History in the Running….

June 9, 2009 by · 8 Comments
mom and me, Army 10 Miler 2008

I’ve been running my whole life. Literally. My mom ran all 9 months that she was pregnant with me – so, blame her. The first few pictures in my baby album are of me and my Nike running shoes. I didn’t have a chance. Me + Running = Destiny.

I could think of worse things to love. Plus, I run to counter balance all of the margaritas (beer/wine/chocolate/candy/junk food/extra sharp cheddar cheese) I consume. (Me + No Running = not a pretty site.)

So, I have some history with running – and, here goes:

1982: KP runs all nine months of pregnancy.
1983: Fashion forward daughter, MP (that’s me), is seen sporting Nike running shoes around town.
1989: Family moves to the country of Panama. MP, age 6, is on the Ft. Clayton [school] track team. (Yes, you heard me correctly – Panama has a track team for 6 year olds.) Team Mascot: a Cyclone. On Fridays she is seen sporting the orange and black uniform to school. It looks good on her – plus she has a track meet. NBD (no big deal).
1994: At age 10 (almost 11), her family moves to West Point, NY, where MP continues to run but is a little disappointed that Panama is the only place ever to have an organized track team for under-age co-eds. No track for her – at least not until high school. James I. O’Neill, circa 1997, MP rocks the sh*t out of some running. Decides to take up hurdles and does even more damage. Still holds the school record in the 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay. (Let’s not fool anyone, though, there were, like, 500 people at O’Neill).
2000: The P’s move to Florida. MP takes up cross country, too, as another form of exercise. Is often heard screaming, “I HATE cross country” to KP at meets. Runs the 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles, 400m and 4x400m relay. Qualifies for the 3A State track meet. Still holds the school record for the 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles and 4x400m relay. Promises to one day furnish a rubber track for Satellite High School.
2001: MP is offered a track and field scholarship to the University of Central Florida – and accepts. Often times, friends and fellow athletes are not sure if she is a scholarship athlete or full-time sorority girl. Don’t think she was entirely sure either (blame it on the margaritas)!
2005-2006: MP decides she actually likes running more than 3 miles (no more screaming/yelling at KP) and runs a handful of half-marathons.
2007- present: MP moves to DC and convinces KP to start running the Army 10 Miler with her. ATM becomes a mother-daughter tradition. MP meets BJ (!!) and he convinces her to throw triathlons into the mix, too.

There you have it – that’s a legit, no joke, timeline – and I owe it all to KP. Not to get cheesy, but I’m thankful that my mom loves to run (if it weren’t for her, I might be some menace to society). Instead, I’m a runner with a margarita-drinking problem. No worries, I got that from her, too…

My all-favorite part about being a mother-daughter running duo: throwin’ back a couple of margaritas after a 10 mile run!

I love you, Mom!

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Workouts: June 1-7 2009

June 8, 2009 by · 3 Comments

Monday: swim – 35 minutes
Tuesday: track workout – run to track, 3x 12 bleachers, 5x100m, abs, lunges, squats, run home
Wednesday: run – 6 miles (NRD)
Thursday: plyometrics – 35 minutes
Friday: run – 4.5 miles (7:30 pace)
Saturday: track workout – run to track, 2x 12 bleachers, 2x400m, 4x100m, abs, lunges, squats, run home
Sunday: bike – 30miles

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Inaugural NRD: a success!

June 4, 2009 by · 6 Comments

Maybe it was just me but evey runner I saw on NRD was happy and friendly. I waved to, like, 25 people and actually got waves back (compared to the zero waves I receive when it’s not NRD).

Anyway, it was hot, humid and lightning but I had a blast. I mean, it wasn’t anything out of the norm but since it was NRD, running 6 miles seemed so much cooler!

Fellow runners: how far did you go? Did you see more runners than normal?

I can’t wait for National Running Day 2010 – I might even organize a run in DC!

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National Running Day

June 3, 2009 by · 4 Comments

I’m pretty excited that TODAY is National Running Day! I mean, we get a day just to ourselves??!! That’s awesome!

Reasons why I’m excited that it’s National Running Day:

a) I LOVE TO RUN! National Running Day or not, I was planning on running after work –now I’ll be running with a purpose.
b) I have a good feeling that a lot of people will be running today = great motivation and more people I can smile/wave to.
c) We, runners, get a day to call our own. It makes me feel pretty cool and important.
d) (Did I mention) I love to run!

