No More Rain

The weather has been a wee bit inconsistent the last week or so. From comfortable t-shirt weather to goulashes and gloves in a mere 48 hours. This means cold running gear has made its Fall debut!

Brief apparel anecdote- some essentials I can recommend from many inclement weather runs, include...

1) A beanie; I wear the UA movement beanie that is lined with a technical material that wicks moisture while the exterior keeps me warm and is soft. Doesn't appear that this model is still be available online, but this one is pretty close.

2) Gloves! I have an old pair of adidas running gloves that still do the trick. You don't necessarily need something over insulated as you do warm-up during workouts.

3) A Base Layer; On especially bitter morning runs, I make sure to wear a base layer top that fits tightly to my skin, providing additional insulation. The UA Inferno Hoodie might be a little flashy, especially with their new fall color waves, but it is extremely effective. The fit is tight, the neck is high, there are added thumb holes that trap in heat and a fabulous hood that give you that "speed skater look" but at least you are warm!

4) Spandex, leggings, compression tights; whatever you want to call them- they work. The UA ColdGear tight, featured here, is thicker than some of my tights but makes the difference in 40 degree temperatures.

Weather on Thursday and Friday were dismal and practice was nearly canceled. We were still able to get half the team out for a tough 3.5 mile tempo run Thursday and an easy 30-45 min on Friday. The cold, windy rain continued on into the weekend and didn't let up until Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, I somehow managed an 80 minute run, approx 11 miles. Made it to Druid Hill and the rain and wind picked up significantly. Made it around the reservoir twice, and headed back downtown; Rusty Scupper loop and back on Central. I was totally soaked but happy to have gotten the run out of the way.

Following an eventful farmer's market trip, ran about 4 miles; around the stadium loop and back through the harbor. Of course, the rain subsided as soon as I got home and changed into my comfy Sunday football watching gear.

Workout Summary:
Mon, 10/12- NOTHING!
Tues, 10/13- Track (4 miles)
Wed, 10/14- 30 min easy with XC team (4 miles)
Thurs, 10/15- 6x .6 mile loop w/ hill, tempo run with XC team (3.6 miles)
Fri, 10/16-35 min easy with XC team (4 miles)
Sat, 10/17- 80 min moderate pace (11 miles)
Sun, 10/18- 30 min moderate pace (4 miles)
31 miles

Workout Back tracking

Been a busy week overall...just getting back in gear after my vaycay. Since I started "running" again, my foot pain has become on again off again and is definitely a hindrance. Probably need to back off of the long runs this early on.

Workout: 7/14
AM Spin class @ DAC- Merritt
PM Swim, 4x400yard repeats- 2x400 w/pull buoy, 2x400 w/out

Wednesday's swim was great. Using the buoy and drilling a bit more really forces emphasis on my stroke and removes the variables of my erratic kicking. I tried to maintain the smooth strokes without the buoy and was more successful this time than previous. I decided I like the DAC pool more than some of the others, mostly because its shorter (20yds) and the water is shallow (3ft or so). Does shallow water make a difference when swimming? Maybe...

Workout: 7/15
AM short run w/ BOMF-McVet's group, 2 miles
PM run w/ Iggie's Running Club, approx 5 miles?

I felt really crappy the first 10 min of the run with the Iggie's group...my foot was clicking and shooting sporatic pains up the lateral side like it was doing before. Somehow after 10 minutes or so, it kinda subsided and I was able to finish the run. Subconsciously, I think I might be changing my form a bit to compensate but nothing else is subsequently hurting so I should be okay for now.

Workout: 7/16
Oh wait...I didn't do anything. Lazy day. I did cook dinner though. Pork tenderloin, wild rice and creamed spinach.

I can run!

