12/30/06: The Last Big Test-Yasso 800’s!

So this was the workout that means Marathon training is pretty much over!!! I knew this was going to be a doozy, but I really and truly had no idea as to how much. I have only ever done half off a Yasso workout (as this is my first Marathon) so I didn’t even really know how to pace myself…but how do you really on a workout like this?!

It was the hardest workout I have ever done. Seriously.

In case you don’t know, the workout is 10x800m with a 400m recovery in between…I was predicting (with Coach Steeeeve’s good judgement) to average about a 4:00 800m. Well…that wouldn’t be it today. I was holding pretty steady on the 4:10 route. However, the workout was only beginning. About 4 reps into the workout, I was already tired and dizzy and ready to end the insanity. Mentally, I felt like BLAH. Boo.

I got some water and Carbboom and shook it off. Then came the one event that helped me: the girl’s soccer coach yelling at the girls playing soccer on the field. I don’t know about you, but I played soccer before and I have been yelled at for not playing that well. So I instantly perked up, got my game together and tackled the rest of the workout. And the coolest thing? I got my Yasso’s down to about 4:05 (it just happened-I promise!!)

Houston Marathon…here I come. I can do this…4:05 sounds killer to me! (But just finishing the damn thing is what will really be the coolest!)

THE STATS:

8.5 miles total
about 1:17 of running…

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: cool and humid.

12/28/06: A Lonely 6 Mile Run.

Since I didn’t have any running partners tonight, I ran 6 by myself. The only goal was to run relaxed and even laps. I ran the first lap in a pretty good clip of about 29 minutes or so. Then, about a mile into the next 3-mile loop, I passed an older guy at a slow and steady pace. However, I don’t think this guy was hearing any of that. He ended up coming up close on me and following VERY closely on me for almost a mile. I didn’t want to deal with that so I sped off and ended up finishing the next loop in something like 27 minutes. So, I guess you can say this was learned from this run: #1) Don’t follow me and #2) I got in some speedwork :).

THE STATS:

6 miles
56:05 total running

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: cool.

12/27/06: 3 Mile Recovery Run!

This was a run that was suppose to be longer but ended up getting cut short due to—lack of time! Argh, I guess it’s just ‘that’ time of the year. Too bad it’s sooo close to the Marathon. All I can remind myself of right now though is that I can’t cram for this thing and I think I am as ready as I will be.

THE STATS:

3 miles
about 30 minutes

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: cool.

12/26/06: A SMART 5.5 Miles!

Tonight’s workout is a favorite of mine-Kenyan Relays, but when I showed up to the Park, I didn’t see anyone from the group so I pouted a little, shook off the cold, and set out to run the 6 miles or so by myself. Luckily, after 3 miles and one loop around the Park, I saw the group and ran about half a mile of relays with them. After that, we did a 2 mile cooldown. It wasn’t the workout I had envisioned, but I was glad I didn’t do it all by myself.

And Happy Holidays:)

THE STATS:

5.5 miles
about 28 minutes for the loop

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: cold, upper 40’s.

12/23/06: The (almost bombed!) Longest Long Run!

This was the big enchilada I was worried about for a few days, and it actually turned out to be an okay effort (other then a few details I will further divulge into in this blog…) The plan was to run 23 miles with the Striders on the early Saturday morning before Christmas. Notice, I said that was THE PLAN…lol.

I got there plenty early and was a little too nervous to eat much (mistake #1) and then moved my car from where it was parked originally (mistake #2) and then after the group of 100 or so runners left, try to catch up with them (mistake #3). I wasn’t too far behind everyone, but far enough behind that I ended up running the first 6 miles of the Marathon route by myself and probably wasting wayyy too much energy trying to catch up with everyone.

I cheated (I will admit to that) and had someone pick me up and drop me off near Rice Village. Good thing for Good Samartians with extra change and the guy that let me hang out in his warm corner shop while I was in the Heights. I felt really defeated for losing the group but I saw Strider Bessie at one of the water stations and immediately jumped in with her.

I ran the rest of the route with her (including an extra mile or so we ran ‘off course’) and was thankful that I was able to digest Carbbooms on a nearly empty stomach and that other runners had been asking about me and making sure I was okay and not totally lost. We ran to the Park and then I ran another 3 miles around the loop after that. I guess, to ‘validate’ the Longest Long Run or something, lol. Anyhow, I ended up running about 20 miles. Can’t complain about that. Then stuck around to cheer everyone else in and eat:) Congrats to all that ran, worried about me and a big THANK YOU to the volunteers!

THE STATS:

20 miles
about 3 hours (minus stop-time)

Heart-rate: ave 149 max 184
Weather: nice overall-stayed cool! Perfect!

12/22/06: Easy 3 Mile Recovery Run!

Just took it easy and ran around the neighborhood tonight. Nothing exciting other then I think someone was either following me (in a car) or spying on me (which is probably worst since he knows where I run now). Creepy…guys/gals---be careful! I won’t be running around there for a while…

THE STATS:

3 miles
about 30 minutes

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: cool.

