You never slow down, you never grow old

22.25 miles in a huge loop around Cambridge in 3:35:00 [9:39 av. pace]

Today's run was soooooo much better than the 20 miles last weekend!  The weather was pretty warm in the mid to upper 40's   It was raining a bit when we first started out but stopped in the first few miles which was nice.  We still ran though a bunch of big deep puddles of ice cold water but the smartwool socks were amazing at drying!  Felt pretty good all the way to the end, but was ready to be done when it was over.  The arches of my feet are the only thing that bother me and they hurt pretty stinkin' bad!  I have been rolling them on tennis balls and am wearing my Birkenstock sandals around because they have nice big arch supports.  Overall great run and I can't wait for the marathon now!!!!!

Ah Monday....I'm not sure why I thought I would spend the evening resting from my long run yesterday when it is Boston Volleyball league night that always needs subs!  Ended up playing 10 games in five 30 minute matches.  Tomorrow for real needs to be a rest/clean the house day!

3.0 miles on the treadmill at 8;34 pace

stayed home sick from work and felt icky but got in a little run just to keep myself sane.

5.0 miles on the treadmill at 8:12 pace... felt good, got all nice and drippy sweaty!  Working out the cold... determined to feel 100% for the marathon!!!

6.7 miles on the treadmill at 8:57 pace

Seems the running is stirring up the boogers that are bouncing around my skull and forcing them down in my lungs.... coughing up icky stuff like it's my job!  This cold will not stop me!

Still sick and even stayed home from work but went to volleyball to do something after being home bored out of my mind all day.  Played five 30 minute matches

Ahhhh! Can't run today because we just got 2 feet of snow!  Work was canceled, just spent an hour and a half shoveling out my car and the sidewalks and the gym is closed today too!  

On a happy note I have a new niece Eve Seraphine born on 1/11/11 and she is a beautiful 7lb13oz (that's how much I weighed too!!!) and 20.5 inches long!!!!  Congrats to Scott and Rose!!!

Ahhh!!!  Finally getting some miles in this week!  Ran 7 miles on the treadmill at the gym in just over an hour [8:34 pace mostly but the first few mins at 8:41] then I jumped off the treadmill, stretched quick, changed and flew over to play volleyball.  I subbed for Diana on her 4's team, four 30 minute games.  It was some intense play tonight!  Same size court as 6's but 2 less people to cover it and we played some really good teams... and beat the first place team both games!!!! 

7 miles on the treadmill at 8:34 pace but took it down to 8:00 pace for the last 3 minutes because I was feeling good!  

Got the most amazing new 3/4 tights to wear for the marathon yesterday and a whole bunch of strawberry GU Chomps with my super duper money saving Groupon for the Greater Boston Running Co.  what a deal!!

5 miles on the treadmill at 8:34 pace

Still no tv at the gym....everytime the cable goes out it takes like a month to get it back....how am I supposed to watch my Celtics???

4.0 (super annoying) miles on the treadmill

3.1 miles at 8:00 pace

0.9 miles at 9:14 pace

stupid treadmill twice said "user not detected" and paused while i was running!  sooooo annoying!  how does it not detect me?  i weigh enough to be detected by weight, i changed the speed so i should be detected by activity, i was sweating all over the thing so i should be detected by perspiration/stink.....what the heck????

also as a side note, people who take baths in cologne before coming to the gym should be quarantined in a special room so I can breathe while running....that is all.

4.05 treadmill miles

1.5 miles at 8:00 pace

2.55 miles at 8:34 pace

The treadmill at work hurt my shins so bad!  I can't believe I did the entire 4 miles with that burning!

4.0 on the treadmill at 8:19 pace.... felt like I could have run 4 miles in 10 minutes tonight but I kept it slow to keep myself in one piece for next weekend!  Oh my god....next weekend!!!!

5.0 on the treadmill at 8:27 pace

I love how dead the gym is at 7 on a Saturday night!

Jenny and I met Jenny's friends who are coming down to Miami to cheer us on (well really they are probably going to sit on the beach because this whole week Boston is supposed to get below 0!) for a good luck brunch in Union Square.  Yummy!!!

4 miles on the treadmill at the gym at work at 8:34 pace

Got 1 mile in before the facilities guy came into the gym and told me that the men's locker room was flooding with icky gross toilet water and the women's was starting to do the same and that I should get my stuff out of the locker to be safe.  I went in and icky toilet water was coming up through the floor and shower drains so I grabbed my bag and went out and finished my run before I realized I couldn't shower and I would have to go back to work stinky.... ick!  

4 miles on the treadmill at work.... 8:20 pace   

god I am getting sick of the treadmill!  too much snow and uncleared sidewalks and bitter sub zero cold.....

Starting to get really excited/nervous for the marathon Sunday.... ahhhhh!!!!  I have an insane amount of stuff packed since I am going to be there for a week and a half and I am a crazy over packer and I just throw way too much stuff in a bag last minute.  I'm pretty sure I have all my marathon day stuff, shoes, socks, tights, tank, sports bras, fuel belt (and fuel!), sunscreen, watch, and the love of my life....body glide!  We have time to run to the store before Sunday if we need anything else.  I can't wait to get to the hotel and lay stuff out and have Jenny there to go over things with.....I'm just hoping this Nor'Easter stops in time for me to get out of Logan in the morning....good thing I picked the flight with the 3 hour Atlanta layover!  Man I just need to get down there and relax by the pool!!!  Jenne agreed to take home my stinky running gear in her luggage since she heads home 5 days before me so I don't have to take them around with me!  <3

And Breathe......

Quick run over the Venetian Causeway from Miami to Miami Beach to get out some nerves

Ahhhhh!!!  I finished the marathon!!  All that training worked out awesome for me, I ran so strong and felt so good the entire race and even sprinted my heart out the last 0.2 miles to the finish line!  

I finished my first marathon with a time of 4:04:03 which was

1238/ 3558 overall

274/ 1257 females

55/ 236 age division

Jenny and I got to the starting area just after 5am and dropped off our bags and talked to a few other runners while we waited to be lined up.  All Jenny kept talking about was how she couldn't wait for it to be over, but I was psyched for the whole experience so I tried not to let her get to me.  We started the race and because we started with the 1/2 marathoners and there were supposed to be 20,000 runners, it took us about 10 minutes to get through the start line and our first few miles were 11:29, 10:47, and another one or two miles in the 10 minute pace which I knew was too slow but there was no where to go with all the people so I tried to take in the sights of the cruise ships all lit up as we ran over the causeway before the sun came up. 

It seemed like the blink of an eye and we were already at the 6 mile marker (half of a half of the way done!!  haha) so I was still feeling really good.  We ran through and got water at this stop for the first time since the earlier ones were so crowded.  We ran up Miami Beach and then back across the Venetian Causeway (that we did a little run on two days before) and before I knew it we were running through the loud and totally crazy "fan zone" at mile 11.... wow almost halfway and I felt like I was just starting!

