Last week's update

With one week to go before my first ever half marathon, my training ended up at just more than 24 miles. The week included another attempt at training on a treadmill and my first ever 11 mile long run.

On Monday, Glynis had a doctor's appointment, so I spent most of my morning covering for her at the daycare. Her appointment went long enough that I got to work almost in time for lunch. As a result, I did not bother running during the day. Today was to be a 3 mile easy run, so I decided to do it after work in the neighborhood. By the time I got around to it, it was about 8:31pm before I started. The temperature was 47 degrees, winds were 19 mph from SW, and the sun had pretty much set. However, the run was good.

Distance: 3.11 mi; Time: 26:40; Pace: 8:34

Tuesday was my "hard" workout for the week: a 5 mile tempo with warm up and cool down. Due to weather variances and a pretty strong wind blowing outside, I decided to run on the treadmill at the gym. After my one mile warm up, I started pretty good on my tempo. It is rather amazing to run at a "set" pace on a treadmill. But after 2 miles I was feeling pretty pooped! I had eaten before. I had no idea what I was doing "wrong." I stopped for a drink of water and then started up again. But after about another 1/2 mile, I was ready to just die! I ran the rest of the way at an easy pace for a total mileage of 6 miles -- just one short of the total plan. What was causing this? I made sure to eat, so it wasn't fuel this time. The only thing I could think of is that I was bored out of my mind running on a treadmill. I was watching TV, and I was listening to my music, but I was literally going nowhere. That's all I could think of. Bet I don't run on a treadmill again any time too soon. Yeah, we'll see!

Distance: 6 miles; Time: 52:10; Pace: 8:42

Thursday I planned on making up that missed mile from Tuesday. Also, I was going to run the first 3 miles with Travis, my new Thursday running partner. He tends to run quite a bit faster than the goal pace, but I enjoy the company. However, after a mile and a half into it, he was having problems with his knee. We walked for a tenth of a mile and then started up slower. He took another mini break and then ran to the end of our 3 miles. He walked back while I continued on. It was a beautiful day to be out. Temperature was 55 degrees, winds SSE at 1 mph and sunny. And afterward, I chided Travis for trying to continue to run without first getting new shoes. I'm not going to push him and become the reason for his injury!

Distance: 4.39 miles; Time: 37:38; Pace: 8:34

Saturday was a big day for me. My first 11 mile run! Two weeks of 10 mile runs really built up my confidence in my ability to complete the mileage. I made sure to execute a regular plan of walking while I drank my gatorade to simulate taking in liquids during the race next Saturday. I left at the same time as the previous two weeks (6:30 am) but it was obvious that the sun was rising earlier each day, and consequently each week. It was relatively sunny and also quite a bit warmer. The temperature was 65 degrees with winds from the SSW at 11 mph. Even with breaks to walk while drinking, I still kept my overall pace faster than the goal pace!

Distance: 11.38 miles; Time 1:40:54; Pace: 8:52

I'm glad I got this in before Saturday's big race! In fact, I just got it in after I finished my training before the race! Excitement is definitely high! Just planning on having fun with this. Just remember to plod along at my own pace. Just finishing will be a PR for me. I can't believe how much I enjoy and love running!