On Tuesday I had what I consider one of the hardest runs of the training schedule....a 12 mile tempo run with 7 miles at LT pace. To me, this run is harder than some 20 milers I have done....7 miles at LT pace is tough. I was busy at work that day which was good because I didn't have time to worry about the run or stress about the weather. The weather....the bane of my existence for tempo runs!! Another day of wind was on the forecast....you know its going to be bad when the symbol for the day on weather.com is just WIND! But it was 60 degrees out so I can't complain much.
I set out on my run (in my new Lululemon shorts!) and was feeling good. After a 3 mile warm up I picked up the pace. The first of the LT miles felt rough, but I soon settled in and got into a groove. I got stopped at a couple stop lights which forced me to take a few extra breaks than I would have liked. The wind wasn't bad until the last 2 miles of the LT pace when it started doing laps around the bridges on the river.....first it was coming from the west....then the east....then it was just vortexing around me!! And no this was not just in my imagination because I was watching the flags being whipped around in all directions!
I pushed through it though and finished with a 2 mile cool down. Overall my pace for the 7 LT miles was 7:58.....right where I wanted it to be! When things were getting rough I kept telling myself that this is my last tempo run of this training.....push harder! The next 4-5 weeks don't have official tempo runs, but in their place there are a couple tune up races and a marathon paced long run. Fine by me....I'm just happy that I don't have to see the dreaded LT on my schedule again!!
Yesterday I had an easy 3 miles at lunch with a work friend and then got a much needed massage after work. It hurt....it hurt bad!! I went to a new place that's closer to work and I both loved her and hated her at the same time!! She started with some deep stretching and then moved to the massage. What I really liked was that she thought about how everything is connected and worked on those points. I told her about my past calf issues and she noticed that my hips and hamstrings were really tight which would cause me to alter my gait some and maybe put extra stress on my calves. Its one of those pains that you can't wait for it to stop, but when it does you want it back because you know it will make you feel so good after :) Why can't my husband be like elite runner Deena Kastor's husband....he's a massage therapist and works on her every day!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
The day after the marathon
Someone posted a link to this commercial on Runner's World and I thought it was hilarious!! And unfortunately so true...especially the girl trying to cross the street. The only other thing I would add is trying to sit on the toilet without having to use the wall or sink for support :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-hCuYjvw2I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-hCuYjvw2I
Thursday, March 27, 2008
First Bike Ride of the Year
Yesterday was too nice to spend inside....55 degrees and sunny when I got out of work! It was an off day for me running and I had planned to do a yoga class, but didn't want to waste the day. I decided to dust off my bike and take it out for the first time since last fall. I'd really like to get 1-2 sessions on my bike every week to strengthen my quads and get some crosstraining in. If Lance Armstrong can excel at my sport then I should give his a try!
My nice easy bike ride turned into Tour de Wind on my way back home as I battled some strong headwinds, but it was great none the less. I rode just under 12 miles around the river and enjoyed the sun and warmth. I am definitely no Lance, but I had fun anyway!
My nice easy bike ride turned into Tour de Wind on my way back home as I battled some strong headwinds, but it was great none the less. I rode just under 12 miles around the river and enjoyed the sun and warmth. I am definitely no Lance, but I had fun anyway!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
When Geese Attack!
Last night was my first track workout of my training schedule. I was a little anxious about it because I think the couple track workouts I got in last fall contributed to my calf issues. I decided to drive over to Brookline and run at a public track there. My schedule had 8 miles total with 5 x 600m repeats. Well I am slightly Type A and don't like 600m repeats....I don't like running 1.5 times around a track! I much prefer running in intervals that will get me around the entire track (400m, 800m, even 1600m!) so I changed the workout to 5 x 800m repeats.
I started out with a 3.25 mile warm up around Jamaica Pond. I have never been over there to run and it was really pretty...a nice change of scenery. But I learned a valuable lesson....don't get too close to Canadian Geese when they are nesting! Those things are nasty...they would chase me off the path, hiss at me, and go absolutely crazy if a dog came anywhere near them!!
I was happy when my warm up was over and made my way back to the track....all I had to worry about there was dodging lacrosse balls that were thrown astray during team practices. My 800m repeats went well...they are supposed to be run around 5k race pace but I haven't run a 5k in a year so I don't really know what my current pace is. I did them in 3:26, 3:30, 3:29, 3:35, and 3:32 which ranges from a 6:41 - 7:05 min/mile pace. I followed each repeat with a 400m recovery jog and ended with 1.25 miles for a cool down.
Overall I felt good. I like track workouts because they are quick rather than long and drawn out like a tempo run. You know you will only be uncomfortable for a couple minutes and then you get a break. I am looking forward to doing more track workouts this training since I cut them out last fall after my calf injury. Next time I will be prepared for those darn geese!!
