Crane Beach

Alarm sounds at 4:30am.

Is there really any better way than to start the day walking along the beach at low tide, shoes off?

I don't think so.

My heart is here, at the beach, I realize as I take off my Crocs and feel the sand underfoot. Tears welling. Sun shining. Surf gently rolling.

Hello, and there's my ass!

I thought it'd be a swell idea to do some strength training today. And what better time than late this afternoon since I was short on time after my run this morning? A 45-minute Bosu Challenge seemed ideal. Ideal, I tell you.

Enter my ass. OMG. Hello! I have one. It hurts. We did some butt stuff. I mean, plenty of fucking butt stuff.

I can only hope all of the butt moves will help with my running. Like the trainer said, I need to fire up my glutes to help propel me.

Consider them fired. And now they're hired.

3.7miles

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4026433

Perfect weather.

While I missed seeing the guy* on Mass Ave who reminds me of my grandfather, Papa Bob, I had tweaked my playlist last night and that carried me through.

*He's been on Mass Ave a bunch of times and always says something encouraging and has a huge grin. He's awesome. I sometimes wonder if he is a runner or former athlete. I've seen him wearing a Bos mara jacket, but never stop and look to see if it's a volunteer issue or athlete issue.

Here's the thing. So I went out looking to do 4m - starting slow, picking up speeding in the middle, then reducing. My plans changed halfway through. I had to go. Number two. I could take my chances and finish my run, but I was increasingly losing focus on the running (which might have its merits aka distraction!). I stopped in at home, dropped off the kids, and blew out the door. (First washing hands, grabbing small handful of raisins and two cashews.) Ah, much better - now I could focus on the run. Since I'd had the short respite, I needed to justify it with some fast running.

Total distance 3.7m
Total running time 34:55
Pre-home 2.4m
Pre-h about 22 min
Post-home 1.3m
Post-h 12:55 min**
**The 1.3m consisted of running normally, then picking it up for a half mile, then back to normal, then a sprint on a flat, then walk, then jog, then sprint the same flat.

Gobs of delicious stretching followed.

soga

So, yoga, to go or not to go? I'd been planning throughout the day to grab a 5:30 class. Ate well (but didn't hydrate enough). Left the office with plenty of time to spare.

Then the games: I don't HAVE to go. I can go TOMORROW. I'm too dehydrated. It won't be THAT good. I don't love the instructor. I'll just lie down on my bed. For a bit. No, really. That'll make ALL the difference.

"Alright, but not 'til everything's ready", I told myself. I stripped, got my yoga clothes and mat out, looked at the time and plopped on the bed for a six-minute power nap. If I miss it, I miss it. "But Jen, you really want to go. Besides you need a good stretch." Yeah, but. "But nothing." But it's so cozy in bed. And I could do laundry instead of yoga. "Gimme a break." Fine, I could use some arm toning.

5:21pm Throw on clothes. Check look in mirror. Hey now, I look kinda tan.

So, yoga. I went after all.

inspired 3 miles

Yesterday I looked up old 5K race times and was inspired seeing my results. Granted, I was a whole lot younger. Still, though, if I did it then, I figure I could do it again.

So, I mapped a route and went out. I was a little anxious knowing my plan, but I went anyway. Started slowly, then picked it up. The route: Mass at Russell. To 16, around teeny island and back (and holy crap my time is good so far - 8:41). Down Davenport, cross Elm, up Burnside, right on Summer, down Linden, right on Elm. Somewhere around the JFK Elementary School I got a cramp in the right side of my stomach. I pushed through because I knew I was almost done - just had to make it to Burnside. When I did, I felt mildly like I could puke which quickly passed then I was mega thirsty.

Goal: 3m at 9min miles
9.7.10
27:15
3.09 M
8:4912 pace
Goal exceeded :)

"long" run not so long

After sleeping in fits - kept awakening from weird dreams - went running at 630am with MF. We ran at a fairly fast pace to the Tufts track, did 2.25 miles there. The intent was to run up a few hills after this, but I crashed during the first hill. Mentally, I wasn't in it and I knew it. I tried to get back in the game, but it wasn't happening. I felt like a jackass for falling short on our run. Of course, MF was pleasant and understanding. We picked it up again after walking the remainder of the hill and down another. We wound our way up College to Broadway and back to Davenport at Mass.

I'd said: "so we'll end at the bottom of this hill?". MF: "I thought you wanted to finish at your house." Me: "Yeah. Okay." (Damn it, MF. And thank you.) He has a way of pushing me that doesn't feel like pushing.

9.5.10
5.7M

hill sprints with Michael

9.2.10
sunny, coolish (or muggy, depending on who you ask and whether they slept with a fan or AC)
6am
walk
jog to Tacos Lupita
the sprinting toward and past Somerville Hosp...Porter, Crocker, Tower...
working on pushing from glutes
ended on good sprint up Tower (starting from wall sign)
jog...working on longer strides
walk