Run Commute

This morning I ran to work. I commuted on the power of my own to two feet. I’ve run home from work on multiple occasions but this is the first time I attempted to commute the other way.

The Short Story: I woke up. I ran from home to work. I made it.

The Story with more Details: My first impression of becoming a run commuter is that it is all about logistics. Before I stepped out of the door this morning, I had to consider how to get from home to work with everything I would need for the day – shower stuff (towel, soap, etc.), work clothes including shoes, and lunch. Shower stuff and clothes for work I brought to work the previous day and I decided to pack my lunch in my Camelbak (without the bladder) and carry it with me on the run.

My second impression is that was humid this morning. I was drenched in sweat by the time I got to work and there is no way I could commute this way without having a shower available at work. I might have to start carrying a water bottle with me as well throughout the summer, which may look a little weird since I have a Camelbak as well. I made it to work just fine without water during the run but it would have been nice.

The run itself went well. My legs felt a little tired this morning, which was a bummer because I was looking forward to a really good run on my first run commute, but it was a good run nonetheless. I love the route I ran – east on the Custis Bike Trail, scoot through Rosslyn over to the Iwo Jima Memorial and around Arlington National Cemetary, across the Memorial Bridge to DC the Lincoln Memorial getting closer, in front of Lincoln overlooking the Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool, up the north side of the Mall past the Vietnam Memorial, the Constitutional Gardens, the World War II Memorial, the Ellipse and White House, past the American History, Natural History and National Archives buildings, finally leaving the Mall and scooting over Pennsylvania Avenue on to Chinatown and finally work.

Regardless of how many times I run in DC it always strikes me as an amazing experience to run through so much history on a regular basis. My commute reminded me how lucky I am.

I had allotted myself 2 hours to get to work but the 7.6 miles only took me 1 hour 20 minutes. I had plenty of time to drop my pack at my desk, go down to the gym to stretch jump in the shower to get cleaned up and then get dressed for work. Even with all of that, I was still 30 minutes early to work.

Maybe I’ll let myself sleep in a bit longer next week. Or, maybe I’ll just take a longer route!

My intention is to run commute once a week, usually Fridays. I love the idea of it – the self-sufficiency and “fringe-element” aspects. I love the anticipation and preparation that has to go in to pulling it off. I’m looking forward to next week.

Daily Dozen:
7.6 miles run commute to work

In Good Company

I enjoy running by myself. I love my early morning runs especially when the sun has not quite come up and there is no one else on the bike paths. It feels like those moments, the path, the entire day belongs to me and no one else. I indulge my inner two year old on these runs; I’m usually just not willing to share.

However, I’ve made some exceptions lately and I have to say, it’s been nice.

Last Friday, while my parents were visiting, my Mom borrowed my bike and tagged along on my run. We hit the bike path early, the sun not entirely up and set off – mother on bike, daughter on feet. We chatted every so often but we spent more time with her riding slowly behind me, me leading the way – 2 miles out, 2 miles back.

It was fun. I felt proud to have my Mom tag along; proud that she wanted to actively glimpse into my running world. She has been a staunch supporter of my running since I began, asking about my runs, how I was feeling, what races I had coming up and cheering loudly from the sidelines at my races when she could. However, this time, on our morning adventure, I was truly letting her in to my world. She experienced all those early morning things I love about my run – the quiet, the occasional passing cyclist or runner, the sun brightening the day the longer we were out, the exhilaration of starting the day with a good workout.

Now when I tell her about my runs, she can picture me running my hills, following the bike path among the trees, the brief moments when no cars are zooming down Route 66 and you can imagine you’ve somehow run far away from the city in just a short time. Now we have a shared experience that goes beyond just that single run.

Additionally, a friend who recently completed her first marathon and I have been meeting up once a week in the evenings for a workout. These days are usually doubles for since I’ve already run in the morning but I’ve really enjoyed the experience of running with her. Even though her running pace is only slightly slower than mine, she is still working on her endurance and following a run/walk pattern. She wants to get stronger so she enjoys running with me because I push her to run longer and I enjoy the company and treat these outings as recovery runs.

I’m still selfish about my running but it has been rewarding sharing it with people who understand it. I can’t say I’m ready to give up all my lone runs but I would also be disappointed if I didn’t have someone to share these experiences with every now and again.

Daily Dozen
Recovery Day – Light workout on Recumbent Bike & stretching @ lunch hour

Born to Run

This morning I ran a hilly out-and-back, round-trip 5 miles at a fast pace (being sure to charge up the hills - no slacking off). It was a great run. My legs felt light and easy. I was focused and determined to tackle the hills with strength and power.

I was exhausted by the end of it but in a good way - in that heart pounding, grasping for air, muscles burning kind of way. In short, I felt proud.

