I’ve been drinking Crystal Light Pure Fitness on my long runs for electrolytes and have felt fine, but I am thinking of transition to energy gels. I don’t feel like I NEED the gels, but I don’t know if my BODY NEEDS it. I’ve read so much about using gels and I’ve never taken the plunge. I just want to have every advantage at my ½ marathon and with 3 more weeks of training – I figured this is the time.
I’d love thoughts and opinions.
Last night I kicked it pretty hard at the gym. I set my alarm for a pre-work run this morning, but when my alarm went off it couldn’t get out of bed. I was tired from yesterday (all week really) and I have a FULL weekend of work related events this weekend. I needed that sleep, plus it was only a 3 mile run. I have 4 miles tomorrow and 11 miles Sunday. I know missing one 3 mile run isn’t going to un-do the past 3 months of marathon training.
P.S. I’m listening to college a capella groups on grooveshark.com – I heart a capella. I’m really obsessed with Ben Folds Presents: University a Capella!
6.5 miles of intervals at 5.4 and 6.6 followed by 45 minutes of yogilates.
This is all for me, but seeing the professor is bonus motivation!
Off to spin class and then a 4 mile run to get myself back on track!
Going to bed was quite the challenge last night I was too damn excited. I somehow managed to sleep pretty well and popped out of bed like a poptart when my alarm went off at 5am.
Got ready, had breakfast, picked up my friend Michelle who was coming to cheer me on and we got on the road. The race was about 45 minutes away in Georgia (at Callaway Gardens for my Southern peeps – SUCH a beautiful place I had never been before). Also keep in mind Georgia is in the Eastern Time Zone. Thankfully with the drive and time changes we made it there with 20 minutes to spare (I had a nightmare that I woke up drove all that way and we couldn’t find the registration tent/missed it).
The Gardens was hosting 5K and a Triathlon that day. Since I registered at the event I had to wear a Tri bibb and they ran out of shirts so they were going to mail me one. I also was given a chip that was a velcro band around my ankle (I’ve had the shoelace chips prior).
I was feeling good, anxious, nervous – lots of emotions. It was quite brisk out – I’d say in the mid 60s. I got my ipod and nike+ sensor queued up and was waiting on go. The race was small – 150 of us. I told myself I was going to pace myself at the start and then push the second half. Well OF COURSE as soon as they said go I took off. I was at the front of the pack when we started and pretty much stayed towards the front the whole time. It was a lovely route around a lake and through some woods. There was some rolling hills, but overall it was an ideal route.
I felt so freaking good on my run, I had no idea my pace and I didn’t care. Since I started like a bat out of hell I slowed my pace slightly for the middle of the run, but I NEVER ONCE STOPPED OR WALKED. I didn’t even want to stop or walk – I was in the zone. Once I was at about 4K I kicked it back into high gear. It was also around the 4K point that we passed some of the first Triathlon cyclists. I was smiling and cheering for them as I ran. As I approached the finish line I saw a “28” on the clock and couldn’t believe it. I wanted to badly to finish under 30 minutes, but I wasn’t sure I had it in me. I shaved over 4.5 minutes off my first/previous 5K in May. There is no feeling in the world like crossing a finish line – I’m addicted to it.
After the race I met up with my friend and we watched some of the last Triathlon swimmers finish up before exploring some other events going on including mini golf. Well we were ½ into our game of mini golf when I think I hear my name over the PA. I was like ???? So we head over to the registration tent to see they were giving out awards. They gave awards for the overall winners and top 3 per age group. After the finished I walked up to one of the volunteers and said I thought I heard my name (I would have been HORRIFIED if they were like ummm no). So I found out I had placed 2nd in my age group (25-29) and age group winners got plaques – except then ran out of 2nd place ones so they are going to mail it to me. So now I can look forward to my tshirt and my plaque in the mail.
I also checked the website and saw my “official” time was 28:53.26
That means my average pace was around 9:18 min/mile – WHAT?!?! I’ve never even come CLOSE to that before. I guess I was channeling my inner Prefontaine:
The only good race pace is suicide pace and today looks like a good day to die
God I felt great and I am really starting to get a sense of what I’m made of and what I can achieve. I am SO READY for my ½ marathon next month. This was just the vote of confidence I needed. Also seeing the Triathletes makes me really want to aim for that this spring. Thanks everyone for your encouragement – I love you all.
5K Playlist
Ran my 5K in 28:54 and came in 2nd in my age group!!
OMG! OMG!
Full recap later!
Just got home from a fantastic Auburn victory and have to force myself to go to sleep because I’m getting up at 5am for my 5K tomorrow. The 5K is an hour away and in the eastern time zone – boo to waking up early, but I’m excited for the race.
Quickly must make a playlist!
Yesterday after work I went out for my long run of the week. I ran the same route as last time plus a little more, except this time it was the day before game day and I got to run past alll the RV lots and people tailgating – it was wonderful. I even saw one of my grad students who took up running this summer while he was running.
I didn’t leave for my run until 6:15pm so the weather had cooled down. I was worried after working all day that it would be a hard run, but I felt FANTASTIC. I think it was the confidence that I could run double digits, coupled with a familiar route, coupled with cooler weather. My stat’s kicked the ass of my 10 mile stats.
Distance: 11.17 miles
Time: 2:13:28
Pace: 11:56 min/mile
Calories 1566
I’m chillin’ for a bit then it’s time to go to campus to tailgate (aka not drink alcohol or eat garbage as much as humanly possible). Kick off is a 6pm tonight – War Damn Game Day!!!!!
PS – this was my 300th post 🙂
After a mini hiatus from interval training, I got back to it yesterday. Knocked out 5 miles of intervals with pacing of 5.3 and 6.4 – I know I could have pushed it faster, but at the same time I hadn’t done intervals in weeks. I have to say it’s the best I’ve felt during and post interval run. I also think the spin class is going to help with interval training, because that is what RPM is. Like 2 minutes of going like a champ then a quick cool down before another 2 minutes of beastmode action.
I was pretty pleased with a 5 mile average pace of 10:28
I still have plans to run in a 5K on Sunday – online registration is closed, but I can register there. Not being pre-registered may, make it harder to get up at 4:30am on Sunday. I have this fantasty of running the 5K in under 30 minutes, but I have no idea if I can do that. My first and only 5K road race I ended up with 33:29 – So as much as I’d love a sub 30 time, I’d really love to be under 32 minutes.
Went back for another spin class this week. It was both harder and easier than the first class. I really love the instructors they keep me going. I’m totally gonna have the type of ass and legs you can bounce quarters off of!
The plan is to buy padded short this week. I’m going to try and make it to class 1x a week, I this 2x would be too much, especially as I wrap up my half marathon training.
I really think after my half marathon I may train for a triathlon. There is actually a triathlon student organization on campus, I may see if I can tag along with them.
Oh and did I mention I’m running a 5k in Georgia this weekend.
I swear sometimes I don’t even know who this woman I’ve become is, but I love her!