hi all, well great race day yesterday and today is back to 45 degrees and windy. Spring is over..lol. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.  I am going for a late recovery run today.

Thanks to everyone here for your support.

Race report.

We got an early start as the race was about 1-1/2 hours away.  We got out timing chips and got ready without too much time to spare after potty breaks.  I ran with DD's boyfriend to pace him until about mile 10-12 and then let him go.  We paced near 7:37 the entire race. What was strange is we ran uphill through wet dirt one time and then about two long stretches on gravel and over a man-made wood bridge.  The gravel made me more tired as you slip too much. They had to change the route this year because last year people got stuck behind the train.  I counted on the garmin at the 7:37 pace because it would put me in unter 1:40. At mile 12 DD's boyfriend had to stop for a minute as he was sick (bad mixture of gel and gatorade). I also heard the time from a timekeeper at mile 12 marker, knowing that I needed to run the next mile much faster as the garmin was off a touch, maybe from under bridges?  I ran the last mile in 7:27 but with the .1 I just couldn't get there and the last 1/4 mile was on grass.  So I finished 9 seconds over my ultimate goal for the race. 1:40:09 is offical chip time. Overall, new PR for me and I felt good.  DD's boyfriend finished about 1:41:35.  DD who hasn't run as much with college and time finished 3rd in her age group, time around 1:57.  DW was also was not feeling well most of the week and just finished over 2:01.  No PR for DD or DW but I am so proud.  I couldn't be happier. Anytime with the family is wonderful.

meg - glad to hear you and your son are talking about the issues and you are smart for looking at this from numerous points of view. The best decisions you make are informed ones. Hope you get your running in.

misswendy - I ran the first three miles with ya.  Your weather sounds perfect.  I am ready for the 20 mile run next weekend.

chuck - nice running.  You are getting stronger. Way to get us going this week.  Thanks for your support.

spicegeek - love the pictures, you may have me convinced to get some kettle bells. Where is the best place to get them?

jill - nice idea from your son with the robot. Good running, keep it up.

take care all, I'll post pictures later.

Good afternoon everyone!  So far, being back in Maine has been good -- the weather is beautiful -- sunny and 50's -- which is good for Maine this time of year.  I think we're supposed to get some rain later this week. 

I ran 11 miles today -- longest ever!  Due to my concerns about hills, I decided to run the bike path along route 1.  I thought it was 5 miles each way, so I would do 2 laps plus an extra 1/2 mile each way.  Well....the path was actually only 2.75 miles each way, so round trip was 5.5 and I needed to do 2 full round trips to reach my 11 miles.  I had always wondered about those of you who did multiple laps -- concerned I'd finish one lap and decide that was enough -- but I actually liked doing the 2 round trips.  I could measure my progress and get a sense of accomplishment with each lap, and I always knew how much I had to go!

The bad news is that I forgot my ipod and had to run the whole time with only my thoughts to entertain me -- not horrible but my only distractions were the river along the path and my dog's antics.  The foot pain in the ball of my foot acted up again...even tho I put a moleskin patch on the ball of my foot.  I've done a little research since I got home and think I have metatarsalgia.  Now, just have to figure out how to fix it...I'm thinking custom orthotics.  Sigh.

The great news is that it was a much easier run than my 10 miles last weekend, even with the hills!  So I must have been having an off day last week...  Feel much better about the HM distance than I did a week ago this time

Runjr:  good race report!  Too bad you missed your goal time, but a PR is good nonetheless!

Spice:  great pics -- next time get one of the EC so we can all get a peak!  BTW, I bought a couple of kettlebells yesterday  (Runjr:  I got them at Dick's Sporting Goods -- maybe not the cheapest, but easy.  I figured if I ordered them on line, the shipping charge would eat up any savings....)  I also found a gym near the house that offers Pilates, which I'm going to use to replace my bootcamp sessions.  Thx for the hill running advice -- the path I took today had some hills but not as bad as those around my house.  I tried your technique and was fine.  My glutes have been sore since my first outing on Friday -- so I'm sure ultimately the hills will help once I get past the soreness!!

Massgirl:  nice job on your 10 miles -- great time (compared to me!!)  I'm certainly not the expert on whether you should be running 2 hm's within 3 weeks...I guess it depends on how long you've been running, how many miles you've been logging each week and how you feel following the first hm.  Would the 2nd HM be the one in Boston on 5/24?  That's the one that I'm running in...

Shelley:  I made the protein bars yesterday (my own version with some modifications to your recipe).  I packed one with me on my run this morning and despite the cool weather, it was a bit gooey by the time I ate it (after the 11 miles.)  Delicious, but probably not something I'd want to try to mess with while actually running.  I think next time I may make protein "balls" and roll them in sesame seed or something to prevent the surface from getting quite so gooey... 

Wendy:  I thought of you today as i was running with my foot pain (and no ipod...) and couldn't have imagined running another 10 miles with that pain!!  Don't know whether to admire you or commit you!!

