Week 11 - half marathon!

Sunday - Lehigh Valley Health Network for VIA half marathon. Results: time - 1:48:55, place - 14/136 AG (ages 18-34), Overall - 93/514

Mon - recovery run, slow, 30 min.

Tues - 5 miles w/Lilly, on path, time - 38:09

week 10

Sunday - rest

Monday - Forks Labor Day 5K, time - 23:45 (PR)

Tues - rest

Weds - 9 miles for 9/9/09, time - 1:07

Thurs - rest

Friday - 4 miles, time - 31:??

Sat - rest

week 9

Sunday: 3 mile recovery run. flat path. (time - 25:54). Must work on pacing. Tried to be slow/conversational.

Monday: rest

Tues: 4 mi. flat paved course.

Weds: 7.5 mi., hills, with Lilly time: 58 min. Felt great!!

Thurs - rest, tired, sore calf and hip :(

Friday - rest

Sat - 16.25, longest run ever. time - 2:24. Last 3 miles were nearly unbearable. Tough!!

week 8 - back to school

This week was a whirlwind. Will just post the stats.

Sunday: rest

Monday: bike, moderate difficulty. 14:54 mi. (Time: 1:22)

Tues: 4 mi, flat path

Weds: 7 mi, flat path

Thurs: rest - hip pain

Fri: rest

Sat.: 15 mi, roads, rolling terrain, 2 wicked hills. 2 GUs. (Time: 2:10:49) +1 mi walk back to house. Most painful walk of my life. Ice bath was welcomed!

BVFS 5k

It's a tad late..but here's my report on the Saturday 5k.

Felt pretty good considering I had just tackled 14 (my farthest ever) the day before. It was an evening race, @ 5PM, so that was new. It had been cloudy and humid all day, but about an hour before race time, the sun came out and temps climbed. It was about 95 degrees with oppressive humidity. The kind of hot where sweat rolls down your back just because it can.

Ok, race time. I was ready, but uncertain of what this "recovery" run/race would hold for me. I'd never run the day after a long run. The course was fairly flat with a few small hills. Not too bad, really. I had comfortable start, but tired early...or earlier than I'm used to. I was really feeling it about half way through, and by about mile 3, thought I might puke.

There were lots of students in the race, as it was sponsored by a HS x-country team. At one point, I saw a young kid start to walk, then run, then walk again. He looked to be really hurting/wiped out. I passed him, he passed me, and by the time I knew the finish was near, I was just about keeping pace with him. As he slowed to walk, I started to pass, and just said, "C'mon, you can finish this. It's not far now." He started to run again...a fast burst. I was about to round the corner to the final little stretch, and there he was, about to walk again. I told him to go...the finish was in sight. I think I yelled go go go...I don't remember. All I know is that the kid ran his guts out that last stretch and he finished running. It was a cool thing to see.

Me, I finished with a time of 25:24. I couldn't complain...didn't know what would happen, and I felt I gave what I had in me at the time. It was by far not my best time, but I wasn't expecting that. I managed 4th in my AG. Not sure how many there were total. The whole race, I think, had about 100 ppl in it. Pretty small.

Overall, it was a good experience. I had fun and my family was there with me. And I ran...

week 7

Tough week. Tired. So tired. High temps and humidity all week. Oppressive.

Sunday: X-train. elliptical, 60 min @25 elev. & 10 resistance. @ 50-60 rpm. (I have no idea what that info means, but I did a lot of sweating.)

Monday: 4 miles on path. Mostly flat, slight hill. Time - ? PM run...yeah, not a big fan.

Tuesday: 7 miles on path. Time=1:02. Slow, tough. Stopped twice. Boo. :(

Weds: 4 miles. 15 min on treadmill, immed. followed by road run. Time=? It was messy. I officially HATE the treadmill.

Thursday: rest

Friday: 14 miles on path. Time=1:58:02. Very pleased with the time. Heat and humidity were at all time high. Stopped once for GU and H2O, twice to let Lilly get water in the creek. Feeling a satisfied exhaustion. Really sore right lwr gluteus. Oh, and I attempted my first ice bath. Hated it. (Are you supposed to yell out from the chilling pain? Maybe I did something wrong.) Only made it 5 min. Haha. Pansy.

Saturday: planned 5K @ 5 PM. We'll see. Update to follow.

bonus - a rut?

So, it's Monday nite. Should have been a rest day, but I had to tweak b/c I decided to run a 5K race this Sat. nite, and that's normally my long run day. Issue: Feeling so tired!

So, yesterday was a x-train day. I did an elliptical w/o for 60 min. It was my first ever. It was a little boring, but not terrible. It felt like a good w/o, but I have no idea how to gauge it. It felt tough as I moved along, raised the incline and resistance...and I was pouring sweat.

Today rolls around, and I didn't run in the AM as planned. Had to wait until about 5:30. It was blazing hot and humid, and I really didn't feel like doing anything..but in my mind, I was so wanting to run. Body and mind were arguing. Well, they argued throughout the run, but the mind won out. I completed the 4 miles on mostly flat paved path. It was tough tho. And now...now I'm beat.

