PT moved my leg around during an eval. Apparently the symphony in my knee is because my right VMO is underdeveloped (read: it isn't doing anything but taking up space). That's unfortunate because while it's just hanging out as the useless quad muscle, my knee cap is moving anywhere it wants without anything to stop it and the other muscles in my leg are working overtime to keep everything in check - hence the pain in my knee, IT band and hamstrings.  and she hooked me up to a e-stim machine and cranked up the voltage to make my VMO twitch and respond while I did pilates style lifts for 15minutes, followed by a tear inducing aided stretch of my IT band and hamstring. Yikes.

a little electrical current to the muscle
really gets your blood pumping.
Then there was homework. More pilates lifting ("to fatigue", to be exact) and get crazy with the stretching. 

My PT agreed that running twice a week is the best way to go at this point, so I jetted out the door on Saturday for a 5mi run that restored my faith. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, I was actually moving. All wins. I was sore Sunday (but in a good way) and opted to skip spin for a 2.5mi walk around the park, starting with shopping at the farmers market and ending with lunch at the farmers market.

Another plus, all (minus the first doctor who clearly hates athletic endeavors is very cautious) of my medical entourage thinks I'll be able to make it to the start this year, and barring anything ridiculous, be able to finish. I'll count it as a victory over marathon 2012.

For my next trick? Condense 14 weeks of marathon training into 10 weeks following a 4 week no-running streak. Go.

Monday: 1 mi; 30min total body
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: 60min spin
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: rest
                scheduled - 6mi  
Friday: PT strength training
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: 5mi
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: 2.5mi walk
                scheduled - 13mi

Weekly mileage: 6mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 25mi

8.04.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 19

Thank god the spin studio doesn't judge me when I hobble in, fail to stand for the climbs and sport my knee brace the entire class. Side note: I really don't recommend doing an entire spin class seated.

I'm trying not to focus solely too much on my missed miles. This is my fourth consecutive week of posting zero in the mileage column.
remember me?


Monday: rest
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: 60min spin
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: 30min spin; 30min total body strength
                scheduled - 6mi  
Friday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: 60min spin
                scheduled - 12mi

Weekly mileage: 0mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 24mi

8.02.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 18

Finally. Activity other than walking the two blocks to my office. This week I realized my disdain for the elliptical - again. Doctors continue to suggest that as an acceptable replacement training tool. Sorry doc, I know you went to school for an uber long time and while I value your professional opinion, you're wrong.

After mustering 35minutes I quit and opted to pedal. And then sat around some more.

At least it's not this:
summer 2012. accessory of the year.

Monday: rest
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: rest
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 35min elliptical; 20min recumbent bike
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: rest
                scheduled - 5mi  
Friday: 60min spin
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest
                scheduled - 7mi

Weekly mileage: 0mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 18mi

8.01.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 17

Rest rest rest. What do you so when all you training time is now unoccupied?

Easy answer: enjoy summer. Yes. However, it rained more in upstate NY in June and July than it does in Seattle (true story).
[source]
So in lieu of training. This is what's been happening:

I've been sampling Oatmeal Stout on the couch, 
missed the coaster...I know.

watching Marley meticulously carry his bone around the house as if it was his child,  

ice and compress as if I was active, 


craft outdoor flower vases from mason jars, 
note: this looks cute for a week, then the flowers die and
you have to do something about it. #notmaintenancefree


hanging out with his crazy ass and his squeaky dragon, 


enjoying local craft brews in St. Patrick Day delights on the porch,  



and when I've run out of fun on a Saturday, I take advice written on wooden plaques. 



Monday: rest
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: rest
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: rest
                scheduled - 5mi  
Friday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest - on Boilermaker Sunday :(
                scheduled - 10mi

Weekly mileage: 0mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 21mi

7.31.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 16

So remember way back when, when I was having...concerns blind fear about finishing the Warrior Dash? Well, it was, indeed the epic fail I nervously anticipated. Thankfully I didn't have to need the medics at the Dash, but my injured ass didn't even make it to the start coral.
photo cred: ME. because I was standing with a camera and
backpack of post-race crap for my 2 favorite warriors.

