Maria's Running Blog

I might have gotten carried away again today - the weather is still nice and warm, and I had tail wind on the way out. When I turned around though, I kind of had second thoughts. Ended up going just under 3 miles. I hope I feel okay tomorrow.

Total time: 27:42 (9:47 pace).

Today was a very good run. I felt marked improvement - my breathing was easier, I didn't get tired as much, and I even ran negative splits! Also, felt stronger and as if my running mechanics were better, probably due to slowly improving economy and my body remembering how to run. I wasn't faster than on Sunday, but felt a lot better.

Total time: 21:43 (9:26 pace).

I'm going to a screening of film "Endurance" next Friday - about Haile G. It's an older film, 1997, but I didn't see it before. Best of all, the screening will be followed by discussion on what makes Ethiopians so fast and whether Haile can win in Beijing - with some top runners who are here for the London marathon. Interestingly enough, the event is at the British Museum (not sure what it has to do with running). In any case, I booked myself a ticket! I'm wondering who will be there from the elite athletes.

My longest run so far in this comeback. I got tired, but made it okay. I slowed down a little after 2.5mi to make sure I don't push too hard. I can feel that I'm limited by my conditioning now, not my legs. But it is getting better, I just have to be patient.

Yesterday I learned about another interesting running event in London. Next Thursday, the Hanson brothers will be giving a talk in one of the running stores in central London. Some of their athletes will be with them and will be answering questions. There will also be some Brooks giveaways. I'll try to make it after work, but it's at least an hour's commute, so we'll see.

Total time: 39:02 (9:38 pace).

Had a decent run today. The weather is ridiculously cold today, and on Sunday we had heavy snow!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I got up and looked outside - there was at least half an inch layer of snow on the trees and cars. It's gotten marginally warmer since then, but still in the single digits (Celsius, of course). I didn't wear gloves today, and my hands froze. Oh well, one of these days there will be spring.

Total time: 29:00 (9:21 pace).

Had a choice today: go see movie "Endurance" about Haile G. and listen to some superfast Africans discuss Ethiopian running, or go for a run. I debated and changed my mind several times, and in the end decided to go running. I missed 2 days already, the weather was great (after some torrential rain and hail earlier in the day). Now I'm really glad I went, because I feel good after the run, and I feel good about getting out! NowI can sit back and watch "American Idol Gives Back" and results of the last round (they run here 2 days after US, or maybe a week after, not sure).

I ran the same pace as before, but was able to kick in a little at the end, and more importantly, I recovered much quicker than before. Only a week ago it took me 15 min. to get back to normal heart rate, and today it was maybe 5 min., pretty much normal. Still have some chest pain, but it doesn't seem to get worse while running.

Total time: 28:53 (9:19 pace).

Rather eventful run today. As soon as I started it began drizzling and about a mile into my run, it started pouring heavily, and with hail, too. Horizontal rain, ridiculous wind, the whole nine yards. It lasted only 10-15 min, but I was totally soaked and it made the run less than enjoyable after that. I ran a pretty good pace, compared to my recent runs, probably because I unconciously tried to get out of the rain sooner. But my lungs hurt for a few hours afterwards. I don't know why 3 miles is okay for me, but 4 miles is too much. Maybe it was the pace, or maybe it's because yesterday and today were my first back to back runs since I started building back.

But conditions are looking good for London marathon. I'm thinking of going out to watch it! Temperature is perfect for the race, about 48-50F, only if rain stays away.

Total time: 36:29 (9:07 pace).

Went to watch London Marathon today. What a day! I knew there should be fast times, because the weather was great, around 46F at the start and 51F at the finish, almost no wind. But there could be showers. I mainly wanted to see Ryan Hall run in person. I was wondering if looks as great in real life as on video, with that long, smooth, effortless stride. I thought of a place to watch, and decided on the Embankment,  after Blaskfriars bridge - around mle 24.5. I was afraid it would be very crowded, but it was actually very easy to get a good watching spot, at least before the masses started going by.

First, I saw elite women (they started at 9:00, 45 minutes before elite men and the masses). As I got out of the tube, it was raining, and then it started pouring, much like yesterday, sans the hail. The elite ladies looked very lonely, there were all going one by one, with large gaps in between, few minutes gaps. Some looked pretty strong, others pretty miserable. I later noticed that faster women that started with the mass start, looked stronger than these elite women. At least they were surrounded by guys and had a lot of company. So I'm not so sure this separate start for women is so great. I also paid attention to their foot strike, and almost all were landing on midfoot.

