Emily's training blog

Flu! :(

I was still feeling my very rough weekend today, but it turned out better than I thought it would. I did a medium workout today. I warmed up 15 minutes. Then, I ran 3 x 10 minute repeats with five minute recovery. I ran half marathon pace, starting at six minute mile pace, and increasing every five minutes. I finished at 5;40 pace. I don't know about the marathon, but I do feel ready to knock out a really good half! Cooldown until I hit an hour of running.

Chilly morning, but it's good practice for my race Saturday. I spent the run debating my race attire for Saturday. I don't want to overdress, but at 26 degrees, I need to stay warm. I think it will warm up a little over the race, but the high for the day is only 42. I'm thinking, capris, singlet, armsleeves. Though, I may go with a short sleeved shirt with my arm sleeves. Hat and gloves for sure! I guess if CIM is cold again this year, I will be ready! 7:27 average.

I hate sucking car exhaust! Bleh to winter running.

Typical pre race workout. 3 mile warm up. 2 mile speed changes. 3 mile cooldown. Now, I'm off to Indianapolis!

5 miles on a fancy treadmill in my fancy hotel. The weather sucks. Tome goals are out the window tomorrow. Just race hard and consider it a great pre-marathon tune up.

What the heck? That wasn't good. Time for a little blog/ self analysis.

So, conditions for the race were less than ideal. 29 degrees, 20 mph winds. The einds were from the north, and we spent the majority of the race running north. I can't blame the nastiness, though. The first girl was 1:12. Course record.

I decided to be cautious to start. Maybe that was my mistake. I decided to pace with the 2:39 pace group, and then make up time over the second half.

The first 10k went perfectly. I settled in the group and went through the 10k at about 37:22. I felt fine. The group gapped me a bit when I grabbed water, and thensplit at seven miles. My wheels totally came off. I ran 6:20's to 6:30's the rest of the way. Mostly around 6:25. I could not break the pace. Even with the tailwind.

I made a pathetic and desperate surge to break 1:22. Really?

So, what happened? I think it was a mix of physical and mental.

It's no secret I have had a rough training block over the last four weeks. I have been sick twice, and strained my soleus. I haven't missed much training, but maybe training through these things has put me in a bit of a hole. Last week's longrun was brutal. Maybe an increase in iron would help.

I think racing in the last month of a marathon cycle is always tough. I came down in mileage this week, but still felt flat. I also have a hard time pushing out of a pace once I settle into one. Any good workouts for changing up a pace? I'm thinking a little AT/LT workouts might help. I think I need to incorporate some short turnover workouts in. I get really flat without some quick stuff.

So, what can I tweak these last few weeks? I know I'm more fit than this. Conditions were really hard, but that's no excuse. It makes me concerned for CIM. Thoughts?

I cooled down four miles. Aerobic capacity seems fine.