I couldn't wait to hit the split where the 1/2 marathoners finished so that it would clear out a bit and we would be able to get water better.  I noticed Jenny start to fall back a bit but then she caught back up as we rounded toward the half.  I checked my watch when I hit the half and saw that it was 2:01:47 and even with the slow start killing some time, I realized that a sub 4 hour was in reach if I could keep my pace.  I planned on trying for something between 4:15:00 and 4:30:00 based on training but once I figured I had 4:00:00 in my sight and I was still feeling really good, I found my perfect pace and lost Jenny by mile 14 and kicked it into cruise control and held that pace all the way through the Coconut Grove stretch and back up to the causeway...

Mile 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 done and still feeling fantastic.  Everyone around me seemed to be slowing down and struggling and just not looking good, but I felt great, I was still holding my pace, I wasn't tired at all and I knew I only had a few short miles left.  I was going to do it!  I was passing people left and right coming over the causeway heading to mile 23 and even had fellow runners telling me how good I looked and to keep going strong....I was cruising!  Coming off the causeway I hit mile 24 and looked at my watch to see that I to finish sub 4 I would need to finish in 15 minutes.... at that point I knew I couldn't push for 7:30s so I held on and ran my heart out putting every bit I had into every step.  Heading to the 26 mile marker I was flying past people and still running straight up and feeling good.  I ran like a clydesdale horse lifting my legs up high going up the hill on the grated bridge so I wouldn't trip and fall like the bloody lady I had seen earlier and then there it was, the mile marker for mile 26!!! 

From there I could see the crowd get really thick and could make out the balloon arch by the finish line, it was now or never, I knew I wanted to finish strong and I kicked it into a full sprint just like I was running the 100 meters back in high school for the last 0.2 miles and the crowd was screaming when they saw me coming in like a bat out of hell!  I crossed the finish line and instantly got the chills and couldn't get the grin off my face, I JUST FINISHED A MARATHON and I DON'T FEEL LIKE I WANT TO DIE!!!  In fact, I felt really freakin' good!!  I wanted to do it again! 

I found Jenne at the finish line and collected all kinds of food and water and waited for Jenny, who finished about 15 minutes behind me to get done.  She did not look happy and the first words out of her mouth were "I am never doing that again".... that sucks because I had such a great experience and feel bad that it wasn't good for her.  I got my gigantic medal and wore it proudly as I walked back to the hotel and then decided to go back down to the race and walk around a bit.  I am really baffled by how amazing it went from starting line all the way to the finish...I couldn't have asked for a better experience, I am amazed at how well I did both with time and staying so mentally focused and just doing it.  I can't wait to do it again!!!!

Thanks so much to everyone (especially my bro-in-law Benn) for keeping me motivated and informed through training and being psyched with and for me!

Played volleyball again!!!  5 - 30 minute games

My 2 weeks of r&r after the marathon are over.... back to serious training tomorrow!!!!

4 TM miles

first 3 miles at .5 incline at 8:34 pace

last mile at 0 incline at 8:57 pace

Probably started out too fast considering I haven't run in 2 weeks... my left knee is bothering me a little bit on the inside where I had a little pain in the days after the marathon, it feels like it needs to crack.  Probably going to see the dr. about that and my arches before it gets worse.....

Lifted arms for the first time in a long time... that is gonna hurt tomorrow!!!

In an attempt to change up my "I eat the same 3 boring things all the time" diet, I found a few recipes online of things I don't normally eat/ think I don't like (especially fish...oh I'm scared for that one!).  Tonight's meal.... tofu parm with rice pasta.  I thought I hated tofu so I used it in a dish I know I like and I really enjoyed it!  I'll do that one again for sure!  Yum yum!

5 TM miles

first 4 miles at 8:57 pace for the first 0.75 of each mile then 7:30 pace for the last 0.25 mile of each then mile 5 at 9:13 pace.

Lifted arms and did some quick ab work

1st attempt at a TM hill workout, trying to feel it out.....

Set up on hill mode, 9:05 pace, level 8 and went for 20 minutes (2.75 miles according to the TM) it was intervals of 1 minute flat then 1 minute hill from 2.0- 4.6 incline.  Then I walked quickly for the remaining 0.25 mile and ran at 9:05 pace for the final 2 miles.  

Got to play volleyball again tonight!!!!!  Now I am laying in bed incing my knees and I feel achy from the belly button down.....

I have nothing left today to give to a workout. Sleeping as much as possible tonight and getting back to it tomorrow....

6 easy miles on the TM

first 0.5 at 8:49 pace and the other 5.5 at 8:34 pace then walked out the hour for a cool down.  Lifted arms and did some ab work before my run..... which I wish I considered my volleyball tournament tomorrow where I will play primary hitter and blocker before doing.... man I'm going to have some sore shoulders Monday!!

Played in the RCOC+ today...primary hitter and blocker!  I am counting this as a run workout because man did I have to run today.....even dove into a wall....

hot shower please!

5 easy miles on the TM at 8:34 pace and 0.5 incline then walked 0.5 miles

Almost skipped running today because my body is a little mad at me for repeatedly throwing it at the floor and against a wall at the volleyball tournament yesterday but I sucked it up and got it done...

I'm pretty embarrassed by my crappy run tonight.  It was horrible, I'm not sure how I ran 26 miles less than a month ago when I couldn't even get through 3 miles tonight.  I really didn't want to go after having dinner with a co-worker but I dragged myself to the gym and did some pretty good upper body lifting then hopped on the treadmill and set it to 8:12 pace and and knew right away that wasn't going to happen.  I forced myself to keep that pace for half a mile then dropped to 8:49 and got in another 1.5 miles before I thought I was going to die and walked it out for another half mile then finished at 8:34 for half a mile and called it quits because I was pissed at myself.......ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Ran OUTSIDE!!!!!  Oh it was like heaven even with the hills!!  5.1 miles in 42:57 (8:25 pace) from work over the Longfellow, up Charles St. (window shoppers in my way!) then up, up, up, up, up never ending Beacon Hill and down Bowdin St., and Cambridge St.... did that loop twice then back over the bridge and back to work....pretty darn good hill workout!

volleyball.... co-ed 6's men's and women's height mixed net... 4x30 minute games

 I played the 3rd guy on the men's net since Kevin was out and we had 4 girls.... got lots of touches and some good hits on the high net!

volleyball...co-ed 4's all women's net....  I am going to join this league officially and play every Tuesday, it's really competitive (unlike Boston Volleyball) and I have a fun team.  I was sick as a dog, coughing and sneezing and headache-y and my lungs burn when I breath in.....today and even left work early because I was not functional and needed a nap, but I made it to volleyball anyway and played alright considering I was swigging cough syrup and barely getting in enough oxygen to stay standing up

I don't know what I did to my knee last night at volleyball, but man it still hurts a lot!  I iced it last night and kept it wrapped and iced it again today, but it isn't feeling any better.  It kinda feels like it is hyperextended, but there is also a shooting pain when I step off it (especially on the stairs) in the front right under the center of my knee cap.  I'm going to stick to an ab workout tonight and try to stay off of it as much as possible.... between that and my crappy cold, I think my body really wants me to take a break for a bit...  =(

Still not happy about the pain in my knee.  Giving it one more day off to get better!  Tomorrow I am going running!

