Miles: 9
4 x 1600, target pace 7:28
The last 1600's on the schedule!! I am slowly making my way through all of the hard workouts...only a few more of them left!
I ran with Mark this morning, it is nice to have someone along with you for a hard run. Keeps you from skipping :) We warmed up for two miles before setting out for the repeats. At least this time the weather was great! (Last repeat day was warm and humid.)
Splits for the repeats: 7:23, 7:18, 7:16, 7:09
I was hoping I would be able to go a little faster than the targeted 7:28, but I didn't think I would be able to do that! The repeats definitely felt hard, but not in the I-think-I-am-going-to-puke-how-in-the-world-can-I-do-anymore kind of way. (Which was how I felt the last time, I believe.) Granted, the cooler temperature has a part in that, but also maybe I would like to think that my training is paying off, and maybe I really am getting faster, and maybe I really can run that 3:45 at Dallas.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
And Now I Need a Snack
Miles: 10.25
Average Pace: 8:48
In addition to feeling extra tired, I've been feeling extra hungry too! Don't worry though, I've got that one covered. I never have a problem eating more food! :) Although I now know what the dogs feel like. Once I've wolfed down my dinner, I find myself ogling the kids' plates wondering what they are going to leave for me to finish!
This morning's run was nearly identical to yesterday's: same time, same weather, same clothes, etc. I ran with Mark, although he headed home at the 7 mile mark, as he is kind of sort of starting to taper a bit for his marathon (which is next weekend).
This afternoon I went to the gym to do a mediocre weight workout. The mediocre part was on purpose... I have decided to stop using the Inflict Training program for the last month of my marathon training, but didn't want to completely do NOTHING, so I did more of a standard weight routine. Since I haven't done regular weights in a while, I didn't want to completely shock my body (during my highest mileage week EVER), hence the mediocre weight routine. I did about a half an hour of a full body routine, weights not too heavy, but not the pink 2 pounders either.
I got a surprise in the mail today: a White Rock care package that my parents sent me! It included a White Rock tech shirt and two pace tattoos...one for a 3:45 and the other for 3:40. Well at least I know my parents have confidence in me!!
Average Pace: 8:48
In addition to feeling extra tired, I've been feeling extra hungry too! Don't worry though, I've got that one covered. I never have a problem eating more food! :) Although I now know what the dogs feel like. Once I've wolfed down my dinner, I find myself ogling the kids' plates wondering what they are going to leave for me to finish!
This morning's run was nearly identical to yesterday's: same time, same weather, same clothes, etc. I ran with Mark, although he headed home at the 7 mile mark, as he is kind of sort of starting to taper a bit for his marathon (which is next weekend).
This afternoon I went to the gym to do a mediocre weight workout. The mediocre part was on purpose... I have decided to stop using the Inflict Training program for the last month of my marathon training, but didn't want to completely do NOTHING, so I did more of a standard weight routine. Since I haven't done regular weights in a while, I didn't want to completely shock my body (during my highest mileage week EVER), hence the mediocre weight routine. I did about a half an hour of a full body routine, weights not too heavy, but not the pink 2 pounders either.
I got a surprise in the mail today: a White Rock care package that my parents sent me! It included a White Rock tech shirt and two pace tattoos...one for a 3:45 and the other for 3:40. Well at least I know my parents have confidence in me!!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I Need a Nap!
Miles: 10.25
Average Pace: 8:49
A bit chilly this morning! It was great for running, and by the time the sun came up, it was warming up. Mark and I ran through the neighborhood, it was a pretty uneventful run, which is actually a good thing sometimes.
I've been feeling pretty tired lately, I am not sure if it is due to the cold I had last week, or just part of marathon training. I feel great during my runs, but about an hour or so after...CRASH! I've had some high mileage weeks (for me, at least), with this week being my peak week, I should end up with about 60 miles. Anyone else experience this during their high mileage marathon training weeks?
Average Pace: 8:49
A bit chilly this morning! It was great for running, and by the time the sun came up, it was warming up. Mark and I ran through the neighborhood, it was a pretty uneventful run, which is actually a good thing sometimes.
