Back to Normal

Today was great. The temperature was in the 60s and I had a relatively easy workout - the usual cadence and accelerations and just 3 one milers at marathon pace. Somehow I can't run slow enough, even with the 3/1 pattern, but I decided just to try and focus on my pace and not worry too much. I will just have to try very hard not to go out fast in Minneapolis.

I was totally recovered from the 23 miler - glad to discover that - and delighted with the realization that my glutes/hamstrings haven't bothered me in a week.

It was just nice to have a solid, uneventful run.

23 long miles

So today was long run day. It was warm today and I got out about 6:30 or so. The first 20 miles were fine. I noticed I was getting tired about 18.5 when I stopped on the trail to say hi to my husband and Siberian Husky. I had just run for about an hour in an area with no shade and the temperature was in the 80's. I was already making a mental note on where to run for the last 3 miles. I was on a 10 mile out and back route.
When it came time to turn around to start the last 3 miles I decided I was getting pretty tired. One calf was cramping a bit and my stomach was not great. So, since my purpose was supposed to be endurance I reasoned that walking was better than stopping. For the last three miles I walked more than ran, but I finished.
Now I will hope that Oct 4 in Minneapolis will be cooler than 80s!

Home Again

Ahh, 6 am and 60 degrees, not 74! It is nice to be back running in more sane conditions. This is a quite week in my training program, building to 23 miles on Sunday. This morning was a simple run with some cadence and acceleration drills. I have increased these mid-week runs from 30 to 40 minutes, more to boost my self-confidence than anything else. Since there were no mile repeats in this workout, I just ran from our house and enjoyed the corn fields etc. With a little luck, I will have time later today to get a new pair of running shoes. The current ones have developed a squeak - I think they are trying to tell me something.

Philadelphia is hot!

I am at a four day aikido camp and fitting in my runs around classes. Since the highs each day are in the 90's, that isn't really a challenge. This morning I was out at 6 am for my 'easy' 20 minute run. I can't believe that a 20 minute run is part of my training program but it is and I did it. The challenge will be Sunday when I need to do a mile test. I checked with some fellows at the Villanova track and they said I will be able to use it on Sunday about 6 am. They said the football team may be out there but it didn't matter. I am hoping they are not practicing on a Sunday at 6 am. I don't need the distraction.

This morning's run was on streets and while humid and I would guess in the 70's, it was fine. The high today is forecast for 94 (feeling like 96). Tomorrow is 96. Needless to say, aikido practice is hot.

Take care,
Judy

Back to Cool Weather

This morning was back in the high 50's at 7 am - such a nice break! I am back to hill workouts and planning for Minneapolis. Delighted to read in Runners World last night that my training routine is ideal for a marathon. Obviously Jeff Galloway knows what he is doing but a little external validation is great too.

Daughter is getting nervous as she is reading this blog. (Hi Jaye!) She is realizing I could actually succeed in qualifying for Boston and then she will have to run it again! For now, it is a mere threat - my focus is upon Minneapolis and October 4.

The Beauty of Training

Today was a regular training day. It was hot - 70 degrees at 6:30 am - but totally within reason for my workout. I started through the program - warming up with 4 cadence drills and 3 acceleration drills. Then I was to do 3 one mile repeats at marathon pace. Jeff G. had asked that I do them at 9:50 actually - (I need a 10:14 to qualify for Boston and hope to run at 10:00). The first was 9:07, tried to slow a bit for the second and it was 9:17. Since I was running 3/30sec, I decided to do the 3/1 for the last mile and that worked out to 9:50. So, I gather my running pace was pace, and if I do more walking it works for the appropriate pace. I am mainly only walking 30 second so I get more running in on each mile. Sounds strange I guess but I feel compelled to get enough running in.

What struck me as I was doing this morning's workout was how quickly the time passes when you are on task. Having to focus on my pace and my timing made the miles breeze by. It sounds strange but during the 20 miler, the same thing happens. I thought before I started this program that I would go out of my mind if I had to do 20 miles with a 1 minute run/1 minute walk pace. Actually it isn't bad at all. I stay focused on when I next change and I find I can still take in my surroundings (or listen to a podcast) and have a good experience...and the minutes/hours fly by.

Beautiful Sunday

It is a beautiful 4th of July holiday here. This morning I ran about 4 miles - sort of a easing up run as it is only two days after my long run and my legs are still a bit tired. This was the run I was supposed to do last Thursday but switched with the long run scheduled for today. It was definitely cooler this morning so I was glad about this decision.

Anyway my run felt good and I was pleased that even accounting for being tired and recuperating from the 20 miler, when I did a 3-1 combination my mile times were still below what I need for my marathon - and I definitely was not trying to run fast.

This week I will play with some more mile repeats as I acclimate to a marathon pace.

Fait Accompli

My 20 mile run is done. I ran along the canal, going five miles out and then back to get more water and then doing the second 10 miles the same way. It went really well. I am doing fine with the 1 minute walk/ 1 minute run even though I thought it drive me crazy. My legs were no more tired about 20 miles then they were after five. And, my glutes were no tighter. I believe I even got slightly faster in the second set of 10 miles. Definitely I did not slow down. I am encouraged at that.
As a bonus, at about 9 and 11 miles I met Jerry who had Colette our Siberian Husky out for a walk. Then I ran into the Zimmermans out for a bike ride. I was also delighted that on my last five miles the trail managed to have some shade despite the fact that the sun was getting high in the sky.
Oh, and I finished in just under 4 hours - 12 minute miles which is not too fast for my long runs.

Using Common Sense

My run on Tuesday was wonderful - it was 60 degrees at 6:30 am. My legs felt fine and I have gone back to my cadence and acceleration drills. This week is a quiet build up to my first 20 milers for this marathon training on Sunday.

So, this morning I noticed the weather forecast - 85 degree high on Sunday, 75 degree high on Friday. Hmmm. A slight revision in plans...I can easily run my 20 miler Friday as it is the 4th of July and enjoy the cooler weather. So, today was always a day off. Now Thursday will be too and on Sunday I will do the run I would have done on Thursday.