Last run of the month

I almost blew this run off as it wasn't until 7 pm when I could start it, but as soon as I got home, I changed and went out.

I felt a bit sore and sluggish at first, but after a bit, I found my legs and had a good solid run. I looked back over the month and found out that I clocked this same exact time for this same exact mileage on March 19th.

So I guess I'll take solace in the fact that the 3/19 run was after a day of rest and an easy week before and this run is at the end of a 23 mile week with six of those miles done yesterday.

Yeah, that sounds like a suitable excuse. Anyways, I put in 68.15 miles this month. Uh, yay!

Switcharoo

I was too lazy to mention my 21st wedding anniversary yesterday, so I'll mention it in this post. Poor Mrs. Nutjob...

Today's run was yet another lesson for me in going out too fast and paying for it in the end. I will say that miles one and four were into the wind, so there's that excuse (they tired me out for that fifth mile.)

Today was supposed to be a four miler, but I am going to have some difficulty fitting it in tomorrow, much less a six miler. So I got the six in today and hopefully will be able to squeeze in four tomorrow.

Intervals

There is something about interval work that I like; I'm not saying that I'm a glutton for punishment (although the torturers at the chiropractic office would tell you different), but I do like the fact that I get up to race pace speed and I know I only have to hold it for a quarter mile.

It's that end in sight thing, I suppose. That's one of the reasons I like to google maps a course before a race, so I can pick out certain land marks and gauge where I'm at. Of course, usually races have mile markers out and I always have my Garmin 305, but still it's nice to have visual reminders like - "Yes, you only have 9.34 miles to go in this 1/2 marathon!"

It comforts me. Yeah, that's it.

Anyways, it was partly cloudy and 63 degrees F! I found it a tad too warm, but the breeze was nice to help cool me off, although I could have done without running into it.

Nicer 7 miler!

56 degrees F.

Sunny.

A slight breeze.

In short, running heaven!

I set my fast pace alarm at 10 min miles and left the slow pace alarm off. I checked my pace regularly to try to keep it around 10:30 min/mile. The last mile, my goal was to hear my fast pace alarm continuously (which doesn't happen because the watch sample rate isn't all that fast.) I heard it a lot, not every GPS update, but often enough that I knew I was on target for a sub 10 minute mile.

Wed is 6 miles - 2 mile warm up, 2-3 miles of quarter mile intervals, 1-2 miles of cool down.
Fri is 4 miles.
Sat is 6 miles easy.

Nice 7 miler

Poor time management, rain, and an unexpected phone call all were factors in ditching the three miles yesterday. I had a short window in the afternoon to get it in and forgot about it.

But, today!, I did get in my seven miler and at a fairly good pace. The last mile and a half even had some hill in it!

Slow, easy 5 miler

Also after dinner due to the unseasonably warm weather. I just took what my legs would give me this run as I still have 10 more miles to get in this week - 3 on Friday and 7 on Saturday.

Half Marathon Training, Week 1, Day 1

This run is brought to you by "Pace alert free negative splits" and "Never give up." As all of you are well aware, I pass by my house every 1 to 2 miles for these training runs, and let me tell you it was mighty tempting to stop at the three mile mark!

But, I knew that I had to get in that last mile, but boy, I was really feeling the run. I thought that I went out too fast, but after looking at my times, I saw that it just felt fast.

That last mile, I thought (and felt like) I was rockin' 12 min miles; I kept telling myself, "Just keep running, just keep running, it doesn't matter how slow you are, just keep running. DON'T WALK!!!! DON'T STOP!!!! Just keep running." I told myself some other stuff, but I don't want to scare you all with the machinations of my internal processes. <.< >.>

Finally, if I thought 78 was hot, then 83 is scorching! I am really hoping for a nice spring here - 60's, low 70's - so far, I'm not seeing that. Last year it seemed like we went from winter straight to summer, and I hope that's not the case this year. Now, for non-running weather, it has been, as my late Nana used to say, GORGEOUS!

