Smile Hill
My workout today was a beautiful thing, didn’t go the Pfitzinger med-long run route, because I was doing my mile long hill which makes the 20% - 10% not really a viable parameter. As for the hill itself, which I’ve been prefacing recently with “stupid” as in Stupid Mile Hill because things that make me suffer scare me and calling them names makes me feel better, today the hill and I came to an agreement; I wouldn’t bitch and moan and it would be nicer to me than it’s ever been.
Long story short, I did 2.5 trips with the uphills paced at 9:25, 9:29 and 9:47 and the downhills at 8:07, 8:17 and 8:17. How wonderful to be able to fully rehearse my Steamtown pacing (which I imagine will be 8:17-8:20 on the downs) and have it feel good. Of course, after a zillion of those strung together I know it’ll be less than happy-making, but I can start to imagine the real deal now.
After I was done with the hill, like magic (or as running god Arthur Lydiard might have predicted) the final miles home were strangely faster than they felt. I seriously felt I was going along at 9:15 or so but thanks to that fast downhill running, I was actually averaging 8:39. Final tally today: 14.5 miles, average pace: 8:59.
The other big news of the run was I have finally found a gel I LIKE! Not “can stand” “can stomach” or “is palatable” but one where I thought the taste was juuuust right: Gu Just Plain. Wow, not at all cloyingly sweet while at the same time without any of the tartness I find in Hammer or Carbboom. Simply a truly light taste that, mixed in a flask, will improve the Vanilla and Apple Carbbooms I just got, or taste great straight. Seriously, it was so strange to finish a gel off without a single grimace.
On to real running news, I cried last night when 38 year-old Constantina Tomescu won the marathon. What an edge of the seat race that was! Of course, so heartbreaking for Deena and Paula but so thrilling to see a 38 year-old conquer that race! And with such a daring break, just shocking. So here’s to Constantina Tomescu and Dara Torres, another amazing athlete at 41 years old. Cheers to these mature athletic powerhouses, you make the world a more hopeful place.
Moving sideways away from running, I had quite a laugh yesterday while grocery shopping with Nick. We were standing in the produce section of ShopRite, a huge grocery store chain, when I realize the Muzak coming over the loudspeakers was “Love To Love You, Baby”, complete with lyrics. I turned to Nick and said, “check out the music”, we had a chuckle and squeezed some peaches. Then a few minutes later, I recognize the next song is “Voulez Vous Coucher Avec Moi”. Granted, both were fab disco hits in their day, but I find it hilarous that the background music for grocery shopping is now Fuck Me songs. How lovely for the little children, lol.
But enough gabbing from me today, go find some fruit to play with and hum a nasty tune to yourself. It’ll either have you wanting to go grocery shopping or make wild crazy love next to some Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.
August 17th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the hills - I hit the hills today also in my LR. I have the same dilemma, I need to maintain a pace in my LR’s that makes too many hills counter productive. But sometimes I think the trade off is worth it. I’m training for Philly so, like you with Steamtown, I need to prepare my quads a little for the hills (still not on board with you and your gel flask though, yeck:) )
August 17th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
ya know, I also thought it was amazing to see Paula finish.
would not have cared if she came dead last, she toughed it out.
August 17th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Yay Hills, Progman!! Yes, I totally think the tradeoff is worth it, imagine our quads turning into mini running machines.
Hmmm…training for Philly, huh? Might just sneak up behind you and shove my flask in your face, making you taste the sweet syrup of life and sustenance before you even know what’s hit you. Hehe.
Doggie Poo, I just love your username, lol.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Flo - I find I get annoyed at the hills towards the end of a session. it helps me get up them. I feel like I’m stamping them down flat.
I watched the womens marathon last night too. Spent the early miles trying to spot Magdalena - I shop at her husband’s running store. Really bad luck about her knee. Apparently she bruised it on a shuttle bus! Constantina was amazing. very encouraging for us old farts. Another stirring performer was Paula Radcliffe. She was plainly hurting, and even stopped at one point, but pressed on anyway. Her gait had a definite limp in it at the end.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
So true about Paula, you could just see the pain on her face and felt the limp in her stride. It hurt to watch her finish. Very cool you having one degree of separation from Magdalena, though what a crappy break to bruise her knee on the bus, I didn’t know that! Amazing how just getting to the start can be so fraught, no matter who you are.
August 17th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I thought it was a great race last night.
You realize the produce department will never be the same again.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I just looked over at Chef Betsy’d blog to see how she did in the Tunnel Marathon. No full report yet, but she did BQ, Yay!
Cool new edit feature Flo. Just the ticket for typing klutzes like me
August 18th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Yes, she did!! Woohoo!!! She had a great race. I got a lot of the dirt in the Women’s BQ forum but awaiting a full report. Did you know she’s in this marathon “club” thing where you do 3 marathons in 90 days? So she’s still got two more on tap!
August 18th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Glad you like the new editing feature, Jim! I felt so bad that you guys couldn’t edit because I usually end up editing every single one my posts, whether here or on a forum.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
http://brucemcintosh.blogspot.com/
Me finishing the Perfect10miler.
August 19th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Alright already! I’m home now and will start working on my report pronto. Sheesh! Nothing like being guilted
August 19th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Okay — here you go: http://eatdrinkrunwoman.com/?p=152
August 19th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Yay Betsy, great report and really smart pacing (despite the 24 min mile
). Now you can relax and enjoy life without that silly BQ nonsense hanging over your head, I can’t remember even what that feels like. Congratulations again and revel in your speedy fabulousness, woman.
August 20th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Congrats Betsy! Looks like you ran a smart race, despite the Garmin weirdness. This is encouraging. Barring injury or disaster, I’m definitely going to try for my BQ at the CIM in December.
August 20th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Best of luck Jim! I’ve heard CIM is a great one at which to BQ.