I've been feeling pretty tired lately, I am not sure if it is due to the cold I had last week, or just part of marathon training. I feel great during my runs, but about an hour or so after...CRASH! I've had some high mileage weeks (for me, at least), with this week being my peak week, I should end up with about 60 miles. Anyone else experience this during their high mileage marathon training weeks?
Sunday, November 15, 2009
4 More Weeks!
Miles: 12
Average Pace: 9:01
Total Miles for Week: 45
I only have four more weeks until my marathon! And since that includes about 2 weeks of tapering that means only 2 more weeks of hard training! Hooray! Looks like I am gonna make it! (That printed schedule always looks SO daunting at the start.)
This morning was another hilly field trip. Today in attendence was me, Carin, Jodi, Kathryn, and Kathryn's teenage neighbor. It also just so happens that all of us are running next week in the Women's Running Magazine Half Marathon. So it was pretty fun, we are all looking forward to that race next week! We started out together, but we were all running slightly different distances (10 - 12) and slightly different paces, so we spread out at bit after a few miles. The weather was chilly (about 45 degrees!), but nice once I was warmed up. That route is very pretty, it is a nice change from our usual bike trail. The hills are a challenge, but fun. It really passes the time to be going either up or down, instead of flat.
After the run, we had our picnic (of course!), with coffee, oranges, and banana-nut muffins. Since it is a bit of a drive to get there, about 40 minutes, it is fun to make an event of it with a bit of social time complete with snacks.
Average Pace: 9:01
Total Miles for Week: 45
I only have four more weeks until my marathon! And since that includes about 2 weeks of tapering that means only 2 more weeks of hard training! Hooray! Looks like I am gonna make it! (That printed schedule always looks SO daunting at the start.)
This morning was another hilly field trip. Today in attendence was me, Carin, Jodi, Kathryn, and Kathryn's teenage neighbor. It also just so happens that all of us are running next week in the Women's Running Magazine Half Marathon. So it was pretty fun, we are all looking forward to that race next week! We started out together, but we were all running slightly different distances (10 - 12) and slightly different paces, so we spread out at bit after a few miles. The weather was chilly (about 45 degrees!), but nice once I was warmed up. That route is very pretty, it is a nice change from our usual bike trail. The hills are a challenge, but fun. It really passes the time to be going either up or down, instead of flat.
After the run, we had our picnic (of course!), with coffee, oranges, and banana-nut muffins. Since it is a bit of a drive to get there, about 40 minutes, it is fun to make an event of it with a bit of social time complete with snacks.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wednesday/Thursday
Wednesday's Miles: 7.5
Average Pace: 9:13
I woke up and wasn't feeling too well, although it wasn't anything major so I went for my run. I was supposed to run 9, but decided to cut it back just a bit, and take the pace easy. Also my legs were pretty sore from Monday's Inflict workout. In fact, I think I am not going to do Inflict for the remaining 4 weeks leading up to my marathon. It is a great workout, but it is tough, and with some high mileage that I've never done before, I think it might be a little too much. Anyway, the run itself felt pretty good, but I was definitely still fighting a slight cold or something or other, so I was glad I had taken it easy on the run.
Today's Miles: 7.5
Average Pace: 9:05
I was feeling much better this morning, but not 100%, so again I cut the miles just slightly. Also, I had Mark back to run with! He saw his doctor yesterday, and she said he could run as long as there was no pain (he has been having some leg pain), and she will review his MRI with him on Friday. Mark only ran 4 miles with me before he headed back home - playing it safe. Today's weather was chillier than it has been lately, and I wore a long sleeve shirt, but then started feeling too hot. I took it off after 2 miles and ran in my usual tank top, which was a little cold, but better than too hot. I guess I don't know how to do weather changes. I just know how to do "hot."
Average Pace: 9:13
I woke up and wasn't feeling too well, although it wasn't anything major so I went for my run. I was supposed to run 9, but decided to cut it back just a bit, and take the pace easy. Also my legs were pretty sore from Monday's Inflict workout. In fact, I think I am not going to do Inflict for the remaining 4 weeks leading up to my marathon. It is a great workout, but it is tough, and with some high mileage that I've never done before, I think it might be a little too much. Anyway, the run itself felt pretty good, but I was definitely still fighting a slight cold or something or other, so I was glad I had taken it easy on the run.
