Highlights of Ragnarly Training

Ive been meaning to blog some of the fun running experiences Ive had lately, but been so tired by the end of the day...Im tired right now and this might not come out in an orderly fashion, but Im just going to give some information on recent training...

*February 11th was a thursday, but we chose this night to carry out our long run for the week. I had signed up for an all-day resistance workshop, on the following saturday, to get my cec's. And Cynthia got volunteered to do a Ragnar fund-raising garage sale on the saturday.

Sharon needed 13 miles on her training plan. Karen and I only needed 12, on our plan, but wanted to go the distance with Sharon. We wanted to make sure that she ran 13.1, because this was her first time doing the half marathon distance. We had to pass by our vehicles to get less than a half mile more. It was fun to experience this break-through moment with her. I love running friends because they give you the chance to live through these experiences over and over again. I love marathon training with first time marathoners, because I remember how exciting it was when every run was the longest one ever. I remember wondering if Id be able to accomplish that next longer distance.

There were several things noteworthy for me regarding the 11th.
-Sharon's first half marathon distance run.
-Possibly my first double run in a day. I dont really remember doing a double day before.
-My first long run at night.
-A fun turn-out! Me, Karen, Sharon, Cynthia, Sarah, and Lisa. Our gas station potty break took a long time (single stall), but it was worth having so many fun running friends show up.

I hadnt planned on it being a double-day. I had been looking forward to sleeping in thursday morning. But Karen said "We are still going to run in the morning, arent we?"

*February 18th I did my usual run in the early a.m. with Karen, and then realized that there wasnt anything I really HAD to do during Kelly's preschool. Id been wondering about one of the cut-through roads we hadnt tried at Las Sendas. Cynthia and Lisa were quick to agree to a spontaneous mid-week field-trip with me to Las Sendas. Missy came with us to ride in the running stroller. She was a pleasant addition to our running group- happily enjoying the outdoors and the great weather. Cynthia and Lisa kept joking about throwing rocks in my stroller to make it harder on me. They didnt really put rocks in- just full bottles of water they didnt drink the whole run:) Im totally okay with toting water for friends who are willing to drop everything and run with me!!! On the way back home to get our kids from pre-school, we stopped at the Quicktrip for a 32 oz. icy cold diet coke. I must say that in a perfect world everyday would start out with 2 runs and a Quicktrip!

*February 20th, Saturday, we planned to hit Las Sendas again. We cant get enough *heel work right now! Bridge sent out the message to all the girls, and we planned for anyone on the Ragnar team to show up for the last 6 miles- anyone who could make it. Karen and I left home at 5 am, planning to get 19 miles. Cynthia and Sharon left at 5:40, because Sharon needed 15 and Cynthia was willing to do 15 for the fun of it. And Lisa left at 6:20. For the last 6 miles we met up with Bridge, Justine, and Beth. This was our first time meeting Beth, who is part of our Ragnar team.
I get a little thrill from the preparation and anticipation of a run such as this. Having to think about where we will be at certain points so that people can meet up for their various desired distances. Cynthia came up with a better 6 mile route than mine for the finish, so we used hers. But I had fun all week thinking about the route and how it might play out. Everything went well. We were a couple of minutes behind schedule in meeting people- this was because of a few minutes late leaving home and a few minutes spent buckling on waist-packs, etc, at the car. But my pre-planning was for us to do 10:38 avg- which would include bathroom and water stops. The final avg. on my watch was 10:40, so I was happy with the way it played out.

*heel=hill. Cynthia just told me tonight that for some time now her and Lisa have been trying to get me to say hill as much as possible because apparently I pronounce it like heel. Lol. I can handle that being the joke on me. There could be worse things!

Arizona has been great weather lately for running. the kind of days where you can wear a light jacket in the early morning, and may even end up tying it around your waist. The kind of days where you can wear shorts for late morning runs. I love this time of year!

Ragnarly training, coupled with marathon training, has produced higher weekly numbers on my calendar than what Ive ever logged before. And it feels great!!!