Train Like a Mother Club News: Are you planning on being in Pittsburgh on May 6 + 7? We will have a shake-out run + a #BAMR get-together on May 6. All are welcome; sign up here to be notified of details!
In just a few short days, I’ll be gunning for a PR at the Sachuest Point 10K. And, literally, just as I started to write this and was opening links to figure out how to spell “Sachuest,” I realized that their description of the race as a 10K++ wasn’t just a cute typographical treatment. It is actually 6.7 miles rather than standard 6.2.
*insert a surprised/flummoxed/shrugging emoji here*
Upside: it’ll be a PR because I’ve never run an official 6.7 mile race. Downside: I won’t have a shot at an official 10K PR. I’m still working out how much I care about the downside, however. I’ll have to get back to you on that. Regardless of my feelings about the race’s distance, an hour and some minutes spent running by the ocean is always good.
When last we spoke, I was just about to set off on a 13-mile training run becauseI’ll be running (and working the AMR booth!) the Pittsburgh half marathon May 7 and Coach has me working in some longer runs in between the short, speedy ones. Upside of that 13-mile long run: I found a dollar!
Downside: pretty much everything else. Not only was this a few days after our area was hit by Stella, which left us with three feet of snow to find new places for so that we could leave our houses, I also really didn’t feel like doing it. Some days, the long run runs you.
The running has gotten better since then as has the weather. I wouldn’t say that it’s finally spring but we can maybe see it a little bit from here. A singular crocus bloomed on my front lawn this week. The low skies and snow are sticking around but I have hope that their days are numbered.
The weather followed me to Chicago, which is where I was for a few days last week to attended a conference of alumni magazine professionals. Yes, there are such conferences. Yes, they are really enjoyable if you’re into alumni magazines. Given that my job-job is writing and editing an alumni magazine, it’s a great fit. If that isn’t your job (or, I guess, hobby), you might not dig it.
Last year, the same conference was in San Antonio, Texas. Not only did I take an official running tour of the city, I got to hook up with a posse of mother runners to run a less busy bit of the river walk. I figured I’d at least work in a scamper along Chicago’s waterfront. But March in Chicago is different from March in Texas, which is one of the most “no duh” sentences ever written. When I pulled back the curtain to figure out what to wear before I got my sweat on, rather than face a sunshiney morning on the other side of the glass, I was met with 35 degrees and sleet. Because I am a wuss (and there was no one waiting for me), I just went back to bed.
I regret nothing.
While the weather was definitely a downside, there was a lot of up. When I found out the dates I’d be in Chicago, I immediately looked at the Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me taping schedule, like you do, and the scheduling gods smiled. Not only did I get to see how they make the public radio magic, this happened:
Because a photographer friend, who is friends with Peter Sagal, suggested it, I brought my NYC marathon medal to show off. And so I did. Shortly before I snapped this selfie, in fact. My new BRF Peter and I talked briefly about marathons and New York City. While my time for that race was just about double his, we agreed that the last hour is awful whether your are going fast or slow. That might be the glue that holds all runners together. Or maybe the Gu. Something like that.
What have been your upsides and downsides this week?
Downside: My daughter caught a stomach bug. Too many bodily fluids. Too much laundry.
Upside: I only have to deal with my own sweat and assorted bodily fluids during my early morning runs.
downside: it is cool and rainy
upside: the snow is almost all melted and it is supposed to be warmer and sunnier this weekend
Downside: the weather has been awful! Cold, rain, wind, yuck!
Upside: I recruited my BRF to go with me on Tuesday and I sucked it up today and ran a strong 9 miles in a torrential downpour and feel pretty badass (and cold and tired).
You’ve just been an upside! Peter Sagal–wow.
Down side: I have been running like a slug and am only 70 days from attempt #4 at 100 mile distance. Like I am a little freaked out! Upside: I killed 5 miles of hill repeats today! So I am not in as bad of shape as I thought.
Downside: I have to miss Sachuest and seeing all you awesome BAMRS.
Upside: getting back on a running schedule after about a month off, post-strep throat.
Loved seeing Peter Sagal and Wait, Wait in Cleveland this winter. My cheeks hurt from laughing so much after the taping. Goodluck with your 10K++! Enjoy Pittsburgh too!
Upside: Daffodils on my runs this week!
Downside: I still can’t decide on a half to race later this year. There are too many good choices.
Downside: Had my second-to-most crappiest time in a half recently. Just not into it.
Upside: trying new distances and a trail race.
Downside: I signed up for a local 8k that runs around a lake and looked super fun, but I found out that my daughter’s first soccer game was that morning so I had to miss the race.
Upside: she scored two goals! And I still ran 4 miles in my neighborhood.
Upside: Finally got some tasks ticked off the list that have been lingering for a year (hello revamped blog that I’ve been paying for for 12 months and have only spent 30 mins putting together..). Downside: It’s cold and windy agian here – winter has returned to the Uk. Sigh.