Archive for August 30th, 2010

Another 65 mile week in the books and I’m really pleased with how good I feel physically (and mentally, for that matter).  I had a day off today, first in two weeks, and while I enjoyed it and made a crapload of headbands, I didn’t feel as though I needed the day off, which is heartening.

Moving backwards in time…

Last Friday’s tempo was swell: 9 w/ 3mi@Half, 2min rec, 2mi at 10k.  Wore my HR monitor for the first time in many weeks and was happy with the outcome.  An easy 9 on Saturday and on Sunday, 16 into the trails.  That was a cool run because I was dragging at the start but on the way back, managed to hit paces I rarely run in easy runs anymore.

My Facebook friends know that for 2 miles, I was followed by some spitting, hocking, wheezing guy, then when I got to my half-way point and turned, the guy said “Oh no, you were giving me great paces!”.   It made me laugh, but I’ve never been happier to separate myself from another runner as I did then.  I so wanted to say “Good luck with those allergies” but didn’t bother.

On a more fun note, I passed 3 groups of XC runners (I guess they’re XC?  Is any college type group of runners a group of XC runners?  Is there such a thing as a group of track runners?  But then I guess they’d be on a track.  I have no idea about these most elementary running things) – anyway…one set of guys, two sets of girls.

The girls were pretty cool, looking way fierce, and one group was led by a definite Alpha, she was very tall and telling a story while everyone was laughing.  When I passed them on the return, they’d all become silent as the heat of the morning and their effort had obviously made a dent.  I was surprised when the Alpha said “good morning” as they passed, usually those groups keep to themselves.

I like the way I can peek into these alternate universes that I’d never noticed before, understand what people are doing even though we have so many years between us.  It’s funny because I know that to many, I must look like an old hand at this running thing, but half the time, I still feel like an interloper or someone playing being a runner.  Not that I mind really, it doesn’t affect my enjoyment at all, but I wonder what it’ll take to feel permanently ensconced.  Maybe it has to do with starting so late that I’ll always feel like I’m borrowing somebody’s sport.  Then again, I’m a transient in life, so maybe it’s just my M.O.

Anyway, got back from the run and spent the rest of the day making a Facebook page for GIMheadbands and bugging my friends to “Like” it.  Big hugs to those who did, especially the men…that’s pure support right there.

Super big hugs to those who’ve bought some already.  I got the testimonials/customer photo page working, so don’t be shy, send me a photo of you rocking a headband, I want to see many lovely faces up there soon!!

And now, time to chill out, got an early morning tomorrow with quite a hard workout: 5 x 1.25mi @10k pace, 3-4 minute recoveries.  Hmmm…given the choice, do you think I’ll take 3 or 4 minute recoveries?  What is that 3 even doing there?  Making me feel guilty because I sure as hell will be doing 4.  Once a slacker, always a slacker.