thoughts on the boston marathon

here are some posts i made on facebook about the bombings:

Boston feels deeply personal to me. The bomber was not going after the runners. The bomber was going after spectators. The bomber was going after my husband, my boys, my family and friends who watch me run. That scares me.

But I know I have things I want to do. I know my body is not as strong as I'd like. I know I will not let that stop me. I know I may pause at the finish line, but I will not freeze. I'm going to cross anyway. I know my family will be there to cheer me on. I know we will not let fear control us. I know you will not win. I will win. I will run and run and run. Spectators will still watch me run. To spite you.

I run. I won't stop. I run not only in remembrance of Boston, but also for the 31 other deaths yesterday due to bombings. I run because terrorism is not okay. Ever. I run. I won't stop.

yogacycle

i don't think there are enough words to describe just how much i love yogacycle.

big.puffy.heart.love.

that is all.

no improvement?

last year's platte river half - 3:04
this year's platte river half - 3:01

three minutes is not much improvement.  what am i doing wrong?  i (incorrectly) assumed that i would naturally get faster as i put in more miles.  i hit a little over 800 miles during last year, so apparently mile-time is not helping.

i don't do speed work.  i don't really know what doing speed work means.  but if i am serious about wanting to improve, it looks like i need to figure it out.

another platte river recap

what a gorgeous day for a run!  blue sky, sunny, warm - much different than last year.  i met up with t and r at the portapotties for a photo op.

the platte river trail is not that pretty, but it has its moments.

i went to boxing on thursday.  it was pretty intense.  so intense that my thighs were still sore on sunday.  nothing horrible, but i definitely wasn't in top form.  i was also sporting my brand new shoes.  this was their first 13 miles.  i decided to break them in.  aren't they so pretty?  they treated me fairly well, until i got a small blister on my right foot at mile 12.  can't really complain about that.  plus, aren't they so pretty?

i crossed the start line about five minutes after 8am.  i completed the first mile in 13 minutes and felt pretty good.  mile two was done in 11 minutes.  mile three was back at 13 minutes.  the soreness in my thighs started to relax and go away.  my plan was to run 2 songs, walk 1 and try to keep a consistent pace, but by mile four, i had to walk.  mile four took 17 minute.

mile five went pretty quickly with another 11 minute mile.  i stopped for a quick 3 minute bathroom break and mile six was slower at 14 minutes.  mile seven and eight were both a steady 13 minutes.

 

t finished right when i hit mile nine.  she is so speedy.  my thighs started to get uncomfortable again so i walked mile nine in 20 minutes.  along the way, i met chuck.  say hi to chuck.  chuck is 80 and still running half marathons.  eight. zero. isn't that amazing? i hope i am still active at that age.  heck, i hope i am still around at that age.  chuck took my picture running.  chuck is a good guy.

mile ten was a 10 minute mile, which i was please with.  i stopped for another 3 minute bathroom break.  mile eleven was 13 minutes.  mile twelve was a little bit faster at 12 minutes.  i just wanted to get to the finish line.  the hill this year wasn't so horrible because a) i knew about it and b) i didn't have to re-run up it three times chasing a stupid hat.  although the bridge did seem to last forever.  the last mile point one took 15 minutes.  my official time was 3:00:58, an average of 13:48 minute miles.

 

i admit to being disappointed that my time wasn't that much faster than last year's.  i crossed the finish line and got my shiny medal.  my husband and boys were at the finish line to cheer me on.  i am conflicted about how the race went.  on one hand, i had a few pretty good miles, but on the other, i do not see much improvement in my speed.  three minutes off does not seem impressive at all.

shiny, shiny medal.  i am never disappointed in you.

your skirt or mine?

what do you think of running skirts?  personally, i love them. i love how it fits and i love how it makes me feel.

two that i wear are skirtsports and running skirts.  in fact, i don't wear anything but skirts to run in.

apparently, there is some controversy on looking cute while running.  it is not done if you are 'serious' about running.  who gets to decide these things?  who gets to make the comment that a 'true runner' wears running shorts?  who says that you can't wear the event shirt until after they have 'earned' it?

i don't get it.

on one hand, running is the most inclusive sport out there.  and on the other, there is always someone trying to perfect the ranks so that we all run the same and look the same and sound the same.

i am going to continue to wear skirts and feel cute when i am running.  try and stop me from claiming to be a runner.

new shoes

my old running shoes have died.  they hurt my feet, knees and hips every time i wear them.  i have a half marathon on sunday and i am not sure what to do.  do i wear the new shoes that aren't broken in, or wear the old shoes that have no cushion?

lent has ended and He has risen

for lent, instead of giving something up, i added something in.  a walk everyday.  i ended up missing a few days, but walked or ran a total of 93 miles.