Running week 5/11 - 5/17

[OakLeaf]

Yeesh, I have been such a slug this week.

Honestly I might not have run today if DH hadn't woken up two hours after I'd had breakfast, and decided to fix us a mess of blueberry pancakes. With those in my belly, I had to run.

Did the same loop I did last week, 8.3 miles, unbelievably I ran it a little bit faster @ 10:18.

The trouble with depression is that the disorder itself makes it so hard to do what I know I need to do to get through it. Great runs all you gals and good to hear the recovery's going well. Thanks for the inspiration.

[SJCzar]

My half-marathon on Sunday was really fun. I faithfully followed a 16 week training program leading up to the race and I think that really gave me the confidence to go into the event feeling totally prepared.

There was close to a total 10,000 runners doing the marathon, half-marathon, and a 5K (which started a half hour earlier). Because of the amount of runners the pace was a bit slow going out for the first mile or so but after that people seemed to be able to get into their zone.

The spectators in Green Bay were really enthusiastic. They were very supportive with their signs, words of encouragement to all the runners, boom boxes blaring upbeat music, and bands along the way. The event was very well organized and there were plenty of rest stops.

I made all my goals. First - enjoy every minute of it. Second - don't walk at all (except for while drinking at the rest stops - I have not perfected drinking while running yet). Lastly - keep the overall pace under 11 minute miles. I had to keep slowing myself down because I was running faster and was afraid I would wear myself out for the last few miles. I never did feel too tired out so I probably could have run a bit faster but I was more concerned about having fun and ending the race on a positive note. I really wanted to be able to think of it as my favorite race ever - which it was. It was much easier to stay motivated for 13.1 slower miles then it has ever been for me for a faster paced 5 K run.

One of the coolest features of the race was being able to run through the player's tunnel out into Lambeau Field to take a lap around the track. The sound system was cranking and the stands were filled with people. After that it was back outside the stadium to the finish line in the parking lot.

Now that the half-marathon was such a postive experience my running buddy and I are already thinking about training for a full marathon in the fall .... but perhaps that's just the after-glow of a fabulous day and the reality of the commitment of that many miles will sink in first.