Running at Pace

Wow! I took the RRCA coaching class this weekend. I really enjoyed myself. The first day was hard considering we sat for almost 9 hours, but all of the information was great! I loved the second day because we worked on training plans. One thing that I did learn is pace and what pace you should be running during training, racing etc....Well, I should be running a 10:08 training pace to finish my marathon in 4 hours. I typically run 9:00-9:30 when training. It is hard to run a 10:08 pace. I am trying and trying to get my friend to do the same. I have a 9 mile run this afternoon and I will tell you how it goes. With my shorter runs I am just trying to get it done so I think that it might work better with my longer runs.

On a different note, I sent back my Newtons. I just did not love them and my shins were hurting. I did what I was supposed to do. Ran 1 mile in them, then 2 miles. They just weren't for me. Luckily I bought them from Road Runner Sports and have a 60 day return policy. I also bought another pair of Brooks Glycerin's. I love those shoes. They just work!

Happy Wednesday, we are almost through the week!

How Not to Run a 12 Mile Training Run

Today was my long run day and it was a 12 miler. Michelle, one of my running partners, and I headed out at 11 am. It was supposed to be cooler, breezy and decreased humidity. Really none of those things applied today. I am thinking that I should become a meterologist, because you really do not have to be right that often. It was hot, it was humid and the only thing breezy was a hot breeze from the northwest. A couple of other things that went wrong today.....

1./ Don't eat two mini muffins and two cups of coffee for breakfast and expect to have a good run. I was drained even before I even got started. During the run I tried a Clif chocolate gel. It stunk. When will I learn when you find something that works (Hammer Raspberry Gel) that you stick to it?

2./ Hydrate. I did not have enough water yesterday, this morning and then only brought 16 ounces for the run. At one point it was likie we were in the dessert. We thought that we were seeing water stations. We couldn't stop talking about water. Finally at about Mile 10 we came upon the golf course. I made us stop and the ladies let us take ice cold water from their snack bar, showed us where the bubbler was and told us to stop anytime. That water never tasted so good.

I am sure there were other things I could write about, but those two including the weather really spells it out. We walked, we talked and we laughed. I think that some people call it "bonking." and we totallly "bonked" today!

On a happy note tomorrow starts my RRCA coaching class. I am so excited. I don't know what I bring to the table, but I think that it is going to be really fun.

Happy Weekend!

Why Now?

I was asked to write about my choosing to do a marathon and why now? I think that this is a great topic, there are so many reason why and it will be interesting to try to put it into words.

Last year at this time I was 25 pounds heavier and in somewhat of a funk. I couldn't really find my place and was feeling out of my element even with those that I had and have been friends with for many years. It started to get harder for me with the holidays. I had a feeling of needing to do something but, I couldn't figure out what I was looking for. I was always doing things for others whether it be my husband and 4 kids or a charitable woman's group that I am involved with. Needless to say I was depressed and realized I needed to think about myself and quick.

My first plan was to go to Jenny Craig. I needed a jump start on weight loss and could not do it myself. I was going to do it for the month of January and February. I finally was feeling good about myself. I was just starting to run again. (I had always run before kids.) Not far 3 and 4 miles at a time on the treadmill. I was losing weight and feeling good.

At the end of February two of my friends who are runners asked me if I would like to do the Worcester Half Marathon with them in June. We printed out a Hal Higdon training plan and got to it. I was feeling great and becoming obsessed. I felt like I was finding my true self and having fun while doing it. It was the best therapy that I could have had. We did the race in June and I finished in 1:52.

The week after the raced I was feeling down. I described it like a wedding. You are always so excited for it, you work hard and then when it is over you get that depressed kind of feeling. By the Friday I decided I needed to train for something else. I knew that the Manchester City Marathon was in November and after an impulsive move I registered. The weather is actually great in November, I had time to train and I talked one of my running partners into doing it with me.

I am hoping for a good race. I think it is great that we have this online group and that we can support and inspire each other. That is the beauty of running, it is kind of a univeral language.

Out and About

Whoo....this morning has been a whirlwind. My friend Lynn is a nurse and needed to run at 5:00 am. When she asked me I said yes, but when the alarm went off at 4:40 this morning I could have snuggled back under my covers and slept until....well much later. We did a 3 miler, which is not bad. I think that I could have gone farther, but now I am glad that we didn't. I am tired. In fact, I could crawl in my bed right now except for the fact that I have 3 kids standing around me. The hardest thing for me is that I am a night owl. When I got into my bed at 9:30 last night I could not fall asleep. My mind was all over the place. I took my Calcium supplement which is supposed to help you rest, but no luck. Finally at 11 pm I fell asleep. 4:40 cam fast.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to get to sleep at night when you have a big run in the morning?

On a different note I have worn my Newtons twice and I don't know if I am really sold. I got hip cramps both times. I didn't go that far in the them. They tell you to give them a break in time and I didn't feel much faster. Maybe I should just stick to my Asics and Brooks.

Any Newton wearer's out there with advice?

Running on Empty

I ran 11 miles yesterday and it was awesome. The weather was cool, no humidity and I was by myself for 1 hour and 42 minutes after an 8 hour car ride the day before with a pesky 4 year old saying, "Mom," "Mommy," "Mom." I finally told her that I changed my name, it didn't work. This morning I got up at 5:30 and ran with my friend, just a quick 4 miler, but my legs felt good after. I have to say I am tired tonight and getting ready to turn in. The summer is starting to do me in. I feel as though I am constantly cleaning up, getting kids organized for the pool, organized for football practice and fixing a million meals a day. I don't know maybe I am a person that needs year round school because I am definitely missing "me" time. I don't know is that selfish? Well good night, I am now taking a crying 4 year old upstairs who will not stop crying about "skipping." God help me.

No Run Today

I have decided to take today off from running. It is my last day at my mother's and although the weather is BEAUTIFUL my back is killing from a different bed and a certain 4 year old who is in my bed everynight. I also have an 11 miler coming up on Sunday morning and thought that I would take two days off prior to my run. What I am having trouble with is the guilt that I am feeling. I mean I have nothing to feel guilty about, but my head and heart are feeling a bit disappointed in me today. I keep thinking that maybe I should have gone out and at least have done three flat miles, but I am already showered and getting reading to take 4 little girls to see Beezus and Ramona. I guess it is time to let the guilt go, stop over thinking it and get on with the day.

What do you feel guilty about regarding running at times? and how do you stop feeling that way?

Three Thing Thursday

I am going to try three things Thursday. I have never written this on Thursday, but when I ran my 3 miles this morning I thought about what I would write. I over thought it because I forgot my headset on the porch. Here goes....

1/ I love visiting my mom. She sewed a button on my shorts for me this morning, has made yummy dinners and has kept up with my laundry as well as my 4 kids' laundry.

2/ I bought 3 pairs of running shorts at Old Navy this afternoon for 7.50 a pair. They looked nice, were shaped like my Nike tempos and let's face it the price is right. I will give a little report on them after I try them out.

3/ Both of my boys start football on Monday and I am a little sad. That is the official end of the summer for us. They have practice 5 nights a week from now until school starts September 1. They seem so little to make such a commitment(they are 9 and 6), but at the same time I am proud that they stick it out for 3 straight months and I love football! Go Amherst Patriots!

Happy Thursday everyone!