This past weekend was my last long run before the marathon. I ran 18 miles, the first six pushing the kids with J and the last twelve solo. The run went well, I even managed to pick up the pace at the end, but if I end up shuffling in the last few miles in Richmond I can likely blame it on the long runs. I've gone up to 19 miles, but I definitely could/should have run that far more consistently.
The rest of last week was pretty uneventful. I had one marathon pace workout that didn't go as planned since I was pretty tired. This morning I ran 10 miles with a little more than four at marathon pace. It's amazing how much better I feel when I get a good night's sleep. Speaking of which, I should be getting to bed.
October 24, 2006
October 13, 2006
Close Encounters of the Dog Kind
Let me share what happened on my run this morning. I was about a mile and a half in, running on a sidewalk along a four lane road separated by a median strip. It's about five am and dark. Out of the corner of my eye, I see this dog sprinting across all four lanes toward me. I'm startled, and I ended up down in the grass next to the sidewalk. I didn't know this dog, but I had visions in my head of the dog in my neighborhood growing up that bit everyone. I calmed down and let the dog sniff me, and then got up slowly. The dog waited a few seconds before he decided he'd had enough of me, and then trotted back across the road the way he came. As he was trotting away, I started walking, and then when I thought he was far enough away I started running again.
Even disregarding the dog incident, today's run wasn't my best. I wanted to run 10 miles with a few pickups, but the stomach issues I had prevented me from feeling like running any faster paces. Yesterday's run was 10 miles as well, Wednesday was a day off, and Tuesday was 11 miles, picking up the pace for the last mile.
Even disregarding the dog incident, today's run wasn't my best. I wanted to run 10 miles with a few pickups, but the stomach issues I had prevented me from feeling like running any faster paces. Yesterday's run was 10 miles as well, Wednesday was a day off, and Tuesday was 11 miles, picking up the pace for the last mile.
October 09, 2006
I'm a Wimp
A summary of my last few days of running:
TH-0 miles
F-10 miles
SA-0 Miles
SU-6 miles
M-7 miles
As you can see from the numbers, my training is not going the way I planned, though it's no one's fault other than my own. Thursday my lack of sleep caught up with me, and I slept in rather than run. Friday's run was fine, other than the rain and wind. Saturday was disappointing. I wanted to run long, but just felt groggy all day and never made it out the door. Sunday I watched J run the Army 10-miler with 23,999 other people and then ran six in the afternoon. I took advantage of my day off today and took the kids to Burke Lake, where we ran seven miles on the trails. While I'm not worried about finishing my marathon, I know there are many things I can improve for my next one.
TH-0 miles
F-10 miles
SA-0 Miles
SU-6 miles
M-7 miles
As you can see from the numbers, my training is not going the way I planned, though it's no one's fault other than my own. Thursday my lack of sleep caught up with me, and I slept in rather than run. Friday's run was fine, other than the rain and wind. Saturday was disappointing. I wanted to run long, but just felt groggy all day and never made it out the door. Sunday I watched J run the Army 10-miler with 23,999 other people and then ran six in the afternoon. I took advantage of my day off today and took the kids to Burke Lake, where we ran seven miles on the trails. While I'm not worried about finishing my marathon, I know there are many things I can improve for my next one.
October 05, 2006
Wednesday Workout
As has been the case the past few Wednesdays, this Wednesday I ran, or at least tried to run, another marathon pace workout. The workout was 12 miles with six at marathon pace. I actually got up to do this in the morning, instead of sleeping in and running at night. I didn't get much sleep, though, so I didn't have great expectations.
I ran out the parkway with my GU and water bottle, which I brought with me because I thought the extra energy might help. After about three miles, I took the GU and set the water bottle down and started the marathon pace segment. I was worried that this part would feel like it took forever, but I reached the turnaround before I knew it. Actually, I went a little past the turnaround, because the actual turnaround mark is hard to see in the dark. The mark that I did see is past where I intended to turn around. Coming back is more difficult than going out because there are more uphills, but I did run back in about the same time. I picked up the GU wrapper and water bottle, and cooled down three miles back to the house.
This workout did not really go as planned. I wasn't able to get down to marathon pace. I'm pleased that I ran the second half at the same pace as the first, but it just wasn't as fast as I had hoped. It's likely due to the 19 on Sunday, eight on Monday, and 11 on Tuesday, coupled with less than optimal sleep.
Finally, this isn't related to the workout but if you're interested: pictures of my ugly mug from the Parks half Marathon.
I ran out the parkway with my GU and water bottle, which I brought with me because I thought the extra energy might help. After about three miles, I took the GU and set the water bottle down and started the marathon pace segment. I was worried that this part would feel like it took forever, but I reached the turnaround before I knew it. Actually, I went a little past the turnaround, because the actual turnaround mark is hard to see in the dark. The mark that I did see is past where I intended to turn around. Coming back is more difficult than going out because there are more uphills, but I did run back in about the same time. I picked up the GU wrapper and water bottle, and cooled down three miles back to the house.
This workout did not really go as planned. I wasn't able to get down to marathon pace. I'm pleased that I ran the second half at the same pace as the first, but it just wasn't as fast as I had hoped. It's likely due to the 19 on Sunday, eight on Monday, and 11 on Tuesday, coupled with less than optimal sleep.
Finally, this isn't related to the workout but if you're interested: pictures of my ugly mug from the Parks half Marathon.
October 03, 2006
My Aching Leg
I can't wait until my leg gets better. I didn't hurt it running, though. I tore it up sliding into third base at my softball game Saturday night. It's not keeping me from running, but the scrape is pretty good sized and still tender to the touch.
Last week became an unintentional cutback week. I didn't run Wednesday or Thursday. Friday I ran 10, and Saturday only three. Sunday morning, though I ran 19 miles, my longest run to date. I thought I'd be running in the rain, but luckily the rain stopped about five minutes into the run. I ran 15 miles before I took a GU, and I do think it helped me maintain my pace for those last four miles. So far this week I've run eight and 11 miles.
My plan is for this week and next week to be high-mileage (70-75), take a cutback week, and then run one more high-mileage week before I start the taper.
Last week became an unintentional cutback week. I didn't run Wednesday or Thursday. Friday I ran 10, and Saturday only three. Sunday morning, though I ran 19 miles, my longest run to date. I thought I'd be running in the rain, but luckily the rain stopped about five minutes into the run. I ran 15 miles before I took a GU, and I do think it helped me maintain my pace for those last four miles. So far this week I've run eight and 11 miles.
My plan is for this week and next week to be high-mileage (70-75), take a cutback week, and then run one more high-mileage week before I start the taper.
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