The thing is, I have 7 tomorrow and 4 Weds. I'm used to going a mile or so longer than the plan suggests, but lately, I'm just about keeping up. Drats. Rest day will be Thurs. and the 14 mile long run will be Friday. I'm really nervous this week that I won't make it on Friday. My mind and heart want it...bad!! I just have to motivate my body to do it.

Is this a rut? I hope to snap out of it, b/c I still have a long way to go till 11/9...marathon day.

Anyway..just wanted to include how I'm feeling now, b/c it's the first time I ever felt stuck, and well, it's part of the journey I guess.

Going to bed now. Hey, reader...wake up. It's over.

Week 6 - in Maine

We took a trip to Bar Harbor, ME this week, so it wasn't the best training week. My nutritional intake suffered greatly. Kept with the running, but tweaked it a bit. Glad I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. I need to get back on track, on schedule...I crave a little consistency.

Sunday - rest day (had to clean and pack...bailed on exercise. Boo.)

Monday - 30 min run (not sure of distance...3.5-4 ish), road

Tuesday - 4.2 miles in Freeport., road, some hills, rain. Felt good.

Weds- 6 miles in Bar Harbor. Carriage road, unpaved. Hills! (50:54)

Thurs - rest. Did ocean kayak for 2+ hrs tho. That was fun!!

Friday - rest. Rode home for 12 hrs. yuck.

Saturday - 10 mi., path, with Lilly. PR - 1:20:16. Tough, humid run. After a week of eating poorly, I expected not to have the best run, and was surprised at the time. I think it was due to Lil. She's a great partner!

Week 5 + some thanks.

Less than 40 days the the Lehigh Valley Health Network Half Marathon. I'm feeling pretty good about it. 12 weeks till OBX mara...taking it one day at a time. :)

Sunday - x-train: P-90X Yoga. I hate yoga!! I know it's good for me, it stretches me, strengthens my core, etc...but I just do not like it. Not sure why, but it's not my thing. It was for certain a great workout though.

Monday - rest. Ab ripper X...love the abs workouts!

Tuesday - 5 miles, mostly flat path. It was a good run, but the legs were still sore either from the weekend's long run, or the yogaX. Didn't time it.

Weds. - 7.5 miles, road, hilly (1:01). It was hot and humid, and my body was just tired. Not the best feeling run, but still feel great that I finished. Oh...walked a tiny bit.

Thurs. - 4 miles on the path. 30:34...I think that's a PR. Yahoo! Felt like I was exerting, but not to the max. Happy bout that.

Friday - rest. Walked 5.5 with KR. Leisurely, but I think it irritated the calf. Grrrr.

Saturday - 12 miles, road, hilly (1:42). Gorgeous morning! Great run!! I used GU for the first time. Strawberry...not too bad. I stashed a bottle of water and happen to have picked a great place, b/c I was able to have it after about 1 hour (just the time I had been hoping for). I'll definitely do that again. Hate carrying stuff w/me.

Lilly, the marathon dog, was along. We took a moment to hydrate and refuel, and pressed on. She ran like a champ. Didn't even appear to want to quit.

I felt great at the end, with the exception of the left calf which was kinda annoyed with me. Too bad. Iced, massaged, used The Stick in the evening. It's been something like 8 months that I've been dealing with the mean calf. Running with my Zensah sleeve saves me though. I <3>

Ok, well, this week was pretty good. I find that the more I train, the more I like it! Confidence is building (ever so slowly), and I'm at the point where I really believe I can reach the goal, complete this first marathon. NEVER before did I ever imagine I'd be in this place. I'm overjoyed and so grateful to a few close friends (TS, KR, EK), my twitter friends, and my family...for supporting me, believing in me, and being an incredible source of inspiration and encouragement every day. Thx!!

Week 4...late.

Home from vacation, and feeling like I needed another to rest from the first, the start of this week was tough. I kept the long run on Sunday for this week due to coming home from vacation. It was great to get out and stretch the legs (and arms and back and fingers and toes) after the 8 hour ride. Not much to say other than that b/c I didn't keep notes and I forget most of how I felt. Darn...Fail. Will have remedy that for the upcoming week.

K...here's the report:

Sunday - 8 miles (time??), mostly flat path. I rememeber feeling good on this one, as I couldn't wait to get to it after the car ride.

Monday - rest. Walked 5 mi.

Tuesday - 4 miles with Lilly (who overate and didn't run all week at Aunt Robin's. Poor doggy...she struggled a bit.)

Weds - 8 miles, road, very hilly, walked some, (1:12). I was disappointed with the time, so much that I've since ditched the watch on occasion. Became too obsessed over pace, and forgot to just enjoy the run. :(

Thurs - 4 mi., path, heavy legs. Sore and tired from the hills yesterday. Got it done though. Watch free.

