snow and ice

Miles today: 4.0

Miles this week: 27.6

Miles in 2010: brrrr!

Sundays are traditionally 7:30am runs from the parking lot next to Isabella's in Boonsboro Shopping Center. I've grown accustomed to getting up early on Sunday mornings with Gregg and heading down to Boonsboro for a run. Most of the time, I run alone. Gregg meets up with Jonathan, JC, and sometimes others and we all run the first mile together, and then they speed up and go on for another 7 (all the way down to Riverside Park) and I chug along at my slower pace.

Today, though, we ran into trouble from last night's grumpy snow storm. Although it was beautiful during the day and fun at night during the Lynchburg Christmas parade (that's my niece Ella and her buddy Lance at the parade), we ran into a little trouble when we arose this morning and found the roads to be quite slick from the thaw and re-freeze of the wet snow/ice. So, as we ran along in that first mile, we quickly found that running fast wouldn't be very smart (to the tune of Jonathan yelping everytime he got close to falling) and we just ran along at a much slower (and safer) pace.

We only ended up running 4 miles because our normal running stride turned into a slippery/icy shuffle and we all were complaining of tired stabilizing quads and ankles by the end.

Altogether, though, it was enjoyable to see the first snow run of the 2010 winter season. It may be chilly, but it's so fun to see the weather change!

an Out-of-Towner

Miles today: 5.01

Miles this week: 30.3

Miles in 2010: 246.9

This morning I met my friend Sarah's (from yesterday's baby shower) sister Emily to run from Isabella's. She lives in Richmond and was in town for the shower, and since she runs a lot, we made plans yesterday to run this morning.

Emily went to school to be a PT in Richmond at VCU, graduated last year, and now works at MCV. She was Sarah's link to the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k last year. We all ran it (me with Sarah and Emily with her friend Elizabeth) and the picture above shows me, Sarah, and Emily at packet pick-up. They gave away really cool reusable grocery bags that we loved, but they didn't have enough t-shirts when we got there and we were kind of bummed with our super size larges. This year, our plan is to email Em some copies of our IDs so she can go to packet pick-up early. Thank goodness.
 
Anyway, this year, Brian, Danny, Jeff, Tom, Gregg, and I are going out to Monument Ave...we're pretty pumped, but I'm sad that Sarah won't be there. She's due like two days after the race, so no running for her lately. Emily is running again, so maybe we'll meet up. I've been running for two and a half months solid, so I'm excited to see how it plays out in the 10k.

Emily and I ran from Isabella's, up Old Boonsboro Road to Boonsboro, to Peakland, and then down Rivermont to Riverside Drive and then turned around and came back. Our run was nice and slow...we talked the whole way and had a good time. It was really good to run with Em because she's so easy going and also is willing to talk about farting and bathroom functions. I mean...really...if you run, you have to admit that the bathroom can be a slight problem for us, right?

After the run, I grabbed some Starbucks for Gregg and I and went home to get ready for church. Gregg made yummy breakfast for me (my favorite on a Sunday!) and then we headed to Holy Cross. After church, we stopped by my sister's to say goodbye to my parents who were heading back to Pennsylvania, then met up with Stacey and Andrew to attempt a Sharp Top climb...

The 501 side of the parkway was still closed, though, so we ended up having a picnic at Otter Creek campground on the other side of the parkway and goofing around in the parking lot. Here are some highlights of the day:

Stace and me getting some airrrr!

everyone attempting a jump on self-timer...

almost success...

the L.O.V.E. photo I've been trying to get

Interval Run

Miles today: 6.75

Miles this week: 15.95

Miles in 2010: 232.5

Today my parents came into town, partly to celebrate my belated birthday, so after work, Gregg and I both went on a run at 5:00.

Gregg met up with Brian, Danny, and Matt and I ran by myself from the Greek Church. Gregg had me do mile intervals with a mile warm-up, a fast mile, a rest mile, a fast mile, and a mile cool-down. The goal was to try to run 10 minute slow miles and 8 minute fast miles.

I started at the Greek Church, ran down the paved path through the tunnel (note: the Garmin does lose signal in the tunnel) toward downtown, and then across the bridge near Point of Honor, up to Hollins Mill and back up the hill and around to the Greek Church. My splits were 9:45/7:45/10:20/8:20/10ish. I ended up running almost 7 miles, so my last couple I just kept between a 9 and 10-minute pace. It was a really good run and I felt good even during my fast miles. It's definitely interesting feeling how my body has changed in the past two months. I feel lighter and stronger and therefore it's easier to run faster. I'm pretty psyched about what that means for this spring/summer!