So it's been a week or so since my cortisone shot and I feel great. I am not 100% yet but certainly am much more comfortable bearing weight on my ankle and RUNNING! I squeezed in a handful of 30 min jogs along the strand in Long Beach while I was there which was nice and flat, no variables for my ankle. I went on my longest run yet yesterday with the Fed Hill group;

Monday 7/13 workout:
35-40 min with the group
20 min on my own (commute to and from Fed Hill)

Trust me, I was lucky to be hitting 8 min pace- I was wary of any tweaks of the ankle not to mention it was hella hot. Either way, I was sooooo siked to be out there with my other runners again! Yay! Followed run with 30 min of lifting. Not very productive but figured I might as well hit the gym since I haven't in a while.

California Update

Me and a seal in Seal Beach.

Workout: 7/4
30 min "test" run

So I'm now in Long Beach, California for the week and am enjoying some down time with my mom. Arrived just in time for the 4th of July festivities, good food, good company and a decent display of fireworks from the Queen Mary on the beach. Made time for a 3o min run before the evening festivities. This was my first run after my cortisone shot administered 48 hours prior. Things were feeling better...until I ran. At this point, I have been told that the only option after the cortisone is to go in and scope. Whatever. If the MRI shows nothing, then there is nothing and I need to just suck it up and run. So that's what I did. After about 10 minutes or so, I have a couple steps in a row where the area under my ankle will send a sharp pang that resonates through my ankle. If I adjust my foot enough to the point where I am almost supnating then I am good. At least I still remember how to run? Oh and I am ridiculously sore from running; impact on my quads is much more significant than pool running...obviously.

Workout: 7/5
20 min SLOW morning jog
2,000yd swim @ JCC-Long Beach

Run was near painless, but last 5-7 minutes I had a couple jolts or so around my ankle. Immediately iced. Swim was blah. Shared a lane with a slightly older goober who splashed a lot but was a fairly strong swimmer. Finally had to swap out when another lane opened, I blame him for all the water I swallowed.

During my stay in LBC, I have the privilege of using the JCC as my training hub :) My mom works there so its super convenient and relatively free! There are group classes throughout the week that I plan on taking (spinning/yoga), not to mention a 25yd outdoor pool. Rumor has it, there is also a yoga facility in the immediate area that holds free classes throughout the week. I will be doing some investigating and hope to attend a class or two.

Projected athletically-inclined activities...

I plan on making an overnight trip to Santa Barbara tomorrow afternoon and may be so inclined to take a surfing lesson? We will see, I might just prefer a couple sun bathing intervals and body surfing.

On Wednesday, according to the LA Tri Club website, there is an Ocean speed circuit in the AM in Santa Monica. Supposedly there is usually a substantial turn out(over 100 participants) for these workouts which means I can blend in easily, that way no one can critique my inferior swimming skills. They set up a 500m out and back swim and a running portion so athletes can do swim/run intervals of sorts...we'll see if I can make it through more than one set. ha. Here's a gmap of the loop. Afterwards, we plan on making a stop at the new Triathlon Lab- Santa Monica location that opened this past Saturday.

That's all that's on the agenda thus far. If anyone can think of anything else I should do while I'm out here, sport related or not, lemme know! For now, just more pinkberry and lots of naps.

6/20: Baltimore 10 Miler

One of Baltimore's newest and largest races; the University of Maryland- Heart Center Baltimore 10 Miler will be taking place this Saturday in Druid Hill Park. Approximately 3,000 participants will run the rolling 10 mile course this weekend in Charm City. Last years top female finisher clocked a 67:42, just for frame of reference. Boy, I wish I was running this and I wish I was in SHAPE to run this- foiled by injury!

I plan on still being there to cheer on a couple friends and fellow Back on My Feet members. The residential members have progressed from running 1 mile with significant effort to training for a 10 miler! These runners have really stepped up their game. It's amazing to witness such significant development from runners who would never have classified themselves as runners 3 months ago.

I expect in the coming years that this race will continue to grow, especially when factoring in the stellar "Feel the Power" premium hoodie. Digging the logo which is an embroidered embellishment on the chest of the hoodie...very Maryland-esque.

Enjoy the races!

pics courtesy of Baltimore 10 miler