After taking a few weeks off from running after the Vermont City marathon, and slowly adding miles to my weekly total, my running has been exhilarating and strong. I'm enjoying my runs in ways I never have before - thrilled to be outside and running

I recently finished reading the book, Born To Run by Christopher McDougall. I feel very inspired by the book and it has shown in my running. The book is about a tribe of Mexican Indians called the Tarahumara who are known for their running endurance. Reading about this cultures love of running made me realize that not only should I enjoy how I feel after a run but also I should be having fun while running. This isn't something I've strived for, as contradictory as that sounds.

I hit the bike paths each more thinking, OK, Becki 5 miles to go today, if I get it done, I can be proud to have started the day in such a positive way. The reward was the result not the run.

Reading Born To Run made me realize how misguided that thinking could be - why run if you don't enjoy the act of running, the author seemed be asking me. Why don't you have smile on your face while you cruise the paths of Arlington? Why is it that the smile only appears once you've stopped running?

The author had additional reasons to write about the Tarahumara but this is the thing that struck a chord for me - enjoy the run. I like how simple that is. Just enjoy the run – back straight, eyes scanning the horizon, hips forward, arms pumping like pistons, feet barely skimming the ground, kicking toward my butt as my knees circle forward all with a smile on my face. Enjoy the run. I've taken this sentiment to heart the past few runs and it seems to suit me well.

This morning's run was so much fun that I was disappointed to see it end, I wanted to keep running. That’s how I should feel at the end of all my runs – happy, exhausted and craving more.

Today's Daily Dozen:
5 hilly miles @ tempo

I Be Judged

This afternoon I went to the gym over my lunch break for an easy ride on the recumbent bike. Today is supposed to be a Rest day but I am enjoying the book I am currently reading and wanted to sneak in a few pages over lunch. Hitting the gym and slowly peddling away on the recumbent bike is a nice way to accomplish this.

Anyway, as I jump one of the three recumbent bikes I notice the guy on one of the other bikes. To my amusement, he isn’t peddling, he doesn’t even have his feet on the peddles. He’s watching a soccer game on the TV and he’s just using the bike as a chair!

He looks like a guy who could use a few sessions with an exercise machine and my initial thought is, “Come on, dude. You’re here watching the game, why not put your feet in the peddles and burn a few calories while you’re at it! You are in a gym – MOVE! Do something for goodness sake!”

Is this not the epitome of laziness? Did I not just witness the real life version of that picture of the guy sitting in the Lazy Boy walking his dog on a treadmill? What is wrong with people?

The whole time I’m whirling away on the bike, multi-tasking right next time him, he’s just sitting there. At one point, he fiddled with the seat adjuster and I thought maybe he was going to actually start using the bike as it was intended instead of as a seat. I was ready to change my opinion of this man. I was ready to swell with pride at him taking steps toward better health. However, disappointment set back in when he just moved the seat further back to get more comfortable.

Then I had another thought; I felt guilty. I don’t know this guy. He could have been up at 5 this morning, earlier than me out running or walking or hitting the gym. Maybe this guy races all the time in the area and is constantly coming in ahead of me. What if this is one of the guys who speeds past me on the trail, zooming past on his bike as he commutes to work under his power?

I don’t know this guy or his life. I’ve already judged him and I feel guilty. Anyway, he leaves before I finish my time on the bike and I’m left wondering; is he the lazy schlub I cast him as or am I guilty of misjudging him?

It has led me to wonder what people will think about me when I go out to happy hour tonight and stuff my face with burgers while drinking a beer. I’ll see people out for their after-work run and wonder if they run past shaking their head at all these lazy people eating and drinking in bars, leading unhealthy lifestyles. Are they feeling as self-righteous as I did next to the guy in the gym? How awful!

Judge not, lest ye be judged….Indeed!

Still Reveling in Yesterday’s Run

I’m finally feeling like my old self this week, in terms of running. I’m running pain-free and my legs no longer feel like they have anchors tied to them. One of the ideas on recovering from races is that a runner should take expect to “take off” a day for each mile raced and in this case, almost an entire month after a marathon. Generally, this doesn’t mean no running of any kind for 26 days but rather, no speedwork or hard running of any kind. For this marathon, it proved absolutely true.

Yesterday morning, just as the sun was coming up, finally felt like I was ready to get to running and I set out for a hilly four mile run. I wanted to get in some quality running and really attack the hills, give ‘em no mercy. Boy, it felt great! I pounded up each hill, big or small, which made me feel like I was gliding along the flat sections.

I love how the hills get my heart pounding; “push push push” I repeat internally as my legs start to tire but I’m so close to the top. I can see it. Eyes on the prize. Just a little further. Just a little harder. Come on, you can do it! Get to the top.

And then I’m there. I’ve made it to the top of the hill. My breathing is heavy, my heart is pumping in overdrive, my legs are achy and I close my eyes for a moment and let out a sigh of relief. “Whew! I did it!,” I say to myself as I slow my pace.

The best hills are ones that flatten out on the top and don’t dump me immediately in to a downhill. I have time to bring my running back to a steady, sane pace – legs, heart, breathing all settling back down. There is a sense of relief and accomplishment that helps me relax in to recovery.

