Boston: 4-15-2013
So, it's been a week or so since my last post and a lot has happened. Unless you live in a cave somewhere you were probably like me, glued to the screen (tv, computer, smartphone, or tablet) watching all the developments of the Boston Marathon bombings. It was such a senseless act of violence and my thoughts and prayers were with those who were affected. I couldn't imagine being in a situation like that but I would hope that I would step up to help those in need. I'm glad they captured the suspect and know that lots of good things will come due to this tragedy. I am amazed at how much incidents like this can unite a country. One of the best quotes I saw online went something like this:
"If the bombings were meant to break spirits, then marathoners were the wrong group to target."
On Friday, Becca and I went to Overton Park with about 500 other people to run a 2.62 Memorial Run for Boston. The excitement in the air was electrifying. I haven't run in that park since we lived in midtown back in 2007.
On Sunday, I ran in the Earth Day 5K at Shelby Farms. I was shooting for a PR! I wanted to see if all my speed workouts would lower my 5K time. My current PR was 20:57. The course had 5-6 hills that were a good challenge. My first mile split was about 6:30 min. My second mile split was about 13:00. With a mile left I tried to maintain my speed and was passed by one person...how dare he!!!! I knew I could catch him in the last 400 meters or so. I continued to press on and the final 400 was downhill!!! I surged on, passing the runner who passed me earlier and sprinted towards the finish line. I looked up and my time crossing the finish line was 20:21!!! I did it!! It felt so good to achieve a new personal record!!!!
On Saturday we will be running the Nashville Half Marathon. Be sure to visit again to hear all about it!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Track Workout at University of Memphis
So last night I went to my first track workout at the U of M. I always enjoy going back to my alma mater. I spent many semesters around the Fieldhouse Area. Being a PE major, most of my classes were in that vicinity. I never even ran a lap in the 4.5 years I spent there! What a shame! The campus has changed quite drastically with new buildings and a new fountain that highlights the University Center Plaza.
We arrived there with about 20-30 other runners. We did a warm up jog of 1 mile and some light stretches. I chatted with a few people I knew. I brought some water and a towel. I wore my Nike Free 3.0, technical shirt, and a compression sleeve on my left leg.
Here's what our workout consisted of:
4x400-5k pace. I ran each one in about 90 seconds each. 2 minutes rest
2x800- I ran each one in about the 3:20s. 2 minutes rest
2x400 Faster Pace-I ran it in 80-85 seconds. 3 minutes rest
1x800 Faster Pace- I ran it in 3:00 flat
800 meter cool down
I enjoyed the workout very much. It was a good to change up my individual workouts and I was extra motivated to run a little faster. I encourage anyone who wants to get faster to try track workouts!
We arrived there with about 20-30 other runners. We did a warm up jog of 1 mile and some light stretches. I chatted with a few people I knew. I brought some water and a towel. I wore my Nike Free 3.0, technical shirt, and a compression sleeve on my left leg.
Here's what our workout consisted of:
4x400-5k pace. I ran each one in about 90 seconds each. 2 minutes rest
2x800- I ran each one in about the 3:20s. 2 minutes rest
2x400 Faster Pace-I ran it in 80-85 seconds. 3 minutes rest
1x800 Faster Pace- I ran it in 3:00 flat
800 meter cool down
I enjoyed the workout very much. It was a good to change up my individual workouts and I was extra motivated to run a little faster. I encourage anyone who wants to get faster to try track workouts!
Here's a picture of the shoes that I currently run in! I'm a little addicted!
Monday, April 8, 2013
Best Weekend Weather So Far!
After all the rain we had last week, I did decide to rest on Friday since I was doing 10 miles on Saturday morning. I woke up at 6 am to get out the door by 6:30. I didn't eat anything but made sure to drink lots of water. The weather was about 50 degrees which seems cold for a run but once you get started it's perfect. We waited for Becca's friend, Liz, to meet us at our house. Liz is actually the one who talked Becca into doing the marathon in New Orleans and me into doing the half. She showed up and we were ready to go.
