Marathon Training

Wasn't expecting much from this race and I ended up with a new PR.  I also beat my boyfriends and dad's half marathon PR.  There was so many fast people in my age group though, so I didn't place.  I was still very happy though with my time.  I have been working 50+ hr weeks and haven't been putting in as many miles as I would like.  I put on 5lbs from eating office junk food.  I have also only had 1 speed workout in the past couple of months (last weeks 5k).  Race day was windy, but the tail wind was the second half of the run since it was an out and back.  My second half was 2min faster than my first.

This race was a great motivator for me.  I now know that if I do increase my mileage, drop some weight, and incorporate some speedwork in my training, I will be able to do a 1:35 half marathon.  This will be a great goal for next fall/winter.

Ran with a group of 5 other runners.  Average running pace was 8:53, but we did make a couple of restroom/water stops.  Another runner wearing a Garmin had hers running the whole time through the stops and our average total pace was 9:11, so we had about 6min of break time.  My legs were feeling a bit stiff the last few miles, but I felt good after finishing the 20.  I had some muscle milk, took an epsom salt bath, and took some bromelain.  No muscle soreness the next day :)

41mi bike ride.  It was nice to get back on my bike again, and really nice weather.  I rode with a group of 8, 2 of the riders did the 20mi run with me yesterday.  We even stopped for icecream at a food market/peach processing plant.

Nice morning run.  Due to daylight savings, it was really dark.  I had to run with a headlamp and reflectors.

Free fun run on base to celebrate Women's History month.  I just used this run for speed work since I've been unable to get any in outside of races.  I ran 1mi to warm up, and then did the loop again to get in more miles and as a cool down.

Easy jog after work.

Easy jog before work in the dark.  My right shin/calf is starting to bother me.  It doesn't feel like shin splints, but there is a little pain between my muscle and bone.

Good run. The first 6 mi were a little quick 8:20 pace.  Then me and the guy that I was running with slowed down a little.  I was fine with that.  My shin was still hurting, but not too bad.  The top of my foot was hurting after the run.  Only one more 20 miler to go for next week, and then its taper time for Boston.

Morning run, averaged 8:07/mi.  Great running weather.

Last 20 miler before Boston.  It was a rough one.  My legs started feeling heavy around mile 15.  Its a good thing I was running with other people.  My average running pace was 8:36, although we took a bathroom/ water refill break at mile 10 and then a stretch break at mile 17.

I didn't know if the run was going to be outside or on a treadmill until I arrived at the gym.  The rain turned into a fine mist and the temp was in the 40's.  I ran outside with a light rain jacket on, and it turned out to be just fine.  I went pretty slow since I have a 1/2 marathon on Sunday.

I was supose to do 5, but my toe started bleeding again so I cut the route a little short.  I will probably wear my toe socks for my upcoming 1/2 marathon.