7.5 miles at 8:53 pace (not bad with a busted up knee I was barely walking on 3 days ago!)

Finally some miles to report!  Met up with Jenny for the first time since the marathon and ran the river. There were tons of people out on the river, I assume because the Boston Marathon is getting close, this time of year there are always so many people on the river and Comm Ave. too.  The first 3 steps my knee hurt so bad I thought I was going to have to stop right there but I decided to try to do just a few more before giving up and as I got going it felt a lot better....well it wasn't shooting pain, more like it just didn't feel right.  It was beautiful outside so we stuck close to our plan of 8 miles and it went by so fast....because it wasn't on a treadmill.  I think we have gotten past the worst of the winter and I'm going to start going back into work early and taking a long lunch to run downtown again!!!!  YIPPIE!!!

7.1 miles in 1:04:04 [9:01 pace]

Tried to take it slow today, my knee is still not feeling good and I haven't run much in a while.  Felt alright but not great and had to run into the blowing wind for the last 2 miles which surely slowed me down too.  I am really glad that I did the whole loop and got in the miles no matter what the time.  

Now icing up and stretching for volleyball playoffs tomorrow.......

Today was my rest day but I had playoffs for co-ed 6's volleyball.  It was supposed to start at 7:30 but when the gym was still filled with high school basketball players at 8:45 and Team No Show was down to 4 players, we decided to go out to Union Street for beer and nachos!  Hey we weren't going to win with 4 players when everyone else stacks their teams for playoffs anyway!

4.3 miles in 35:20 [8:13 pace] at work during my lunch break.

Wanted to get in a few easy miles during the day since I have volleyball tonight....

My knee is still bothering me especially up and down stairs and ramps...bummer!

I have no idea how 4 pretty darn good volleyball players can suck so bad when they are on the same team!  I know I am more of a 6's player than 4's but god!  4 x 30 minute games

Tried a "speed" workout for the first time since high school (eek...a long time ago)

1.7 mile warm up running to the track in about 8:58 pace

Than ran at a pace faster than I normally run by a lot (but progressively slower as I got tired):

100M x 4

200M x 2

300M x 2

200M x 1

100M x 2

And I mostly jogged but did a little walking of the same distance I just ran (and occasionally 100M more just to get to where I wanted to start the next set) after each.  I think it was 2.5 miles on the track total if I calculate right.... Then 1.5 mile cool down running the long way home from the track.

So I tried wearing a knee brace today and that didn't last past the warm up, it was slipping down my leg and I pulled it as tight as it would go and it bunched up behind my knee and was bulky and made my knees rub together....that's going back to the store!  I was also pretty tired from volleyball last night and I felt it a bit today for sure.

Switching up my day off tomorrow for today so I could hang out and have a yummy Mexican dinner with Kevin and change my flat tire.....  

going to do some good deep stretching tonight to get ready for 3 good days of running to come!

10 mile run on the river in 1:29:40 [8:58 pace]

Nice sunny and warm day in Boston...seems like maybe spring is on it's way?!?!?!  Lots of people coming out of hibernation today out and about along the river....

Jenny doesn't really want to run anymore and it makes me not able to have a good run so I might have to start running alone.  The Cambridge side of the river was super windy for the first 2.5 miles or so until we crossed to the Boston side then it was hot because it wasn't windy for about 5 miles then windy again when we crossed back into Cambridge at the Museum of Science. Ah....

Volleyball was a sh*t show tonight!  It was the first night of the new session and I decided to play full time.... as soon as the night was over, I called Jen and told her no way!  All the usual teams are gone and now the level of play is soooooooooo bad!  I quit!

co-ed reverse 4's  4x 30 minute games

Slacking big time on getting in the miles lately..... so much going on and lots of volleyball.  I need a good night sleep tonight them I am getting back on the road!!!!!!!

9.3 miles in 1:16:23 [8:12 pace]

What a beautiful day in Boston!!!!  I was only going to run about 6 miles but it was just so nice out I needed to spend more time outside so I did an extra loop around the pond.  My knee was bugging me the first maybe 1/4 mile or so but then the shooting pain went away and it was just weird feeling again, other than that, a great run!  I can't wait for this kind of weather to stay!!!

2.35 miles in 19:01 [8:05 pace] lots of long hills and running into the wind about 3/4 of the way...

Totally crapped out today.  My knee was bothering me pretty bad and my quads are tired from a longer run yesterday and all that volleyball.  I just didn't feel like running much and since I stayed near home I had an easy way to quit..... boo!  Going to do my ab video and try to do YogaX......  

Big volleyball tournament tomorrow in New Hampshire so early to bed tonight!

WB- tournament in New Hampshire with C n' C....we played like crap as a team but I had some big hits and slammed my hip bone into the ground so hard on a dig it is swelling and hurts even when my shirt brushes up on it....

What is this?!?!?!  Snow again!?!?!?!  I can't take it anymore!!!

Ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill at 8:34 pace but I think I ate a bit too much for dinner a bit too close to hitting the gym so rather than barf on the treadmill, I put the speed down to a quick walk for a mile and then bumped the incline up from 0.5 to 10 and hiked it the last mile.  Also.....how come the stupid gym doesn't get the Celtics game?!?!?!  This is Boston and it's the gym!!!  GET THE GAME!!!

Co-ed 4's volleyball  4 x 30 minute games

I need to learn to stop diving on my right side only!!!

5.25 miles at 8:34 pace on the level 3 hills setting on the treadmill.

I wasn't sure what I could handle for treadmill "hills" so I tried to keep a good pace and kept the hills so they were a good workout but so I didn't want to die.  I think they only went up to about a 3.0 incline but I figured that was about "rolling hills" but I have no clue.  It was 1 minute hill, 1 minute flat the whole time.  Felt good

After eating 4 Samoa Girl Scout cookies and a handful of mini chocolate chips, I decided I should go for a run before volleyball!  

Treadmill @ 8:34 pace for the first 3/4 and 7:03 pace for the last 1/4 mile for 3 miles.

Walked 1/2 mile @ 15:49 pace then ran another mile @ 8:34 pace

Then.....went to volleyball co-ed 4's (new Boston Volleyball league I got suckered into playing for 10 weeks) and played awesome 4x 28 minute games!  Good league, lots of good competition!

Hooray for the weekend and finally getting to use my soft serve ice cream machine!