After I finished up, Gregg came Usain Bolting in. He ran a fast last mile and I thought I was seeing an Olympian in person.

Afterwards, we headed to my sister's house to hang out with my parents and fam.

I love birthdays and was bummed the weekend of my actual birthday when it snowed and my parents couldn't make it to Lynchburg, so I was kind of super looking forward to their visit.

Much to my surprise, when we arrived, I had a present waiting for me...a new Chi straigtening iron! I was pretty pumped because my straightener has been on the fritz for awhile...what a super gift! Thanks mom and dad!

We ate ice cream cake leftover from my brother-in-laws birthday (yeah, I know...the sweets things didn't work so well, but I am eating less!) and hung out with my niece.

Note: My mom brought homemade spaghetti for dinner tomorrow. I can't wait!

Valentine's Day!

Miles today: 7.0

Miles this week: 23.2

Miles in 2010: 169.7

Today is Valentine's Day and that makes me feel pretty romantical.

I got up early to meet Austin to run from the Boonsboro Shopping Center parking lot...and I was right, the spicy chicken was haunting me once we started running.

Gregg, Brian, John, Gary, Jonathan, and Len all ran, too. Austin and I ran with them up Old Boonsboro and down Boonsboro to Peakland and then slowed down there. I still love keeping up with Gregg's guys...even if it's only for like half a mile. I always feel like a super star.

Austin and I ran down Peakland and then Rivermont to Riverside Runners and back the way we came. It took 30 minutes to get to the store and 32 minutes to get back to the parking lot where we started...so we didn't negative split, but the wind was in our faces on the way back, so I think that accounts for the two minute difference.

Anyway, we ran a total of 7 miles and it was a really good run. When I run with Austin, I'm always feeling like I have to push harder to keep up with her--it's good for me because she's a way faster runner, but I wonder why I don't push myself harder when I'm running by myself. I'll have to work on that.

After our run, Gregg made me breakfast, and then we got ready for church. While I was in the shower, he put out roses for me, and when I went downstairs to leave for church, I saw them. He's funny because he's really good at surprising me. The roses were yellow minis. So pretty!

After church, we came home and vegged out for awhile. Gregg was sleepy because he ran 17 miles yesterday. We Skyped Gregg's mom and David and then just did nothing all evening. I needed that.

My sister invited us over for funfetti cupcakes, so we grabbed some dinner at Mi Patron and then headed over there. My niece was so cute because she loves to blow out the candles, but she wanted me to do it, but then after I blew them out, she wanted a chance too, so she asked us to sing happy birthday to her too. She's so silly.

Funfetti cupcakes are delish! Gregg is my Valentine, and tomorrow is my birthday!

A Habit?

Miles today: 6.0
Miles this week: 24.5
Miles in 2010: 143.3

I've been going strong for 5 weeks in a row...and I've heard so many times before that it takes about 21 days to develop a habit. Well, folks...I think the habit is formed.

For all of my supporters out there, thanks for believing in me. I feel like every day of Project Three Six Five has gotten easier. I used to leave work at 6 or 7 at night with my backpack full of running clothes and head straight home, despite the hope that I would run each night.

Now, even if I haven't run early in the morning (which I usually don't), I just lace up and head out to run after work. I definitely have formed a habit and find that it's usually pretty easy to go for a run.

For all of my skeptics, I hope I've swayed you to believe that I will complete this project! I keep hearing encouraging words from all kinds of runners (I'd never expect) that I've helped encourage them or others.

How encouraging is that?!

In fact, Mike, a customer from the store, mentioned on Facebook today, "I ate 6 Oreos at 8 in the morning :-) ....great job Heather, your persistence, drive and determination is a great example for many!!" in response to my status about running 6 miles at 8am. Just reading that response made me feel so good.

Honestly, when I started out with this whole thing, I really was only worried about encouraging myself, because I was my own worst enemy. I always have been. I'd either talk myself out of a run or convince myself that I wasn't a good runner or believe that running wasn't as important as something else I have to do.

Now, things have become very different. I don't talk myself out of running because, #1: I know I have to and #2: I want to.

