Erg

Distance 3 miles
Time 30:06

Final run before Sunday's 7-miler. I feel like I may be coming down with something, but I'm trying to convince myself it's just allergies. In spite of feeling sort of crappy, today's run felt surprisingly great. Have a great weekend!

April Showers

Distance 5 miles
Time 51:52

Another run at the gym thanks to the apparent monsoon that hit Philadelphia this week. Hopefully, I'll be able to run outside Friday. Still not sure about the orthotics.

3 Weeks to Go

Distance 4 miles

Time 40:49

After weeks of adjustments, shoe shopping, and more adjustments, I ran for the first time in my insanely expensive custom orthotics today. The left one felt great, but the right felt sort of unstable, like my shoe was a little too big. I'm hoping I can improve the fit through creative lacing and sock-wearing, but if not, it'll mean another trip to Temple Foot & Ankle Institute.

After the run, Todd and I had brunch at Dos Segundos, followed by a nice walk home and a nap on the couch. Can't ask for a much better Sunday.

Happy Easter to those that celebrate - and Happy Sunday to everyone else!

Cross Training

Distance Who the hell knows?

Time 1:30:00

I am generally pretty lax about cross training, unless you count yoga. It's all I can do to get up at an ungodly hour to run a few times a week - getting up at an ungodly hour to lift weights or hop on the elliptical machine just isn't happening. But my friend and coworker James invited a few of us to a spinning class at his gym, so I decided to go see what all the fuss is about.

Apparently, spinners like pain and a lot of it. After 45 minutes of listening to an incredibly fit, incredibly energetic woman command us to speed up, stand up, sit down, increase the tension, and "climb hills," the rest of the class was still cheering and occasionally pumping their fists in the air. I was trying to keep from falling off my bike. Spinning is hard. So hard that when the instructor invited us to a 30-minute "Abs & Bands" class afterwards, I lacked the energy to say no.

Prediction: no running on Broad - or anywhere else - for this broad tomorrow morning.

Stepback

Distance 3 miles
Time 30:17

It was 39° and windy this morning, so being the wuss that I am, I did my run at the gym. I felt a little guilty leaving Todd to run outside on his own, but I got over it.

This is a stepback week, which a lot of trainers recommend to enable runners to rest and reserve strength for upcoming weeks with longer runs. Next week, it's back to increasing the mileage, so I'm enjoying the short runs while I can.

4 Weeks to Go

Distance 6 miles

Time 1:07:42

Perfect sunny day for the longest run I've done in a year and a half. The only downside was that half the city seemed to think so, too. In addition to a crew tournament and a bicycle race, there were hundreds of runner, bikers, rollerbladers, and walkers out enjoying the sunshine. I actually love to see so many folks outside being active, but it made for some dodge-and-weave running.

H and I ran together again, and it was his first 6-miler ever. He's been struggling with some shin pain, and being a chronic shin splint sufferer myself, I know how tough it can be. He was a complete rockstar, running the entire distance and keeping up conversation with me the whole time. I'm really proud of him, and I can't wait to run the BSR together.

I got hit by a serious case of the sleepies on the car ride home, and by the time I got in the door, I was so exhausted that I told Todd to shower first so I could take a quick nap. On the floor. In my running clothes.

I seriously considered calling it a night after my shower, but I was roused by the promise of Turkish food from S&H Kebab House. I replenished my calorie reserves with some shepherd salad, döner kebap, and a perfect piece baklava. If you're in the Philadelphia area, I highly recommend S&H.

The Rainbow Connection

Distance 3 miles

Time 30:12

Ran at the gym (boo!) after work thanks to unpredictable thunderstorms all day. And I drank half a beer beforehand at my boss' 50th birthday celebration, so my hopes weren't particularly high for this run. Turns out it was great. And I saw a rainbow on my way to the gym - a big, full arc. Awesome.

Maybe there's something to the drinking/running combo. These guys seem to dig it.

April Fool

Distance 4 miles
Time 43:03

Slow, leisurely run to welcome April. Now that the weekday runs are getting longer, I need to get up earlier to get them in. I fell asleep on the bus ride to work today. At least I didn't drool on the person sitting next to me.

5 Weeks to Go

Distance 5 miles
Time 53:55

Frigging gorgeous day for my first 5-miler in over a year. I was supposed to run with my brother again, but he's not feeling well, so I went it alone. Kelly Drive was insane with another crew competition, but I overheard someone say that there are only two weeks left in the season. Sweet!

5 miles was a really important turning point for me the last time I did the Broad Street Run. Something about reaching the halfway point makes you believe you'll actually be able to do the whole thing. I'm definitely feeling optimistic about finishing, though I'm not so sure about doing it in < 10 minute miles like I hoped. I guess we'll see.

Early

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 31.37 minutes

Short and sweet. Even though it's my final day off of work this week, I still got up at 5:30 to head out to Kelly Drive with Todd. I like that guy.

Treadmill

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 41.38

I have a few days off work, so I didn't have to get up at 5:30 to run today. It wasn't my easiest run ever, and I couldn't say much for the scenery, but I beat my last 4-mile time by over a minute. I'll take it.

6 Weeks to Go

Distance: 2 miles

Time: 20 minutes

Went running with my brother H today. It was the first time I've had a running partner in over a year, and it was awesome. H is training for Broad Street, too, so I'll hopefully get to do a few more training runs with him. I'm a little worried about the jump to 4 miles on Wednesday, but Hal's training plan has never let me down before. Here's hoping.

