A little off track

Lately, I've been collecting.  New recipes,  friends,  running friends, shoes and and more skipped runs.  The food and friends?  Delightful, all is a great time for both--don't you just love pumpkins and apples?
About those skipped runs?  It's bad.  
It looks like when life is giving me more of everything, I tend to get off track.  It's part of my old pattern.  Reviewing the past couple of weeks, I see that I've been running with people more but overall running much less! 
Argh!  I attribute this to old dabbler tendencies.  I allow the focus of running to change, the wind in my hair and generally good post-run feelings stop being enough.  Instead, I start planning runs around other people and using a missed connection or time conflict to skip a run.  Well, it's time to change that.
In the past month, I've with someone else almost everytime.  Not only does this change my pace, it makes it more difficult to get to running.  I have a lovely park one minute from my front door, no injuries and no excuses.  Yet...I'm slacking off! 
I've decided to change all that.  My plan? Get back on track, run more and keep the friends.  And the food.  I see more solo runs in my future and more food.   Will keep you posted...

Dam Fine Day

Just a check in.  We went up to Damfino Lakes Tuesday.  It was lovely.

Mt.Baker peeking out through the fluffy clouds.

Brian posing in his favorite hat for hiking.  He almost has me convinced it's cool.

Me, glowing...it's on the way down...almost dinner time.

Now, just farting around procrastinating a run.  I'm pretty sure I'll never completely change!  Hey!  We're going up to do Victoria soon!  Anyone on board?  Here's a link.
Victoria Marathon, 10/10/10
I'm going for another PR.  I guess I better get out and run today.  OK, I'm going. 

OK, I have officially started to push the finishing times down!  Today was the Fairhaven 15K.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs398.snc4/46098_130431237003619_107287162651360_175083_2823718_n.jpg
Such a great race...especially when I PR.  My finishing time was 1:19:46  (previous PR 1:21:53) giving me a 2 minute PR!  So excited!
It was a lovely day, sunny and cool day.  I started out strong and had some fast splits, a few in a the low 8's.  8:12 was my best mile.  My pace fell off a bit near the end.  I ended up at 8:58 for mile 9.  Still, much better than a lot of my recent races.
The post race mimosas and breakfast were delicious too!   So, the day was great.  Still.....I think I hear speed work calling my name.  Speed work and an enormous dinner.  Speed work, an enormous dinner and a beer are calling my name.

Speaking of a speedsters,

Marty Gross was 2nd in her age group today in 1:23:26! 

Sunday came in ahead of me in 1:19:11 and Julie was in just after at 1:22:12!
Great job everyone!

Forgiveness and digging out of holes

Lately, I've been running solo more than not.  While I truly enjoy the company of friends on a run, I've come to appreciate a run for itself.  That enjoyment is helping me with consistency.  My pace is more even and I'm getting out more. 
Around mid-July I posted a goal of 40 miles a week and a 1/2 Marathon by the end of August.  I didn't reach either goal, despite my plans.  I actually took that particular week in August off, listening to my body saying, 'enough'.  But, since then I have managed to keep my mileage around 25-28 and reached 30 miles/week since beginning my 'quest' for 40.  Am I completely satisfied?  Uh, no. 
I'm not completely satisfied, but I am starting to see some changes for the better.  I'm running more consistently than I have for years AND...my runs are fun again!  I look forward to them.  I'm also more forgiving of myself. 
In the past, I'd get so discouraged if a week wasn't going well, I'd throw in the towel and skip several days out of frustration.  Know what that gets you?  Yep, more frustration!  Funny thing, I chatted with two friends over wine this afternoon.  It was delightful company and wine, by the way.  I mentioned how frustrating it can be to begin.  I said that when I begin something new, my inner voice must be overcome.  The voice says, "I can't" and I have to dig my way out of that bleak place just to start.  They both said they have the same challenge.  I may be onto something here!  Perhaps the struggle is universal.  Maybe we all have to jump out of our little holes and just try. 
Some days, a run will start that way.  My body will grumble with aches and stiffness and my head is not a motivator.  On some of those days, I manage to dig out of from gloom of self doubt and run.  Does it always go well?  NO!  Of course not.  Do I feel better when I get back?  YES!  Of course I do!
Am I still trying to build to 40 miles/week.  Yes, wish me luck with that one. 

Kudos to the B man!

Although Brian is not my coach, nor a runner these days, he's a great motivator.  Today is his 51st birthday!  Happy Birthday Brian! 
I told him I'd skip my run this morning in lieu of a hike or a cozy sleep in.  He said no that I should get my run in; that we'd have the rest of the day for  birthday celebrations.  Whether, he said run to avoid cranky Paula or just to be nice, I'm grateful. 
I ran with the Saturday morning crew today.  We started at 8:15 and enjoyed a perfect pre-fall 60 degrees with sunny breaks.  September is delightful isn't it?  9 miles later we were back at the start.  After a quick chat and stretch, I came home to patient Brian enjoying his morning granola.  He waited while I showered, ate and had some coffee.  He opened his presents and then tried out some of his new gadgets (guitar stuff). 
I say patient Brian because soon after, he asked about my run.  I pulled out the computer, loaded data from my Garmin and showed him my running data.  Good lord I'm boring!  Ha!  We reviewed the last 2 months when I complained that my running hasn't gone exactly to plan.  He pointed out that my mileage was good most of the weeks we looked at and encouraged me to look at the positive. 
Not only did the B man put up with gadget/food/running-obsessed Paula, he did it on his birthday!  Kudos to the B man!

Back in the saddle again...

OK, back on the horse today.  4.71 miles.  My legs felt less mushy but, thanks to my lack of brilliance and not stretching for several days, I was tight!  It's good to run.  Even when it doesn't feel amazing.  Off to work.  Maybe tomorrow will be a blissed out, floaty kind of day. 

My name is Paula and I'm a run/blogaholic

It's been 3 weeks since I last posted!  There have been ups and downs, been up mountain high (literally and figuratively) and down to the dregs of my energy level.  
Since I last checked in, I ran 63.2 miles over 2 weeks and decided to take this week off.  What you say?  a week off???  Me?  Yes.  
After reaching 27 miles including some serious hills the first week of Aug.,  I dropped back to 24.8 miles due to sore legs.  That did not help.  By week's end, I dragged myself through an 8 mile run with Julie W. who's in a Triathlon Aug 27th in Santa Barbara (Website):  http://www.santabarbaratriathlon.com/noHeader/Index.cfm. Check it out.  Go Julie!!!
I was so frustrated because I really believe I'm putting in the work consistently.  Instead of floating through that run, I was dragging by mile 4.   Julie was sailing along after a training brick the day before.  She's one tough lady! 
Apparently, I'm not.  My legs were just jelly and I felt defeated.  So, I started thinking...and resting. 
I'm sure there are several reasons for my lack of performance but I've narrowed it down to a few...

1. I'm too old and can't handle the mileage.  
2. I've started picking up my pace too much and it's burning up my legs.
3. I work too much.
4. I have a yet undiscovered rare disease that is rearing it's ugly head.
5. Aliens are sucking my energy at night.

I'm a horrible hypochondriac whenever I feel even a little off.  No worries on the disease... I think.  Of all the above potential problems it's probably #2...and a bit of 3.  The truth is building mileage is hard and it feels like it.  After putting in a few solid weeks, I realized I've been under-trained for many of the races I've done.  In a way it's a good thing.  There is still room for me to improve and with a little tweaking, build up that mileage.
So, have I slipped into Dabbler Territory?  No, I think not.  I'm feeling a bit more refreshed.   I may even cut this week off a little short and go running today.  On that note, toodles for now!