So...I signed up for a full marathon.
Last year, when I did the WW1/2, I found blogging about my training was useful.
So here we are on JUN 25, 18 weeks before the race.
GOALS:
1. Finish
2. Don't Die
Easy enough!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, October 3, 2011
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?
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.
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.
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?
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 |
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?
Saturday, October 1, 2011
NERVOUS.
I'm so antsy I can't even make a playlist for tomorrow.
I have to do laundry
And clean
And vacuum
And do dishes
And work on some actual work
And make a playlist for tomorrow
And relax
BUT I CAN'T EVEN SIT STILL.
GRAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
I have to do laundry
And clean
And vacuum
And do dishes
And work on some actual work
And make a playlist for tomorrow
And relax
BUT I CAN'T EVEN SIT STILL.
GRAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Ten Miles - take 2
The plan this weekend was going to go a little like this:
Saturday - Clarendon Day, run ~10 miles
Sunday - Rest
Monday - 6 miles
Tuesday - 3 miles (tapering off)
However, in light of my non-starter on Clarendon Day yesterday, my schedule shifted to the following
Saturday - Clarendon Day, ~4.5 miles
Sunday - 10 miles
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 3 miles
This morning, I pulled myself out of bed and went for my 2nd 10 miler. For breakfast, I switched it up (more later) and had a smoothie and a Starbucks VIA.
Side note: Starbucks VIA are phenom. for runners. I do not want to make an entire pot of coffee before I run because I will not drink it when I get back.
So out I went with two gatorade aqua pods - hoping that National Harbor would have water fountains, like the Mt Vernon trail does every 2.5 miles or so. More on THIS later too.
The first two miles were good - I have run that trail at least three miles a week. Then I went up the bridge. I always forget how long the bridge really is - mostly because when I'm driving it, I'm going about 75 miles an hour on the beltway.
The bridge incline is higher on the Virginia side, and so it was easy trails going downward. However, I started to feel dizzy and not really energetic. I drank some of my gatorade and pushed through.
At the end of the bridge is a ramp to take walkers across the beltway to the other side towards National Harbor. It's not that bad going the way I'll be running on the WW1/2, which is great.
The one thing I'm really concerned about during this half is the shell path that leads to National Harbor. It's about .25miles, and I'm not very good at running on non-asphalt. Good to report, however, that the shells are pretty densely packed, and it wasn't so bad running. So yay on that.
Now I'm in National Harbor, and looking around for any kind of a water fountain. For future reference, THERE ARE NONE. Stupid national harbor. Passed by a restroom, though.
I had pre-mapped my course to make sure I did the full 10, and ended up going around an unfinished park with a muddy trail, and around back of the Gaylord (the big hotel there). Not going to lie, afraid I was going to get kidnapped. Real sketch.
Here, I decided to walk. I was thirsty, my stomach was upset again, and I was really grumpy.
Knowing that there would be no more water fountains, I decided to head back over to that restroom, pause my workout, regroup, and fill my water bottles with nasty water.
Don't judge, I was really thirsty.
I also opted to take my goo here, with the availability of water. Note I did not take my goo prior to the beginning of the run, and I don't think I'll make that mistake next weekend. I can really tell a difference in performance and energy level.
So I looked at myself in the mirror and said, "Snickle, you have to run home, you know. You have your water, you have your goo, and you are good to go."
Out I went, super stoked to finish!
Then BAM.
CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMP.
Not the muscle kind, either.
It was so bad, it nearly made me cry. But I said, Damn you, I will run this. I have three miles to go. Screw you, pain.
Pushed through it and was back on the up ramp to cross over 495. Going the opposite way is a lot harder than going to National Harbor, but I did it. And I forced myself to smile.
Then I got back on the bridge, and realized that running close to the bridge wall (it's more like a fence) makes me dizzy. I have this same problem when driving near trees where the sun is filtering through them - the blinking lights make my head spin. Good to know for the race, I guess.
But I heard on my little run keeper that I was at mile 8 - which meant only 2 more miles to go. Well that put me in a DAMN fine mood, and I hit my runner's high (and the goo probably kicked in finally). So, like last week, I sauntered along, grinning like an idiot, and singing along to my music.
Hitting mile 9, my body started to slow down, and I walked a bit to find a pick-me-up song. Lately, I'm into Britney.
Ran/walked the final mile, and ended up with the following:
Runkeeper Result:
Total Distance: 10.07 miles
Total Time: 2:01:48
Avg Speed: 4.96
Elevation Climb: 394 feet
All in all, I'm very proud of this run. Considering my stummy wants to kill me, and I ran a race yesterday, and I didn't have goo this morning, and all of that, I still managed to finish at an acceptable pace (my goal for my half is to finish with a 12 min/mile pace).
