New Training Run

Today I tried something different. Its come to that point... the one where I've realized that in order to get better PRs, I must really step things up. Run run run, that's been my plan... but now its time to put more emphasis on speedwork, rest, tempos, and all those other specific type runs.

So today I tried one out.

The point is to split your goal race distance into smaller segments and take rest breaks in between intervals and preform the running segments at race pace.

Here's how I did it...

2 mile warm-up at 7.2 mph
3 miles at 8.6 mph
5 minutes rest
3 miles at 8.6 mph
6 minutes rest
3 miles at 8.6 mph
1 mile cool down at 7.2 mph
= 12 miles total.

Verdict:

This was a very hard run to complete! Goal race pace for 9 miles is difficult to do on a treadmill, without the actual race day anxiety and adrenaline.
I will definitely be adding this run to my training. We'll see if the effort pays off.

Pain free

Due to thunderstorms this morning I had to hit the gym for a treadmill run. Today I was hoping to get in 8 miles... normally that'd be no problem, but due to recent tendinitis anything over a slow 6 has been impossible.
Well today I made 10!! and without pain or tightness. I didn't take the pace much under 8min/mile, but it still felt great to do decent mileage. I also felt like I could keep running past ten miles... but felt I shouldn't get too greedy with it! No need to over due it, I want to be fully healed!

This run makes me think maybe I won't have to switch from the full to the 1/2 marathon on April 24th. Fingers crossed. I'm very late on my marathon training and hate feeling so unprepared for a race. Sigh, we'll see in the weeks to come...

I'm a racer, I'm a racer!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's official... the Huntsville Fleet Feet has announced their 2010 racing team... AND I'M ON IT!

Honestly I'm baffled.
and delighted, excited, anxious, and oh yes...completely terrified and intimidated.

Woot. Did I mention Super Freakin' Excited?!?

CHECK IT OUT!

So not sure what I have to do yet... but can't wait to get more info!

Right now I know I have to get faster. Much faster.
My goal is to train hard and lose some winter weight. I've got a good 5 pounds packed on and shedding that would definitely help my speed. Time to make a running schedule and stop eating gummy bears.

I'm in Love....

I've always been a GU fan. Easy to carry on a run, gluten free, and tastes better than the other energy gels. The roctane are delicious, but too expensive in my opinion. So I stuck with the espresso love flavor for the most part. Until recently that is... I picked up a free Gu at a race and it happened to be one of the new Jet Blackberry flavors. Reluctantly, I took it on a 12 miler and at mile 6 when I sucked it down... OMG was I amazed. It is so flavorful and delicious... I'd gladly eat this for dessert running or not. So I bought a case.
Thank you GU for fueling my runs.

Tuna Rolls

I was feeling great after a 12 mile run with an ave pace/mile of 7:27 so I wanted some healthy grub to keep my high going.
A chunk of tuna in the fridge was calling my name...
After marinating the tuna in a little gluten free soy sauce and lime juice, tyler seared up the seafood (just seared, we like it RARE) while I sliced and diced some plants. Carrots, romain, red onions, cilantro, mango, and cucumber along with slices of tuna got rolled up in rice paper. I dipped them in a bit of sweet pepper sauce and devoured them.

It's easy to come home from a run and scarf some junk food to replenish, but sometimes...usually... its worth the effort to prepare a fresh, clean meal.

Bad Races

I suppose everyone has a bad race. It makes sense... we all have poor training runs every now and then. But I've been lucky and have always PRed and had a good performance at every race.
Until the Reedy River 10k in Greenville, SC that is....
I had taken a full 6 days off to try and cure my semitendinosus tendinitis. It didn't work at all. At the start line I had that feeling of dread. This just isn't going to go well I thought... My heart was beating out of control and I hadn't even taken a single step yet. Sigh. I took off at the gun anyhow. Got through 2 miles at a good pace, but then it caught up with me. I crashed hard. Couldn't keep up. Breathing was labored, heart was racing, tendon was so tight I thought it might just rupture. During the final mile I was passed constantly... one weekend jogger after the next overtook me with ease. Damn. I could barely hold back the tears, and once I crossed the finish line, I wanted to hide from the embarrassment. Sigh. Tyler told me to suck it up. I hate being married sometimes.

So that was my first (likely not my last) bad race. And yes, I still ate ice cream afterwards.

Mercedes 1/2 Marathon

PR!! 1:32:51

I'll take it.

My first time to Birmingham, AL and I enjoyed the weekend trip. This race was on Valentines Day which proved to be problematic...
Hubby took me out for an awesome dinner Saturday night at Hot&Hot Fish Club (http://www.hotandhotfishclub.com/) and I had too many martinis. Not the best thing before a race. But oh well, those fresh squeezed grapefruit martinis were well worth it. For dinner I ordered the rabbit loin over greens with wild mushrooms, a poached farm fresh egg, and a warm bacon vinaigrette. Most delicious thing I have ever tasted.

The course was a bit hilly, but the worst thing was the weather. A frigid 30 degree start temp made me cringe. My Florida blood was not happy. Overall though, it was a great race and I will do it again.