this weekend may end me…

Again, it’s been too long since my last post.  Perhaps this is becoming the new average.  Hopefully it’s just the combination of having been on break last week, having another recruiting weekend this weekend, and trying to wrap up the semester.  I’ve got a ridiculous amount of work to do in the next 36 hours (yikes), and am already feeling pretty tired.  

We had another recruiting party last night, but this one was MUCH more hardcore  I think I finally left my friend’s place at around 2:30 am or so, and I was certainly not the last one to leave.  Needless to say, I’m pooped today.  I just got in another 5 miles (supposed to be 8 today, but I’m hiking ~3 miles with the recruits in a couple hours).  It was super windy and super hilly, so it was kind of tough.  But it’s done.  Tomorrow’s an “easy” Sunday at 10 miles, so hopefully that will be a good recovery run. 

Even though this week hasn’t been a total bust, I’m definitely behind in mileage.  I’m hopeful that next week will be back to normal.  

Oh, and I should mention… I picked up new shoes earlier this week.  I think Mizuno stopped making the Wave Inspire 3, which I had been wearing for a while.  I was a huge fan of them, but they just changed some design elements and called ‘em the Inspire 4.  So far, they’ve felt much the same.  

Well, I need to get some work done, but I just wanted to post an ‘I’m still alive’ post.  ’Til next time. 

ouch

Still tired/sore from last week’s cross-country hiking/camping/rock climbing escapade, yesterday’s long run was actually quite painful.  An unforeseen series of events in the morning resulted in a slightly awkward start, too.   I planned to run early (8ish), so I had eaten a light breakfast at 7.  I also wanted to get new shoes beforehand.  So, I took a trip over to my local store and found they didn’t open until 10.  As a result, I ended up sticking around home/reading until 10, biking over to get new shoes, throwing them on, and heading out.  So, now it’s about 10:30, and I haven’t eaten since my light meal at 7.  Within the first two miles, my stomach was growling and I knew it was going to be a long run…I also miscalculated how much liquid I had/how much I could drink and when.  I finished my fluids with an hour left to run, and was desperately yearning for a drink at the end.  The food situation was actually okay, though.  I had my two Accel gels, and though my stomach was growling for the last half mile or so, it wasn’t too bad.  My legs/body, though, was quite sore and tired.  I think I’m still pretty beat from the driving/living outside last week. So, today I’m pretty darn sore. BUT, the good news is that I ran EIGHTEEN miles!  Ha, a new distance PR, and I’m stoked.  2/3 of a marathon!  And I think it ended up being at a pace of ~8:15 or so.  Also good. I had a lot of work to do last night, and didn’t do any of it in lieu of having a good time with friends.  While it may make this afternoon stink, it was really nice.  I do, however, have to get my things in line over the next couple of days, because this weekend is another “recruiting weekend” for the grad program.  I’ll be leading another hike and probably partaking in as many free meals as possible.   

annnnnd break…

Finally, it’s here. Possibly my last ever “spring break” in the true sense of the phrase. It is likely that starting next year, I’ll be doing so much research that I will just work right through spring break, and it will only continue until I finish my program. Sounds kind of ominous when put that way, eh? Anyway, since this is my last real spring break, I’m going to do my best to enjoy it!

This was one of two “recruiting weekends” for our physics department’s incoming grad class. Somehow I managed to assume a pretty significant role in this weekend, so I was really busy doing things for the recruits. Yesterday I brought about half of them (~10 or so) up hiking with some other grads. It was a great time. And talk about Boulder weather… it was about 45 and sunny when we started up the trail. When we were about a quarter mile from the parking lot on the way down, it started snowing! I thought it was actually kind of a nice touch for the visitors. Then, I went to an awesome Vietnamese restaurant for dinner with some friends, too (leftovers being eaten at this very moment).

I just got in a “short” long run this afternoon, 9 miles. It’s beautiful outside, and though it was a little windy, a gorgeous day for running. I think I need to pick up some new shoes, though. I’ve noticed over the last couple of weeks that my shins are a little more sore then normal. Better safe than sorry on that front. Some random muscles in my legs have been kind of tired for the past couple of days, but I think it’s from the hiking. Not used to that sort of motion. But, no big deal.

In the interest of enjoying my spring break (see above), I’m out. I’m gonna hit up REI and get some gear for my trip this week! A few of my friends and I are going to Nevada to rock climb for a few days. Two of them are already out there, and two more of us are driving out on Wednesday. Should be a blast! Updates will follow, obviously (afterward, though). Time to get out and enjoy the sunshine