Eight Is Great

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Coco

With no races on the horizon, my weekend long runs no longer have to fit a specific training plan. I don’t need to focus on steady climbs for the Rock’N’Roll USA Half Marathon, going “fast and flat” for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, or rolling hills for the GW Parkway Classic.  I can choose from a variety of routes depending on my mood, my schedule, and the weather. As for distance, I think I will make 8 miles my standard long run distance.

  • Eight miles is long enough to feel like a long run, but not so long as to require a post-run ice bath.
  • I can run eight miles without fussing over my pre-run breakfast and without needing any mid-run fuel.
  • I can complete an eight mile run by 8:00 am, before the sun gets too hot.
  • An eight mile base will keep me in shape for the Army Ten Miler in October and the Richmond Half in November.

If you’re not training for a race, do you have a standard distance for your long runs?

Did you ever have a Magic 8 Ball?

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Mother’s Day Time Warp

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Coco

I know I was warned that “they grow up fast,”

but I swear that my son went from this boy


to this boy


in the blink of an eye.

And while I still remember taking my daughter for walks like this

she now goes hiking in the mountains like this.

“Time flies” is such a cliché, but it’s true.

At least the time warp of motherhood keeps those days close in my heart,

as I watch with pride as their lives start to pull them away.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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My Tried And True Running Shoes

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Coco

It’s been over 6 months since I’ve added to my Mizuno collection.

Tried And True Running Shoes (Mizuno)
It’s high time for a fresh pair.

I thought about trying another brand, but (a) the guy at the running store was more interested in watching the Caps game than explaining comparable options and (b) now that my ITB/piriformis issue is back, I don’t want to risk the new twinges that might come with a new style of shoe.

When you need new running shoes, do you stick with the same brand/style or do you like to mix things up?

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(Almost) Wordless Wednesday (The Hain’s Point Edition)

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Coco

This is the route we ran on Saturday,
from the pin down to the end of Hain’s Point.

How many landmarks can you identify?

(Did you see my PicFrame App review and giveway? Enter by Friday May 11.)

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What Is Your Strong?

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Coco

Have you heard about the Saucony Find Your Strong Project? Saucony is encouraging runners to “share your strong” to inspire, challenge, and encourage each other.

Each week has a different theme, and you can share “your strong” on their site for a chance to win prizes (including Saucony running shoes).

I love the theme of “strong” because strength signifies overall health and fitness and includes mental strength, which can be so important to running.

My strong is

. . . setting my alarm for 5:00 am on a Saturday to run with my friend.

. . . bundling up for a cold winter run.

. . . plotting well-lit routes for o’dark-thirty runs.

. . . putting in the training to meet my goals.

. . . cross-training to ward off injury.

. . . learning to love yoga because my body needs it.

What is your strong?

(Did you see my PicFrame App review and giveway? Enter by Friday May 11.)

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