Today's Miles: 7.5
Average Pace: 9:05
I was feeling much better this morning, but not 100%, so again I cut the miles just slightly. Also, I had Mark back to run with! He saw his doctor yesterday, and she said he could run as long as there was no pain (he has been having some leg pain), and she will review his MRI with him on Friday. Mark only ran 4 miles with me before he headed back home - playing it safe. Today's weather was chillier than it has been lately, and I wore a long sleeve shirt, but then started feeling too hot. I took it off after 2 miles and ran in my usual tank top, which was a little cold, but better than too hot. I guess I don't know how to do weather changes. I just know how to do "hot."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday Run
Miles: 9
Average Pace: 8:50
This week is a cutback week, however it doesn't feel to cutback-y yet! It pretty much means no speed work, and not so long for the weekend run. Oh well, I'll take it.
This morning I ran through the neighborhood, there seemed to be several other runners out today, must have been the nice breezy weather! My legs felt a little sore from yesterday's Inflict Training workout, but it wasn't affecting my running at all (phew!). The run went pretty easy.
Later in the day I started feeling the slight hint that I may be coming down with a cold. Hopefully it is nothing dramatic, and with extra sleep tonight it will magically disappear (right? right?). In the meantime I am taking it easy. By that I mean skipping Tae Kwon Do class and watching the Biggest Loser.
Average Pace: 8:50
This week is a cutback week, however it doesn't feel to cutback-y yet! It pretty much means no speed work, and not so long for the weekend run. Oh well, I'll take it.
This morning I ran through the neighborhood, there seemed to be several other runners out today, must have been the nice breezy weather! My legs felt a little sore from yesterday's Inflict Training workout, but it wasn't affecting my running at all (phew!). The run went pretty easy.
Later in the day I started feeling the slight hint that I may be coming down with a cold. Hopefully it is nothing dramatic, and with extra sleep tonight it will magically disappear (right? right?). In the meantime I am taking it easy. By that I mean skipping Tae Kwon Do class and watching the Biggest Loser.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
An accidental Half Marathon
Miles: 16
Total Miles for Week: 57
I had no running partners this week. Kathryn was running a 5k with her YMCA kids that she coaches, Carin was volunteering at a half marathon that her sister was running with, and Cherise was running Saturday. I was planning on running Sunday with Jenny, but got an e-mail Saturday that she wouldn't be able to run. Usually I am fine running by myself on the bike trail, but I just didn't quite feel like running all 16 miles alone. I started thinking that maybe I would go run the half marathon where Carin was volunteering, the Blue Moon Half Marathon. It was close by, and not too large, so I would be able to do race day registration. Also, a girl that I met last week (who lives in our neighborhood) was planning on running it as well. I e-mailed Kathryn to ask what 5k she was running, and lo and behold it was the Blue Moon 5k that went with the half marathon. Mark and the boys said they wanted to come along and watch (and play on the playgrounds), so guess what? I was running a half marathon this weekend.
I had 16 miles total, so I did a three mile warm-up before the race (actually 2.85). I saw Carin's sister and another friend Bob. Bob said he was also using this as a training run, planning on trying out an interval type run. I did not want to race all out, as I was afraid that two weeks in a row of racing could be disastrous, but I thought maybe I would try to run goal marathon pace (which we now all know is about 8:35 to get that BQ). I also saw the new girl, Jamie, that I had met last week, so we lined up at the start together. Carin waved to us from the sidelines as she headed to her appointed water stop, and Kathryn went by with several YMCA kids ready to run their 5K. See? It was already turning out not to be a lonely long run.
The gun went off, and we got started. I was with Jamie for only a tiny bit until she pulled ahead with a great strong pace. I wanted to start out steady, but comfortable. Imagine my surprise when my first mile came in at almost exactly goal marathon pace. The rest of the run went pretty much the same... I maintained a steady, yet comfortable pace and every mile ticked off between 8:30 and 8:20, with seemingly no effort. At least, no effort compared to the epic struggle of last weeks hard and hot half marathon. (The weather this morning, by the way, was perfect - 65 degrees.) There are two turn arounds on this course, so I was able to pass by Jamie, Bob, and Carin's sister, twice- which was fun. Also Carin was waiting for me at the 6 mile water stop with my favorite gel flavors saved just for me. (Thanks Carin!) Around mile 7, I saw Bob up ahead doing his interval run. His running portions were quite fast, but I was able to catch him during his recovery portions. We played leap frog for a couple of miles, trading places of who was ahead.