I don't convince myself that I'm not a good runner because, #1: I already know that I'm better than I was in December and #2: being a good runner really doesn't matter.

I just feel really excited and confident about the process of growing as a runner. Sure...I've got tons to learn about what my body can handle and how to get better at running...but isn't a habit a great thing to form when you're trying to get better at something?

This morning, I woke up around 7:15 to go meet the guys at Peakland United Methodist for the Saturday run. I was sooooooo tired and didn't want to get out of bed. But, I got up, got dressed, and rode with Gregg as we drove through the snow/ice crunchiness in our neighborhood. Some trees were falling over on the main neighborhood road to get out to Wiggington, but the rest of the way (501 Expressway and Boonsboro Road) was pretty clear.

I didn't have a running partner to meet when we got to the church, and sometimes I feel a little bummed that I don't have a group of folks to run with that are dedicated like Gregg and his guys, but it's ok, because in time, I will. Brian and Jeff were the only two dedicated guys to show up today. Danny, where were you?

Anyway, I decided to run between 5 and 6 miles, so I headed down Boonsboro to Peakland with the guys and then let them take off ahead. Right away I could feel that my legs were tired. I think 35 days of running has taken its effect on my muscles. It wasn't horrible, but I definitely could tell I need a "rest" day. Maybe tomorrow.

I ran up Peakland on the half that was plowed and then headed down Rivermont to the store. When I got there, I turned right on Magnolia and Columbia and then another right on Bedford to go back up the hill past the 7-11. Turned left on Rivermont and headed back the way I came. I noticed a few more footprints on the run back, and they were pretty far apart, so I knew someone else had to be out running too.

The snow picked up on the 2nd half of the run and I was hit by two slush splashes from cars who had more than enough room to move over so as not to splash me, but ignored it. I headed back down Peakland and up to the church, looked down at the Garmin and saw I had gone 5.55 miles, and decided to leave Gregg a quick note to tell him I was going to run the rest of the way down to Starbucks and that I'd see him there.

There wasn't any paper in the truck, so I tore a page out of the phone book, wrote my note, stuck it under the windshield wiper, and headed out. Just when I got to Starbucks, my watch hit 6.0 and I'm not going to lie, I am a girl who likes exactos.

So I headed inside, stretched and chatted, and waited for the guys.

When they arrived, we all got drinks (for me: a skinny vanilla latte, my usual) and I delighted in one of the tasty croissants (yum!). We hung around talking about rock climbing, kayaking, and running races...all of which I'm sure will involve my year in some way...then hit the road.

On our way out, I thought that it might be fun to stop at my sister, Meghan's house, so I gave her a buzz and invited Gregg and I over. My brother-in-law, Ed, answered and just so happened to be making pancakes, so he invited us to join them. My niece, Ella, who is the most adorable thing and says the funniest things (like, perhaps when she told Meghan that she wanted to work at a running store and when she visits me at work, has to help put shoes on my mom or sister) was excited to see us in the morning, and asked me to paint her toenails after she saw that mine were a lovely shade of hot pink (thanks to the pedicure last week).

After breakfast, we got dressed to play in the snow a little and Ella and I swung on the swing for awhile. She thought it was so fun, especially because we were so close to the ground to start.

Hurried home because I had to work (store was opened for a few hours today) and then spent the evening chilling with my lovey...at Target and Dick's Sporting Goods...(okay, I'm not going to lie, I sometimes go there to spy).

It was a great day. Here's to a good habit.

Icicle Eyelashes

Miles today: 5.3

Miles this week: 23.4

Miles in 2010: 114.1

I didn't believe it was going to snow.

I kept looking at the radar and it looked like the precipitation was going to stay right to the south of us.

Gregg didn't think it was going to snow either...but by the time I went to bed last night, it had started to snow. I still was a bit skeptical about how much snow was going to fall, so I went to bed with a very small anticipation of snow in the morning.

When Gregg woke me up around 7:00am, he had already been outside to shovel! I was surprised to look out the window to see 4 inches on the ground already...but I knew I had to run at 7:30, so I dragged myself out of bed, put on a hundred layers, including my magenta Smartwool beanie and Gregg and I drove out to Peakland United Methodist to meet his buddies.