12.2 miles outside in 1:43:33 [8:29 pace]

I looked out my window this morning as I was eating my super yummy spinach, onion, mushroom, and tomato frittata for breakfast and it looked to nice and sunny, I couldn't wait to get out for my run!  Jenny has a friend in town from Hawaii so I went it alone.  I remembered last minute as I was about to walk out the door that it was supposed to be chilly so I grabbed my headband and gloves and boy am I glad I did!  It was freezing out there!  Cold and windy and I threw a few decent hills into the route (which just so happened to all be straight into the wind of course!) So I was super excited when I calculated my pace that it was as quick as it was!  I felt good the whole run other than the usual sore knees for a bit, but I was really psyched that I finished that quick considering all the factors out there! 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4380090

Quick 4 mile loop by the Watertown end of the Charles in 32:04 [8:01 pace]

This was supposed to be a slow recovery run after my 12 miler yesterday but it was sooooo windy out there and I just wasn't in the mood and tried to talk myself into just taking a hot bath instead that apparently that was enough motivation to get this run done fast!

Hoping to have time to do some yoga tonight after I go to the dreaded grocery store.....

20 minutes on the thing that kinda seems like a cross between an elliptical and a stairmaster at resistance 20 then 20 minutes on the rowing machine on lunch break at work.  Hopefully more tonight....

As much as I hate it, I did 40 mins of P90X yoga..... I like all the warrior poses on my hip flexors, but the rest.... I just can't get into all those dogs!

5 miles in ??:??..... oh my god, I forgot to wear my watch!  The whole run I was trying to figure out how to tell how long it had been, I am a freak for my watch!  Anyway, ok run, pace was good but not my best.  I managed to find a route that was entirely uphill until the last 1/3 mile or so where it was such a steep downhill I thought I am surprised I didn't just roll the whole way down!  And the wind... what is going on with the wind in Boston lately???

Co-ed 4's volleyball 5 x 30 minute games to finish off the night.  Team Tony played awesome tonight! Feeling a little beat up from it, but I should be ok by tomorrow....

Taking the night off to spend time with Mom who just flew in from Cali!!!  Back to the hills tomorrow before vb...

4 x 30 minute co-ed 4's volleyball.... more nice big bruises on my hips

RCOB level tournament today.  As a whole, I think we played really well considering our team was probably great for a RCOB- but a little too low level overall for this tournament.  But we didn't go 0-fer or come in last!!!  Fun day!

I don't know if my body isn't ready to run after that tournament yesterday or what, but it was not a fun one today.  Started at 1.0 incline at an 8:45 pace on the treadmill (icky crappy cold rain outside) and made it 2.5 miles before I decided to walk it out for half a mile and give it a go at another 2.5 miles.  The walk really helped me get in those few more miles then I walked another half mile to cool down.  Not a good running day... try again tomorrow.

It was so nice out this morning I wish I had a chance to run then (though I did have to walk from Central Square to work because for some reason the T wasn't going all the way to Kendall, so I did get to enjoy the warmth for a bit) but I squeezed in a 5 mile run with a 0.5 mile walk on 5.0 incline on the treadmill after work.  Ran my miles at 8:27, 8:20, 8:13, 8:20, then 8:34.  Finished in time to meet Jenne in the North End for dinner before going to the CELTICS GAME!!!!!!  Man I love those boys!!!!!

I think my right knee is jealous of all the attention my left knee has been getting because now it is starting to hurt too!  Taking today off mostly out of laziness.... horrible, I know.

So the plan was to go to vball 7-8:45 then hit the gym for a quick run, but then I got picked up by another team at 8:45 and ended up playing until 10:30.....  I am not good at this dual sport thing anymore!  Why was it so much easier in college??   Anyway, played 8 x 25 minute games reverse 4's coed.....and the gym was so hot, I was sweating buckets after game 1.

It's springtime in Boston!!!!  People are everywhere....walking, running, biking, playing frisbee, and I can hear the ice cream truck going by!!  This is why I live in Boston... for days like these!

14.5 miles total, but 13.6 miles running in 1:54:17 [8:26 pace] then I walked the remaining mile-ish to cool down.

 Can't wait for Marathon Monday, not just because I get the day off of work, but for all the people and to see my amazing Hannah run like the wind!!!  Did I mention I LOVE LIVING IN BOSTON?!?!

Played the WB- today in Providence.  Really good level of play today and I'm tired!

Today really was going to be my give my body a rest day....but I got suckered into playing volleyball again tonight... my poor calves are going to hate me!!!

Quick little run 3.4 miles without my watch..ahh that makes me crazy, but it's probably good for me.  Anyway... probably a good 1/2 mile or so was like running the beach because they are digging up the sidewalks on my route so it is all deep sand right now....

Headed to coed 4's volleyball tonight... again.  Oh man, our 4th player didn't show so we played 3 on 4...4 x 30 minute games.... man are my poor little legs tired!!!

Mile markers are going up along Comm Ave today!!!  Hope everyone is ready for Boston...we're ready for you!

Oh man, this is turning into my volleyball blog.... I NEED TO RUN!!  

Played coed 4's again tonight and once again got suckered into subbing for a team in the second half so I ended up playing 8 x 28 minute games.... my poor body is all bruised and covered in floor burn... not to mention TIRED!!  I swear I will get some miles in starting tomorrow!

Excited to see people filtering into town for the marathon!!!! 

4.0 treadmill miles at 8:12 pace, 1.0 incline then walked out the remainder of the hour (1.5 miles) so I could finish watching the Heat/Sixers game.

Miserable weather tonight, hope it clears for my 12 tomorrow and especially for the marathon Monday..... hooray for 3 day weekends!!!

10.8 miles in 1:32:58 [8:36 pace]

Almost quit after 1 loop around Fresh Pond.  Did my first 2 miles just under 8:00 each but then I just didn't want to run anymore.  Slowed my pace a bit and told myself I had to do a loop around the pond before I could go home.  After that loop I loosened up and decided to do another, then another before heading back to Watertown.  Glad I didn't quit.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE TOMORROW!!!!  I'll be up around Heartbreak Hill cheering everyone on!!!!

Man....I love Marathon Monday!!!!

Walked the 2.5 miles from my house up to Comm Ave. right at the 20 mile marker just before Heartbreak Hill.  Got there with a bit to spare before the elite women and then men came through... wow!  Hung around to see my amazing Hannah fly through the Newton hills!  She looked fantastic and finished in an insane 3:13!!  She is my hero!  Anyway then walked up the hill to BC to get a bite to eat then walked back home.  Usually I walk from Heartbreak Hill to the finish line area but this year I just didn't feel like fighting the crowds.  Another amazing day in Boston..... so proud of everyone out there who gave it their all!  Congrats!!!!!

Total walking today 7.0 miles (I'll count that as my recovery 'run' for today and put 1/2 the mileage in my count for the week....)