Check out the NRD website: http://www.runningday.org/ – and find out if any events are going on in your area.

DC Metro Area Runs:
Run Home from DC to Alexandria on National Running Day! (5:15pm)
http://www.nyrrmail.org/eventcal/events/index.php?com=detail&eID;=61

Ballston to Home via W&OD; Tempo Run (5:15pm)
http://www.nyrrmail.org/eventcal/events/index.php?com=detail&eID;=200

Fleet Feet Annapolis National Running Day Fun Run (6:30pm)
http://www.nyrrmail.org/eventcal/events/index.php?com=detail&eID;=50

Okay, so even if you don’t consider yourself a runner, you can still participate. Here are a few ideas: take a run around the block, run one lap around a local high school track or chase your kids around the park. Running is running – especially on National Running Day.

I’m headed out for 6 miles today. Have fun running – and cheers (to my fellow runners)!

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No joke, it will save your life

June 2, 2009 by · 4 Comments

So, I just got an email Edward W. (co-owner of Road ID) and my Road ID has shipped!!! I seriously can not wait to get it!!!!

For starters, it’s pink – so even without the claims of Road ID “saving my life”, I would still love it. But, even better, it can and will save my life (and it’s pink). I’m excited!

For those of you who are not familiar with Road ID, the concept is simple: “if you ever find yourself in a situation where you can’t speak for yourself, your Road ID will speak for you.” The website is full of testimonials from people who have been injured while training – and thanks to Road ID, medical teams have been able to save lives with the information provided (your name, contact phone numbers, city, state and zip code).

I’ve been running for years and luckily, I have never been seriously injured (and I hope I never am) but just in case, I want my pink Road ID to help. BJ and I have been talking about the Road ID for months and I finally decided that May 28, 2009 was the right time to buy – especially with the race season in full swing. Now, I’m patiently waiting for USPS (first class mail) to deliver my (trendy) life-saving bracelet.

The best part of all: it doesn’t cost that much to save your life. I mean, let’s get serious – if I can save my life for $19.99, you better believe I’m going to do it.

Verdict (and all kidding aside): I think the Road ID is genius – and I’m really glad I decided to buy one. I can’t wait to get it and start wearing it around town – according to USPS tracking, it should be on my wrist by 5pm Friday night.

Two words: Road ID. Do it!

PS – I received a coupon to give to friends (let me know if you are serious about a Road ID and I’ll send it to you). It’s only $1 off – but, hey, a dollar is a dollar – especially in a recession.

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Workouts: May 25-31 2009

June 1, 2009 by · 4 Comments

Monday: BJ and I hit the pool on our day off. The conditions were good because not that many people there but my arms felt a little tired. Honestly, all I could think about was the BBQ we were crashing that afternoon and my homemade guac. Yum!

62 lap swim – moderate to fast pace

Tuesday: I’m soo mad but I couldn’t workout. I had to work until 6:30pm (pretty much the latest I’ve ever worked, ever) and then I had a church meeting at 7pm. I barely had time to change out of my work clothes…

Wednesday: To make up for Tuesday, I did an intense hill workout. I ran hard for 20 minutes, sprinted up a HUGE hill five times (recovery was the jog back down) and ran the 20 minutes back home. I was so crazed about missing my workout on Tuesday that I sprinted my heart out – like so fast that I passed bikers going up the same hill. Yes, I’m that fast! I also felt like I was going to throw up when I was done….

When I got home, I did a quick gym workout – 3×10 squat jumps, 2×10 pushups, 3×10 biceps and 100 sit-ups on blue (my big, blue ball).

20 minute run (fast)
5x hill sprints (all out)
20 minute run home

Thursday: I went to the pool by myself (which says a lot about my dedication to training. Four words: I hate the pool). I’m lucky I got to the pool when I did. It wasn’t crowded (well, at least for the first 15 minutes) and I just barely finished my workout when the pool decided to close. I guess there was thunder in the area (??) – but it’s an indoor pool. Is that even legal?

800m (32 laps) – moderate pace
250m (10 laps) – kickboard
5x50m – all out sprint (15 second recovery)
250m (10 laps) – moderate pace

Friday: I decided to go for a morning run so I could take advantage of HH with my girlfriends after work.