I didn't have a running buddy this morning, so I ran by myself from the church out to Riverside Runners and back. This is what it looked like outside at the start:

As I started running down Peakland, the snow was blowing hard right into my face and pretty quickly the snow that landed on my eyelashes was turning into icicles.

I made it out to Riverside Runners and took another picture:

On the way back down Rivermont Avenue, I ran into a few cars that didn't want to move over for me, which was pretty rude, considering I know they had to see me...I was dressed all in black against a thick, white background. But, I made it back safely, finished about 5 miles, and grabbed my camera so I could get some more shots of the guys and our adventures.

Here's Jeff, Danny (with a snowman beard), Gregg, and Brian:

Gregg and I after we finished:

 And we all stopped at Starbucks to warm up with a hot beverage...here's Gregg and I after we dried off a bit:

 We had a great run and it probably snowed another 3 inches while we were out. Hope ya'll enjoyed the snow day!

AMBITION

Miles today: 5.9

Miles this week: 17
Miles in 2010: 107.7

watch this.



Doesn't it make you feel ambitious?

I am ambitious.

I am ambitious for attempting to run for 365 days in a row.

I am ambitious for trying to run right through my fall yesterday.

I am triple ambitious for my run today.

Why?

Well, last night after I got home, my knee was pretty sore and it woke me up a bunch of times throughout the night. This morning, Gregg put an ice pack on my knee when I woke up because it was super stiff and swollen.

It was my day off, so I slept in, walked around, did some chores, and my knee started to feel looser...so I thought I could go for a regular run.

I drove over to Lynchburg College and met up with Gregg and his lunch buddies to say hello and to start my run with them...not because I can keep up, but just because I like seeing them and I don't ever get to run at lunch time since I'm usually at work.

I ran through campus and up Vernon Street and Langhorne Lane, hung a right on Memorial Ave. and another right on Fort Ave. past the Fort Early Building. I was feeling pretty good on the run and my knee wasn't bothering me at all, so I kept running down Fort on what I like to call the "Me & Stacey Run." For some reason, this was a 5 mile loop that she and I did a bunch of times this summer...so it's our loop.

When I got out to Waffle House, I passed one of the lunch guys, Bret, on his way back from the turn-around point. I think my Garmin just had whistled it's 2-mile mark at me and since I wasn't hurting, I figured I could keep running and do the whole loop.

Well as I turned right on Fort Avenue by Grand Furniture, and then another right on Sandusky to head back toward the college, my knee started to kind of just throb. It was like there was a blob inside it that was jiggling around...and the only thing that didn't really give it that blob feeling, was if I just ran purely on my toes. So from about mile 3 (halfway down Sandusky) to the end of the run, I had to improvise my stride because if I let even the smallest part of my left heel touch the ground, it would make my knee just throb. UGH. My stride had to look super weird.

At this point, I was thinking...do I really still have 2 miles to go????

So, I ran on, past the $60 spot (this is on Sandusky where, this past October, Gregg and I found 3 separate $20 bills on our run) down the hill (in pain at this point) and back up toward Perrymont and Thomas Road. When I started the uphill toward Perrymont, I was in a lot of pain, so I'll admit, I just stopped and walked for about 5 minutes. When I started back down Thomas Road, I just was trying to be finished, so I ran through the pain.

Finally got back to the top of the hill and ran back down Vernon Street and onto campus. Crossed my fingers that Gregg might still be at the school so I could give him a kiss, but was sad when I realized I had missed him.

Slowed down and walked to my car, looked at my Garmin (5.9 miles!?!), and at this point realized I probably shouldn't have run that far. I hobbled into my car (my knee was swollen and hard to bend) and called Gregg on the drive home.

And what do you think he told me?

He said, "Didn't I tell you just to run a mile on the track?"

Yeah, he did.

Did I listen?

No.

He'd probably call me stubborn.

I call it ambition.

long run: I'm tougher than i thought

Miles today: 10.4
Miles in 2010: 61.8

as Saturday tradition continues, Gregg's running guys chose to run from Peakland United Methodist on Boonsboro Road this morning. since i didn't have anyone to run with in particular, i decided to go along.

when we showed up, the pack was: Len, Jonathan, J.C., Bret, Brian, Nathan, Jeff, Matt, Dwayne, and Gary. some of these guys run everday at lunch with Gregg, and others have their own routines and just meet on the weekends.

i didn't really have a plan for where i would run, but i started out with the guys...feeling good because i actually kept up with them for the first 3/4 of a mile along Boonsboro and Trents Ferry Roads.

now, you have to understand that i kind of idolize the group that Gregg runs with.

