Blogs : Julia Rudd

Charlottesville, VA

I know I fell off the face of the earth.. well i'm here and alive and training hard.

Its been over a month since i've moved and things are starting to come around !!

I have not raced indoors yet, and i didn't do us cross because i had some little setbacks in my training - mostly just related to the stress of moving and just not feeling that great. I've been getting the miles and workouts in, but for a while, it was not that good..
There have been other little things that have all added up to equal to me not being where i'd like as far as able to go run a mile/3K pr or feel confident enough this past month to really go after it in a race..

The biggest thing - Hills. Everywhere ! I guess i never realized how flat Indiana really was.. I'd go to Reston and the rolling hills seemed significant there .. now I visit and am relieved that I don' t have to climb up a mini mountain for my recovery days. . its a challenge because there aren't really any flat routes. Its beautiful out here and I love the terrain, but somedays with what I'm doing - higher mileage, lifting, and trying to increase the quality of workouts, i'm just not able to get as much out of my body as i'd like unless i can really use a chill recovery day to run within myself - flat and pretty slow compared to the UVA distance girls.

But i'm coming around !! I'm finally not getting lost driving to work and to the grocery store. I have no sense of direction, but it made it interesting :)

I've been averaging somewhere between high 60-low 80 mile weeks, 2 days of workouts, a long run (13-16miles), 2 lift days. Even if i'm not running killer times in the workouts or feeling super awesome, i know it will pay off, just like it did this past fall when things weren't so great.. i ended up running well when it mattered.

 Another change has been my work schedule - i'm getting 6 days of 4-5 hour shifts . Not that much in volume, but for me 4 hours of added standing, climbing ladders, getting shoes etc can add to the wear. I love my new job at Ragged Mt Running Shop - nothing against Athletic Annex because i love that place . but they have done such an awesome job at making life financially easier and just welcome into their family - no joke. Mark and Cynthia (owners) are incredible and i have to give them so much credit for helping me make a smooth transition ! So anyone in the Cville area i would love to help find you shoes!!! My new roommates Erin and Tomika are really cool too - both training for the Trials - in 400 hurdles and triple jump. Our apartment is also a big luxury i've never imagined was possible - my own bathroom and a furnished bedroom , and this sweet computer lab  i found today so i don't have to worry about my wireless working in my room. It really looks like a resort with the pool and everything .

I miss my friends in Wisconsin, and my teammates and coworkers back in Indiana.. but this move has been worth it and being able to see Alan practically every week- something i never thought would happen in a long time! i'll just have to place my trust in God that I can put all this hard work to some use by competing strong with all my heart and total appreciation for my health and this experience of competitive running at this level. I want to also mention this awesome girl Rachel Rose - whos a freshman recovering from stress fractures and hasn't been able to run in college yet.. hang in there !!! I wish everyone could meet her, i've never met such an enthusiastic upbeat person :)

I also want to mention 2 people. First my teammate John Poray's mom . Please keep her in your prayers as she was just diagnosed with brain cancer. It came really sudden and just makes you think about how life is such a gift. 2nd my good friend Tom Flowers. This guy has done so much for me and i was fortunate enough to meet him when i worked at my aunt's restaurant in Wisconsin the past 2 summers.. He is in the hospital for weeks now - having heart problems after a car accident and also could use some prayers.. Tom is pretty much my 2nd dad and i just wanted to put that out there because i know prayer is very powerful.

Gotta run.......................... i'll be better with updating this .

My next race - Pretty sure i'll be opening with the 3K at George Mason Invite - March 2.

Good luck

7:50 PM, March 14, 2008 .. Posted by North County

in the 8km in New York!

Untitled Comment

4:56 PM, March 25, 2008 .. Posted by hox

Jules rules!