Just 48 days from today until the big race. It’s hard to believe it’s already nearing December…a month in which my training needs to kick into high gear. The true test will be fitting all my training in around the hectic schedule that the holidays and travel brings.
This past Thursday, I completed my second 10k. It was very different from the first one a few weeks ago, if for no other reason than the number of runners. There had to be close to 3000 runners who started, although roughly 2300 finished. It was interesting, if not a bit frightening, starting out in the middle of all those people trying to force their way down a not so wide street. The first half mile or so proved challenging just to find a place in the crowd in which you weren’t bumping into other runners. Eventually the crowd thinned out a bit, and I was able to focus on how horrible I was feeling. It was once again a very tough run. I’m not sure what’s causing these 10ks to be so difficult since at this point I’ve completed several runs longer than 6.22 miles, and they’ve generally felt pretty good. Sometimes, I guess, runs are just harder. I did finish well ahead of my goal time at 52:48 (8:29 miles), just six-seconds ahead of the first 10k. It’s possible my increased pace is the cause of how horrible the run is feeling. I’m going to focus the next few weeks on bringing some more consistency to my pace, especially during my long runs.
This week is going to prove interesting for running. I’m road tripping it across the country starting Thursday. Bretta and I should arrive in MN sometime Saturday. I’m not sure how much opportunity I’ll have to run while we’re driving. I’m even less sure of how much I’m going to want to run upon my arrival (forecast says highs in the 20s…yikes!). I’m not going to set a distance goal this week, in hopes of getting in as many miles as possible. I am going to get in my long run prior to leaving AZ.
Week 11 Summary: Goal 22 miles, 7.5 long run. I exceeded both goals by just a bit this past week. I ran for a total of 22.25 miles. My long run was 8 miles, at a pace of 8:45 (1:09:56).
Thursday, November 22 10k Summary: Goal 54:58, 8:50 miles. I completed the 10k in 52:48, at a pace of 8:29.
Week 12 Goal: Goal 8 mile long run, as many miles as I can get in with traveling. I’m scheduled for a long run of 8 miles this week, although I completed that distance last week. I’m going to attempt to push my long run past the 8 mile mark, and beyond 70 minutes.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
10k #2...
Training is coming along as I move into the eleventh week. I’m feeling very good about my progress so far. My long runs get easier each week, and it builds my confidence for meeting my goals for the half.
I’m just days away from my second 10k. I will be running the Mesa Mi Amigo Turkey Trot (http://www.raceplaceevents.com/) on Thanksgiving morning. It ought to feel great to get out there and do something active before planting ourselves in front of the tv for football, and filling our bellies with all sorts of goodness. At this point this is the last race I’ll participate in before the half. If I can find another 10k, or possibly a 10 mile run in December, I may opt for one more, but I haven’t seen anything yet.
I’ve also been researching charities for fund raising. I was having some trouble narrowing down my cause, but some recent news seems to have lead me to an obvious choice. I should have some final info next week. I hope you all will take the opportunity to support my running while supporting a good cause.
Being Thanksgiving week, I thought it appropriate to share some of what I’m grateful for. Sometimes when I’m out running, and I’m really struggling to keep going, I think about how lucky I am to be able to do this. To have the ability and the health to be able to get out there week after week is something I realize not everyone has. I think about the people who would give anything to be able to go out for a run and I realize I never want to waste that privilege. It feels really good when you know you are making the most of a gift you are given.
Week 10 Summary: Goal 20 miles, 7 mile long run. I exceeded both my distance and long run goals this past week. I ran a total of 20.5 miles, with a 7.5 mile long. My long run took me more than an hour and five minutes, my first time running more than an hour since I began training.
Week 11 Goal: My goal this week is 22 miles, with a long run of 7.5 miles.
Thursday, November 22 10k Goal: My goal for the race this week is 8:50 miles. My overall time should be 54:58.
Have a safe and fabulous holiday!
I’m just days away from my second 10k. I will be running the Mesa Mi Amigo Turkey Trot (http://www.raceplaceevents.com/) on Thanksgiving morning. It ought to feel great to get out there and do something active before planting ourselves in front of the tv for football, and filling our bellies with all sorts of goodness. At this point this is the last race I’ll participate in before the half. If I can find another 10k, or possibly a 10 mile run in December, I may opt for one more, but I haven’t seen anything yet.
I’ve also been researching charities for fund raising. I was having some trouble narrowing down my cause, but some recent news seems to have lead me to an obvious choice. I should have some final info next week. I hope you all will take the opportunity to support my running while supporting a good cause.
Being Thanksgiving week, I thought it appropriate to share some of what I’m grateful for. Sometimes when I’m out running, and I’m really struggling to keep going, I think about how lucky I am to be able to do this. To have the ability and the health to be able to get out there week after week is something I realize not everyone has. I think about the people who would give anything to be able to go out for a run and I realize I never want to waste that privilege. It feels really good when you know you are making the most of a gift you are given.
Week 10 Summary: Goal 20 miles, 7 mile long run. I exceeded both my distance and long run goals this past week. I ran a total of 20.5 miles, with a 7.5 mile long. My long run took me more than an hour and five minutes, my first time running more than an hour since I began training.
Week 11 Goal: My goal this week is 22 miles, with a long run of 7.5 miles.
Thursday, November 22 10k Goal: My goal for the race this week is 8:50 miles. My overall time should be 54:58.
