Weather Ch-Ch-Changes

Each year, I have the same issue.  Once the weather breaks I don't do well with my running.  I have been in such a groove with running 3 days a week in the wee hours of the am.  Last week, I made it once.  This week I am aiming for twice. 

My half marathon is in 12 days.  So I am sure the taper isn't helping. 

I run so much better in cooler weather, so you would think I would be all over these cooler temps...yeah, no so much.

I still have goals for this half marathon...excited for it...

POST - OSU 4 Miler

So, late last week, I decided to run 12 miles for training on Saturday. Thankfully, when my alarm went off I wasn't feeling it.  I decided to sleep in.  It was lovely.  I went out and ran just over 4 Saturday morning.  Went about the day getting ready for Billy's Birthday dinner.

We went to bed pretty early on Saturday (per usual) We got up about 6:30 and left for the race about 7:45.  We made it down to OSU with plenty of time.  Parking wasn't a problem.

We got to the stadium decided to get in line for restrooms while the line was short.  We walked out the South Stands and looked at the field.  It is pretty cool to be so close.

After awhile we walked over to our corrals.  I decided to line up with the 10 minute group and hoped that I would stay 'just ahead' of the pack.

I met up with Sarah and we waited...our corral started moving..they then blocked us so that we were at the very start of the 3rd start.  Hmm, never been in that situation.  Regroup...Rethink my plan.  I am at the front, I need to run my pace.  Not worry about others.

**when you line up for a race and you are wearing jorts, you probably don't run a 10 minute mile...please do everyone a favor and move back!**

So, Mile 1 because survival.  People pushing, lots of weaving.
Mile 2 became about breathing
Mile 3 - keep it going
Mile 4 - I CAN DO THIS

My splits were
Mile1 - 9:19
Mile 2 - 9:33
Mile 3 - 10:30
Mile 4 - 9:42

My goal was to finish and pass my time from last year.  I surpassed that goal by 20 seconds!  Quite pleased with myself.

**20 seconds may not seem like a ton, but it does feel faster when trying to work on speed.

Pre - OSU Four Miler

The race is this Sunday morning.  I did it last year and it was FABULOUS!  Well organized, lots of fun, great course.

I would like to push past my time from last year which was {{39:31}}My goal is less than that! lol!

Jeff is running too!  I can't wait to finish on the 50!!!

Emerald City Half Marathon - August 24 My 14th Half Marathon

So Saturday prior to the race, I didn't do a whole lot.  I clean the kitchen upper cabinets. We drive the race course and I made dinner.

I was certainly freaked out about the humidity.  I began drinking water about 7:30 and continued throughout the day.  I stopped counting when I had reached 125 ounces.  Naturally, I was peeing the entire day.

For dinner, I made Pasta alla Ladd.  A recipe from Pioneer woman.  I used half beef and half turkey.  Delicious.

I went to bed about 8:30-9-ish.  My alarm went off at 4:30 and I hopped out of bed.

I went downstairs and made a cup of coffee, a glass of water and a plain bagel with crunchy almond butter and honey. After eating I put together a cooler for after the race. 

I got dressed.  I wore: bondi band, SVTC Headsweats visor, ROAD ID, underarmour tank, moving comfort MAIA bra, running skirt, Compression sleeves, balega socks and Mizuno Wave Creation Shoes. Naturally, I wore my Garmin, too.  I wore my spibelt and against my better judgement I wore my fuel belt rather than my hand held.  Not a good move, since I hate the fuel belt.

I finished getting ready and drove over to Steph's house.  We made our way to the race.  Parked the car and unloaded.

Made it to the start and hit the potties...yuck.  The went to our corral to begin.

The gun went off and we slowly walked to the start line.  ANNNNNDDDDD then we began.  Starting out was pretty crowded, but I stuck like glue to the pacer for 2:20  I didn't immediately start my intervals...because i had issues with the fuel belt, bottles flying everywhere...accckkkkk.  I stuck 2 in my bra and was able to wear the other two.  FAIL!I felt like I was floating for miles

At mile 4, I had calmed down and started my 2 minute run to 30 sec run...I felt like I was floating for miles4-10...felt great.  I did a half a chocolate waffle at miles 3,6,9 and I should have done one at mile 12...mistake. 

Until mile 12, I was under 11 minute miles.  I should have fueled.  Damn. 

So here are my splits:
Mile 1  10.54
Mile 2  10.47
Mile 3  10.35
Mile 4 10.48
Mile 5 10.28
Mile 6 10.25
Mile 7 10.27
Mile 8 10.18
Mile 9 10.53
Mile 10 10.51
Mile 11 10.51
Mile 12 11.42
Mile 13 12.01
Mile 14 10.13

The entire race, my Garmin was off from the official mile markers.  So I finished the race at 13.30.

All in all, I thought this race was great.  One of my fav's even with the the heat/humidity.  With a race the end of August, what do you expect?  M3Sports does a great job. They are very well organized.  The volunteers were organized and I had a blast.  I can't wait to do it again!

RACE WEEK!!!

So half marathon #14 is on the horizon.  I am not nervous at this point - however, each of my long runs have sucked, so who knows how this will go!  Goal is to finish and hopefully get a post Lill PR.

SO running this week is a little different since there is another half knocking on my door...
Monday - 5 miles
Tuesday - 5 miles
Wednesday - 7 miles
Thursday - 5 miles
Friday - OFF
Saturday - OFF

I am going to try to keep my eating and snacking to a minimum this week. 

Plan A - go 2 hours 10 min
Plan B - go 2 hours 20 min
Plan C - go 2 hours 28 min (finish!)

Well, that was fast!

Has it really been a month since I updated?  WOW!

Still running in the am, I think it is close to a habit now...just not sure about when the cold weather gets here...brrr.  But for now I am enjoying my early am time.

We went to Provincetown and saw the sights and sounds.  Nicholas and Kara's wedding was perfect.  Such a good time.

I was able to get out and run one morning.  I did the 2.5 into town(Pilgrim's Monument) and back.  It was a glorious run. This was actually taken the next day when I climbed to the top carrying Lill!  GO ME!

Yesterday we got back into the swing of things....5 mile run, work, play, dinner, bed...repeat.

And just like that....

Vacation 1 of 2014 is over.  We spent last week in Myrtle Beach.  It was glorious.  Lillie ran all over the place, she splashed in water, played in sand and ate like a champ....Krispy Kreme's for breakfast...(she did eat bananas, blueberries and broccoli, often)  she had 2 milkshakes.  needless to say we are all in detox today. 

We leave for beach trip 2 in 23 days!  Can't wait.  We weren't planning on 2 trips, but my brother is getting married...so off we go.

I did manage to run one day while at the beach.  I did visit a running store and will be back on plan this afternoon.  I need to run...