I mapped out a course using mapmyrun.com and made sure to include a few hills since we will be running in Nashville on the 27th! Our pace for 10 miles was about 9:06min/mile and we finished in 1:33:15. I did not eat any gu chomps or anything during my run and that would explain why I felt kind of sluggish at mile 7. Not eating breakfast probably contributed to that feeling as well. I ran in my red Nike Pegasus 29. Sunday, we did 4 miles. Pretty uneventful but a good run to keep my muscles loose.
For my post-long run meal I ate these Hawaiian Bread Sandwiches that my friend Chris makes for parties. They are delicious!!! I use virginia ham, swiss cheese, and mix mayo and dijon mustard. I spray the tops with a little I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and pop them in the oven for about 10-12 minutes!
Must See TV
Louisville v. Michigan for the championship. I believe this will be a good game but I'm pulling for Michigan. As a Memphis fan, you know why I'm not pulling for Louisville.
I mapped out a course using mapmyrun.com and made sure to include a few hills since we will be running in Nashville on the 27th! Our pace for 10 miles was about 9:06min/mile and we finished in 1:33:15. I did not eat any gu chomps or anything during my run and that would explain why I felt kind of sluggish at mile 7. Not eating breakfast probably contributed to that feeling as well. I ran in my red Nike Pegasus 29. Sunday, we did 4 miles. Pretty uneventful but a good run to keep my muscles loose.
For my post-long run meal I ate these Hawaiian Bread Sandwiches that my friend Chris makes for parties. They are delicious!!! I use virginia ham, swiss cheese, and mix mayo and dijon mustard. I spray the tops with a little I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and pop them in the oven for about 10-12 minutes!
I am resting today but I hope to go to my first track workout at U of M tomorrow!
Must See TV
Louisville v. Michigan for the championship. I believe this will be a good game but I'm pulling for Michigan. As a Memphis fan, you know why I'm not pulling for Louisville.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Sunshine!!!!
It's my favorite day of the week and the sun is bright and beaming!!! I would love to go for a run today but it's my rest day! I am running 10 miles tomorrow so it's probably best that I give my bipeds a break. This is the first time all week that we've gotten such beautiful weather.
What would you do? Tell me your thoughts.
What would you do? Tell me your thoughts.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Ain't no rain gonna stop me!
So in my recent blog I was bummed about the rain that would literally shower down on my (running) parade. However, I didn't let that stop me. On Tuesday, I ended up running a 10K in the rain. I wore my new New Balance rain jacket that I bought at TJ Maxx for about $30. It worked magnificently! The rain drops just rolled right off the jacket. Underneath I wore a long sleeve tech shirt and a pair of running shorts. The rain didn't bother me one bit. I actually had another purpose for my run. Our water bill was due and so I ran to municipal building where you can drop off your check. Then I ran by a friends house to drop off something for her. I felt like an ancient courier delivering messages to far off lands!
Yesterday I ran about 4 miles and the rain actually held off in the evening for a few hours. Becca wasn't able to run because her heel had been bothering her that day. I will probably run a couple miles today, Friday, and then Becca and I are doing 10 miles together at 6:30 Saturday morning!
New Running Gear:
A few weeks ago I bought 2 NIKE running hats from Dick's and they are awesome! I normally don't run in hats but thought I'd give it a try. I read that they are good to have for rainy weather so the rain doesn't smack you in the eyes. I bought a black Storm-fit one and a white USA one. I love them both!
Must See TV:
We've been watching The Voice and American Idol lately. I like that Usher and Shakira are judges now! They are hilarious and I love the interaction between them and Adam and Blake. American Idol is not as good as last year but it's not too bad. The girls are much, much better and right now I think it's between Kree and Janelle (because country voters are pretty strong about their people...for example on XFactor when Tate Stevens one instead of Carly Rose Sonenclar!).
