I can’t explain why I disappeared from the blogosphere (blogiverse? blogmos?) over the past week and a half. It may be because the balance has tipped and I am now actually training for a marathon more than I am writing and talking about training for a marathon.
Here is my report on the last 10 days, in numbers. I experienced:
o Seven hills early on a Friday morning at my parent’s place. Then one week later, I ran up and down eight hills with my training buddies from the marathon clinic. Every time I passed them on the downhill, I taunted them by saying, “Eat my dust!” This ensured that they create an energy-boosting wind at my back when each and every one of them passed me on the way up again. Just two more weeks of hill training to go! Haikus are below.
o One 2K training run around the block with my youngest son, who is planning to run the 10K at the Ottawa Race weekend in May. He regularly reminds me how his first-ever 5K run time beat my first-ever 5K race time by almost four minutes. Despite this, I refrained from kicking his skinny little 10-year old butt (figuratively, in the speedy running sense) because, in theory anyways, I am the grown-up.
o Two 29K (18 mile) training runs over the last two Sundays … one of which became a 31K run when my running buddy and I got a little lost. They were both excellent – somehow easier than running 26K a couple of weeks earlier. Not easy, mind you … just easier. I think it’s because the weather’s been mild and the snow and ice are finally starting to clear from the streets. I can’t believe I’m actually writing this, but there were many moments on this morning’s run that were close to bliss … warm sun, great tunes on my iPod, a tiny reserve of energy in my body that never quite gave out, and friendly support from my fellow runners.
o One afternoon spent hovering near the bathroom after that heavenly run – the agony after the ecstasy. For the first time, I consumed a power gel during my long run and it gave me a most excellent boost, but it caused a fair amount of stomach distress for two or three hours following the run. That’s the second time I’ve had a bad reaction to a high-carb energy snack. Does anyone else have this problem? Is it something you need to get used to? I’d love to hear other people’s experiences (and advice).
Here are the hills haikus – you know you missed them.
Seven Hills
I ran seven slacker hills on a Friday morning in my parent’s neighbourhood, just outside of Toronto (where I was attending a conference). My Dad got up early to make sure I was fortified for my run.
This hill is too short
But I bask in the warm glow
Sunrise at the peak
Tea before? After?
Forty-four is not too old
To be spoiled by Dad
Eight Hills
I had a bad case of rubber-legs for these hills and couldn’t figure out why. Our clinic leader, Tom, diagnosed my problem in minutes: not enough food. That was pretty freaky, because eating lots is one of my talents. Thank goodness for Karen, a running buddy, who fixed me up with some magic beans.
On eight hungry hills
Three jelly beans are a feast
Next time, dinner first!
I’m pledging to blog more often because running should not get in the way of blogging about running. To quote my 13-year old: that’s just messed up.
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