SO...you must understand then that running any little bit with them is like winning the Super Bowl for me.

when we took off, we ran down Boonsboro Road and turned left on Trents Ferry...since the pack was kind of tight and i was worried about being slow, i took the road instead of the sidewalk on Trents Ferry (where that mural is painted) and to my surprise, stayed with the guys easily. after the sidewalk met back up with the road, i was out front, running along with Bret and Len. who knew!?

after about just 3/4 of a mile though, i decided to take a right on Williams Road and said goodbye to the guys who were heading down Trents Ferry to Holcomb Rock Road on the other side of Boonsboro.

i started planning in my head what i was going to run, knowing that the guys were running 14 and would be gone for almost two hours...so I headed up Williams past VES and down VES Road back to Rivermont. took a left on rivermont, and decided to head down to the store. i saw jen anderson near Randolph College and Ellen Sarantos on Rivermont too. at about 4 miles, (just after I turned right on Magnolia past Riverside Runners), i decided i was feeling pretty good so i headed down to the hollins mill waterfall (which was raging, but had some pretty icicles on it, too) and got on the bike path.

i ran up to the 2 mile mark (just before that, there's a steep hill which was covered in ice, so i had to walk) and then to the Greek Church...and by that point I had run about 7.5...I kind of had only planned on running 7.5-8, but realized when i got to the end of the bike path that i still had about 2.5 to go...so i was pretty tired, but figured i had to get back to the start somehow...and by this time my feet were hurting a little and i noticed my lower back getting sore...so much for all the asphalt/concrete...

i headed up langhorne and reminisced of warmer times and the Virginia Ten Miler. when i was almost back to Rivermont, i passed Nancy, Lloyd, and Deborah. ran down Peakland and passed Gregg, Bret, Brian, and Nathan, doing their last 3 or so miles. got back to the church and felt like falling over.

looked down at the Garmin 310XT on my wrist (i'm wear-testing it from the store, we sell them...) and saw 10.4 miles and said, "Woah...is that for real?"

laid down to stretch for like 25 minutes.

good run...how about long, eh? see above for map. i'm happy.

Saturday AM runs

My fiancé, Gregg, has always been a runner. He's loyal to the sport and has a great group of guys he runs 5 miles with from Lynchburg College everyday at lunch. On Fridays, as tradition mandates, the guys always call a run for the following Saturday. Yesterday, Gregg called the run from our house, meaning this morning, a bunch of guys would show up around 7:30am, ready to run 11+ miles.

Now, as tradition has continued, each time one of the guys has a run from his house, some of their wives have set the standard of offering different refreshments post-run. Gregg has always taken care of the Gatorade since I've known him...but when I found out that some of his runs from the other guys' houses included post-run pancakes or treats, I knew I had a challenge set before me.

So, for the past two years, anytime Gregg has called a run from our house, I've made sure I'm here to entertain. The first time I was here, I made brownies and offered them as a snack. The second time the guys came here, it was summer, and I thought I'd try pancakes and coffee, but it was hot and they weren't as big a hit as I had planned. As tradition would tell, I started making coffee and coffee cake for the guys a few runs back, and now, when Gregg calls a run from our house, I'm always asked if there will be coffee cake.

My orginal plan for today was to go for my own run early this morning (7am) and then come back in time to pop the coffee cake in the oven, but as plans often don't pan out in my world, I overslept and just barely made coffee cake in time for the guys' return. In fact, several of the guys had to leave, while a select few stood by and waited for warm coffee crumb cake.

It's a funny tradition, but it's one I cherish and hopefully will continue each time the Saturday morning run begins at our place. I enjoy seeing Brian, Bret, Mike, Jeff, Gary, Gregg, and others relaxing on the couches, quenching thirst with Gatorade, and munching happily on yummy coffee cake. It's my little treat!

PS: I did eventually run today, but that first full week of running did kick my butt. I was so exhausted from all of my blogging traffic and excitement, that I just barely kicked out another 1.1 miles. My foot has been bothering me slightly, so I'm trying to ice, ibuprofen, and relax for the next few days. But don't worry, I'm still running.

Miles today: 1.11
Miles in 2010: 25.2