Happy belated Christmastime everyone! I've been bad at blogging. :( As a result I will post a final training post and race report next Monday after the New Years Eve race!!! Christmas Eve I ran the Frosty 5 in Hudson. It was a great race and well attended! Overall I ran a good race. I started off a bit too fast and didn't dress warm enough so I froze through the last two miles but I came in right around where I thought I would and that made me happy! I also wasn't running alone which made me feel good about my pace. I was always surrounded by a small group of people running around my pace so that was nice.
This week is technically a recovery week for my 5k-to-10k training so I'm going to be able to get some easy runs in this week. I'm also on vacation from work until after the New Year! We have an impending blizzard and I need to get a run in before yoga so I'm off! Stay warm and enjoy the post holiday happiness everyone!
26 December 2012
17 December 2012
December Training 12/9/12-12/15/12
I must admit that I've been a bit disappointed with the weather lately. I won't complain too loudly because it has been just gorgeous, but I can't wait for the snow!!! Because of my little adventure in the dark last week, Santa delivered an early Christmas present! :) Behold the solution to my night time running problems!
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I'm so excited to use this!!! I have a run scheduled for tonight but I prob won't have to break it out for that. Wednesday on the other hand I might! :) Yippee! :)
This week of training was pretty great! I felt good most runs but only got 3 in because of YTT this weekend. I'm gearing up for 4 runs this week and hopefully I can get 5 miles in on Wednesday so I won't be nervous for the Frosty 5 Miler on Monday. I only have 8 more training runs in my 10k training plan. You know what that means!?! Half-mary training will be beginning soon!!!!
12/10/12 - W6 D2 - 3.00 miles at 12:19 - ECP - trail and paved
12/12/12 - W6 D3 - 4.30 miles at 13:55 - NCR - NC2 trail
12/13/12 - W7 D1 - 2.56 miles at 13:41 - ECP - trail
Weekly Total: 9.86 miles
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This week of training was pretty great! I felt good most runs but only got 3 in because of YTT this weekend. I'm gearing up for 4 runs this week and hopefully I can get 5 miles in on Wednesday so I won't be nervous for the Frosty 5 Miler on Monday. I only have 8 more training runs in my 10k training plan. You know what that means!?! Half-mary training will be beginning soon!!!!
12/10/12 - W6 D2 - 3.00 miles at 12:19 - ECP - trail and paved
12/12/12 - W6 D3 - 4.30 miles at 13:55 - NCR - NC2 trail
12/13/12 - W7 D1 - 2.56 miles at 13:41 - ECP - trail
Weekly Total: 9.86 miles
13 December 2012
Tips for running in the dark and getting (un)lost!
Last night I had a longer run planned. The sun takes longer to come up in the morning and sets much too early for trail runners around here! I'm super lucky because my work schedule is flexible, super flexible. I can come in early and leave early and some days I work later to get caught up when I only get 8 hours in because of a scheduled run. Yesterday, I didn't get out of work when I needed to but I was still dedicated to my route and my run. I could have gone to Euclid Creek but that is where I do most of my runs and anything over 2.5 miles requires laps and it can get boring. I had picked one of the bridle trail loops, NC2. While I've never run the complete loop, the western side of the loop from the Bird Trail to Blue Flower is included in my loop when I do NC1 so I am familiar with part of it.
As much as I tried, I got out of work much later than I had wanted to so I didn't start my run until 4:45pm. What time was sunset you might ask?? Weeelllllll, sunset was around 4:57pm. So here's the thing, I don't have a headlamp, although I did ask Santa for one, so obviously I knew I'd be running in the dark. Which isn't too bad if you live in the city and there are street lights but I was in the woods. The run was awesome, even if I did get lost and it became progressively pitch black. I'm pretty good at getting lost, whether it is dark or not, so this is nothing new for me. But I began thinking about how my directionally challenged self could help other people when they're running goes a bit off course?
I present to you, Tracie's Top Three Tips for Running in the Dark! :)
Tip 1: Take advantage of your resources! So many of us have smartphones and they can be sooo helpful navigating many life adventures. One of my favorite apps is RunKeeper. It not only tracks your mileage, pace, avg pace, elevation, avg calories burned and duration but it has GPS so in a pinch you can flip to the map screen and see just exactly where you are and where, let's just say, you should be. Through this app you can create mapped routes and then later run them so it helps if you've planned an actual route to help keep you where you are supposed to be going. The map feature is helpful whether you've designed a route or are doing a random route! Another cool feature that this app offers is RunKeeper LIVE. Although this is a paid feature it can help make your runs a bit safer and possibly influence people to give you early xmas gifts, but more on that later! I do most of my running on trails and alone. This freaks out my family and friends sometimes. Through RunKeeper LIVE the people that I've invited to see my private RunKeeper profile can watch my run in real time. That way they know when I start, how far I am and when I finish. It gives them a little more piece of mind than my texts letting them know I've just finished my workout.