Finally, I saw leading motorcycle, a bunch of support vehicles, so it was clear the elite guys were approaching. I was very disappointed not to spot Hall in the first three from about 150m - they were three Africans running side by side. When they got closer, I realized they were Martin Lel, Sammy Wanjiru and Moroccan Gomrie. All running abreast and looking like they were just out for a Sunday stroll (at 24.5 miles). It was hard to judge their pace, but they looked strong, for sure.

Then, about a minute back was Mutai, another guy, and then finally, there was Ryan. I have to say, he did NOT look as good as at the end of Olympic Trials in NYC. His stride was not as impressive as on TV, but he wasn't grimacing in pain either. He was holding his own, and he appeared to be speeding up somewhat. Mainly, he just looked focused. Oh, and he was definitely running on his toes, no doubt. Not midfoot, but clearly on the forefoot. His heels were never touching the ground. I thought it was amazing for him to do this so late in the race. Of course, now I know he ran 2:06:17, an amazing time, and it only got him 5th place, this was a great year in London, and I'm so glad I got to witness it. Very fast times, but arguably could be even faster (maybe even world record) if they didn't start so fast - 14:21 first 5K. Geez! Although it's a little bit downhill, but still! I think it was too quick for Hall (but not for Lel, who put in a sick looking sprint last 385 yards - 57 seconds!!!), and he paid for it in the end. But of course, he had a terrific race, 2:06:17 is an awesome, world class time, and a PR by 2 min. for him. Brian Sell commented today in his training log: "Felt sort of pointless after seeing London results.". I guess he felt a little disheartened by the blistering speed of the first 7 or so guys. He will have to face them in Beijing, but it will be a very different race there, with the heat and tactics determining the outcome.

Then I walked to Westminster, past 25 mile mark and watched as more and more people started to go by. Saw some interesting costumes: few guys in tutus, tons of guys in various wigs, Scooby-Doo, 4 guys wearing jail striped uniform and physically chained to each other. But the "best" was the guy wearing a Borat-like costume, if you know what I mean. He was practically naked, with some strips of neon green material covering some parts (actually, just one part). So yeah, pretty much naked all around - he drew the loudest cheers from the crowd.

When I finally decided to go home, Westminster tube on my line was closed due to overcrowding, and it took me the whole hour to get home. But it was great watching the race. I know I said last year that I will not run another marathon until I get faster in shorter races, but I was so inspired today, that I entered an online ballot for 2009 race. It's only a lottery, so no guarantee of getting in, but I entered. I'm still upset about missing "good for age" standard by 45 seconds last year in Rotterdam sauna, but what can I do? We'll see if I get in next October.

 PS One important observation I forgot to add: a LOT of elite women were wearing compression socks, a la Paula Radcliffe. Some men too, but more women. I just read in Running Fitness magazine (a running magazine that runs parallel to Runners World in UK) that some studies have shown that compression socks improve blood flow back to the heart along with multiple other benefits. The artcile said that for a 3:30 marathoner wearing compression socks can make 6 minutes difference in final time! I'm not sure I buy this, it seems really large time difference, but maybe I should look into these socks for other reasons, like preventing more blood clots in my legs!

Had my INR blood test scheduled, so I'm working from home today. I got out at lunch and ran my usual 3.1 mi. Beautiful spring weather, I was even a little too warm in long sleeves! I kept noticing my time was better than last week, all along various checkpoints on the course. When I finished, I had 28:06 on my watch, more than 40 sec. faster than a week ago. I'm honestly surprised at my progress on so little running. I still feel every little incline, and 4 mi. runs are still causing lungs to hurt (while 3 miles are not), but things are looking pretty good. I'm hoping to get my mileage up in the next few weeks.

Total time: 28:06 (9:03 pace).

Did my usual 3.1mi course, another back to back run. I felt ok, saw a group of runners on the other side of the road going the same direction, so I tried to keep up with them. It worked to some extent, they were going slightly faster and gradually pulled away from me, but it was a good distraction from the long incline I have on the way back. I love daylight time - now I can actually see colors when I run!

