Omaha Runner

My most interesting running story of this marathon training happened a couple weekends ago, when I was in Omaha visiting John's sister Annie. It was bitterly cold and windy and everything was covered in snow (this is all a big deal for me now that I live in Arkansas) but I still was adamant about doing my 14 miles...so Annie helped map out a 7-mile loop that I could do twice, so I wouldn't get too lost. John decided to come along for the first 7 miles and bail, so after the first loop I had no company and was feeling a little sluggish. I stopped to walk in this park for a minute to eat my gu and drink some (half-frozen) water and this guy comes up behind me, he's in his 30's or 40's, all bundled up and running like me, and he starts making small talk. I kind of started running really slow (not like I was already going that fast) figuring he'd take off, but he just stepped in with my pace and started running with me and chatting. Any other day I might have thought this was weird or have been annoyed, but hey, I was in an city I didn't know, I was tired and slipping around on the snow, and as it turned out I was pretty happy for the distraction. So basically this running-nerd guy ran with me happily for about 5 miles, talking my ear off about all the marathons he'd done, plus ultra-marathons, cyclists he'd dated, thoughts about the midwest, how he'd qualified for the Boston Marathon three times but never run it because he thought it was too expensive and mainstream (haha, I wasn't offended...and he knew I was running it), and asking me questions on occasion. Seriously, he was a godsend. And about a mile before I was back at Annie's house he said goodbye and took off in his own direction.

I love runners.

Triple Tandem Workout

OB visited a couple weekends ago, and we were very lucky she was able to bring her triple tandem down. We got a little cross training in on the bike that weekend...rode to Mt. Vernon and back...hahaha. Ok every time I look at that picture I die laughing. How hilarious is this???

Long Runs

Hey ladies!

I'm so excited this Blog is up and going. Thanks Caput!

I actually do my long runs on Mondays (I work @ Planned Parenthood and clinic is closed).

I did a 16 miler this morning; it started off cold (28) then mid-run it spiked up to the low 50s!
Good thing I loop by my car. My long runs frequent trails in Duke Forest or running from Duke's West-Central-East campuses and back. I miss the option of being able to just run from my front door; there aren't many sidewalks around here and most roads don't even have shoulders. Almost weekly cops, pedestrians, motorists with flats get hit by cars passing by.

Do you girls typically do your long runs with a buddy or alone? I do my speedwork with some runnergirls, but with my schedule my long runs have been limited to me and my iPod.

Happy trails!

Claud

Another weekend....another training run!

Good morning! Not sure I know everyone.....I graduated Tufts '01 and '03, and ran xc and track.....so HELLO if I've never met you....and I'm looking forward to officially meeting you all on Patriot's Day!!!

So pumped to have a little extra motivation through this blog. This weekend for the first time in a while, I decided to do my long run on the course itself....figured I should finally try and incorporate some hills into my training. Luckily I decided to do the run on Saturday, and the weather wasn't too bad....a bit cold but nice and sunny (as opposed to yesterday where it snowed some here in Beantown and was really windy). Anyways, all in all I felt pretty decent during the run.....there were tons of other runners on the course which was nice.

Hmmm??? trying to think of something else to say...you guys heard that Lance Armstrong is running Boston, right? And still not sure if Katie Holmes is in or out....

Okay...happy Monday folks! Hope you all have a good week of training this week.

Saturday Long Run

Hello virtual running team! I'm so glad we finally got this blog going! On Saturday, Stef, Sheeds and I did a long run through DC...started at the Iwo Jima memorial (which is only like a mile from my apartment!) and did a great run through DC along Rock Creek Parkway, which kind of reminds me of the Fells...lots of trails and paved roads through a woodsy parkway. It was a pretty chilly morning...I'm sure not as cold as Boston though, Jenn...and by the end I was ready for our routine post-run stop at Greenberry's! It's this little coffee shop right near our apartment with really tasty coffees, muffins, and tasty treats. Gotta refuel!