Tip 2: Be prepared! Running accessories can be just as important as the right shoe. Hats, headbands, gloves, fuel belts, etc. can make a huge difference in the quality of your run. One accessory that I don't have is a headlamp. As a result of my mother watching me get a bit off course last night, I'm going to receive an early xmas gift. The trail markers were harder to make out in the dark without standing exactly in front of it. At one point, I lost the trail completely and as I pulled out my phone to look on the map where exactly I wasn't, it dawned on me that I had a flashlight app. The app or 'flashlight' really I suppose, was pretty much worthless and every time I saw a headlamp somewhere between the trees I hoped it was heading towards me, but alas none came. However, the light was just enough for me to watch the immediate terrain that my foot was about to strike.
Tip 3: For night running, stick with what you know! I purposefully started my run yesterday on the portion of the route that I wasn't familiar with. That way I could easily see the trail and read the markers. Unfortunately, the sun left me a bit too soon so it was well into darkness before I found the part of the route I knew well. The only advantage I had last night in the dark was that much of the section I ran in the dark I knew like the back of my hand. I've run that stretch enough that I knew exactly where I was, how much farther I had to go until I got to my car and exactly how the trail twisted through the woods. If I hadn't known this, I probably would have had to walk much of the end since I could hardly see. It also gives you piece of mind! You know you've got this when you feel comfortable in your surroundings so when things don't go as planned the mental 'stress' is lessened and you can still enjoy the experience.
Hopefully, many of you are waaaay more prepared than I was last night! That way you won't need my tips. However, if you ever find yourself in my situation you have a few pieces of advice to pull out if you need them. Happy running!!!
As much as I tried, I got out of work much later than I had wanted to so I didn't start my run until 4:45pm. What time was sunset you might ask?? Weeelllllll, sunset was around 4:57pm. So here's the thing, I don't have a headlamp, although I did ask Santa for one, so obviously I knew I'd be running in the dark. Which isn't too bad if you live in the city and there are street lights but I was in the woods. The run was awesome, even if I did get lost and it became progressively pitch black. I'm pretty good at getting lost, whether it is dark or not, so this is nothing new for me. But I began thinking about how my directionally challenged self could help other people when they're running goes a bit off course?
I present to you, Tracie's Top Three Tips for Running in the Dark! :)
Tip 1: Take advantage of your resources! So many of us have smartphones and they can be sooo helpful navigating many life adventures. One of my favorite apps is RunKeeper. It not only tracks your mileage, pace, avg pace, elevation, avg calories burned and duration but it has GPS so in a pinch you can flip to the map screen and see just exactly where you are and where, let's just say, you should be. Through this app you can create mapped routes and then later run them so it helps if you've planned an actual route to help keep you where you are supposed to be going. The map feature is helpful whether you've designed a route or are doing a random route! Another cool feature that this app offers is RunKeeper LIVE. Although this is a paid feature it can help make your runs a bit safer and possibly influence people to give you early xmas gifts, but more on that later! I do most of my running on trails and alone. This freaks out my family and friends sometimes. Through RunKeeper LIVE the people that I've invited to see my private RunKeeper profile can watch my run in real time. That way they know when I start, how far I am and when I finish. It gives them a little more piece of mind than my texts letting them know I've just finished my workout.
Tip 2: Be prepared! Running accessories can be just as important as the right shoe. Hats, headbands, gloves, fuel belts, etc. can make a huge difference in the quality of your run. One accessory that I don't have is a headlamp. As a result of my mother watching me get a bit off course last night, I'm going to receive an early xmas gift. The trail markers were harder to make out in the dark without standing exactly in front of it. At one point, I lost the trail completely and as I pulled out my phone to look on the map where exactly I wasn't, it dawned on me that I had a flashlight app. The app or 'flashlight' really I suppose, was pretty much worthless and every time I saw a headlamp somewhere between the trees I hoped it was heading towards me, but alas none came. However, the light was just enough for me to watch the immediate terrain that my foot was about to strike.
Tip 3: For night running, stick with what you know! I purposefully started my run yesterday on the portion of the route that I wasn't familiar with. That way I could easily see the trail and read the markers. Unfortunately, the sun left me a bit too soon so it was well into darkness before I found the part of the route I knew well. The only advantage I had last night in the dark was that much of the section I ran in the dark I knew like the back of my hand. I've run that stretch enough that I knew exactly where I was, how much farther I had to go until I got to my car and exactly how the trail twisted through the woods. If I hadn't known this, I probably would have had to walk much of the end since I could hardly see. It also gives you piece of mind! You know you've got this when you feel comfortable in your surroundings so when things don't go as planned the mental 'stress' is lessened and you can still enjoy the experience.
Hopefully, many of you are waaaay more prepared than I was last night! That way you won't need my tips. However, if you ever find yourself in my situation you have a few pieces of advice to pull out if you need them. Happy running!!!