Jill:  good for you, running with your trainer!  The robot sounds interesting -- I use a special timer called a Gymboss for my intervals -- but it doesn't have different tones for run vs walk!!

Thx, Chuck, for getting us started in Joe's absence!

Working out at home tomorrow, with my new Kettlebells!!  Have a good week, everyone.

Sue

Sue great job on your 11 miles today!! I hope your foot feels better soon. We vacation in Saco alittle south of Old Orchard. Yes the hm I want to run is the run to remember.I already reserved a room at the Seaport incase I decide to run. I havent reg for the race though,I'm going to wait till after my half in Nj.I just hope they dont sell out. I didnt see anthing on the web about  a cap for the race.

Miss Wendy, Great job on your 7 today!!!!  Great mileage for the week!!!! 50  WoW!!!!!!! I saw a duck on my run ,Glad I didnt run into any snakes!!!

Hi  everyone,  did 4.4 miles yest.  in wonderful 67 degree weather!! Don't know what my pace was, because my Garmin had an error when uploading and all my info was lost somehow. It wasn't even in the history on the Garmin. Never had that happen before. I was kinda bummed because I ran a new route and wanted to compare. I've been getting bored with my usual routes and have really been trying to find some new ones.In the evening I did Abs and some stretching.  Today I procrastinated ALL day about running. It was about 50 and rainy, my son and I finally decided to go to a movie, then an hour before the gym closed I decided I better drag my butt down there and did 3.5 on the TM. I'm so glad I did,because I work the next 2 days.

Sue- congrats on 11 miles w/o and i-pod, very impressive. You'll be fine for your hm.

Runjr-congrats to you and your family on your race. Your time was awesome!!!

mass- great pace on the 11 miles !

Spice-Great pics!  Looks like it would be fun to do a work out outside!! 

misswendy- 50 miles !!!   you rock!!    I'm right behind you, I had 12!!!   LOL 

Have  a great week all!!!!   Happy Running all!!!   Megan

hey everyone,

we had such a goregeous weekend here that i skipped running over the weekend.  i had every intention to run just didn't make couldn't pull myself away from the kids this weekend.  i wanted to run this morning before work today but i couldn't find my arm band for my ipod so instead i did weight training at the gym.  i hope to get out there tonight after i get my stuff together so i will have no excuses.

run jr - congrat to all of you! you all did awesome!

lorie - great workouts!

sue - how did your kettlebell workout go?

wendy - i hope your foot is feeling better.

spicey - thanks for the link!  i think kettlebells will be my next purchase.

meagon - great run with great weather you got love it!

joe - glad you had fun in texas and still get a run in.

im off to try to get some work done, its hard when its so sunny outside.  check back in a few.

carmen

Hey everybody:  Did a 30 min over hill and dale walk with DDog this morning, then a strength workout using my new KBs (among other implements).  KBs worked out great -  but I have to say that I didn't work as hard as I did in bootcamp...hmmmm.  Will have to push myself harder   Thx for the KB link, Spice - I was ready to return mine in favor of the ones online, but the handles on mine are fine - the same as what I used in bootcamp.  So, in the interest of simplicity, I'm going to keep them.  The price seemed about equivalent - I paid $29.99 for 10 lb and $39.99 for 15 lb. 

I'm planning to do an easy run in the am before I take off for my weekly travels. 

Oh, I spoke to someone earlier today about the pain in the ball of my foot.  She sells semi-custom orthotics and believes my problem is fixable with an insert (surprise!)  She seemed to know what she was talking about, but I really don't want to throw more $$ at this and not get a resolution...  Any of you have experience with a podiatrist??  She (the orthotic lady) said that often her orthotics resolve problems that podiatrists are not able to resolve...(another surprise!!)  They do offer a guarantee - tho it's either 100% credit for their online store or 50% cash refund...  Any thoughts?

Megan:  our bootcamp was always held outside (weather permitting) and it is nice to be outside...  Very calming to watch the clouds and birds float past as you're working you're a$$ off

Joe:  I love San Antonio - were you down by the river walk area??  Great place to run, along the river....

Runthe#s:  you're assuming I HAVE style - lol!!  I'm happy just to get to the finish line!!

Talk to you all later this week,

Sue

hey yall

6 miles this morning. no wildlife to be seen.  cant wait to hear from macd about dd's boston run! woohoo!

lorie....ducks are much more welcome sight than snakes. lol

spicegeek...enjoy your taper, i'm sure that bagel was yummy

megan...sorry you lost your run. never know what weird things computers will do...12 is a great total!

joe...glad you made it travelling through the storms

carmen....fun weekend with kids sounds nice.

run#s....great job on 5m and xtrain. i enjoyed the womens race too. great way to get pumped up to run my race.

sue...nice walk with ddog. lol hope the inserts work.

runjr...you are right on pushing when i feel tired in 5k. that is where i remember my friends advice: 'listen to your body during training and you mind during the race' and , the snake was real this time; it moved.

love to all