Need to find a way to make this happen... dream job!

http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/05/29/kansas-man-is-professional-dog-runner/

Just ran my 2nd half this weekend at the annual Kansas City Corporate Challenge. Wasn't planning this race but since I work for a software company, there aren't a lot of 46 year old women they could coax to run in my age group!

Since this was a race for team points, I wanted to do more than just finish happy this time around.  Unlike my first half a few weeks ago, I wanted to compete.

I staked out the course map and noted that it was much more hilly than I realized. Creating such a course in Kansas is quite a feat for a race director! Given the challenging elevation changes and the 70% humidity, I was surprised to turn in a time of 2:06, two minutes less than my effort from 4/14. I ended up getting 3rd in my age group so I'm pretty content with that.

I was plagued by a side stitch for the first 5 miles of the race. It really did a number on my morale. I've never experienced that in any of my long runs and didn't know how to cope very well. Miraculously, it disappeared and so did my bad attitude briefly.

I followed Eric's advice to attack the downhills. I must have looked like a crazy person based on the looks I got but I ran my race. My quads are ridiculously sore now. Mental note: get working on those lady!

The new Merrell road gloves worked out great. My feet felt so much better this time around. Mentally however, I was pretty drained. The early side stitch sort of psyched me out and it ebbed back during the last 2 miles. Definitely did not finish this race with a smile on my face like my first go around.

Overall, I'm struggling with my speed, which is something I never thought would be an issue. I was a sprinter in my Running 1.0 career. Unfortunately, that speed really doesn't seem to be coming with me as I increase my distance. I'm considering doing 5Ks this summer to see if that helps. I'm open to any insights or advice on this matter.

So for now, I'm heading back to the trails for the summer and will go for another half in the fall when the 100 degree days have passed. You can bet my legs will be ready for those hills by then.

I "Rocked the Parkway" on April 14th. Just now getting around to posting about the experience.

This was the first time I'd raced a half-marathon so no time goals. I only wanted to finish and not walk. I was aiming for 2:10 and finished in 2:08. Not going to win any races with that pace but mission accomplished!

During my training runs, my left hamstring, periformis and Achilles would act up on occasion. I fully expected that to happen during the race.

Not a peep.

My legs felt amazingly strong. Mentally, I was in it. It was an awesome experience. Hubby even has pics of me in the home stretch, smiling ear to ear. 

Sadly, my feet kind of let me down. The last 3 miles, they were hurting. I know I would have finished faster if this wasn't the case.  My legs were telling me "go go go" but the feet were saying "no no no". 

I know that if I ever want to run an ultra distance, I'm going to have to figure this foot thing out. It really surprised me since I train in minimalist shoes and occasionally barefoot. I've never had foot issues like that on any of my long runs.

I also raced a 5K last Saturday for the Kansas City Corporate Challenge. Took 2nd in my age group and knocked off 7 minutes from last year's time on the same course. Yes, you read that right: 7 freaking minutes. I also got a PR in the process. What a difference a year of consistent training can make, huh?

Last week, I picked up a pair of Merrell Dash Gloves. They are designed for pavement running. Still zero drop but with just a bit of cushion. I'll save the Pace Gloves for the trail. I've done the last 3 runs in them and I'm really pleased.

The test will be May 19th. I've got another half on the calendar and I'm hoping my feet won't fail me now.

Stay tuned!

We've been fortunate to have some lovely weather here in Lawrence, KS. Spring is here and so are the inaccurately named June bugs.

I'm in the final stretch before my road race next week. In preparation, I've done nearly all my mileage on that cruel mistress, asphalt, in the hopes that I'll be extra speedy. Unfortunately, all city and no nature mileage makes Melinda a dull girl. Perhaps it was a little Caballo Blanco melancholy, hard to say but I just wasn't in the mood to share the road with motor vehicles and noise and all that ughhhhh. I took it off road to the trails today.

Man oh man, am I glad I did. I feel rejuvenated. Can't wait to get this race over with. I see lots of glorious wilderness mileage in my future. Bring on the tick spray!

Closing in on Goal One for the season: my first half marathon. Excited and a bit anxious. I remember feeling like this the first time I raced a 5K.

I've never felt stronger as a runner and I'm mentally "there". It's been a long slog but the rewards of rebuilding my form are paying huge dividends. I ran my mile test today and in only 8 months, I've shaved a full 1:20 off my mile pace. That just blows my freaking mind. In addition, I've lost 13 lbs and I'm ripped.

I feel like I could run forever these days. A full marathon used to seem out of reach but no any longer. Maybe one of these days I'll say that about a 50 or 100 miler.

Eric's plans work. Period.

 More inspiration can be found here:

http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2012/01/motivational-poster-6.html

LIstened to a 1997 episode of "This American Life" on the way to work yesterday:

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/80/running-after-antelope

In it, Scott Carrier talks about persistence hunting and living more simply. Forgotten how much I love him. 

We were fortunate to have another glorious day in the 60s. Burned some serious calories today doing a run/swim brick workout  with the kiddo.

Started with a really easy trail run at the dog park. On the way out of the place, a poor woman was trying to find her runaway dog. We ended up doing some unplanned hill work trying to help her wrangle the frightened thing! 

After that, Jude and I participated in a parent/child swim team practice. It's a new thing my son's swim coach is trying out. When I stopped training for triathlons last year, I also stopped doing time in the pool. Initially, I had some doubts about wanting to be lapped by 7 year olds. 

I'm glad to report that this practice will become a regular part of my weekly workout because lo and behold, all my run strength training paid off. I fell right back into it with relative ease. Jude worked harder in the pool than he ever has and I managed to keep up without shame. Bonus!

Squeezed in a lunch run today because it was FREAKING 65 degrees here today. I wore a tshirt and shorts, something I've never done in a Kansas January. My YakTrax and baselayers might be sitting in the drawer a little bit longer this season.

It's been a rewarding year. This weekend I'll wrap up my 12 week strength plan. This on the heels of a 6 week strength plan. The fact that my knees were able to handle 35+ weekly miles without a single complaint is a testament to sticking to the plans. I used 2011 to patiently rebuild my form. Not only have the knee problems abated, my body even looks different. Unexpected bonus but I'll take it. Thank you Eric for helping me get through this. 

If 2011 was my transition year, 2012 is a year for reaching goals. I'm going to race "Rock the Parkway" this spring and then shoot for something substantially longer after that. Haven't settled on the distance or the race quite yet. The one thing I do know is that mind and body are finally on the same team. Can't wait to see what I can do. 

Happy holidays. Dream big in the New Year!

So I'm on my way to my first black toenail. According to Jeff Galloway, getting your first one is a sign that you've moved your training into a higher level. I'll take that as a good thing. He had some good tips on dealing with these. Thankfully, it doesn't hurt at all.

I may post a picture once it reveals itself in its full technicolor glory. I bet you can't wait for that...

Injury Archives: Black Toenails

So yeah, my 12 week intermediate strength plan is going great. The only problem I have is finding long hills for some of my interval workouts. We just drove around town searching for an 8 minute incline!

Kansas is cyclist heaven. If you've ever driven across the state, you'd know that it is pancake flat. Luckily, we found the unicorn and tomorrow's workout is ON!