Sunday, October 27, 2013

Hola amigos! Long time no talk! Is Halloween really here already? Have I already been in Eugene for two months? What year is it?

Life continues as always, but as my workload's increased I've had less and less time for blogs. I'm able to read a few on my walk/bus to and from school (so, about my bike... the piece of junk derailleur broke off, which I took as a sign - along with my hate for biking - that I needed to find a new means of transportation. Bus it is! Eugene's bus system puts New York's to shame), but I'm currently rocking a 232 unread count. Whoops. That's what Christmas break is for, right?

The fall colors have been killer and it's been a joy to run in them, although running on leaf-covered, uneven sidewalks can be unnerving. 





In hobby jogging news, I hit 30.5 miles this week! This surprised me as a busy schedule forced me to do a fair amount of run-juggling, something I'm still trying to force my anal-runner-self to be okay with. I'm typically a "run now, work will hopefully get done later" kind of person, but I've realized that in grad school, it needs to be "work now, running will hopefully get done later." I should turn that into one of those motivational Pinterest pictures.

I also completed my longest post-marathon run yesterday: 9 miles! On the one hand, it's depressing that it's taken four months to get back to that distance but on the other hand, the run itself was not physically taxing at all. It's nice to see I haven't lost all my fitness!

My higher mileage this week reminded me of something I wanted to share with you guys: don't forget the importance of slow, easy miles.

Some people think slow mileage is "junk mileage." They believe that every run should have a purpose, and from what I can tell, that's code for "every run should be hard and/or fast." I suppose that could work well for someone who only runs three days a week (these plans are typically of the "run less, run faster" variety), but I think that easy miles are every bit as important as tempos/intervals/what-have-you.

The Hansons taught me this. Did I even need to tell you that? The Hansons taught me everything I think I know about running. And under their tutelage, I became the queen of slow, easy running. The majority of my runs were done 1-2 minutes slower than my goal pace (9:44). At first, running 11:38 miles seemed insane, especially since I had always (stubbornly) considered 9:30-10:00 to be my "easy" pace. Yeah right, Jeano!

As my mileage increased and I hit one new running milestone after another, I realized that none of it would have been possible without my slow runs.

The Hansons talk about a lot of physiological adaptations that result from slow running, such as the recruitment of slow-twitch fibers, using more fat (and less glycogen) as fuel, bigger mitochondria ("does this training plan make my mitochondria look fat?"), capillary development, blah blah blah. I'm no scientist so these things are largely meaningless to me. I was most interested in the structural changes that occur, namely tendon and joint development that assist the body in handling the higher-impact forces of fast running. This is important for everyone, but I felt it to be especially important for my minimalist-ish self.

If you want to know more about the benefits of slow runs... Google it. Or go ask Coach Holly. She's all-knowing and all-seeing.

Wait, why am I talking about slow running again? Oh, right, because I had forgotten how important it is. For the past few weeks, I've rushed through the majority of my runs, either because it felt awesome or because I had shit to do. I ran much faster than usual for many of my runs for two or three weeks, and was suddenly shocked (shocked, I tell you!) to find that one day, my body just ached. A lot. Apparently, feeling great immediately following a run doesn't mean you're in the clear. Eventually, it will catch up with you, as it did me. The past few days all of my runs have been done at a slower than 11:00 pace. My ego's a bit bruised (it's much harder for me to run slowly in Eugene than it was in Anchorage, probably because there are so many runner studs here), but my body's back!

End PSA.

Question: thoughts on slow running? Do you run a lot faster when you run by a lot of people like I do?

Slow and Easy

Posted on by Jeano with 7 comments
Hola amigos! Long time no talk! Is Halloween really here already? Have I already been in Eugene for two months? What year is it?

Life continues as always, but as my workload's increased I've had less and less time for blogs. I'm able to read a few on my walk/bus to and from school (so, about my bike... the piece of junk derailleur broke off, which I took as a sign - along with my hate for biking - that I needed to find a new means of transportation. Bus it is! Eugene's bus system puts New York's to shame), but I'm currently rocking a 232 unread count. Whoops. That's what Christmas break is for, right?

The fall colors have been killer and it's been a joy to run in them, although running on leaf-covered, uneven sidewalks can be unnerving. 





