Thursday, February 25, 2010

Spring Race Schedule and More!

I have so many random things to share. Rather than trying to put together a cohesive post I'll just separate the randomness into sections.

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Training is back on track after a mini-setback with my sore foot. My arch was quite sore after the long run Sunday, and really sore Monday still. Tuesday it was a bit better but decided to skip the 4 mile recovery run and hope my foot healed up completely. I think that worked because Wednesday it felt fine and I got in my medium-long run. I ran again today (with Emily, yay!) and it feels ok. I've been icing and taking ibuprofen and all that. Hopefully it's gone for good. I am reminded of how painful marathon training can be and also reminded that it always gets better.



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I have officially registered for my spring race lineup. Drumroll please!

March 6 - Champoeg 10k
This is Deana's big goal race- her first 10k. So exciting, can't wait! We're already talking about other races later this spring/summer.

March 21 - Mercer Island Half Marathon
One of my goals for the year was to do a race up in Seattle, and this one fit perfectly. It's a bit hilly so probably not a PR race but a fun challenge.

April 18 - Bridge to Brews 10k
I did this race last year and set my 10k PR. I hope to break it this year!

and of course...

May 2 - Eugene Marathon
This will be my 8th marathon and I'll be going for another BQ. It ain't gonna be easy.


Not sure what is up for me after that but we'll cross that bridge when we get there!

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Here is the recap of my week so far- this is Week 3 of the Pfitz 12/55 schedule:


Monday: rest

Tuesday: yoga at the gym
(unplanned rest day from running to rest my foot)


Wednesday
11.0 miles/1:39:25/9:02 average pace
Medium long run on the springwater trail before the rain came

Wednesday: short weights workout at home

Thursday
8.0 miles/1:11:03/8:53 average pace
Run with Emily up in Vancouver. She's got a really nice route- it's always fun to run somewhere new. Always fun to run with somebody too! My foot was a little sore during the run but not too bad after.

I will update after the weekend with pics from my trip to Seattle!

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I was tagged by my ambitious friend and will do my best to play along. I am just supposed to say 6 things about myself - I love reading these things about other people so I'll try to make mine interesting.

#1 I am a cat person. I have never had a dog. Zach and I have a kitty named Smegol who is 9 years old and very fat and mean; I love him dearly! I think dogs are kind of gross (sorry everyone).

#2 I'm very happy with my life now: living downtown Portland, just me and Zach (and aforementioned mean cat), living it up. But... I am looking forward to buying a house and starting a family someday soon-ish. Will continue to live it up, to be sure.

#3 I turn 30 this year. I'm not freaked out about this at all, but we'll see how I feel in 6 months.

#4 I listen to podcasts all day at work, including several comedy podcasts. My subscriptions include This American Life, Radio Lab, The Moth, The Bugle, Stop Podcasting Youself, Comedy Death Ray, Jordan Jesse Go, You Look Nice Today, I Love Movies, and more (just google or search in iTunes to find those, I highly recommend all of them)

#5 I really like writing and wish I actually put any real effort into this blog. I feel like it takes so long to just spew my thoughts out and post photos that any editing or revision is out of the question. I would like to spend some time writing and actually work at it... if I come up with anything good I promise to share.

#6 I've spent a significant amount of time in the last couple of months playing brickbreaker on my blackberry. My high score is 24,920.

Whew! That was hard.


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I always like to end with some pictures.

Spring has sprung early here in Portland and there are a lot of blooms on the trees. Here are a few that are looking lovely already. We've had some rain and more is on the way but a sunny day here and there goes a long way around here.






17 comments:

Chloe said...

I love Portland. Let me know if you ever want to 'house swap' for a few days!! :)

Glad your foot is feeling better! And I love the name 'Bridge to Brews' - even if I was not a running I would want to do that race just because of that awesome name!

Happy Friday!

John said...

You're making me homesick, Jen - my Dad lives really close to Mercer Island, and we bike around there quite a bit when I come back to visit.

Should be a good race!

Lotusphx said...

Love the new blog look! and your race schedule sounds fun!!! I can't wait to hear about the first 10K from you and Deaner... the spring pdx pics are beautiful!
PS_I have also spent many hours playing brickbreaker - so addicting!!

kristen said...