Miles 12 was Carin's water stop again, she offered to run along with me if I wanted, but I declined, because I was feeling great and only had a mile left to go. I had still maintained a steady pace, but allowed myself to pick it up for the last mile. At the turn towards the park near the finish, Kathryn was standing there to cheer me on. I made the turn, then heard her running past to go and take some pictures. I checked my watch, and it finally dawned on me that I might make it under 1:50. Are you kidding? I have been busting my butt the past year trying to beat 1:50, ran super hard last week to snag a 1:48, and I just cruise in today and get under 1:50?? My final clock time was 1:49:57, pace of 8:23.
We hung around at the race for a little bit to chat with some friends, then Mark, the boys, and I headed out for breakfast. The kids said it was a fun Sunday, so I guess that makes it all worthwile.
Total Miles for Week: 57
I had no running partners this week. Kathryn was running a 5k with her YMCA kids that she coaches, Carin was volunteering at a half marathon that her sister was running with, and Cherise was running Saturday. I was planning on running Sunday with Jenny, but got an e-mail Saturday that she wouldn't be able to run. Usually I am fine running by myself on the bike trail, but I just didn't quite feel like running all 16 miles alone. I started thinking that maybe I would go run the half marathon where Carin was volunteering, the Blue Moon Half Marathon. It was close by, and not too large, so I would be able to do race day registration. Also, a girl that I met last week (who lives in our neighborhood) was planning on running it as well. I e-mailed Kathryn to ask what 5k she was running, and lo and behold it was the Blue Moon 5k that went with the half marathon. Mark and the boys said they wanted to come along and watch (and play on the playgrounds), so guess what? I was running a half marathon this weekend.
I had 16 miles total, so I did a three mile warm-up before the race (actually 2.85). I saw Carin's sister and another friend Bob. Bob said he was also using this as a training run, planning on trying out an interval type run. I did not want to race all out, as I was afraid that two weeks in a row of racing could be disastrous, but I thought maybe I would try to run goal marathon pace (which we now all know is about 8:35 to get that BQ). I also saw the new girl, Jamie, that I had met last week, so we lined up at the start together. Carin waved to us from the sidelines as she headed to her appointed water stop, and Kathryn went by with several YMCA kids ready to run their 5K. See? It was already turning out not to be a lonely long run.
The gun went off, and we got started. I was with Jamie for only a tiny bit until she pulled ahead with a great strong pace. I wanted to start out steady, but comfortable. Imagine my surprise when my first mile came in at almost exactly goal marathon pace. The rest of the run went pretty much the same... I maintained a steady, yet comfortable pace and every mile ticked off between 8:30 and 8:20, with seemingly no effort. At least, no effort compared to the epic struggle of last weeks hard and hot half marathon. (The weather this morning, by the way, was perfect - 65 degrees.) There are two turn arounds on this course, so I was able to pass by Jamie, Bob, and Carin's sister, twice- which was fun. Also Carin was waiting for me at the 6 mile water stop with my favorite gel flavors saved just for me. (Thanks Carin!) Around mile 7, I saw Bob up ahead doing his interval run. His running portions were quite fast, but I was able to catch him during his recovery portions. We played leap frog for a couple of miles, trading places of who was ahead.
Miles 12 was Carin's water stop again, she offered to run along with me if I wanted, but I declined, because I was feeling great and only had a mile left to go. I had still maintained a steady pace, but allowed myself to pick it up for the last mile. At the turn towards the park near the finish, Kathryn was standing there to cheer me on. I made the turn, then heard her running past to go and take some pictures. I checked my watch, and it finally dawned on me that I might make it under 1:50. Are you kidding? I have been busting my butt the past year trying to beat 1:50, ran super hard last week to snag a 1:48, and I just cruise in today and get under 1:50?? My final clock time was 1:49:57, pace of 8:23.
We hung around at the race for a little bit to chat with some friends, then Mark, the boys, and I headed out for breakfast. The kids said it was a fun Sunday, so I guess that makes it all worthwile.
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