Not surprised

So what do you do when you're forced to take a hiatus from running? Read about it and obsess, of course. Well, maybe that's just me...

Anyway, the latest issue of Runner's World has an article about "Natural Selection" (I can't find it on the site to link) that talks about what type of runner you might be. I wasn't shocked to learn that I am better at short, fast distances. I miss my 800. It does make me think I should work on that 5k time, though, since that is the shortest I'm going to find....

A sign of the times

At this point in my running career, I'm dealing again with the significant challenge of trying to continue to run, and stay motivated about running, while pregnant.

A recent run revealed that while I may be slowing dog, my pug dog (Turbo) is finally in shape. He is, in fact, in better shape than I am now.

I find this hilarious. But I also can't help but feel sad that my competitive edge gained after training hard for 18 months is waning, even if it helps me bond with Turbo.

Runners are a little bit psycho

I went to go for a run on a bike trail with my dog recently. I had missed the beautiful, sunshiney morning and was running in the rain after a substantial cooldown in the temperature. I was about three quarters of the way through my run when I spotted something in the distance... and I realized it was a person. On the trail. In the rain.

Unusually for me, I felt sort of scared. Who was this person and why were they on the trail in this crummy weather? I even thought "what kind of psycho runs in the rain?"

Then realized I was that psycho. I was running in the cold rain.

And I passed the woman, we exchanged smiles, and we continued on our way, both of us dedicated to enjoying whatever kind of weather the world may offer us.

Running Club Begun

A lovely couple found this blog and we've been working on getting a club together. If you're interested, e-mail winonarunning@gmail.com to get on our lists. The biggest group run is happening 5:30 on Wednesdays, but some splinter groups are forming other times.

BK5K Results

here

In case you've been wondering what I've been up to...

So a bit of a wake up call to have a date:

Goodview Gallop Results 2007

Results are in at the Winona Daily News.

Good news for me: my time was only 12 seconds off of my best 5k time ever and 4:30 faster than my time last year. So what I've learned: it only takes 18 months to get back into peak running shape post-baby.

Upcoming Local Races

Contemplating running one of these races? Have any experience with them? Please share.

September 8 Pickwick, MN Pickwick Mill Day

September 15 Winona, MN Morrie Miller 5K

September 15 Blair, WI Blair Cheese Chase

September 19 LaCrosse YMCA Maple Leaf Road Races

Goodview Gallop 2007

The Goodview Gallop was a rainy one this morning. It started sprinkling about when I hit mile 2 and was pouring by the finish. Nonetheless, it was a good, fun run. When I ran the Gallop last year, I knew that it would quickly become a regular race for me and not just because I live so near. I love the fireworks they shoot off during the star spangled banner, the small town feel of having the announcer wish community members "Happy Birthday", the flat course, and the playing of "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" right before the gun goes off. The ambiance of the race is priceless.

Anyway, my biggest complaint, the only complaint, is that the only place results are posted appears to be the Winona Daily News. So I will wait until tomorrow to see what my official time is. In the meantime, I know from having mentioned the Goodview Gallop in another blog that I am not the only person that has been frustrated trying to search for the results. I am including the Goodview Gallop 2006 results in this post and will create another post with the 2007 results.

I really noticed a difference in how I felt racing after having tried an actual 5k running plan that included intervals and some hills work. In all honesty, I probably should have pushed myself further with the plan. Even so, the race felt more comfortable than any race I have run in a long, long time. I know my splits at the 1 mile and 2 mile intervals were pretty close to exactly where I was training for. However, I forgot to stop my watch when I was crossing the finish line, and didn't hear a time, so I will have to wait for official results. The downpour prevented me from getting my time before coming home. I have some early indication that my time dropped dramatically from my last 5k in January.

I did start too far back in the pack and probably cost myself a couple of seconds there. With all the pre-race activity, it is difficult to stay warmed up and not find yourself in the back of the pack behind walkers. Walkers pushing strollers.

Speaking of which, I haven't mentioned my favorite part of the race. Near the end, there was a small redhead and a bearded man looking my way and a quiet "Go, Roars" cheer. Thank you, my little family. It made the race special.

Not SE Minnesota relevant.

A couple of weeks ago, I was going to a WI family reunion. We were discussing the reunion with some cousins and one of them suggested I run the Racine Lighthouse 4 mile run. The race holds a special place in my heart for sentimental reasons, so I agreed. I went 2 hours out of my way, requiring an extra Amtrak ride, but I did run the race.

I was disappointed in my performance. My time was a full minute slower than the last time I ran the race, when I felt so terrible it tipped me off that I was pregnant. It was warmer this year, but I started out too slow and never made up the time.

Oddly enough, this year I managed to place fourth in my age group, and I received a medal in the mail. I have to admit a little hardware makes me feel a little bit better about my performance. Does that make me shallow?