Archives
I’m A Bit Type A…A5, That Is
Posted on June 19, 2013 1 Comment
Without further ado, meet the Saucony Type A5! More to come once they’ve got a few speed sessions under their belt… Weight: 5.2 oz (women’s) Drop: 4mm
Feet, Meet Flats!
Posted on June 18, 2013 14 Comments
This past Sunday, I did a tour de running shops. Mission: test various racing flats. It’s what we runners call “due diligence,” right? Except it’s way more fun, akin to opening loads of birthday presents. After some interesting conversation and a few test runs, I’ve chosen my first flats! Without further ado, meet the Contenders: […]
Chicago Marathon Training: Week One
Posted on June 16, 2013 6 Comments
Week one: a return to speed work (love) and tempo runs (love). Learning to slow down those long and easy runs (dealing). Monday: Run. Tempo. First tempo session since Eugene Marathon. Soft surface run – bridle path/reservoir. Felt fantastic! Fueled with one packet of protein-enhanced UCAN. Plan = 15 min wu; 1 mi @ 8:10-8:20 min/mi; […]
A Mile in Pre’s Shoes?
Posted on June 14, 2013 8 Comments
One item on my training to-do list is buy racing flats. More precisely, get professionally fitted for them. I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit I’ve dreamed of this. I equate racing flats with Pre, elites, pros, the fastest of the fast. Now it’s my turn? Well, not because of some qualifying standard. Coach says […]
Oakley New York Mini 10K
Posted on June 11, 2013 3 Comments
Let me first admit: it’s been over a month since I last posted. Leave it to you, Oakley New York Mini 10K, to help break the silence. This was my fourth year running the Mini. I quite like this race. It’s a fantastic distance (long enough to pace, way shorter than a marathon), a nice […]
Eugene Marathon: Pre-Race Thoughts
Posted on April 27, 2013 4 Comments
With my shakeout run done and the race tomorrow, it seems a good time to reflect on some pre-race feelings. Speaking of Pre, there are signs of the larger-than-life legend everywhere. The track where Pre ran is beautiful and open, and largely unchanged from photos I’ve seen of him dominating his hometown turf. It’s not […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Fourteen
Posted on April 21, 2013 7 Comments
Week fourteen was a full week of taper, although there wasn’t much time to focus on the typical feeling of “taper madness.” Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings and following events put the week on a surreal timeline. Thankful all friends who were in Boston running and spectating were safe. Thoughts are with those who were not […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Thirteen
Posted on April 17, 2013 4 Comments
Week thirteen was what I dubbed “Hell Week” in terms of balancing work, personal and training schedules. For work, Erica Sara Designs took on our first major race expo with the More-Fitness Women’s Half Marathon. It was amazing! Meant being on my feet Friday and Saturday for 7-8 hours. With my last long training run […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Twelve
Posted on April 7, 2013 1 Comment
Week twelve was a lower-mileage week. Swapped the nine- and six-milers in order to make the NYRR Scotland Run 10K fit my schedule. First week back to strength training also meant I was sore for a few days after. Good lesson not to let cross-training slack. This upcoming week has my last high-mileage long run […]
NYRR Scotland Run 10K
Posted on April 6, 2013 1 Comment
The Scotland Run’s always one of my favorite NYRR races. Let’s face it: it’s scattered with kilts and bagpipes – two things of which I’m quite fond! If only they were part of every race… Last year’s Scotland 10K was a PR for me. That’s not saying much since I’ve never properly raced this distance. […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Eleven
Posted on March 31, 2013 2 Comments
Week eleven ended with the second to longest run of training before taper. It went very well – a bit over 20 miles – over two bridges and into two boroughs. However, I slacked on cross-training this week. Time to get back on track with the personal trainer. But, the running went well and my […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Ten
Posted on March 25, 2013 5 Comments
Week ten had some amazing runs and some “okay” runs but they all served their purpose in training. Especially the 13.1 New York half marathon as training run. That one was a prime lesson in just how the mind can will the body to keep moving in a less-than-ideal state. Overall, came out of the […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Nine
Posted on March 18, 2013 2 Comments
Week nine was a bit opposite of last week in that there were less workouts. Where week eight contained extra workouts, this week was sparse. I was unable to get my strength training session scheduled due to schedule conflicts on both sides. However, the time off to recharge was needed after a busy week prior. […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Eight
Posted on March 10, 2013 2 Comments
Week eight was supposed to be an easy week. Two extra workouts (for networking/business-related purposes) meant it wasn’t quite as easy as intended. Made sure to get extra sleep to compensate. Had no problem meeting the requirements of all workouts; am looking forward to taking a total rest day now! One thing I certainly won’t […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Seven
Posted on March 3, 2013 12 Comments
Week seven was one heck of a workout week. Despite a hectic personal schedule, I managed to keep my workouts on-target. Unfortunately had to miss a strength training session, but caught a body sculpting class in its stead. Had some fantastic runs this week. Body’s feeling strong, which my long run confirmed. Capped the week […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Six
Posted on February 23, 2013 4 Comments
Week six had two workouts that were definitely challenging. Wednesday’s strength training session was fantastic and worked some muscle groups that needed attention. Felt this one the next day. Because I’d moved some workouts around (Thursday’s workout to Monday; Tuesday’s workout to Thursday) hill repeats followed strength training. Sore body and robust winds made for […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Five
Posted on February 17, 2013 4 Comments
Week five went very well despite some necessary schedule manipulation. Moved Thursday’s run to Friday due to unforeseen events between Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. That left me a bit tired on Friday’s run, and may have contributed to the delayed soreness in my hamstrings (not enough active recovery on Wednesday afternoon). But, an early bedtime […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Four
Posted on February 10, 2013 3 Comments
Week four was a good, solid workout week. Moved my rest day to Friday due to incoming snow and a schedule conflict. Also moved my weekend run to Saturday to run with visiting friends. like allowing some flexibility in schedule as long as I’m still hitting my workouts. I admit, I’m feeling ready to start […]
Lack of Motivation Turned Inspiration
Posted on February 6, 2013 9 Comments
Last Sunday was a bit of a slog for me. My scheduled “long” run wasn’t all that long (as far as marathon training goes). I only had 10 miles up, with a mini tempo workout built into it. Even though I had been looking forward to the run, I couldn’t get myself moving out the […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Three
Posted on February 3, 2013 4 Comments
Week three was a hectic week that required some schedule manipulation. But overall, the running felt good. Love the return of tempo runs on the schedule. Threw in a 5K race for fun; wound up running it but not racing it. Trying to stay on top of stretching and foam rolling to address tightness in […]
Eugene Marathon Training: Week Two
Posted on January 27, 2013 4 Comments
Week two was marked by especially frigid temps. Still, enjoyed all my outdoor runs this week. Training is ramping up in intensity, which makes me happy. Logged longest run since November injury and am thankful to feel my endurance still intact. Working on slowing down pace on long and easy runs, which is my biggest […]
To Lora V…The Girl Who…
Posted on January 26, 2013 5 Comments
So began the subject line in a recent email from a dear friend. In its entirety it read, “To Lora V…the girl who never lets the snow stop her.” Attached to the email was this fabulous surprise: the above portrait, illustrated by the incredibly talented (and dare I say beautiful) Sam Smith, who’s recently launched […]
LV runs NYC 