Not-so-fast-running-blog

Workout: Recovery run (treadmill)

• 10:22

Workout: Long Run (10:30)

• I completed my run with an overall average pace of 10:33. I am satisfied with that finish.
• I ran outside. Another storm front is moving in so I feel that I beat Mother Nature at her own game. The temperature was probably ideal for most runners (34°). For me, it was still a tad bit cold. I ran home at mile 15 to change my clothes and grab my ski gloves. My fingers were numb and turning white.
• On the positive side, my nutrition went well. I think that I've got that aspect figured out which is awesome and one less worry!

Workout: Conversation Pace (9:30)

• Treadmill
• 20 minutes weights

Workout: Recovery Run (treadmill)

• Temperatures are back down below 0°
• 45 minutes spinning - We had a substitute instructor. Her workout fired up my quads this morning.

Workout: Recovery run (treadmill)

Workout: Conversation Pace (treadmill)

• Warm-up / 1 mi / 11:10
• CP / 6 mi / 9:33
• Cool down / 1.27 mi / 10:00

Workout: Long run (Goal pace / 10:15)

• 2 mi - 10:15 / 4 mi - 9:37 / 6 mi - 9:34 / 8 mi - 10:09 / 10 mi - 9:23 / 12 mi - 10:09 / 14 mi - 9:38 / 15 mi - 10:00 / 16 mi - 10 :18 / 17 mi - 10:05 / 18 mi - 10:14 / 19 mi - 9:47 / 20 mi - 10:20

Thoughts:

• 34° / Wind ESE 14 mph / Drizzles of rain throughout the run
• Overall, the run was a positive experience. My nutrition went well. I practiced my fast walking while drinking and eating. I had no problem getting back on track with my targeted pace.
• I dressed appropriately for the outdoor conditions. I wore different mittens which kept my fingers warmer than last week. I had a few problems with my running belt. It came loose around mile 7.  I had to stop and readjust it. I'll need to consider how to secure the straps so this does not happen on race day.
• I was a little disappointed with my final 5 miles. It felt that I was running faster than my recorded paces.  I was hoping for a stronger finish.
• I am looking forward to beginning my taper weeks!

Workout: (treadmill)

• Warm-up / 1 mi / 11:00
• CP / 4.5 mi / 9:30
• Cool-down / 1.5 mi / 9:50

Cross-Training:

• 20 minutes of weights

Cross-Training:

• Warm-up / 2.66 mi / 10:02
• 45 minutes of spinning

Workout: Recovery run (10:00 targeted pace)

• Run / 6.56 mi / 9:54
• The fresh air felt good

Workout: Conversation pace (treadmill)

• Warm-up / 1 mi / 11:00
• CP / 4.5 mi / 9:30
• Cool-down / 1.5 mi / 9:55

Cross-Training:

• 45 minutes of spinning

Workout: Long run (Goal: Run 16 miles in 2:40:00

• 16 mi / 2:38:29 / 9:52
• Splits: 2 mi - 10:13 / 4 mi - 9:27 / 6 mi - 9:28 / 8 mi - 11:06 / 10 mi - 9:44 / 12 mi - 9:51/ 14 mi - 9:33 / 16 mi - 9:42

Thoughts:

• I don't know what happened between mile 8 - 10. I don't recall struggling through those miles. Perhaps I became mindless and lost focus.
• I felt pretty disheartened when I finished. The thought of running 10 more miles seemed an impossibility today.
• My family pointed out that I prepared my body and mind to run 16 mles. My body did what it was supposed to do. I should feel satisfied.
• Also, it was a difficult week. I had 4 migraines. Those deplete me of all energy. I can't eat. I can't focus. I barely exist. I should be grateful that I was able to complete this workout.
• Here's hoping for a better week of health and tapering!

Workout: Conversation Pace (9:30)

• Warm-up / 1 mi / 10:12
• Conversation Pace / 2 mi - 9:20 / 3 mi - 9:18 / 4 mi - 8:59 / 5 mi - 9:01 / 6.03 mi - 8:53
• Cool-down / 1.49 mi / 9:26

Thoughts:

• This was the first day in over two weeks that I did not run with a pounding headache. The cool fresh air felt good on my head.
• My calves felt extremely heavy and tight. I was surprised with my pace because every stride was a struggle.

Workout:

• Warm-up / 2.56 mi / 10:33
• 45 minutes of spin class
• 30 minutes of weights

Workout: Recovery run (10:33 suggessted pace)

• Warm-up / 1 mi - 12:11
• 2 mi / 10:41
• 3 mi / 10:29
• 4 mi / 10:02
• 5 mi / 9:28
• 6 mi / 9:08
• 7 mi / 9:38

I am still running with massive headaches. I keep thinking that the fresh air and the rise in blood flow will alleviate the pain. They do not. So grateful for Spring Break.

Workout: Conversation Pace (9:30)

• Treadmill: 1 mi - 11:22  / 4.5 mi - 9:31 / 1.05 mi - 9:40
• 45 minutes of spinning
• 20 minutes of weights

Workout: 14 miles

• 2 mi - 10:32 / 4 mi - 10:17 / 6 mi - 10:28 / 8 mi - 9:50 / 10 mi - 10:19 / 12 mi - 10:04 / 14 mi - 10:19
• It was a nice, sunny day for a run. My mental and physical condition was not at its best. My legs continue to feel weighted which discourages my mental state for race day. I downloaded several podcasts about the mind and running for my drive on Friday.
   

Workout: Loosen the legs

• 1 mi - 10:34 / 2 mi - 10:18 / 3 mi -10:54 / 4 mi - 9:57 / 5 mi - 9:24

I ran in the rain this morning. I considered running on the treadmill, but the race day forecast is predicting rain. It made sense to practice in the rain. If the temperature is in the mid forties like this morning it will not be too bad. I was wet, but not really cold. I am hoping that for once the weather forecast is wrong!

Workout: Recovery Run

• 1 mi - 10:57 / 2 mi - 9:56 / 3 mi - 10:16 / 4 mi - 10:11 / 5 mi - 9:45 / 6 mi - 9:32 / 7 mi - 10:02 / 7.32 mi - 11:03

This is my final run before my race. Rain and wind are in the forecast. My coach gave me goal splits, but said if the weather is bad I'll need to adjust accordingly. I can not control the weather only myself.

Overall Average Pace: 9:36

Today was meant to be a post about my marathon race. But, endeavors often take unexpected twists and turns so no matter how much I plan and organize the actuality does not always match the intention.

I have been working with a running coach for the past 4 months. Our work together is two-fold:

1. Heal my foot-injury / Stay injury-free through cross-training and proper rest
2. Run in the Boston Marathon (I have qualified twice, but my times have not made the final cuts)

My coach contacted me yesterday. Conditions for my marathon were the following:

• 100% rain
• 15 mph winds
• Decreasing temperatures throughout the morning

We decided that this was not the race for me to qualify for Boston. I am not a quitter, but this decision really brought me peace.

As far as my run went this morning, I have three words to describe it - stink, stank, stunk! It rained the entire time. My Garmin stopped talking around mile 6. My music stopped around mile 7. My running belt slipped down my hips at least 5 or 6 times and my Cliff bar was a mushy mess of goo. Had this happened during a race, I doubt that I could have recovered.

Tomorrow is onward and forward!