I had carbo-loading on the brain since Tessa booked our dinner reservation on Friday, and I thought I'd share this helpful page from Hal Higdon's website. I especially like what it says about hydration: "Don't bother to overhydrate; your body is like a sponge and can absorb just so much fluid."
Happy eating! :)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Two weeks!
Hey girls! What's happening? Long time no blog! :) I know we're all super busy--especially Tessa! Good luck on Tuesday! You can do it!!
Just thought I'd update y'all on what I've been up to. I missed the 12-mile run with my group last Saturday because Rob and I went to Highlands, NC, for the weekend. It was a great trip, but I was sad to miss the long run with my group. I did manage to run six miles last Saturday morning, and five miles on Sunday. Plus a hike on Saturday afternoon. So I wasn't a complete bum!
My training group is tapering because their race is on Thanksgiving. (Can you believe how quickly it has approached??) I had originally thought about running 10-12 miles on my own today, but I really didn't run alone. So I ran 8.7 miles with the group. I figured that would be fine...right?? I kept my intensity up and finished at a 10:05 pace. How did I manage that? That's faster than my fastest 10K pace! So I'm thinking that I can run faster than I think I can. LOL. Moral of the story, if I'm holding you back during the race, just run faster and I will follow. :)
On another topic, I e-mailed the race coordinators about having one of you pick up my race packet on Friday. They said that's fine if you have a copy of my ID and my registration confirmation. So, if you don't mind, I'll let y'all pick up my stuff so that we can go straight to dinner when I get into town (should be 7-8 pm). I'll give Toni and Tessa copies of my stuff next weekend.
Sounds like a lot of us have gotten new shoes lately! I had been fitted for shoes a few years ago, but I wanted to try out the "scientific" looking system that they use at a different local running store. It was time for new shoes anyway, so I went by Big Peach Running Company and checked it out. First, they have you stand on a pad that analyzes your arches. Mine are medium to low. So the salesperson made sure that the shoes she recommended didn't have high arches. Then they videotape your feet while you run on a treadmill. I overpronate, so she recommended three different pairs of shoes for me to try. I ended up with a pair of Mizunos (except they were green and way uglier than the ones in the picture!) They felt super comfortable when I ran around the block outside the store. Unfortunately, when I got home and took them on a longer run, they made the muscles along the outsides of my feet hurt. It was weird. Luckily, the running store let me exchange the shoes even after I had run outside in them. So I'm back to a new pair of my old standbys, Brooks Adrenaline.
That's about it for me. Hope y'all are doing well! Can't wait to see Toni and Tessa next weekend, and all of you in two weeks! Hugs from Atlanta!
Just thought I'd update y'all on what I've been up to. I missed the 12-mile run with my group last Saturday because Rob and I went to Highlands, NC, for the weekend. It was a great trip, but I was sad to miss the long run with my group. I did manage to run six miles last Saturday morning, and five miles on Sunday. Plus a hike on Saturday afternoon. So I wasn't a complete bum!
My training group is tapering because their race is on Thanksgiving. (Can you believe how quickly it has approached??) I had originally thought about running 10-12 miles on my own today, but I really didn't run alone. So I ran 8.7 miles with the group. I figured that would be fine...right?? I kept my intensity up and finished at a 10:05 pace. How did I manage that? That's faster than my fastest 10K pace! So I'm thinking that I can run faster than I think I can. LOL. Moral of the story, if I'm holding you back during the race, just run faster and I will follow. :)
On another topic, I e-mailed the race coordinators about having one of you pick up my race packet on Friday. They said that's fine if you have a copy of my ID and my registration confirmation. So, if you don't mind, I'll let y'all pick up my stuff so that we can go straight to dinner when I get into town (should be 7-8 pm). I'll give Toni and Tessa copies of my stuff next weekend.
Sounds like a lot of us have gotten new shoes lately! I had been fitted for shoes a few years ago, but I wanted to try out the "scientific" looking system that they use at a different local running store. It was time for new shoes anyway, so I went by Big Peach Running Company and checked it out. First, they have you stand on a pad that analyzes your arches. Mine are medium to low. So the salesperson made sure that the shoes she recommended didn't have high arches. Then they videotape your feet while you run on a treadmill. I overpronate, so she recommended three different pairs of shoes for me to try. I ended up with a pair of Mizunos (except they were green and way uglier than the ones in the picture!) They felt super comfortable when I ran around the block outside the store. Unfortunately, when I got home and took them on a longer run, they made the muscles along the outsides of my feet hurt. It was weird. Luckily, the running store let me exchange the shoes even after I had run outside in them. So I'm back to a new pair of my old standbys, Brooks Adrenaline.
That's about it for me. Hope y'all are doing well! Can't wait to see Toni and Tessa next weekend, and all of you in two weeks! Hugs from Atlanta!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Kick it up!
