running while chunky

hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 13:25:00 +0000

A blog stay-cation...

After carefully considering this for a while, I've decided to take a little blog break -- at least for a couple of weeks until after Dumbo (Labor Day weekend).

I've been very regularly posting 5 days a week, Monday to Friday, for just over 5 years (since Aug 10, 2009 I just realized) and I feel like I'm running out of things to say that speak to my core purpose of helping other chunky runners get out there and move. Also, the changes in Facebook over the last year have really diminished most bloggers' visibility, which limits new readers getting fed back to the blog itself and has caused a lot of prior readers to not even realize they've lost touch -- we've just faded away from the news feeds of many. It seems like the bloggers that continue to have vibrant communities either 1) need to pay for coverage (no thanks) or 2) have to work really, really diligently commenting in a variety of places and constantly posting new content. As much fun as I've had sharing the things I've learned (and stalking runDisney), I've still got a day job that I love (and that pays the bills). :)

A couple of weeks off will either re-energize me or show me that maybe it's time for a change. I'm usually not a fan of change but, in this case, I think it's worth exploring.

BTW, I'm not completely gone -- it's just a blog break. I'll still be commenting on Facebook and Twitter so look for me there.

doing the double . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 12:47:00 +0000

Saturday run - 2.97 miles in 1:03, Pace: 21:22
Sunday long run - 10.3 miles in 3:50, Pace: 22:35

That was a lot of running. Whew.

Happily it was overcast yesterday and we started early so it was humid but not completely miserable.

keeping at it . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 13:37:00 +0000

Wed training walk - 1.5ish in 30 min
Pace: 22+ish

It was another oppressively hot one in the ATL yesterday, plus the air was barely moving during run time. That was rough. But a nice big group came out, we all slowed down and got our time in.

Some days, it's harder to get out there than others.

crazy days . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 12:56:00 +0000

Monday training walk - 1.31 in 30 min
Pace: 22:52

I ended up just walking on Monday night, letting things heal up. Yesterday was such a crazy day that I didn't even realize until quite late that I never posted. Oops.

We're coming down to Dumbo soon AND work is heating up. That's a recipe for a crazy August so I might be a bit spotty anyway...

well, almost . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 12:26:00 +0000

A fine spot to stop . . .

Saturday long run - 8.91 miles in 3:29
Pace: 23:28
Adjusted for stops*: 3:14 with Pace of 21:59

I didn't quite make it to my target 11.2 on Saturday. Early in the run (before 6 am), I took a little tumble. Nothing broken or dire like that, but a nice little case of road rash. Ouch. The best part about running in the dark -- when you fall, you can't really see the blood. (Again, looked worse than it was.) It was handy to have a fellow Sparkle fan on the run though -- she made sure I didn't get any blood on my skirt.

Final inventory: Bruised hand, scrapped knees, road rash on arm and any number of achy spots.

But I got back up and mostly ran to 7.2 (support stop), walked the new 1.7 and then was just toast.

*Stops included a little clean up time at McD's for this one. Again, no Sparkle was harmed in this outing!

down to 2 . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 12:54:00 +0000

I only have 2 more long long-runs before Dumbo. This weekend, then in 2 weeks, then 2 more weeks to Disneyland. Eeek.

I've got an 11 mile run planned for tomorrow. C is in town and it looks like we're going to pick up one more runner (faster peep coming back from an injury).

Think good thoughts...

a little grumpy . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 13:23:00 +0000

I missed run last night -- on what sounded like it was the most perfect night of this ATL summer! -- due to an inconveniently timed conference call at work.

I hate when real life gets in the way of the fun stuff. But I made up for it this morning with a super hard work out. (Yawn.)

brilliant!

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:19:00 +0000

I was in Phidippides the other day, buying socks and moaning about how I can't keep my nice white Balega's nice and white. (Someone suggesting occasionally boiling them in vinegar -- yeah, that's going to happen!)

Anyway, Kevin (the fabulous manager) suggested switching over to gray. Uh, duh. Why didn't I think of that? I don't like short black socks but gray goes with my sneakers (and most colors). What a fabulous plan!

It's the little things, right?

the joy of monday . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 13:56:00 +0000

Monday training run - 1.4 miles in 30 min
Pace: 21:35

It was super toasty but not as humid here in the ATL last night. We headed into the hills. That's hard on a Monday -- so it was run/walk the first half and walk/walk the second.

