You wouldn't know it by the weather around here. I am a HUGE fan of sunshine, sunny weather and summer. I never, in a million years, would ever think that I would long for cool, crisp days. But enough is enough. It was close to 90 degrees today and over 80 down at the bay where I went running today. I didn't finish my run until noon and that sun was beating down. I had a headache all afternoon. I think I might try those Endurolytes that so many of you praise (specifically, Terri and Alissa ). Alissa says that it helped her post-run headaches. Eventually this summer weather will go away and I won't need to worry about it as much....right??
I am trying some training ideas from Brain Training for Runners. Today I was going to do a twelve mile "progression run." After reviewing our to-do list and getting a later start than I had wanted, I adjusted it to eight miles. I just couldn't justify a two hour run. The book said to "start @ recovery pace; gradually increase pace every other mile. Run last mile @ half-marathon pace." I did my own variation of this. My main goal was to run a negative split on the last mile. I did it, but it felt like an all-out sprint when it should have felt a bit better. I still have a lot of work to do.
Here are my splits:
Mile 1- 9:31 (feeling good to start and having a hard time keeping the pace down below 10, which should be my recovery pace)
Mile 2- 9:26
Mile 3- 9:42 (consciously slowed down because I wanted to run the 4th mile at a faster pace. Is it too early to have a Gu?)
Mile 4- 9:07 (I felt pretty good about this mile because I had to run over two pretty steep bridges over the bay. I rewarded myself with a Gu after I was done. Does it make me a running wimp when I need calories during an 8 mile run?)
Mile 5- 9:56 (the fast mile started taking its toll. I was also starting to feel the heat. Why did I think it was a good idea to start running at 10:30???)
Mile 6- 9:50 (when is that Gu going to kick in?)
Mile 7- 9:32 (how many times am I going to look at that silly Garmin? One of these days I am going to trip because of my obsession with the Garmin)
Mile 8- 8:59 (woo hoo! As I began that last mile, I saw two older women walking. I am pretty sure by their attire that they were training for the 3-Day Walk. That is something I want to do someday. I thought to myself, "if two women in their 60's could walk 60 miles, I can certainly push myself this last mile." I ran that last mile for the women (and men) walking in a couple of weeks to raise money to fight breast cancer. I felt glad to be wearing pink :-) I was hoping that I could have done closer to 8:45, but it was my desired half-marathon pace and it was a negative split.)
Total Distance- 8.07 miles
Time- 1:16:44
Pace- 9:31
Lately, I have only been running on the weekend. Life has just been so busy. If I am going to do a half marathon in six weeks or so, I need to run during the week. It is just SO hard when it is dark in the morning. I think I am going to have to break down and get a gym membership so I can run on the treadmill at 5:30. Yikes.
Next week I am going to run my first 5K. Isn't it funny? I have run just about all the other distances-- marathon, half-marathon, 15K, 10K. I am not looking for a stellar time because it is not really a runner's race. It is the Race for the Cure and when I walked it a few years ago, I didn't even know that people ran it. Wow, how things have changed.
Happy running everyone! A special shout to everyone running the Marine Corp tomorrow. That is one race I would love to be part of. Good luck to MCM Mama in her first marathon!!
4 comments:
Lisa, that is so funny that you walked the 'Race for the Cure' your first time doing it because that's what I did too! I did it in 45 minutes. I've since run it a couple times, doing it every year for the past three years. I also want to do a 3-Day, my goal is to do it with my mom (since she is a 2x survivor of breast cancer) and I want to raise all the money for both of us to do it myself. I think it may have to wait a couple years, but it's on my list.
I've wanted to read that "Brain Training" book, I keep meaning to go pick it up at my local library.
Good luck on your 5K next week and on getting in your training time for the half-marathon coming up! Is it really just 6 weeks out? Wow...
you are not a wimp to take Gu during the 8 miler, would it make you feel better to know I also use Endurolytes, and gatorade, and my gels during that distance?! :-)
I LOVE the endurolytes, they are even helping me in the cold, when to be honest, I have not realized I am still sweating. Having problems figuring out what to wear, I think that is part of it.
Here, it's dark when I get up, and by the time I get home. Running in the dark can be scary, but running on the treadmill just makes me want to shoot myself!
Have fun with the Race for the Cure--you're right not to expect a superfast pace. There are so many people that you can't get going fast right away, and that's so crucial in a short race! But it's a good cause, right?
I had a good run today too. So encouraging after my apparent decline! :) 12 miles in 2 hours, not superfast average, but only 4 of the miles were over the 10 minute range, and I was working on a negative split too. Mile 10 at 9:03 and Mile 11 at 8:37! (After which my stomach was pretty much in my throat.) Then Mile 12 was a recovery pace of 10:03, without even trying hard.
So I have hope....
I really want to start reading Brain Training for Runners - my brother got it for my birthday a few months ago but I haven't gotten to it yet. However, I think I might be a little lost... I don't know what my "recovery pace" is! I've never had a specific training plan - I just kind of go out and run and see how it goes.
Post a Comment