Mornin'

Distance: 2 miles

Time: 19.02 minutes

Short, quick (by my standards, anyway) run. Felt great. Ready for spring.

7 Weeks to Go

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 42.40 minutes

First 4-miler in quite a while.  Not my fastest, but it was surprisingly fun, and  I felt pretty good. Lots of crew hoopla on Kelly Drive, so I went off-roading for a half-mile or so. Have to remember to keep my hips straight and stop leading with my left.

Pre-dawn

Distance: 3 miles

Time: 32.52 minutes

Super slow run, but I got the mileage in. That's what counts, right? Right?

8 Weeks to Go

Distance: 3 miles 

Time: Meh 

Lovely, muddy run on the Wissahickon, but seriously, what's a girl got to do to get a port-a-john around here?

Out of Doors

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 18 minutes
The Skinny: Finished strong, but the frigid wind makes me cranky.

Beginning at the beginning

After a miserably cold (albeit short) winter of sloth, I need some motivation to get back in shape. The Broad Street Run is on Sunday, May 6, less than 10 weeks from now. Not wanting to finish last is probably as good a motivator as any.

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 20 minutes
The Skinny: I'll get back to you when I can breathe again.

So I lied.

Distance: 3.9 miles
Speed: 10 minutes/mile
Weight: 119 lbs.
Sounds: Disc 2 of Silberman's Best of 2004 compilation

Yeah, yeah, I know. The race is over, and I said I was going to discontinue this blog when it was. But hear me out, alright?

The Broad Street Run was amazing. I loved (just about) everything about it. Here's a quick recap:


Saturday, 4/31, 2 p.m.: Attended Health & Fitness Expo at Naval Yard; picked up race bib, timing chip, and goodie bag; purchased brown Coolmax® shirt for race

Saturday, 4/31, 6 p.m.: Had dinner with TT at Villa Di Roma; ate my weight in gnocchi

Saturday, 4/31, 10 p.m.: Drank a glass of wine to calm my nerves and promptly fell asleep (note: this NEVER happens. Usually, when I'm excited or nervous about something, I can't sleep at all the night before. Must have been the gnocchi.)

Sunday, 5/1, 5 a.m.: Woke up and had a lightly buttered (thanks, Tom!) whole wheat English muffin and a vitaminwater™

Sunday, 5/1, 6 a.m.: Applied BODYGLIDE® to my boobs and soles of my feet

Sunday, 5/1, 6:30 a.m.: Pinned my bib number onto my shirt; stuck myself with safety pin twice

Sunday, 5/1, 7:05 a.m.: Had our picture taken by a Philly Department of Recreation photographer (or so he said) while waiting for the Broad Street Line

Sunday, 5/1, 7:10 a.m.: Boarded the BSR; Realized EVERYONE (except for one poor guy who was obviously going to work) was wearing a race bib and sneakers

Sunday, 5/1, 7:20 a.m.: A billion runners got on the subway

Sunday, 5/1, 7:25 a.m.: The subway stopped for no apparent reason

Sunday, 5/1, 7:30 a.m.: The subway started again

Sunday, 5/1, 7:32 a.m.: A billion more runners got on the subway

Sunday, 5/1, 7:40 a.m.: More runners got on, and I lost sight of TT

Sunday, 5/1, 8:00 a.m.: After standing on the subway for almost an hour, we finally poured out into the Olney Station; I began to freak out at the number of people

Sunday, 5/1, 8:07 a.m.: Stood in line for one of the 100 Porta-Johns™ in the Central High School Athletic Field.

Sunday, 5/1, 8:13 a.m.: Saw Maggie & Shatt waiting in the next line

Sunday, 5/1, 8:17 a.m.: Walked into a Porta-John™ and saw an enormous turd on the seat; opted to wait for another Porta-John™

Sunday, 5/1, 8:23 a.m.: Headed towards the starting line and continued to freak out at the number of people

Sunday, 5/1, 8:27 a.m.: Tried to do a few quick stretches while waiting for the race to start; disappointed that I couldn't find any of my friends (except for TT)

Sunday, 5/1, 8:30 a.m.: The gun went off, but we didn't hear it, because we were so far back

Sunday, 5/1, 8:37 a.m.: We finally started moving S-L-O-W-L-Y

Sunday, 5/1, 8:40 a.m.: Squeezed TT's hand and told him I'd see him at the finish line

Sunday, 5/1, 9:35 a.m.: Passed my office building at Broad & Sansom where my wonderful, amazing coworkers were waiting to cheer us on; gave Julie a happy birthday shout-out

Sunday, 5/1, 9:36 a.m.: High-fived Rendell in front of the Bellevue; his was a little weak, but whatever

Sunday, 5/1, 10:01 a.m.: Hit mile 8, and realized I felt good; got annoyed that I didn't run faster from the start

Sunday, 5/1, 10:19 a.m.: Entered the Naval Yard and had a quarter mile to go; got SO FRIGGING EXCITED by the crowds and cheering that I ran as fast as I could to the finish line

Sunday, 5/1, 10:22 a.m.: Edged some poor woman out of the way to make sure the photographer could see me (he did)

Sunday, 5/1, 10:23 a.m.: Crossed the finish line and instantly felt like I had climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, cured cancer, and won an Oscar all at once

Sunday, 5/1, 10:27 a.m.: Found TT and hugged him so hard it hurt


There you have it. It was an amazing experience, so amazing actually that TT and I are planning to sign up for the Philly Distance Run in September. So though I won't technically be a broad on Broad, I will still be running. And occasionally, I'll be blogging, too.

8556: A photo essay