Lots of Track Running, Feeling Funky, and Other Stuff

I've been in a total funk.  I'd like to just call it the dreadful PMS or hormonal swing but it has been more than that.  Perhaps it is just part of living "summerfully" but the biggest part of this funk has been my lack of interest in writing. This is weird for me because usually writing is my "vent" or way of connecting with my world.  It is how I make sense of things and process the ideas shooting off in my head. But ever since my last post about my Zensah tights, I have not had any desire to write a blog, look at blogs, or even spend time in my journals.  Maybe it had something to do with wearing those TIGHT tights backwards and inside out all day!  


Although I've been feeling "funked" with writing, other areas of my life have been flowing pretty smoothly.  Summer finally came to Portland, my husband and I have escaped on a few kid-free dates, and even though I'm not in serious training for anything, I've been having fun with running. And tonight I came home from a very enjoyable happy hour with a new acquaintance/friend feeling recharged and more like myself again!   


Here are few pictures to capture my week:

First lap of the mile.  My form is okay here but wasn't so hot in the 2 mile.

 Thursday we all headed over to the local track by my house to participate in the last "FREE" track night for kids and adults. I had no idea that this was going on all summer!  There were SO many kids there and a fair number of adults.  Nicole joined me and we ran the 2mile, mile, 1600m relay and the 200m just for fun (well, Nicole SMOKED the 200 meters but I ran it the same pace as my 2 mile).  Here's how it went down:

• I learned that my form is AWFUL!  Total heel striker and don't have much knee lift unless I'm conscious of it.  A few people pointed this out.  
• I ran the 2 mile first and decided to run it more as a workout than a race so that I'd have something left for the mile.  I wish I would have pushed myself harder on them both.  Ended up with a 13:09.
• Ran the 400 m relay for fun with Nicole, her coach Joel, and a random runner that jumped in.  It was purely for kicks and giggles as far as I was concerned.  My sprinting speed is the same as my 5k speed and as far as using a baton...HA!  But Nicole and Joel had the most beautiful form I'd ever seen!  
• Ran the mile in 6:09.  Wish there was another race next week so that I could go for that sub 6 this summer.  It helps having other adults.  
• Finished off with a 200 meter jog.  At least that is how it looked and felt.  
• Determined to work on form!  And speed!

First mile of the 10k ORRC Dual Duel 10 mile relay and 10k solo.  I was already heel striking.  A good sign that this would be a long race.  

Yesterday evening, I headed down to a local track event put on by the Oregon Road Runners Club.  My thinking was that it would be a small and low pressure event and that I would get a decent workout without feeling the pressure of a larger race.  I knew that most of the runners would be part of the 10 mile relay but I had no idea that it would be such a turn out!  The track was full of ripped, fast, hot, Lululemon covered, runner chicks!  There were quite a few running dudes too but I wasn't as interested in them.  These women were there for a serious workout and they were not interested in making small talk.  They were there to kick some ass and get a killer workout!  I would have loved to be a part of the relay but Nicole couldn't run with me since she is recovering from her stress fracture.  Instead, I registered for the 10k solo in hopes that it would be a decent tempo run.  It did end up being a good workout but definitely not a good race experience or time.  I will never do a 10k like this again.  Not a good idea for several reasons:

• A 10k on a track with MANY other runners ZOOMING past you the entire time as they do repeat 400's for their 10 mile relay does a number on the mental state of the 10k runner.
• Being one of the only 10k runners in the midst of this relay event makes one feel lost and unable to "get in the groove".

I wanted to quit SOOO bad!  In fact, I did stop at the side of the track to whine to my husband at mile 2.92 for almost 2 minutes while I contemplated running away.  But I'm proud of myself that I didn't quit. A little embarrassed that I started psyching out in the first place though. Glad my husband gave me the "get your ass out there because I don't want to have to listen to you bitch about quitting for the rest of the night" look.  I finished it off with about a 7 min mile pace.  A guy at the end came up to me to tell me that I won for women in the 10k but that is easy to do when you are the only woman!  

Listening to music and drinking good beer in celebration of 8 years of marriage!

Overnighter without the kids = quiet breakfast together

LOVE my new Shut Up and Run Shirt from Beth.  Thankful for my stretchy skin that won it for me.

Was sent these Branca Barefoot Running Sandals to try out.  I'm not going to take on barefoot running on a full scale but I am open to trying these out SLOWLY (like a min a day the first week, then 2 min and so on) in hopes of improving my form, strengthening my feet and muscles and just being open to something new.  If you are interested in barefoot running, you should check out RunBranca.com.  More to come on this!  

Feeling black and white with the whole "Sticklete" art thing.  

What's new with you?  Seriously catch me up!  Races?  Travel?  New Babies?  I want to know!
Amanda