Total time: 28:23 (9:09 pace).

I was expecting to be slower since it was my third consecutive day of running. Indeed I started slower, half split was 14:17, but got a little faster on the way back. Maybe because of the weather - it was cold and windy, my hands were freezing and I wanted to get back home.  Noticed that I did a little better on the long incline (mind you, it's a very tame incline, maybe 1%, but these days I feel every little bump).

Tomorrow will be off, since I have to go to Heathrow to pick up Lisa from her flight back. She has been moaning about the training and how tired she always is there. No wonder - she is swimming 4 hours a day in doubles, plus land training. She has competition this weekend, and I think she will swim a bunch of PRs, although I'm preparing her for a possibility of no PRs as well, in case she hasn't recovered from heavy training.

Total time: 27:55 (9:00 pace).

Had chest pain today for some reason - ran a little less because of that. It was also rainy, cold and very windy. Blah. I ran in one of my winter tops lined with fleece, and it was just right! Wearing gloves at the end of April seems ridiculous, so I didn't, but got frozen hands instead. Temperature is about 45, but with the cold wind, it's really not that pleasant out.

Total time: 25:35 (9:08 pace).

Finally, it's getting warmer - nice 50F weather, but very windy. I'm enjoying running in daylight and opportunity to go inside the park (because it closes at dusk).  I decided to try and run 4 miles a day this week. I may have some interruptions in a way of evening meetings with old friends in town from US and Russia, but I don't have anything set up yet.

Felt pretty tired by the end, but manageable. No chest pain and quick recovery. It felt good to move after sitting on my bottom for many hours this weekend, and at the hot pool, too. But I think it was worth it. My daughter got one PR (in 200 free), and swam a very respectable debuts in 200 fly, 400 IM and 400 free. Her sprints were shot, though, probably due to heavy training in Cyprus (70km in 9 days!). I think she did great being so tired and untapered. Next up - London Regionals, where she is swimming 50 and 100 fly, first time ever in a long course.

Funny story from her Cyprus training: there was some Russian team training at the same pool, in a time slot right after her team, and her coach was very curious whether it was Russian National team. So he made Lisa translate and talk to them. Turned out they were not a national team, because they had swimmers from all over CIS (Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belorus, etc), but her Russian was not enough to really find out much more. She should have talked to them more, but she is too shy and self conscious, knowing her Russian is not fluent.

Total time: 37:12 (9:18 pace).

After a 2 day break, felt pretty good. I will try to hit 20 miles total for the week. Planning to go to a track meet this Saturday. The team captain put me in high jump (!), javelin and 4x100m relay. I'm excited!

Total time: 36:39 (9:09 pace).

Don't remember anything special about this run, but that is good!

Total time: 36:06 (9:01 pace).

We got beautiful day for a track meet - sunny and warm, around 70F. I even got sunburned from being outside for a few hours.

I did high jump (pathetic, but I remembered how to do "flop" after 25 years!). Of course, I pulled a muscle in the right hip flexor while jumping, but I pretty much expected it. If you're not using certain muscles for 25 years, chance of inury is pretty high. I felt it for the first few hours, but by evening it was okay. Lucky this time.

Then I did javelin, also pathetic, but lots of fun. I did only one throw, and had to leave for the 4x100m relay. I was running the 3rd leg. Not having done almost any strides, I had no idea how I was going to run or feel. When I got the baton, I almost tripped over myself - I think my brain was firing faster than my legs could move forward! I caught myself and ran the rest of it okay. I didn't lose any ground on the third place woman, and we finished fourth as expected. It was all great fun. I was tempted to try hurdles, but I'm afraid of falling. Not so much falling, but bleeding, since that could be troublesome now that my blood is so thin. Our team captain is trying to organize a jump and hurdling coaching session, which would be great. I want to get some confidence I can safely clear the hurdles before I'll try it in a race. Right now, no one is willing to give it a try and we're losing to other clubs simply because of no shows. I've seen some women just jogging through the hurdles, it's still better than having no one in the event.  So we'll see it. All in all, a fun day out. I managed to jog about a mile in between my events.

Man, did I feel sore from the track meet! Ran 5 miles today and felt okay, aside from sore legs.

Total time: 45:35 (9:07).