Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Most Amazing and Disappointing Race




Review of The Rogue Run Half Marathon

I went into this race with a hope of a PR, though I wasn’t sure if I was going to get it because marathon training was more important.

The swag and finisher's dog-tag

Sadly I forgot my camera so I do not have many pictures of the weekend. The pickup was easy and the swag was great. Tech shirt, kleen kanteen water bottle, and a cute bag.


Race morning we parked at the finish line and were bused to the start. This worked so much better than I thought it would. D.H and I got to the start with plenty of time. It was chilly so we walked around and stayed warm. Coffee, water and goodies were out for the picking. We  I used the restroom roughly 1,000 times and then it was time to go!

Before the Race
The plan was to start around a 10:30 and picking it up around mile three. Ultimate goal was a 9:55 for a 2:10 finish. The race was on a path so the start was fairly crowded and we ran a little faster than planned (It was that or get shoved around).  Good news was our first mile was our slowest. I knew that we were booking it but I didn’t check my watch I decided to run by feel (best and worst decision of the day).  Our first 10 mile splits looked like this-
 Mi 1- 9:33
Mi 2- 9:18
Mi 3- 9:24
Mi 4- 9:24
Mi 5- 9:14
Mi 6- 9:19
Mi 7- 9:24
Mi 8- 9:13
Mi 9- 9:13
Mi 10-8:59

Mile 10 we were at 1:33, I did quick math and realized A. I was going to PR and B. I was too far off of a sub 2:00. The first problem was I was doing my math at a 10:00 minute mile not the 9:00 we were running closer to.  It wasn’t until mile 12.5 that I realized that a sub 2 was within my reach. The second problem was when I recalculated at my 12.5 I didn’t take the .1 into consideration. Here are the rest of the splits-
 Mi 11-9:05
Mi 12-9:06
Mi 13-8:38 
Mi .1-1:15

I hit mile 13 at 1:59:50 this was where I saw the error of my ways. I had two choices, I could fall back with D.H. who I stayed with until 12.5 or I could push through knowing that I wouldn’t reach my goal.
After the race




My biggest road block while running has been my own head. I tend to give up before I ever start. I knew what I had to do, I had to push through and finish strong. In the last .1 of the race I passed 10 people (don’t you count them?).  Crossing the finish line was so bitter sweet. I knew I ran a great race, but I was bummed I didn’t sub 2:00 or finish with D.H. I know for my training I made the best decision though.



My legs felt awesome I could have kept running and that was the plan, I didn’t push it till the last half mile. I am so thankful to my sweet husband who was willing to run with me even after working 14 16 hour days straight. 




 I am starting to realize my own strength and for the first time in 17 weeks I feel like I can run the marathon next weekend. I didn’t realize that my legs had the power all along. For now

 I will continue to count down the days, but I can’t help but think of the next half where I will reach my goal of a sub 2:00.

13.1 miles in 2:00:46 a new PR. Average pace of 9:13

Monday, September 17, 2012

Tapering already


I have started this post roughly 1,000 times. Where to start? It has been so long I don’t even know where to start. Marathon training has been going. I have had some major ups and downs but I am feeling pretty good with 3 weeks to go.

This coming weekend is my half marathon I am running with D.H. I am hoping to PR. D.H. will only have one day off before I half after working fourteen 16 hour days. Life has been a little crazy here. Since he is gone I am now U10 soccer coach, and I suck! Marissa is already PRing in XC.  I also got a part-time job, I will start the week of the marathon and will be well into taper.




 My long runs during training sucked, I only managed to squeeze in two 20 mile runs, and a few 18 and 16s. That is life, I am almost looking more forward to the next training cycle because I feel like I am learning so much.



All of this running is helping me drop some weight, this is good because I have not been eating as well as I should  :/ I am going to end this with some pictures to sum up since I last posted and let’s hope I get better about signing on. Thanks!

Spring
Now
Beginning Summer    


Other summer fun:






Monday, July 9, 2012

Getting Faster


Hope everyone is having a great Monday. I started the day with a track run. I have to say I am really enjoying the track.  It is the one run a week that I truly push myself. Today’s plan was:

Tempo Run Dist: 6 Mi, inc Warm; 4 Mi @ 10:23; Cool

What I actually ran was:

 WU11:18 *4 mi splits 9:58/9:46/9:46/9:07* CD 11:49 + 1 mile jog

I had never ran a tempo run at the track but wanted to see my speed on a flat surface.  I first tempo mile would have been about a 9:46 but I kept trying to slow myself down. Whenever I looked at my watch pace was a 9:46. After the first mile I decided to just go with how I felt. The pace stayed the same. I kept expecting to lose pace but held on for the first three miles. Honestly I didn’t even look at my watch until the third lap of the last mile. When I saw it was hovering around a 9:10 I figured I would just finish. Honestly I could have done maybe one or two more miles around a 9:50 but I was trying to stick to the plan.

I feel really good today because I never really push myself. I always back off if I think that I am going too fast. It is nice to see that I can hold under a 10 minute mile for 4 miles. Though I will let you know how I am feeling tomorrow.

Here is what the rest of my week looks like:

 Monday- Tempo Run Dist: 6 Mi, inc Warm; 4 Mi @ 10:23; Cool (7 mi)

Tuesday- boot camp/ 1 mile easy

Wednesday- Easy run Dist: 5 Mi @11:56 (I would really like to spin on Wed too)

Thursday- boot camp/ 1 mile easy

Friday- Long run 14 mi @ 11:56  ß--  This will be my LONGEST RUN EVER

Saturday- Recovery run 4 mi @11:56

Sunday- REST J

Total miles for the week= 32

Stretch, foam roll and recovery time
better than an ice bath



Saturday, July 7, 2012

I am a runner

(Let’s just pretend that it hasn’t been forever since my last post)

Went on a run that should have been an epic fail. But it wasn’t, so amazing. Don’t get me wrong, it was hard and I was tired. 11 miles later I felt awesome. Life has been insane lately. I took the last five days off because I was feeling lazy. Ran seven miles yesterday, and then went out with the girls.  Last night I managed to eat pizza, garlic fries, two beers, Mexican food and one huge sangria. It was all delicious, though I knew it was not the best pre-run fueling. Stayed up late, and had five hours of sleep, with one heck of a belly ache this morning. 
Ready for fun with the girls (shirt looks better when it isn't all wonky)

Rachel (who was pretty much in the same boat) and I set out early to run to the lake, around it and then back to the coffee house. We didn’t realize there was a fire at the lake until we see about 10 fire trucks. We were already there, and could see smoke but didn’t realize it was as close as it was. So we did what any girls in our position would do, we ran seven miles around the lake. The smoke was fairly thick in some areas, but luckily we never had to turn back. I forgot to mention that my Garmin battery was dead. I CANNOT run without it, so I might have pouted for a few miles. :/ At least we knew the distance ahead of time. It drove me nuts not know my pace and distance covered. By the time we were finished, we were ecstatic. For the first time ever, after all of that I would call myself a RUNNER. NBD. It wasn’t the fastest time, and we stopped quite a few times to see what was going on.
So attractive after 11 miles

I have been home a few hours and I am worn out, but not like I ran 11 miles. Just like I had a great workout. I am so glad to see my miles moving up. I only ran three times this past week and was still able to get 20 miles in.
4th of July

We had a great 4th but now it is time to get back on track. My eating has been better :/ Wish me luck, and have a fabulous weekend-