Week 3: Speed Session

Despite not feeling well 2 days ago, I performed much better today than my speed session last week.

Lap #1: 2:04
Lap #2: 2:08
Lap #3: 2:10
Lap #4: 2:19

....well, except for the last lap. That one is disappointing.

Not Feeling Well

I haven't run since Saturday because I came down with something flu-like on Sunday. Even though I went to work both yesterday and today, I haven't eaten anything substantial in the past 3 days. Yesterday I was so weak that my entire body had uncontrollable shivers until I took 600mg of ibuprofen.

I feel better today, but my appetite has not yet returned full strength. As a result, I'm taking today as one last day of recovery just to ensure that I don't have a relapse. Besides, tomorrow is my speed session. Hopefully, I've improved from last week, although I don't know how I could've managed it.

Week 2: Speed Session

I did an excellent job on my speed workout last night. First, I warmed up with a 10-minute jog (approx. .85 miles), then I ran each of my 1/4 mile laps.

Lap #1: 2:11
Lap #2: 2:11
Lap #3: 2:14
Lap #4: 2:20

I didn't quite make my goal of under 2:10 per lap, but at least I'm working towards that goal. In the meantime, Spelunker is also doing his speed workout, which is much more extensive than mine. He is running 8 3/4-mile repeats with a 1-mile warm-up and cool-down.

By the time I finish my 1-mile total speed workout, he has only completed 3 of his repeats. 5 more to go? I'm going to have a loooooong cool-down then. And that's what I do. I run for an additional 2.25 miles (after walking a catch-my-breath lap).

I'm actually quite proud of myself because while we are doing our workout, a group of about 6 12-year olds come onto the track with their coach to run laps. While I'm slower than they were - I never once stopped running, while those whippersnappers had to walk a bit after every couple of laps.

All in all, though, I ran a total of 4 miles during this workout and just felt great for the remainder of the day. Add on my wonderful meal of mushroom tilapia, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening.

Under 200!

I weighed in last night between leaving work and going to the hash and weighed in at 199 lbs! I lost 4.2 lbs last week!

I don't know what caused this phenomenal turn-around, but I'm happy nonetheless!

4th Leg of Tour duh Hash

Spelunker was late for the 2nd day in a row. Since I promised to pick him up at the metro, this resulted in us both arriving after the pack had taken off. I was assured that the pack was only 3 minutes in front of us, and with Dildo Shaggins to accompany me, I took off after the runners. Spelunker, on the other hand, stayed behind presumably to catch up with the walkers.

It didn't take long for Shaggins and I to catch up with the DFLs as they were traversing the shiggy. Sh*t! I forgot to apply Ivy Block. I guess a week from now, I will be kevetching over my ugly legs covered in PI. However, since most of the trail entails wading through a creek, maybe I washed most of it off. Once we get out of the infernal creek, we spy the walkers leaving the beer check. I guess that means there are no beverages left to consume. Oh well.

On out from the beer check, the trail again went back into the creek after crossing Rt. 50. This time, however, the creek wading is hip-high and in one spot is even waist-high. For you sub 5-footers out there (aka Duals), that would be chest-high and maybe a spot of swimming. At this point, my kevetching turns into outright b*tching. Do you know what running in wet shorts does to your inner thighs? It causes runners rash. Yep. Yours truly now has lovely 2-inch square patches of red bumps on my inner thighs.

But is the trail fun? You betcha. And I ran most of the parts I wasn't wading too. For a total of 4.5 miles. Not too shabby. But I never did catch up to the main body of the pack. Figures.

However, at the end, I discover Spelunker never even left the start. Jeez! He starts marathon training and stops hashing. I've picked a real winner, folks. Then I notice 2 scabs on his lower lips and ask him about them. Apparently he showered AND shaved before coming to the hash, which is why he was late.

I exclaim, "You're not supposed to shave your lips!"

Of course, Ogre overhears me and turns my statement over to And How's Her Bush for violations. Tattle-tale! It wasn't even that funny. Of course, before my violation in circle, AHHB has to violate everyone in attendance at least once, which with a 150-person hash means that violations go on and on for 45 minutes. Jeez, AHHB! I know you take your duties seriously, but you don't need to report everything!

And as announced at WH4 last night, Mr. Magoo announces the upcoming fundraising for the Hash museum in Kuala Lumpur. If you haven't heard about it yet, you can read all about it here. I'm sure if your hash hasn't yet signed up for fundraising activities that the Hash House would appreciate the assistance. I'm not sure how DC Full Moon is going about performing the fundraising as Mr. Magoo was a little vague on that point, but I'll post more as I learn it.