11 December 2012
December 12/2/12-12/8/12 and a race report!
The close of this week leaves only 11 workouts in my 5k-to-10k training plan! Can you believe it? I can't. It seems like time is flying!!! And with only 11 workouts left that means that training for my half is right around the corner! I.CAN'T.WAIT! eek! Soooo excited. I have several races coming up between now and when I finish my training plan. And while I tried REALLY hard to work a few in as training days it just isn't going to happen so that is slowing down my completion but it is a good slow down! This past Saturday was one of those days!
My friend Millie and I ran the Jingle Bell 5k in support of the Arthritis Foundation. SO.MUCH.FUN! Next year we will prepare our outfits more! This is the first time in my decent span of 5ks that I've run with someone else. It was hard to find a common pace that worked for both of us as Millie's pace was about 1:30 faster than what I had planned as a recovery run. After 2.5 miles I finally sent her on her way and did my own thing. I didn't run as consistently as I wanted; some spots my pace was all over the place, but overall I'm happy with my PR! There were sooo many runners and walkers and I we got a bit of a late start but we were able to pass by small groups of people as the race went on and try to keep moving forward at the same time. It was a blast! My next one is a 5 miler on Xmas Eve! My longest race distance so far has been a 10k that I DNFed due to an injury. So while this won't be my longest distance to race when I finish it will be my longest to finish.
BEFORE
AFTER
In other news, I did not get picked to be a guest blogger for the Cleveland Marathon. Boo! :( But that doesn't mean I'm not going to keep blogging! ;) Congrats to all those who did get chosen. If you want to see the list and keep updated with their blogs you can visit that here!
Ok onto the training recap:
12/3/12 - W5 D2 - 1.95 miles at 14:20 - ECP - paved
12/5/12 - W5 D3 - 2.95 miles at 13:33 - ECP - mixed trail and paved
12/6/12 - W6 D1 - 2.62 miles at 13:19 - NCR - trail
12/8/12 - Jingle Bell 5k - 3.1 miles at 13:38 - RACE DAY - paved
Weekly Total: 10.62
12/5/12 - W5 D3 - 2.95 miles at 13:33 - ECP - mixed trail and paved
12/6/12 - W6 D1 - 2.62 miles at 13:19 - NCR - trail
12/8/12 - Jingle Bell 5k - 3.1 miles at 13:38 - RACE DAY - paved
Weekly Total: 10.62
02 December 2012
November Training 11/25/12-12/1/12
Welcome December! Wow this year has really flow by. I've had so many amazing experiences this year but I am truly looking forward to what 2013 has in store for me!
This week brought my longest run so far in the training plan and then the beginning of a recovery week and the shortest runs ever. I started planning out my race schedule for 2013 which is one of my favorite things to do. I have already registered for a 2013 race! Yippeeee! What's your big race this year? Although this will be the first time I've trained for a half I'm tempted to do three this coming year because there are just so many good races. So far on tap we have:
Jingle Bell run 5k
Frosty 5M
Great New Years Eve Run
4M Prediction Race
Those are just the ones I've registered for but I have several more on my list, including my first half in May at the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon! I have decided to work with a coach for the training of my first half and am super excited about the details. :)
11/26/12 - W4 D1 - 2.06 miles at 14:31 - ECP - mixed trail and paved
11/28/12 - W4 D2 - 2.97 miles at 13:26 - ECP - mixed trail and paved
11/30/12 - W4 D3 - 4.24 miles at 12:57 - ECP - mixed trail and paved
12/1/12 - W5 D1 - 1.89 miles at 13:11 - ECP - mixed trail and paved - RECOVERY WEEK
Weekly Total: 11.16
November Miles: 43.86
This week brought my longest run so far in the training plan and then the beginning of a recovery week and the shortest runs ever. I started planning out my race schedule for 2013 which is one of my favorite things to do. I have already registered for a 2013 race! Yippeeee! What's your big race this year? Although this will be the first time I've trained for a half I'm tempted to do three this coming year because there are just so many good races. So far on tap we have:
Jingle Bell run 5k
Frosty 5M
Great New Years Eve Run
4M Prediction Race
Those are just the ones I've registered for but I have several more on my list, including my first half in May at the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon! I have decided to work with a coach for the training of my first half and am super excited about the details. :)
11/26/12 - W4 D1 - 2.06 miles at 14:31 - ECP - mixed trail and paved
11/28/12 - W4 D2 - 2.97 miles at 13:26 - ECP - mixed trail and paved
11/30/12 - W4 D3 - 4.24 miles at 12:57 - ECP - mixed trail and paved
12/1/12 - W5 D1 - 1.89 miles at 13:11 - ECP - mixed trail and paved - RECOVERY WEEK
Weekly Total: 11.16
November Miles: 43.86
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