How is it Sunday night already?
This weekend went by surprisingly quickly. I went into it with some amorphous plans to maybe get drinks after a friend got out of a work thing today, some plans to run twice and then I was going to see what else ended up happening.
Then my mom and I chatted and I realized I hadn’t been home in awhile–and really, what else did I have going on?
I was supposed to do my long run of 13 miles yesterday and then do 6 miles today, but when my alarm went off at 5:45 yesterday morning, I looked it and said HELL NO, rolled over and woke back up at 8:45. I still thought I’d get my long run in and get it over with, but then I realized that leaving around 10 probably wouldn’t be the smartest thing I’d ever done, so I ran up Summer Streets and back for a total of 6 miles. It was a nice change of scenery, but the run itself was nothing to write home about.
My mom came and kidnapped Bailey and me and off we all went to NJ, and then down to my mom’s cousin’s 50th anniversary party.
Aren’t they cute?
I’d have to say the best part of the party was meeting the lovely lady in the middle–my mom’s cousin Karen. We’ve been Facebook friends for awhile but never met until last night. She’s a spin instructor/triathlete and is a Grade A Race Pusher. Last week, she posted four different races on my Facebook wall, and asked if I was interested in any of them. Last night, she finally talked me into Tunnel to Towers.
The food was good, too–especially the massive meatballs.
AND CAKE.
After a few glasses of wine, I was exhausted but rallied to go to the movies with my friend Eileen to see Campaign. I love Will Ferrell, so I was hoping to love this as much as Anchorman, but it was a little *too* over the top–although the general premise of American politics being a circus was pretty on point. (Have I mentioned I don’t miss living in D.C.?)
This morning, I had no choice but to get my long run over with, solo. I much prefer to do my long runs with friends, but I think it’s good to do at least one long run solo.
So, i watched the end of the men’s marathon this morning (Go Meb!) and then went out for my own run. I had 13 miles on the docket, and I used my 18-miler from last summer as a base for my route–and then ended up missing at least 3 turns and completely improvising it.
I still didn’t leave until 9:30am, and so it was hot, humid and sunny when I started. Awesome.
I also got in plenty of hills.
The only parts of this run that didn’t feel impossible were the downhills, but I talked myself through every cliche out there:
“This will make you so much stronger for October.”
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
“One foot in front of the other.”
But I have a big goal that I’d like to meet and surpass, so I powered through to finish 13 miles and get home to eat some eggs. My pace ended up being an average of 10:04–not the best, but right where my training plan says I’m supposed to be.
So as much as I love sleep, I definitely love getting up and running early to beat the heat better.
How was your weekend? Who’s a race pusher in your life? (P.S. Do not ever gchat Emily if you are ever trying to talk yourself out of a race.)
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It's a cliche, but it's true - it WILL make you stronger. And much as I love a long run with friends, running alone is so good for you, so nice weekend! :) Mine had very little running but lots of rural country fun, and I'm so very happy about that.
I haven't done a race and so far I have NO race pushers except to push me OUT of the idea of doing a race. I have it in my head that someone needs to run a race with me because I can't do it alone. I should really get over that because I REALLY want to run a race! (Even a 5 or 10k).
Now that Brad got new shoes, he did his long run at a 9:30 pace! So we all need to be Sunday running buddies again soon :)
It felt so good to have you home for the weekend and share some
family times!!
I am my own race pusher. I can talk myself into and justify any race, which sucks when I realize after paying that I can't make it that day or I get injured or whatever.
I think I am the race pusher around here :) It's a pretty sweet job.
Great job on your solo 13 miles! That is a tough run anytime but in summer weather? I'm impressed.
I just LOVE that your mom reads (and comments on) your blog. So sweet!
@Katie: Ooh, I missed that :) Wordpress ate her comment notification email. I am definitely a race pusher too!
I am a total race pusher! :) Where is that restaurant? I swear I've been there? Is it near Iselin at all?
Love the -- this will make you stronger for October -- mantra!! Awesome!
Sounds like my weekend. I waited too long Saturday to do my 13-miler and shut the alarm off on Sunday, forcing me out at 11am for 2 hours in horrible heat. I had to remind myself the only thing wrong was that I was hot and repeatedly douse myself at every drinking fountain. I'm definitely running early from now on, the heat is miserable!
If you are looking for a great long run and are spending Labor Day weekend in the city, I highly recommend the Manhattan Training Run. It is 14.2 miles, the length of Manhattan from the north tip of Manhattan to Battery Park. It is a great run in concept and has some help along the way. Not an NYRRC event.