Also congrats to Benn and Emma on their amazing finishes in the 6 hour ultra in the horrid weather yesterday in Buffalo!  You guys rock! <3

coed 4's volleyball... except once again we only had 3 players.  We went 6-2 against teams with 4 players and only lost to the team in 1st place.  We played awesome!  Our defense was nasty tonight!!!  Nice job Team Tony!!!!

Also nice job to my CELTICS!!!  2 down 2 to go baby!!!

7.0 on the treadmill in about an hour

first 4 miles were first 0.75 miles at 8:34 pace then last 0.25 miles at 7:03 pace for each mile (felt really strong during the whole stretch, and the speed part didn't even seem that fast so I will probably bump that up to sub 7:00 pace next time)

then walked 0.25 miles at 14:00 pace

then finished with 2.25 miles at 8:34 pace and walked out the last 0.5 miles to cool down

my left calf is super tight, I tried the foam roller after stretching but I just can't get it......

Got my prize today for being the 1st to register for the Josh Billings RunAGround triathlon!  Woohoo!

Took about a 2 mile walk on my lunch break to get some air and try to get rid of some work frustration.  Run and volleyball later tonight...

Ran 4 miles on the treadmill at 8:34 pace, first 2 miles at level 5 hills and the last 2 just flat.  That pace is a bit too slow for me, but for some strange reason I am scared to make it faster.... I run faster than that outside, why do I think I can't on the treadmill?  Anyway... then I walked a cool down mile before stretching and going to volleyball.  Coed 4s 4 x 30 minute matches and we went 7-1 overall!!

So I can't decide if I should count walking miles (like walking at lunch and my cool downs) in my total mileage.  I feel like that is for running miles only.... any thoughts?

7.8 miles in 1:07:13 [8:37 pace]

Beautiful morning in Boston!  Sunny and 70 degrees!!!!  Took an easy run along the Charles with Jenny... last one before the 1/2 in VT next weekend.  Now stretching and watching my CELTICS!!!!

13.1 miles in 1:49:51 [8:23 AP]

179/485 Overall

56/284 Female

24/105 Female 20-29 (of course 2 VT college XC teams were in my age group!)

As the saying goes,

"Vermont Ain't Flat."

That was the course description for the Middlebury Maple Run--The Sweetest Half that I ran today.... they were not kidding!  There weren't really any super steep hills but there were lots and lots and lots of hills, one after another after another for the entire race!  That's about all I can even think to mention in the race report!  It was a beautiful bright, sunny warm day in Vermont and I went out at 7:43 for my first two miles then slowed a bit because I knew that was too fast.  What I remember being the steepest hill was at about mile 3 and I held my pace right up it and felt pretty good.  Figuring it would be like most other races I've done, I figured that would be the only hill and I sadly I wasn't even close.  I kept it together and got to mile 6 at 48:18 if I remember correctly which I was really happy with.  Then the hills started to get me mentally, I was still getting up them fine and passing people on them, but it was up, up, up, down a smidge, up, up, up, up,up and you could see them all coming right in front of you.  I felt myself slowing a bit but I knew I needed to. At about mile 9 (when you pass the finish line for a hilly out and back) I was done mentally, I didn't want to play anymore.....but I kept going and I think I was happier to see the 13 mile marker than I was the 26 marker in the marathon!  Right at the 13 mile mark, there was a right hand turn and the 0.1 mile straightaway to the finish line.  I saw a girl about half way between me and the finish line and I told myself now or never, beat her!  And somehow my legs just went into full out cheetah sprint mode, and I beat her steps from the finish line, she never even had a clue I was coming!  

 I was so proud that I beat my best (and only) 1/2 marathon time by just seconds shy of 15 MINUTES on such a crazy tough (for me anyway since I don't really train hills much and certainly not that many in a row!) course!  I can't wait to see what I can do on a flatter course!!

stretch day!

co-ed 4's volleyball.  4x30 minute games

co-ed 4's 4x 30 minute games

8K (4.97 miles) in 38:36 [7:46 pace]

17th Overall

3rd Female overall

1st Female 20-29

Beautiful day for a run on Horseneck Beach!  Felt tight and slow right from the start and didn't think I was going to have a good race, but I did!  I ran with last year's winner for the first 2 miles at about 7:16 pace.... as usual I went out fast, but I like making people pass me.  Mile 2-3 felt crappy and I know I slowed a lot but I finished strong and left with a PR by over 4 minutes and cash prize!!

P90X stretch video

Power 90 Ab ripper 200 video

Watching my CELTICS!!!!

Last night of Tuesday co-ed 4's volleyball....

We only had 3 again tonight for playoffs because Craig is off buying a house in New Orleans or something.... but we played totally awesome and cruised through to the second round even down a player!  Lost in the semi finals but not too bad considering.  I think I played more defense tonight than I have played in the last maybe 5 years combined!  I don't know where my passing came from tonight, but it was awesome... and well as usual I got compliments on my nasty hitting! 

I had intentions of getting in a short run after playing but it was just too intense tonight so I decided to sleep instead

I think I underestimate the toll all this volleyball takes on my body.  Taking today off after one heck of a volleyball night at playoffs last night.  Resting my super tight hip flexors, and totally bruised knees, and sore abs, etc. etc......

GO CELTICS!!!!!  Beat the Heat!!!

Got my Nike+ sportband today and took it out for a quick test run before volleyball.  Ran 2.24 miles according to it and 2.36 miles according to Gmaps Pedometer so I don't know which to side with. AP 8:19

4x 30 minute co-ed 4's.... this was the last week before playoffs! My body is ready for a rest, it is pretty banged up at the moment.  Ready to take a bit of a break for the summer and do some more running

3.25 mile run to the charles river cleanup.  spent 2.5 hours pulling weeds, mulching, cutting branches, and carrying big bags of organic trash up and down the stairs a million times.  got home grabbed my kayak and met Mel back out on the river for a 5.25ish mile kayak trip. and now.....a nap!

Day 1 of at least 7 days of rain in the forecast.... 

5.0 miles at 8:19 pace on the treadmill after lifting arms.  Now P90X stretch.

Ahh!  I have been so bad keeping track of runs lately and even worse at actually doing them!  Slacking big time but I did this race while on vacation in Cali and it was really good!  Sorta hilly to start but then pretty fast and flat for the last 3 miles through the broccoli and cabbage fields....stinky!!!  Post race all the strawberries you can eat was awesome!!!!  Liana and Rose ran too and I was so proud of them since they aren't runners and haven't been training!  So nice to have family there to watch.... little Jane and Eve made it too! 

Left my old shoes in California because I just kept using them and I had my new ones I needed to break in.  I wanted to do 3.5 miles today but I only ended up doing 1 because I tried to run with my backpack to volleyball but it was too big and I couldn't really swing my arms and it was rubbing so bad on my collar bones that they are raw now... boo!  So I ran the short way then walked home.  Hopefully I can find another way to run before Monday volleyball because I really want to get back into a more consistent schedule....