After a lovely 15th week of  MoHud2013 training was complete, I started week 16 with a rest day followed by an easy 3mi treadmill jaunt. It was raining (hence the treadmill) but all was well and I enjoyed a quick, pain free three miles watching Arrested Development. Then I decided to meet my mom for quesadillas, stepped up the tiny, minuscule, less than 6 inches step into the restaurant and felt a weird snap/pop/rip/tear/overalldisgustingsensation in my right knee.

Great. Not thinking anything of it, I took a Tylenol with my quesadilla and enjoyed. 

Blah blah blah, by the time I got home my knee was swollen, hot to the touch and I couldn't walk on it. Terrified, I hobbled to my orthopedist's office and his colleague diagnosed me with ITB syndrome (seriously, I've been foam rolling like a boss and even got a Tiger Tail) and patellofemoral syndrome. He also suspected my kneecap was tracking the wrong way when I ran (gross), told me "now is probably not the right time to continue training". Fail. 

Before I left, I got another orthopedic accessory and (more) advice to cool it with the marathon training for another year (obviously unacceptable - this is the part I stopped listening).

I followed his advice and did NOTHING for the rest of the week. Lesson: don't go for quesadillas during a marathon training cycle?

Monday: rest
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: 3mi
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: rest
                scheduled - 4mi  
Friday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest
                scheduled - 9mi

Weekly mileage: 3mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 19mi

7.29.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 15

...Oops. Meant to post this bad boy 7/1...again, awful blogging skills. I get it. 


Halfway! Week 15 is when normal people prepping for a Columbus Day weekend marathon would begin their plans. Not me. I opted for the 30 week venture in hopes of not breaking any bones. There are theories for and against this. Some people say that building mileage too quickly (like in a shorter plan) can contribute to injuries, whereas others believe that training with an extended plan could cause injury. Clearly the shorter plan didn't workout so well last year, when at week xx ran a half marathon on a broken leg and was benched the rest of the season...oops.

This week was a bit of a drop back in mileage, which I was grateful for after my 7mi of misery last week.


Monday: leg strength work
                scheduled - cross
Tuesday: 3mi
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 4.25mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: 60min spin
                scheduled - 4mi  
Friday: rest
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: 3.25mi
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: 5mi
                scheduled - 5mi

Weekly mileage: 15.50mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 15mi

6.24.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 14

After my realization that Boilermaker 2013 is quickly approaching I started to get serious again. Unfortunately this is exactly when BCC ended... so I have two weeks of forcing myself to do strength work on my own as an injury prevention attempt.  So far I'm failing miserably and re-upped my spin studio membership so I can take advantage of their total body classes and enjoy a little time on the (stationary) bike. 

Long run Saturday was completely miserable and I was completely bummed. After a (dare I say) fun 8 miler a few weeks ago, I thought 7 would be a cake walk. R met me on the path after his 15mi ride so he could listen as I complained about everything, including the bugs, blisters, a ridiculous antiques fair that ran through the entire bike path (yes - the entire thing - cars on one side, booths on the other, gobs of people on the path), the ridiculous antique fair attendees that refused to yeild the right of way for people using the path for it's intended purpose, the sun, the lack of sun, hissing geese, bugs...more bugs... Yuck. 

Monday: rest
                scheduled - 30min walk
Tuesday: 60min spin; 2mi
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 3.5mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: 4mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Friday: arms & legs strength training
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: 7mi
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest
                scheduled - 7mi

Weekly mileage: 16.5mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 16mi

6.21.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 13

I used this week as my easy running week since I completely messed up my calendar thus far. Scheduled was two back to back 6mi long runs, but I turned those into a 6.25mi followed by an 8mi. Saturday was a fun 5K where I accompanied Q to her first ever (!!!) race. Unfortunately I didn't think about it when we signed up, but there was not chip timing at the event, so her recorded clock time was slower than her actual time by about 30 seconds. Boo. I'm pretty sure she had enough fun picking people to successfully pass the whole race that she'll be back for more. 

Totally forgot until now - but way back when I signed up for Boilermaker 2013...which is in 22 days...yikes!  

Monday: 60min BCC; .5mi
                scheduled - 30min walk
Tuesday: 3mi
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 60min BCC (arms); 1mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: 3mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Friday: 60mins BCC (cardio)
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: 3.1mi 
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest
                scheduled - 6mi

Weekly mileage: 10.60mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 15mi

6.12.2013

warrior dash or epic fail?