In hobby jogging news, I hit 30.5 miles this week! This surprised me as a busy schedule forced me to do a fair amount of run-juggling, something I'm still trying to force my anal-runner-self to be okay with. I'm typically a "run now, work will hopefully get done later" kind of person, but I've realized that in grad school, it needs to be "work now, running will hopefully get done later." I should turn that into one of those motivational Pinterest pictures.

I also completed my longest post-marathon run yesterday: 9 miles! On the one hand, it's depressing that it's taken four months to get back to that distance but on the other hand, the run itself was not physically taxing at all. It's nice to see I haven't lost all my fitness!

My higher mileage this week reminded me of something I wanted to share with you guys: don't forget the importance of slow, easy miles.

Some people think slow mileage is "junk mileage." They believe that every run should have a purpose, and from what I can tell, that's code for "every run should be hard and/or fast." I suppose that could work well for someone who only runs three days a week (these plans are typically of the "run less, run faster" variety), but I think that easy miles are every bit as important as tempos/intervals/what-have-you.

The Hansons taught me this. Did I even need to tell you that? The Hansons taught me everything I think I know about running. And under their tutelage, I became the queen of slow, easy running. The majority of my runs were done 1-2 minutes slower than my goal pace (9:44). At first, running 11:38 miles seemed insane, especially since I had always (stubbornly) considered 9:30-10:00 to be my "easy" pace. Yeah right, Jeano!

As my mileage increased and I hit one new running milestone after another, I realized that none of it would have been possible without my slow runs.

The Hansons talk about a lot of physiological adaptations that result from slow running, such as the recruitment of slow-twitch fibers, using more fat (and less glycogen) as fuel, bigger mitochondria ("does this training plan make my mitochondria look fat?"), capillary development, blah blah blah. I'm no scientist so these things are largely meaningless to me. I was most interested in the structural changes that occur, namely tendon and joint development that assist the body in handling the higher-impact forces of fast running. This is important for everyone, but I felt it to be especially important for my minimalist-ish self.

If you want to know more about the benefits of slow runs... Google it. Or go ask Coach Holly. She's all-knowing and all-seeing.

Wait, why am I talking about slow running again? Oh, right, because I had forgotten how important it is. For the past few weeks, I've rushed through the majority of my runs, either because it felt awesome or because I had shit to do. I ran much faster than usual for many of my runs for two or three weeks, and was suddenly shocked (shocked, I tell you!) to find that one day, my body just ached. A lot. Apparently, feeling great immediately following a run doesn't mean you're in the clear. Eventually, it will catch up with you, as it did me. The past few days all of my runs have been done at a slower than 11:00 pace. My ego's a bit bruised (it's much harder for me to run slowly in Eugene than it was in Anchorage, probably because there are so many runner studs here), but my body's back!

End PSA.

Question: thoughts on slow running? Do you run a lot faster when you run by a lot of people like I do?

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Weekly mileage: 24 miles (two 4-milers, two 5-milers, and one 6-miler)

I can't get over how awesome running was this week. I don't know if it was the weather, excess energy from studying all day, steroids, or a combination of the three, but I was definitely channeling a Xena Warrior Princess/Amazonian-type superwoman. Yesterday I checked my Garmin after what felt like a pretty easy 6 miles and was shocked to discover that I ran it at 9:50 pace, only slightly slower than my marathon tempos this past spring. I'm back, baby!

The changing leaves also made for nice running company.
Fern Ridge path. It's actually kind of a disgusting place, but it has its moments.

 ----
Since classes started a couple of weeks ago, I've been trying to figure out where running fits into it all. I haven't had any trouble getting out there (in fact, I've never appreciated running more!), but there have been a few days where I've honestly had no idea when the miles were going to get done. More than once, I've left my house at 7:30, running clothes in tow, and returned 12 or 13 hours later with them unworn.* Those days, I'm forced to run in semi-darkness because Eugene is crazy and has, like, four streetlights. On a related note, I need to buy a headlamp.

Now, there is a very obvious solution to this. That hasn't escaped me. I am WELL aware that "running in the morning" is something that people do. While I sit around whining about waking up at the god-forsaken hour of 7:00 a.m., millions of other, much more hardcore people than I are busting out 20-milers at 4:00 a.m. I'm not that person, though. In fact, I'm the antithesis of that person. Waking up 3+ hours before I have to be somewhere (to eat, digest, run, shower, and commute) is my idea of hell.