Dear friends, sorry I've been MIA as of late! I gave an exam on Monday, so I spent most of the weekend writing it, and Monday through yesterday grading. Now I'm bracing myself for hate mail from my students about their grades...
Anyway, thanks Jen for posting that picture! Man, we were soaked, and that was not sweat! The rain was absolutely POURING around mile 7. After we finished running, we were soaked and freezing and didn't bother to cool down or stretch. OOPS! I was feeling a little stiff on Sunday morning, but I was better by Monday. The run went pretty well, other than the rain! I'm thinking I should be able to keep up the same pace, or possibly slightly faster, for the half marathon since it will be flatter and I'll have you girls to motivate me :) Anyway, here's the race results--Jennifer and I got 16th and 17th in our age group! :)
Which brings me to the title of the post. Our running coach's motivational e-mail of the week told us that for our last four long runs, we should take it easy for most of the run but push the pace on the last two miles. I've been picking up my pace on my own in the last mile of my long runs (the last mile of my 10-miler was 9:43!), but two miles will be a bit tougher. Just wanted to share that with y'all in case you want to try it as well.
All of you have posted such great ideas about Memphis, t-shirts, etc. I'm going to comment on those posts individually.
Oh, and my mom was so excited to finally be able to post a comment to the blog! She's been reading all along and finally got the comment function to work. So, hi Mom! :)
One month til Memphis!! Can't wait!! :-D
Anyway, thanks Jen for posting that picture! Man, we were soaked, and that was not sweat! The rain was absolutely POURING around mile 7. After we finished running, we were soaked and freezing and didn't bother to cool down or stretch. OOPS! I was feeling a little stiff on Sunday morning, but I was better by Monday. The run went pretty well, other than the rain! I'm thinking I should be able to keep up the same pace, or possibly slightly faster, for the half marathon since it will be flatter and I'll have you girls to motivate me :) Anyway, here's the race results--Jennifer and I got 16th and 17th in our age group! :)
Which brings me to the title of the post. Our running coach's motivational e-mail of the week told us that for our last four long runs, we should take it easy for most of the run but push the pace on the last two miles. I've been picking up my pace on my own in the last mile of my long runs (the last mile of my 10-miler was 9:43!), but two miles will be a bit tougher. Just wanted to share that with y'all in case you want to try it as well.
All of you have posted such great ideas about Memphis, t-shirts, etc. I'm going to comment on those posts individually.
Oh, and my mom was so excited to finally be able to post a comment to the blog! She's been reading all along and finally got the comment function to work. So, hi Mom! :)
One month til Memphis!! Can't wait!! :-D
Monday, November 2, 2009
10 miles down....3.1 to go!
Hey girls!
Wow Toni - that's quite a list you've got there! All of the ideas you mentioned sound really fun, but we should probably decide a few of our top choices & go from there. I wish we could squeeze in everything, but we won't be in Memphis that long! I'll look at some of the links you posted & get back to you with my vote.
So the 10 mile race went well over the weekend. Allan, Annette & I all finished within a couple of minutes of each other.....1:46-1:48ish. We were happy with our times, considering the course had some hills & it started pouring the rain when we still had over 2 miles left. After doing this race, I feel like I'm better prepared for 13 miles than I thought. I was nervous that I'd have to walk, or that I wouldn't be able to imagine running more! Annette shared her Shot Bloks with me, and there were built-in water stops along the way. As it turns out, I'll be in Atl on the day of the Atlanta 1/2 & marathon that Annette's registered for. It's on Turkey Day. I was thinking that since I'll need to run a long run anyways, maybe I'll go out & try to follow all/some of the course after the race at some point in the weekend. Too bad I won't be able to join the rest of you in Fairmont for a run the week before our race.
My running injuries seem to be healing pretty well. My hands are finally scabbing over & they are very itchy. I think my knee will still take some time, but it's on the mend too. How about all of your running aches & pains? Any progress? Tessa - I saw on FB that you're having a foot problem. I hope you're feeling better.
Well, I don't really have too many other updates. I can't believe that it's already November & we're only a month away from the big race. I'm really looking forward to our trip to Memphis!!
Memphis Attractions
Hello friends!
So, I went to AAA and picked up a Memphis guidebook in anticipation of our weekend fun!!
A couple of things that peaked my interest were:
1. Beale Street Historic District- I think our run will be going through this area as well as the post- 1/2 marathon party!
