Monday, August 10, 2009

I'm alive, I promise

Don't worry blog world, I'm still here! You were obviously all fearful about the week-long hiatus, but I'm back now. My parents were here all last week (yay!), so I did fun things like...

...touring Philadelphia!

...eating cheesesteaks!

...checking out Valley Forge!

...touring Princeton!

...and finding crazy squirrels in Princeton who let you get close and take their picture!


Among other things, we also baked chocolate chip cupcakes (SO GOOD), went to a wedding shower, and played cards. My parents entertained themselves once I went to work by going to quilt shops, going to a Phillies game, and having dinner with the Rocket Scientist's parents. My dad waited up for me to get home from work each night, which was nice because I usually come home to a dark house. We ate cupcakes and watched Conan O'Brien until he was falling asleep. I don't really see people during the week because of the hours I work, so I really enjoyed having my parents here...and I really like my parents, so that helps as well.

My parents left on Friday and I headed to Princeton after work. Saturday was a PERFECT beach day, so we got some sun and I (finally!) learned how to throw a football. Luckily we watched Shark Week on demand AFTER we got back from the beach. Sunday was a rainy shopping day, where all I ended up with was two new pairs of Brooks Adrenalines. Exciting, yes, but I had high hopes for a new dress! I guess I'll make it...

I got canceled from work again today, which is exciting because I'm sitting here writing this, but sad because that's the second time in a week and a half! I hope this doesn't keep happening...once in a while might be nice, but consistently is not a good sign. No work = no money! We can choose to use vacation days to get paid for our canceled days, but I only have one vacation day so far! I'm looking around for new jobs anyway.


Miles Upon Miles

I've done LOTS of running in the past week! They've been pretty good too. Here's the wrap up:

Sunday, August 2 - My first lactate threshold run!
Warm- up: 2.15 miles in 18:26, avg pace of 8:36

Lactate Threshold: 4.03 miles in 28:37, avg pace of 7:06
LT Splits: 7:16, 7:09, 7:00, 6:58
Cooldown: 2.07 miles in 17:05, avg pace of 8:16

I was really nervous about this workout because I haven't done ANY sort of speedwork in a longggg time! The first mile at LT pace was a bit nerve-wracking because I didn't want to go TOO fast and burn out, but I didn't want to take it too easy. The run ended up going really well and I felt good the entire way. The plan was to average somewhere between 7:05-7:15 (paced on a 3:20 marathon goal...that's just a guess for a marathon goal, by the way!), and I did quite well with that. We'll see how these workouts go as they get longer!

Monday, August 3
4.03 miles in 34:12, avg pace of 8:30

Recovery run...nothing too exciting.

I then took off Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to do things with my parents. Priorities!


Friday, August 7
10.02 miles in 1:20:08, avg pace of 8:00

General miles after my parents left, which was an emotional experience. I'm sure people thought I was weird as I cried running along the trail, but whatever. Despite running at 11:30 after my parents left, it was surprisingly cool and felt really good. Glad I could squeeze it in before work!

Saturday, August 8
4.21 miles in 34:58, avg pace of 8.18

Post beach run! Worst idea ever. The last thing you want to do after laying on the beach is go for a run. However, four miles is four miles so we made it. Obviously.


Sunday, August 9
14.03 miles in 1:52:48, avg pace of 8:01
Splits: 8:04, 8:03, 8:04, 8:15, 7:56, 7:58, 8:35, 8:28, 8:08, 8:06, 7:48, 7:46, 7:39, 7:31


The Rocket Scientist and I met up with his two marathoing friends for our long run. It POURED for the first two miles of the run. Like, soaked to the bone pouring. At least it wasn't hot, right? The Rocket Scientist didn't exactly know the route, so we ended up on the wrong side of a park and then adding on miles on a trail (like...through the woods! haha.) which ended up adding in those slower miles. A bit of a speed up at the end, but it felt good to know that I could still move that fast after so many miles. We were soakeddd when we got back, but I had a good run. The Rocket Scientist not so much. Fifteen weeks to go!

So that was my quick wrap up from running this week. I got canceled from work AGAIN today. Good for a day off, bad because I could have stayed in Princeton another day if I found out sooner. Oh well. I don't think it's a good sign that I've already been canceled twice in the three weeks I've been allowed to be canceled...I'm keeping my eye out for other jobs, but I still think it's a little soon to call myself "experienced."

Only three days of work this week, then off to Boston for the Healthy Living Summit!! I'm so excited for the weekend and to meet Sarah and other bloggers! It's going to be awesome. :)

8 comments:

  1. Wow...nice week of fun and running!
    You are one speedy lady running sub-7 for LT workouts. I am jealous of the fact that you get to run on so many different kind of surfaces (counted 4 at least...) Glad you're back! Hope you have a good work and running week!

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  2. Bummer about being canceled from work so many times. At least you had a nice week of runs!

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  3. i am so psyched to meet you, too! i hope you don't mind running with me at your recovery pace :) it's the only way i'm going to be able to keep up!

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  4. Looks like you and your parents had a great week. Very sweet that your dad waited up for you! Great job on the runs too way to nail the LT run. Have lots of fun in Boston!!!

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  5. Your week with your parents looks like it was so much fun! It's so sweet that your Dad waited up for you after work too! How sweet.

    I'm glad you're down for froyo post-run! It looks like you do your recovery runs on Saturdays and your LR on Sundays, I think I'd only be able to keep up with you on your recovery run (which would be a hard run for me! But, I need it!), so if Saturdays work for you then I'm open! Just let me know a date. Have SO much fun at the Healthy Living Summit! I had entertained thoughts of going to that too, but obviously didn't follow up on it. I can't wait to read about it!

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  6. AWESOME LT run!!! I still get nervous for them, but you totally nailed it! I like trying to turn them into a progression LT like you did too - nice work!

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  7. I love it when my parents visit! I am so happy they came. How sweet of your dad to stay up and wait for you!

    Two pairs of Adrenalines?! You know I am jealous. I think I am going to bite the bullet and order another pair, after I find out if I can still run.

    Great training week! Awesome LT run! I am always nervous about my pace runs (which are 9:00 mm! Ha!). I think I would like to do some speedwork after the marathon is over.

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  8. That's super cool that you're so close to your parents and that they came to visit! Sorry about the job, def would leave me feeling a bit uneasy. But holy wowsers on the runs! You're such a speed demon, I'm envious.

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