Only to do it again on the next hill – attack, relax, repeat.

Yesterday’s hill run was one of those runs I was disappointed to end. I wanted those four miles to keep going. I needed just one more hill and then I’d be ready to quit but knowing full well that one more hill would only make me crave another and then another. It was a great run.

Daily Dozen:
Slept in – Rest Day!
Possible some light bike work @ lunch hour

Peer Pressure

This coming Saturday, two friends of mine will be toeing the line for their first marathon. They have been training the past 6 months with Team in Training (TNT) for the Mayor’s Marathon in Anchorage, AK (and raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society along the way).

It has been so much fun to watch them go through the training process and I can’t help but feel a tremendous amount of pride at the progress they’ve made. Six months ago neither one would have dreamed of running a marathon and now here they are, running their first marathon, talking about running other races, including triathlons. It has been rewarding for me to be a part of this process even if it was just as a cheerleader.

I will also admit to a fair amount of both jealousy and nostalgia at running a marathon for the first times. I’ve already had my experience facing the unknown and made it out the other side a better person. That is where they are; poised to make a leap off a big cliff, hoping to land safely at a bottom they can’t even fathom. It is an experience like no other.

This past Monday evening I spent time with them as they decorated their TNT race singlets with their names and messages to those special people for whom they were dedicating the race. They were anxious and nervous and full of questions. However, they were also full of enthusiasm but not just for the race ahead of them.

Their enthusiasm for their own abilities was, in a word, infectious. High on the idea that they are capable of accomplishing so much more than they had previously dreamed, they have decided their next goal will be a sprint triathlon. Normally, this would be a wonderful goal to shoot for but they’ve gotten it in their heads that they’ll do it only a month after their marathon!

They poked and prodded (although I will admit they didn’t have to poke or prod nearly as hard as they should’ve had to) and eventually I caved. That’s right; I may have agreed to try a sprint triathlon in only a month’s time. Eek! I did agree on the condition that one of them teach me to swim (she’s was a swimmer in high school and college and continues to swim for exercise).

I totally caved! Who in their right mind who go in to a triathlon completely untrained…not even under-trained but UNtrained? Someone who bows to the intense enthusiasm (read: peer pressure) of her friends, that’s who.

(The good news: I looked up the tri they wanted to do at the end of July and it looks like registration is full….saved by online registration, whew!)

Daily Dozen:
Slept in – today is a recovery day! Yay!

Hike with Mike - C&O Towpath

One of things I love about my relationship with my husband is that we've been able to cultivate a shared interest in the outdoors - camping, kayaking and best of all, hiking. These may have been things we'd done before we were in a relationship but our collective interest and abilities have grown because of one anthor's individual interests.

We've seen so many wonderful things - animals, mountains, beaches, waterfalls, ruins, museums - as a result of our outdoor exploration. Perhaps more importantly, we've discovered so much more about each other. Many of my favorite conversations with Mike, some of great importance, some not of importance and others that were just plain silly, have taken place while hiking.

Even hikes that don't turn out as planned, as this weekend's did not, are special to me.
We headed out late Sunday morning for the C&O Towpath and the Billy Goat Trail (A). This approximate 1.75 trail is full of fun rock scrambling and beautiful views of the Potomac River. It is one of Mike's favorites but had been months since we'd been to the trail.

However, Sunday's hike was not meant to be. As we walked along the towpath to the one end of the trail we noticed that there were quite a few more people enjoying the towpath than we were used to seeing; however, we chalked it up the rainy weather all week and the gorgeous clear weather of the weekend. Besides the towpath and trail are always more crowded than we prefer.

Then we found why the towpath was a little more crowded than usual - the Billy Goat Trail (A) was closed due to flooding. Major bummer!!

However, we decided to continue north on the towpath past the trail since neither of us had ever bothered to see what was further along the path.

The C&O Towpath follows the C&O Canal (both "C&O"'s stand for Chesapeake and Ohio) is now part of the National Park System and has been converted to a popular path for bikers, joggers and tourists.

Just past the other end of the Billy Goat Trail (A) we found the Great Falls scenic overlook on Olmstead Island. This is the best spot to enjoy the rapids at Great Falls (better than the Virginia side, I'll be honest) because you walk above several rapids as you take the quarter-mile boardwalk to the overlook. With all of the rain last week, the river was very high and the rapids we saw were loud and fast. It was a very awesome experience to be standing just above the rushing water.

I regretted forgetting my camera on this trip.

Once back on the towpath we continued north for another half mile or so until we got the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. This Visitor Center was once a thriving busines along the canal and now offers information, a small exhibit about the canal at its pinnacle and boat rides on the canal.

We poked around for a bit and then headed back. We took a detour on trail on the other side of canal back to our starting point in order to avoid some of the sun and crowds.

It was a fun hike and even though we didn't get to hike the trail we intended on hiking that morning, we discovered some new spots. It was a good day!