September 17th, 2008
Today was 11 easy with a trip up Smile Hill, my mile-long piece of runnin’ fun. Was gorgeous out, 64 w/no humidity to speak of.
On the way to the hill, I passed that walking woman I’ve become park pals with. She runs quite a bit now, which leads me to do fun stuff like clap or give a big thumbs-up when she goes by, but I’d been feeling guilty about that recently, like maybe that’s somewhat patronizing, though she always responds as jovially as me when we pass.
So today, she was on a sidewalk area right before a thin stretch of dirt path begins. She was doing her walking thing as I approached her, and as soon as the dirt path opened up, she hopped on it and started to run, pointing to the ground and saying apologetically to me, “I have to run on soft surfaces”, to which I replied some inanity like, “You go, girl!”
It was totally adorable that she felt she had to explain herself to me, but on the other hand, the next time I see her, I’m going to make a point to tell her that whether she walks, runs or skips (there’s this strange obese woman I’ve seen out there who actually does that, skips the whole way), it’s just cool that she’s out there.
But anyway, back to the run, started comfortably and sped up a bit as I got going. Got to Smile Hill and went up it comfortably, yet faster than I have before, then came down with an 8:01. While I don’t plan on going down Steamtown hills that fast (though on the famously steep mile 4, I might…I’ll talk strategy in a future entry), it’s been a really wonderful piece of land to traipse on in rehearsal for the big day.
Now I’m home and popping Zicam, which I bought yesterday, because I’ve had a scratchy throat ever since the temps went down from gross hot to lovely. I never used it before but it seems like it’s working, I have the hint of a cold, but nothing more. Luckily, I only have a couple 4s before the big race on Sunday, so it’ll be nice to veg without any big workouts ahead.
And that’s it from glorious Philly.
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Better get used to running at 8:00 or thereabouts, Flo. I seem to remember you’re trying for a 1:45 half, which is 8:00 pace. I’m also doing a half next month with the same goal. If you can hit the same pace on the bigger downhills at Steamtown, that 3:40 goal will be in your grasp!
That is the plan! Fun that we’re in the same race ballpark. 8:00s will get us 1:44:48, my coveted goal. Just a wee bit nervous about water stops (I remember them being real slippy and slidey) but I gotta get over that fear once and for all.
Ah, water stops. Maybe you could skip them for a few miles, depending on conditions. Can your tummy tolerate tanking up beforehand?
Yeah, I won’t need water until the 6th mile at the earliest. I did the 10 miles of Broad St. without stopping once and the temps will be the same – but I will make a point to drink a couple times at least. I was considering bringing my handheld to Scranton, but the idea of running hands-free is more appealing, so this’ll be needed practice and one less thing to stress about at the marathon.