Today’s Workout – Easy Run

Total Miles: 10.10 miles

Total Time: 1:32:21

Average Pace: 9:09 min/mile

My parents were supposed to leave tomorrow morning, but due to some unforeseen circumstances they are staying one extra day to help me with a few things.

I ran 10 easy miles before they showed up this morning. I woke up around 8:00 and was excited to get started because the weather was beautiful.

Fall has finally decided to slowly show up and I plan to make the most of every second of it. Our fall is so short lived and before long there will be snow covering the ground again.

Unfortunately, my legs were quite into today’s run.  They were very tired and even though I completed the run in a decent amount of time, I really was struggling during parts of it.

I came home and rested for a few minute before my parents showed up.

We spent most of the day moving things back into the house and getting things put together. Life is ALMOST back to normal. One more day of a bit of craziness and then life will start to normalize again. Thanks for hanging with me!

I am stealing the idea for today’s post from Jacqueline. If you haven’t checked out her blog yet you need to!

1. Do you prefer to run a large race like Rock N Roll or smaller local races? Why?

I prefer larger marathon’s, but for the smaller races like a 5k or 10k I like the local races.  I imagine I would like a smaller marathon as well, but I have only ever done Chicago and I loved it being so big because when I was really struggling the crowds helped me get through it!

2. Do you typically plan a vacation around a race?

No not usually. Usually races will be a “long weekend” vacation, but a vacation I use as a complete vacation.  My husband considered doing a marathon at the end of a vacation week at the beach one time, but opted out because you have to pay such close attention to everything the week before a marathon and that would have taken all the fun out of it. The only way I would consider it is if it was the weekend before and then I had ample time to recover.

3. We always talk about things we need to work on, but tell me the positive things you are good about doing before/after a run.

I am good and making sure to do my dynamic stretches before my runs and have gotten much better at hydrating properly before and after runs.

4. Gels/GU/gummy bears, what’s your favorite fuel?

I take half a gel (usually Honey Stinger) before a long run but on shorter runs I just use ZYM and water.  

5. What is one piece of gear you can not run without?

I am going to have to go with my running shoes (Saucony Kinvaras) and my Garmin.

6. What is your favorite distance to run?

Race distance would have to be either a marathon or half marathon, though I do enjoy the shorter races too. If I am training I like the moderate long runs usually 12-14 miles.

7. What food or foods do not sit all on your stomach before a long run?

I usually try to stick with bland foods such as pasta or pizza.  I really try to keep away from anything spicy or with a lot of extra things in it. The more plain the better when it comes before an important long run.

8. What time of day do you run?

I currently like to workout in the mornings (usually mid morning), but when I was working full time it would depend on my energy levels. Sometimes I would work out in the morning before work if I could get up otherwise I would run right after work in the evenings. I sometimes would double up if I needed to get a longer run in.

9. What is the worst or most useless piece of gear you ever bought?

I honestly think I’ve used everything I’ve ever bought running wise. I did buy a pair of Nike shoes once that hurt my feet every time I wore them so I guess that could count!

10. How would you make a piece of gear better? Or if you could design a product what would it be?

I would want to fix the iPod shuffle more for my husband than myself.  He sweats a lot and after a couple weeks the thing just dies. He has been through countless ones and none of them have ever been able to last more than a month or so. I would waterproof it to make it last longer and work for him.

11. What’s on your fall race calendar? 

I am considering running a half in September and then a marathon in Spring of 2014 where I hope to qualify for Boston.  I haven’t decided on the marathon yet, but the half is a local one here in Erie.  My husband and I are quite superstitious and since it is a smaller race I want to wait until it’s closer to the race to sign up officially.

What are your fall race plans?

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