This weekend was jam packed with both sewing and running activities. Saturday am, I enjoyed a slow and easy 9 mile run (I know, I never thought I would say that either, but after 19 miles last week, it was) I ran with the running group Saturday am with my watch turned off and and was reminded why I love running. We ran along the trail for the first time since December, when my foot crashed through the ice, and ran to the Ocean where we enjoyed watching spring waves crash along the shore. Even if it was 25 degrees, it was beautiful! After the run--an ice bath, yes 10 minutes in cold water with all the ice our freezer can produce. My dog, Otis, always looks so concerned when I first step in the cold water and let out a muffled scream, then he lays his head on the side of the tub until I can start to read my book and then he eats the ice out of the water;) Such a sweet boy!!! I swear it is always worth it and aids in fast muscle recovery way better than any icepack ever could.
Later Saturday, A friend and her friend came over and we took a sewing machine out of the box and literally talked about the basics of the machine and sewing. It was so much fun! Once the needle holes they stitch on the lined paper are as straight as the paper, we'll stick some material in the machine and get going for lesson 2! Proof that sewing and running go together--they brought me a gift card to the running store--thanks gals!
Sunday was a lesson in the work involved in putting on even a small race. I volunteered to help work the Salem 5K cross country race. The course is a ton of hills and rough surfaces and not a good idea for me before a marathon, hence the volunteering and not running. I helped pass out bags with numbers and shirts in them to those who had registered early and then read off peoples' numbers at the finish so their times could be recorded accurately. It was so much fun to watch the friends I have made through the Wicked Running Club cross the finish and chear each of them on.
Hopefully the reminder of how much pleasure running and sewing have given me will help drive me through this coming weekend's 20 mile race. I have my fingers crossed that the rain in the forecast will hold off until after the race.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
30K Organized Training Run (Run to the Beach)
Okay, so we really didn't end up at the beach, but did run in the general direction toward the Atlantic and probably within 5 miles of it. The Run to the Beach run, was however a fun organized training run--this means a guy yelled go, there was more than 1 crazy person running along the road (130 of us), and there were nice guys with water and music at mile 5, 10, and 15. This was my longest run yet at 30K, or 18.6 miles. 9 of us from the Wicked Running Club (Salem's finest bunch) set out in a caravan at 8 am and ran from North Andover to Salisbury MA (at a bar of course). I ran with one of my fellow Wicked runners, one of the team Glenda runners from our December Mill Cities relay adventure. She was great--pushing me a little harder than I push myself and encouraging me up the hills and when I entered "new territory" after mile 16. We finished in just under 3 hours. It was a perfect day for a run, a brisk 42ish degrees when we started and 50 when we finish with the sun beaming all the way.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Countdown
I have decided to begin providing weekly updates on how these last training weeks leading up to the marathon are going and what I am doing. I have 11 weeks until the marathon from this week (meaning there are 11 weeks counting the marathon week and 10weekends before marathon weekend). All of my long runs from this point on will be new territory for me, including this weekend, and who knows what kind of learning opportunities and thus odd stories might await us. Here is the breakdown of my planned remaining weekend training runs. Hopefully, this being public will help keep me accountable. I will spare you the details of the runs during the week, but they generally include two easy runs, two speed workouts, and the long run.
Week 11 (March 9): weekly total 37 miles, long run 18.6 miles
Week 10 (March 16): total 30 miles, long run 10
Week 9 (March 23): total 36, long run 20 mile race
Week 8 (March 30): total 23, recover week, 8 mile longest
Week 7 (April 6): total 38, long run 18
Week 6 (April 13): total 41, long run 20
Week 5 (April 20): total 27, long 8
Week 4 (April 27): total 44, long run 22
Week 3 (May 4): total 35, long run 15
Week 2 (May 11): total 20, long 8
Week 1 (May 18): RACE WEEK
This week (11) my long run will be an organized training run that I am running with friends from my running club this Sunday. Here is the website about the course: http://www.timedbyyankee.com/2009Races/runtothebeach/. Look for an update and photos from that run soon.
Finally, I know this is about running and SEWING. I will continue to write about sewing as I can, but realize that running takes a lot of time. I do have a sewing lesson planned for a friend and her pal, so you can also look for those if the running doesn't interest you.