Good luck in Mercer Is. I was going to do the 10k, but schedule conflicts....It's so hard to find good PR races around here. Everything above a 5k ranges from somewhat hilly to hilly. Ugh.

It will make for a great training run for you!!

Alisa said...

Yay, glad that foot is better!

You can meet Mel from Tall Mom at the Mercer Island half. I'll be there at Bridge to Brews and Eugene in the cheering section! MUST start thinking of good signs to make!

Love the pictures---last week was GOREGOUS. Today, not so much, but what are you gonna do.

PS Not offended by the dog comment but how could you resist my awesomely adorable puppy!?! I heart kitties too, Zoey's my first doggie.

Aron said...

um dont like dogs?? i will just have to introduce you to kylie and emma when you come :) haha.

great job this week and glad the food is feeling better! looks like you have some fun races coming up :) i am trying to find a good 10k - but man those things hurt!

4 weeks!!

Amy - the gazelle said...

Hasn't it been so pretty here lately! I love early spring. :)

I am doing the Bridge to Brews 10K as well. Last year was my 10K PR, too!

Amy said...

I love brickbreaker. Loved your thoughts and your 6 things. Sounds like you have a fun race schedule!!!!! oh, and I LOVED turning 30. Hated 29, loved 30. Now that I'm 31 I'm not so sure. Live it up, sister.

ShirleyPerly said...

Great to hear the foot is better!!!

I'm envious you have 2 10ks coming up soon. 10ks seem to be scarce in Central FL and I'm running my first one in a couple weeks too (eek!). I wish I had another one soon I can do in case I bomb that one. The only other I know of is in November...

Love the pretty cherry (or is it plum) blossoms!

Dragonfly on the Water said...

Race plans look great. I love those flowering trees!

Petraruns said...

Wow! That looks so springlike! Fabulous - lucky you. I thought we were heading that way but snow last week and horrible horrible storm yesterday. Ugh.

Your plans look great - nice progression in there as well. You sound like you've got your mojo back. Oh and in a land of dog people - I am a confirmed cat lady too...

Michael said...

Great post, Jen...I always love your random thoughts and beautiful photos. I miss Portland!

By the way, if you're looking for a great Seattle-area marathon next year, Whidbey Island is one of the most scenic in the country (http://www.whidbeyislandmarathon.com/home.cfm). Probably not a BQ race, but a fun one. Or, you could always join us (http://www.teammichaelmoyles.com) at the Seattle Marathon...I'm there most years! Good luck in Eugene.

Ewen said...

Two free beers for the Bridge to Brews is a good deal :) With that incentive, you'll break your PB for sure!

Looks like spring has sprung in that last photo. Plenty of happy training days ahead. Not sure I need to know how painful marathon training can be, but nice to know it always gets better - I'll hold you to that ;)

KK said...

I thought 30 was uneventful too. But now that I'm pushing 33 I wish I would have enjoyed 30 more.

LOL at the Brickbreaker. Amy always makes fun of me at how bad I am.

You have some awesome sounding races planned and it sounds like you are in such a good place mentally with your training. Sorry about your foot-I had a long bout with PF so if you ever have questions or need advice, feel free to email.

I am so jealous that spring has sprung there. Lucky duck.

Kelly said...

Some how I missed this update to your blog. But I have a question about your race plans. Sort of. I think I'm going to be visiting my sister up in Portland this summer. Do you know of any 5/10ks maybe in July? Do you guys have a specific race website/calander you use up there? Thanks! And, sounds like you have a busy spring! Can't wait to hear about all the training!

Marathon Maritza said...

Gorgeous pictures, hurray for spring! (my favorite season!)

I'm so glad you rested your foot, always a good idea and look how great the rest of your workouts went!

And hey, you didn't put your epic, SF 20-miler on your spring announcement! WTF! That's gonna be the best weekend ever! ♥

Sean in NY said...

Hi Jen. You're a great writer and do a wonderful job of conveying a very endearing personality through your blog-posts which makes your blog such a treat to read! I'd hate to see you go back and edit it all down!

That's an awesome looking race schedule you've mapped out for yourself. I'm stupidly curious as to what you're even considering doing after that marathon. You've got A LOT of summer left after all.

Good-luck with your training and take care of that foot!