I started out with a 3.25 mile warm up around Jamaica Pond. I have never been over there to run and it was really pretty...a nice change of scenery. But I learned a valuable lesson....don't get too close to Canadian Geese when they are nesting! Those things are nasty...they would chase me off the path, hiss at me, and go absolutely crazy if a dog came anywhere near them!!
I was happy when my warm up was over and made my way back to the track....all I had to worry about there was dodging lacrosse balls that were thrown astray during team practices. My 800m repeats went well...they are supposed to be run around 5k race pace but I haven't run a 5k in a year so I don't really know what my current pace is. I did them in 3:26, 3:30, 3:29, 3:35, and 3:32 which ranges from a 6:41 - 7:05 min/mile pace. I followed each repeat with a 400m recovery jog and ended with 1.25 miles for a cool down.
Overall I felt good. I like track workouts because they are quick rather than long and drawn out like a tempo run. You know you will only be uncomfortable for a couple minutes and then you get a break. I am looking forward to doing more track workouts this training since I cut them out last fall after my calf injury. Next time I will be prepared for those darn geese!!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Feeling Strong!
Last week was a great running week. After the half marathon on Sunday, I wasn't sure how the week would go. I ran some easy miles towards the beginning as recovery and my legs were feeling good.
On Thursday I picked up the intensity and ran an 11 mile tempo run. If you've been following my blog you have seen that all my tempo runs have been windy and my last long run included 50 MPH headwinds. Thursday was no different! I set out along the river and planned to run 2 loops taking me past my car to grab a drink if needed. As I started on my warm up, I was being blown backward.....this was not a good sign! I realized that my planned loops would have me running the majority of the LT miles into the wind....you have got to be kidding me! I quickly started thinking about ways to avoid this wind and luckily I found a way. I finally caught a break on a tempo run and only had to run the last mile into the wind! The tailwind was helpful too making the 6 LT pace miles at an average pace of 7:57....not bad!! I finished with a 2 mile cool down.
On Saturday I ran my first 20 miler of this training cycle. I decided to meet up with some friends running Boston to run with their charity teams. I got to Fitcorp at 6:45am...too early for a Saturday!! It was cold (26 degrees) but sunny and the winds from Thursday and Friday had died down some. We loaded onto school buses and rode out to Framingham to about the 7 mile mark of the Boston Marathon. Getting up early was so worth it to have water stops every 2 miles and not have to carry my own water! As I started out, I was feeling good. I had to really be careful and conscious with my pace because I kept trying to run too fast. I ran the first half around an 8:55 min/mile pace and I was feeling great. I turned onto Comm Ave and started up the hills....still feeling great. I started picking up my pace slowly over the next couple miles and hit the last 5.5 miles at an average pace of 8:27. Overall my pace for the 20.5 miles was 8:40....my fastest long run ever! I probably pushed it a little too hard, but I was feeling so good I just wanted to keep going!!
Back at Fitcorp while stretching, it was fun to hear the first time marathoners talking about their first 20 miler. I remember how excited Janette, Steph, and I were when we finished that run this time last year. Coming through Wellsely, I was runing behind a group of three girls....a blond and two burnettes (just like us) and they were gabbing away (again, just like us!).....it reminded me of my girls and how great it was to share that experience with them.
On Easter Sunday, Bryan and I slept in some (much appreciated!!), headed to church, and then out to brunch. We took it easy during the day doing some much needed spring cleaning around the house. Later in the afternoon we headed out for a recovery run together. I told him it would be a slow run and that I was planning 5 miles. It was such a beautiful day out and Bryan decided to run the whole thing with me.....that's the longest he ran in a while so I was very proud of him!
I am definitely feeling stronger now than I have at this point of training in the past. I have a recovery week on my schedule for this week and I am very excited about it! Things are going well now, but I need to make sure not to push too hard on the long runs and leave my marathon on the training course.
Total miles for the week = 54.15 miles
On Thursday I picked up the intensity and ran an 11 mile tempo run. If you've been following my blog you have seen that all my tempo runs have been windy and my last long run included 50 MPH headwinds. Thursday was no different! I set out along the river and planned to run 2 loops taking me past my car to grab a drink if needed. As I started on my warm up, I was being blown backward.....this was not a good sign! I realized that my planned loops would have me running the majority of the LT miles into the wind....you have got to be kidding me! I quickly started thinking about ways to avoid this wind and luckily I found a way. I finally caught a break on a tempo run and only had to run the last mile into the wind! The tailwind was helpful too making the 6 LT pace miles at an average pace of 7:57....not bad!! I finished with a 2 mile cool down.