30 minute run.
10 minutes – plyometrics

Saturday: The weather was nearly perfect and there was a professional bike race in the neighborhood – so I felt extra motivated to workout. I really wish I had my camelback toward the end of the run (it started to get really hot) but otherwise, I felt really strong.

33 minute run (4.5 miles)
15 minutes – exercises with the resistance band
3×10 squat jumps
2×10 lunge jumps
Abs

Sunday: Awesome weather and a nice breeze – so I just had to be outside.

35 minute recovery run with BJ (I’ve missed working out with him!)

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Feeturing…my new favorite socks (NFS)

May 27, 2009 by · 4 Comments

I am very excited about my new favorite socks (NFS), especially since I have a hard time finding socks that I like. My drawer is filled with a smorgasbord of different brands: Adidas, Ironman, Asics, Bolega… but they are all only okay compared to my NFS.

So, without further ado, my NFS are: Feetures! light (thin and breathable, specifically designed for running and cycling)

And guess what? I love them, I love them, I looooove them (said/sung like Buddy the Elf)!

Here’s how the love story unfolds: Andrew, BJ’s friend, is the head buyer at Hudson Trail Outfitters and always has a new product for us to try. Most recently, it was a pair of socks and he told us that Feetures! are the “best socks on the market for what we do – running and cycling.” Who am I (not the head buyer at HTO) to call Andrew (head buyer at HTO) a liar?? Duhhh! I got my butt to HTO ASAP for a pair of Feetures! light. Final Price: $8.99. BJ and I went biking that same afternoon (23 miles) and I thought they were great – absolutely no complaints and totally worth the price.

But, the real love story begins one week later, when I went to Pacer’s to buy a new pair of running shoes. Since I was on a Feetures! kick – I picked up a “no show with tabs with colors” pair in pink. So cute!! Price: $8.95. But, as I was paying for my items, I noticed a huge bin filled with Feetures! for $4.00!! Why were they selling for $4.00, you ask??? Feetures! changed their packaging and decided to sell the old pairs for 50% off. YES I WILL – thank you very much!

So, I sadly put the pink pair down, and bought 8 pairs (yes, 8) of the “no show with tabs” socks. I literally can not stop wearing them. They are deliciously light-weight, so comfortable, fit perfectly (hint: I buy a size small, even though my shoe size = medium) and do not cause blisters. I wore 2 pairs on the day of The Columbia Triathlon – pair #1 was soaking wet after the bike (it rained), so I quickly changed into pair #2 and went on my way – my feet felt great the entire 25 mile bike and 6.2 mile run. I think they are awesome socks and can’t imagine training or competing in anything else. Bottom line: I’m in love with Feetures! light and I don’t care who knows it!

I don’t dare throw away my old socks – because you can never have too many – but you better believe that I am only wearing those if I haven’t done laundry in 9 days!

(Now, if only I could get a pink pair!)

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Run MP Run – Take #2

May 26, 2009 by · 1 Comment

After I posted my blog on Friday, I was motivated to start tracking all of my workouts, from now until October, when my “race season” is over. I have a few goals over the next couple of months including: lose 3-5 pounds, tone my arms/legs and incorporate different workouts into my mix. I think that tracking my workouts will keep me honest and motivated.

Friday (May 22): I lied! I ran when I got home from work. I didn’t mean to but BJ ended up having a last minute client meeting – and I never ride my bike without him. Call me crazy but I’m not 100% comfortable biking in DC by myself. So, that pretty much leaves me with running (my fave). I did a 25 minute loop and my legs were burning the whole time. Okay, so my legs are tired and I’ve pretty much been ignoring them (sorry legs!).

I promise not to run the entire weekend.

Saturday: I had an awesome morning swim – only a few people were at the pool and I had a lane to myself! It was GLORIOUS!

800m (32 laps): all out sprint
100m: recovery
4x100m: all out sprint (30 second rest)
250m: swim

In the afternoon BJ and I went on a 20 mile bike ride. The weather was perfect and the trail was less crowded than usual (thanks Memorial Day weekend!), so we had a really good ride.

Sunday: 35 mile bike ride in Poolesville, MD – very hilly and extremely hot workout. I was glad when it was over!