Not to mention that I feel fully prepared for my race now. I've gone most of the way down to the starting line, and I've gone to the finish line. Now just have to put them together.
This week is tapering. I love tapering.
Saturday - Clarendon Day, run ~10 miles
Sunday - Rest
Monday - 6 miles
Tuesday - 3 miles (tapering off)
However, in light of my non-starter on Clarendon Day yesterday, my schedule shifted to the following
Saturday - Clarendon Day, ~4.5 miles
Sunday - 10 miles
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 3 miles
This morning, I pulled myself out of bed and went for my 2nd 10 miler. For breakfast, I switched it up (more later) and had a smoothie and a Starbucks VIA.
Side note: Starbucks VIA are phenom. for runners. I do not want to make an entire pot of coffee before I run because I will not drink it when I get back.
So out I went with two gatorade aqua pods - hoping that National Harbor would have water fountains, like the Mt Vernon trail does every 2.5 miles or so. More on THIS later too.
The first two miles were good - I have run that trail at least three miles a week. Then I went up the bridge. I always forget how long the bridge really is - mostly because when I'm driving it, I'm going about 75 miles an hour on the beltway.
The bridge incline is higher on the Virginia side, and so it was easy trails going downward. However, I started to feel dizzy and not really energetic. I drank some of my gatorade and pushed through.
At the end of the bridge is a ramp to take walkers across the beltway to the other side towards National Harbor. It's not that bad going the way I'll be running on the WW1/2, which is great.
The one thing I'm really concerned about during this half is the shell path that leads to National Harbor. It's about .25miles, and I'm not very good at running on non-asphalt. Good to report, however, that the shells are pretty densely packed, and it wasn't so bad running. So yay on that.
Now I'm in National Harbor, and looking around for any kind of a water fountain. For future reference, THERE ARE NONE. Stupid national harbor. Passed by a restroom, though.
I had pre-mapped my course to make sure I did the full 10, and ended up going around an unfinished park with a muddy trail, and around back of the Gaylord (the big hotel there). Not going to lie, afraid I was going to get kidnapped. Real sketch.
Here, I decided to walk. I was thirsty, my stomach was upset again, and I was really grumpy.
Knowing that there would be no more water fountains, I decided to head back over to that restroom, pause my workout, regroup, and fill my water bottles with nasty water.
Don't judge, I was really thirsty.
I also opted to take my goo here, with the availability of water. Note I did not take my goo prior to the beginning of the run, and I don't think I'll make that mistake next weekend. I can really tell a difference in performance and energy level.
So I looked at myself in the mirror and said, "Snickle, you have to run home, you know. You have your water, you have your goo, and you are good to go."
Out I went, super stoked to finish!
Then BAM.
CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMP.
Not the muscle kind, either.
It was so bad, it nearly made me cry. But I said, Damn you, I will run this. I have three miles to go. Screw you, pain.
Pushed through it and was back on the up ramp to cross over 495. Going the opposite way is a lot harder than going to National Harbor, but I did it. And I forced myself to smile.
Then I got back on the bridge, and realized that running close to the bridge wall (it's more like a fence) makes me dizzy. I have this same problem when driving near trees where the sun is filtering through them - the blinking lights make my head spin. Good to know for the race, I guess.
But I heard on my little run keeper that I was at mile 8 - which meant only 2 more miles to go. Well that put me in a DAMN fine mood, and I hit my runner's high (and the goo probably kicked in finally). So, like last week, I sauntered along, grinning like an idiot, and singing along to my music.
Hitting mile 9, my body started to slow down, and I walked a bit to find a pick-me-up song. Lately, I'm into Britney.
Ran/walked the final mile, and ended up with the following:
Runkeeper Result:
Total Distance: 10.07 miles
Total Time: 2:01:48
Avg Speed: 4.96
Elevation Climb: 394 feet
All in all, I'm very proud of this run. Considering my stummy wants to kill me, and I ran a race yesterday, and I didn't have goo this morning, and all of that, I still managed to finish at an acceptable pace (my goal for my half is to finish with a 12 min/mile pace).
Not to mention that I feel fully prepared for my race now. I've gone most of the way down to the starting line, and I've gone to the finish line. Now just have to put them together.
This week is tapering. I love tapering.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Milestone - 10 miles
Last Sunday, I ran for 10 miles.
You got that - Ten Miles.
My very first double-digit run.
Not only that, but I ran it at an 11:30 pace.
RunKeeper Result
I'm not going to go into super detail on this,but I will say a few things:
- My proverbial "wall" is around 7.5 miles.
