Last long run

Today was our last long run before the race. It's really hard to believe that we've been at it for almost 16 weeks of training. All in all, it has been a great training season with the exception of a hotter/more humid than normal summer. I can honestly say that I cannot wait to run this Fall and have it actually feel cold when we start. Sorry, Liz ... I know you would prefer 90 degrees year round! : )

Today was a unique run ... we were doing an out and back course from Tex & Shirley's. Why haven't we been doing this all summer long!? Probably because we would all be about 10 pounds heavier!

I felt good and had that feeling that I can only liken to a race-horse. Just a little antsy and really wanting to go. I probably went out too fast for the first 4 miles, but everything felt good and I was in a good groove early on. Even at 2 miles, I felt like I was in a good rhythm. We turned around, I took my gu chomps and we headed back with pancakes on the brain.

Definitely finding it a little harder to keep up with the "fasties", so I did slow up a little. But, my big surprise was that my average pace was 10 minutes a mile! I don't think I've ever run at that pace for that long of a distance, so at least I know I can do it, and feel OK. I definitely feel more comfortable at a slower pace, but it's always good to know that you can push it.

My big thing for race day. Don't push it too hard in the beginning. I really want to get to at least mile 8 to see how I feel. If I'm still feeling good, then I think I'll definitely try for a bit faster. Like my husband said, it may not be 100% comfortable, but I guess it's that whole pain makes you stronger kind of statement. We'll see! A nice, slow, chatty run always feels good to me.

Distance/Time:
8.04 miles / 1:20:32 ~ 10:00/mile pace

Fuel:
Pre-run: Sandwich thin with PB and 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup of coffee, water
During: 1/2 pack Gu Chomps, water, sip of Gatorade at turnaround
Afterward ... 1/2 of a yummy "spanish" omelet and whole wheat toast

15 miles!

I was an anything higher than 13.1 mile virgin and well, I lost that on Saturday.

My original plan called for 13 miles on Saturday, but there were several people who were going up to 15 and I wanted to see if I could do it and I did it. This is also great preparation for the 3-Day walk, too. 15 miles done ... whoo-hoo!

It was actually a very good run, with the exception of the last mile or so. Someone told me that your body wouldn't know how to react once you went past 13 (or whatever mileage is your highest) and that was true. I could feel myself slowing down and really had to think about what I was doing so I wouldn't get sloppy. But, I did it and felt pretty good. I was surprised at how quickly the miles went by. We got to mile 7, then to 10, and it hit me that I was really going to be able to do 15.

My Garmin froze at 11.66 miles, so that stunk, because I'm a little OCD about using the Garmin for miles/pace, etc. My time kept going, but no pace and no distance. Chip had the same problem, but he was able to restart his so that made me happy.

Now, it's taper time and in 2 weeks, race day. Wow.

Distance / Time:

15.00 miles
2:36:20 ~ 10:25 / M

Fuel:
Pre run - 1/2 cup coffee, water, sandwich thin with PB and 1/2 banana
During - Gu chomps, 1/2 of a mini Luna bar, water, gatorade at stops.

Good runner, bad blogger

I keep forgetting to update this, but I really am getting in my miles.

Saturday called for 12, but I had talked to Liz about doing 13, so that's what I did.

All in all, it was a good run and I felt strong throughout. The last 3 miles seemed long, but manageable. It was overcast and humid.

The first half was actually pretty easy. I made it into Spencer Love, did the parking lot, stopped at the bathroom, and noticed I was the first of the 13 milers coming through. I still don't know how that happened, but it did.

When I made it back into GMP, Liz let me know to do an extra loop of the Visitor's Center because our mileage was a little off and I ran with her friend Laura. It was nice to have the company. She was only doing 12, so I did the loop by myself and met her back at the cooler. We had a sip of gatorade and headed on home.

By then, I was ready for the run to be over, but I just tried to focus on staying strong, not getting sloppy, and keeping a decent pace.

I was pretty proud of how I finished up.

Time/Distance
13.1 miles. I didn't mean to run the extra 1., but I was glad I did.
2:15 ~ 10:18/mile

Fuel
Pre-run: Sandwich thin with PB and half a banana, water, 1/2 cup of coffee
During: 1/2 pack of Gu Chomps, mini Luna bar, water, gatorade at stop.

I ran in the Brooks Ravena's and I like them ... I had done a few runs and one walk in them, and so far so good. I'm debating about buying another pair to break those in for the race and the Komen walk instead of my old Brooks. I also ran in my Moving Comfort skirt and that did great as well. It was about my 3rd run in that, but my first long run.

Tuesday 6 miler

I have to stop hitting snooze in the morning.

Waking up at 5:07 when I need to leave at 5:15 is hard, even when I have everything laid out and ready to go.

Anyway ... today was actually a good run for me. I felt good, held a good pace, and forgot that we were supposed to be adding some pacing drills in when I got home. Oops. We'll try better on Thursday.

Distance/ Time
6.05 Miles
1:02:58 ~ 10:24 / M

Fuel:
Pre-run: Whole wheat sandwich thin with PB and 1/2 banana, water
During: 2 Gu chomps and water

Shoes:
New Brooks Ravena's

Saturday, August 7

11 miles on the schedule today and we lucked out with the weather. Plus, we lucked out with low humidity, so it was just about perfect.



We started out with a pretty large group, probably 8-9 of us all running together. I soon realized that I wasn't going to be able to hang with them throughout the entire run. Or if I did, I wouldn't be feeling great at the end of the run. So, I was slightly behind the group which was mentally frustrating even though I knew it was for my own best interest.

I felt good throughout the run, and felt like I was pushing it a bit, but OK.

I Gu'ed around mile 4, ate a mini Luna bar around mile 8, and drank a small cup of Gatorade at some point near the park ... mile 6?

I definitely could have kept going today for a couple more miles, but of course as soon as Garmin hit 11 miles, I stopped!

The details:
11.00 miles
1:52:17 ~ 10:12 / mile.
So, this was the fastest I've run all week. I think it's supposed to be the opposite, but I'll take it. I felt so much better today in the low humidity than the pea soup that we had on Thursday.

Fuel:
Pre-run: 1/2 cup coffee, sandwich thin with peanut butter and half banana, water
During: 1/2 pack Gu Chomps, mini Luna bar, water, G2

So, here's to half marathon distance next week ... bring it!