9 miles this morning and a marathon plan recap - week 1

I ran 9 miles this morning with no knee pain. WOO HOO! What a great way to end week 1 of my marathon training plan.

Week one called for:

Tuesday:  8X400s
Thursday:  3 miles
Saturday: 10 miles

I completed:


Tuesday:  8X400s, with warm up and cool down
Thursday:  3 miles on a treadmill at my PT's office
Sunday: 9 miles, 1:38

I'm not going to stress about missing the last mile of my long run or about my finish time.  Let me say that again so that I really believe it.  I'm not going to stress about missing the last mile of my long run or about my finish time.  My PT only wanted me to do 8 this week.  I felt great at 8 so I pushed for one more.   The most important thing right now is that I'm running pain free.  Thank you Scott Toale @ Phoenix Rehab!

I'm done.

I finished my last training run today. Next time I will be running is when I cross the starting mat (about 8:15 or so) on Sunday morning....9/19.  The day my Dad would have turned 67.

This one is all for my Dad...He fought his cancer with such bravery and courage.  It's only fitting that I do my longest race on his birthday in memory and in honor of him!!  Two years ago, I couldn't run a mile.  Running never even crossed my mind.  After losing him, it became my alone time, my comfort, my solace, and my escape. 

Love you and miss you, Dad!  Watch for some balloons headed your way after I cross that finish line!

One week from today I will be running my first 1/2!

At this time next week, I'll be between mile 5 and 6. Week 13 training has wrapped up.  I am really not into this tapering crap.  I feel like I am so strong...I just want to get out and run.  Yesterday, the coaches limited us to 6 miles.  6 miles...please...I wanted to go 12. 

Monday-off
Tuesday-5 miles, 52 minutes
Wednesday-off
Thursday-8 miles 1:23
Friday-cross train bike 30 min, arms, abs
Saturday-6 miles, 1 hour even
Sunday-supposed to be 5K race, instead cross train bike 30 min, arms, abs


It's raining today and we desperately need the rain.  I was going to do a 5K with my friend Jeff where I was practically guaranteed to medal.  They had 35 awards and 13 people preregistered.  We drove over, saw about 6 cars, and sat it out hoping the rain would let up.  It didn't, so we went out to breakfast instead.

GO EAGLES!

It's all down hill now...

So, I'm officially tapering....resting the legs before the big run. As if an 8 mile run is considered resting...

Week in Review:

Monday-off
Tuesday-8.2 miles; 1:31
Wednesday-6 miles; 1:03
Thursday-off
Friday-off
Saturday-10.3 miles, 1:55
Sunday-3.4 miles, 37 min

Hope everyone is having an enjoyable Labor Day.  Rest, Relax and enjoy the last bit of summer!

Three more weeks to go!

That's right...just 3 more weeks until my 1/2 marathon!!  I did another 12 mile run yesterday and felt great!  I finished strong (not dying on the last mile like the last two times I ran 12 miles).  I actually smiled to myself as I passed the 1 mile and 1/2 mile markers at Forbidden drive.  I really enjoyed the run!

Here's my weekly recap:

Monday-7 miles, ipod did not record so no idea on time, 8X100 striders at end (total 8 miles)
Tuesday-off
Wedensday-6 miles, 1:03
Thursday-off
Friday-off
Saturday-12 miles, 2:09
Sunday-3 miles, 31 minutes

Weekly recap

Not a great week...missed an 8 mile run due to my little face plant on the sidewalk incident.  Regardless, here's what I did:

Monday-off
Tuesday-6 miles, 110 minutes.  Never stopped the ipod when I fell or when I stopped to clean up the blood dripping out of my mouth. 
Wednesday & Thursday-off...too damn sore
Friday-12 miles, 2:16
Saturday-3 miles, 30  min
Sunday-off
In other news, we redecorated Gidge's room.  She's outgrown the pastels and has opted for cheetah print.  Pics coming soon.

Mike ran the Shirley's Run 5K in Maple Glen this morning in the rain.  29:28 finish.  He wasn't pleased...but given the weather, I think he did great.

Week 9 Done! Almost there...

So, I have to admit, I'm getting a little cocky.  I felt so great after last week's 10 mile run that I decided to throw caution to the wind and run 12 miles this weekend.  The training plan called for another 10 mile run.  I rationalized that if I can do 10 with such stamina and endurance, what's 2 more??

I felt great the first 6 (lap 1).  We finished in 1 hour 4 minutes.  I popped a nuun in my bottle, refilled, and off we went for lap 2.   I felt great up until about 10.5 miles.  The last mile to mile and a half really kicked my butt!  Finish time for lap 2 was 1 hour 8 minutes.  Overall, I was pleased with the run and my time.  I was really pleased at my recovery.  I was feeling great within 3 hours.  I will definitely do 12 again this week!

The week in review:
Monday-off
Tuesday-7 miles, 1:17 with striders at end (total 8 miles)
Wednesday-6.3 miles, 1:10
Thursday-bike, arms, abs, and legs
Friday-off
Saturday-12 miles, 2:12
Sunday-3 miles, 29 minutes