We're going to run the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon in 3 weeks along with half the neighborhood. It will be really fun to have so many friends there.
Mel originally signed up to run the 5k. A week or two after we signed up she said "Do you think I could do the half marathon?" And the rest is history. Ever since then she has been very dedicated to training and she'll do great.
I've tactfully avoided telling her how bad our legs are going to burn after the race.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
14 Weeks To Marathon
Monday, June 22nd 2009: 30 minutes on exercise bike.
Tuesday, June 23rd 2009: 3.5 miles in 38 minutes. Mel and I went early in the morning and just took it easy. I decided to run fast for the last mile to our house up a big hill and did the last mile at an 8:47/mile pace.
Wednesday, June 24th 2009: 30 glorious minutes on the exercise bike.
Thursday, June 25th 2009: 4.5 miles at high school speed workout. The group did 800's (2 laps around the track). I was a little nervous about my pacing for 2 laps. I usually just do one, but I push hard enough that I couldn't imagine doing it for 2 laps. I ran all the 800's with Darrin Larson who helped me with pacing so now I know a little better what to expect. My times for the 800's were:
1) 3:23
2) 3:46
3) 3:49
4) 3:38
I was pooped by this point and ready to head out. Tom asked if I wanted to do one more. I told him I didn't have another 800 in me, but may be able to do a 400. He challenged me to do it in 1 minute 25 seconds, my personal record. I was apprehensive but gave it a shot.
I was cruising the first half of the lap and was surprised how good I was feeling. Then I wore out. The last 1/4 of the lap was excruciating but I kept pushing.....and crossed the line in 1 minute 23 seconds! Then I stood on the side panting and trying my darndest to not let the throw up escape that was begging to come out. This is the closest I've come to blowing chunks. I thought it was inevitable.
I was on cloud 9 the rest of the day for beating my record. Granted, it's only 2 seconds faster but I did it after already running 4 miles. It was so hard that I felt really proud of myself.
That night I ran 6.7 miles in 1 hour 19 minutes with Mel. She wanted me to run with her so I thought I'd be fine. This was very foolish for 2 reasons: 1) My body was still worn out from the morning running, and 2) I ate a big bowl of Wheat Chex 20 minutes before we left.
For the whole run I had a bad side ache and it felt like the whole bowl of Chex was lodged right in my throat. It was miserable.
Friday, June 26th 2009: Rest (with a healthy supply of junk food and icing my knees).
Saturday, June 27th 2009: 12 miles in 2 hours 18 minutes. My brother-in-law Dean was down from Washington and has gotten into running. So Dean, Mel, and I headed out at 4:30am for a 12 miler. This was both Dean and Mel's distance record and we had fun running together. The stars aligned and we got a nap afterward. Otherwise I would have perished.
Tuesday, June 23rd 2009: 3.5 miles in 38 minutes. Mel and I went early in the morning and just took it easy. I decided to run fast for the last mile to our house up a big hill and did the last mile at an 8:47/mile pace.
Wednesday, June 24th 2009: 30 glorious minutes on the exercise bike.
Thursday, June 25th 2009: 4.5 miles at high school speed workout. The group did 800's (2 laps around the track). I was a little nervous about my pacing for 2 laps. I usually just do one, but I push hard enough that I couldn't imagine doing it for 2 laps. I ran all the 800's with Darrin Larson who helped me with pacing so now I know a little better what to expect. My times for the 800's were:
1) 3:23
2) 3:46
3) 3:49
4) 3:38
I was pooped by this point and ready to head out. Tom asked if I wanted to do one more. I told him I didn't have another 800 in me, but may be able to do a 400. He challenged me to do it in 1 minute 25 seconds, my personal record. I was apprehensive but gave it a shot.
I was cruising the first half of the lap and was surprised how good I was feeling. Then I wore out. The last 1/4 of the lap was excruciating but I kept pushing.....and crossed the line in 1 minute 23 seconds! Then I stood on the side panting and trying my darndest to not let the throw up escape that was begging to come out. This is the closest I've come to blowing chunks. I thought it was inevitable.
I was on cloud 9 the rest of the day for beating my record. Granted, it's only 2 seconds faster but I did it after already running 4 miles. It was so hard that I felt really proud of myself.
That night I ran 6.7 miles in 1 hour 19 minutes with Mel. She wanted me to run with her so I thought I'd be fine. This was very foolish for 2 reasons: 1) My body was still worn out from the morning running, and 2) I ate a big bowl of Wheat Chex 20 minutes before we left.
For the whole run I had a bad side ache and it felt like the whole bowl of Chex was lodged right in my throat. It was miserable.
Friday, June 26th 2009: Rest (with a healthy supply of junk food and icing my knees).
Saturday, June 27th 2009: 12 miles in 2 hours 18 minutes. My brother-in-law Dean was down from Washington and has gotten into running. So Dean, Mel, and I headed out at 4:30am for a 12 miler. This was both Dean and Mel's distance record and we had fun running together. The stars aligned and we got a nap afterward. Otherwise I would have perished.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
How To Avoid Bleeding Nipples
Sweaty clothing + skin = chaffing.
Disturbingly, any runner will tell you that nipples are especially prone. Ugh. Fortunately, Running Superfans created this prevention video. Very funny - enjoy!
Disturbingly, any runner will tell you that nipples are especially prone. Ugh. Fortunately, Running Superfans created this prevention video. Very funny - enjoy!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
15 Weeks To Marathon
Monday, June 15th 2009: 5 miles in 55 minutes. I ran with Mel and we kept a pretty steady pace for the run.
Tuesday, June 16th 2009: 40 minutes on exercise bike. Whoa mama. My legs were moving, my heart was pounding, the sweat was pouring, and I was having the time of my life. Wait. That last part was a lie.
Wednesday, June 17th 2009: 3.5 miles at the track. I did 4 fast 400's (1 lap around). My times were 1 minute 25 seconds, 1:35, 1:34, and 1:26. On my last lap, I really tried to beat the 1:25. I was one second slower but definitely gave everything I had. I think 1:25 is my record for a 400.
Thursday, June 18th 2009: 30 minutes doing hills on bike. The weather was perfect in the morning - cool and crisp. I went up and down hills for no good reason. As Captain Sarcasm would say, "It was interesting and fantastic!"
Friday, June 19th 2009: Rest.
Saturday, June 20th 2009: 17 miles in 3 hours 5 minutes. It is inconceivable that my chicken legs carried me 17 miles. I ran into a really strong headwind for the first 8 miles which kicked my rump. This is how I felt:
By the time I reached the half-way point and turned around I was starting to feel worn out. Somehow my legs continued to move. The last three miles I picked up my pace and was feeling pretty good, but with about a half mile left I was spent. Spent. It felt like someone had secretly strapped filing cabinets to my legs. A charley horse was begging to come over and play but thankfully it never hit me full force.
I finished with an average 10:54 per minute pace. I wanted to beat my 10:36 pace from last week's long run and I think I could have if it weren't so windy. I hope to leave the filing cabinets at home for the next long run.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Very Funny Running Video
I found some videos by Running Superfans through Runners World. This one about a guy training for an ultramarathon is my favorite. I watched it three times and sobbed with laughter every time.
I'll be posting a video from Running Superfans once a week for the next four weeks. Enjoy!
I'll be posting a video from Running Superfans once a week for the next four weeks. Enjoy!
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