Jacob's Ladder

Tonight was another fun round of track repeats at TC Williams (Remember the Titans!). After a frenzied search for a parking spot, which was a total ordeal, I finally made it to the track. And since I was all hot and bothered about trying to get to the damned place, I was already warmed up too!

The plan for this evening was to run what is known as the ladder. Basically, you increase the distance for each "rep" then come back down. I checked with my intended marathon pace timing and came up with the following times for each of the different splits (Ch-ch-ch-check out my HTML table building skillz below).

Rep	Distance	Goal Time	Actual Time
400m	434m	2:11-2:19	2:10
800m	756m	4:34-4:45	4:09
1200m	1223m	7:01-7:32	6:45
1200m	1223m	7:01-7:32	7:10
800m	708m	4:34-4:45	3:58
400m	434m	2:11-2:19	1:30

Both the HTML table and my awesome splitz. 

(PS: Yes, I know there's supposed to be a 1600m rep in there, but it was lightening out and was getting dark, and I did not want my good friends Joe and Sonia to get electrocuted. Also, if you look at the garmin info, you'll note the last rep is shorter. That is because in my excitement to get a-moving, I forgot to turn on my watch. But I know I was freaking flying, so the last one is a guesstimate).

Fifteen Miles and Remembering the Reason(s) why I'm doing this

Saturday's run was hard.

Not physically (well, yeah okay physically because there were some narsty hills).

But it was actually tougher mentally.

This week has been a crazy one - between dog rescuing, working, unabashed flirting, and running, I actually hit my limit and did not do speed work on Wednesday. But that's okay, because my body was saying "Hey doll, you're kind of killing us both here, so why don't you take it down a notch."

So this week's running went a little like this:

Monday - 3.32 Cross Fit Outside (which, let's face it, killed me)
Tuesday - 2.3 miles (+ a new pair of shoes! Thanks Zack at Pacers!)
Wednesday - Glorious sleeping time
Thursday - 3.12 miles (Posted below, because it was actually a total boss run)
Friday - Volunteering with Lost Dog 5k
Saturday - 15 miles

So let's pause for a second on the Thursday run, because for some reason I was keeping up with the cool kids for a mile and a half into the run (10 minute mile. Outside. What?!) Then I turned off and ran on my own, where I proceeded to wuss out and walk a lot more than I should have.

But still. Sonia is right, I am getting faster. (more on how awesome she is later).

Saturday was like "OOMPH. FIFTEEN. WHAT." At first, anyways.

Then I got a little confused at the directions (hah, shocker). So for the first five miles, I kept pausing my damned Garmin and checking my phone, like "Where the heck is this turn off for the W&OD trail?" Yes, friends, I have lived here for almost 10 years. But I had runner's brain.

Luckily, I kept running into fun runners smarter than me who were doing less than fifteen miles (like, you know, 10), who kept me pointed in the right direction. Then, I finally realized where I was going, and was like, "Okay, this is great."

Except by that point, I'd floundered for probably half an hour, and my schedule was all off. So there I was, on the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, 8 miles left to go in my run, and I started to really wish that I could just go home.

But, you know, I was way out in the boonies (figuratively speaking, you will note in the map below that I was right smack dab in the middle of Arlington County). And there was only one way to get back to my car, sitting at Gravelly Point.

On the run, I was reminded of a saying that will say, "Never give up on a dream just because it will take time to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway (Earl Nightingale)." And, in my deep dark thoughts, I realized that the eight miles back to the car would happen anyways. So I could either run them or walk them, but they were going to happen.

And guess what? Happen they did. Although I did take a little detour through Crystal City vice heading all the way back to the trail.

And even through all the stopping and starting and whining and whathaveyou, I still managed a 12 minute mile pace.

Which, let me say, when I got back to Gravelly Point, I was in no mood for life. Seriously. But, you know, my friends were hanging out there waiting for me to come back. Because they are seriously the most supportive people on the face of the planet. And I love them, although I don't know if I was that vocal about my affection after the run.

But I do, Pacers People. You guys are the reason why I continue to run. <3

Here's the Garmin data for the awesome Arlington Triangle.


Also, I was successful in staving off a migraine. I'm not sure if it was because it was cooler, or if it was because I downed a chocolate (soy) milk immediately after I got back and a nectarine, or if it was the gallon of Powerade I drank during the day, but I did not get a migraine. So thank God for small miracles.