In a perfect world, I'd incorporate my run into my commute to school. When I lived in New York, this is how 90% of my runs got done. It was a great set-up: running the five miles to work was quicker than taking the subway, and infinitely more pleasant. Running also meant that I could shower after entering an air-conditioned sanctuary, which was way better than "I just showered an hour ago but commuting in this disgustingly hot swamp that is New York has soaked my entire body in sweat." The very best thing about this situation was that I didn't have to wake up any earlier in order to get it done. Wins all around!

The thing about that job, though, was that I didn't need anything once I got there. No books, no brain... Nothing. A couple of times I forgot crucial pieces of work attire (one embarrassing day spent in spandex and a sweatshirt comes to mind. That shit doesn't fly in New York), but that problem was easily solved by stashing an extra outfit in my desk.

College, on the other hand, requires you to bring so many things. Computer? Essential. Micro textbook? Necessary. Macro textbook? Yep, need that. Oh, and let's not forget the stats textbook! And food. More food than a single human should be able to eat. Add clothes into the mix and you've got enough to fill a giant backpack and accompanying tote bag. There's no way that much stuff is going into my tiny running backpack. I don't have any place to store stuff on campus, either, so that's not an option. Oh, woe is the hobby jogger!

So what's a whiny, tired girl like myself to do? I'm not sure. For now I'm fitting my runs in where I can and hoping for the best. I'm also waiting for the hormones that allow you to wake up at 4:00 a.m. to kick in. That's what happens when you age, right? Or are you people just, like, better than I am?

*[I feel the need to clarify that my grad school strategy is to treat school like a job, which means work, work, work from at least 9:00-to-5:00. No mid-afternoon runs for me!]
 TOO PRETTY.

Happy Sunday, friends!

I'm Still Waiting For Those "Morning Person" Hormones To Kick In...

Posted on by Jeano with 11 comments
Weekly mileage: 24 miles (two 4-milers, two 5-milers, and one 6-miler)

I can't get over how awesome running was this week. I don't know if it was the weather, excess energy from studying all day, steroids, or a combination of the three, but I was definitely channeling a Xena Warrior Princess/Amazonian-type superwoman. Yesterday I checked my Garmin after what felt like a pretty easy 6 miles and was shocked to discover that I ran it at 9:50 pace, only slightly slower than my marathon tempos this past spring. I'm back, baby!

The changing leaves also made for nice running company.
Fern Ridge path. It's actually kind of a disgusting place, but it has its moments.

 ----
Since classes started a couple of weeks ago, I've been trying to figure out where running fits into it all. I haven't had any trouble getting out there (in fact, I've never appreciated running more!), but there have been a few days where I've honestly had no idea when the miles were going to get done. More than once, I've left my house at 7:30, running clothes in tow, and returned 12 or 13 hours later with them unworn.* Those days, I'm forced to run in semi-darkness because Eugene is crazy and has, like, four streetlights. On a related note, I need to buy a headlamp.

Now, there is a very obvious solution to this. That hasn't escaped me. I am WELL aware that "running in the morning" is something that people do. While I sit around whining about waking up at the god-forsaken hour of 7:00 a.m., millions of other, much more hardcore people than I are busting out 20-milers at 4:00 a.m. I'm not that person, though. In fact, I'm the antithesis of that person. Waking up 3+ hours before I have to be somewhere (to eat, digest, run, shower, and commute) is my idea of hell.

In a perfect world, I'd incorporate my run into my commute to school. When I lived in New York, this is how 90% of my runs got done. It was a great set-up: running the five miles to work was quicker than taking the subway, and infinitely more pleasant. Running also meant that I could shower after entering an air-conditioned sanctuary, which was way better than "I just showered an hour ago but commuting in this disgustingly hot swamp that is New York has soaked my entire body in sweat." The very best thing about this situation was that I didn't have to wake up any earlier in order to get it done. Wins all around!

The thing about that job, though, was that I didn't need anything once I got there. No books, no brain... Nothing. A couple of times I forgot crucial pieces of work attire (one embarrassing day spent in spandex and a sweatshirt comes to mind. That shit doesn't fly in New York), but that problem was easily solved by stashing an extra outfit in my desk.

College, on the other hand, requires you to bring so many things. Computer? Essential. Micro textbook? Necessary. Macro textbook? Yep, need that. Oh, and let's not forget the stats textbook! And food. More food than a single human should be able to eat. Add clothes into the mix and you've got enough to fill a giant backpack and accompanying tote bag. There's no way that much stuff is going into my tiny running backpack. I don't have any place to store stuff on campus, either, so that's not an option. Oh, woe is the hobby jogger!

