What are junk miles?

Last week: 24 total miles
Saturday: 9 miles

The past month, I've been running pretty steadily — 5 miles, 6 miles, nothing over 10, no speed or tempo — with the plan to keep running while getting over a pulled hamstring. I'm averaging about 25 miles a week.

The term junk miles popped into my head.

Am I running junk miles?

Of course, I googled junk miles and found two articles, one from active.com and the other from competitor.com.

Cut out the junk miles to get faster and stronger

What are junk miles? Junk miles are the ones you run that don't produce a specific physiological benefit. - active.com

Is there a such thing as junk miles?

Runners who use the term “junk miles” tend to subscribe to the high-mileage philosophy of training. They believe that a high training volume is the most important characteristic of an effective training program. “The more miles you run, the better”—within reason—is their motto.  By contrast, runners who use the term “junk miles” negatively typically subscribe to a quality-over-quantity philosophy.  They believe that fast-paced running should be the first priority in training, and that the point of diminishing returns in mileage is reached much sooner than high-volume advocates believe it is.

Evidence from the real world also does not clearly favor either the quality-first or the quantity-first philosophy. - competitor.com

Interesting.

I'm running to stay in shape. I'll bump up the pace, but not until it won't be a set back for my pulled hamstring. At this time, I'm not training for a specific goal, so in my case, no, I'm not running junk miles.

I'm thankful just to be running!

What is the best time of day to run?

The last two days, I ran in the wee dawning hours. And it started my day off in such a positive way.

Usually I run after work, around six. All day long I'm thinking, okay, gotta get home, change, meet my group and run - then I need to get home, change, make dinner, eat dinner, clean up dinner, change into pjs and flop on the sofa…or read in bed…who am I kidding, at that point I can't get through more than a page without falling asleep…zzzz.

The hardest part of running in the morning is getting out of bed. It's still dark outside. It's cold.

But once I get out of bed and immediately put on my running clothes, I know I can get out the door and run.

Then all day long I'm thinking, okay, gotta get home and run…but I remember I already ran! What a great feeling. Run done and then I have the whole night to make dinner, eat dinner, clean up dinner, change into pjs and flop on the sofa…or read in bed…

What is your favorite time of day to run?

Good Words

Cross Country season is in the air. My daughter is on the team and nothing is more exciting than going to watch her meets. I love feeling all the energy from the kids pre-race and the excitement of the finish. So moving and inspiring. This shirt got my attention! So true, right?

Training for a Half Marathon

Last week: 35 total miles

Saturday: 10 miles

Weather: Sunny and a little humid Saturday, gorgeous Sunday

RFM and I have been putting in an extra run at an awesome trail just a short drive away. The course of the 1/2 marathon on Labor Day covers this same trail — the toughest part of the race. Something to know is this 1/2 marathon kicks my butt each time. It is definitely not a PR race.

Last year my time was 1:52:49. The year prior, 1:47:41.

My best 1/2 was in March at Get Lucky, 1:39:38.

Of course my goal is to PR on Labor Day! Running on the hills on this trail helps - mentally at least at this point. Also, I increased my total number of miles per week to 30+ and feeling really good. My coach gives me 3 workouts per week which I feel is not enough.

I have been comparing Hal Higgdon's training program with Runners World's and using that as a base for my other daily workouts — doing what I can right now. I plan to put forth a huge effort on my speed workouts starting this week and hope my legs are on board.

Oh, The Places We Run

Last week: 22 miles
Saturday: 8 miles

We packed it up and met our family for vacation in Hilton Head. I took along some beach reading and a sketch book.

I'm not sure how far I'll get with reading and sketching since our group is pretty active. I had most of the family join me for a run – great to get the group out there. Super humid, but good training weather for my nemisis-half I signed up for on Labor Day – always humid and it kicks my butt every time – maybe not this year.

HAPPY 4th of JULY, y'all !

Surprise in the Mail

Last week: 30 total miles

Saturday: 7 miles

Back at the end of March we ran Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle 8k, 30,000 runners. Friday's mail brought a big surprise – an engraved medal. I had forgotten that I placed in my age group. After all my struggles with running over the past 2 1/2 months, seeing my name on it made me feel pretty proud.

On Saturday morning, I met the group for a 7 mile run and went out for breakfast afterwards. That started my day perfectly. My high-ham was really bothering me around 4 miles, but I pushed through, trying take short, quick strides.

Saturday afternoon, I don't think I sat down once – I cleaned my entire house which truly needed it and realized standing and walking helps my hamstring. Sitting makes the pain and tightness worse. It doesn't help that I sit all day long at work :(

My friend suggested I sit on one of those balls which made me laugh pretty hard. I'd be falling off that thing all day! I'll leave you with that thought . . .

Make it a great day!

