Slow & Steady Wins the Race :-)

Half Marathon #7 is in the books!  Rachael killed it - way to go!

Ran the Salem Keizer Iris Festival Half Marathon this morning (well, it was a little short unfortunately, the first 2 miles were only about 1.8 miles). 

So yesterday was a fabulous day of golfing, pizza-eating, over an hour of hot-tubbing, and having a few drinks like gentlemen.  Sounds like a perfect way to prepare for a race, right? Ha!  So this morning we were not really feeling like running a half marathon.  I was hoping to break 2 hours, but after I saw the first mile split of 8:38, I decided we were going to at least try to beat Rachael's previous PR of 1:54:42 from almost exactly a year ago at the Couer D'Alene Half we did.  I did not discuss this with her so she may or may not have wanted to kill me for this!  But we SMASHED that PR, even after accounting for the short course.  If it had been a full half marathon the calculator says our real time would have been 1:52:42, still a full 2 minute PR for Rachael!

TT: 1:51:24     AP:  8:37

Splits: 8:38, 8:37, 8:41, 8:35, 8:31, 8:32, 8:30, 8:33, 9:00 (monster steep hill, we ran all the way up but I think the Garmin said 13:00+!, my glutes were on fire afterwards), 8:37, 8:38, 8:47 (pretty strong headwind this whole mile), 8:16

I am actually really proud of these splits!  This is a great time and I am so pleased with it, and look how consistent.  I have never monitored the Garmin so close as today but I was trying really hard to keep right at 8:35 or so, and did pretty good!  Some ankle pain and some ITB stiffness but felt really good overall.  The irises were totally overrated though, with some scenicness in the rolling farmland but otherwise just busy roads, wastewater treatment facilities, and regular neighborhoods to run through.    

Justin and Jordan did the 10k - Justin beat his PR from Lincoln City, so dominance across the board.  Afterwards went and had a delicious (but forever-taking) brunch at Annette's.  Great day!  The race itself wasn't so fabulous though - no medals, an extremely weak spread of food (though I guess there was a pancake breakfast), and very stingy with the water afterwards. 

Lovely run in Seattle with Lisa & Anya, with some delicious Yogurtland afterwards!  I should have rested today (ankle and ITB very tight today) but today was the only day I could do anything this week.  Will rest tomorrow.  Not sore at all though, surprisingly!

TT: 36:10    AP: 10:40

Finished Girl with the Dragon Tattoo finally.  After I finally got into it I kind of like it.  Liked the Harriet stuff, kind of annoyed by the Venistrom stuff.  Will start the 2nd book tomorrow.  Am also reading (actually reading) Dean Karnezes new book 26.2. 

30 minutes on the bike trainer before work while watching the first half of 16 & Pregnant.  Apparently its my new cycling show. 

35 minutes on the bike trainer before work while I finished 16 & Pregnant.  I really really really wish I enjoyed getting up early to work out.  But I also never want to work out at 8:00pm, which is when I get home from class.  So its a lose-lose situation.  BUT.... I may be done taking classes after June 7!  

10 minutes on the exercise bike at PT - then at least 30 minutes (maybe more) of glute torture exercises.  

42 minutes on the recumbent bike in Justin's parent's basement, mostly while working (I had this little laptop setup), but then started One Day (by David Nicholls) at the end.  A few strength exercises afterwards.  Off to Lincoln City for Justin's 30th birthday celebration!