Not So Fresh

Miles: 9
Average Pace: 9:10

You ever have that Not So Fresh Feeling? That's how my legs were feeling today. Pretty tight, a little tired, and not really wanting to run this morning. After the first mile, they felt a lot better, but never super great so I made sure to take it easy. It was a relief to only have to run nine miles (and not 20), and also to know I am starting into the home stretch (i.e. tapering) soon.

Last night the boys and I went to pick up our race shirts for the Turkey Trot. They are running the 1 mile race with Mark and I am running the 10K. I also decided at the last minute to register for the 5k as well. Usually Mark runs the 5k, so I can't do both, but he won't be racing Thursday (his marathon is on Sunday). This will be my first time running both the 5k and 10k, but I needed 9 miles for that day anyway, so it works out. I was kind of getting tired of doing long elaborate warm-ups before races (LONELY!) to get the mileage in, so this way I will just do the two races.

Women's Running Half Marathon Race Report

Total Miles for day: ~20
Total Miles for Week: ~60

Notice the "~" ? I nearly hit 20 miles, but just missed it by a tiny bit, which was bothering me, which then caused me to start "cooling down" in the parking lot after the race until Mark caught me and said it was good enough to round it up. (For the record, I think I was maybe 1/2 mile short?) But anyway... on to the race report...



This was the inaugural race for the Women's Running Half Marathon, hosted by the Women's Running Magazine. Since it was a reasonably local race for me (St. Petersburg), I guess I was kind of expecting the local race feeling. That, it was not. This was a superbly organized grade-A event. Due to wonderful promotion, the race had about 5000 runners. Not as huge as some big city half marathons and marathons, but still a pretty large event. As I mentioned, it was very organized, and the race director thought of everything to make it a great event.

First of all, the goodie bags were awesome! I picked mine up Friday at the race expo. It included a very cute specially designed tote bag, pink crocs, a race tech shirt, designer notepad and pen, and lots of yummy samples. The race expo itself was also nice. They were even hosting Katherine Switzer, who was there doing some book signings. When I went by, it was pretty crowded (and I had a squirrelly 8 year old boy in tow), so I wasn't able to wait to meet her.

Sunday, we arrived at the race extra extra extra early because my marathon schedule had my LAST 20 miler plotted for today. My plan was to warm up seven miles (well, 6.9...) and then line up for the race start. As I was warming up, I ran into Jamie (who I had met a few weeks ago), so she joined me for a few miles. We started getting nervous with the crowds that we had better get lined up, so I had to stop the warm-up a little short at just under 6 miles. I looked for all of my other running friends in the line up, but had a hard time locating anyone.

The race started right on time and followed a beautiful course through downtown St. Petersburg. A lot of it was run along the water which was nice. It meandered through a few small neighborhoods, then headed back into the downtown area where it made a turn to run through the Tropicana Stadium (the Tampa Bay Rays baseball field). This was pretty cool, actually, the route ran us all the way around the outfield. Plus, it was air-conditioned in there :) Finally we made our way back towards the waterfront to the finish line.

For me, the run went pretty well, although a few miles into it and I could definitely feel that I had already run six miles prior. I tried not to think about it much, but miles 4 - 8 were feeling a bit tedious and hard. There was a lot of crowd support, and I was able to see Mark and the boys a few times, plus David from the Striders was there cheering also. So I kept doing the same thing, moving forward, keep going, etc. etc. whatever it took to just tick off the miles. By mile 10, as I was heading towards the stadium, my legs were feeling tired, but the distraction of running through the baseball field kept my mind off of it. By the time I was out of there, it was about 1.5 miles left, mostly down a gentle downhill. I saw Mark and the boys again at the final turn towards the finish line, and with TONS of people on the sidelines cheering, I was able to make a strong run to the finish. I am not really sure of my time. I think it was 1:51? The official results aren't in, and it's not on my Garmin because of my screwy parking lot cool down crap I started doing. Whatever it was, it was slightly below my goal marathon pace, which was kind of what I was aiming to do.

The medals they gave to the finishers were cool too! The center is a removable charm (about the size of a quarter) that can be transferred to a chain to wear as a necklace. They even had a charm transfer station at the finish line so I got out my chain (that I had bought from the expo) and had it put onto the necklace right away. Although my fingers were too sweaty to fasten it on, so I waited to wear it until later that day.


I finally found all of my friends at the finish. Everyone enjoyed the race as much as I did. We chatted for a bit, but then I was REALLY feeling that I had run 20 miles (or "~20"), so I was ready to get going home. Plus I think I was kinda stinky. But we had to make a short stop to see what the boys were dubbing "the coolest climbing tree ever." Apparently they had a whole lot of fun at this race climbing trees :) Not sure if the race director planned it that way, but it made having kids along as spectators a lot more fun.

**UPDATE** results are in, my official time was 1:50:43 (8:27 pace)

Maybe

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.

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!!

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?

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.

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."