Week 11 (March 9): weekly total 37 miles, long run 18.6 miles
Week 10 (March 16): total 30 miles, long run 10
Week 9 (March 23): total 36, long run 20 mile race
Week 8 (March 30): total 23, recover week, 8 mile longest
Week 7 (April 6): total 38, long run 18
Week 6 (April 13): total 41, long run 20
Week 5 (April 20): total 27, long 8
Week 4 (April 27): total 44, long run 22
Week 3 (May 4): total 35, long run 15
Week 2 (May 11): total 20, long 8
Week 1 (May 18): RACE WEEK
This week (11) my long run will be an organized training run that I am running with friends from my running club this Sunday. Here is the website about the course: http://www.timedbyyankee.com/2009Races/runtothebeach/. Look for an update and photos from that run soon.
Finally, I know this is about running and SEWING. I will continue to write about sewing as I can, but realize that running takes a lot of time. I do have a sewing lesson planned for a friend and her pal, so you can also look for those if the running doesn't interest you.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Hyannis Half Marathon
As part of our marathon training (yup, 12 weeks to go), my friend and I raced the Hyannis half marathon in Hyannis, MA. Hyannis is about 2 hours away on the Cape and where the Kennedy's live and the JFK memorial is found. We ran past the memorial as well as JFK beach (see photo) which was really nice. There were lots of big beautiful houses along our path and the smell of salty air. A very pretty race.
Unfortunately, our race day was not sunny like these photos, but rather a cloudy rainy day in the high 30s. Luckily, the rain held off until just after we finished (though those running the marathon got quite wet). My friend and I ran together for 9 miles at just under or at a 9 minute pace holding ourselves back and chatting about the scenery. At mile 8, I felt myself get the itch and knew we were running at a perfectly even pace (within 5 seconds each mile) and were going to break 2 hours--this is a great feeling. At mile 9 I safely gave into my itch, picking up the pace to 8:30s and the again with the last 1.5 miles to go (my last half mile was 7:30). There was a large crowd and I got even more motivated by counting the people as I passed (who said I was competitive?). I crossed in 1:57 (a personal best for me) after realizing the race was a little long at 13.26 instead of 13.1 (yes, that extra .16 matters when you are hauling @ss). I still passed the finish feeling my best for a half. Seems it was one of those few times where the stars and plans line up. I only hope the marathon proves as memorable and successful. Sorry for no finish photo, this was a huge race and the photo guy missed me:(
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Westward Ho
We recently traveled west for some relaxation time in one of our favorite cities--Santa Fe. We had a great time and enjoyed time on the couch, time on the slopes, good food, fresh air, and a side trip to Vegas! I managed to fit knitting and running both into our trip, but was quickly humbled running at altitude. Thank goodness knitting didn't require my lungs. My runs included speedwork and a long run of 14 miles that both left me breathless and slower than usual. I am always reminded of the joy I get from running when I am listening to only the sound of my feel on the trails and see such beautiful surroundings as the Santa Fe mountains. I only saw a few cars and the scenery was so beautiful and well quite literally breathtaking. (Yes, I really took that photo!)
My knitting included the completion of two cabled baby hats complete with ear flaps. They were quick, plane friendly, and turned out just adorable and soft.
Skiing was a blast and I think the running helped me quickly pick up where I left off two years ago--blasting down the blue hills and enjoying an easy black or two. I even heard myself yip outloud after getting airborne over a snowmound.
On the other hand, I am reminded of what a pain people can be while on a run down the strip in Vegas! We drove from Santa Fe to Vegas, with my mother-in-law and her boyfriend. It took about 10 hours and took me through uncharted territory in Arizona and a trek across the Hoover Dam (view the Dam photo).
In Vegas, we saw the Cirque du Soliel Love show (Beatles), played a little tennis in the warmer weather, and attended a friend's, yup his name is Ron and we know him, 70th birthday party at the Palms. Enjoy the photos!
My knitting included the completion of two cabled baby hats complete with ear flaps. They were quick, plane friendly, and turned out just adorable and soft.
Skiing was a blast and I think the running helped me quickly pick up where I left off two years ago--blasting down the blue hills and enjoying an easy black or two. I even heard myself yip outloud after getting airborne over a snowmound.
On the other hand, I am reminded of what a pain people can be while on a run down the strip in Vegas! We drove from Santa Fe to Vegas, with my mother-in-law and her boyfriend. It took about 10 hours and took me through uncharted territory in Arizona and a trek across the Hoover Dam (view the Dam photo).
In Vegas, we saw the Cirque du Soliel Love show (Beatles), played a little tennis in the warmer weather, and attended a friend's, yup his name is Ron and we know him, 70th birthday party at the Palms. Enjoy the photos!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
16 Mile Race in NH
A friend and I recently challenged ourself to what we have seen advertised as New England's most challenging road race. "Many say this race is among the toughest anywhere, with hills. The largest hill, Warner Hill (also known as Antennae Hill), is a long climb, but it too is ideal. It is at the same point in the race (70 to 75% complete) as the famous heartbreak hills in Boston—ideal training."