Have a safe and fabulous holiday!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Nine down, nine to go...
I’ve now completed nine weeks of training, and have another nine to go. I cannot believe it’s already been more than two months. The race will be here before I know it, and hopefully I’ll be ready! I’m on track with where I hoped to be at this point, and may even be a little ahead of what I expected as far as pace. I am appreciating that the weather is finally starting to cool down so I can do some running in the evenings as well. It’s been a challenge to always squeeze them in first thing in the morning before it gets hot.
Well week 9 proved to be a bit of a challenge. I piled 3 runs in on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to try and get as many miles in as possible before I headed out of town early Thursday morning. I managed 15.5 miles in those three days, and by the Wednesday run my legs were getting pretty tired. My long run on Monday at 6.5 miles was probably the easiest run I had all week, which always feels good. I did squeeze in a run in San Antonio, although I wouldn’t say it was pretty. It was incredibly hot and humid, and I managed to get myself pretty lost. It’s never easy heading out running after a night in which your favorite word is vodka. It was a pretty cool way to get to explore a bit more of the Riverwalk though.
This week I’ll be heading over the one hour mark. Having just got back in town late last night, I’m spending a day or two repairing the weekend’s damage before I attempt the long run. It’s just another 10 days before the Thanksgiving 10k I'm planning to run.
Week 9 Summary: Goal 19 miles, 6.5 mile long run. I met both of my goals, finishing with an average pace for the week of 8:48 miles.
Week 10 Goal: My goal this week is 20 miles, with a long run of 7 miles. My long run should take me over 60 minutes for the first time since I started training.
Well week 9 proved to be a bit of a challenge. I piled 3 runs in on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to try and get as many miles in as possible before I headed out of town early Thursday morning. I managed 15.5 miles in those three days, and by the Wednesday run my legs were getting pretty tired. My long run on Monday at 6.5 miles was probably the easiest run I had all week, which always feels good. I did squeeze in a run in San Antonio, although I wouldn’t say it was pretty. It was incredibly hot and humid, and I managed to get myself pretty lost. It’s never easy heading out running after a night in which your favorite word is vodka. It was a pretty cool way to get to explore a bit more of the Riverwalk though.
This week I’ll be heading over the one hour mark. Having just got back in town late last night, I’m spending a day or two repairing the weekend’s damage before I attempt the long run. It’s just another 10 days before the Thanksgiving 10k I'm planning to run.
Week 9 Summary: Goal 19 miles, 6.5 mile long run. I met both of my goals, finishing with an average pace for the week of 8:48 miles.
Week 10 Goal: My goal this week is 20 miles, with a long run of 7 miles. My long run should take me over 60 minutes for the first time since I started training.
Monday, November 5, 2007
In the middle...
I’m coming up on the half way point of my training, and am starting to feel like I’m making some real progress. My long runs are starting to get up there, and the reality of being able to run for nearly two hours doesn’t seem quite so ridiculous. This week also marks nearing half way on the distance I’ll have to run also. At 6.5 miles, it’s just .05 miles shy of half of the half (13.1 miles)- a quarter marathon:).
We’ve had some crazy weather here, in which summer just keeps hanging around. It makes for having to get out a little earlier than you’d expect for early November. I’m still not a fan of running in 95 degree weather, but I guess it sure beats 15 degree weather that would soon be my reality in other parts of the country.
I ran a total of 85 miles in the month of October, with an average pace of 8:55. I’m starting to think I may be able to complete the half in far better time than my original goal. They (the running gods, I assume) say you’ll generally shave 15-30 seconds off your pace during a race on account of adrenaline and peer pressure. A lot can happen in a race, and during training, so for now I’m just going to keep getting out there and running and see what results…but it sure is encouraging.
Week 8 Summary: Goal 18.5 miles, 10k long run. I exceeded my distance goal this week by just a bit. I finished out with 18.75 miles. My long run was my race last Sunday, which I detailed in my previous posting.
Week 9 Goal: My goal this week is 19 miles, with a long run of 6.5 miles. I’m going to be in San Antonio in the latter part of the week celebrating Charly’s 30th birthday. I look forward to a run or two on the Riverwalk. Before I leave I’m working on getting as many miles in as possible. I have a feeling any runs there may be a little harder due to the influence of Team Agar.
We’ve had some crazy weather here, in which summer just keeps hanging around. It makes for having to get out a little earlier than you’d expect for early November. I’m still not a fan of running in 95 degree weather, but I guess it sure beats 15 degree weather that would soon be my reality in other parts of the country.
I ran a total of 85 miles in the month of October, with an average pace of 8:55. I’m starting to think I may be able to complete the half in far better time than my original goal. They (the running gods, I assume) say you’ll generally shave 15-30 seconds off your pace during a race on account of adrenaline and peer pressure. A lot can happen in a race, and during training, so for now I’m just going to keep getting out there and running and see what results…but it sure is encouraging.
Week 8 Summary: Goal 18.5 miles, 10k long run. I exceeded my distance goal this week by just a bit. I finished out with 18.75 miles. My long run was my race last Sunday, which I detailed in my previous posting.
Week 9 Goal: My goal this week is 19 miles, with a long run of 6.5 miles. I’m going to be in San Antonio in the latter part of the week celebrating Charly’s 30th birthday. I look forward to a run or two on the Riverwalk. Before I leave I’m working on getting as many miles in as possible. I have a feeling any runs there may be a little harder due to the influence of Team Agar.
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