Runner Blog Friends

I fee VERY lucky that I've met some running buddies who also share my interest in blogging.  Meeting Becky, Corey and Lauren really felt like meeting old friends.  Because we read each others blogs we felt like we already knew each other.  All three of these girls are training for marathons and we had planned to all run together this weekend because its a cutback week for them.  Before I talk about the run I want to first backtrack to Thursday night.

 Us four plus Lauren's boyfriend got together to see Hood to Coast at Fenway theater in Boston.  It was an interesting film following four different teams on their quest to cross the finish line at the most prestigious relay race of the year.  Hood to Coast is also the very FIRST relay ever created.  My track team from American University has been trying to get into this race for two years with no luck.  It is extremely hard to get into.  I ran one relay- Ragnar Relay and I loved the experience but I think the lack of sleep, long distances cut into 3 legs and the rain contributed to my injuries and led me to deferring the NY 2009 Marathon.  I would totally do another race IF I wasn't training for a half or full marathon.  I personally think its not the smartest to do these relays while training for a marathon.  Although I felt like Ragnar was poorly run in its inaugural year for New England, I did love the camaraderie you form with your teammates.  I mean there was a time when my favorite part about track was the relays!  So... I may be convinced to run another (Lauren and Becky!!)

Okay, now on to today.  Becky, Lauren, Corey and I met at my office in downtown Boston.  The plan was to do 12 together but Becky and I both knew there was good chance we would fall behind our 3:20 marathon friends.  We were all running pretty well together and I was having a ton of fun.  But then we kept running into really REALLY icy patches on the river which made me extra cautious.  If you didn't know this already, I'm incredibly clumsy and always fall while running!

 (PS- first time running with a camera- not sure I would do it that often) 

When we turned to Memorial Drive I fell pretty hard on my butt.  Yep, of course I did.  After that Becky and I took it slower on the icy parts and Lauren and Corey pushed ahead.  Then about a mile later, I fell again on my left side.  At that point Becky and I decided to walk on the icy parts/run in the street. 

 We also hit my office at 10.25 miles and decided that was enough for today.  We ran just over 10 miles at 9:30 pace including all the walking on the ice.  I try to never shut off my watch while running because you can't turn off the clock in a race- so we definitely had some 11 minute miles!  But overall, I'm pretty proud of us.

After the run, Becky, Lauren and I went to Wagamamma for lunch.  Corey had to go home and work on applications : ( Spicy Carbs and Raw Juices= perfect recovery! I ordered the Raw Juice which had  a mixture of carrot, cucumber, tomato, orange and apple.

For lunch I got the Yuki Udon.  It was perfectly spicy and just what I was craving! I only ate half- there was so much.

 It was an awesome day with my favorite on-the-run girls and Corey!  I hope we run together a lot more!

Sorry, I sort of love this picture : )

 Now lets chat about my weekly recap!

 Weekly Recap of Workouts:

Monday 2/7: 

Lifted Weights at home

Tuesday 2/8:

Speed Workout, 6 miles (9:22 pace) 55:50

1 mile warmup- 6.2 mph, 1.0 incline

800: 3:59

1.5 minute rest

800: 3:52 (7.4-7.6)

1.5 min rest

800: 3:46 (7.6-7.8)

1.5 min rest

400: 1:42

400 jog rest

800: 3:38 (7.8-8.0)

1.5 min rest

800: 3:43 (7.5-8.2)

1.25 mile cooldown (this was HARD!!!)

Wednesday 2/9: 

Physical Therapy

30 min of stim, lifted legs

Thursday 2/10:

Ran 4 miles during lunch in 34:15

Friday 2/11: 

day off

Saturday 2/12:

day off

Sunday 2/13:

10.25 miles, 1:37:46, 9:33 pace

8:50, 9:22, 9:03, 9:15, 11:59, 9:21, 11:17, 9:15, 9:32, 9:55, 8:59

Total: 3 days running, 20.25 miles, 1 Day of Lifting, 3 Days off

 Biggest Loser update- Down 4 pounds!! Down 2% Body Fat!

PS- I already cooked Part I of Valentine's Day dinner last night- Lamb Chops!  Tomorrow I am making Filet Mignon. For the rest of the week, I am making booorggers (who gets that reference- gotta love my Fabio).  Not just any burgers- tons of veggie burgers! Stay tuned!

Do you like running/working out with friends?