You Take the Good, You Take the Bad: Catching up with the RW Summer Run Streak

Hey all, V here. Well, we've been VERY GOOD about keeping up with the streak. We've been NOT VERY GOOD in consistently writing about it! So, here is a SUPER CATCH-UP POST to let you know we're streakers, not slackers. When last we left you, we were embarking on Day 26 of the streak. Welcome to the first day of summer! This run reminded me about all the reasons why I LOOOOVEEE ... to run in cold temperatures and train for SPRING marathons, not FALL marathons.

When I get hot, I get crabby. And when I'm crabby, it's really difficult to fight the mental demons that can plague any run. What can I say: the heat frizzles my brain and really makes me dive into the well of self-doubt. Pair that with the crampiness that seems to be from streak-induced muscle stress, and it's just the recipe for a physical and mental meltdown. On days like this, I am happy to get THROUGH a run! So, bless the streak for keeping me out there, working hard, even though I'd rather be sitting eating grapes and being fanned by a giant palm frond.

But, being optimistic, I have to believe there is a good for every bad. The very next day, my run felt fantastic; better than it's been in awhile. Coach B, who unfairly bears the brunt of my road neuroses and crankiness but somehow loves me anyway, flat-out told me: "You need to rediscover why you love to run. You should slow it down, especially in the heat. Not every run is a race. Even world-class marathoners do their 'junk' miles at a 10 minute pace sometimes to recharge." 

Sidecut Metropark is a great place to recharge your running batteries.

 Well, I listened. Day 27 was a great run. I did slow down, I stayed in the shade when I could, and I worked on being a positive runner and only worrying about running a pace that made me feel good about what I was doing out there. I got 6 miles in total on a day that was in the 90-degree range and I reached the 600-mile mark on my Nike+. I felt strong and unstoppable, like I could accomplish anything: THAT feeling is what I love about running. While when things go wrong, I always look at what went wrong and list out the problems. I've decided that when things go RIGHT, I need to also list what was good about the experience, what led to it being good, that way I can try to replicate those things in hopes of having another good day. Every day is different, though; sometimes doing all the right things still doesn't elevate your run and sometimes you can have a great run even if you didn't expect to. But, it can't hurt to keep track of what works and what doesn't, on any given outing.

Day 27 was a breakthrough day for me. I reached 600 miles run while using my Nike+ tracker, I drew inspiration from having watched Shalane Flanagan's outstanding 10,000-meter run at the USATF championships (T.L.S. = Tough Like Shalane), and I slowed it down, stayed cool physically and mentally, and remembered why I love to run.

I was only intending to do about 5 miles. But then as soon as I sat down and saw my Nike+ data, I realized that I was only 0.4 miles away from notching mile 600. Apparently, I am an OCD runner, because I was off like a shot to get that milestone. 

With such a great Day 27, I was hoping to catch lightning in a bottle again on Day 28. Pretty close! I had to be up early to get ready for a late Father's Day family cookout, but took most of the steps I had for the Day 27 run (bagel thin, banana, Gatorade Prime energy chews, stretched the calves, rolled them with The Stick). I set a goal of 4.5 miles, which would get me to 30 for the week. The run was pretty solid! I had some calf crampiness because I didn't roll them out as long as I had the previous day, but lesson learned. Taking the time to do maintenance on my muscles is a MUST for me -- it's not the heat or lack of potassium or salt; I need to roll them. Glad to find the common denominator (as a mathphobe, I have to just assume I'm using that term correctly...).

Goal met! Got the run done early, and then had a great cookout with family.

 Day 29 was my "rest day" of just one mile. This is because Day 30 will be part of the One Run For Boston cross country relay. I am so excited AND nervous. As of this writing, the relay is about an HOUR behind. This means I'll have to adjust when we leave, and be in contact with the local P.D. to keep them updated on the progress. But, wow: What an opportunity. I promise to post about it sooner rather than later!

