Post-Half Running Report

Now that the half is over, I've been feeling less motivated to run. Last week I did two 3-mile runs (with some speed intervals) and then my first ever sprints. I'm not sure the sprinting distances since I know nothing about track distances, but I sprinted the straightaways on the track and walked the curves. I did about 6 of these and was feeling pretty good. My run home from the track turned into a one mile run and then a stop at 7-11 where I double-fisted a huge Slurpee and a popsicle for the rest of the walk home. Yes, I did get some looks. I guess people aren't used to seeing someone in running gear walking...with a Slurpee...AND a popsicle. It was delicious.

I was surprised the next day when I woke up SORE. I felt muscles in my legs that I didn't know existed. What surprised me the most was the fact that my arms were sore! I guess all that arm pumping for sprints does work those muscles? I'm thinking I'll incorporate sprints into my training maybe once a week. I've read up on tempo runs, and I've been trying to do those as well. I have improved my time for the GIANT hill I have to run up at the start of my run by about a minute. With practice, hopefully I won't be as winded by the time I get to the one-mile marker.

Yesterday I had a refreshingly easy run in the rain. I didn't think I was pushing myself that much at all after the initial hill, but I shaved 2 minutes off of my time! I ran my typical 6 mile route in 56 minutes. That's the fastest I've run it ever. Usually I'm lucky to run it in 58 minutes. I didn't even feel fatigued by the time I made it home. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised. I'm glad I finally ran a 6-miler though, after a whole week of being lame. It's good to know that I'm finally getting myself back into the training mindset, although it's hard to stay focused on motivated when the marathon is 24 weeks away.

I have to get new running shoes. I've run/walked 625.4 miles on the shoes I currently own (not like I'm keeping track or anything...). I'm going to go to the Road Runners store near my office and get my stride analyzed in order to figure out the best running shoe. I've never done that before, at least not on an official capacity. The guy at the Pacers store watched my run down the sidewalk in my flip flops last time. I feel like at Road Runners where I'll run on a treadmill will be a little bit more official. Now I only have to calculate a near pair of shoes into my budget....

Half-Marathon Success

So today was the Pacers Running Festival Half Marathon. And it was a success!! I can't believe that I can now say with confidence that I have run a half marathon. Do I qualify as an actual runner now instead of a person who runs?! The weather was perfect (although a bit chilly in the beginning) save for running against the wind for the last 2-3 miles. I managed to keep up with my running partner for the first loop of the race (roughly 6.5 miles) but I quickly fell behind for the second loop. I was kind of expecting that since she runs 9 minute miles and I run 9:30. My final time was 2:04:30, averaging a 9:31 minute mile. Right on target. I really couldn't have asked for much more since it was my first half and being able to run a 9 minute mile for the whole 13.1 would have been really pushing it. I was a little worried about the last 5k since the longest distance I had run leading up to the race was only 10 miles, but the last few miles were just a blur. I'm only a little bit stiff and not that sore (yet). I've also discovered the Power Bar goos. I only had vanilla today, but that was pretty good, although a little sticky and sweet.

This week I officially start the MCM training schedule, but it'll be pretty low-key for a while. I am really considering registering for the VA Beach Half since that will be a nice easy distance to run in training for the marathon by the time it comes around.

I'm still excited about completing the half! I can't believe I did it!

The Joys of Evening Running

Tonight I had an unexpected enjoyable run after dinner. Typically I am not a after-eating runner, but the weather tonight was so nice that I thought I'd give it a try. What I had originally intended to be my usual 6.2 miles turned out to be a 7 miler. Not that big of a difference, but I have discovered a new running route (a combination of two different routes). It was pretty easy, so I think that I'll replace my usual casual run of 6.2 for the new 7. There are several benefits of running in the evening. The heat of the day has more or less dispersed, it is less humid, no hot sun beating down giving you awkward runner tan lines, and the sweet spring smells are invigorating. Perhaps I will try to do more after-dinner runs in the future. I also walked to my favorite place on Earth, Starbucks, this afternoon for a refreshing beverage. The walk is easy enough, with a rewarding 3 mile loop. That combined with the 7 I actually ran is a nice 10 miles for the day (just like Monday). I'm hoping that these casual runs/walks are enough to prepare me for Sunday's half. Thankfully the weather is supposed to be cooler than it has been this week. I hope to avoid more awkward sock and runner tank top tan lines this weekend!

Running in a Cloud

Yesterday I tried for another 10-miler. Unfortunately it was a bust. I'm beginning to worry slightly about the half-marathon on Sunday because my partner in crime has had one more successful 10-miler than me and better times. Either I will completely fall behind or be inspired and motivated to run faster. Probably the first one since I can't run ten 9 minute miles even if I wanted to. Eep.

Regardless, yesterday's run was icky. I decided to run mid-afternoon right when it was still relatively hot (84 degrees) and incredibly muggy and humid. I soaked through my dri-fit running shirt in a mile and guzzled down about 3 bottles of water. Not to mention the fact that I felt like the pores on my skin were little water fountains of sweat. All in all, not an enjoyable experience by any means. I managed to run about 7 miles before resigning myself to the humidity and grossness that was my body and walked/ran the last 3 miles back to my car where I then proceeded to sit with the AC on full blast for about 5 minutes before even thinking of driving anywhere.

Now I know I will be able to run 13.1 miles, but the question comes to how fast and how successfully. The weather is looking pretty good for Sunday so I'm hoping for little to absolutely no humidity and I think it should be in the high 50s in the morning/low 60s. All of that will definitely help. My goal for this half is just finish it....ideally within the range of 9:30-9:45 min miles (even though my running partner can run 9 min ones). Since this will be my first half, it'll help give me an idea of how long of a run it actually is.