HEY.

Marathoning....take 2....

I really fail at blogging lately, but I'm trying to get back into it.

So since my last post, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in just under six hours (5:57:39 to be exact). Kind of disappointing, especially because I had an internal mental breakdown at mile 14 (MILE FOURTEEN I TELL YOU!). Basically, did not take Tums, got feeling ill, didn't eat or drink for 2 hours, and by that time...well it was just finishing at that point.

And because I am my own worst critic and a self-described perfectionist in everything I do (with the exception of cleaning, LOLZ), that only meant I had to try again.

And I tell you, I had a great plan back in December:

1. Train for a fast 5k in February
2. Train for a fast 10 miler in April
3. Train for a fast half marathon in June
4. Train all summer for a fast(er) marathon in October.

Boss, right?

WELL....as I have found out repeatedly this year, planning is useless. (Seriously, ask me about that wedding I'd planned to have sometime next year....)

1. I plum-ass FORGOT to sign up for the 5k, which was Love the Run You're With. Like....walked up to the registration desk, checked bank statements, etc. before it dawned on me that I FORGOT TO SIGN UP FOR THE RACE I WAS TRAINING FOR.

2. Right around March I started to have really bad hamstring pain, which put a huge damper in my training. I was actually considering pulling out of the race, but then the Boston Marathon bombing happened. And let's just say, it dawned on me that this could very well be my last race (I mean, you never know, see post above about planning). So I ran the GW Parkway Classic in something...who knows. Because I had SERIOUS GI issues; the difference between my watch time and bib time was something like 15 minutes.

Oh, and that hamstring pain? Turns out my left butt was "asleep" (not firing correctly), and causing my gait to be off. Pain was gone in about three days. WTF.

3. I knew going into the VA Wine Country Half that SOMETHING was going to go wrong. I mean, I was 0 for 2, how could this one go any better? And, I was right (hooray?). It was humid, hot, gross, and miserable. And it had been a ridiculously cold spring, so I was woefully unprepared for the humidity. In fact, I actually considered going to the medical tent and/or passing out. But if I passed out, they would call my emergency contact, which happened to be my ex-boyfriend (see aforementioned comment re: wedding above). So I finished in - literally - my worst time ever.

Which brings us to #4 - train all summer. Well first thing, I was in Florida, and my great dreams of keeping to my running schedule were dashed due to high humidity and high alcohol levels (hey, I'd just gotten out of a long-ass relationship, quit judging). Then, during week 1 of training, I was driving my baby cousin all over south Florida looking at colleges. Then aforementioned cousin got me sick, like - fever-sick (I can't remember the last time I had a fever). So two weeks went by with very little running, and the running that did happen was slow and miserable.

HOWEVER.

Last week, I finally got back on schedule, due to a couple of things. I realized that being sick with a gross-ass lung infection + asthma + humidity + pollution = nearly fainting, so I did something I haven't done in at least three years - run on a treadmill.

But I was sprinting 9 minute miles. Easy. Like, I might have been able to do 8:30s. And I wasn't coughing my face off. And I wasn't dizzy. At ALL.

Then I was able to do 7 miles yesterday on my first "long run" of the marathon training season. And I actually enjoyed it - I was like, "Damn, Whit, you're drinking your Nuun, out at 7am, it's only 75 or so and cloudy, and you're at Haines Point. This is exactly where I want to be right now." And I even smiled (You should click on that link to hear how I am saying "smiled").

In all, I did a grand total of 19 miles this week: 3 on Monday in my neighborhood, 3 on Tuesday with Pacers, 3 on Wednesday in the gym, 3 on Thursday with Pacers, and 7 on Saturday with Pacers.

Next week, I am aiming to do 21 miles:

Monday: 3 Miles + Weights and such at the gym (In lieu of killing myself in the heat and humidity, I'm going to take advantage of the gym, free weights, and dog-less stretch time.)
Tuesday: 3 miles with Pacers (depending on how I'm feeling, maybe 4)
Wednesday: Speed Work with Pacers (distance is maybe 2-3 miles)
Thursday: 3 miles with Pacers
Saturday: 10 miles with Pacers

I'm planning (dammit Whit, what have I told you about planning!!!!) to do a little more building of my base mileage until I am completely caught up, 21 this week, 24 next week, 28 week after that, before dropping down during my off week. I'm also going to start off only doing 3 every day during the week, before gradually upping my mileage to 4 miles (during the long run off week), then 5 miles at the next long run off week. I think the biggest thing I didn't do last year was keep up with my mileage during the week.

