Saturday, May 30, 2009

Long Saturday run: 5 miles

so the whole thing about training for an endurance run is that you work on your base during the week (typically) and then on the weekend (typically) you do your long run which is usually increased by a mile each week. Of course, this varies with each runner but this is how we are doing it. My "base" is 3 miles. I'm totally not sure how to define my base to peeps here but just trust me. Heh. I guess it means I can do 3 miles easy-peasy (ahem...riiiiight)

Today we set out for 5 miles which was our "long" run for the week. It was great! I finished 5 miles in just under 56 minutes so I did a little more than 11 minute miles which is probably faster than our coach wanted us to go but whatever. I'm pretty sure when we get up to 8, 9 and 10 mile runs, we'll HAVE to do 12 and 13 minute miles.

The run today was great. I ran hard the first 3 miles but after the last hill I was really out of breath so I slowed my roll. I didn't want to lose my stamina knowing I had 2 more miles to go. I was with the pack but I just held back and let them go. Our coach kept turning around making sure I was okay and I just kept giving her a thumbs up. I was fine... I just knew I couldn't go as fast as they were if I was going to finish strong. Note to self: start slow!!

Sure enough, at about 1/2 mile left, I felt great and pushed myself. What is most interesting to me about that is that in my past races, I've NEVER been able to PUSH at the end because I've been full steam ahead the entire race. Now, I've realized that if I take my time during the run, I really can push it at the end. Sweet!

The best thing about the long run? I'm resting for two whole days! Yay! I'll walk some tomorrow but I won't run again until Tuesday and then, it will be a 3.5. I've decided that I won't do the park twice again. That route just discourages me. So, I need to figure out a different 3.5. Maybe I'll go to a different park or something.

I seriously love running. It makes everything so much better. ;)

Total: 5 Miles

Friday, May 29, 2009

HOT 3.6

Ick. That's how I felt on Thursday when I finished my 3.6 mile run.

It was a terrible run. You know why? I psyched myself out of doing a good job because of the last sentence in my last blog post. You know, the one that says "I'm going to try to beat my time". So I went too fast and I got tired and I was HOT.

So I finished 2 minutes slower than the run before. SO annoying.

Tomorrow is my 5 mile long run with the group. It's EARLY (7:30!) so I'm excited that it won't be so hot and icky. I have no idea how I'll train all summer in this humid place but I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it.

...til tomorrow...

Total: 3.6 Miles

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

3.5ish

Yesterday, I set out to run the loop of the park twice so that I could get in my 3.5 miles for the day.

Let me tell ya. It was hot. And humid. and OMG those hills are crazy!

After finishing my first loop, I ran into a runnin' friend, Jules. We did the second loop together which helped me get up those hills for the second time.

I felt pretty good. The first loop was BY FAR easier than the second ... but I blame that on talking a lot during the second. And, did I say it was hot?

My body felt good though. I had no leg pain (my new shoes totally kick ass) and my breathing was okay. I didn't run as fast as I'd like to (11 minute mile) but for the 12th time, it was HOT.

Overall, a good run and I was happy to be done with my 3.5ish miles. Coming up: 2 more loops on Thursday for another 3.5ish. I'm going to see if I can beat my time from yesterday.

Total: 3.5 Miles

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Training

I'm training for a 1/2 marathon..

our coach said we needed to keep a journal so here goes nothing.

It all began on May 15. My first official run of my training. It was actually pretty good, nothing to write home about. 3 miles in the park in the morning.

May 19 - Really hard and painful 3 (maybe) miles in the park and grease ally. Had to stop to walk several times because of leg pain. Ended up walking/running for 36 minutes. Never wanted to run ever again.

May 20 - 2 miles in the early morning. It was cold outside! Walked one and ran one since it was supposed to be my "easy" day.

May 21 - threw down 100 bones on a new pair of kicks and took them for a spin minutes later. Best run I've had in a LONG time. Fast 3 miles..best guess based on heartrate and stride, I was at about 9:45 mile.

May 23 (today) - Janes class at 8 in the morning. Our coach wanted us to really focus on slowing down our pace. She recommends that we run each mile 2 minutes SLOWER on the long runs (which will each take place on Saturdays). 2 minutes SLOWER is hard to do. It might be just as hard to adjust to as the faster run. Anyway, I did it. I did 4.2 miles in 50 minutes. I actually think I might have gone a little farther than 4.2 but who's counting.

I did like going slower today. I see what she means by taking it slow to get throught the run. I haven't run 4 miles in..um... years? A really long time. It felt great and I felt wonderful afterwards. I'm a bit sore this afternoon but I think (hope?) that's to be expected after a long run. It was a nice temperature this morning and there were a ton of runners out there. I love group runs and the comradarie of other runners. Even if you aren't running together, there's a nice sense of understanding among runners that I like.

Ok, so my journal is caught up. I'll now start journaling after every run. This blog is going to be oh.so.exciting.

Total: 15 Miles