3 Times a Marathon

After the CMFYC 10 miler I was talking to an ultra running friend, R.  Who is probably the biggest pusher focusing factor in my running life in that he has helped mentor and guide me in reaching and achieving my 50 mile goal.  After our conversation I now know he had some goals of his own for me to the tune of getting me to 100 miles.  I'm not saying I didn't wonder if I could do a 100 too, I'm just saying R's timeline and mine were radically different.  So of course after listening to his crack-like exciting Ultra runner banter talking with him I am seriously eyeing this: 

The Laurel Highlands Ultra.

There are two options for me. 

The I know I can option of 50k.

And the next step to 100 option of 77 miles.

Yeah, that's about 3 times a marathon

When 2011 started I had a few goals. 

I wanted to hit my 365 days of running. ~  Day # 361 today.

I wanted to make the leap to a trail 50 miler. ~ Done April 9th

I wanted to improve my overall fitness by cross training regularly. ~ Still working on that one.

I knew the racing year would hold a bunch of 50ks and an assortment of other shorter races but I didn't realize I would hit my A goal so early in the year.  This leaves me wondering if I simply "coast" for the rest of the year in running and focus on the remaining goals or do I take the next step towards a goal that I didn't think I would realize until 2012 or 2013?

While I love all the easy supportive words of encouragement, I'd love to hear your thoughts on making another leap for myself this year considering my other goals, my time restraints and my family.

Because we are talking about three times a marathon.

I'm not in his clique

Right now as I sit here at work, I am feeling my hip. 

Okay.  I am not actually rubbing my hands all over my hip. 

That would be weird.

But I am noticing my hip.

Usually my hip is just there doing it's own hip thing.

We don't talk much.

I guess I'm just not in my hip's social clique.

Whatever.

But today hip seems to be saying something.

Quietly but saying something.

I know my form has been off since I took my big fall.

I really tweaked my leg from my ankle to my knee and I bounced around on my right hip.

But my hip was just bruised.

I am thinking about taking my evening run off.

Okay there I said it.

I have already run my morning miles so I am good for the day.

My mileage is good as long as I stick to my miles the rest of the week and even if I have a lighter week now I'd be okay with that since I have a great base and a month until the Ultra.

Gee am I trying to convince you or me?

Hummm.  I better go.  That's hip talking again.

I'm going to send hip some drugs and see if that shuts him up.

And maybe an evening's rest.

Wondering on Wednesday

My life continues it's daily routine.  The damage from my fall is steadily healing.

The kids are up to their normal antics.

Hubbs and I are preparing for our 20k Relay on Saturday.

Life is good...but...

Day # 136 ~ 3.5 / 27:25

opps actually this is a shot from last night's 6.5 ~ 56 flat

This is from this morning's run ~ Juvenile Red spotted newt

...I may have some of you believing that I am only about running but I am in fact a person with slightly deeper thoughts (occasionally).

I saw this article:

CLICK HERE

and it got me wondering.

It is about an impending execution.  Yeah.  Got your attention on that one.

It will be the first time since 1912 that the state of Virginia has executed a woman. 

I am wondering.

 

What you do think about this?

Whether you live in Virginia or not.  Whether you think it matters that it is a woman or not.  Whether you think you can change anything or not. 

Simply because we are all people with opinions beyond our running/fitness interests,

How do you feel about this issue?

Let's Talk about Skirts

I recently joined the many fans of Running Skirts by finally purchasing 3 beautiful skirts from their Princess collection thanks to a heads up from Tonia and a great sale. 

I ordered a pink, blue and yellow skirt all in size 2.  

What follows is my experinces with these skirts so far.

Run # 72 S'ghetti and I rocking our skirts

The Pink one.  It is super cute and comfortable.  The inner shorts did not run up on any of my runs.  The skirt was just the right length to move as I ran without becoming a distraction.  The Pink one did become nearly saturated during several of my runs in VA and did not slip down from the extra water weight however, carrying my cell phone in the side pocket (I had placed it there while getting ready and then forgot to take it out and put it in the stroller) did cause the skirt to fall down. 

My verdict.  I love this skirt!  It made me feel like I carried myself better simply by looking a bit nicer while I was running.  I did not notice the skirt at all during the runs which is what I am looking for in workout clothes; looking good without having to fuss with my outfit along the way.

The Blue one.  It too was cute and comfortable.  I did notice that I had to pull the skirt up higher on my waist or it felt loose.  This did not fully register until it was too late.  I did feel like I ran better simply by caring about how I looked while I was running.  The first few runs the inner shorts kept bunching up.  I assumed that this can happen from time to time with tight "biker" shorts as your body weight changes throughout the month or your stride differs on runs. 

Then came the run in the rain.  Downpour really.

I had planned to run a bit longer looking for around 10 miles in one run so when it rained on us (thank God for the weathershield) I did not think about cutting short and going home.  It only rained for about 10 minutes but I and my clothes were drenched!  It cooled me off but immediately my Blue skirt would not stay up.  You may have noticed my pace on that run was around 9:18 that was due to all the stopped to pull up my skirt. 

I tried to wring out some water but nothing helped. 

My thoughts, since I have no verdict yet. 

 Could one skirt be that much bigger than the other even though they are the same size?

Should I try a smaller size?

Are running skirts simply not good for running in "conditions"?

Long distance running.  Can a running skirt really hold up to the sweat fest of an ultra?

I have yet to wear the yellow one fearing that the running skirt will not make the ultra cut, I may have to run in my shorts again to have my outfit chosen for the race next weekend. 

For those who have logged miles in running skirts, any thoughts?  Or fixes?

Opinions Wanted

I am seriously thinking that I want another longer race before the weather really gets wintry here in PA. This is the race I am looking at:

http://nvrun.com/index.php/racing/club-sponsored/nittany-valley-half-marathon

It is the Nittany Valley Half-Marathon. This course is part of the 50 mile Ultra that I looked into doing before I got pregnant with my littlest and got long distance side-tracked.

I am interested in your thoughts concerning the grades in this half. You can see them if you click the above link and scroll down. Some of what is said about this race is a bit intimidating. With only 2 weeks to "get ready" I don't know how much training I would get in aside from a long run on the up coming weekend. Of course, if I do this race I would have to go into it knowing that I would NOT be looking at a great pace or PR. It would have to be more about finishing and seeing how I felt about the course and looking forward to the possiblity of doing the Tussey mOUnTaiN BACK 50 mile ultra marathon.

So, thoughts?

On my running front, I only got 6.5 in today. My middle one had two friends sleep over. Ugh! That was a hand full. My run was a a super pace tonight with my nephew on his bike. 44:57/6:55. He had bike trouble at first...flat tires!! But we stopped at a friends house and got them pumped up and they held. After that problem was solved, I think he was worried that he had held me up in the beginning and he really pushed me to move it!! It was a busy but great day. Where does the weekend go???

Congrats to all those race finishers this past weekend! So many of you did such amazing things!!!