Sunday, June 6, 2010

Monday Brain Exchange/Future Races/Etc./99 followers

This is me last fall in Portland Maine so so so glad to be done!  I ran the whole way and never walked.  I had to keep changing my goals as the race went on and this is the one I made!



This coming weekend I am going to race the Capital City Stampede - advertised as Vermont's fastest 10K. We shall see!  I think Run for Empowerment that I am missing because I will be in DC has to be the flattest 10K (or 5K) as it is on Burlington Bike Path which is pretty much totally flat!  I haven't signed up but unless something comes up I am there!


 Jill's Monday Brain Exchange     Here is the question:
What are some of the things you have learned on your own personal journey through fitness, whether it be from triathlon, running or just simply training? 
I am thinking about the ending of my half marathon last weekend and how terrible I felt.  I have to think I was somewhat dehydrated as it took a long time afterwards for me to drink enough to have to pee.  I always worry in a race about having to go to the bathroom and the time it will take and I tend to drink too little.  I didn't respect the half as a  very real distance on a hot day. I can get away with this attitude in the winter but not on the last weekend in May.  I would have been much stronger with water/Gatorade and I think I could have made up the time a bathroom stop would have taken.  Even if I lost time I can't afford not to hydrate properly!


This weekend T and I got to run together after a long dry spell due to busy schedules and races.  We had a lot of catching up to do and it was GREAT running with her again. We ran in the rain both days. Today it poured for a lot of the run and I was SOAKED when I got home!  But it wasn't cold so life was good.


I am still pondering my fall marathon choice.  I got conflicting advice from my last post which is natural. I need to make up my own mind.  I am leaning toward Mount Desert Island.  I need to redeem myself after my last marathon. Previous to that I was 5 minutes away from BQing.  Last year in Portland, ME I was about 25 minutes away, my second slowest marathon ever, the only one I haven't PRd in.  Oddly enough I got second in my age group.  I think I would rather run a marathon for pleasure (if running 26.2 miles on a challenging course can be called pleasure) and go for a BQ another year.  I have wanted to do this marathon for awhile and then Runner's World gave it so much good press it heightened my interest even more.  The biggest problem is it is 8 hours away.  But it is what I am leaning toward at this moment.  


Today I very happily sorted and organized my books.  I put authors together, picked out books I want to reread and separated ones I am ready to get rid of.  A great way to spend a still very rainy afternoon.  


Did you see the Rave Run in the new edition of Runner's World?  It's not very often I can look forward to running the Rave Run!

And one more thing...........I am at 99 followers! Come on someone who is lurking - join up and be a follower and help me reach that 3 digit number!!!  Thanks!!

17 comments:

Suzy said...

I saw the rave run and now I can't wait to go back to DC so I can run there!!! I can't wait to hear which marathon you decide on. At least you have it narrowed down to two!

Steel Springs said...

I can't believe that I wasn't an official follower yet! I just added, so you should have at least 100 now. This is a great blog...how fun that you're at three digits!

It sounds like you can't go wrong with either marathon. Good luck with the decision!

Anne said...

Actually, the Niagara Marathon is also 8 hours away for us...so we're taking four days. Leaving Friday morning...then Saturday go to the expo and take some time to relax...Sunday the big day and then return on Monday.

We also hope to race the Québec City Marathon one day (either as a half or a full)...we'll see how things go. But it's supposed to be beautiful. Perhaps we can do this together :)

Yay for reaching 100 followers!!

Tricia said...

congrats on 100+ followers!

misszippy said...

I've been reading about the Mt. Desert race...sounds lovely, doesn't it? Albeit tough. If you are coming to DC this week (I'm just up the road in Md), you have timed it well! We've had horrible heat/humidity all week but it is supposed to clear out tonight. Enjoy your time here!

LMC said...

My husband always has to remind me to drink during our long runs. Like you, I tend not to drink enough and then spend the rest of the day catching up! We'll get it right! Good luck at the Stampede!!

Tricia said...

I was ABSOLUTELY positive I already was as well...and that I have been for awhile. But when I just checked I wasn't there. Strange?!?!?

*still* a loyal follower :)

Molly said...

I'm curious as to which marathon you pick...I'm still doing Rochester, but someone mentioned that since it's on September 12, there is still a chance it could be unseasonably warm. I'm just not going to think about it.

Marlene said...

Woohoo, 100+ followers now! Awesome that the race run is in your neck of the woods!

Amy said...

Good luck with deciding on your race and how cool you get to run one of the Rave Runs - how neat is that?

Anonymous said...

Better late than never!!!

Jocelyn said...

Wooo for 100 + followers. Its because your blog is awesome that you have so many of us wanting to read about your next adventure :)

Johann said...

Congratulations with the 100 followers! I always see if I might be able to run the rave run...from the SA addition. Only one so far but I'll do more I'm sure, especially now that I run more trails. Over here the rave run is trails mostly.

MCM Mama said...

Congrats on the 100+ followers! Looking forward to meeting you when you head down to DC.

Julie said...

Woo hoo for 103 followers! I can't wait to hear what marathon that you decide to go with:) It will be nice that we will be training close to the same time...I am sure that I will need your moral support:)

Okay, this year (since Jan) I have run in two 5ks, one 7k, two 10ks and five half marathons:) I have two more halfs and a full in the books but will fill with other races to fit into marathon training. I will most likely run in a few 10 mile races. I really enjoy being around people...when I am not racing on the weekends I tend to miss it. Runners are fantastic and so supportive! I love the positive energy that explodes around me on race days:)

RE: The birds that attacked me were little black birds with orange wings! I am not sure if I was close to a nest or what? I have never had problems before and I have been running around that lake for months:) I don't know but I can tell you..I will pay attention around that spot from now on:)

Have a great week:)

Fran said...

Choose the one you think you will enjoy the most.

I know what you mean by not drinking enough. I always worry too I have to go to the bathroom during a run, even during training runs.

Darlene said...

Congrats on 100+ followers - I always enjoy your blog - you can't go wrong with any Marathon - Have fun choosing!