Showing posts with label taper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taper. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Bitchy Runners Dictionary

Marathon Training Week 3 - Day 2

Today called for 3 miles at race pace (10:00).

Thing 1

Thing 2
It was crazy humid again.  Running and breathing at the same time proved to be nearly impossible.  We eeked out the miles at a 10:06 pace.  Not great, but done.

That was horrible!

I'm sure you wanted a close up of all the sweat.

I dare you to look at this picture and not bust out laughing.

Today we are going to discuss the new found vocabulary we have learned as runners.  Below are a few words that meant something totally different to us before joining the racing cult.  (All "after" definitions below came from this article at RunnersWorld.com)


Chip Time

Before:

Noshing down on some potato chips.
After:


A technology for sensing and recording the finishing times of all
the runners in a race. It's much more accurate and can easily deal with
the old problem of many runners finishing nearly at once in a big, crowded
race. The "chip" is a tiny electronic chip that's programmed with your
specific runner identification. You attach the chip to your shoe laces.
It sends a signal to an electronic reading device--often hidden under
a strip of carpet-- when you cross the start line and again when you cross
the finish line. No human observation is necessary. Your exact time is
recorded automatically. Usually you are asked to turn the chip back in
to the race organizers.


Fartlek


Before:

Licking my lips after passing gas.
After:

Swedish for "speed play;" variable pace running; a mixture
of slow running, running at a moderate pace and short, fast bursts.
Fartlek training is a "creative way" to increase speed and endurance.

Pick-Ups

Before:

Me working my cougar magic.

 After:

Accelerations done during a run, normally done in shorter
durations than fartleks. Pick-ups are simply another way to spice up
what would otherwise be an easy-run day. 



Splits

Before:

Talia did her's at work.

I did mine while texting.

Brittany just set around in them with her rainbow suite watching Barney.

Ms. Sunshine used her's while cheering on the boys.
After:

Refers to your times at mile markers or other pre-planned
checkpoints along the way to the finish line.


Taper

Before:

Just my typical Friday Night Duct Tape outfit.

Talia and Randee wore their duct tape to work.
After:

Runners usually cut back mileage (or taper) one day to
three weeks (depending on race distance) before a big race. Tapering
helps muscles rest so that they are ready for peak performance on race
day.


Marathon

Before:

Marathon shopping trips....26.2 bags each.
After:

26.2 miles; According to legend, in 490 B.C., a Greek
soldier name Philippides ran the distance from the site of the battle
of Marathon to Athens, where he died after the Greek victory over the
Persians.


Moving on....

I ate this for lunch:

Amy's Black Bean Vegetarian soup.  Looks like poop, but taste good.

And...

Hussies will be hussies...please vote!

Click here to vote!
Oh yes, and one more thing....

I thought you might enjoy seeing this one more time.

Happy Tuesday!


What new words have you learned since becoming a runner?

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Three Thrills Thursday

Workout:  3 miles @ 10:20 pace.  Let me add that there was 3,000,000% humidity, so breathing standing still was difficult.  Add a little running and it became nearly impossible.  We did run the last .10 at a 7:10 pace.  That's got to count for something.

Moving right along...

Thrill 1:

I went to prom every year of high school, except my Senior year.  Weird I know.

This is my 10th grade year.  My mouth is wide open.  Surprise, Surprise.
Thrill 2:

I'm getting worried about swimsuit season.  I think my metabolism has stopped working.  I'm positive my quart of hummus and gallon of wine each night has nothing to do with it.  I really must get back on a better eating routine.  If not, I'll need to be purchasing some extra materiel to add to my bikinis.

Why we are on this subject.  When are you too old to wear a bikini?

Spain 2006.  My boobless self.  But my abs were starting to get cut and my thighs were small!
 Jamaica in 2007.  I'm the one in the middle.  Not the topless one in the blue shorts.  
Cancun 2010.  I'm the one double fisting it.
Thrill 3:

Just a little over a week until the Heels and Hills Half Marathon.  We have done a horrible job of training since our last half (March 27th), but I think we should be okay.  I think we are going to be doing this race for fun.  No real time goals.  We are going to try and get a run in this Saturday.  We have not ran more then 3 or 4 miles since the half.  How many miles should we do this weekend?  7?  5?  We should be tapering, but how do you taper from lazy? 

Me crossing the finish line of the Heels and Hills half last year.  My first half marathon.  I thought it was the most horrible thing ever.  It took me 2:36, but I finished.

Another busy weekend with Easter.    However, I am getting my hair did on Saturday!  That is always a great day.  I'm definitely livin' for the weekend these days!

Happy Thrilling Thursday!

What is thrilling in your life this week?