Rollin' THUNDER

4 miles. I set out planning on doing 10. My legs were a little sore and stiff at first from Saturdays long run, but that went away within a mile or so. Right at the 1 mile mark I had to toot, but couldn't get the toot to toot, and I didn't want to force the toot in case the toot decided to be a poop. Within another half mile my tummy grumbled and I new I was going to need a pit stop. I ran back near my house around 4 miles and decided to call it quits.

10 miles, avg pace of 7:44. I ran a new route today. The other weekend I volunteered at an aid station for a triathlon. The participants came upa dirt trail to my aid station. Today I wanted to see what it was like running on the route they took. I got to the start point of their 5 or 10 k (depending on which tri they were doing) about 5 miles into my run. After my aid station, they either went down a hill (5 k), or up a hill for a few miles then came back and then went down the hill.

It was a tough route. From mile 5.1 of my run to 7.1 (the first 2 miles of the run of the triathlon) I gained 325 feet in elevation. It was slow going up, but going back down was fun .

This was a good run. It was cold this morning, so I had to break out the long johns and gloves. Hopefully it will warm back up for a little while, running in the cold isnt as fun.

26.2 miles.

Tuesday after my 10 mile run I went and played basketball for 2 hours. Turns out I over did it. It was the first time I had played basketball in probably 6 months or so. My legs were so sore the next day, and then on Thursday they were really sore, then Friday they were still sore but much better. It hurt to walk, and I didn't want to risk anything, so I took those days off.

Today I was planning on running 25 miles. On August 4th I started running again after taking July off to study for the MCAT. That first run I had planned on doing 6 miles, and I ended up walking the last 2 miles. I couldn't even run 6 miles and I was really worried for TOU. Today I thought I would do 26.2 just to give myself the confidence that I will be ok in 2 weeks. I can't explain how relieved I am that I was able to do todays run. My pace was about 18 seconds slower a mile than last Saturdays run (22 miles), but I think the route was more hilly for miles 6-12, and my legs were still sore from Tuesday.

My total time was 3:20:48 including 4 drink breaks of about 15-30 seconds each. Average pace was 7:40. It was about 40 degrees when I left, and around 45 when I finished, it felt great.

1        7:40
2        7:40
3        7:36
4        7:44
5        7:42
6        7:34
7        7:39  Gu/Water
8        7:31
9        7:38
10      7:25
11      7:24
12      7:26
13      7:34  Gu/Water
14      7:31
15      7:32
16      7:30
17      7:27
18      7:39
19      8:17  Gu/Gatorade
20      7:49
21      7:40
22      7:30
23      7:41
24      8:19  Gu/Gatorade
25      7:49
26      7:55
26.2   1:36
 

My right achilles tendon has been sore since Saturdays long run (26.2 miles), so I decided to not run today. Instead I went to the gym and rode a stationary bike. I went 20 miles in 62 minutes, then did a 3 minute cool down. My quads and heart still got a great workout, and everything below my knees feels great.

I didnt run at all last week, which sucks because TOU is this Saturday. Last Sunday I got a little tickle in my throat that felt like the beginning of a sore throat. Monday I rode a bike because my legs were sore from my long run, Tuesday I played basketball and right when I finished playing I felt completely drained and I could tell I was sick. Wednesday morning was bad. I became a phlegm machine Wednesday through Sunday, and even this morning I was shooting a ton of farmer rockets while running. At least I dont hurt to breath today.

This run didn't go how I had hoped it would. 2 weeks ago I ran 26.2 miles as a long run on a flattish course and did it in 3:21. I was hoping I would at least be able to beat that time, but I didn't. I was sick for more than a week leading up to the race, and the day of the race, so I had my doubts about how I would do. The night before the race I said to my brother that I was excited for June, because I knew this race wasn't going to be great, but maybe the one in June would be. RIght after finishing this race (if you can call it a race) I was so mad at myself for already having signed up for another. But now after a few days, I am ready to start training and do another one.

I took a lot of time off of training for this marathon for school/health reasons, but leading up to the marathon in June I shouldn't have anything (maybe injuries/sickness) that should sideline me for very long.