3rd Leg of Tour duh Hash

I hared for White House for the 2nd time this year, coincidentally during the Tour duh Hash. I can't take any of the credit for the trail, so I'll lay all blame at the feet of Toothfairy (it was his b-day, after all).

Observations:

1. Either I (as a DFL) am not a good sweeper, or the pack zenned, or the trail was super-easy to follow. I never once caught up to the pack on trail. I was there if they needed me, though.
2. Advertising the "best beer check EVER!", and then having 1/2 the pack (mostly walkers) shut out of the beer check by security, means the hares made false promises. Oh well - the hares lied. Didn't anyone tell you to never believe anything the hares tell you?
   
3. Initially, the hare count was supposed to be 4 hares (2 laying trail, 1 sweeper, and 1 walker). Again, nothing goes as planned. I became a 2nd sweeper and we designated a new walker's hare, and when Spelunker was late, Bob LoBlaw was brought in at the last minute (of course, Spelunker showed up 45 seconds after the hares took off).
4. The hares were at fault for laying trail through an apartment complex and laying trail over the courtyard wall. However, we did not suspect that one of the apartment residents would chase after the pack to the beer check. Note to all: The apartment complex at O St SW is private property and we are NOT to destroy their landscaping.
   
5. There is only one place to end near Eastern Market, and anyone that has been hashing for longer than a year knows where it is. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that very few people followed the zig-zaggy trail through the rowhome alleyways on the 2nd half.

Diet Progress

Although my running has improved slightly - I have moved up to running the hilly 3.6 mile loop around my neighborhood, I haven't increased mileage dramatically. However, on the diet front, I am moving along quite nicely, except for the .4 lb blip on my chart this week. I will place the blame squarely on Revolution.

Damn you, Piggy, for feeding us so well!

Week 1: Speed Session

Start time: 5pm
Mileage: 2 miles
Lap #1: 2:12
Lap #2: 2:14
Lap #3: 2:18
Lap #4: N/A
Temperature: 96 F
Terrain: High school track

Yep, it's countdown time again. I have 12 weeks until the Rock n' Roll 1/2 marathon in Virginia Beach over Labor Day weekend (the reason I am not attending Colorado Invihash this year). So, I'm starting this week off with a speed session.

Unfortunately, I can't do anything about the 90+ degree heat, and skip my last lap (excuses, excuses!). I'm walking between speed laps at the moment, but hope to actually slow jog once I improve at this workout again.

Lessons Learned from Revolution X

1. What other camping event has appetizer servers walk through the campsite distributing taquitos, spinach balls, and tuna salad-stuffed jalapeños while you set up your tent?
2. A campground is just not a campground without a fire blazing 24x7. What does it matter if it’s 95+ degrees outside?
3. Apparently, when your nose gets operated on, you have to wear a tampon around your nose. Talk about a fashion statement.
4. No one will suspect that you are not drinking beer if you keep your wooden vessel charged with water.
5. Male Sembach hashers greet each other by shaking each other’s c*cks. I wonder how the females greet each other?
6. If you wear see-through boxer briefs around the campsite, don’t be surprised when an elephant is drawn on your package.
7. I can stay up later than Spelunker! However, “I’m not tired” does not prevent the eventual tackling and dragging back to the tent, if running away is the chosen option.
8. Bloody Mary mix, no matter how tasty and delicious it may start out, can be ruined by an overzealous vodka pour.
9. The secret to the breakfast line is to get Long n’ Hard’s made-to-order omelets first, then cut into the regular line for “just” bacon and potatoes.
10. Nasty, skanky-@ss swamp water will invade every crevice and orifice of your body. The only option is to strip naked and find a slightly clean(er) body of water to wash up in.
11. Want to know how Camel Spit got her name? Ask her.
12. No one can say no to servitude in Piggy’s improvised kitchen. Even vegetarians assigned to frying beef for tacos.
13. Hedgehog can provide advice on Spelunker’s spooning preferences. Wow! Who knows how deep that friendship goes?
14. Wait until you see the d*ck trick called the curtain call! Who knew that men had the power to make their balls rise and lower within their ball sack? Simply amazing!
15. Tour de Chug jersey + 2 bottles sangria = Passed-out Spelunker by 8pm