Monday, September 27, 2010

Looking Ahead

I trust everyone had a nice weekend. Mine was fabulous and jam packed per the usual. Friday after work we headed south to start our football weekend. Saturday morning we were up and out the door early to head to campus to occupy prime tailgating real estate. I took advantage of the early hour and new scenery to get in a nice easy run.

I had planned out a nice route that ran all through campus, all the fun exciting parts that reminded me how much I miss being in college. There have been so many updates and renovations in the almost 3 years I have been gone, especially the addition of an indoor track at the campus gym makes me very jealous!

So Saturday was 6 Miles - 57:41 or 9:38 average pace.
There were some serious hills that I really never noticed before, but having to run up them was not easy, but good prep for my upcoming races. The rest of the day was spent visiting with family and tailgating with friends. The Gators finally came away with a respectable win, and we barely made it back to the house before I passed out after an exhausting day.


Sunday = lazy/errands/cleaning/ etc. Not much to report


Monday: today was supposed to be 9 mile tempo (1 easy, 3 @8:30, 1 easy, 3 @8:20, 1 easy) but as I am looking ahead to my race this weekend, I decided that I wanted to get in a "tempo" at my hopeful pace for this weekend, just to get my legs used to that pace since I very rarely hit it. I am usually running a little faster or slower, so the 9:00 minute range has somewhat fallen by the wayside during marathon training which honestly seems silly, I feel like I have slow/easy pace or super fast tempo pace, and nothing in between.

Since the pace was uber- comfortable, I didn't need the easy mile in the middle so this became an 8 mile goal pace run.

8 miles-  1:13:06, 9:08 average pace
Mile 1-  9:44
Mile 2-  9:05
Mile 3-  9:03
Mile 4-  9:01
Mile 5-  8:57
Mile 6-  8:55
Mile 7-  8:52
Mile 8-  9:29


This run was comfortable, and leaves me really feeling ready for my race this weekend. Even though I have done multiple long runs well over 13 miles, this is only my 2nd half marathon, and I am dying to see the effects of all the hard work I have been putting in over the last several months. Despite the fact that I have a race this weekend, I am really looking ahead to the marathon. The website is finally updated with all the final details and I find that I have a serious case of race brain, it is sure making it hard to finish this test that I have due this week.

PS.. Kara Goucher had her baby yesterday!!!

3 comments:

  1. Good job thinking ahead. Go for your aggressive goal marathon pace for the half. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how doable and easy it feels. It will be a win-win situation! :)

    Glad you had a great weekend!!

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  2. yay for great weekends! i feel you about running through areas and being surprised by the hills. no bueno at the time but it'll be amazing for the future :)

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  3. Hi Stephanie! Sorry you're missing out on Chicago... I think it took me 4+ years of saying "I should sign up for Chicago..." and it always closed out before I could. Ooopie! Anyways, I MAY be doing the Jacksonville marathon this year. I lived there for a bit and it's such a great cause. If you're around for it I hope we can meet up!

    Good luck on your race... so soon!
    -Stephanie

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