Someday last winter I was clearly bored, clearly thought my athletic abilities in July would be outstanding and apparently had $50 burning a hole in my pocket. I found myself joining my sister and signing up for Warrior Dash before the next price increase and convincing R to do the same. I should have thought twice when I read "obstacle course".

no one looks like they're having fun
[source]
Like any race, took a look at the course to start to mentally prepare myself. First of all, it's up a mountain (like a super popular ski resort kind of mountain). Secondly, it's not just running in some mud. There are all of these ridiculous obstacles that I'm planning on skipping to ensure I don't bust an ankle. I'm convinced that the sole purpose of this race it to sideline people while caking them with mud. Here's what I will be attempting: 
deadweight drifter. wtf do you do with that?
[source]

  • muddy mayhem: looks like a gross mud pit.
  • warrior roast: running over fire (see above).
  • cliff hanger: some semblance of thin, tiny ropes to aid you in getting up and over a large wall
  • trenches: exactly what you're thinking - with barbed wire on top.
  • barricade breakdown: more barbed wire - I think you're supposed to hop over the barricade, then quickly hit the ground to crawl under the wire...that's going to be my strategy.
  • cargo climb: flashback to 6th grade gym class - I probably don't have any more upper body strength now than I did then.
  • great warrior wall: get your ass over a huge (7 or 8 feet maybe?) wall...right.
  • giant cliffhanger: another wall, this time on an angled incline with ropes to help you pull yourself along.
  • deadweight drifter: I have no idea.
  • hard rain: some kind of mud filled sprinkler attacks you as you try to climb something that resembles a ladder.
  • leaders ledge: think balance beam.
  • mortimers crossing: rope bridge across a body of water.
  • mud mounds: a hill full of mud...it looks like you slide down it. My question is, why don't you just walk?
  • petrifying plunge: a muddy slide down a tarp.
  • road rage: run over some random cars, then high knee it through a vast display of tires.
  • storming normandy: more barbed wire.
  • vicious valley: more angled wall climbing, this time in succession.  
sweet baby ray, is that fire?
[source]
 Yep... paid $50 for that. I'll be taping my ankles beyond recognition (hellloooooo cankles) and I might be the only participant in protective clothing.

 

6.10.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 12

I'm remembering what training feels like! This week was a running favorite (minus treadmill Thursday - Mother Nature didn't get the memo that summer in the northeast calls for sunshine, not torential downpours 4-6 days out of the week). Wednesday I took to the trails (and decided purchasing trail shoes is a must) with a newbie runner who was antsy to practice her trail running skills pre-Warrior Dash (...more on that later). We definitely added minutes to our time by finding a "trail" (not actually a trail, but a small clearing that sort of looked like a trail...kind of...not really), crossing a rickety bridge to get over a muddy creek and changing our route to avoid stallion like wild dogs pets on the trail.
some serious walk breaks on our trail run.

Sunday I planned to do an 8 mile race, but I was up and at 'em early and didn't want to wait until the burn lay by the pool all day. So I went out alone, still did 8 miles, had pretty consecutive splits (with mile 8 being my fastest) and finished the entire run 40minutes after the race would have started. Home just in time to sunburn lay by the pool all day.

In the spirit of not over doing it, I'm dialing it back next week. Long run Sunday will actually be a 5k race on Saturday.


Monday: 60min BCC (lower body); .75mi
                scheduled - 30min walk
Tuesday: 3mi
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday (National Running Day!): 60min BCC (arms); 3.1mi (trail)
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: 3mi (treadmill)
                scheduled - 3mi  
Friday: 60mins BCC (cardio)
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: 8mi
                scheduled - 6mi

Weekly mileage: 17.85mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 15mi

6.03.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 11

The plan was to follow the plan, but somehow I've been incredibly successful at not following the plan. After the epic failure that was last week, I tried to get myself back on track. I missed one run, but attempted to up the miles the rest of the week. Sunday I went for my first "real" long runs of the season!
back in action for 2013.

