Fifty One

First things first: I set a weekly mileage PR this week...hitting 51 miles!!!

Commentary on this high mileage: Besides being incredibly cool to log fifty miles in a week, it's also exciting because it's something I've never done before. I'm not entirely sure it's the best type of marathon training for my "break four hours" goal, but I figure that it's at least training me to push myself mileage-wise. Most of all, I like being able to run fifty-plus without injury ;)

How it happened: When school started last Wednesday, I had 19 miles under my belt. Thursday, I had an LT run (10 w/ 6 @ pace) smashed between work and a rockin' party that started @ 7p...in midtown. How did I do it? Grande iced hazelnut coffee from the third 'bucks I pass on my commute to work. Genuine excitement to be teaching again also played a small role in my success. I consider it a success because I made myself run at a comfortably hard pace around the rez 3.75 times (~ 6 miles). Because of my time crunch, my cool down was only a half-mile, instead of two, so I came in at 8.5 for the day.

Friday, after starting school again, training, and partying, I was, obviously, tired. No running and no partying Friday night. Saturday was a short three mile recovery run. And Sunday...my first twenty!

Luckily, right now everyone is training for a marathon in nyc (I exaggerate some...) so there are plenty of organized training runs for us to partake in. Sunday was a UA/NY Flyer twenty mile run that included three boroughs and three bridges. A BIG thank you to Flyers GW and BH for making this twenty happen! Also, to Flyers BC and NS who supplied water and encouragement around mile 11, and to everyone else who volunteered, pace-led, and supported. I joined the ten minute/mile group with Flyer NJ leading us in style. Since I had done this run once before, I knew what to expect (so, no, we did not get lost this time on the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge..but the Bears did lose to the Packers last night, so I guess some things don't improve with experience..). Overall, this was a decent run for me. Here are some things of note:

* I maintained my pace throughout.

* Ate two gels (one Gu and one Cliff shot--I am not particular..)

* Ignored two terrible blisters (one fourth grader asked today: "What happened to your toe??")

* Experienced only "good pain" (this is paramount)

* Wished it were a hint cooler, but glad the sun wasn't out in full force

* Had my hand-held H20 supply, which came in handy (ha!) (see pic of water stop--I am over on the left doing junior chemistry...mixing water with water or something..)

* Completed 20.5 miles in total (see pic w/ Flygirl and Uptown Girl post run)

~~~

Meanwhile, my friend L of Team Stick was participating in her first Ironman! I was totally distracted all day by this awesome endeavor. As much as I wanted to spectate in the flesh, it was not meant to be. Instead, I was kept abreast of her progress with phone calls & texts from other Sticks and athlete tracker. In what can only be described as utterly amazing, the L-ster rocked that race in just over 13 hours!! She was my sole inspiration as I chugged up Cat Hill in the last mile of my twenty--I kept thinking how she had about 80 miles to go on the bike before she could start the marathon portion. Wow! So congratulations to L!! I am soooo proud of you!!