My friend and I trained for weeks, each Thursday running the steep hills in the famous Beacon Hill neighborhood in Boston. Up one hill, jog down, and up the next. . .repeat until we were grabbing our butts and quads.
We were told part of the charm of this race is often the weather. We got lucky--it was 8 degrees but not snowing or icing, as has been the case in previous years. Instead the sun helped keep us warm and toasty. (Notice that you can see my breath in the photo of me finishing.) Actually, our husbands probably beared the brunt of the coldness as they stood at the top of the last hill waiting for us to pass and cheering us on. We think they were just as much troupers as we were:)
Our goals continuously changed prior to the race. We'd go from hoping to run it as a solid training run in our marathon training schedule to my God just let me finish. Yet, we started out together running strong and kept it up, even climbing the hills with smiles and friendly chatter. At mile 13 my friend had an extra burst and we seperated, but she made the first 13 really enjoyable and I was able to power through those last 3 with independent determination took some time to reflect on how far I had come from a year ago. Luckily we both finished well under the 3 hour "strict" time limit where we would have been escorted off the course. I managed to cross in 2:35 feeling really good (a 9:47 pace for the 16 miles)--it was my longest run ever.
My friend and I trained for weeks, each Thursday running the steep hills in the famous Beacon Hill neighborhood in Boston. Up one hill, jog down, and up the next. . .repeat until we were grabbing our butts and quads.
We were told part of the charm of this race is often the weather. We got lucky--it was 8 degrees but not snowing or icing, as has been the case in previous years. Instead the sun helped keep us warm and toasty. (Notice that you can see my breath in the photo of me finishing.) Actually, our husbands probably beared the brunt of the coldness as they stood at the top of the last hill waiting for us to pass and cheering us on. We think they were just as much troupers as we were:)
Our goals continuously changed prior to the race. We'd go from hoping to run it as a solid training run in our marathon training schedule to my God just let me finish. Yet, we started out together running strong and kept it up, even climbing the hills with smiles and friendly chatter. At mile 13 my friend had an extra burst and we seperated, but she made the first 13 really enjoyable and I was able to power through those last 3 with independent determination took some time to reflect on how far I had come from a year ago. Luckily we both finished well under the 3 hour "strict" time limit where we would have been escorted off the course. I managed to cross in 2:35 feeling really good (a 9:47 pace for the 16 miles)--it was my longest run ever.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Bags Unveiled and Wild Weather
We are back from our Holiday trip to the Midwest. We had a great time and enjoyed time with family and friends as well. The weather varied from the low twenties to the high sixties with high winds no matter the temperature quickly utilizing the limited variety of running gear I had towed along. Who knew you would need warm, cool, and freezing cold gear in a six day window? Regardless, it didn't stop me and all but 1 run were completed.
Plus, now that the gifts have been passed around and the packaging long tossed aside, I can reveal my Holiday project of 2008--large purse/tote bags for my sister and closest friend. The bags were amazing colors and patterns thanks to Amy Butler fabric I found back in Portsmouth (see earlier post from November). I really think the pleats and handle make this bag. I couldn't have been happier with how the pleats turned out and they seemed to hold up against my tossing the thing around through airports and travels. I hope to make some cute matching zippered cosmetic cases to go with the bags with the remnant material. I also hope to find a slightly smaller version or adapt this one. Both gals appear to have loved them, mine traveled well and served as my weight training apparatus throughout the trip, and requests have been put in to make more. See below:
First though, I gotta make myself a pair of dog print pajama pants with some pattern I picked up at the biggest JoAnn Fabrics ever back in IN.
HAPPY NEW YEAR--may this year be the year of fabulous projects and great running adventures!
Plus, now that the gifts have been passed around and the packaging long tossed aside, I can reveal my Holiday project of 2008--large purse/tote bags for my sister and closest friend. The bags were amazing colors and patterns thanks to Amy Butler fabric I found back in Portsmouth (see earlier post from November). I really think the pleats and handle make this bag. I couldn't have been happier with how the pleats turned out and they seemed to hold up against my tossing the thing around through airports and travels. I hope to make some cute matching zippered cosmetic cases to go with the bags with the remnant material. I also hope to find a slightly smaller version or adapt this one. Both gals appear to have loved them, mine traveled well and served as my weight training apparatus throughout the trip, and requests have been put in to make more. See below:
First though, I gotta make myself a pair of dog print pajama pants with some pattern I picked up at the biggest JoAnn Fabrics ever back in IN.
HAPPY NEW YEAR--may this year be the year of fabulous projects and great running adventures!
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