Favorite Commercial Right Now:
The AT&T commercial about the Pickle Roll....hilarious!!! The little girl is so funny!
Yesterday I ran about 4 miles and the rain actually held off in the evening for a few hours. Becca wasn't able to run because her heel had been bothering her that day. I will probably run a couple miles today, Friday, and then Becca and I are doing 10 miles together at 6:30 Saturday morning!
New Running Gear:
A few weeks ago I bought 2 NIKE running hats from Dick's and they are awesome! I normally don't run in hats but thought I'd give it a try. I read that they are good to have for rainy weather so the rain doesn't smack you in the eyes. I bought a black Storm-fit one and a white USA one. I love them both!
Must See TV:
We've been watching The Voice and American Idol lately. I like that Usher and Shakira are judges now! They are hilarious and I love the interaction between them and Adam and Blake. American Idol is not as good as last year but it's not too bad. The girls are much, much better and right now I think it's between Kree and Janelle (because country voters are pretty strong about their people...for example on XFactor when Tate Stevens one instead of Carly Rose Sonenclar!).
Favorite Commercial Right Now:
The AT&T commercial about the Pickle Roll....hilarious!!! The little girl is so funny!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
April Showers
Maybe there is something wrong with me but I'm sad that I might have to miss my first speed workout at the Fieldhouse at the University of Memphis!!! I went last week with Becca but couldn't run because of a dental operation I had the day before. I had all my gear on and was ready to run anyways but Becca killed the idea before it blossomed. Oh well!
Today calls for a 50% chance of rain and I've looked at the radar and the rain is now in Arkansas! I guess I will just have to run in the rain!
I went to the Grizzlies game last night with Chris, a buddy of mine who I have not seen in forever. We always have things to talk about and we had a blast screaming and shouting the Grizz to a victory over the Spurs. They were down by 8 before coming back and winning on a high-off-the-glass layup by Mike Conley! The Forum erupted when the sphere sunk through the net! We were high fivin' people we didn't know and it was a thrill of an experience.
Oh, on Easter, my streak of running on holidays continued! I ran down Highway 70 to Becca's parents house. I felt really great running on the various terrain. One minute I was on concrete, then asphalt, then gravel, then grass, and then dirt! I made sure to wear an old pair of Nike Frees that I wore all week when I went to Nicaragua. I considered this my first true trail run. This will be good preparation as I do a 10 miler at Stanky Creek with my friend David, who is training for a Half Ironman. We actually went to high school together and ran on the cross country team. We were really good friends growing up in high school and it will be great to catch up since I haven't hung out with him in years.
I love how sports and running can bring old friends back together! I do enjoy competing in races and getting medals but running is more than prizes. It feels great to reconnect with friends I haven't seen in a while and meeting new friends!
Today calls for a 50% chance of rain and I've looked at the radar and the rain is now in Arkansas! I guess I will just have to run in the rain!
I went to the Grizzlies game last night with Chris, a buddy of mine who I have not seen in forever. We always have things to talk about and we had a blast screaming and shouting the Grizz to a victory over the Spurs. They were down by 8 before coming back and winning on a high-off-the-glass layup by Mike Conley! The Forum erupted when the sphere sunk through the net! We were high fivin' people we didn't know and it was a thrill of an experience.
Oh, on Easter, my streak of running on holidays continued! I ran down Highway 70 to Becca's parents house. I felt really great running on the various terrain. One minute I was on concrete, then asphalt, then gravel, then grass, and then dirt! I made sure to wear an old pair of Nike Frees that I wore all week when I went to Nicaragua. I considered this my first true trail run. This will be good preparation as I do a 10 miler at Stanky Creek with my friend David, who is training for a Half Ironman. We actually went to high school together and ran on the cross country team. We were really good friends growing up in high school and it will be great to catch up since I haven't hung out with him in years.
I love how sports and running can bring old friends back together! I do enjoy competing in races and getting medals but running is more than prizes. It feels great to reconnect with friends I haven't seen in a while and meeting new friends!
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