See this face? This is a face of a very happy runner!
MCM Training – Week 10 Long Run, Part 1 (6 miles – hear me roar!)
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Tag Archives: Road Running
MCM Training – Week 8 (Long Run – Charles Street 12 Race Review)
I love running a race as part of my training program! Today was the inaugural Charles Street 12 miler run. It was more humid than I expected, but I was so glad that it was overcast.
The race was organized by Charm City Run and I have to give them kudos for putting on a great race (THANK YOU CRR). The course was supposed to be downhill after mile 4, but don’t let that elevation chart fool ya…every downhill was preceded by a kick butt uphill. The course was very well supported with water stops and plenty of Baltimore’s finest cops blocking the course so that we could reek havoc from Baltimore County to Baltimore City (THANK YOU BCPD). Continue reading
MCM Training Week 5 (13 miles…thank goodness for training groups!)
It’s funny that last night when I started to write about group training vs. individual training, I had no idea that group training would mean so much more for me during today’s run than ever before. Due to scheduling conflicts, my usual running buddies couldn’t make the training run.
I have to admit, I’m a social butterfly. Even when I’m by myself, thanks to social networks, I’m constantly interacting with people. When I started running, I did it with friends. When I decided to train for a half marathon, I joined a training group. When I decided to train for a full marathon, I wouldn’t even consider not being in a group. As determined as I am, I’m lazy and I find that being in a training group with a set schedule and an experienced, knowledgeable coach who you can consult regularly keeps me honest and makes me more accountable for my training. Continue reading
Power of the skirt!
When I first started running, my gear consisted of old gym shoes, black sweat pants, and a t-shirt. With the exception of the shoes, it worked. However, having my own business in the fashion and entertainment industry, I’m pretty conscious about image and I have to say that looking frumpy wasn’t exactly my cup of tea. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about the sweat and blotchy red face, and of course the occasional snot that freezes to your cheek in the winter. And when I go to the gym, I would rather wear sweats pants (never shorts) and a big ol’ baggy shirt, but for running…I’d rather put a little style into my gear. Hey, if I’m going look like a sock monkey while I’m running, I might as well wear something cute. Lord knows you can’t pick your shoe color if you wear a size 9.5W – you get what you get. Continue reading
MCM Training – Week 4 (8 mile epic fail to hill repeats redemption)
The two week visit of my family really through a wrench into my training and my blogging. Lugging 12+ people around the what seems to be the entire Mid-Atlantic region was very taxing. I posted on my personal FB page that it was the equivalent of herding cats. From Baltimore to NY and to DC, I herded cats everywhere – and I wasn’t too good at it either. It seemed that the only time I had the entire group together was in the 15-passenger van that I had to quickly learn how to drive. I’m now a van driving fool. Anyway, the sight seeing gave me plenty of time on my feet, but left little time for proper nutrition, sleep, and of course training. Continue reading
When life gets in the way of training.
It’s inevitable that life is going to get in the way of training for a marathon. A lot can happen during those 18 weeks and it’s not a bad thing, but it can be a challenge.
This week, my family is visiting from Taiwan….TWELVE OF THEM for two weeks! Oh, in case you didn’t know, I’m half Taiwanese and half Caucasian. I actually just almost typed “half American,” but that would be an incorrect statement. I’m 100% American no matter what my national origins are. I always get comments like, “you don’t look mixed” or “you look like you are something,” and I sometimes tilt my head and think…”I look like I’m something? What is that supposed to mean?” My picture in on the About page if you’re curious as to what “something” looks like. Anyways, I digress. Continue reading
MCM Training – Week 2 long run (11 miles)
FINALLY! A great training run! Things are starting to look up. I met with my group of running friends, we call ourselves The Six Pack, at the NCR trail at around 6:30AM. It’s been a while since the Six Pack ran as a whole, so it was great to have most of us together again. The only thing that kept this run from being perfect was our missing sole sister, Sunny. So, I guess today we were more of the Fab Five instead of the Six Pack. Hopefully we’ll all run together next week… GO SIX PACK! Continue reading
MCM Training – Week 1 Tempo Run
Thursdays are my tempo run days. What is a tempo run? I couldn’t have defined it better than the link below:
“Definition: Tempo runs are an excellent way for runners to build speed and strength. They’re runs that are done at a steady effort level, usually just a little slower than your 10K race pace. Tempo runs help you develop your anaerobic or lactate threshold, which is critical for running faster. (http://running.about.com/od/runnersglossary/g/whatisatemporun.htm)”
Today our group was supposed to do a 4 mile tempo run for beginners and 5 – 6 for intermediates. Having had a crappy track workout on Tuesday, I decided to go with the 4 mile run on the “dreadmill.” It was obvious to me that I needed to get back to basics and work on my form and pace consistency. I’d let the treadmill take care of my pace while I concentrated on my form. Continue reading
MCM Training – Week 1 Track Workout
First track workout of the season and it sucked. Not only did it suck, but it sucked cheese balls. It was 93 degrees with bad air quality and I, of course, forgot my inhaler. Yesterday’s drill was partner 800’s, which I typically love…except for yesterday. I knew I was in trouble when I started to feel my knee ache during the warm up jog to the track and my legs were feeling like they were a bazillion pounds. Continue reading
Marine Corp Marathon Training – Week 1
What a beautiful day to start training! It was great to see old friends again and the energy of excitement of taking on another challenge was in the air. We were scheduled to run 8 to 10 miles, so our little crew started off with 8.5 miles as all of us were coming back from injuries and thought it was best to take it easy for the first long run. Personally, I’ve been dealing with a knee issue caused by tightness in my calves and quads according to my Physical Therapist. I also developed Meralgia paraesthetica in my right hip. Don’t worry…that’s sounds worse than what it is. It’s just a pinched nerve in the hip area that makes my right quad numb. You can hit my thigh and I won’t feel a thing! Cool, huh? Anyway, I need to do more stretching, rolling, and yoga to kelp my knee, and I need to get some steroid injection in my hip for my nerve….I’ll wait to do this as long as I can. Continue reading
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