- You know you're a runner (living in the North) when... it finally hits 40* and you're running around rejoicing about not having to wear jackets, gloves, pants, etc... if you would've asked me how I'd dress for weather like this a mere 6 months ago I would've told you a jacket, gloves, pants, etc... I guess my blood is thickening eh?
- Boston Bound... Unless you're living under a rock I'm sure you saw that the B.A.A. released updated registration processes starting 2012 and new qualifying times for 2013. At first glance and near panic attack, that thankfully dear Emily spared me from, I have had plenty of time to digest all the blog posts, FB comments, etc.. about it and have decided to stick by my decision to train for a BQ. The plan was always to go out there and do the best that I can and now I will just have to pray that it all works out in the end. I do not have a problem with the lower qualifying times, as this was inevitable, I am however a tad concerned about the new rolling registration. It would be awfully heartbreaking to qualify and never even get a shot at registering but that is the chance I will take. I've come this far and it would be a waste not to see if I'm capable of the task.
- Hills are for Hero's... So Monday I got the great idea to shake up my hill routine and hit a mile stretch of god awful hillage over by the University of Michigan. Four full mile repeats later, actually the warm-up and cool-down miles obviously had hills too, I was utterly and wholly spent! So much so that my legs are STILL feeling it days later. I usually do half mile repeats and while I couldn't possibly incorporate this every week I think I might rotate the workout in once a month. How do you run your hill workouts?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
3 Things Thursday
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I hate to say it...but I dread running the hills. And down here (Georgia) there are plenty to spare. But I have to use them to my benefit when I run flat areas up north.
Sounds like a great (but brutal) workout! I'm way out of practice with hills and need to get into Central Park asap. I actually love running hills, when I've been training on them. It's such an accomplishment to conquer them!!
Enjoy the weather!!
Does the size of the hill determine the size of the hero?
Good for you for doing the hill workout! I almost never do but it's sure to make a huge difference in your run.
Great hill work! I am in favor of the changes for BQ--had to happen. I hope you make it under the new ones!
Amazing how your tolerance/perception of "cold" will change in just a few short months! Lovin' this warm spell, though I could do without the rain today. :S
You have the right attitude for Boston, girl. All we can do is our best, right?
Have a great day!
"I guess my blood is thickening eh?" - Come on now, we may be North, but we aren't Canada North. Leave the "eh"'s for them please :) haha
I can't say I am surprised by the new BQ times. The only thing I would like to see added is that qualifiers aren't allowed to register two years in a row. I have no idea if this would help with the rolling registration or not, but it would be interesting to at least see how many repeat runners Boston gets.
Way to go hardcore on your hill repeats!
great attitude about boston!!
i do my hills at valley forge historical park. it's a 5 mile loop that doesn't have a flat part to it. the hills are even similar (so i'm told) to heart break hill at boston. so all my long runs are done there...when i can get outside!
I LOVE your attitude about Boston. Exactly my thoughts too!
Oh yes on the rejoicing over the *warmth*. I almost took a picture of me sans gloves, hat or coat before I ran on Sunday. Joy!
I am in the same boat with you on BQ. I knew it was coming. It will provide a long term challenge for sure. It's no longer about the magic time but being even better than that. Luckily I jump to a new age group in two years so at least I get 5 more mins.
Hill repeats in NW Ohio require locating an expressway overpass usually. Usually I resort to the treadmill out of convenience sake. 2x a month seems to help a lot.
On Boston: I really hope that I have it in me to run a 3:35 if I train hard! Fingers crossed on that one, and I'll give myself a year or 2 to see if I can get somewhere near that 3:35.
On the hills: Well...since I live in the Netherlands...Hills = dreadmill! :)
Just run your race and you'll kick some but! You've been focused and your intervals are getting super fast!
The weather will be awesome in the Atl this weekend 70 for a high when I go for my long run (13.1 this weekend)..
OMG I can't believe you think that is warm now. Poor little Boo! At least you are getting more used to it though. And just think next time you come here for the summer you'll be sweating you a$$ off. LOL! LOVE U!
Yup no prb with the times, but rolling admission.. now that's a BIG PROBLEM, that's why my 20 min FREAK OUT! Sigh....
OH yeah and being Matt registered us for the WRONG MARATHON I will be running hills, oh yay!
I do a couple of types of hill workouts. When I'm training for a relatively flat race I'll either do weekly sets of 400m - 800m hills at 10K effort or 150m - 200m hills at 5K effort. If I'm training for a hilly race I'll do some focused runs on hilly trails similar to the course, running up mountains and what not. If the course is hilly I want to prepare my legs for the uphill and downhill running so that my quads aren't trashed after the first few downhills on race day.
