Jumbled thoughts
No, I did not fall off the edge of a cliff. I’m alive and doing very well. I just happened to get caught up in the madness of life, got some extra sleep, and then traveled to Ohio to visit the in-laws and go to a wedding. The few days off the computer (besides my phone a few times) has been nice.
No hills in sight around this northeast Ohio greenway.
Fortunately I’ve had time to run twice on this trip too — on a nice, quiet paved trail that pretty much goes through the middle of nothing. While it can easily become boring, my two runs on this trip — 4 and 6 miles, respectively — have been great. It’s just been me and a few of my favorite tunes, as well as some cool weather in the mid-30s.
(Complete side note here — I thought this was northeast Ohio where everyone brags about how they can handle cold weather? I saw a lot of people bundled up on this morning’s run while my southern self was in shorts and a thin long-sleeve shirt with no issues.)
Anyway … I took advantage of the flatness to get in my first goal-oriented run since Baltimore — I did a progressive run on Friday with splits of 9:11, 8:54, 8:17, and 7:57. Today I started a bit slow, but finished my 6-miler under a 9-minute pace. These two runs are the first ones in three weeks in which I felt completely normal.
It’s left me with thoughts all over the place abut what I want to do this spring. I know I’ve mentioned going for a PR in the Shamrock Half Marathon in March, but I’m also thinking about upgrading to the full marathon. I’ve had other thoughts of still doing Shamrock Half and then maybe doing the Charlottesville Marathon in April.
Other races and other goals have been on my mind quite a bit too, but I’m still not ready to commit to anything yet. In a way, I want whatever is next beyond my upcoming 5k series to feel spontaneous, kind of like when I signed up for Baltimore. Maybe something even more random that I haven’t even thought of will pop up in the next few weeks.
For now, though, it’s all about those 5k races and the last 97 miles or so until I hit 1,000 miles for 2011.
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The people who brag are the same ones who hit the treadmill the first time it snows. I've been laughing at people in tights for a few weeks now.
There's the RNR D.C., but that's in March too I think …. I have forgotten what I like to wear for this cooler weather. When it first turns cool I tend to overdress, but it has been in the 30s on my morning runs!
What are your thoughts on the Shamrock course? Flat sounds nice, but on the other hand I wonder if it can get monotonous during a longer race? Then there's Charlottesville, where there's probably not a flat part of the entire course! Either way, it's great you're looking for new challenges and new races, like you did with Baltimore.
The route actually isn't so bad. I know the 2nd half of the Shamrock course well, but then again for a marathon it may be spread out. Definitely a good point though, and something I need to consider. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
There's a half Marathon around these parts called the Frozen Half Marathon should you decide your southern self wants to get all arctic. It's usually the last weekend in January…we could go ice fishing and have bratwurst patties for breakfast.
If I could afford the travel, it's something I'd consider. Right now I'm looking to stay as local as I can. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
People always overdress for a run, not that I'm defending the Ohio people, but I see it all the time here too. I remember my 20 mile run this year, I was in shorts & singlet, I saw people in MITTENS, for real.
Maybe in one of your 5k packets there will be a coupon for a spring marathon to help sway you.
I'll be lucky if the 5k packets have a coupon for anything local.They're too small to attract any kind of sponsorship like that. I havebeen thinking of how I could turn a trip to Ohio into a trip for arace though. We'll see.
I'll be looking forward to hearing what you decide for 2012. In the meantime, enjoy those 97 miles!
Just checked out the course in Charlottesville online — looks gorgeous and honestly I wouldn't think it would be that hilly. Rolling some but you are used to that. C-ville is such a beautiful place! I'm sure it will come to you soon. Just enjoy the running for now!