12/19/06: And the Houston Long Run!

I was actually suppose to put in 12 miles as my long run the other day, but due to scheduling and timing, I just couldn’t find or make the time (lame excuse huh!) I ended up splitting up the run into two 6 mile runs and I think it worked out okay. I didn’t break any speed records with this run, but it felt great to run and be back ‘home.’

THE STATS:

6 miles
about 60 minutes

Heart-rate: 158 ave/173 max
Weather: cool but humid.

12/17/06: Central Texas Long Run!

Got in a long run at my parents home this weekend, since next weekend and the weekend after are two very important ‘last’ workouts before the Marathon (that is now OFFICIALLY less then a month away!:)!!!) Plus, I didn’t get to spend Thanksgiving with my family, so this WAS our family get-together. It all worked out well as I got to teach this weekend nearby and make some money and my high school football team was playing their state football game in San Antonio (I didn’t get to go though, and they lost…)

Anyhow, I got some new Brooks Adrenaline before I left Houston from Fleet Feet-Rice Village (my old pair had 377 miles and felt like they had wayyyyyy more then that). I am still wearing the ‘6’ edition but I got the cool new color (the shiny blue!) Yeah for new shoes and they will be my marathon pair!

The running route I ran was very similar to what I ran last time I was here in Copperas Cove, but I finished the run with the steep run UP Robertson Avenue this time, ouch (and no dogs chased me this time around!) Luckily, my legs are mostly recovered from the 30K and I ran slow/steady enough to where I felt like I wasn’t going to hurt anything. Plus (on recommendation from Strider Rosa) I ran without my ankle brace, and although it was scary to be without it, my ankle was fine. And did I mention that my ITB doesn’t hurt anymore…hmmm, I think the ankle brace was causing the ITB!


THE STATS:

6 miles
about 60 minutes

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: cool at 9am.

12/13/06: X-Mas Lights Run in Uptown Park!

This is one of my favorite Striders events of the year-the infamous Christmas lights run where we run 4 slow easy and fun miles through the Tanglewood neighborhood and ohhhh and ahhhhh at Christmas lights. In fact, it’s the only time I really look at lights so I really enjoy this event.

My ITB was still bothering me so I ran even slower then I had planned to. It was nice conversations with Striders Aimee and Ruben and relaxing to the fact that Christmas is almost here! Yeah, and afterwards we enjoyed salty snacks, dehydrating beverages and all the trash-talking we could handle. :)

THE STATS:

4 miles
about 43:23 (but whose counting!)

Heart-rate: 150 ave, 168 max.
Weather: cool and dry this year!

12/12/06: A Nice 3 Mile Recovery!

After the pounding, pounding effort of Sunday’s 30K, I decided to take a few days off…and believe me, I needed it and it felt great! My quads needed to calm down, and I started to notice a slight ache in my right ITB! YIKES and no good! I ran slow (well, jogged at more of a shuffle) and worked the kinks out. Hope to be back to full force in a week-fingers crossed!

THE STATS:

3 miles
about 30 mins of running

Heart-rate: 141 ave, 151 max.
Weather: cool and nice.

12/10/06: My First 30K-Another Distance PR!

This race was ‘the big one’ up to this point for me that had me a little nervous since everyone complains about what a tough course (18.6 miles of Sugar Land concrete!) and boring (three 4.2 mile loops!) it is. However, I decided to be above the negatives and run this race with plenty of positive thoughts. Like, if I can run 18.6 miles on THIS course, I can run a freaking marathon of 26.2 miles through the asphalt AND concrete streets of Houston!

I actually got to the race early and had plenty of time to get ready to rumble:) It was a little chilly, but defiently not misreable. It was a little wet too…but I was just going to have to be happy if it rained or didn’t rain! I looked for Team Pam/Frank at the start and asked them what they wanted to run. Pam said about 9:30/mile. I knew I was going to aim for something a little faster (around 9:15/mile or so) and I ended up passing them after 2 miles. The nervous feeling was gone, but I didn’t know how long I could maintain this pace. My stomach was feeling weird. I think I ate too much breakfast.

The first 5 miles went by pretty quick. Then the pain of the concrete started to creep up on me. Every time I ignored it, I was okay. But man, when I thought about it…OUCH. Mile 8 had to have been short…anyone agree?! By mile 13, I wanted the race to be over. My legs already felt pounded up and my spirits were dropping. I was running almost completely by myself so I didn’t have much to distract me. Thank GOD for the awesome Strider Water station! Thanks guys/gals, you all were life savers!

I downed about 4 Carbbooms over the course of the race and drank about 12 ounces of Gatorade. I made my own bottle really strong so it really curbed my need for additional electrolytes, although I did sample a package of salt I brought and it really burned my throat. Good going, I thought. The only thing I think I would change about prep/actual race tactics are take more Tylonel before the race and take some during it, as well. And bring my ginger candies to settle my stomach during those first few rough miles.