Walked to the track then did a pretty fast mile to calibrate my nike+ then ran most of the way back home..... not a real workout but I'll take it

SO HOT OUT!!!   Started my run at 7:45pm and it is still in the upper 80s out and MUGGY!!  I felt pretty sluggish, stopped and walked a little bit every mile or so.  Knees are pretty achy, quads feel weak, and all those giant callouses I cut off all my toes in California... yeah well now all my toes hurt rubbing in my new shoes.  Supposed to be even hotter tomorrow but hopefully I'll run better!  Kayaking with Dottie tomorrow too!!!

Did a 3 hour double kayak training for The Josh in the rain on the Charles river from Newton going away from downtown Boston.  I have never paddled on this part of the river, I usually put in around Watertown and paddle up into Boston.  It was so nice because it was lightly raining so no one else was out and I think we accomplished somewhere around 9-10 miles and most importantly figured out who we want where in the boat and are getting used to paddling with another person.  Great to catch up with Kate again too!!!!

And thanks to Charles River Canoe and Kayak for having a 50% Off Groupon!!!

Just realized this morning that the Boilermaker is only a month away and I have been super slacking in the running department so I decided to run a longer one today.  Did a little over 9 miles in about 1:18.  Walked a quarter mile in there at 7.40 just for a mental break.....

P90X stretch video

Walked to and from volleyball tonight the short way rather than running because my backpack does not like to run with me and I have the patches of missing skin still from last week to prove it! 

4x30 minute co-ed grass 4's.... good time.

[36:26;  8:33 AP] quads felt like they were in concrete!  eek! had to walk a smidge, i think i dressed a little too much for the heat too...

6.5-7 mile kayak on the Charles... what a beautiful day!!!

5.5 miles with a million starts and stops

Ahhh Boilermaker weekend!!!  Probably the best race ever!  Beat last year's time by 10:32 even without training for the past 2 months so next year I hope to actually train and do even better.  It was a super hot sunny day in Utica, no clouds and the only shade I remember was at the golf course hill around mile 3-4.  So I felt pretty good at the start and took off running, dodging the 13,000 runners and found a good pace and stuck it.  By the 10K I was so hot that I started feeling a little sick and was questioning my ability to finish without walking...oh no!  I slowed it down and took some ice and held on for the last 2 miles or so that were killer but I did it and I can't wait for next year!  This is what I needed to get me started running again! And thanks to Hannah's wonderful family for lodging and feeding us again this year!!!!!

grass co-ed 4's volleyball in the 90+ degree heat... woooooo!

waaaaaaay too hot to run today!  using today to recover from the race followed by lots of hot volleyball yesterday

Well... I haven't run in ages.... think early June with the exception of one race in July and I ran this race because my co-worker (not a runner at all!!) did the couch to 5K training program and this was her first race ever and she wanted me to do it with her to calm jitters.  I didn't train.... I ran 2 times before this race and by 1.5 miles each time, I was toast.  But somehow I fell right back into race mode and went for it.  It was a pretty flat course with one short but really steep hill right at 1.5 miles (wonderful!) 

52/301 total runners

12/177 Female

3/28 F20-29

Oh the Josh!  What an awesome race!  I grew up watching my friend's dad compete in this race, and it is a big deal back at home in the Berkshires.  It is an unconventional triathlon, 27 mile (super hilly) bike, then 5 mile canoe or kayak, then 6.2+ mile (super hilly) run.  Kate and I did it as a tin team so she biked, then we both kayaked in a tandem kayak, then I ran to the finish line.  

Got the boat to Stockbridge Bowl at 4:45am and got a spot just 6 boats back from the water so we'd have less to run with it (the lines went back about 100 boats long so up front was nice!!)  I went back home and had a nice breakfast and got my things together then headed back to the boat ramp to wait for the race to start and for Kate to finish the bike leg.  She finished about 10 minutes faster than she expected so I was about to put on sunscreen when Eric saw her running down from the transition area so I skipped the sunscreen and we grabbed the boat and got in the water.  We had trouble keeping 'Mad Mary' going straight but we got it together and chatted and laughed and made friends with other boat racers and finish that leg about 15 minutes faster than we had expected.  When we pulled up on the beach, I jumped out of the boat, grabbed with wet bag with my shoes and got them on as fast as I could and just ran.  I haven't been running in so long that I was really terrified that I wasn't going to be able to finish the 10K+ but the adrenaline surged and I just ran and ran and ran.  I passed a lot of people in the hilly run and had only 2 (all running together) pass me.  The hills were so long and drawn out it was like torture but I didn't care, I just kept going.  When I got up the final hill that is seriously like the last mile of the race and I had less than half a mile to go, I could hear the music at Tanglewood and knew I needed to get there fast, my legs where shot after that hill...my quads screaming!  I pushed it a little and got past the girl that was about 50m ahead of me for the last 2 miles (which was my goal to beat her to the finish line) then I turned the corner and kicked it up looking at the last 200m or so.  Then I heard footsteps behind me, and I could tell they were moving fast and they were getting close....I decided right then, there was no way I was going to let those feet beat me and I kicked it into a full sprint (4:52 pace according to nike+) and was gone right through the finish line like it was the 100m dash in high school....the crowd loves a good sprint to the finish!!  Mom, Emma, and Benn were there at the finish line waiting for me (but they were about to go get some food because they figured it would be 20 more minutes until I finished based on our estimates of each leg).  What a great day....and we took 4th place in the 2 female kayak division with a total time of 3:38:53!!!  Can't wait for next year!!!!

Haven't calibrated the new Nike+ yet so I'm not sure how accurate this is... and I forgot to stop it when I crossed the finish line for a while.... but here's what it says...

4.89 miles in 42:38 [8:43 average] ...little walking bits in there too

I'm back!  I've been slacking big time on the running since the marathon in January, did a few races, 2 5Ks, 2 10Ks, a 15K, a 1/2 marathon, and the kayak and 10K legs of a triathlon but I didn't really do all that much training in between them... just sorta winged it.  But now I am trying to get my mind (and body) set on the surf city marathon in Huntington Beach, CA in February so it's time to get serious and back on a plan!  I have been walking the 1.5 miles each way to and from the train to work most M-Fs in the beautiful fall weather too.  So I am going to try to keep track on here again to push myself to keep running!

Still not calibrated....

4.0 miles in 32:47 at lunch

Nice slightly shorter loop over the Longfellow, down Charles then through the Back Bay, over the Mass Ave. bridge and back up Memorial to work.  Felt good running today, finally!

Having trouble deciding if I want to run the half or full in February.... I want to do the full because obviously that is bad ass and the half seems like slacking after doing a full, but can't decide if I have it in me to train alone this time through the winter.....