- Eating goo at 5 miles is too early - need to do it around 6 to prepare for proverbial wall.
- I grinned like an idiot the last two miles
- Napping is essential post-run (HAH!)
Tomorrow I will go north - over the bridge and into National Harbor on the actual path I will be running next Sunday. This is good, because that's the part that I'm most concerned about (the bridge and the final loop around). I should be hitting the bridge (going back) right around the same mileage as during the real race.
You got that - Ten Miles.
My very first double-digit run.
Not only that, but I ran it at an 11:30 pace.
RunKeeper Result
I'm not going to go into super detail on this,but I will say a few things:
- My proverbial "wall" is around 7.5 miles.
- Eating goo at 5 miles is too early - need to do it around 6 to prepare for proverbial wall.
- I grinned like an idiot the last two miles
- Napping is essential post-run (HAH!)
Tomorrow I will go north - over the bridge and into National Harbor on the actual path I will be running next Sunday. This is good, because that's the part that I'm most concerned about (the bridge and the final loop around). I should be hitting the bridge (going back) right around the same mileage as during the real race.
My First Failure :'(
So I'm being melodramatic. It wasn't a failure, and I got a PR, and it's not super important.
BUT I'M SO BUMMED OUT.
Backstory:
Clarendon Day Race is a 5k/10k double race. I thought, oh, you know I can do a 5k, and I can do a 10k. So I can do both! Besides, that, plus an additional mile back to the starting point, is about 10 miles - right where I need to be doing!
The thing was, you have to run the 5K in about 30 minutes or so, then run back to the starting line, and be ready to go at 9:05. So basically, 45 minutes to run ~4.5 miles.
To begin with , I did not have coffee this morning, did not have any sort of bread-carb (just a smoothie), and did not sleep very well. Had sushi last night (what was I thinking), and my stomach hurt.
I think you know where this is going.
BOOM - Like a crazy jack-rabbit, I go flying out of the start line, going a cool 9 minutes/mile. One mile down, feeling awesome, one and a half, feeling....meh... Two miles in...oh my god what did I do. Two and a quarter, walking. Two and a half, slow jogging. Two and three quarters, walking. Three miles, I really have to run teh rest of this.
But I was still ok, time-wise, and jogged my way back.
Up a hill worse than the Hill of Doom.
Actually, let's just be frank here, I was walking.
By the time I was almost back, the race had started, and people were jogging. By now, I was feeling just the worst, and was looking at another 6 miles.
So I did what I have been so good to not do recently - I gave up.
Here's my 5k result - a personal record of 30:07.
I've been kicking myself all day for giving up, wondering "what if I had just done x or not been so y." But, you know, this was really outside the box of anything that I have ever done before, and I am always energy conscious (trying not to do too much too fast too early). And to get a PR on a 5k is really awesome - and then to walk all the way up the hill again is pretty cool too.
Besides that, doing 10 miles today would not have been a good training exercise for my half. Quick bursts of speed are not the way (for me) to complete my race (in one week YIKES!). Slow and steady is my strategy.
So in the morning, I will drag myself out of bed for my very last "long run" prior to my half marathon, where I will run my second 10 miler (did my first last week, didn't blog about it, oh well :P).
There is a reason for everything, I guess. I'll take this as a learning experience, and do even better next year.
BUT I'M SO BUMMED OUT.
Backstory:
Clarendon Day Race is a 5k/10k double race. I thought, oh, you know I can do a 5k, and I can do a 10k. So I can do both! Besides, that, plus an additional mile back to the starting point, is about 10 miles - right where I need to be doing!
The thing was, you have to run the 5K in about 30 minutes or so, then run back to the starting line, and be ready to go at 9:05. So basically, 45 minutes to run ~4.5 miles.
To begin with , I did not have coffee this morning, did not have any sort of bread-carb (just a smoothie), and did not sleep very well. Had sushi last night (what was I thinking), and my stomach hurt.
I think you know where this is going.
BOOM - Like a crazy jack-rabbit, I go flying out of the start line, going a cool 9 minutes/mile. One mile down, feeling awesome, one and a half, feeling....meh... Two miles in...oh my god what did I do. Two and a quarter, walking. Two and a half, slow jogging. Two and three quarters, walking. Three miles, I really have to run teh rest of this.
But I was still ok, time-wise, and jogged my way back.
Up a hill worse than the Hill of Doom.
Actually, let's just be frank here, I was walking.
By the time I was almost back, the race had started, and people were jogging. By now, I was feeling just the worst, and was looking at another 6 miles.
So I did what I have been so good to not do recently - I gave up.