On Saturday I ran my first 20 miler of this training cycle. I decided to meet up with some friends running Boston to run with their charity teams. I got to Fitcorp at 6:45am...too early for a Saturday!! It was cold (26 degrees) but sunny and the winds from Thursday and Friday had died down some. We loaded onto school buses and rode out to Framingham to about the 7 mile mark of the Boston Marathon. Getting up early was so worth it to have water stops every 2 miles and not have to carry my own water! As I started out, I was feeling good. I had to really be careful and conscious with my pace because I kept trying to run too fast. I ran the first half around an 8:55 min/mile pace and I was feeling great. I turned onto Comm Ave and started up the hills....still feeling great. I started picking up my pace slowly over the next couple miles and hit the last 5.5 miles at an average pace of 8:27. Overall my pace for the 20.5 miles was 8:40....my fastest long run ever! I probably pushed it a little too hard, but I was feeling so good I just wanted to keep going!!
Back at Fitcorp while stretching, it was fun to hear the first time marathoners talking about their first 20 miler. I remember how excited Janette, Steph, and I were when we finished that run this time last year. Coming through Wellsely, I was runing behind a group of three girls....a blond and two burnettes (just like us) and they were gabbing away (again, just like us!).....it reminded me of my girls and how great it was to share that experience with them.
On Easter Sunday, Bryan and I slept in some (much appreciated!!), headed to church, and then out to brunch. We took it easy during the day doing some much needed spring cleaning around the house. Later in the afternoon we headed out for a recovery run together. I told him it would be a slow run and that I was planning 5 miles. It was such a beautiful day out and Bryan decided to run the whole thing with me.....that's the longest he ran in a while so I was very proud of him!
I am definitely feeling stronger now than I have at this point of training in the past. I have a recovery week on my schedule for this week and I am very excited about it! Things are going well now, but I need to make sure not to push too hard on the long runs and leave my marathon on the training course.
Total miles for the week = 54.15 miles
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Motivation
I was very excited when the newly improved Natick Mall, now called the Natick Collection (fancy schmancy!) opened last year. In addition to a Nordstrom (great shoe selection!), they added a Lululemon Athletica store which carries mostly yoga clothes, but also other workout things. I have heard amazing things about their clothes and I was in need of new yoga pants. I got my yearly bonus from work last week so I decided to splurge on them. My "fit expert" helped me decide between two pairs of pants and marked them for hemming (who knew you could hem yoga pants!).
I came out of the dressing room and Bryan (bless him for shopping for yoga pants with me!) found a pair of shorts he wanted me to try on. Okay.....let's stop right here and think about this. We are in a store full of tight clothing so take a guess at what type of shorts my dear husband would want me to try on :) They are tight, short, and.....well what else is there to say about them! After he convinced me they would keep me cooler than my usual Nike Tempo shorts when running in hot weather, I considered them. However, I had already put my normal clothes back on and didn't want to change again to try them on. He made me promise that when I picked up the pants later in the week that I would try them on.
I came out of the dressing room and Bryan (bless him for shopping for yoga pants with me!) found a pair of shorts he wanted me to try on. Okay.....let's stop right here and think about this. We are in a store full of tight clothing so take a guess at what type of shorts my dear husband would want me to try on :) They are tight, short, and.....well what else is there to say about them! After he convinced me they would keep me cooler than my usual Nike Tempo shorts when running in hot weather, I considered them. However, I had already put my normal clothes back on and didn't want to change again to try them on. He made me promise that when I picked up the pants later in the week that I would try them on.
So today I was back at the mall (sorry - the collection) to get my pants...I kept my promise and tried on the shorts. Feeling a little self conscious yet surprisingly comfy in the soft shorts, I stepped out of the dressing room and again was complimented by my fit expert....like they would really tell you they look awful and your a$$ is hanging out!!! But I decided to get them (mine are in black)....Bryan will be so happy when he reads this :) I'm still not 100% sure about them and need to try them on at home with my running sneakers and tank top (to get the full affect of the ensemble of course!)
I'll tell you one thing, I will think about them everytime I am tempted to eat a cookie (who am I kidding....5 cookies) instead of my whole grain carbs, veggies, and protein. Now I have to go do some squats and lunges....... :)
Monday, March 17, 2008
I'm famous!
This picture was in the Standard Times, the New Bedford local newspaper. I'm in the top center with a light purple shirt on behind the two guys in blue!
Also, at the finish line I was interviewed by a reporter for the paper. I made it into an article about marathoners' stories. I don't want to post the link for privacy reasons, but here's my part...
Sarah, 27
Boston
Boston
Sarah wasn't entirely happy with her 1:46:51, but it should help her get on track for other races.
"I was a couple minutes short of where I wanted to be, but that's all right," Sarah said. "I'm doing it as a training run for marathons."
The research engineer, who dropped four minutes off her time here last year, used a GPS watch to stay on course.
"It tracks by satellite," Sarah said. "It tells pace and splits and everything. It's good feedback."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)