Pretty good run today, same route as yesterday...I need to find a better way to avoid Charles street, the sidewalks are too narrow, uneven brick, and covered with window shoppers!

AHHHHH!!!  I did it, I signed up for the Surf City Marathon in February... I decided I don't have to do better than Miami, I just have to finish it!  So let the training begin!!!!!!

Ran 4.5 miles along the beach in Nahant up through Lynn and into Swamscott.  Nice little run along the beach on an amazing (and bizarre) 80+ degree October day in Boston.  Finished the run and then played beach doubles volleyball for the next 4 hours....man was I tired by the end!  Absolutely crazy hot sunny day, couldn't pass up the chance to play beach!  Headed to NH tomorrow to hike 2 5000+ footers in the Franconia Notch Loop in the White Mountains!!!

Comments

From Benn Griffin on Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 20:57:18 from 96.233.176.74

I loved biking through the White Mts. in NH. 2 5,000 footers? You crazy LBC!! How'd it go?

From LBC on Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 08:00:53 from 69.173.106.87

It was so awesome! I want to take you and Em! You would love it!

Got up at 4:45, packed my gear, met Ethan, and drove up to the White Mountains in New Hampshire to hike the Franconia Notch Loop!  My uncle told me about this awesome hike and I have been dying to do it... a 80 degree day in October sounded like the perfect chance!  We started out at 8:15 am on the Old Bridle Path Trail from the parking lot and hiked the 2.9 steep, rocky miles up to the AMC Greanleaf Hut...wooo what a hike so far! After a quick stop at the lodge we took off for the 1.1 mile climb on bare rock that at the time seemed vertical to the summit of Mt. Lafayette (5260 ft), the 6th tallest mountain in NH.  This part of the hike was brutal!  The rock, the incline, the blinding fog, whipping winds...you get the picture!  I briefly considered turning around at the summit and coming back down the way we came up rather than do the full 3 summit loop, but then my sense came back and we pressed on. Didn't spend too long at the summit since we couldn't see much anyway with the fog (but I bet it was beautiful with all the fall foliage!). So from there we continued on the Franconia Ridge Trail 1.0 miles along the ridge between the mountains until we hit Mt. Lincoln (5089 ft). This climb was just as foggy and windy but since we came across the ridge, not nearly as steep.  Another 0.7 miles later we hit the final summit of Little Haystack Mountain (4780 ft) where we finally lost some of the fog and saw miles and miles and miles into NH and VT....BEAUTIFUL!!! Then we headed down the Falling Waters Trail what seemed like forever to continue the loop, crossing the river and waterfalls at least 7 times back and forth and making a little stop off to the Shining Rock and finally back to the car.  In all it took us 6 hours to complete the hike and it was awesome.  I can't wait to do this loop again!!!

Using today as my day off after rolling my ankle pretty good at vb Sunday and then hiking on it all day yesterday... 

Ahhh!!!  What is going on!?!?!  Last night I kept waking up with pain in my ankle that I rolled... it doesn't bother me when I walk, I notice that it feels a little weak, but it isn't keeping me from my walking to work and back and my calf on the other leg hurts so insanely bad I really didn't sleep!!  Same thing, fine when I walk but as soon as I go to push off from the ball of my foot or use the stairs, it hurts like crazy!  It feels like it is full of knots, I've been using the foam roller but barely putting any pressure on that still hurts a lot.  Taking today off to heat the calf/ice the ankle and to my best to stretch and strengthen so I can really get started tomorrow.  I am getting nervous that the marathon is really not that far away, I didn't give myself enough time to train, especially coming from not really running all summer....EEK!!!

4.93 miles in 40:13 [8:09 average pace]

Ok back again after that nagging calf tear, seems to be alright now, just some tightness but no pain!

MILE TIME AVG. PACE

1 7:57 7'57"/mi

2 16:03 8'06"/mi

3 24:13 8'10"/mi

4 32:27 8'14"/mi

Weird that I feel pretty slow but I am still pulling pretty good splits for me...

4.5 miles on the treadmill...crappy...i don't wanna talk about it

6.2 miles in 50:35 according to my still uncalibrated nike+ [8:12 average]

once I got past mile 3 I felt good!

4.52 miles in 36:42 [8:06 pace]

6.63 miles in 54:41 [8:15 pace]

This run ended up being a bit longer than expected since I learned the hard way that there is no access to the BU bridge from the Esplanade.... oops!  Oh well, felt great! Perfect running weather and just felt good today!

co-ed 4's volleyball tonight

it went well but i was in a grouchy mood...

2nd place female and only 5 seconds off 1st place.  Ran in a bright blue tutu!!

co-ed B- tournament at LSHS with no power!  Oh my body hurts!

rest day

4.15 miles in 33:24 [8:03 pace]

 Volleyball tonight 7-10 co-ed

3.6 miles with Jenny before dinner at 9:06 pace... slow, but nice to get to run and talk to Jenny!!

6.22 really hilly miles in 51:36 [8:17 average]

Ran through Topeekeegee Park in Hollywood, FL while on vacation....way too hot to run!  I was so sluggish and had to walk a bit to keep from feeling sick.

Still way too hot to being running in South Florida and this time there was a fair in the park so I had to run on the streets with no shade....eek!!

Ok, marathon training progress report

Overall: D+

Comments: I just don't have the drive that I did for the first marathon, every time I know I need to run I look at the schedule, see the mileage and think "yeah I can run that far" and don't bother doing it.  I need to get it together, it is a lot harder training alone too.  I have been so busy with work and all kinds of other stuff that I use it as an excuse and don't even try.  Well that has to end....today!  Starting tomorrow I am getting back on my plan and busting my butt to get ready for Surf City!  NO MORE EXCUSES!!!

6.09 miles in 50:32 [8:18 average]

Man, I almost talked myself out of this run, I skipped doing it on my lunch break because I wanted to go home early and then when I was heading home it started raining good and hard and I thought "yes, here is my out, it's raining" but then I realized I need to quit that crap and put on my gear and hit the road in the dark, steady rain.  I read somewhere once that if you are making excuses and don't want to run that you should go out and run in the rain, I didn't really get it until today, it is empowering!  I felt awesome and dedicated out there getting splashed by cars and getting stared at by people huddling under overhangs who must have thought I was crazy!  And having to be careful to watch my steps since it was dark and slippery with all the wet leaves made me focus on something other than the pain in my hips and knees..... some days running sucks and some days it just feels so good...this was one of those awesome days!  Hooray!!!

coed 4's volleyball playoffs....3rd place overall which is where we were all season so I guess that's good.... team didn't play it's best but hey there's always next session....

rest day

5.14 miles in 40:16 [7:50 pace]

Got in a few good miles before meeting up with Katie to go visit her Mom's benefit and then met up with some other coworkers to go to the aquarium for the day and then out to dinner and to see the tree lighting in Faneuil Hall.... good run, fun day!

