Running on Empty

My St. George 2006 Report.

Well, St. George finished my first year of running the 6 Grand Slam marathons. During the last six months, my training has been sporatic, with virtually no long training other than the marathons.

Heading in I’m a bit concerned, given the fact I’ve had a cold for a week and don’t know how recovered I am from Top of Utah.

Mile 1 - 7:25

Mile 2 - 7:19

Mile 3 - 7:01

Mile 4 - 6:57

Mile 5 - 7:00

Mile 6 - 6:40

Mile 7 - 6:35

Mile 8 - 8:29 – At the advise of some runners, I walked part of Veyo to “conserve” for later. In hindsight, I should never have stopped running. Oh well, .live and learn.

Mile 9 - 7:47

Mile 10 - 7:43

Mile 11 - 7:51

Mile 12 - 7:30

Mile 13 - 7:21 – Half around 1:36

Mile 14 - 7:37

Mile 15 - 8:10 Starting to experience stomach issues, which has been uncommon for me. Watch the 3:10 Cliff Pace group pull away, which at the time seems alright because I’m targeting 3:15:59.

Mile 16 - 7:03

Mile 17 - 8:10

Mile 18 - 8:16 Struggling

Mile 19 - 9:30 – Bathroom stop, which proved to be more psychological than physiological.

Mile 20 - 7:39 Struggling

Mile 21 - 8:08 Struggling

Mile 22 - 9:36 3:20 Cliff Pace group catches me around here or in last mile, which demoralizes me because mentally I thought I was just hanging ahead of the 3:15 group. However, when I realize it is the 3:20 pace group and that no 3:15 group existed, I lose all hope of 3:15 and mentally tank it as I realize I cannot make up the 3:15.

Mile 23 - 8:18

Mile 24 - 8:25

Mile 25 - 7:55

Mile 26 - 8:20

Mile 26.2 - 1:44

3:24:32. Still a PR, but not very satisfying. I’m disappointed that I didn’t tough it out more, but once I lost the 3:15 I really struggled. At least I’ve had glimpses that more serious training can continue to lead to improvement.

Finally got back on my feet. Easy recovery miles, on the treadmill. About 8:30 pace on home treadmill.

Ran only 2 miles, but sandwiched between a one hour "strong" class at the gym. I’m a total newbie to any strength training. (Last night I did a 30 minute "core" class as well.) I figure I need to improve my body's general strength, which will aid my running economy.

Only 4 easy on home treadmill about 8:30 pace, and sometime extra-time on my feet refereeing soccer.

2 miles before one hour "strong" class and 2 miles after, all at the gym. First two warm-up miles at 8:00 pace. After lifting class, the last two miles were run at 3% decline about 6:40 pace (I want to maintain some of the benefits from all the downhill running over the last 6 months.)

11 total miles at the gym. 7 miles at 8:00 to 8:30 pace, with 4 miles at 7:15 with some strides sandwitched between.

6 miles at 8:30 pace at home on treadmill.

2 Miles following one hour of "strong" class at the gym. Arrived late, so I didn't get in any running before the class. I'm hoping to improve my general fitness with some lifting. First 1.5 at 8:30 pace, finished run with .5 mile at 6:00 pace.

7 easy on treadmill at home, 8:30 pace.

3 easy at 8:30 pace before 1 hour "strong" class.

6 miles on home treadmill at 8:30 pace while I was watching the kids. I hd to get off to stop the tired kids from arguing and put them through their ritual for getting to bed or I would have snuck in a few more.

9 Easy miles on the gym treadmill at 8:30 pace, with 1 mile of Vo2 Max intervals.

3 miles before "core" workout class at gym.

3 miles before one hour "strong" class (high repetition weights) at gym.

8 easy on the treadmill sandwithced between the kids' soccer games.

4 easy on the home treadmill while my son did the eliptical.

6 easy on the gym treadmill in addition to one hour "strong" class. I went a bit earlier so I could get in 6 miles as suggested by Sasha.

6 easy miles at home.