Finding My Chi

Last week: 19 miles

Saturday: 5 miles, easy

Weather: Perfect!

Saturday morning met with a new doctor. We talked about different things that may be causing an irregular heart beat. The cause can be as simple as the multi vitamin I'm taking - I checked out very healthy for my age, but nonetheless, I'm getting a CBC and wearing a heart monitor for a week. So we will see.

I spent the afternoon with my family - our town's annual Pet Parade…Look at those wacky photo-bombers!

Around 6:30, I had the house to myself, which hasn't happened in as-far-as-I-can-remember.

I went for an easy, peaceful run around 7 pm. It was cool, sunny and gorgeous. Read and relaxed the rest of the night in a quiet house. Ahhh, I needed that. 

My husband lovingly says I don't know how to "do nothing" because it's "not productive". But, as much as running is an active form of meditation for me, relaxing should be as well. I need to do a little more sitting on the patio, chilling.

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend.

Change of Scenery

Last week: 25 total miles

Saturday: 5 miles

Weather: 58° and partly sunny

Highlight: "new" trail

What a fabulous weekend! On Saturday, I met a friend at a "new" trail. Well, it is far from new, but it's not often I make the effort to get there. I'm not sure why, because it's very pretty, hilly, has bathrooms and water, and a welcome change of scenery.

The trail is actually at the site of an underground railroad from the Civil War.

Geof and I ran 5.5 miles and recapped the Boston Marathon. We ran the marathon the last two years in a row. It was so good to recall all the parts of the race. Runners listen to runners :) we were totally on the same page so we could tolerate and ENJOY all the details, emotions, pain, mental will, mile by mile. It was a little more closure for me on a crummy marathon. As Geof put it — I PR'd with a 4:11— the longest amount of time I have ever run!

And Sunday was Mother's Day. A perfect weekend!

Rest Week

It snowed again pretty much all day yesterday. There was no question about running outside. Although the footing was not great, I hope not to run on the treadmill again, ever :)

Achilles tendonitis is whispering at my door along with his friend knee discomfort (on the opposite side). I'm not answering, but warding them off with lots of foam rolling and trying my hardest to maintain good form on the snowy roads.

This rest week is more than welcome!

Four Seasons on the Trail

Last week: 22 total miles
Saturday (today): 10 miles, 70º

I've lost track how long I have been running with my group - 2 1/2 years, maybe longer. Lots of miles on this trail. The summer shot was taken this morning. It rained while the sun was shining, it was humid, but only about 70º - so kinda perfect in the running world.

Not too hot, not too cold.

How far we have come! And still going strong . . .

Shamrock Shuffle Surprise

Look what came in the mail yesterday! I had completely forgotten how I had placed let alone thinking I was going to get a medal.

That made my day.

I'm looking forward to 10 miles tomorrow, although I'm not training for anything right now, I want to keep up all the training I have put in. That's the catch, right?

Happy running this weekend. What's your distance?

It's supposed to be a hot one here in Chicagoland. Stay hydrated :)

Celebrate National Running Day Today

Share your passion for running. Why do you run? 

This was an email from Lisa, coach extraordinaire:

We are running for a reason each day.  Making sure we are clear on what that reason is, is huge.

Here are a few reasons...

We run for health.  I think that is one of the most important.  

We run in a group for accountability to each other and the coach.  

We run to extend our lives and keep us strong for whatever we choose to do in other areas of our lives.

We run to calm the mind.  To relieve stress. To find sanctuary in the endorphines and community we get from each run.

Some people run to break personal bests and advance in their athletics and speed.

Some run to see what boundaries and pre-conceived notions of themselves, they can break down. 

We often run for the friendship, the fun, the commitment to each other and to helping each other through rough runs, run patches in life.  Rough days.

And most people run for a combination of these reasons.

I run for all of the above. . . I love to run!

How about you?

A Little Closure

On April 22, the local running shop hosted a Solidarity Run For Boston. There was a huge turn out of runners. My neighbor Geof also ran the Boston Marathon (we met up in Athlete's Village before the start). It was good to see all my runner friends and share our story of where were you when you heard what happened. The local paper interviewed us [here].

For me, the first week or two after a marathon is a little strange. First of all, you rest. Runners don't like not running, do they? Second of all you have to stop eating all those carbs. Carbs are so easy. Reducing your intake is a bit challenging. Third, you have to set your next goal.

I ran a 5k on Mother's Day with a bunch of my runner friends.

All women.

Beautiful day.

Good race.

So, one month, post-marthon, I'm feeling back in the groove!

Run Like A Mother 5k: 22:19

Run Done . . .

My sister sent me the best care package right before I went to Boston. So many fun things from goneforarun.com. 

Banner (which my kids wrote my name on and is actually how I spotted them in the crowd), tattoo, t-shirt, 

cowbell . . .

