Tag: mlfitness

How to NOT negative split

I had big plans for my 18 mile run yesterday. I drove 45 minutes to this beautiful River Walk where I’ve run 2 races before. The first 9 miles felt great. Shortly after mile 9 I walked for a GU break and all of a sudden I get an excruciating side stitch/cramp.

Splits

  • Mile 1 – 10:11
  • Mile 2 – 10:31
  • Mile 3 – 10:28
  • Mile 4 – 11:02
  • Mile 5 – 10:57
  • Mile 6 – 10:31
  • Mile 7 – 11:21
  • Mile 8 – 11:16
  • Mile 9 – 11:19
  • Mile 10 – 14:51

Time 1:51:51

Average Pace: 11:09 min/mi

I walk most of mile 10 hoping I’ll feel better. I reset my watch after a stretch break and pep talk. However everytime I tried to pick up my pace I would cramp up. My period wasn’t due, but I knew I was having some break through bleeding, which was confirmed in mile 16 during my potty break.

It was 70ish degrees on my run and I was trying to ration water since all of the water fountains on the River Walk weren’t turned on. I think that is part of my cramping issue also. Finally at mile 16 I was able to fill up my water bottle with water from the bathroom sink.

  • Mile 11 – 12:59
  • Mile 12 – 13:58
  • Mile 13 – 14:36
  • Mile 14 – 14:59
  • Mile 15 – 12:04
  • Mile 16 – 17:03 (potty break i forgot to stop my watch)
  • Mile 17 – 16:16
  • Mile 18 – 15:10

Time 1:51:55

Average Pace: 13:58 min/mile

I hated that second half, especially those last few miles. I just wanted it to be over. My legs and feet felt suprisingly good, but after such a slow second half I was just tired and defeated.

Overall Time: 3:53:06

Overall Average Pace: 12:57 min/miles

I’m happy I didn’t give up – I also didn’t have a choice due to where I was parked. Nearly 4 hours on my feet after only my first 3+ hour run last week. I plan to keep my LOOONG runs back in a familiar place, but I’d go out to the River Walk for a shorter long run.

The Early Bird Gets the RUN

I slept HARD last night and was confused what day it was when my alarm went off at 7:15am. No it’s not time to work, it’s time to DO WORK.

I didn’t move out the door as quickly as I hoped, but at 7:45am I was off and running. My plan was to knock out 17 miles and get to church albeit sweaty by 11:00am. 

It was FOGGY, HUMID, and thick outside. I was sweaty immeadiately. 

I felt really good on the run. I didn’t want to push too hard, but I also wanted to get to church. I was willing to cut the run slightly short if I need to, but  my last 3 miles were REALLY strong. My last mile was my second fastest. 

I managed to keep all of my splits under 12 minutes, with the exception of mile 10 which was 12:04. Average pace per mile was 11:16.

My “half marathon” time was 2:28ish. Overall time 3:11:52.

17 miles. I still haven’t fully wrapped my head around it. I feel like a million bucks. I can really start to envision 26.2!!

And I made it to church (only a few minutes late) after changing shirts and a spritz a febreeze. Now after a shower, I sit. 

Bandit?

There is a half marathon in town tomorrow (well it was supposed to be today, but we are having tornado warnings and watches) so my 17 miler has been pushed to tomorrow which is for the best since I went out last night and drank a good bit by accident. 

ANYWAY. Running the half with miles tacked on for my 15 mile run was so sucessful, I was thinking of doing that tomorrow. I had thought about it a while back, but I didn’t want to pay $50 for a training run.

I’m thinking of being a bandit and using their course to run the majority of my 17 miles. What is bandit culture? I don’t mind breaking rules, but I don’t want to break like “runners code.”

Any suggestions on bandit does and don’ts?