Here's my 5k result - a personal record of 30:07.
I've been kicking myself all day for giving up, wondering "what if I had just done x or not been so y." But, you know, this was really outside the box of anything that I have ever done before, and I am always energy conscious (trying not to do too much too fast too early). And to get a PR on a 5k is really awesome - and then to walk all the way up the hill again is pretty cool too.
Besides that, doing 10 miles today would not have been a good training exercise for my half. Quick bursts of speed are not the way (for me) to complete my race (in one week YIKES!). Slow and steady is my strategy.
So in the morning, I will drag myself out of bed for my very last "long run" prior to my half marathon, where I will run my second 10 miler (did my first last week, didn't blog about it, oh well :P).
There is a reason for everything, I guess. I'll take this as a learning experience, and do even better next year.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Interval Make Up
RunKeeper Result
Total Distance: 5.9 miles
Total Time: 1:09:07
Avg Pace: 11:42
This morning, I had one final run to do before I made my mileage this week. And that was the make-up intervals from Thursday. I let myself sleep in an extra hour this morning, and ended up getting out at 8:30. But luckily it was cool and I ran through a shaded route so the heat wasn't that big of an impact.
Out I went, and immediately, my legs felt like lead. Great start....
I promised myself at the first mile, I would stop and stretch. I really regret not doing yoga these past few weeks - I've got a 20 class pass, I need to get my ass over there and do it. I did the mile, and stopped to stretch out my IT band and hamstrings, and then I felt better.
Between miles 2 and 3 of the 3 mile first section, I started to feel the SIML - that is, the S...chtuff In My Lungs. Usually happens when I've recently had a sinus headache (ahem, Wine Festival on Saturday), or I haven't taken my inhaler in a while. And it usually results with me coughing up narsties on the side of the trail like a pack-a-day smoker.
But I muddled through to 3 miles and stopped to catch my breath before heading out to do intervals. I knew run keeper was off by about .25 of a mile, because I had passed the 4 mile marker - and I started before the 7 mile marker. But no matter, I kept going until it told me to start intervals.
Let me just tell you - intervals are my least favorite part of training. I hate running uncomfortably, and intervals push me out of my comfort zone. However, I know they're good for me, so I have to do them anyways.
Today's intervals were 2:30 minutes, 3:00 minutes, and another 2:30. Blargh! I hate intervals. I had to stop at the end of my last one to cough up another lung.
Once I got into the grove of my 2 miles back, I honestly felt a lot better. Probably because I was lost in my thoughts. But before I knew it I was done!
Although I hate intervals, I know they are good for me, and will help me increase my speed and stamina. I foresee doing a lot of them over the winter, when I focus on getting up to 9:30/avg for 4 miles and under. So I might as well get used to them.
Total Distance: 5.9 miles
Total Time: 1:09:07
Avg Pace: 11:42
This morning, I had one final run to do before I made my mileage this week. And that was the make-up intervals from Thursday. I let myself sleep in an extra hour this morning, and ended up getting out at 8:30. But luckily it was cool and I ran through a shaded route so the heat wasn't that big of an impact.
Out I went, and immediately, my legs felt like lead. Great start....
I promised myself at the first mile, I would stop and stretch. I really regret not doing yoga these past few weeks - I've got a 20 class pass, I need to get my ass over there and do it. I did the mile, and stopped to stretch out my IT band and hamstrings, and then I felt better.
Between miles 2 and 3 of the 3 mile first section, I started to feel the SIML - that is, the S...chtuff In My Lungs. Usually happens when I've recently had a sinus headache (ahem, Wine Festival on Saturday), or I haven't taken my inhaler in a while. And it usually results with me coughing up narsties on the side of the trail like a pack-a-day smoker.
But I muddled through to 3 miles and stopped to catch my breath before heading out to do intervals. I knew run keeper was off by about .25 of a mile, because I had passed the 4 mile marker - and I started before the 7 mile marker. But no matter, I kept going until it told me to start intervals.
Let me just tell you - intervals are my least favorite part of training. I hate running uncomfortably, and intervals push me out of my comfort zone. However, I know they're good for me, so I have to do them anyways.
Today's intervals were 2:30 minutes, 3:00 minutes, and another 2:30. Blargh! I hate intervals. I had to stop at the end of my last one to cough up another lung.
Once I got into the grove of my 2 miles back, I honestly felt a lot better. Probably because I was lost in my thoughts. But before I knew it I was done!
Although I hate intervals, I know they are good for me, and will help me increase my speed and stamina. I foresee doing a lot of them over the winter, when I focus on getting up to 9:30/avg for 4 miles and under. So I might as well get used to them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)