"All my life revolves around the GLR"

I said that while trying on a pair Saucony's at the Bolder Boulder Expo.  The Saucony guy said, "GLR, you mean the Great Lakes Relay?"  Which of course lead to a full three minute conversation about the race.  Turns out he is from Michigan and has participated in the event before.  He asked us if we run hard or party.  We said neither because we are old and have to work on Monday.

GLR is everywhere, people. Everywhere.

49 Days and Counting

Well it's Memorial Day weekend, and that usually means food, alcohol, and food (not necessarily in that order).  Caitlin and Melissa are headed to Colorado for a race...that is dedication! 

What's the rest of the teams running plans?

I will be running 10 miles tomorrow morning with a group I just recently joined.  We will be running throughout lovely downtown Indy.  It should be an enjoyable morning.  Sunday is race day, so I will trade my running shoes for walking shoes.  I look forward to watching the 100th Running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing with a few 100,000 of my closest friends. 

Enjoy the long weekend everyone!

Race of our lives

Caitlin and I are going to have the "race of our lives" on Memorial Day.  We are running Bolder Boulder! I've been running with a paint mask on in order to get my body used to oxygen deprivation (my boss recommended that idea).  So I'm pretty sure I will PR.  We'll keep you updated.

Rainy Day Blues

Seems like all it does here in Michigan recently is rain! We got a taste of summer last week with highs in the 80s and now it is down to 40 with rain. I had to go inside today and run on the treadmill which to me is the most boring thing in the world. After 4 miles I decided to call it quits just out of sheer boredom and plus I think they had the heat on in the gym because I was a sweaty mess! I saw some die hards running outside in the rain but 40 deg + pouring rain does not appeal to me and I would rather pick the treadmill over feeling like a drowned frozen rat. Hoping for sunny weather this week that will motivate me to run before work! Hope everyone else is doing well. Cheers :)

2011 Mini Marathon Or Why do we do this to ourselves!

I knew I was in trouble when I went out to do an easy 3 miles a couple days before and felt the need to stop and walk about 1.5 miles into it.  I thought well I am on a taper, so it always seems this way.  Well race morning came this past Saturday, and I had my usual restless night of sleep, waking up every hour concerned I was going to oversleep my alarm.  To my surprise I did not.

Pre-Race morning went well.  I picked up Mr. Griles, we found an pretty convenient parking spot without fighting traffic.  Got to my corral and was feeling pretty good about what the next few hours would bring, and bam we were off.  If you have never run an event like the Mini-Marathon it is both amazing and frustrating the sheer number of people (35,000) on the race course.  You have a few choices 1) start weaving 2) slow down or 3) find some grass.  I tend to do a little of each. 

First mile right on target (8 mins).  Mile two settle into planned pace 7:45.  Then the wheels came off during mile three (I know it seems a little early for a 13.1 mile race).  I will spare the details, but managed to I fight my way to a 1:51 finish, which was well shy of my goal of sub 1:40.  As much as we would like for them to all be PR performances they just aren't going to be (that statement, while true never eases the frustration of falling short...especially when you know the training effort was there).

I plan to take a few days off here this week and get started again.  I think I will find a small race in the next few weeks, and put the wheels back on.

Happy training everyone. 

Track

Yesterday I ran at the track! I happen to be in Syracuse, NY this week and have enjoyed the amazing 40 degree (+ rain) weather we have had here the last few days. I have done a few interesting runs, including my track workout yesterday. I had to layer up with running tights, a long sleeve shirt and almost opted for gloves as well! My parents live right across the street from Syracuse Univeristy's outdoor training fields, which include a track around one of the lacrosse practice fields. I set out to do sprints, but it turned into more of a 4 mile tempo run once I decided I really didn't feel like sprinting. I haven't been wearing my GPS watch lately, so I have no idea how fast I am going, but I did feel good. I think I am going to have a huge surprise waiting for me once I try to run in the FL heat once again next week. Oh well...the cool runs are nice while they last!

I also got my foam roller out last night. I am running more and am getting tight IT bands and hamstrings. Do any of you marathoners have advice on what to do when increasing mileage and runs per week leads to tightness/soreness? I am doing okay, but want to prevent injuries!

Finally, I have been signing up for races left and right! So far, here is my race schedule:
Bolder Boulder: 5/30
Seven at Seven: 6/12
Syracuse Corporate Challenge: 6/21
Boilermaker: 7/10
GLR: 7/15

Have a nice Cinco de Mayo ;)