By "real" long run I mean:
  • it was on a Sunday
  • I had to drive to a trail instead of aimlessly wandering the neighborhood
  • I worried about how much sunscreen I'd need
  • I "fueled" pre-run (ahem - ate a PBJ bagel for breakfast)
It was a balmy 85 degrees in the shade, so I even busted out the hydration belt for good measure. Although I
picked a seemingly shady out and back trail by the river, the unseasonably warm early June weather won out and I felt like I was melting into the pavement beneath my feet. Despite the heat and a few miserable miles, it was fun to be back on the trail I had spent to many miles on last year. I even passed the 2013 marathon training group cohort (heading back...not out, like me...this girl slept in on Sunday).


Monday: rest
                scheduled - 30min walk
Tuesday: 60min BCC (lower body); 1mi
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 60min BCC (arms)
                scheduled - 3mi  
Thursday: 3.50mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Friday: 60mins BCC (cardio); 3.75mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: 6.25mi
                scheduled - 3mi

Weekly mileage: 14.50mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 12mi

5.30.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 10

Ten weeks in. Twenty more to go. 

Big fail this week. Instead of the scheduled 5.5mi on Sunday, I opted to skip it because it was cold out (as if I've never run in the northeast in the winter) and do the run on Monday (we also opted to skip the duathlon relay because of the weather too...). Great plan. Fastforward to Sunday night and you could find me on the dance floor reenacting senior prom at a  fabulous wedding. The only moving that took place on Monday was from the walk from my bed to the couch, where I sat with the dog for the duration of the day. I'm vaguely remembering the days of last summer when I was in bed early for long run Sunday and actually being excited about it.

I'm crossing my fingers for any ounce of motivation in week eleven. Yikes.



Monday: 60min BCC (arms)
                scheduled - 55min walk
Tuesday: 4.5mi (track workout, 400x10)
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 60min BCC (lower body)
                scheduled - 2mi  
Thursday: 2mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Friday: 60mins BCC (cardio)
                scheduled - 2.5mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: rest bad dancing
                scheduled - 5.5mi

Weekly mileage: 6.5mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 13mi

5.20.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 9

...you know it's summer when...
you're scheduled for more than 1 race per week.

To preface: when I say "race" what I really mean is a run with 100+ people I may or may not know, while wearing a bib, maybe a timing chip and pretty much sticking to the same course. Clearly I'm not out to fight for a spot in Rio 2016.

Last week was a reminder of when I loathed running because it made my whole self hurt (thanks knees, calves, feet and the rest of my aging body). Thankfully I was signed up for two races so I used those for training runs and was actually excited to lace up.

Thursday was a 3.5mi race and Sunday was a fun 5k for a great cause. This was my third start for each of the races. Last year, these races started the season  and were two of the few races I actually got to do (note to self: do not sign up for your entire season of runs all at once in April or May - if you hurt yourself in, say, August, you're out a bunch of money).

Thursday was warm, windy, sunny and fabulous for running. I PRed the distance and the course over my previous two attempts. Sunday was freezing less nice, but it ended with a stop at my favorite food truck for an early morning slider, so it wasn't all bad. I PRed the course and took a minute of my time from last year.

There may or may not be a duathlon relay in my future for next weekend. Yikes.

Monday: 60min BCC (arms)
                scheduled - 30min walk
Tuesday: 60min spin w/ abs
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 60min BCC (lower body), 2mi
                scheduled - 2mi  
Thursday: 3.5mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Friday: 60min BCC (cardio); 2.5mi (speed work)
                scheduled - 2.5mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: 3.1mi
                scheduled - 3mi

Weekly mileage: 11.4mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 10.5mi

5.15.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 8

Eight weeks deep. Bootcamp is back. After a 2+ week hiatus, it has returned with a vengeance and set up shop outdoors this time. The asphalt pavement feels really awesome on my knees, I'm loving all of the jumping. Saturday was supposed to be my reentry into hiking, but it rained so we decided to reschedule and I went shopping instead. I skipped one training run, took three rest days and ate a bunch of froyo - but had a stellar week in terms of shoe acquisition.
for the hike that wasn't.
how do you pass up wedges for $30?
trying to go back to my NB roots.