So that's a long story of what's happening in the Full-Whit universe. I really am going to try to continue and blog this marathon training this year, because I feel like it motivates me and allows me to overanalyze every single thing that I do, which is kind of my cuppa tea.

So with that, I leave you with a little bit of running humor. I'll be here in just a few weeks....

I did it!

The purpose of this blog was to chronicle my 8 week training from just barely able to complete 5 miles to a half marathon.

This weekend, I completed the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon.

My time? 2 hours 28 minutes and 57 seconds - a full 1 minute and 3 seconds faster than my goal.

How did it feel?

Stylin' in my Pacers' Jacket!

Incredible.

Woke up at 5am, and had my Starbucks VIA coffee, and a full egg, bagel, and cheese. I figured, it was 5am, and the race didn't start until 7:30, so I would have plenty of time to digest.

The day before, I had stopped by Pacers to get some expert advice on clothing. My buddy Lindsey pointed me in the direction of an awesome jacket set that was really a vest with magnetic sleeves from Sugoi. I thought, hey this could be useful. Armed with that, my new running hat, some thin running socks, and my trusty Nike Lunarglides, I was all ready to go.

Hopped in the car and headed over to National Harbor to grab the bus down to Mount Vernon. The traffic was pretty bad, which was understandable for the event, but I got on the bus pretty quick and sat next to a great chit chatter and soon enough I was hopping off the bus on Mount Vernon.

Freezing, but still good

Now here in Virginia, we decided to skip fall this year and head straight into winter. So we're all mulling around George Washington's house, in 49 degree weather. Luckily, there were space blankets being handed out, which actually worked very well in keeping you warm. I also had my trusty gater, which always keeps my asthmatic lungs in check in cold weather.

I decided to pop into the port-o-potties prior to the start of the race, and I am glad that I did. However, the line was ridiculous I was getting nervous that I wouldn't have enough time to get everything done, but I was able to do that, take my Clif Shots, and drink some water prior to the start of the race.

I ended up grabbing a banana too, and keeping it in my pocket. More on this later :)

So we all queued up around the circle at Mount Vernon and then....RUNNERS READY...GO!

Ok, that was for the Virginia Institute for the Blind Visually Impaired Runners (really freaking cool, btw, and one of the blind runners actually won 2nd place overall women).

Then it was RUNNERS READY...GO!

It took all of my Pacers Fun Run experience to not go running like a bat out of hell out of the start and down that hill. All around me, I saw people flying past me going their fastest down that first hill.

Amateurs! All Amateurs!

I had some good easy jog music and before I knew it, mile 1 had passed. Then mile 2. Right around mile 2.5 was my first water stop, which I remembered from all of my half-prep training, to actually slow down, walk, take the water, and then go again.

I also had the express pleasure of ripping off my sleeves and stuffing them in the back of my jacket. That was teh!coolz.

Mile 3, Mile 4 were great, and then, I hit mile 5, which was the turnaround point for my every day non-training runs. I loved it - this was MY turf. My neighborhood, and I could run this backwards and forwards. I was so hot now that even though it was still 50 degrees, I took off my vest and let it hang over my aqua belt, running in only my tank top.

I am so badass.

But at mile 6, I remembered I would be hitting my wall soon. So I slowed down to a walk and began eating my (by this time, very cold) banana. I only had about half of it, and then I figured I'd be ok until I took my gel.

Between mile 6 and 7, I passed by my house, which I briefly thought perhaps to stop in and see puppy for a minute. Then I realized, hey, my house keys are 7 miles away in national harbor. Whoops.

Took my 2nd Clif shot at mile 7 and did not realize how gooy the chocolate gel was. Only had about half of it, and then kept going.

Looked up to my left, and saw - no joke - a rainbow.

My bub was supposed to meet me at mile 8 right at the bridge foot, but I completely underestimated how fast I'd get to that point, and he hadn't even left his house by the time I was there. Would have been nice to see him, but it was ok that I didn't :) (<3)

Then it was bridge time.

Now, if I do this one again (of course I'm doing this again), my focus is not on just finishing, but finishing STRONG. Right around the bridge, I started to lose my focus, and feel myself needing to walk. It started to get really windy and cold again, but I kept going, thinking that I would warm up if I started running.