So, my family was at mile 17 in which they had to plan how to get there, stood cheek to cheek, squished on the T, they had to time where to be to actually see me run past according to my start time and estimated pace, they had to have in hand the sign and the cowbell . . .

As I was approaching, but we had not spotted each other yet, my daughter dropped the cowbell and she and my mom bent down to pick it up. . . at the exact moment I ran past . . . and they missed me!

It was nice to see them again at mile 25 (and they all saw me :)

And a wine glass . . .

As you may know, when you're "in training" you only consume stuff that will help you reach your ultimate potential and stay away from the stuff that is empty calories that your body does not need.

This wine glass couldn't be more appropriate!

So, as I write this blog, I'm having a glass of wine.

I have been doing some easy runs with my group this past week — so good to meet them and just run.

I'm rested and ready to think about some races coming up . . .

The Boston Marathon - A Unity of People

6:30 am on Tremont Street in the Boston Common

Loading on buses for an hour ride to the starting line.

Athletes Village, our holding area before heading to the starting line. About a 2 hour wait.

Selfie, about to check my gear on the bus, before heading to starting corral.

This was how my day began along with thousands of others. 

Anticipation, nerves, excitement.

A mile walk, shoulder to shoulder to the starting corral - a tent set up on the side of the road, my guess by the neighbors on the block, FREE STUFF - sunscreen, glide, vaseline, kleenex, markers to write your name on yourself (for the people to shout it out along the race). The beginning of our journey.

A feeling of relief when I crossed the starting line. Once we were running, the streets were lined with people. I remember thinking I'm running in Massachusetts, so this is what people in Massachusetts look like. 

They look like you and me. 

The cheering was so unbelievably loud. So much enthusiasm. Everyone lined up for all these runners. Celebrating the day.

A string band playing on the side of the road. Everyday people holding out an orange slice in the palm of their hand. So this is what people do to be a part of this glorious event.

Wellesley girls with their signs: Kiss Me I'm Tall, Kiss Me I'm a Senior, Kiss Me I'm from SoCal, Kiss Me I'm a Democrat, Kiss Me I Like Sweaty Men. . . So this is what it looks like at Wellesley.

Seeing my family in the crowd at mile 17 - still don't know how we spotted each other! So this is what they look like cheering with strangers cheering in Massachusetts.

Boston college. . . crazy fun college kids. . . So yes, I remember what it looks like to be a college student.

People cheering the whole way on both sides of the street - 26.2 mile long tunnel of people sharing the excitement of the day. . .

I crossed the finish line about 30 minutes before I heard the explosion. I was on my way to the family meeting area to find my family. Thousands of people around us had no idea what was going on 2 blocks away.

I consider me and my family very lucky. My heart goes out to those who died and are injured. It is truly unbelievable that this horrific act to hurt others was planned.

I watch the news and interviews and see everyone helping each other and say, this is what good people look like, strangers, family, friends — in celebration and in tragedy.

We are a strong, united community, miles long and miles thick of good people.

1 Day Until The Boston Marathon

Tomorrow's the day!

2 Days Until The Boston Marathon

3 Days Until The Boston Marathon

4 Days Until The Boston Marathon

Last night I reviewed the race information and the course map.

Before I went to bed, I looked at the 11 Golden Rules for Running a Successful Boston Marathon at active.com. Reading them made me a tiny bit less nervous :)

Depending on how iPhone-blogger savvy I am, I may not be posting the rest of the count down :(

But I will have a full re-cap of my Boston trip and the marathon when I return!

5 Days Until The Boston Marathon

The anticipation of running a marathon is like that of having a baby. Running a second or third marathon is like having your second or third child—you kinda know what to expect, but they are all a little different in their own way which brings on some uncertainty.

And emotions are high.

Things have been very disorganized lately. (hey, I'm a runner, I have the-need-to-have-structure quirkiness) Not only is the Boston Marathon right around the corner, but we are moving a week after we return. Too much at one time, right?

In yoga on Friday, our instructor (Sweat-Sister Rachel) asked us to recall the joy we have felt in the last 6 months . . . I drew a blank! 

And it scared the sh**  out of me. 

What, no joy ! ?  Think, think, think. All that came to mind was the stressful stuff . . .

Yesterday, after I figured out my carb load for the weekend, the choices of clothes (depending on the weather) I was going to race in, read through the B.A.A info—where to get my bib, what wave I'm in and what time to catch the bus to take me to the starting line)—I went for a run.

My pace was easy, thoughts of race day going through my mind—the thousands of runners, the energy, the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston.

And I felt pure joy.

This three mile run opened the flood gate to the joy, happiness and gratitude, I had felt, not only over the last 6 months, but throughout my life—with my husband, my kids, my parents, my sister, my friends and with my coach.

And I cried.

I am ready to give birth to this marathon!