2. National Civil Rights Museum - It's located at the Lorraine Motel which was the site of Martin Luther King Jr's assassination http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/home.htm
3. The Peabody Memphis- I think it's a hotel that has the famous march of the "Peabody ducks" each day at 11am and 5pm. http://www.peabodymemphis.com/
4. Graceland- Elvis Presley's home-- It definitely costs money to tour his home and grounds, but they also have special decorations up for Christmas which I think would look beautiful...http://winter.elvis.com/events/
There are plenty of other sites in Memphis: Brooks Museum of Art, Zoo, Rock 'n' Soul Museum, etc... but I'm not sure how much we can fit in during a weekend...especially with a 13.1 mile race that's on our schedule! :)
Speaking of mileage...how did the 10 mile race go this weekend, Jenn and Annette? I was thinking you! We had guests over the weekend, and I never got my 9 mile run in! Ugh!! It's so hard to get motivated and run that far by yourself. We'll see what I get in today. Tessa, how is your foot feeling?...I hope you've been resting it!!!
Have a great week! Just about a month left!!
So, I went to AAA and picked up a Memphis guidebook in anticipation of our weekend fun!!
A couple of things that peaked my interest were:
1. Beale Street Historic District- I think our run will be going through this area as well as the post- 1/2 marathon party!
2. National Civil Rights Museum - It's located at the Lorraine Motel which was the site of Martin Luther King Jr's assassination http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/home.htm
3. The Peabody Memphis- I think it's a hotel that has the famous march of the "Peabody ducks" each day at 11am and 5pm. http://www.peabodymemphis.com/
4. Graceland- Elvis Presley's home-- It definitely costs money to tour his home and grounds, but they also have special decorations up for Christmas which I think would look beautiful...http://winter.elvis.com/events/
There are plenty of other sites in Memphis: Brooks Museum of Art, Zoo, Rock 'n' Soul Museum, etc... but I'm not sure how much we can fit in during a weekend...especially with a 13.1 mile race that's on our schedule! :)
Speaking of mileage...how did the 10 mile race go this weekend, Jenn and Annette? I was thinking you! We had guests over the weekend, and I never got my 9 mile run in! Ugh!! It's so hard to get motivated and run that far by yourself. We'll see what I get in today. Tessa, how is your foot feeling?...I hope you've been resting it!!!
Have a great week! Just about a month left!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Running Banana
Hey gals, just wanted to let you know about a website I found called runningbanana.com. You can custom design technical t-shirts, and there's no minimum number of shirts you have to order. It looks like the shirts are a little pricey (around $35) but I was thinking that we'd better get on it if we want to make t-shirts for the race! They also have cute premade designs if we aren't feeling creative. Click the "Girl Power" icon under the "Shop" tab...I think "This Chick Can Fly!" is cute :)
Of course, if you want to go the cheap route, I'm all for making our own t-shirts too. Let me know what you think!
Of course, if you want to go the cheap route, I'm all for making our own t-shirts too. Let me know what you think!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wipe out!
Hey gals,
Well, Allan was here this weekend, and we had full intentions of running 8 miles. There's this 4 mile loop that I've done before a couple of times, and I was planning to run it twice. Well, about 3.5 miles into the run....I totally wiped out, when I was stepping up from the road to a curb (these granite curbs are no joke around here). So I have some battle wounds....the palms of both of my hands & my knee took a pretty bad hit. So uhhh yeah, that run ended early due to my injury & I've been doctoring up my hands & knee with hydrogen peroxide, neosporin & lots of bandages...what a pain!
So hopefully I'll be able to run a couple times between now & Saturday...when I'll be running 10 miles with Annette. I hope I'm not too slow, since I've probably only run 7 miles at most EVER. Hmmmm.
Valerie posted on my wall yesterday:
"Hey! Are you all still going to Memphis? I am planning to go down that weekend. I am not going to officially run the race, but I'll wear my running clothes in hope I can keep you company for a portion."
How were your long runs this weekend? Less than 6 weeks away.....whoa, baby!
Talk soon,
Jen
Well, Allan was here this weekend, and we had full intentions of running 8 miles. There's this 4 mile loop that I've done before a couple of times, and I was planning to run it twice. Well, about 3.5 miles into the run....I totally wiped out, when I was stepping up from the road to a curb (these granite curbs are no joke around here). So I have some battle wounds....the palms of both of my hands & my knee took a pretty bad hit. So uhhh yeah, that run ended early due to my injury & I've been doctoring up my hands & knee with hydrogen peroxide, neosporin & lots of bandages...what a pain!
So hopefully I'll be able to run a couple times between now & Saturday...when I'll be running 10 miles with Annette. I hope I'm not too slow, since I've probably only run 7 miles at most EVER. Hmmmm.
Valerie posted on my wall yesterday:
"Hey! Are you all still going to Memphis? I am planning to go down that weekend. I am not going to officially run the race, but I'll wear my running clothes in hope I can keep you company for a portion."
How were your long runs this weekend? Less than 6 weeks away.....whoa, baby!
Talk soon,
Jen
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