Friday - rest

Saturday - 12 mi. long run. (1:41), mostly flat path. Farthest ever in my life, and I felt terrific! Lilly even made it. Most of the run I felt good, breathing steady, no pain. Around mile 10 I started to feel the calf aching, quads and knees talking to me. Last mile was tough, but I was so happy to know I was going to take the 12, that I didn't care. Rest of the day...I was high as a kite! Nothing could rattle me. Amazing feeling.

Training at the beach!

Spent last week at Holden Beach, NC. It was dee-lightful, and I'd still be there enjoying the sun ad surf if I could. Not much to say, other than the fact that after every run I was nothing more than a feel good puddle of sweat. Humidity was insane, but then...that is the southern coast. As hot as it was, it was kinda neat being all sweaty wet. Made me feel like I really accomplished something. Strange, I know.

Ok, here's the training report...

Sunday, 7/19 - 10 miles (1:25), long run, flat road

Monday, rest day - walked about 6 miles with Mom (3 road, 3 beach)

Tuesday - 4 miles (32:42). Legs felt heavy.

Weds - ran 3 on road, walked 3+ on beach

Thursday - rest. Calf really sore.

Friday - ran 3, walked 1.5, ran 1 full speed (7:14), walked .5. I was in an experimental mood.

Saturday - walked 5 (leisurely with Aunt)

training post 1

Ok, so it seems I suck at this blogging thing. I think about it, really I do...but it hasn't been much of a priority. I suppose I didn't feel I had anything worthy of sharing, posting, writing, saying. Whatever. I'm here now, and it's 4 real this time. I'll sum up week one and two today.

Oh, btw...this is the training plan I'm following. So far so good!

http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/novices2.htm

Week 1:

M - rest (haha...nothing like starting out slow, eh?)

T - 5.5 m, road, hills

W - 5.5 m, road, hills

R - 3.5 m, road

F - rest (walk 5.5)

S - rest

Su - Herbert's Trail Run, 7.7 m (1:06)...this was crazy fun and I finished in a time I was happy with. It was loaded with hills, and I managed to fall crossing the creek. What a dork. The iPod suffered injury, but she's back in action after a long rest in a cup of rice. That seems to really help dry things out. I suffered bruising on my knee, shin, and thigh from my fall (nothing serious) and from something else that I can't remember. It was an awesome experience. After I get through the marathon, I'm definately going to take on some more trail races. They are so exhilirating!!

Week 2:

M - rest

T - 3.5 m, road + 10m leisurely bike (27:??)

W - 7.5m, road, hilly (1:02) + 8.5m bike, hilly...an almost dog attack, and another tiny dog running out in to the middle of the road. Had to stop 4 that one in the middle of the longest, steepest hill, while my legs were still shaking from the first (large, scary, growly) dog...ugh. Managed to get going again, only to fall like an idiot b/c I didn't have enough speed to get my foot back into the clip thing. Only thing hurt was my pride, as it happened in front of ppl. Blech.

R - 3.5m, road (27:??)

F - 4m, path (31:35)

S - rest

Su - next post. Shooting for 9-10m, flat road.

Race day

First, it followed a full night's sleep. That alone is sweet bliss!

Woke up ready to race, but unsure of what the "trail" run would be like. I was certain I would fall into a briar patch or poison or something uncomfortable, yet comical. I'm a clutz, and knew that this type of running would require sure footing and quick thinking, attributes I wouldn't necessarily scream out my name.

I was pleasantly surprised, as the run was fantastic!! It was tough, messy, and well, FUN. I never would have imagined trail running could be so much fun! I finished in 37 minutes and several seconds (which I don't believe I ever noticed). It's not a stellar time, but I knew that it would be slower than my usual 8 minute road pace, so I was happy with it. I felt great afterward, and wasn't the least bit sore, except in the nagging left calf. I had a sleeve on it though, which helped.

As it turned out, I finished first in my age category! I've never won an award for running, so I was thrilled to say the least.

The best part of it all was that I ran it with my dear friend and running buddy. We're training for our first marathon...coming up in November. It's amazing to have the support of a good friend while on this venture.

Finished the day with a trip to the Iron Pigs minor league baseball game...which for me is a guaranteed great time. It was a family affair, and as usual...the kids ate their way through it. I have no idea how such large quantities of food can possibly fit into such tiny stomachs, but it does. We got rained out in the top of the 8th, but for us it's par for the course. I'm stellar at picking the rainy games to attend. No one seems to mind though. Drenching rains on a warm night for some reason bring out the best in us.

And that's about it for this Saturday. Going to turn in now, so I can be well rested for a hilly run tomorrow morning. Nite.

First Friday

It's my first, and it's Friday.

Really dragging today, as I procrastinated terribly to complete a project for work and wound up awake far too long last night...or was it this morning? Whatever. I'm lacking sleep, mentally foggy, and a little grouchy.

Barely saw the kiddos yesterday or today, and I feel badly about that, but they don't seem to notice. I could be saddened by that, but I'll take comfort in the fact that their playing well together.

Race day tomorrow. My first trail run...4 miles. It said ideal for the beginning trail runner. We'll see. At least I'll have my dear friend to share the experience!

I must rest...now. More on the race tomorrow. And maybe something more interesting for the reader.

Turning in.