With all of the marathon excitement and Bruce idolatry, it hasn't come up that my running is going very well lately as I train for an early June half-marathon, where I want to break 1:40 (PR is 1:43). Last weekend on my 14-mile long run, I was supposed to run the last 2 miles at half-marathon pace (7:37), and I ran them in 7:15 and 7:19. It wasn't exactly a cake walk--more of a souffle walk (because souffle is really hard to make--get it? I know, groan). But I did it.
Wednesday was track for 10 x 600, which I kind of nailed, averaging a 7:28 pace for the whole shebang. Another 10k PR, possibly fueled by adrenaline from the dogs people were allowing to run free on the track. I haven't read the book on track etiquette, but I'm fairly certain that's a no-no. I am generally an animal lover, but nothing makes me want to kick an animal like seeing one charge across the infield towards my bare legs. (I didn't kick the dog, in case you're wondering.)
I needed to get my long run in before the weekend, so I ran it this morning. Two 7-mile loops, which is not usually my thing, but today I'd give it a go. I'm typically an out-and-back kinda girl, or a one-big-loop sorta girl, because I always worry I'll get to my house and just pack it in halfway through. But today, the two loops worked for me.
I ran my first 7 miles, remembering too late that split shorts on a windy day are not the best plan when utility workers are out and about trimming trees. Oh, well. A nice mid-morning treat for the fine men in hard hats.
Got back home, took my Roctane and water, and away we run for the second loop. I took the first 4 miles casually so I could save my energy for doing the final three in 7:37s. When I picked it up at the end of mile 11, I knew I had this pace in me.
Mile 12: 7:11
Mile 13: 7:15
Mile 14: 7:11
Overall average: 8:07
Training is good for me, as long as I can sustain the effort and my body can take what I'm putting it through. I need this right now, the dependability of going out there and going strong.
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6 comments:
Sounds like you've gotten in some fantastic workouts, especially with the final paces on your long run. It's definitely a confidence-booster to end a run like that.
I generally LOVE out and back runs because once I turn around, I feel so much better! Reaching the halfway point on a giant loop doesn't have the same effect for me.
Have a great weekend, with your long run out of the way!
Hey Kristina...glad to hear your training is going well! So hey, tonight I went back and read a bunch of your posts from the last year or so (we have no t.v. here, so I am tied to the internet for nightly entertainment) and I discovered that a) you're consistently hilarious and b) I think that, based on the last year of training, you are completely set to go sub-1:40. You have been working immensely hard and I am frankly in awe of you for that. Great job!
Great run!!
I saw you finish the Groton 5k today, awesome time, especially in that heat. I did the 10k and was dead at the end, who knew we could pull this weather out after the past few weeks. Congrats.
You didn't kick the dog? Man I'd totally go there. Dogs, puppies, kitties, babies, I'll kick em all LOL (kid!)
You are on fiyah! Dang that's fast ;D
Super fast mama! Nice job on those late splits--Good for you. Put skyline on your list. Better yet, find your way into St.George in October. Bec and I are in the lottery--3rd fastest BQ qualifying race :)
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