Thursday, July 24, 2008

Fatigue, Smells, Camp, And Other Things

Taking my cue from Nitmos, this is a post containing a jumble of things, not all of them running-related.

What Am I, 6 Years Old?: 9.5 miles of running on Tuesday plus 7 miles of running on Wednesday equals my going to bed at 8:30 last night. I think this is called "overtraining." What can I say, during hill work on Tuesday evening I made an effort to stick with the guys in my group on the second loop. I ended up running a 7:45 mile (and yes, I was ahead of them or right on their heels the entire time. Ha!). After crashing like a tired toddler after dinner yesterday (a situation not helped by the two pints of Bell's Two-Hearted Ale I consumed with my hamburger) I decided to dial back on my run this morning, which I did, but in mileage only. I ended up running four miles at an 8:18 pace.

Weird Smells: Why is it that every time I go to the bathroom at work I come in after someone who apparently ate nothing but beans, sauerkraut, and spicy food for the past three days? Phew.

The Worst Week Of My Life: Unlike Laura, who had a fantastic time at her running camp, the week I spent at running camp my sophomore year of high school was by far the most horrible seven days of my entire life. I actually got sick because the "nutrition" we were given (I still shudder when I think about the slimy, gelatinous Borg Cube of...some pale, flabby, and tasteless foodlike substance....that caused me to run for the bathroom and puke during breakfast) was woefully inadequate fuel for the amount of running we were doing. I'm surprised I didn't get a stress fracture, either. I would not hesitate to say that it was even worse than my first week following my tonsillectomy when I was 24. Yes, recovering from oral surgery was more pleasant than my week at running camp. Two years later I went to what I affectionately call "nerd camp" and had a much better time.

Beer, Beer, Everywhere: Friday (that would be TOMORROW) I have the good fortune to be attending the Michigan Brewers' Guild Summer Beer Festival in Ypsilanti. Certain person(s), commence feeling envious.

Hail to the Victors: I registered for the Big House Big Heart 5K again! This is the race which finishes on the 50-yard line inside Michigan Stadium. People who have been with me on this blog for a long time will recall that I ran this race last year and had a wonderful time.

Hooray for Small Towns: This weekend is the Chelsea Summer Fest. Saturday some friends are coming over and we're going to attend one of the music concerts and then eat lots of grilled foods and drink beer on our deck. Summer rocks!

I Listen To More Obscure Music Than You: Please to be checking out Anna Ternheim and A Shoreline Dream (thanks to my most recent Paste Magazine Sampler CD).

7 comments:

Fritz said...

I find myself skirting overtraining, too, and I haven't even been running any fast miles! *sigh* I guess it's a sign I'm not getting any younger. :P

Take care of yourself!

Laura said...

Come to New York (upstate) for running camp with me next summer!!!

B. Kramer said...

Nice blog topic, copycat!

If I didn't have a brewfest that is less than a mile from my apartment coming up on Aug. 9, I'd be more jealous of your weekend. As it is, I am only mildly envious. What's more, I'm running a 10K that morning so my thirst shall be extra powerful! Cheers!

Nitmos said...

I've often dreamnt of running across the Michigan Stadium field but my dream ended with me spiking a football on top of an OSU player's noggin. Will there be any of that available at the finish line of the 5k? If so, I just may register.

Sun Runner said...

Fritz: I spent some time bent over at the waist weeding my herb garden over the weekend and when I tried to stand up straight, I couldn't. I was walking around hunched over like a 90-year-old for about five minutes.

Viper: so you beat me with your post by 43 minutes. Fine. :)

Ya know, we're going to be in NE Ohio the weekend of August 9...hmmmm...what's that 10K you're running? I might have to crash it so we can go head-to-head. Egos are on the line and bragging rights are at stake. (IIRC my 10K PR is 50:00 and yours is...less...)

Nitmos: I didn't see anyone spiking a ball on the finish line last year but I don't see why not. Maybe we can bury a Buckeye up to his neck in the artificial turf and have at it.

That's not a half bad idea...think the race organizers might go for it?

B. Kramer said...

I like you UM people have this huge dislike for OSU. I love UM, it's like a guaranteed win every year.

I think what you meant to say was my 10K PR is MORE than your 50:00. Otherwise, it would be no contest. The 10K is in Green.

Frayed Laces said...

Hey, I embrace the 8:30 bedtime hour. Especially when I am up at 4:30!