Moving…

This blog is moving because, welp!, I’M MOVING! I figured I can’t really hold the title “Boston Runner” if I’m not even living in Boston anymore. So head over to SweetCaroline to check out my new blog! (Not much is changing, except the title/look .. I know you were worried..)

One Month and Counting…

Normally when I have countdowns going, it’s because I’m looking forward to whatever is at the end of the countdown. But this time is an exception. One month from today, I will be a college graduate.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited for what comes after graduation (moving/working full-time), but can I have a little more time? This year has gone by so fast. I almost feel like the more I want it to slow down, the faster it goes.

In an effort to enjoy this last month as much as I can, I want to take some time to reflect on the past four years. Each one was such a unique experience: I took different types of classes, had relatively different groups of friends, lived in a different place, etc.

Starting next Friday, I’m going to be doing a series that Amber did when she was graduating last year: “Flashback Friday“, in which I will look back over the four years each week.

Were you excited to graduate or wished you had more time? How did you make the last month of school more memorable?

Increasing Speed

A couple of weeks ago I started training for the Hyannis Half on Memorial Day weekend in May. Before that, I had been running somewhat inconsistently since May (when I ran the half the last time) due to a combination of injury, travel, etc. Despite this, I think I usually maintained an average of 10-20 miles per week. However, all of these runs were done at a slow and comfortable pace (usually around 10 min/mi) because I was afraid to push it for fear of injury.

Now, I’m training for the half and I have a time goal (2hr half). Surprisingly, the fact that I didn’t do as well as I would have liked last time, is motivating me even more to improve this time around. However, I’m worried about increasing distance while also increasing speed.

I know the rule for increasing distance is 10% a week. This is easy to calculate. Total your weekly mileage and multiply by .10.

They also say you shouldn’t increase speed by more than 10% a week. This is not so easy to calculate. What does this even mean? How do I know if I’m pushing myself too hard? How many of my weekly runs should be at a fast pace? a slow pace?

My faithful McMillan calculator, tells me what pace my runs should be at to meet my half/marathon goals:

But how do I know if my goals are achievable for my skill level/where I am right now in my running/recovery?

Training Buddies

I’ve never been one to run with someone. I always thought of running as more of a solo activity. Running allows me that one hour of each day to be on my own and get some necessary alone time (which is especially precious when you live with six girls!)

However, this year one of the girls I’m living with just happens to be as crazy about running as I am. I think she may have caught the bug on her own.. and then I turned it into a monster bug. Either way, she loves to run. All first semester we talked about running but it was difficult because I was injured and therefore sidelined.

After approximately 4 months of living together, and 2 weeks of being healthy and running again, she has convinced me to sign up for the Chicago Marathon in October and the Hyannis Half in May. You may remember that I did this half last year and didn’t have the best experience. But I’ve found this only motivates me more this time.

But even more than that, having a friend who is training with me (even if we do all the runs on our own) is the most motivation I can ask for and certainly the extra push I need.

For example, yesterday’s 8 miler, I really just didn’t feel like doing it. I was a little sleepy and thinking of every excuse in the book. But all I needed was a little push from my training buddy and I was off and running : )

Do you find that training for a race with someone provides you with motivation? Do you run most of your runs with other people or do you prefer to run alone?

Myself again?

What does it take to break a three month long motivation-lacking-mood-rollercoaster-epic-funk?

8 miles.

Yep. That’s right ladies & gents (or more like probably only Kelly reading this at this point), I’m back. Back to blogging. Back to running. Back to feeling like myself again. (definition of self: motivated, enthusiastic, loving-life individual).

WOOHOOO!

I’m not going to lie when I say these past couple months have been quite the rollercoaster, and I honestly just didn’t feel that I could continue to blog on top of everything else. On top of that, I didn’t really want to. So I decided instead of pressuring myself or forcing something I didn’t want, I’d just wait out the storm and wait for the motivation to come back.

..Then I ran 8 miles as the second long run in my half-marathon training plan (oh yeah, I’m training for a half marathon! – more on this later) and I realized I had no one to tell. Well, besides my roommates (who were all very excited for me).. but then I was like, wait.. I have no one to really share this with. So, naturally I turned to my blog and my fellow bloggers : )

It feels so good to be really running again after a full fall/winter season of off and on running due to small but persistent injuries. Running honestly makes me want to put my life back together. It makes me want to catch up on school work, start eating healthy and cooking meals again, go to sleep early, read books for pleasure.

Running can do all that?! Apparently so.

Mmmmm my legs are tired and it feels so good : )

Other random tidbits:

• Are you a 20-something women looking for a new, fun blog to read? My friend, Hannah, started up her own blog, freshink, and I definitely think it’s worth checking out! [ I’m only slightly bias : D ]
• Remember when I talked about Kara the first time? She’s back! Ha, she rocks.
• I CANNOT WAIT to watch the Marathon in one week!

What have you been up to since I’ve been gone? Do you ever feel like running carries through to other parts of your life?

228 days…

.. to prepare for the CHICAGO MARATHON!

That’s right. Last night I took the big step and registered for the Chicago Marathon!

After multiple pro and con lists and a weekend to logically think things over, my roommate and I made it official! So how does it feel? Well, to be honest.. I’m in the denial/I must be crazy phase. Have no fear though, the excitement will sink it when it’s not over seven months away..

Right now I’m just going to focus on staying healthy and carefully prepping for the half marathon in May (training starts March 7th!)

How did you feel when you registered for your first marathon?

*For those who have ran Chicago/are from Chicago, any advice on places to stay/when to arrive/any other tips or tricks?*

Why Chicago?