Actually, I think any run is harder on a Monday. It's easier to not get enough water during the day and Mondays can be taxing, at least to me. Too many emails and too much scrambling to get the week started. So it's good to go out for run, especially on Monday, but it can be rough.

Side note: Dumbo is just a month away. Corrals, waivers, final race instructions are all showing up and I'm getting jittery. I was so much more ready for this last year. That said, it will be a fun trip regardless. (Yay - mini break.)

success . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 12:50:00 +0000

Blue House with Butterflies
Because I couldn't get my camera out fast enough
for the really odd house seen on run...

Saturday long run - 7.5 miles in 2:49
Pace: 22:24

After last week's rain-out, it was good that M and I got out and did our target miles. Slow and steady but finished.

We actually walked so different than usual things were achy afterwards. I really think C is right -- run/walk alternates muscle groups and is a little easier on the body for long runs. (She's back from her travels this weekend. Yay!)

food friday . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 12:38:00 +0000

Dinner last night was made up of primarily Herb Blend salad with whatever else I could find in my fridge to go on it. (Hey, it was raining when I drove home last night and I was wearing cute shoes -- so no grocery stop.)

It was ok. I liked the spicy taste but I didn't like the spiky leaves and twigs. I know the non-romaine options have more nutrients (and I don't like raw spinach) so it's hard to find a good match for me in the range.

In other food news, I found out this morning the Weight Watchers is discontinuing my Peach Oatmeal (= M-F breakfast at work). Nooooooo!

perks of running . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 14:23:00 +0000

Wed training run - 1.27 in 28 min
Pace: 22:05

My weeknight run group meets at The Galloway School here in the ATL (not that Galloway -- it was started by his dad). It's located on a park and right behind the Chastain Amphitheater. Lots of trees and paths . . . and rolling hills (so many hills). But it's a very popular park in the heart of Buckhead and a great place to run.

One of the big advantages of keeping this location is that our runners are super lucky to have great, free parking -- even when concert-goers are paying a premium for the same right. (Although the night that Sting played a few years ago, none of us could even get to the run -- streets were backed up for miles in every direction. Happily most of the time, it's just a bit more congested and you have to dodge peep with picnic baskets on the sidewalks.)

But it's good to know people!

sum sum summertime . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:25:00 +0000

These hot hot summer months are a continuing challenge.

I saw someone online last night in one of my fb run groups asking how a night person can get motivated to do crazy early morning runs. My answer: live and try to run in the ATL in the summer!

I've never been a morning person but I would rather get up at 4 am and be running and done by 8 am than be out there on a sunny Saturday morning much later than that.

It's also funny that when people join our Saturday group, at first they're distressed to hear how early we start for longer runs (later in the schedule) but by the time we get there and the reality of temps (coupled with other weekend obligations) sets in.

Early is good.

the power of the group . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 12:25:00 +0000

Monday training run - 1.2 miles in 26 min
Pace: 21:22

Super steamy run again last night but at least it was a bit overcast. I've got a really fun run group this quarter. Of course, they're always fun but this group seems to have a higher percentage of people that actually show up from week to week!

Runs are definitely better with peeps.

and the skies opened . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 13:14:00 +0000

Saturday "long" run - 1.57 miles in 38 min
Pace: 21:46

On Saturday morning, M and I set up in the drizzle (not unpleasant) at 6 am. She very generously has been getting up super early on Saturdays to help me get my miles in while C has been out of town. (I'm also trying to recruit her to join our group in August when it kicks off again!)

We made it a good way into the park and the drippiness got a little worse and then a little better a few times. Again, this wasn't horrible compared to the heat we've had this summer. Unfortunately about 15 min in, it started pouring buckets on us. We stopped under a bridge and reassessed. We decided to turn around when it looked like the sidewalks were flooding. (Amazing how much more water and sticks and leaves there was on the path when we came back through the same way we'd been only a few minutes before.)

So it ended up being a low mileage weekend... but I'm looking at the calendar and shuffling things a little and I think I'm still ok. Not great but ok.

40 days . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:13:00 +0000

Oh drat.

Dumbo is just around the corner.

I'm at the point of alternating between being excited for my little vacation and freaked out that this is only a few weeks away.

9-10 miles on tap for this weekend.

an 11 on the wizometer

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 13:30:00 +0000

Another nice one today.

Wednesday training run - 1.06 in 22 min
Pace: 20:40

What a difference a couple days can make!

On Monday it was mid-80s and we super high humidity (=miserable runners).