Monday: 62 lap swim at a moderate to fast pace. My arms felt a little tired but other than that, the conditions were pretty good.

I *love* 3-day weekends! I got in some great training – and still had a fun weekend without feeling like all of my time was consumed by running, biking or swimming. I wish we had every Monday off.

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Run MP Run

May 22, 2009 by · 2 Comments

I always give my body one day of rest after a big race. I don’t really like doing that, I just know that my body likes it.

That being said, and since I had such a terrible race, I took Monday off – then, I kicked my own ass with some insane runs. If I’m ever going to achieve my triathlon goal – complete an Olympic distance triathlon in [less than] 2hours 50minutes – I need to start getting serious!

Tuesday: I woke up early and did a plyometric workout at the gym, totaling about 25 minutes of intense cardio, with no breaks. After work, I ran hard for 15minutes, just enough time to strategically place me at the foot of a pretty big hill. I proceeded to sprint up the mountain, I mean hill, 10 times; my recovery was the jog back down. After the hill sprints, I ran home (the long way) – right at 25 minutes.

Total time: morning – 25 minute plyometric workout
afternoon – 45 minute run with 10 (all out) hill sprints

Wednesday: I had plans immediately following work, so I [peer] pressured myself into running before work. I’m glad I did – it was such a beautiful morning and the temperature was perfect. I did a 5 mile loop – which runs through some very nice Arlington neighborhoods and has a decent amount of hills.

Total time: 37 minute run (7:30/mile pace)

Thursday: Track workout – I always do a variation of the same [sick] workout at the track – it never gets old to me – and I love it.

It was hot when I got home from work, so I looked like a legit runner when I left the house: Nike visor, Oakley sunglasses, Camel Back and my hot pink iPod. I ran to the high school track, 1 mile away. Workout: I ran the stairs of the stadium, its about 12 sets and the equivalent of 100m –> completed the stairs, lengthwise, and ran to the track –> ran the remaining 300m at a brisk pace –> repeat 4 times = 1 mile with stairs. Then, I ran 6 – 75m sprints, with a 25m recovery. To “cool-down” I did 200 sit-ups, lunges for 100m, 50 squats and 10 squat jumps. And, because I’m hard-core, I ran home.

Total time: 45 minute track workout
– 1 mile to track
– 1 mile with stairs
– 6 – 75m sprints
– abs, lunges, squats
– 1 mile home

Friday: No more running this week – I’m definitely biking when I get home!

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The Columbia Triathlon

May 19, 2009 by · 2 Comments
(Clearly these were taken before the tri)

Part of me wanted to write this review immediately after finishing The Columbia Triathlon and part of me knew I should wait a few days to calm down and re-group. I’m glad I did – or else you would be reading the most negative review I’ve ever written! Don’t be fooled, I didn’t have a good race so this post is a little biased – but since my attitude has changed (even if just a little) I feel comfortable writing about the good and bad of this race.

I can sum up my “race day feeling” in five words: I did not have fun!

Two days later my feelings have changed: my disaster on Sunday is all part of the sport – you have to be ready for kicks in the face, losing a chain and calves that cramp for 6.2 miles.

But, none of that makes sense on race day and I have a hard time accepting that fact that I let myself down. Bottom line: I was in a bad mood from 11am on.

The weather wasn’t great – rain was in the forecast and because it had rained the night before, the transition area looked more like a mud pit than a grassy field. Thanks to BJ’s urging, I bought heavy duty trash bags for our gear and made them a staple at my transition area. I’m a very organized transition athlete – everything is laid out perfectly, in the exact spot and ready to go. One hour before my wave start I felt very comfortable about the coming events.

7:47am – Wave 8: Women 25-29 & 30-34 (FYI: I’m in the 25-29 age group). Thanks to my full-body Zoot wetsuit I was only chilly for the initial shock of getting into the water – a minute later I was fine. It started to rain about 30 seconds before my wave start and my goggles started to fog – but thanks to my adrenaline infused nerves, I barely noticed. Normally I hate the swim – it’s my least favorite and the one I am worst at – but I felt really good (minus the occasional kick in the face)! It was an easy course, really well marked and I felt comfortable. You will most likely never hear me say this again but I *loved* the swim – plus it was a PR for me.