The other day, I mentioned the idea of running the 2011 Chicago Marathon in October. Since then, I’ve only gotten more excited and have begun to go from “idea” to actual reasons why I should do this:

1. Timing. The idea of training for a marathon in the summer months really intrigues me. I love running outside in the mornings during the summer and I feel like it completely eliminates one of the main struggles of training for Boston. Also, training would start mid-July. At this time, I will be graduated from college, home from my trip to Europe, and starting work.
   
2. Course. It’s flat. My shins like that, a lot. Do I really need to say more?
   
3. Company. One of my roommates is really motivated to run it (she ran Boston in high school), and I like that I will have someone to keep me motivated and to run part of the actual marathon with.
   
4. Experience. I feel like, come October, I will be physically ready. I’m thinking about running the same Hyannis half I ran last year (and this time I won’t die). Even more than that though.. I feel like over the past year, I’ve learned so much about running and how to properly train (and not get injured). What happened last spring will not happen again.
   
5. Location. I’ve always had this fascination with Chicago. Even though I’ve never been there, I have this feeling that I’ll love it. (People have actually even told me I would, since it’s so similar to Boston.) I feel like this would be a fun trip and a great opportunity to meet up with all my college friends for the long weekend : )

So what do you think – Chicago? Are there other things that I should consider in my decision?

Connecticut Runner?

Hey blog world! Remember me!? Well you may remember me, but you might not recognize me after how much has changed in the past two weeks since I’ve blogged.

Life Updates:

1. I GOT A JOB! True story. I’m officially a grown up (or at least it feels that way). It also feels like I’m a second semester senior (read: schoolwork slump). Anyways, I’m pretty excited about it. I didn’t expect to find out so soon what I would be doing after graduation and it really feels like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulder!
2. I’m moving. So I failed to mention above that the job is in Connecticut (approximately 3.5hrs away from my home in Massachusetts). This is probably the scariest part about the whole graduating/becoming an adult/getting a job thing, but I’d say I’m handling it well so far. I’m even a little excited. So does this mean I’m changing my blog title? Nope. I’m definitely still a “Boston Runner” at heart, CT is a temporary destination : )
3. I’ve been running. That’s right. After 4-5 months of struggling with shin splints and knee pain (nothing major, just consistently annoying), I can finally say that my Couch-to-5K plan is working and I’m slowly building up my mileage again! I’m still being careful, but I’m optimistic.
4. I’m putting myself first. I don’t think I even realized how much I put other people first, until I stopped. For the first time, I’m making my own decisions. I’ve stopped saying ‘yes’ to everything and everyone. I used to take everyone else’s problems and struggles and make them my own. Now, my goal for my last semester at college is to put myself first and focus on myself – because if not now, then when?
5. I’ve got my eyes on Chicago. That’s right the Chicago Marathon next October. One of my roommates wants me to run it with her, and after reading about how the course is known for being flat, a good place to PR, and a good beginner marathon – I’m starting to seriously consider it! (My next post will be more on this!)

What have you been up to for the past couple of weeks? I missed you guys!!

Opinions Wanted: Digitial Business Venture

Hi all! How ’bout this weather north easterners? Not cool. I really shouldn’t complain.. since I don’t have to drive in this. But let me tell you walking around in it is not fun either! I think my toes are permanently numb.

I haven’t mentioned it here on the blog yet, but I’m taking a class this semester called, “Entrepreneurship”. I signed up for it mostly because I thought it looked like a cool/unique class and my boyfriend is starting up his own company so I thought it would be fun if I knew a thing or two. But this class has turned out to be right up my alley. Here’s why:

The year long project for the class is starting up my own digital business venture. This involves: purchasing a domain name, creating a website, starting up a business, BLOGGING, and all that fun stuff that I do daily. Awesome, right!?

So right now, I’m trying to think of an idea for my “digital business venture”. I wanted to do something that interests me (obviously). And of course I thought immediately of running.

I thought it might be cool to “start up” a business/website that would serve as a platform for runners to connect with each other, share information, and find running partners/mentors.

The free access would allow runner’s to find other runner’s in their area, find/be a mentor for a new runner/new marathon runner, and to ask questions/share information with each other.

Then, the “premium” access (something you would pay for, like a $/month subscription) would offer even more detailed information and resources, such as, registered dietitian and doctor advice/articles/new research…. and some other things that I haven’t thought of yet haha.

Since you guys are all mostly runners and would be the “target market” for this business, I thought I would propose this to you and ask three questions:

Does this already exist? (Cause if so, obviously I need a new idea and I want in) If not, would you find a website like this useful? Do you have any ideas for things I could add?

All in the Design

Yesterday, while doing my daily internet browsing and reading, I came across this article, “Purposeful Design” on New Balance’s website.

The New Balance Design Innovation Studio, led by JF Fullum, is about asking and following up on open-ended questions, and sometimes those questions become pathways to creating new products. “What can the minimalist design of this foul weather jacket, or the seamless contours of that bra, teach us about new ways to think about structure and materials?” “How can we use technology and learning tools to help a runner who wants to improve their form?” … “What would a shoe designed by runners outside of the footwear industry look like?” “What would a truly ‘no-BS’ shoe be?”

I find this stuff so interesting. So interesting I seriously could see myself doing this for a career. It’s crazy to think about how much work goes into making a sneaker.

In a single shoe design, designers have to consider the sole, the arch, the midsole, the tongue, the laces, and the design and aesthetics of each of these. They must also consider the weight and price and how all these pieces come together.

As a runner, do you find learning about a shoe design exciting/interesting? How do you bring your passions into your career?