And, that's a wrap!

I ran a 13K (8 miles) today. It was the last of a 3-part race series I signed up for. Being that my marathon is next weekend, I decided not to race today...but to pace a friend who wanted to come in under 1:30.  It was going to be 8 nice easy miles to wrap up my training for MCM.  I felt so strong today!  I easily could have went much more.  I barely broke a sweat!

What a treat today was...perfect running weather.  I helped my friend finish strong and come in at 1:29 and change.  I was stunned when I found out I took second in my age group for the race series.  A perfect day, indeed.

And on that high note, I'll say I'm done.  No more running until the start line on 10/30.  Semper Fi!!

20 miles...DONE!

My last LONG training run of the marathon plan has been completed! 20 MILES! WOO HOO!  I am amazed at how quickly I recovered.  I actually went out shopping on Saturday night.  Sunday I just had some mild tenderness in the knees.  Today, I will work out (bike, arms, abs).

I sure hope the crowds and marines will get me through the last 6.  The arches of my feet hurt more than anything else.

19 miles DONE...one more long run to go!

This weekend I did the first of my two 20 milers. I only made it 19 miles...but I think that was good enough! It was so stinking humid that I'm sure that accounts for something!

After the run, I hopped in an ice bath!  Delightful...

I don't know if I enjoyed my greek yogurt with granola, raisins, and banana or the ice bath more.  They were both wonderful after those hard miles.  Thanks to Keri @ Blue Eyed Runner for inspiring me to try an ice bath!

I recovered really quick after those 19 miles and actually did a 5 miler today.  Quite a difference in recovery times from the 1/2 marathon where it took me till Thursday to run again. 

My training plan calls for 15 miles on Saturday and the forecast is a high of 64.  15 miles will seem like a walk in the park compared to 19 in high humidity!!  After this weekend, I have one more 20 miler and then the taper begins.  So exciting!

recovery...

I'm still smiling from the 1/2 marathon this weekend. Recovery was slow...I just got back out today for my first run and only did a measly 3 miles.

I'm still slightly troubled by the left hamstring and right knee. Hoping to survive my 20 miler in tact this weekend!

Bib 10635!

Did I tell you I'm running a marathon? I think I may have mentioned it once or twice around here.

Bib numbers were announced yesterday...Mine is 10635.

WOO HOO...3 more long training runs...that's it...three to go...

Only 12.5 today...

A step back week in my training plan...only a 1/2 marathon run for the weekend! HA HA! I totally love how my mindset has changed as to what is a long run!  18 on the plan for next weekend.

It's a light weekend for us with no major plans. Off to hit the grocery store, lowe's, and the wine store. I want to try the skinny girl margarita stuff. Anyone tried it yet? Low calorie and low carb...my kind of drink.  House projects this afternoon!

Happy long weekend to all!

I'm an overachiever...I did 18 miles this morning!

WOO HOO! 18 miles done! I was worried about my training plan calling for 17 this week after how crappy my 15 miler was!

Turns out that I did great on 18 miles! Yes, I was tired. Yes, my legs hurt. But, I made it!

Lessons learned:
1. Overestimate water consumption. I needed more than one bottle per 6 mile loop.
2. Overestimate Shot Blocks...I tried to ration them. I should've taken more than I needed.
3. Have food waiting in car for post run. I was famished until I get home.

Since I finished running, I have been eating non-stop!  I've had a greek yogurt, 2 small sticky buns, a salad topped with steak, corn on the cob, and a slice and 1/2 of pizza.  OMG...that's a lot of food!

And now, I relax and ride out this hurricane by staying indoors, eating some more, and plenty of wine.  The worst is supposed to be from 4am-8am.  I really hope we don't lose power.

Hurricane Irene is messing with my training!

I HAD planned to do my long run on Sunday this week. The Hurricane apparently has other ideas for what I will be doing on Sunday.  So, the long run moves to Saturday.  17 miles....wow.  I will blog about it when done and let you know how it felt.

A bizarre thing happened to me on my 5.5 mile run last night.  My hands and feet burned.  They felt like they were on fire.  The only rationale I have is that I was chopping jalapenos before going out for the run.  I washed my hands thoroughly with soap.  Could that really be the culprit?

15 miles...what was I thinking?

With 10 weeks to go to my Marathon, the distances are starting to become real. I ran a 15 mile training run this morning. I'm starting to have serious doubts about my ability to run 26.2.

I feel like I've been hit by a truck. There is NO WAY I could have done 11 more miles.  Granted, I did this run on very little sleep and I had just raced a 5K on Wednesday...

17 miles next weekend. 

A Half Marathon Morning!

What a way to start the weekend...I ran 13 miles this morning. Not an official half marathon...just a training run. The temperature wasn't too bad (upper 70s at 6 am), but the humidity was high.  My friend said the dewpoint was 94 which is ridiculous!  She ran the first 6 with me.  Then I met up with some other friends and finished the last 7 with a guy named Matt.  I had only run with him once before...so it was great getting to know someone new.  It really takes your mind off running.

This week my plan called for:

Tues:  6X800s
Thurs:  7 miles
Saturday: 13 miles.

I actually did 4 miles on Tues, 7 miles on Thursday and 13 miles today.  I'm still a little gun shy on the speed work given my knee.  The knee felt great all day today...so I guess I need to get back to the speedwork plan. 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  Looking ahead to next week makes me smile...a step back week with only a 10 mile run on the weekend.  SWEET!

What to do???

Runners...I need your help.

For the last 5 weekends in a row, I've run 10 miles.  My marathon training plan doesn't start until July and it assumes you can run 8 miles comfortably.  What should I do from now until July?

I don't want to lose my base and endurance?  If I keep ramping my milelage up, will I risk injury?

Training plans

Alright...now that the decisions been made and pretty much etched in stone (note the addition of 2011 races to the right!!)...Has anyone got any good training plans they absolutely love? I read RW (Runner's World) from January and was going to follow the Hanson Brothers plan. However, my inner voice goes something like this....

"Hmmmm....only three 16 mile runs....I can do that.  If I can run 13, 16 isn't so bad." 

"WTF...why would I only run 16 miles to prepare when a marathon is 26.2.   How do I expect to be able to run 10 more miles on race day.  Yes, I understand only training 8 or 9 when it's a 10 mile race or 11 or 12 when it's a half...but only running 16 miles?  Are you kidding me??"

Not sure which inner voice to listen to?  Advice???