Yesterday, on the other hand, there was very little humidity (=happy happy runners!) It was an 11 (out of 11) on the Wizometer in fact -- Channel 11 being our local NBC affiliate. I'm not quite sure what a Wizometer is but they're pretty proud of it over at 11Alive.

So all that to say that I wish we didn't have humidity here in the ATL in the summer. Wouldn't that be nice?

And it travels, too.

wish i may, wish i might . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 12:54:00 +0000

I wish I were faster.

Not because I particularly want to be faster but because 1) I'd have more peeps to run with and 2) I could more easily do the races I want to do.

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy to be out there -- particularly when I'm feeling pretty good (like right now) -- but it would be nice to have a little less stress involved in the whole process of running when you're a slow runner.

I think when winter (or at least cooler) weather comes, I might try some speedwork again but for now I'm focused on what's practical . . . and that's trying to get through these steamy summer months and staying on top of my training plan for fall (i.e., Dumbo). I know I've got the 10K down. The Half is a toss up at this point but it'll be a fun trip regardless.

melting in the atl . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 13:38:00 +0000

Monday Training Run - 1.05 in 21 min
Pace: 20:20

It was soooooo muggy last night. Like sweating-before-we-even-started (while standing in the shade) muggy.

I'm not naturally a morning person but early morning runs really are so much easier. Unfortunately, they're not doable for me during the week... so I'll keep sweating it out with my fabulous run group.

happy bastille day

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 12:32:00 +0000

Saturday Long Run - 5.7 miles in 1:57:43
Pace: 20:39

Today is Bastille Day and there's a Frenchman in the yellow jersey at the Tour de France (my favorite).

That's a big deal.

Back to running tomorrow.

plans . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 12:54:00 +0000

I finally booked my flight for Dumbo last night. Logistics are so much easier than training!

Six on tap for this weekend with a bunch of new peeps who are not yet in the groove of early (early!) Saturday morning runs. It'll be fun -- a whole new experience compared to after-work runs.

love my running peeps

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:34:00 +0000

Wed training run -- 0.86 in 17 min
Pace: 19:49

I'm super excited about my new group. There are a number of runners who have been walkers who are trying 20/40's and there are also a bunch of new runners in the less speedy range.

New peeps!

I'm even getting a few of them to come help me get my Saturday runs in the the next 3 weeks as C travels the country.

It takes a village. :)

a love hate relationship

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 12:42:00 +0000

I love Princess.

I hate Princess.

Early registration for runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend opens at noon today (available for AP and DVC -- regular registration opens next week).

I'll be registering but I'm grumpy and a bit conflicted about it. There's just so much drama surrounding this race -- before, after and during.

Drama with a capital D. Social media just bristles with it in the lead up and fallout afterward and the race and expo have been full of craziness. Admittedly, there seems to be accelerating drama with all of the rD races as they become more and more wildly popular but there's something about that many princesses all heading to one place that amps it up a few levels. I think Tink escapes some of this solely based on the fact that it's a much smaller race because it's in California (due to the size constraints WDW doesn't have).

So yeah, I'm a bit conflicted. But it being runDisney, I have to make a decision NOW or lose my chance to play.

Are you in?

run group kickoff . . .

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:14:00 +0000

We had a surprise guest at our Galloway run group kickoff last night -- Jeff Galloway himself! We had a little bit of an intro and pep talk and then Jeff ran with the group.

Cool beans!

It's always fun to have Jeff join us when he's in town.

In the ATL and looking for a weeknight group? Check us out.

practically perfect peachtree

noreply@blogger.com (chunky girl) — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 13:34:00 +0000

Peachtree medal (for sale as an add-in at registration)

Peachtree Road Race (7/4/14): 6.25 miles in 2:12:13
Pace: 21:08

It's hard to imagine a better Peachtree. Temps were in the 60s -- in Atlanta, in July! -- with a slight breeze most of the run. It was also just a little overcast. We were actually chilly before the start.

Heaven.

Add to that that I was running with my friend C for the distance and the 6 miles seemed much shorter.

And the t-shirt was white! Score. It's almost never white (and really should be every year -- instead it's been some really odd colors).

Really, I don't think I should ever run it again as it will be tough to match the 2014 version.

And there was also some sparkle at the Expo. (SparkleSkirts.com at the arrow.)

Obligatory picture of all the people in the finish chutes . . .
Heading to their white t-shirts. Yay!