So what's a whiny, tired girl like myself to do? I'm not sure. For now I'm fitting my runs in where I can and hoping for the best. I'm also waiting for the hormones that allow you to wake up at 4:00 a.m. to kick in. That's what happens when you age, right? Or are you people just, like, better than I am?

*[I feel the need to clarify that my grad school strategy is to treat school like a job, which means work, work, work from at least 9:00-to-5:00. No mid-afternoon runs for me!]
 TOO PRETTY.

Happy Sunday, friends!

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Weekend: success.




They grow oysters down there!

We got lost on a sketchy logging road and almost ran out of gas looking for a waterfall. At least the view was nice!

Four-ish hours and five trillion detours later, we found it!

View from the super awesome cabin.

Last week was the first of many, many long weeks and at its end I needed to blow off some steam. Translation: I had too much fun and now want to crawl in a hole and die. That is not my way of telling you how cool I am because I ravage my body, but rather my way of telling you that I'm considering doing something I haven't done in as long as I can remember: blow off my run.


What?!?!? "Jeano, you're a blogger, you're supposed to inspire us by telling us you REALLY didn't feel like running but then just shut up and do it!" My bad. You come here looking for inspiration? TERRIBLE IDEA.



That said, I may still go out and do it if for no other reason than if I don't, I'll probably fall asleep at 5:00 p.m., wake up at 9:00 p.m., and be up all night. But isn't that what grad students are supposed to do?


As of right now I'm at 16 miles for the week. I could bump that up to 21. Final mileage TBD. You know what's cool and not so pathetic, though? While hanging up my calendar last week, I decided to add up my total mileage for the year. I write each and every one of my runs down on that calendar as soon as I do them so I know it's accurate. 

 So how'd I do? Well, I hit 1,000 a few weeks ago! I was pretty impressed with myself. I've always thought it would be awesome to run 1,000 miles in a year, but I didn't really think I'd be able to do it in the near future. I guess I was wrong! This means that I could stop running for the rest of the year (not that I have any intention of doing that) and I'd still average roughly 3 miles per day. Badass!

Anyway, I had planned to write up a real post on a real topic, but I just don't think I can summon the energy today. Maybe later?


Question: What badass thing have you done recently? If you're Coach Holly, your answer is "I ran a trail 50k this weekend!" That's most definitely badass.

1,000 Miles

Posted on by Jeano with 15 comments
Weekend: success.




They grow oysters down there!

We got lost on a sketchy logging road and almost ran out of gas looking for a waterfall. At least the view was nice!

Four-ish hours and five trillion detours later, we found it!

View from the super awesome cabin.

Last week was the first of many, many long weeks and at its end I needed to blow off some steam. Translation: I had too much fun and now want to crawl in a hole and die. That is not my way of telling you how cool I am because I ravage my body, but rather my way of telling you that I'm considering doing something I haven't done in as long as I can remember: blow off my run.


What?!?!? "Jeano, you're a blogger, you're supposed to inspire us by telling us you REALLY didn't feel like running but then just shut up and do it!" My bad. You come here looking for inspiration? TERRIBLE IDEA.



That said, I may still go out and do it if for no other reason than if I don't, I'll probably fall asleep at 5:00 p.m., wake up at 9:00 p.m., and be up all night. But isn't that what grad students are supposed to do?


As of right now I'm at 16 miles for the week. I could bump that up to 21. Final mileage TBD. You know what's cool and not so pathetic, though? While hanging up my calendar last week, I decided to add up my total mileage for the year. I write each and every one of my runs down on that calendar as soon as I do them so I know it's accurate. 

 So how'd I do? Well, I hit 1,000 a few weeks ago! I was pretty impressed with myself. I've always thought it would be awesome to run 1,000 miles in a year, but I didn't really think I'd be able to do it in the near future. I guess I was wrong! This means that I could stop running for the rest of the year (not that I have any intention of doing that) and I'd still average roughly 3 miles per day. Badass!

Anyway, I had planned to write up a real post on a real topic, but I just don't think I can summon the energy today. Maybe later?


Question: What badass thing have you done recently? If you're Coach Holly, your answer is "I ran a trail 50k this weekend!" That's most definitely badass.
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