Nope.

Finished the bridge and was up the ramp to the pedestrian bridge, and by this time, the wind was really blowing and I decided to not only put my vest back on, but my jacket. Now the wind was just awful, but we continued on, starting to jog/walk a little bit.

Around mile 10, my stummy started to tell me to find a port-o-pottie. Normally loathe to stop and do anything, I had to listen to my body. And happily - no wait.

Let's just say the break was worth it ;)

Back on the trail, I passed mile 11, and started to feel like this race was almost over, reveling in the fact that I was already at National Harbor, and I had begun 11 miles away in Mount Vernon. I figured, what was two miles?

Boy, did I underestimate those two miles.

Uphill

Then Gravel

Blargh.

Needless to say, I walked more of miles 11 and 12 than I would have liked. But I still kept going, through awful wind and cold.

By now, Runkeeper had stopped giving me signals for where I was, and so the final mile, I knew I was somewhere close. I thought, ok, after this corner! Ok, after the next corner! Ok, I see people lined up! Ok, what's next? Ok!

Finally, saw mile 13, and that meant only .1 miles left.

Round and round and round through a throng of people and there was the finish line.

Bling!

Not going to lie, let out a scream of happiness when I crossed that finish line.

Got my bling, got my gatorade, and then walked the (very long and windy and cold) whole way back to my car. All I can say is thank GOD for the OnStar app.

So, obviously, this is not my last half marathon. But I will say that I am impressed that I blew through 6 miles no problems. Really, blew through almost 9 before really starting to feel it.







What's next for Half-Whit? Well, ob. I have some new goals:

1 - Work on speed this winter. That is, be able to consistently run 9:30s - not just at race time. I'd like to be able to do Pacers Fun Runs at 9:30s by next April - including HILL OF DOOM.
2 - Complete another half, and try to get under 2 hours 20 minutes. That's an improvement of either 1 min/mile or 30 sec/mile without a pitstop.
3 - Look at a full marathon - don't look at me like that Mom ;) New York maybe?

Technology is teh worst sometimes

I live in an area where AT&T fails miserably at times. Today was one of those times.

So my run yesterday was postponed in lieu of helping a friend move, so this morning after doing a few hours of work and study, I headed out for my interval training. 

I'm beginning my run and wondering...gee...these quarter mile alerts are coming pretty fast - and its saying I'm running super fast. Wonder what's up?

But hey! I went with it!

Until about a mile and a half in, I wondered why I hadn't been hearing ANY audio alerts. Looked at my phone and run keeper was stuck on 1.05. 

Brilliant. 

I fiddle-faddled with it and did the usual shenanigans, but to no avail. So I quit the run and re-started.

Except my freaking AT&T signal wouldn't work. Thanks dude, will be moving to VZW when Steve Tim (Cook) releases the new iPhone. Kthxbye

So I said, Ok, I'll run another quarter mile (lucky for me I've done this route a lot, so I know about where the markers are), time it, and then add it. 

Long Story Short - I spent about 10 minutes trying to get a freaking signal before it finally worked. 

By this point, I was all flustered - not the least bit because I had almost been run over a bunch of times by rude bikers. Then Boo called, and I snapped at him for calling, then I had to go do intervals, and my freaking thing wasn't still working and oh yeah, my inhaler is on empty, so I wasn't getting any medicine when I puffed. 

Add all of that together, and I pretty well damn near had either an asthma attack or a panic attack. I pushed myself into a little wooded area and told myself to Calm The $^#T$ Down. Took some time to catch my breath and then continued. 

Although RunKeeper says I didn't do but 5 miles, I know I turned around after the 3 mile point, so I'm going to say I fulfilled my obligation of my intervals today.

The intervals were not the worst, if I do say so myself. They were 2 x 2 minutes and 2x 2:30 with a minute slow in-between, and I believe I did a fairly good job on the majority of them! 

The biggest accomplishment today was that I was able to recognize an impending panic/asthma attack and stop it before I got hysterical. Even before it was anything more than a tingling in the chest. I also was able to push myself to keep running for around 80% of the run - which isn't bad considering all of the freaking issues.

I also repeat that unless AT&T improves service in my neck of the woods, I'm switching back to VZW. It's 2011 kids, should not be dealing with this issue. 

Oh Yeah - and no joint pain - period :D