I felt really good coming out of the water. I ran to transition and started changing: wet suit off, quick towel dry, Zoot top on, socks, Sidi bike shoes on, helmet, glasses, bike… and just like that I was off. My bike is still very new to me and despite a wet butt and soaking bike shoes I felt really relaxed. Until….about 15 minutes into the bike, going slightly downhill, I shifted to the big ring – or at least I attempted to. All I remember is not being able to pedal and looking down to see that my chain was off – dagger! Honestly, I didn’t have a clue what to do. I got off of my bike and unsuccessfully tried to put my chain back on. That continued for about 3 minutes; after that, I was extremely frustrated, standing there, waiting for someone to help me and watching everyone else pass me. Ten minutes later (from the time my chain came off), race support was by my side, helping me with my chain. It took John, the race support guru, 3 tries before he could get my chain back on – so I didn’t feel so bad not being able to do it myself. I thanked him, got on my bike and felt like crying. I was so mad – and from that point on, my attitude drastically changed – and I really couldn’t help it. I tried thinking about other things, tried to feel good about the people I passed or the hills I dominated – but I couldn’t. Plus, the bike course was extremely hilly – more than I was ever expecting (the Conte’s bike ride did not prepare me for this race) – and that started to get to me, too. I was too happy when the bike was over.

My transition from bike to run was decent. I had to change my socks because they were soaking wet from the bike ride but other than that, I was in and out. I was trying to change my attitude because I love to run but from the second my running shoes hit the pavement, my calves cramped up. One of the worst pains I have ever felt. It was a combination of major cramping, lactic acid and a Charlie horse – for 6.2 miles. I’m just guessing that the cramps had something to do with my start/stop/start on the bike and it manifested itself on the run (thanks bike chain!). I tried to run through the pain but going uphill was extremely painful. I ran up the first 4 hills (yes, there was more than 1 major hill) but the 5th hill looked like a mountain, and as I started to run up, the pain was so intense that I started to cry. Have you ever tried crying while exerting your body at 100%? Well, I don’t suggest trying it because the outcome is hyperventilation. Yes, I started to hyperventilate – and its happened to me before so I know exactly what it feels like – not fun!! So, I stopped on the side of the road, wheezing, and attempted to get my breathing back to normal. I am so competitive that I was still (slightly) wheezing when I started to run again. A fellow athlete asked, “Are you okay??!!” My response was “NO! But thanks for asking.” For the remainder of the run I walked up the hills and ran when it was flat. The last mile was pretty flat so I was able to really push it in and run through the pain, sprinting the last 800m – but it still felt like a disaster. Funny thing is, the run was a PR for me…

I crossed the finish line in 3:08:18. And never in my life have I wanted a race to be over as badly as I did The Columbia Triathlon. I was pretty upset on race day, but like I said, I’m glad I waited 2 days to write this because my perspective has slightly changed.

I have to be honest, it wasn’t all bad – and here’s why:
a) The race was close to home (1 hour away)
b) Race Support was awesome! There were volunteers everywhere, cheering the athletes on and directing the bikers/runners on each respective route.
c) The triathlon was really well marked – there was never a question as to where I needed to go.
d) Plenty of water stations
e) Chrissie Wellington competed (yea, that’s right, the Ironman Triathlon World Champion) – she’s a bad-ass!
f) I had a swim PR and a run PR!
g) I got to do the race with my boyfriend and his sister – and we all finished, injury-free.

Areas for Improvement:
a) More kayaks in the water
b) Transition areas – bike in and out. Due to the rain, the bike out was a steep uphill covered in slippery grass and mud; and the bike in was a steep downhill covered in slippery grass and mud. Not a good combination.
c) Description of the course needs to be a little more specific/detailed. I knew there were hills but I did not know that there were HILLS!

Swim: 31:32
Bike: 1:41:37 (The swim to bike transition time is included in the bike splits. Technical problems prevented the equipment from recording the bike start time data.)
T2: 2:11
Run: 52:59
Place: 967 (out of 1568)

Verdict: I can not give this race a fair overall rating – because I’m still disappointed in myself for not achieving my goal and frustrated that I lost 10 minutes on the bike. But, you better believe I am doing this race again next year! There’s no reason not to – I can only do better!!!

Filed Under: Race Report, Uncategorized ·
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