Monday: 60min BCC (arms); 60min spin 
                scheduled - 50min walk 
Tuesday: rest
               scheduled - rest 
Wednesday: 60min BCC (lower body); 2mi
               scheduled - 2mi   
Thursday: rest
               scheduled - 3mi   
Friday: 60min BCC (cardio); 1.7mi speed work
               scheduled - 2mi   
Saturday: rest
               scheduled - rest   
Sunday: 5.1mi
              scheduled - 5mi
 
Weekly mileage: 8.80mi 
Scheduled weekly mileage: 12mi

5.06.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 7

Week seven is over with some milestones: my first 1.1mi this week marked my completion of Run 26.2 for Boston, I broke 100mi for the year this week and had my first actual (more than 4 miles) long run. Not quite a milestone, but I also broke out the sunscreen for all my runs this week - hellloooo Mr. Golden Sunshine! Following my 5k last Sunday, my left leg felt weird. I couldn't tell if it was weird where I broke it, or just weird because I was tired. As a safety measure I did my two spin classes mostly in the saddle (if you've never tried this - don't, it sucks) and had an easy run on Wednesday to see how I was feeling. Whatever it was went away with rest and foam rolling and my long run in the sun felt fantastic, despite a hydration fail (if a town park is open in May the water should be turned on and the bathrooms should be unlocked - am I right?).
love.
[source]
Monday: 60min spin
                scheduled - 30min walk
Tuesday: 60min spin w/ abs
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 2mi
                scheduled - 2mi  
Thursday:3.15mi (hills)
                scheduled - 3mi  
Friday: rest
                scheduled - 2mi  
Saturday: 5.35mi
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: 2mi (speedwork)
                scheduled - 3mi

Weekly mileage: 12.5mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 10mi

4.30.2013

recap :: MoHud2013 week 6

Sunday was my first 5k since the great fracture of 2012. I was just happy to be there, happy to sport a bib and timing chip and happy for the orange slices that were waiting for me at the end. I had no plan but to take it easy and would have been very happy with anything under 30mins as my first go at it, so I was pumped when I crossed the line and saw "28" as the first number. I made a concerted effort not to check my Garmin throughout the race and strategically picked runners ahead of me that I would eventually move ahead of. My internal dialogue sounded like this: 

"grey shirt guy, I'll get him on the hill. He doesn't look like he's made for hills. Grey shirt guy is slowing down... move."

"I see you, pink shoe laces. I'm coming for you. Slow down pink shoe laces, slow. it. down."

At mile two, I passed the marker but didn't hear my Garmin beep (probably because Britney Spears Jay-Z were blaring in my headphones). I took this as a sign to check my stats begrudgingly looked down to make sure the sign wasn't lying to me (because most race directors set out to trick you) and saw 18mins and change displayed on my watch, got a little excited and also a little tired. My training runs have been between 10:40 and 9:22 per mile, so I thought I'd replicate that effort on the course, but ended up picking it up a bit. My last mile was 8:58 (weee! broke into the 8s!!). Of course once I realized I was going faster than usual, I got incredibly tired and wanted a walk break. But everyone knows you look like a quitter when you take a walk break and there was a 70+ year old man ahead of me that clearly wasn't into walk breaks, so I stopped whining and continued on for ~9 more minutes. Chip time at the end was 28:30 (only 15 seconds slower than my 5k PR), I started my Garmin when I crossed the start and it reported 28:21.

sweet, new, colorful babies.
After the magic of race #1 in 2013 I retreated home to try 1.5mi in my old-because-they've-been-sitting-in-a-box-but-new-because-I've-only-worn-them-for-a-mile Mizunos. Huge mistake. Maybe not if I had hit the road a few minutes after the race, but over an hour after was a bad idea. The only plus of the painful, lactic acid filled run was that my shoes looked fab. 

Monday: 60min spin; 45min total body
                scheduled - 45min walk
Tuesday: rest
                scheduled - rest
Wednesday: 3mi (1.5mi on the trail)
                scheduled - 2mi  
Thursday: 2mi
                scheduled - 3mi  
Friday: 2.25mi (fartleks)
                scheduled - 2mi  
Saturday: rest
                scheduled - rest  
Sunday: 4.65mi
                scheduled - 4.5mi

Weekly mileage: 12.40mi
Scheduled weekly mileage: 11.5mi