March 7 Coffee Clutching On The Prairie Path ---- Boston 2012

Most women coffee clutch at the local Starbuck or Panera Bread.  I however prefer to conduct this activity on the Prairie Path and swimming pool. Its a mix of good conversation and gatorade.  Today I was going to get a chance to run and swim with friends, making this an awesome day for working out.  Yesterday's workout was amazing and I was so happy with my time.  I have to admit that looking at my schedule today and seeing a short run and a swim, made me happy.  I love the swims after a hard run.  They are always therapeutic both in mind and body.  The short run was so short, that I actually drove to the path so I didn't add too many more miles to my schedule.  I wasn't sure who I was going to meet up with, but I knew the time that they were at the marker, so at 5:30 a.m. I was looking for the gang.

And, not to disappoint, Susan was there, then, Becky and Anne, "The Wolf Pack".  We did a warmup run over the Salt Creek bridge, then Susan and I picked up the pace a bit and headed to the next mile marker.  It was good to run with Susan again.  I was afraid that after our last run (which she ran hard) she might be a bit gun shy.  Becky and Anne ran a bit behind us but kept moving and joined us at the turnaround point.  Catching up on school information, our kid's activities and keeping a quicker pace was the agenda for the start of our mile home.  We decided to do a little speed work and run some fartleks on the way home.  Mixing things up on a run can be fun.  Besides, these three ladies I was running with are racing in the Shamrock Shuffle in a couple of weeks and a little bit of speed work could fire up their legs.  

Beck and Susan were ready to rock.  Anne and a stair met by accident the other day and her knee was giving her a bit of trouble so she wanted to hold back a bit. She did keep moving, and that is what counts.  So 3 of us took off and began our run to different markers  along the trail.  Then, I gave them the good news.  When we got to the base of the hill we were going to charge up the hill hard and fast and then we were going to run down it even faster.  I'm not sure how they felt about this, but being the running troopers they are, they followed the plan and were out of breath at the base of the hill on the other side.  Becky and Susan did awesome.  I didn't want to push my luck, so they did an easy jog for the last half mile.  We had gotten quite a bit ahead of Anne so I ran back to catch up with her and we ran in together.  I was so glad that I did.  She pushed it in at a comfortable pace.  Pretty soon we were back at the gazebo celebrating a job well done.  Great job Susan, Anne and Becky!!!  Looking forward to running with all of you again soon.  

Came home, did some poster design work and eventually got ready for my swim workout.  I was meeting MAB at the pool and I was excited about the workout.  Last time MAB and I swam together was a week ago.  Its always good to see her.  MAB is my Boston good luck charm.  I have this superstition before I leave for Boston.  She is also a veteran Boston marathoner and has this awesome coat.  I have to touch it before I head out East.  It has brought me luck in the past and I am not going to change things now.  So, she is usually one of the last people I see before I head to Bean Town.  

Today however we were going to do a swim workout.   Coach scheduled me a swim.  MAB follows a workout plan that is right for her.  

Oh yeah!   This workout was killer!  The one arm swim was great once you got into a rhythm.  The paddle pull however was very tiring.  It was a hard drill that left me tired and hungry.  Thanks MAB for joining me and keeping me company in the pool.  I was also fighting the clock, as I needed to quickly shower after the swim and head to an important doctor's appointment.  Time was on my side as I made it with a few minutes to spare.  And, of course, the doctor was running behind schedule. Arrgh!  Anyway, at least my workouts for the day were done.  

Workout #1

Planned:  3 mile run. 

Completed: 4.17

Workout #2

Planned:  2000 yard swim.

Completed:  2000 yard swim.