After Sunday is when I start my 25-week marathon training schedule, which for the first few months is relatively flexible since my running ability is somewhere near 15 weeks to MCM. But once it gets closer to 10 weeks to MCM my butt is really going to need to get into shape. This half on Sunday will be my longest run for the next 14 weeks unless I feel the urge to run a half for the heck of it.

There aren't too many longer races during the summer months that I have found in the area to run in. I'm hoping to do the Rock 'n Roll VA Beach Half during Labor Day weekend, but I need to verify with the person I am hoping to run with. It looks like it could be tons of fun, although incredibly hot. At least it starts early in the morning (7am) and you are on the beach. The only problem is that the hotels there are ridiculously expensive for that weekend, and I'd like to be there from Friday evening-Monday morning.

Well, I'm hoping for an easy 6 mile run on Thursday, so I'll keep the universal "you" posted. Then it's the Pacer's Half Marathon on Sunday!! Don't forget to wish your Mamas a Happy Mother's Day on that day, too.

Success!

FINALLY ran my first 10-miler since the last race! My time wasn't as good, just under 10 minute miles, but I didn't have anyone to chase down or the flow of runners to inspire me. I got all the way from Oak St. in Falls Church to Colombia Pike in Arlington. I also couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. I ran it with a couple Clif energy shots and finished up with another packet of the yummy Jelly Belly beans. The Clif goo shots aren't as bad as Gu gel for some reason. I'm a little sore and had to take a quick cat nap upon my return home, but I'm happy I finally got the run in and that I can still actually run 10 miles, which is a good thing since I'm going to have to run 13...

On my last 1.5 miles, I ran into a car on the W & OD trail. Now, this car was literally ON the path. To be clear: driving on the bike path taking up both lanes. Now this section of the path is contained by fences and a wall bordering Rt-66. HOW or WHY this car thought it could drive on the path is beyond me. Granted, it is paved...but it is barely wide enough for a small sedan. I have no clue how this vehicle got onto the path either. When I came across it, the old driver had gotten out of the car to remove the cone that was separating the two bike lanes at the entrance of the path from the street. Needless to say the cone is screwed down into the tar so it wasn't going anywhere. Not sure how he was going to reverse through the curves all the way back to where he began. Sucks to be him.

Going to go eat some salt & vinegar chips before bed as my reward for successfully running my 10 miles.

Getting on Track Again

Two weeks away from the half-marathon and just finished up about a week's long vacation from running. Oi vey. I finally went on a successful run this afternoon (although only 6 miles) in the rain. I'm typically a not running-in-the-elements type of person, but the light spring rain was surprisingly refreshing. I'm glad that I managed to keep my time around 9:40 per mile on this casual run, especially since my last attempt at an 8-miler last Thursday was a disaster for some reason. I went out on the W & OD trail with the intent to run an easy 8, but that easy 8 turned into a mediocre 5.5 and a 2.5 mile walk. I was low-energy and my legs were very crampy. I think it might have been due to the lack of potassium in my diet that whole week. I tried the Jelly Belly energy jelly beans for the first time, which were 100% better tasting than the Gu gel. Icky Gu gel.

Tomorrow will be my first attempt at a 10-miler since the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler a few weeks ago. I get off work early afternoon (but will be working again later at night) so I will have the time to hit the W & OD. I'll be trying the Clif gel if I remember to bring it with me tomorrow. I really hope that I can run the full 10. I'll make sure to eat a decent breakfast, grab a banana, stay hydrated, get some sleep, and eat some carbs for lunch.

Saturday I'm participating in the DC Challenge Urban Scavenger Race. I don't think it really qualifies as an actual run-race since we will be stopping a lot and are allowed to take public transportation so I'm not counting that day as a training day at all. It will still be a blast though!

Maybe for once I'll actual run all the distances I have planned on the days I plan on running them. This week is go go go before the half. Next week I'll be winding it down a bit, taking it slow...minus one 10-miler that I hope to be able to do early in the week. I will at least be running the half with a friend to keep me motivated. However I never train with a partner, so I hope running together goes well!! I need to be able to pace myself throughout the race.

Hitting the hay now and dreaming of hitting the pavement...

What Turned Out To Be A Half-Marathon Walk

I've been in New Haven, CT (well, technically Hamden) for the past few days.  I didn't think I'd get much running or exercising in on the trip, even though I was hopeful.  Yesterday my friend and I were planning on going for a little hike but ended up just walking to the school she teaches at.  The school is 6.5 miles away...and for some reason when I agreed to this I forgot to add the mileage for the way back!  So we literally ended up walking a half-marathon.  It took us about 5 hours with a coffee break and stopping to relax in her classroom for 30 minutes to eat pretzels and skim through her 5th graders' books.  Given the fact that I run on a pretty regular basis at pretty decent distances, by the end of our walk I was unbelievably SORE and famished.  It was fun though and I'm glad we went on this little adventure.  New Haven has some pretty cute houses.  On our walk back we passed by several runners enjoying the flatness of the city.  There is definitely a pretty decent stretch for a flat and scenic run.  Given I come from the land of steep hills, switchbacks, and subtle inclines I am pretty envious.  

Later today we're heading to Boston, just a few days late of the Boston Marathon.  Maybe I'll walk some of the distances the runners ran...at incredible speeds.  

Anyways, it's off to Boston for the day then hitting the rails (7.5 hour train ride) tomorrow to get back to home sweet home.