Half Marathon and the Humidity

Well, I finished. Not in the spectacular style I would have liked, and 13 minutes off of the 2 hours I had hoped for. But let me tell you something, I think I hallucinated that last mile, I can't even be sure that I ran it. Part of me thought I floated with lead feet, part of me was concentrating on my breathing, counting breaths in and out, breathing hard when my left foot struck to avoid the stitch that was trying to come. Was I disappointed with my time, you bet! It was like New Delhi today, and if they ever have a marathon in India, I know I would be able to do it. The humidity prevented me from cooling down. I poured water over my head every rest station, chugged Accelerade every chance I could and I still felt like I needed to die by the end.

All I can say is I finished, I don't even want to recount it. I was happy when I finally found Brad. I was happy to hear that I wasn't the only one who had a tough time. The general consensus was it was to frickin humid to run today. I'd have to agree....

Rock N Roll Half Marathon in 2?

Well as previously mentioned, I got a running coach. Great lady, good fit for me, I love her style. So anyway, last running clinic Wednesday of this past week, Brenda officially started her plan with me. Very scary. As she was doling out our running assignments at the clinic, I almost fainted when she decided I was ready to run a 15 minute threshold run, followed by a 400 meter sprint, which I had to do again because my watch didn't start and I couldn't tell her my time for the lap (which by the way was 1 minute, 46 seconds) followed by a ten minute threshold run and another 400 meter sprint. I looked at her like she had been standing in the rain too long that day and her brain had gotten all squishy thinking that I could actually do something like that. She said she could tell from the week before when I was just doing 5 minute threshold runs 4 times, that I was ready for something more challenging. And you know what? I did it and did a pretty good job for me. I was running 2 miunte, 400 meters during my 15 minute threshold and during the 10 minute threshold. I was pretty psyched because even though I was wiped and thought my eyeballs would explode out of my head, I did the whole workout. If I maintained my single 400 meter lap time, 1:46 I would be running like 7.5 minute miles. Geez, if I could only keep that up for more then a lap, for more then a mile....

So that brings us to the eve of the Rock N Roll Half Marathon. I keep telling myself I will be fine, that I can do this even though I only ran the distance once during my training. Brad keeps telling me my fitness base is ten times what it was last year when I ran it in 2 hours 18. I did the Shamrock Half in 2 hours 11 minutes. I would love to run this in 2 hours, wouldn't that be awesome? Can I maintain a 9 minute mile pace for the full 13.1 miles? I want to tell myself of course I can, but of course I am doubting myself. I will post tomorrow how I do. I will be starting in corral 10 with the other 2 hour hopefuls.

It's been awhile

Oh my gosh, it has been awhile. I guess that's my life though. I did have a race since I last wrote. The Waterboy Du. I hated it last year, it was the worst. I ran uphill, both ways in the blistering heat. It took me almost 49 minutes last year too. Well this year, I did it in just over 43 and came in second in my division. Wow, I never get called up for a medal, ribbon whatever, and I did. It was a pretty neat feeling. If I do this race again next year, I want to do it in under 41 minutes. Why 41? Why not???

Anyway, I have been focusing my training on the Rock and Roll Half Marathon at the end of this month. Not much time left to the month is there? My last long run was 11 miles and the last few miles really, really stunk. I can't imagine what doing the full 13 will be like. I did it in 2 hours and 18 minutes last year, I did the Shamrock 1/2 in 2 hours and 11 this March. I'd like to try and finish it around 2 hours and 5 minutes, can I do it?? These are questions inquiring minds want to know, I want to know (do you remember that National Enquirer commercial?)

So I started training on Wednesday nights with a group of runners. What a great group of people. Brad and I do it, then there is another Brad, Fred, Karin (who's a fabulous runner) Brian, my running buddy and Tom another guy I like running with. Like I said, it's a really good group of people. I have been enjoying myself and feel like I have really improved in just three weeks of training. I should mention the coach Brenda too. She is just perfect for me. She is the nicest lady. She does a very individualized job with all of us, even with all of our different levels of abilities. I really look forward to going each week.

Brad is off to Chicago this week for a tri there and my girls, Micayla included, did beautifully this weekend at the Twin Hickory youth tri. Heather is one to watch, she really has talent and ability, plus the drive. Erin has beautiful form, she needs to practice a bit and she could be unstoppable.

Until we meet again...