Hills

Sunday was our lucky day! HILLS!
We met at Playmakers early Sunday morning, which felt even earlier due to that time change thing. Mike greeted us with a big smile and one word "hills."
I am sure there are some runners who embrace hills, who love them and power up them. I am not one of those. I have merely accepted them as you can not go anywhere in DeWitt without encountering them. But I do not love them.
Sunday Mike had a different take on hills. We did not talk much about how to run up hills, but how to run down hills. Huh? What's the big deal about running down hills? You just go with it. Little did I know. So we eagerly learned about not leaning backward and landing mid-foot. If you land on your heel, it is like you are braking and adding extra stress on your joints.
So we ran an easy 2 miles out to the secret hill. We ran THE hill 3 times, took a break and ran it 3 more times while Hannah video taped us. Mike ran with us and gave us tips while we ran: "Land mid-foot," "Don't lean back so much," "Relax," "Fix your sloppy left hand."
Afterward we ran back to Playmakers to watch the video. We were all amazed at how much better our form has gotten since we started. We talked about a few things to work on over the next 2 weeks and left with our minds a buzz with this new hill strategy.
So yesterday afternoon, I had a scarce half hour before my babysitter had to leave for lacrosse practice. I went out for a quick 3 miles (yes, under 30 minutes is a quick 3 miles for me. I am not one of the speedy ones!) On my route I had a few good downhills (uphills too...) I focused on my sloppy left hand and landing mid-foot. I also focused on relaxing my head and shoulders and just letting gravity do the work. It was such an awesome feeling that I ran past my house to get one more downhill in. I felt like I was flying!
It really was cool. Perhaps I am on my way to embracing hills not for the uphill portion but for the feeling of flying on the other side.

What Kim said...

14 miles for me too. That wind was brutal. I think DeWitt has some sort of swirling vortex in its little self contained atmosphere. Must be all those lakes generating winds from all directions. It always seems that 3 out of the 4 possible directions you have wind blowing in your face. And yesterday was no different.
What did I learn on this run?
1) Running is mental. On many levels! As I ran westbound on Clark Road and was brought to a near standstill by the wind, I thought I will NEVER finish 14 miles today. I promised myself, if I get to Schavey the wind won't be that bad and then I can make it to the Y and get a drink and a potty break and I'll do at least 12 (no choice, otherwise I wouldn't get home). So I pressed on, slow, but still moving.
2) When running more than 10 or maybe less, bring GU or something for energy. At mile 7, I see a familiar car and the beautiful smiling faces of Kim and Peg. I thought they were just stopping to say hi and encourage me. But no, they gave me much more! They stopped and offered me a lemon lime GU (Favorite!) and water. Ladies, you were definitely at the right place at the right time.
3) Running friends are awesome! Soon after I saw Kim and Peg (who I will sing praises for again), I ran into Amy V. Dear girl was running 18. God bless her! She looked great. It was awesome to see her smiling too. We gave each other some encouragement and ran on to complete our routes. Kim and Peg (did I mention how wonderful they are...) also dropped a water bottle for me on my route. The water was like a sweet nectar at mile 11 left by the lovely running divas. When I was thinking that 12 would be plenty, this gave me a little mental boost to complete the full 14. It's just 3 more miles (I remember when 3 was my long run). I got some water, some good friends, I can do it.
4) Shamrock shakes are really good after 14 miles.
5) The wind can't bring me down. It may stink, but it can't stop me. HA!

I hate the wind

So as a general rule:  When you run in 20+ mph wind gusts for 14 miles, can you actually record your mileage as longer?  I mean, really.  I was in for grand illusions today on this morning's run on the River Trail.  Earlier this week I looked at the weather forecast and saw a little sun with a cloud so I figured, hey, looking pretty good.  I even saw a high of 40 degrees.  Sure beats running in the cold freezing drizzle Lisa, Sara and Michelle had to run in Wednesday, right?
Humph.  As I drove throughout DeWitt, playing taxi cab to my children and some others I collected along the way, I noticed the trees a-swaying.  And the flags a-whipping.  And the temperature?  30 degrees.  And the sunshine?  Nowhere to be found behind those dark, grey clouds. Did I even have anything to cover my ears?
Arriving at the trail,  Peg, Staci and I hesitated to get out of the shelter of my Acadia. With much trepidation we began our run, at times at a virtual stand still because of the wind.  And it seemed even when we turned around (thinking that wind would be pushing our behinds back to the car) the wind still whipped in our faces.  But, we got her done...even ran it at a pretty fair clip.  Probably because we wanted to get the blessed thing over and done with.  Our get that Bigby coffee we fantasized about for the last 7 miles...
And Bigby coffee in hand we came upon Deirdre at her halfway point in Dewitt.  I felt so sorry for her b/c she was at 7 miles and battling that stupid wind like we were.  Hopefully the GU and water we offered her gave her the jolt she needed to get her done too.
Good job ladies for 14 miles completed in the elements.  For some of us in freezing rain.  For some of us in gusting winds.  I don't know about you all, but I recording 16 miles for today :)

Now What?

As Kim said we ran our timed mile and 1/2 mile on Sunday and no one was looking forward to it. I forgot about Mike's direction not to run a long run the day before and ran 9 on Saturday. Honestly, I don't think it effected my performance. I have never run that fast before. It was slow compared to everyone else, but super speedy for me.
We took off when Hannah said go. I felt like thoroughbred horse being let out of the gate. "And they're off!" Yes, they were. The quick feeted ones immediately pulled away and stayed out front. My goal was to merely keep Zach and Lisa in my sight... occasionally. Around the 1/4 mile point I looked down at my watch and saw a 7:25 pace. Whoa girl! You are going to die before the 1/2 mile point, calm it down. I was wheezing (forgot my inhaler too.) Darn it, I am not letting them out of my sight. 3/4 Mile, only 1/4 left, you can do it, you can keep up this pace. Finally, there was Hannah saying "8:17" Yahoo! Slow for most, but my best ever. I am ecstatic. My previous best was 9 minute.
So my next question is what now? What does this mean for my 5K, 10K, 1/2 and full pace? What should I be striving for? I seriously can't wait 2 weeks to find out. :)
Awesome job everyone! You ran fast and hard, awesome! Thanks for pushing me past what I thought was my limit.