Running: First Week of Spring

[limewave]

Just did 200 meter speed work.
I'm in pain.

[Aggie_Ama]

My longest run before my half marathon this weekend has been slightly over 12 miles. Last weekend I found the hilliest course I could and I felt amazing after 8 hilly miles. I am completely relaxed and excited about the run, I really think my training has been great. The bluebonnets are popping and the course should be gorgeous with wildflowers and central Texas' lost pines.

I have been running slow so I am conflicted on the pace group to get in. When I am hydrated and rested I think 10-10:30 is spot on (way down from my 8:30 days) but I don't want to push too hard. I haven't done much training at high intensity for long runs, we were told to keep the long runs at an easier pace. Actually I have never even used a pacer, so I am confused about how I will like that anyway.

I am craving fried food like a mad woman, I have been avoiding. I am not a chocolate girl, but fried food is my vice. 1 day and 20 hours to go!!

[skhill]

Today was my last "real" run before Sunday's half-- 6 miles, at a wind-slowed 9:25/mile. Friday I'm resting (but if the weather's nice, maybe a gentle bike ride) and Sat. is going to be a gentle 3 or 4 miles. I'm so excited!

My primary goal for the race is to finish. It should be under 2:15, barring some disaster; under 2:10 is a reasonable time to work towards; under 2:05 would be possible but unlikely. We'll see... My biggest worry is that I'll go out too fast, then run out of gas late in the race.

It's the first time for this half, and it sounds like some logistics problems are in the offing. They had way more folks register than expected, and finally had to cut it off at 2500 (that includes the 5k). Sounds like parking is going to be a major problem-- the organizers are asking everyone to carpool. Hopefully folks will keep a good sense of humor, while stuck in a pre-dawn traffic jam on a little country road...

[Jolt]

35-minute trail run today. It felt good (despite the fact that I have major cramps today). Tomorrow sounds like an icky day so it will probably be an indoor track run at the Y after work.

[OakLeaf]

Mile repeats x 3. I haven't been doing much speedwork lately and it shows. Ugh.

[Bike Chick]

Good luck on your HM's Aggie and SKHill. Give us a report afterward and I hope you get some good ole greasy fried chicken and french fries when you are done, Aggie.

It's been raining buckets all day. Did 5 very hot miles on the treadmill at the gym.

[colby]

My longest run before my half marathon this weekend has been slightly over 12 miles. Last weekend I found the hilliest course I could and I felt amazing after 8 hilly miles. I am completely relaxed and excited about the run, I really think my training has been great. The bluebonnets are popping and the course should be gorgeous with wildflowers and central Texas' lost pines.

I have been running slow so I am conflicted on the pace group to get in. When I am hydrated and rested I think 10-10:30 is spot on (way down from my 8:30 days) but I don't want to push too hard. I haven't done much training at high intensity for long runs, we were told to keep the long runs at an easier pace. Actually I have never even used a pacer, so I am confused about how I will like that anyway.

I am craving fried food like a mad woman, I have been avoiding. I am not a chocolate girl, but fried food is my vice. 1 day and 20 hours to go!!

I ran with a pacer this last marathon and I liked it more than I expected. It gave me something to hang on to as I ran. That said, I preferred to walk aid stations and the pace group did not, so I had to catch up after the aid station if I wanted to stick with it (or get slightly ahead and let the pace group catch me). They also ran a pretty consistent pace up and down hills, while I preferred to go faster downhill and slower uphill. So, I'd say to stick with it for a little while if you want to try it, but do not be afraid to let them go - it doesn't mean you won't hit your target time range, it just means you might hit it differently. It's not like there's a 10:13 pace group, OR you might hit your stride later in the race and catch back up/pass them.

I missed my run on Wednesday due to travel, so I did both a bike and a run today. The bike was 6x60s intervals, and the run was 8x60s 8% hill repeats, so my glutes are crying a little bit. I did not run as fast as I usually do, but with the time change and eating on a weird schedule (not to mention the stupid treadmill) I just did whatever felt right. Surprisingly I didn't have heavy legs after biking, I just felt under-fueled. Good, because my brick workouts start soon!

Good luck this weekend to both of you racing! Looking forward to your reports.

[Crankin]

Having a bit of running withdrawal, but I've found a walking routine on the treadmill that works for me on days I don't ride. We've had 2-3 nasty rainy days in a row when even I won't walk outside.
Basically, I am doing 2-3 hill intervals, at a 4-6% grade at 4.2 mph, for 10-20 minutes, interspersed with flat walking. When the 10 or 20 minutes is over, I alternate with the 3 sets of functional weight training on the ball, from the cyclo-core program.
So, I get close to an hour, between warming up for 5-10, 3 sets of the weight/body work, and 2-3 sets of the hill walks. If I am short on time, I can cut out one or more parts. I'm noticing that this is keeping the weight off more than riding... just doing this 2 days a week.

[indigoiis]

Ran 5.2 last night, the 2nd section of the route for the Cox half marathon in May. It went down a shady, river front street where I passed several other runners but felt very vulnerable (at 5 at night, no less). As I came to a point under an overpass, some loser gawker gave me a long look and said something about my rear end. I won't be running that route alone again any time soon!

[Jolt]

My run today was on the YMCA indoor track since it was cold and icky out. The good part was that I could run barefoot (this isn't the Y that tossed me out of the gym for doing so last year).

[Aggie_Ama]

Less than 24 hours! I woke up this morning with a killer neck ache, turns out my job is too stressful. I have been running errands and now home for two hours and I am back to positively relaxed.

I have no time goal. I told our CFO (his son is newbie marathoner with 1:30 half) that whatever time I get will be my PR to beat. I am personally setting no expectations although I did tell my husband I am expecting around 2:30 just so he knows how long he might be watching.

Good luck SK! It is so cool someone else has been on the same path at the same time as me. My half marathon requires us to be bused to the site. Luckily I got a $30 hotel with my rewards points and get to be on the bus that is only about 3 miles away. Other runners have to park at the airport and have up to a 40 minute bus!

[OakLeaf]

Good luck tomorrow Amanda - good luck Sunday skhill! I know you two will rock.

[Bike Chick]

Had a PR on a Relay for Life 5k run this morning - 33.13. Not very fast for most of you gals but I beat my last 5k time by 3 minutes! I was grinning ear to ear when I crossed the finished line