Need some input

Ok runners, I need some input. As you well know by now, the cross-country move is quickly approaching. Like, approaching faster than a newbie off the start line of a 13.1. My life-while-moving is a series of lists. Lists of lists. One such list is called "Things To Take by Car" aka "Things I Shouldn't Put on a Moving Truck." So here's the question: would you trust your race medals to a moving truck? Arguments to put them on the truck: they are durable and they are not, by any market standard, worth a fortune. Reasons to put them in my car (which I'm driving across the country): they are irreplaceable and they are relatively small. What do you think??

My make it rich quick scheme

So, I was out running the other day and a thought came to me. One year when I was young I had a 365-day Far Side desk calendar. My mom had a 365 Uses for Duck Tape calendar (really, and she's the normal one). I wondered if we could come up with 365 days of running--some combination of running rules, inspirational quotes, very short stories, etc. This is my make it rich quick scheme. It's gonna be huge, I tell ya.

This came to mind as I've been reminded of my most frequent running rule infraction--wearing non-technical fabric head gear. Specifically, my Penn State ear warmer. Because I love it. Ok, and maybe I don't have a tech fabric ear warmer*. The problem is that it does its job for about the first 30 minutes, then does exactly the opposite of its purpose.

* yet--there's one with my name on it at my local running store, as soon as I can go pick it up. Yay!!

What are some other good things I seem to forget rules? Seriously, if this isn't evidence that I need a running desk calendar, I don't know what would be!

1. Replace your shoes every 300-500 miles. Another rule I'd apparently forgotten until I wondered if I'd cracked a bone in my foot on Saturday. 
2. Don't eat lots of fiber before a run. True story: Meg once picked me up for our long run and I got into her car carrying a box of Mini Wheats and a Diet Coke (read it here). 
3. Hydrate after a hard run.Otherwise live with the pounding headache. 
4. Gu every hour. No more. Or suffer the digestive fallout. 
5. Buy a good sports bra. As I recently told a friend, "no one should have to wear two bras."
6. Double layer socks! 
7. And I think Body Glide almost goes without saying. Definitely a rookie mistake. 
8. Wear ShoeID or RunnerID or something. It took me getting sketched out by a bright blue all-the-doors-open Hummer in the park to finally put on my ShoeID. 
9. Don't take a hot bath/shower after a hard run--your muscles will only get more inflamed. It's hard to resist though. 
10. Per RW, develop mantras to get you through the tough miles. It's not supposed to be easy. 
11. Always tell someone where you're going and about when you'll be back. 
12. Buy a foam roller the very first time your hips ever feel stiff. Don't wait. And if it gets worse, go see a physical therapist or sports medicine person immediately. Because it doesn't have to be horrible. And, foam rollers are lots of fun for the whole family. And yes, my living room always looks like a tornado went through. I blame the 2-year-old. Don't judge me.  
    Oh, and they are also really fun to try to describe to The Beastie on Skype. Especially when she "print screens" you and shows you how ridiculous you look.
    
13. Your shins will hurt for 2 weeks when you're just starting. And you will be slow. And you might not make it far enough from your house to warrant technical fabrics. And that is all just fine. Everyone starts somewhere. 
14. The running blog community is freaking awesome. Awesome. Be part of it. 
15. Celebrate your achievements. I have an Inspired Endurance race tag for each of my marathons and will get another one after Cleveland. I wear them together on a necklace all the time. I also keep my medals displayed to keep me motivated. 

What can you add to the list? Time to strike it rich. And get me a desk calendar. 

Lesson learned

Last week I mentioned that Mr. Joanna and I were working on a new display area for my race medals. Well, I am very pleased to say that it's finished and I love it! It's in what I would describe as a hallway off of our bedroom. The framed medal up top is my very first medal, from the Chicago Distance Classic in 2007. It's nothing fancy, but I love that I finally have a real place to display my hard-earned hardware!

On the training front, today I learned a lesson the hard way. It sounds so ridiculous in hindsight.

I've always wondered why we do long runs slower than race pace. It seems logical that you should train to run the distance you want to run at the pace you want to run it. And I've been feeling really good recently about my tempo work, and maybe got a little over-confident after my 27-minute PR in marathon #2. So, you guessed it, I decided to do my 10-miler today at race pace.

Mile 1: 9:15

Mile 2: 8:59

Mile 3: 9:07

Mile 4: 8:54

Mile 5: 9:13

Mile 6: 9:16

And now I know why it's a bad idea.

I haven't been tapering. I'm not that rested. It's my first attempt at 10 miles at anything faster than about a 10 minute pace. It was too much. Now I get it. This is why I shouldn't be left to my own devices, people.

All this brings me something kind of exciting.

I'm slowly converting to someone who swears by running by the numbers.

A while ago I posted about wanting to follow the Runners World 2:00 half-marathon training guide in the spring. Then last week Morgan over at Caution: Redhead Running posted a link to the McMillan calculator, which I'd never seen. I know my tempo work and longer mid-week runs were a big part of my success this training cycle, but I have a lot of room still to improve. Historically, I haven't paid as much attention to the type of mid-week run I've been doing or the pace I did it at; I just went for a run. I think I'm ready to change that. And in a hugely running geek way, I am so excited about it!

577.8 + 4.0 + 10.2 = 592

set to break 600 next week!

A Wednesday Where

First things first--I want to say a huge THANK YOU for all your comments here and (for those of you who know me outside the bloggy world) on Facebook after the marathon. Every single one of them made me smile.

I had planned to do my first post-marathon run on Monday, but this was my morning instead:

Dear Student,

I skipped my morning run today so I could be here for our meeting. You know, to help you complete the final project that I wasn't even here to get you started on last year, but that I inherited responsibility for anyway. Your strategy of not showing up was fascinating. Let's see how that works out for you.

All my best through gritted teeth,

Joanna

After crazy long work days Monday and yesterday, I decided I could leave work a little early this afternoon to come home and run. I expected my legs to be fully rested and ready to run. I was surprised to find them stiff and reluctant, but the reluctance didn't last long. Two and a half miles in I hit my stride, loosened up, and felt great. Oh, and loved all the gorgeous leaves falling onto the path through the park.

573.8 + 4.1 = 577.8 miles

One run on board for tomorrow or Friday, then 10 miles on Saturday. 25 days until the US Half!

And a Wednesday Where for you: where do you keep/display your race medals? I used to keep mine on my dresser, but the pile was getting beautifully large and they got packed when we moved. I devised a new way to display them and I *think* it's going to be assembled tonight or tomorrow. Picture coming soon!