One treadmill mile while watching tape-delay of the U.S. Track and Field Championships, followed by some fresh blackberries. I picked up some pepper spray ("Making grown men cry since 1975") to carry with me to put my family's mind at ease when I run alone. Will be testing it with (not on) Sole Child Nick this week ...

One last thing before I go: I hope some of you were able to catch some of the USATF championships in Des Moines, Iowa, this past weekend. There were some outstanding performances turned in, and I was inspired just watching them. I was also thinking that there was no way in hell I'd ever be able to run that fast -- but then I realized that as long as I run MY race in a good headspace, I'm doing pretty well. Some of the athletes had great things to say following their events (when they weren't gasping for air during the interview -- come ON, reporters; give them a minute, wouldja??). One of my favorites came from Natasha Hastings: 

True dat. Thanks for hanging in there through this loooooong update. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to each other. -- V.


Hey all!! Thanks for putting up with our (mainly mine) procrastination!  We are FAR FROM slackers but totally remaining true to our streaking and once again I will say that I am in disbelief that we have ran for 29 consecutive days!  The insanity of it!! 




You could definitely tell that Day 26 was the first day of summer.  Mother Nature made it known.  I think it may have been "her time" of the month because, yikes, it was HOTTT!  I was pressed for time on Friday and didn't get a chance to run outside, so it was off to the YMCA for me after work.  Just as well since I didn't feel like running in the sweltering heat.  This was my first run in my new Saucony Kinvara 4's.  They are super comfy!!

(I didn't really like the color scheme of them at first, but they are slowly growing on me.  They are SUPER bright!)

My treadmill run at the Y wasn't so bad, to be honest.  I got a good three miles in and then a great song came on my iPod, so I ended up with just over three and a half!  Not complaining!  

 (A little photo-bomb action from Sole Child Lucy as we waited in line for our tacos!)

Day 27 wasn't any better on the heat scale.  It was nasty and humid.  I didn't have much of a choice but to run during the hottest point of the day out at my mom's house (so she could watch the kids) where there is zero shade.  It was BRUTAL!!  I took her dog, Billy, with me for one mile... I don't think he could have handled much more than that, dropped him off and went for another two miles.  Let me tell you, I felt like I was running through cement.  That is how heavy and sluggish my legs felt.  I am totally with V on this one.  I HATE running in the heat.  Give me cold and snow any day to run in.  Okay, enough complaining...  I got a good three miles in despite the heat and felt good once it was done!!

(Just look at that handsome dog!  What a hunk!  My mom said if I said "heel", he wouldn't pull on the leash.  She lied.)

Yesterday, Day 28, was a great run.  It was hot (summer time, duh) and I ran in the middle of the day again.  This time I did the route that V refers to as the "Urban Jungle" route.  We just did it last week and it takes you through an old cemetery, past refineries, a loop through a local park and then back home.  It's a nice route to do early morning or afternoon.  I wouldn't quite feel safe doing this route in the evening... Little too scary for me.  Despite the heat, I managed to hold steady at an 8:20 pace.  

When I got home from my run, my friend Lisa had the kids out back with the garden hose hooked up to the slide on the swingset.  We like to call this the "Redneck Waterslide"  As you can see, we strategically place a tarp at the bottom, so your booty slides pretty dang fast when you come flying down.  The kids also decided to not only wet the tarp, but to add dish soap.  It was good, clean fun!

I can't believe this, but today is Day 29!  Holy cow!  That seems unreal to me.  Only ten days of this streak left!  Today I took it easy.  Had a long day at work and then did some car shopping (stay tuned).  By the time I got home, got a bite to eat and got myself situated, it was 10 p.m.  I knew I needed to take it easy since we have the One Run for Boston tomorrow.  I got an easy two miles in and I feel good!!

Good thing I got Day 29 out of the way when I did because it is currently pouring outside!  Hopefully it cools things down a bit!

Well folks, the next time you hear from us Sole Sisters will be after we have completed our leg of the cross country relay for Boston tomorrow!  Keep us in your thoughts in the morning hours! We hope to do you proud!  V and I cannot wait to share the experience with you all!!