My goal time was 2:53, and sure enough, I did it, although I fought very hard for this the last 3 miles or so. I felt myself slowing down sooo much and I didn’t care, so I had to throw my iPod on and blast some Nine Inch Nails and Sublime. It worked, and rubber legs (me) crossed that finish line right as planned. I wanted to freaking cry. The after party rocked (pizza!! Tons of eats AND coffee) but I felt really really dizzy trying to go home, I think I was pretty dehydrated and low on electrolytes. I did get home okay though and now, the day after, my quads are angry! I don’t think I will be running until Wednesday. But I deserve the break! :)

THE STATS:
18.6 miles

2:52:39 official chip time
9:17/mile ave. pace

9:13, 9:30, 9:18, 9:10, 9:18, 9:08,
9:11, 8:47, 9:25, 9:22, 9:28, 9:22,
9:21, 9:41, 9:28, 9:17, 9:01, 9:12, 5:26

Heart-rate: 174 ave, 199 max
Weather: cool, wet. Not terrible race weather.

12/9/06: A Quick 3 Miles!

I decided to shake out any last minute nerves and run 3 miles in the neighborhood. It felt soo good to run and the slow and steady pace put my active mind at ease. After I finished the run, I knew I was ready to run strong tomorrow! Especially if the weather holds out!

THE STATS:

3 miles
about 30 mins running

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: lower 50’s-perfect!

12/7/06: 2nd SMART Workout this week!

And can I add my first speedworkout in FOREVER...tonight called for a relatively 'short' workout of 2 mile warmup, 2 mile cooldown, and 8x 30/60's. (The 30 second repeats are 'all out pace.') Wow, this workout went by so fast and I felt I put in a good effort. My ankle didn't give me an issues and I am pretty psyched about the 30K now...time I am predicting? Under 3:00 hours. I will probably try to run with Pam and Frank again (aka the best pacing team ever!)

THE STATS:

about 5.5 miles

51:03 total running

2 mile wu, 2 mile cd, 8 x30/60s around 400m track

Heart-rate: 173 ave 192 max

Weather: cold, upper 40's. perfect!

12/6/06: Another SMART workout!

So it seems that this week has been the first week I have gotten back to my Marathon schedule and am doing all my training runs. It's a good feeling, and I don't feel too terribly sore, slow or behind from a training standpoint. In other words-it's all good.

We ran the 5.5 mile or so route tonight from the Park pool, around the Jackson Hill loop, and back. It is always a very scenic run for me since I go house hunting as I run:) I felt good and got to catch up with my good running and blogging buddy Bill. He's has a nifty Garmin too so he was able to calculate the run at a 9:19 or so pace. Not too bad for an 'easy pace.' Bill, you are getting fast and you deserve Newcomer of the Year!

The run was also fun as we were able to recap the Strider's Holiday party from the previous night! This is by far my favorite holiday party of all times and I was glad to go again (brought the boy this time!) I was recognized as a Distinguished Volunteer for the Year and Leadership Board. Wow, cool! It was a great time! Go to Bill's page to see some pics:)

THE STATS:
5.5 miles

49:52 total runnings
ave 9:19/mile

Heart-rate: 175 ave, 190 max
Weather: humid but lower 50's.

12/4/06: Jackson Hill SMART workout!

It's been awhile since I have done any hill workouts, and although the week of a race shouldn't be a time to add on to my workouts, I felt like I could do it. And I did just fine:) We did a nice mile warmup of so, and then 10 minutes the long way and 10 minutes the short way. Then we ran back home. Woo! I took it really easy, especially since it was pretty dark tonight (other then the full moon to light the way-nice!)

Ran into my favorite running rock star too...SAM! First time I have seen him since...May?! Wow. Maybe one day I will be able to hang with him for half a mile or so:) Good, cool running for all!

THE STATS:

about 5 miles
(20 minutes of hill repeats)

Heart-rate: 159 ave, 183 max
Weather: cold-mid 40's. Brought out the gloves!

12/2/06: My Long Distance Run-at the Park!

With lots of stuff going on this weekend, I opted out of the Striders 12 mile jaunt in Huntsville (although I LOVEEE running out at the state park!) and did 12 alone at the Park. I normally hate running alone with these longer distances, but it was nice to clear my head. Plus. it gave me a chance to check out my new iPod playlist. (Best new jams: Red Hot Chili Peppers, deftones, and Rise Against!)

I felt good overall and since I ate breakfast before I ran, I only need to Carbboom up once and eat some Sports Beans once. Although I ran slow compared to my normal distance pace, I felt fine and that's all that matters, in my opinion.

THE STATS:
12 miles

1:57 total running
ave 9:45/mile

Heart-rate: 174 ave, 185 max
Weather: cold even at 10am!