a quick trip to Santa Barbara, CA for me with the U23 All Stars
Staying 1/2 mile from the beach isn't too bad...
Then another wedding...
and another "prom" photo!
And this past weekend, I went to play some sevens...a second place finish, and a reminder that I.am.slow. But that I still want to play 15s this fall. A success, I suppose, if not for my time and wallet!
In other news, our house isn't sold (shocker) despite continual good feedback, and our listing agreement is up this month, but more on that in a different post.
Christopher McDougall's 2009 book, Born to Run, was recommended to me by a friend who is in a cult does Crossfit as well as another friend who, ironically, isn't an athlete. Two recommendations = I had to check it out of the library.
While the beginning drags, I did enjoy the book, particularly the latter third discussing why our species survived when the stronger Neanderthals did not and why we, humans, are literally built to run.
I have been semi-interested in the "barefoot" running concepts of the Vibrams and NikeFree for a while - you never hear of Kenyan runners who grew up barefoot getting foot injuries! - and might need to try them out now. Heck, the over the counter insoles I use are harder than the insoles that came with my shoes, so that's sort of like getting closer to barefoot right? (Actually it might be totally the wrong direction...I don't claim to be an expert on foot motion!)
Regardless, this book has convinced me and my ongoing arch pain - which I am told is a weekend warrior issue and my feet are fine - that I should more seriously consider strengthening the muscles and tendons I was meant to run on rather than trying to find shoes to fix me better.
soooooo its been a little touch and go, mostly because I apparently am lazy (I pulled out my training log from fall 2007 to prove to myself this was not always the case. 20-38mpw DURING fall season! Good grief. No wonder I'm 15 lbs more now when I can't even hit 20 mpw off season!).
Last week I did get in a 2m, 4m, 5x400, 5m and a HIIT workout. Not bad.
So far this week I've lifted 3x (~25 min at a pop) and done 2 3 milers and a 1 miler. A 1 miler you ask?
Lets just say tonight was a fail.
But I felt much better after the baconcheeseburger and corn on the cob the princess cooked me on the grill!
For this weekend, 5 miles and 6x400. Kind of ambitious for 2 days with a wedding in the middle but I need to get over 15 miles this week!
Next week the plan is 6x400, 4.5, 45 tempo, and 5. And lifting 3x.
and maybe eventually getting on the weightloss wagon I keep mentioning? hah.
A fabulous wedding aside, this past week has been rather blah at Casa de Smith-Saturday.
Effective today though I am doing Hal Higdon's intermediate half plan. I'll be repeating the first three weeks after my July 4th race. I did 3 miles this morning, and I plan to do the same tomorrow.
And I'm actually starting WW tomorrow. Last week was kind of a fail after Thursday. Maintained, but I've done that on my own for...almost 2 years? 1.5 I guess. I think I was 5 lbs lighter when I broke my foot, which really isn't even relevant. At this weight, heaven knows this isn't the first time I've been up here (or past it).
Anyway, onward and upward with the month. No where else to go really.