Shamrock Run & Walk

A supposed 4 mile race, uh huh...I suppose if I hit all the corners just right, hugged the inside line on all the streets, and ran over people rather than around them, THEN, it would be 4 miles.

As it was, I have to say I'm ecstatic about my race! I was hoping to finish in the 41:xx range, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw I was maintaining a <10 min/mile pace. I had my pace alarms set at 10:30 and 9:30, and they really helped me keep my focus during the race.

I'll make a follow up post when the results are available; spoiler alert: I didn't win...

Race Week! Run #2

78 degrees is HOT! It was sunny, hot, and a mild S wind for weather. I meant to make this an easy run, but I'm not sure I meant it to be this slow. Shrug. No more running until the St. Paddy's Day race.

Race Week! Run #1

I like to take it easy on race weeks, so I was really surprised that this run was faster than my two four mile runs last week! What's up with that?? Also, this run was in a stiff South wind, which mile 2 heads right into.

Wednesday is a scheduled three mile run, then Saturday is my very first 4 mile race. It's sure to be a PR (for a 4 mile race, that is!)

4 of 4, or It Might be Sunny...AND Warm!

I usually fail the talk test, but this run, I think I might have been able to pass it. It was sunny and 54 out today, which made for perfect running weather. I took Denali for the first mile, although I'm not really sure I like taking the dog for a drag...She's gonna have to keep up!

And, my first 4 run week is in the books! I feel pretty good, no stiffness or soreness. Next week is back to 3x due to the race on Saturday. My very first 4 mile race; I'm so excited!!

3 of 4, or It Might be Sunny, but it's Still Not Warm

Now, 42 degrees F is definitely not cold, but I did have to wear my underarmor, long sleeve tech shirt, gloves, and ear warmer. And I'm glad I did as the wind was factor.

2 of 4, or Don't Run into the Wind

Mile 2 was into the wind; mile 3 was with the wind. I thought that those two miles would be vastly different. They sure felt vastly different.

Oh, and miles 1 and 4 were exactly the same route. If I'm going to be slow, I'd at least like to be consistent. Yeah, sure...

1 of 4

The first of my four run week is in the bag. I set the treadmill to a pace that was not real comfy at first, but I got into a rhythm and pounded it out.

The next three runs, I think, will be easy runs and hopefully outside. It's supposed to be really nice on Wednesday.

Oh, and add another race to my calendar. I was offered a spot in the Festival 500 Mini Marathon (the mini I ran last year) for only $20. After consulting with my coach, I decided to run it. Two weeks later is the Geist half marathon, so that will be a short turnaround for me.

Uh Nuther Fore!! Mylar

That's twelve miles for the week. I got a schedule from my coach starting in a couple of weeks to help keep me on track for my mini. I may post it here or on a side bar; not sure which one I'll do.

Next week's schedule ramps up the running days to 4, with runs of 3, 4, 3, and 4 miles. The following week I have my four mile race, so I'll run Monday and Wednesday and slack off until Saturday. Then the week after that, I start my coach's schedule.

A Sure Bet

One of the best ways to get me to commit to something is to con me into paying money for it. Case in point:

Back in Alaska, I had been riding my bicycle to work during the summer months and stopped after Labor Day. Two months later, I noticed that my pants were feeling a bit snug and realized that the only way I was prepared to exercise was to start biking again.

In the winter...

So, I went down to my local bike shop and checked out the studded snow tires. They priced out around $100.

It turned out that my car also needed studded snow tires. They priced out around $100.

I had to make a choice as I didn't have $200. Buy the bike tires, lose the gut, freeze my face or buy the car tires, expand my waist, save my face.

I chose...the bike tires. The next two years, I biked year around and got down to my fighting weight of 173 lbs! Not that I do any fighting or anything...

The point is I spent money to commit myself to biking through the winter.

Today, I have used the same principle to motivate me to keep to my running schedule. I signed up for three races in the next three months:

Mar 17: 4 mile, $24.10
Apr 14: 10K (6.2 miles), $15
May 19: 1/2 marathon, $64

$103.10 committed to motivate me to run. Hey, what ever it takes, right?