I subscribe to the Running Times podcast through iTunes. (it's free and available through their website as well). they have quite a few audio and video podcasts on running topics like hill training, speedwork, stretching, pre-post run routines, drills, form, etc... They're usually done by well known running coaches or successful runners. Good stuff for running geeks.
I was running outside this Sunday thinking the same thing about the weather. Here it was, 50 degrees, and I was running in a t-shirt and shorts. If this was November I'm probably be wearing a snowsuit!
Love that Boston spirit! I'm so excited to see what you're capable of at Cleveland.
This morning I biked into work and felt like it was summertime. It's like 48 degrees here...can't wait for REAL summer time.
I'm so excited about this "heat wave" in Mich too! By the way, becca fwd me the stuff on dailymile about everyone meeting up after martian, I'm excited!
For me 40 is shorts weather!! :)
I too am unsure about how I feel about the rolling Boston system. One will never be able to cross the finish line knowing he or she BQed (unless you run 20 minutes faster) but in some ways I think pushing people to strive for their absolute best is a good thing. I guess only time will tell what happens!
I am so with you on number one. When it goes from Summer to Winter, 40 degrees means gloves and hats. Now, when it's sunny and 40, I'm out in shorts and a tee! Loving this weather!
Ok big plan now--- You, Marlene, and Steph... I'm pacing you all to 3:35 at Martian.
Now get your speed work in!
The end.
-Stephanie
sounds like your head is in the right place re: BQ. good girl. now keep kicking ass!
Mile hill repeats?!! That just sounds like death! Great job - those will make you super strong! Today its supposed to be 55F outside! I can't believe I am going to be able to wear just one layer while running!
Remember, it's still the cold and flu season. Don't let those 40º days get the best of you! My blood must really be thick...
Yeah, I was bummed about the Boston standards changing, but I also knew it was inevitable. I have a ton of other marathons I want to run anyway.
Most of my "hill" workouts these days are run in the form of long trail runs which hills are constantly incorporated in. It's been nice to gradually notice my glutes and hammys getting stronger.
Love your attitude! I think I will be 60 when i qualify lol...
Great attitude on the Boston standards! It sounds like your training is going great, wouldn't surprise me if you either get BQ or get really close to it.
And you did 4x 1 mile hill repeats? That sounds brutal! Sounds like you do hill repeats often - do you subscribe to the Run Faster plan of hill sprints? I enjoy doing hills, so I just work on having 1 hill run a week or so at least.
So glad to hear you are sticking with your goal of BQing, SO many people are just giving up on it!
I imagine that next year you'll be talking about how it was 35 and you went out running in shorts and a tank top! :)
I'm sure that you will run an amazing race in Cleveland and get that BQ. And while it would be frustrating to qualify and not get in the race, no one can take that time (or all the hard work) away from you!
Help me out here with getting in. Prior to the rolling admission it was a free for all where some people who qualified didn't get in. So isn't the same thing happening here? There will be people who don't qualify who don't get in.
The biggest difference I see is that those that ran faster have a better shot of getting in thus making this more elite and that is the point of Boston and qualifying --- to be elite.
Maybe I'm missing something.
I loved the first one! It's true, isn't it?
And you echoed how I feel about the new BQ exactly. I'm going to eventually train for a BQ time, and take the chance, too!
Just stumbled upon your blog. I know that the transition from Florida to Michigan must have been quite difficult.
I think that you truly appreciate nice weather after WINTER :-)
Look forward to following your blog.
1) I like making fun of people who over dress. Sometimes I see people in long sleeves in 60 degree weather down here. Good lord!! Talk about inferno. Yes, 40 degrees = shorts in my book! Hooray for "warmer" weather in MI.
2) Glad to see you aren't breaking stride. You shouldn't! Keep pressing on towards your BQ. I know you are just as capable of a 3:35 as a 3:40. Hello, you did carry me for 14-miles.
3) Well now you sound a bit wimpy ;) haha jk. I don't even do hills. So I guess that's how I incorporate them, I slow down.
Those crazy hill repeats your doing just might get you that BQ. Damn!!
Hills are for heros, and I will support you in your efforts to BQ.
I ran outside in only 2 shirts and tights today. Got up to 47 here!
I feel the same way about the new BQ'ing standards. That exciting moment of crossing the finish line under the BQ'ing time won't be the same b/c you won't be sure if you can register or not. It's a little sad. But I love your mentality about it -- keep training like a champ and who knows what'll happen! :) You got this!
I still live in Orlando and 40 degrees would definitely mean 2 to 3 layers, cap and gloves.
Ha, soak in those 40*! Pantless legs n' all ;)
And keep training your heart out for May - I think you'll surprise yourself with an amazing finish, whether that means Boston this year or "just" a HUGE PR for you!
Great workout!
My running life started out in Minnesota and North Dakota...where 40 degrees means shorts and a t-shirt. Seriously.
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