“Every mile is two in winter.” -George Herbert (17th century English poet)

Yesterday was the first time in over seven months that I’ve ran a distance above 10 miles and I think I was at the point of needing this run. Luckily for me, the weather decided to cooperate (for the first time since I moved here!) and I got to enjoy 36F with 100% humidity. From comparing my pace, weather data, and general feelings about some previous runs, it seems that humidity is a huge factor on my running performance and feelings about running. I’ve run in the snow and felt totally fine; but those crisp cold days are the ones that really do me in.

I planned a nice and half-new route for myself to use 5 miles I have become comfortable with and add onto that with seeing new parts of town. I used to complain (pretty vociferously) about the hills in Seattle, but they have nothing on the constant elevation changes that are intrinsic to this town. I walked two hills during the run, and normally would be irritated at having to do that, but the best things I’ve read about ultra training indicate you should walk hills and run downhills/flats, so I’m trying to adjust my attitude to be okay with these walks.

Many of you know that I was on the fence about new shoes for a while; I had a very hard time finding a pair that really worked for me as well as the Saucony Pro Grid Guide 4s did. I’ve been dragging my feet about switching from my VERY dead pair I wore to do a marathon and 4 months of training afterwards in, but I finally swapped out to my new pair for this long run. After looking all around, I’ve gone back to Saucony for the Pro Grid Guide 6 in hot pink. The stability correction isn’t as intense as it was in the 4 (which is slightly disappointing), but my legs felt fresh after wearing them and they fit well in the heel. Overall, I would recommend them.

Also, first ice bath of the new year! It was excellent.

Week one began with the decision to actually tackle this beast and see how far I could get. My first run of this training sequence was a very relaxing 3 miles in the snow on my b’day, followed by a low energy 3 and then a back to form 3. I was awfully worried about 5 miles (leg rust, etc), it wound up being beautiful and fun by the time I got into the swing of things. Mile 4 was downright awesome. Followed it up with my favorite cross training (after biking, of course), Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. Now to gear up for week two, with a tasty 7 at the end!

I’m a runner that LOVES big running goals. With the year anniversary of my first marathon coming up tomorrow, I’ve been reflecting on where to go and what to do next. Ultras were never something I contemplated until I came across NJ Ultra Festival 2013. This race series appeals to me on many levels: flat course, drop bag access every 10 miles, plenty of room to have a crew there to support you, and a 28 hour time limit. That’s right, 28 hrs to go 50K/31 miles. I know the marathon slayed me at the very end (if I am honest, the middle was FAR worse than the end), and I know there will be way less energy on this course, but I can’t help but think this will probably be my best shot at doing a distance beyond the marathon.

So, here goes the start of a training plan. I’m going to use Hal Higdon’s novice plan again and I am going to add some distance on to a few of the runs to make sure my body can handle above 26.
If I get there, I get there. If I don’t, at least I am working on getting back in shape for a fun and awesome summer marathon or half.

If you are intrigued by a flat, fast ultra, here is the link: https://sites.google.com/site/njtrailseries/njultrafestival

Don’t blame me for the blurriness. Blame the bicycle riding and the eating of whole pizzas!

Hi all,
I was planning to start knocking out Rooibos from Colette Patterns tonight, but Hurricane Sandy has other ideas for my sewing, so hopefully by the end of the week I will start making demonstrable progress on this project…

Here is a pic of me (wearing my completed Ceylon) and Sarai from Colette Patterns

I think, in the end, the dress turned out pretty nicely. It’s a shame all of my things were packed at this point, otherwise I would have had better shoes and accessories for this picture.

(Thanks to Angie M. for snapping this shot!)

Biking around Discovery Park.

So much inspiration, so little time, so little energy :(