Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured

Rough treadmill attempt with too many interuptions.

80-90 min run with the last 10 min mod-hard.   85 min total with the last 10 min pushed.

1:25:14 / 9.83 miles / 8:39 avg pace

I finally have a couple of minutes to catch up on my runs.  This will be today's run with the last two weeks in the next post.  I have been buried at work and had a couple of things to take care of before the new year at home.   Today's plan was Yasso's (8-10) with a 20-30 min warm up/cool down.   

Met my friend Jenny who helps me keep my warm up paces nice and slow (10:49, 10:31) and then it was time to work out.  Yassos for me are a very stressful workout and I have mentioned previously that I had never completed the full workout until this cycle.   Today I opted for the road where I have done my other speed work.

Splits:  3:32, 3:37 (ended up a little long), 3:29, 3:30, 3:30, 3:31, 3:36 - OOPS!, 3:32

Recovery was not a true Yasso plan and was just from one point to another and most ended up being 45-60 seconds short of a true yasso recovery

Yes, I probably pushed too hard and somewhat raced the workout.  However, I am extremely happy about these times and I have zero expectation of running a 3:30 marathon in February even though that was the original plan.  I am probably closer to 3:45 shape and that is okay.  

1:30:55 / 10.70 miles / Avg pace 8:30

Due to family commitments over the weekend, I got my long run in today.  The plan called for 16-20 mile fast finish long run.   Since I had missed the previous two long runs (see previous updates) I had planned on getting the 20 in and would see how the MP miles go with the plan to base on effort and focus on the long run, not the MP miles.    I started early and dark and finished with an absolutely gorgeous sunrise.   These days I am usually done before the sunrises, so it was a nice gift.    I started the MP at mile 14 and was a little slow, too fast for 15 and 16, slow for 17 - however it was all up hill and I was feeling beat and told myself to back off a bit and remember the goal is to finish.   18 & 19 were just a little slow, but not too far off and 20 was just under MP.   Over all I feel pretty good about this run and the effort / paces.   Considering, I haven't done a long run since December 26th and it was on the treadmill, today's run was pretty good.   It is interesting how each workout this week has caused me some stress and doubts and afterwards, I am convinced the training is working and amazed at what I have been able to accomplish!  Trust the process!   I still am not sure what to expect on race day and overall my goals are more mental focused than pace driven, but it would be nice to be sub 3:45...the 3:30 is still out of reach, I do know that.   

Splits:  9:08, 8:51, 8:57, 8:50, 8:50
           8:44, 8:49, 8:43, 8:45, 8:35
           8: 40, 8:35, 8:27, 8:12, 7:57
           7:49, 8:22, 8:05, 8:07, 7:53

2:50:29 / 20 miles / 8:31 avg pace

Monday:  Easy run of 40 to 50 min was on the schedule.  Ended up up with 50 min / 5.8 miles  / 8:38 avg pace

Thursday: (Wednesday's run) 20 min up/down with 5-7 mile tempo.   I did not feel good at all on the warm up and started in on the tempo portion and felt miserable.   I decided at a mile into the tempo to back off and just complete an 80 min run.  I never felt overly great and looking back there were a couple of issues in addition to the work stress that is consuming my life right now.   My diet had been pretty bad Tuesday and Wednesday and I was dehydrated... all together a pretty bad combo.   Finished with 1:20:04 / 9.18 miles / 8:44 avg pace.

Saturday: 18-22 mile run on the books  Started super early because I had work meetings most the day and despite REALLY not wanting to run, got myself out the door.   I ended up feeling pretty good most the run and ended up with miles that were probably too fast for a normal long run but felt good.   Took my 3rd GU at mile 18 and told myself to slow it down the last 4 miles, I was starting to get tired and my glutes were tire...not a good sign for a marathon in three weeks.   At mile 20 I got dizzy and started to stumble and stopped and drank a little bit of water.  I ended up calling my husband to come pick me up.  If I had been with someone else, I would have pushed on but being alone, probably not the smartest choice.   

Splits:  8:54, 8:49, 8:28, 8:39, 8:42
           8:39, 8:29, 8:10, 8:18, 8:33
           8:22, 8;21, 8:31, 8:18, 8:17
           8:17, 8:12, 8:07, 8:27, 8:28

2:50:22 / 20 miles / 8:30 avg pace

I would love thoughts on the dizziness at mile 20 and possible preventive tips.   I am running LA in 3 weeks and while originally, I was shooting for 3:30, due to work stress and a rough January, I know that is not realistic.   I am readjusting my goals to 1:  run physically and mentally strong   2:   have a great time  3:  sub 3:45 (but not hanging my definition of success for this marathon on a time goal)