Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Hump Day Miscellany

Since 21st C Mom tagged me, I get to steal her post title.

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?
Er, non-existent.

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?
Best race was my 5k PR set Jan. 1, 2008, when I finally broke the 10-min mile barrier in 30:15. Whoo hooo!

2nd best was the National Half-Marathon March 2008, which was hard but where I also set a PR of 2:31:57.

3rd best was the Fredericksburg Blue-Gray Half Marathon December 2007, which was hard but fun, cuz I got to be with my peeps, Susie and David.

(It's kind of telling how neither of my two marathon experiences appear in this list.)

Worst run experiences: Pretty much every single training run in which my group ran away from me while I brought up the rear. Sigh.

3. Why do you run?
Silly question—so I can eat, of course! Well, actually I started running to avoid back surgery. True story.

4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?
Best advice: Just get out and do it.
Best advice: Hills are your friend.
Best advice: Do track workouts.

Worst advice: Always push yourself during training runs.
Worst advice: "If you don't feel like doing the whole long run, you can just shorten it."--a coach from a nationally syndicated marathon-training group.

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.
(Oh, like there's something that I haven't already divulged??)

OK, you asked: I would really really REALLY like to not have to work full-time (full-time plus!) for the rest of my life. I would do good works, I would be the BEST volunteer on earth, I swear! Just a little, teensy break please, because I've been working nonstop since I was 15 and now I'm 51 and I can't even count that high.

The Miscellany Part
1. I rode 12 miles on the trail this morning. The trail that the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in its wisdom decided to impose a speed limit on. (Listen, I'd be thrilled if I could get UP to the new "speed limit." Lots of great comments on this article, both pro and con.). There was a big storm last night and about 4 miles in a giant tree blocked the path. You had to climb over it, not easy with cleats and a bike. But, this is how it worked: As you came up to the tree, there was (magically!) cyclist on the other side. You handed your bike to him or her, then climbed over. Then it was your turn to help the next person.

I heart cyclists.

2. There is no 2.

Now I tag Peter, Old School Runner, the Blogfather, Jade Lady, and Jack.

11 comments:

Rainmaker said...

That's pretty cool that cyclists hung around to help out others. Very nice!

peter said...

You're just mad at me b/c I pointed out the problem in you leaving the couch by the dumpster.

Is that bicyclists' plan on dealing with the speed limit imposed on the CCT, to plead that 15 MPH was their AVG. for the entire time of the trip, b/c they waited several minutes by the downed tree for the next bicyclist to come so they could lend a helping hand (do these nice bicyclists ever pass runners?).

I see an unattributed quote in "Hills are your friends." TG it's in the best, and not worst, advice. Cos hills are your friends.

That working from 15 to 51 bit, what's it called when you can read things backwards and forwards? (B/c something I never told on the Internet--if my 2d had been a girl instead of John Henry, I woulda named the baby Hannah. Does that qualify for meme 5?)

But really Jeanne, you inspire a lot of people. Keep it up!

21stCenturyMom said...

Well done!

SuperSnail said...

Awww J we must attend the same group training events so that I can relieve you of your 'rear' duty.

LBTEPA said...

That's so nice and here's some more proof - I ran out of petrol yesterday and a cyclist stopped and offered to push my car!
HIlls are my friends? Hmmmmm.

Sunshine said...

Interesting post.. and also, I'm glad to know you didn't sustain storm damage.

Susan said...

That national coach is crazy!

ShirleyPerly said...

Interesting tidbits! I agree that advice about pushing yourself on every training run to be TERRIBLE. The other one, however, has its merits if the risk of injury obviously outweighs the benefits. It can be a fine line, though!

Jade Lady said...

Thanks for sharing! Oh, it's my turn, huh? Ok, stay tuned.

On #3, that's why I run! love to eat!

Old School Runner said...

Whoever said to push yourself on every training run is a fraud. That kind of nonsense leads to injury or overtraining.

Jade Lady said...

The new It Girl has posted her 5 Q&A's- check out my 6/9 post!