Random April Stuff

Injury update

This month I have been able to run pretty much all the prescribed workouts from Darren and at the paces he sets for me.  I ran 2 races in April (PRs in both since it was my first time at these distances - ha...ha...).   My adductors still feel a bit fragile.   I'm being very careful on my runs to make sure my glutes are firing - including smacking those lazy glute muscles while I am running and by paying attention to my form.   I'm meticulous about recovery, foam rolling and getting eStem, ultra sound and graston treatments if there is even a bit of tweak.

Mileage!

January was my first month of "training", Feb - I was injured, March - I was coming back from an injury and April - was able to consistently run.  I barely hit 100 running miles this month.  That is attributed to the fact the week after the Platte Half Marathon, I only ran a whopping 8 miles.  The low mileage was do to the fact I spent that weekend on my mtn bike. yeeHAW!

Speaking of mtn biking.

i LOVE me some rocks!

I love me some dirt, rocks and 2 wheels.   I'm itching to spend more time on my mtn bike soon.   I'm hoping I'll be able to maintain 100 mile running months and 35-40 hours per month on my mtn bikes...  I'm not sure my middle-aged body can handle such volume, but I'm gonna give it a go.

My boyfriend, Dave is going to run the Bolder Boulder.   I am declining to race it with him because it's the last day of a long weekend and there is no way I am gonna rest and taper for a race.  I plan on mtn biking 3 of my favorite routes - Indian Creek on Saturday and Buffalo Creek on Sunday and Hall Ranch on Monday.   I'd be WAY too pooped to race a 10k.

New stuff

Best running thing purchased this month.  Prescription sunglasses with "progressive lenses".  (that's a nice word for tri-focals for you young people)    It's so great to see distance and also be able to see my garmin without taking off my glasses.  wow!  should have done that a long time ago.

sunglasses w/progressive lenses...yeah - i'm OLD

In my 7 months of running, I have purchased 3 hydration running belts.  You wouldn't think running hydration would be so hard.  I am definitely not a "hand held" girl and as long at the belt doesn't bounce or move around when I'm running - I'm "ok" with a belt.   The iFitness was ok but the bottles SUCK!   The fuel belt was too big even when I made it as small as possible.  The Ultimate direction seems "just right".  I used it during my 10 miler last week and it didn't move or bother me. It has 2x10oz bottles and I like the gel flask hostler too - I water down my gels and it's so easy to squeeze in the 100 calories of nutrition when i need it.

so far - this is the ONE!

Upcoming races

I'm really excited about the upcoming Brooklyn Half Marathon in a few weeks.  I'm stoked I'll get to see and visit with Ricky.  I haven't seen him in person since the wedding last July.

Ricky (my little baby) and my beautiful daughter-in-law, Catherine

Catherine and her sister, Megan will also be racing the Brooklyn Half.   I'm thrilled we will all be in the race.

(stolen from FB)  Megan & Catherine - good looks run in their family.  I hope they don't mind waiting for me at the finish!

For the remainder of the year - I plan to run a half marathon a month.   That's seems to be a reasonable distance I can do every month without having to commit to a full running training schedule.   After May - I'm planning on riding and running to my heart's content and I'll run these races with whatever fitness/taper I happen to have on that given day.

Here's the schedule:
Brooklyn Half - May
Slacker Half - June (thanks to Kathy for talking me into this one!)
Keystone Half (my first trail half) - July
Georgetown Half - August
Golden Leaf (snowmass to aspen - trail half) - Sept
Oct/Nov/Dec - TBD

Pool

It's the 10th (and last) week of league and I'm still hovering in the top 3rd of the rankings.

I was hoping that playing in a league would motivate me to practice more...but that hasn't happened.  This weekend is a 2 day(Sat/Sun) final tournament with $1500 added.   I plan to play my absolute best on Saturday and I have a 12 mile run scheduled for Sunday.   I would totally LOVE to "get in the money" but I'm not sure how deep they pay.  If I win enough to make it to the Sunday matches,  I'll have to forfeit because I can't run 12 miles and then play any type of serious pool afterward.    I am looking forward to Saturday and playing under pressure.

I can say - I totally love pool and every Tuesday night I play - I have a blast.

15 seconds of fame...or is it 15 minutes??

So many of my friends have mentioned this to me - so I'll mention it too.  I was quoted in this month's Runner's World magazine - in their trail edition.  Way back when (right place, right time) I was asked some questions about recovery - so I gladly talked to the reporter.   It's not like I was a intentionally sought after person they wanted quotes from - just a random bystander.   I do think it's kinda cool.   My 15 seconds of fame...so I'm good in the "fame" department for the rest of my life.  :)  Happy running everyone!