THOR running: Not fast..but I pound the pavement!

Got in 3 miles today at lunch pushing hard to finish at a 7min 45 sec. pace.  Wow!!  a long way to go in order to qualify for the Boston... can't believe I would have to run at that pace for 26.2 miles!!

Did a "Speed" run this morning and for the first time I really felt great!  The first two miles felt like about a 7min 30 sec. pace and the last mile was about 7:55!  Did not get winded until starting the final mile.

Ok back to reality.. felt decent this morning but did not move as fast as yesterday.  To make up for the inability to really push a fast pace, I initiated my mailbox sprints on the final 3/4 mile. Meaning I sprint from one mailbox to the next (literally as fast as I can run) then I walk to the next one and sprint again.  This really takes the wind out of you!! New goal is to combine boxes until I can sprint the entire hill (about .25 miles) full speed to end my 3 mile run.  

Ok yesterday I started looking into some "free" online training programs/guides for my upcoming ING Georgia Marathon in late March 2008.  I thought I was doing pretty good.....NOT.  After viewing a couple of the programs I found that at this point in my training I should be logging about 35 miles per weeek. 

So this morning I figured I needed to get things kick started.. I got in 7 miles (vs. my normal 3).. very slow pace but heck.. I got them in and after the first 2... I can honestly say I felt really good...so needless to say I was thrilled.  Also..to top it off I went to a spin aerobic class today at lunch so today I am feeling like I am on top of the world... tomorrow however :-)  we will have to see!!

I have come to the realization that I am competitive so yeah my initial goal is to just finish my 1st full marathon without walking.  Although... the closer I can finish to the time I need to qualify for the Boston Marathon the more motivated I will feel about being able to train and accomplish it on my 2nd or third full marathon!

Yesterday took a lot out of the gas tank.. honestly I believe at this point for me running is more mental than physical.  I can quickly see that I will need to add a lot of songs to my MP3 player to keep me motivated and in addition I am going to have to find some new places to run.  The route I take through my neighborhood is starting to get old fast!  Although the benefit of running in the neighborhood is that it is very efficient... out the door and running at the end of the run I can shower and be on to the next task.

Notes about my run today....Ok so today my run was TOUGH... I never did get to the euphoria phase which I typically do after about 2-3 miles.  You know the point where you really feel good you are running, not tired and the run is not hurting.  Nope this morning was tough from begining to end but at the end I was glad I finished.

I hate to get beat down like that during a run, so I may head to the gym today at lunch to run for a 1.5 to 2 mile treadmill run at a really slow pace just so I get more of an accomplishment feeling..and to help continue to work the cob-webs out of my soreness from the Cycle/Spin class I attended yesterday. 

UPDATE:

Good news to report, I was able to get to the gym and instead of running inside on the treadmill I was able to get outside!  Gotta LOVE North Carolina this time of the year.. it was sunny with a nice breeze and approx 65-70 degrees F!  Jogging in shorts with a muscle shirt in December.... PRICELESS...Got in another 3 miles at a very easy casual pace.  My body actually feels better now than it did before the run!!  Look out weekend here I come!!!

Ok my Saturday run was a nightmare... was up late with some relatives who were in town, so I decided to run later in the afternoon.  After doing some shopping and before eating (not a good idea) I decided I would get in my 6 miles for the day.  NO GO.. I was truly exhausted!  However, by getting out...the good thing is that I knew I was really tired and not just being lazy. 

This week really felt good, I was tired and knew that I was going to enjoy my Sunday day off!!  I am going to have to start researching foods to learn which ones give you RUNNING energy!!  :-) 

Until next week!!!