10.26 miles in 1:26:07  [8:23 pace]

Switched my long run to Sunday this week since I had a day out with my coworkers yesterday and almost didn't get it in today!  I finally, for the first time in about 8 months, had a chance to sleep in so I didn't wake up until 7:30 (yeah that's late for me) and really did nothing all day.  It was a beautiful 65 degrees and sunny in Boston today and I got all ready to head out for my run at 1:00 and just as I was tying my shoes, I got called in to work..... so I got over there still in my running clothes, got everything done as fast as I could and booked it home and headed right out on the Minuteman Trail and got my 10 miles it and it felt good!!!!!!  Looking forward to a light day with lots of stretching tomorrow!

Did 4 miles on the treadmill at incline 1 between 7.0 and 7.5 since it was raining sideways!

PR in the 5 mile today in the freezing cold!  I really didn't think I was running at a 7:24 pace at all and for sure slowed at the end but coming around the corner at the Hawthorne Hotel, I sprinted as fast as I could down the final stretch and ending up passing 7 people just by pushing it all the way to the finish line, and got lots of compliments on my finish.  Big race, 1600 people, cold but good!

I did this same race last year, same course and finished in 40:35, psyched to take 3:35 off my time!!  This is just the motivation I need to keep me going for that marathon in Feb!  =)

13 miles (but my nike+ is still uncalibrated for this run but I just changed it so this may be a bit more than 13) in 1:51:25 [8:34 pace]

Started the run with my sister Liana who is home from California for 2 weeks!!!!  She ended up running 7 miles and I did my full 13 on the Nashua River Rail Trail.  What a beautiful day for a run....seriously mid-60s in Boston on Thanksgiving weekend? That's crazy!!!  Followed the run with amazing Indian buffet!

Hiked Monument Mountain with Benn, Emma, and Nana.

About 3 miles with some pretty good vert!

4.05 miles in 31:26 [7:45 pace]

took today as my off day, needed it mentally.  Went to Marathon Sports and traded in my gift cards I won at some races for lot of Gu and new socks and the stick!  Walked 3.5 miles home from Harvard Square but I'm not counting it in my milage because I haven't counted the 4 miles round trip I do to/from work every day and I figure this is the same...plus 2 miles.

5 miles on the treadmill between 7.2-7.5 with some 3% and 6% hills thrown in (1/4 mile each time)

Ahhh!!  Well once again my weekend running plans were destroyed by volleyball.  It is proving to be impossible to train for a marathon and still play competitive volleyball.  I figured the tournament today would be over by 3pm since it started at 9am and I would get in a run at the gym before heading home, well when I walked out the door, tired, sore, and starving at 6:30pm, I decided a run was not happening after playing so much!!!  I guess it's good that I was playing ball all day and not skipping a run to lay around, but I really wanted to do it, but my body was done for the day....

But..... team Killasaurus Rex came out of pool play in first place, was top seeded in playoffs, and went on to win the whole tournament!!!  Woohoo!  Nice job today to Rebecca, Amanda, Kaitlyn, Angela, Mary, and of course myself!  Great job, great team!

3.0 on the treadmill 7.1-7.2mph at 0.5 incline.

Kind of a crap run but my body was too tired and sore from volleyball yesterday so I listened to it and took it easy.

5 treadmill miles at 0.5 incline and a crappy 7.1mph with a little speed at the very end...

Treadmill again..... 

mile1 - 7.1mph

mile2- 7.2mph

mile3- 7.3mph

mile4- 7.2mph

mile5- 7.1mph (last .25mile 8.0,8.5,9.0mph)

coed 4s volleyball as cross training

wasn't my finest playing, but it wasn't the worst either....

16.1 miles in 2:14:51 [8:23 pace]

Found a great 16 mile loop from the house, down Mass Ave to Harvard Square (that part stinks a little with all the foot traffic that is hard to get around, but it's pretty short) then down to the river along the Cambridge side up to and around the Science Museum down the Boston side on the Esplanade back over the Weeks footbridge and back up Mass Ave back home.  I felt pretty good the whole time but by the last mile I was ready to be done.  I am really psyched about my splits, in my brain I don't think I really run that fast, but Nike+ says I do!  Gonna go stretch out good now and hope I can keep it together to play the RCOB- volleyball tournament tomorrow....we have a super fun team, can't wait!!!

Also...I can't imagine better running weather! Seriously, mid to upper 40s with sunshine....in Boston...in December?  Amazing!!!  Keep up the good work, Mother Nature!

RCOB-  

wasn't my best volleyball showing but I played all day!

yet another rest day filled with volleyball!!  

when will I learn?

4 miles on treadmill

1- 7.3mph

2- 7.4mph

3- 7.5mph

4- 7.2mph (last 1/4 mile 8.0, 8.5, 9.0mph)

ho hum...

4.33 miles in 32:09  [7:25 pace]

4 matches of coed 4s volleyball as cross training

Was supposed to run 18 today but was feeling pretty good so I went for 20 miles.  Great running weather, a little cool but not cold (still really strange for Boston in December, but I'm loving it). 
Ran on the Minuteman Trail ...

20.0 miles in 2:45:43 [8:17 pace!!!...holy cow!]

Ok so this might be cheating a little...this wasn't actually a run, but more a quick walk to get groceries and then haul them back home since my car is getting fixed.... 

Feel great after yesterday's 20 miler, not a sore muscle in my body!!  My knee feels a little funny but no more that usual, and still not really pain.  Hopefully I find something out at the doctor on Thursday....

coed 6's volleyball on men's net.... 4 30 minute matches

4 miles on the treadmill with some quarter mile hill intervals

was planning on 5 miles but my tummy had other plans.....

coed 4s volleyball.... 7 -30 minute matches... woooo

ahhh! so it was a lot colder, snowier, and busier than I expected the weekend in Vermont to be.  I just didn't get to run..... hope to make up some miles this week, but it is looking to be super busy too.... jeez!!

8.13 miles in 1:02:38 [7:42 pace]

Extended my usual loop from work over the Longfellow down the Esplanade and instead of heading over the Mass Ave bridge and back, I kept going down to the Western Ave. bridge.  It wasn't too cold out but the wind was blowing so hard it was like training in a wind tunnel the whole time in my face...

4.87 nice hilly miles in 39:11 [8:02 pace]

lots of long gradual hills with not much downhill.... one big nasty almost 1/2 mile hill right before 1.5 miles... tough, but I like to think I kicked it's butt!

20.0 miles in 2:52:20 [8:37 pace]

Not one of my better long runs, my body wasn't feeling this one.  Did the entire Ashuwillticook Rail Trail round trip with a little pain in my IT bands, aching hip flexors, and annoying left knee pain...but I kept going and only walked briefly twice to get some water and relax.  Ah better next week I hope!