Friday, June 25, 2010

I survived graduation hell, and some long runs along the way.

It has been a few weeks since I have blogged. But really, I had a high school graduation, an 8th grade graduation and an elementary school graduation to get through. That and the relatives visiting and end of year hoopla that occurs on the elementary school level and there you go. I can't believe I managed any kind of training, but I did.

Second tri of the season happens this Sunday. The I Love the Tavern tri is a good open water triathlon, the first one I ever did, and I survived the great river debacle I have mentioned previously last year, so hopefully this year will be better. The only thing that really sucks is the heat is supposed to be triple digits. I keep hoping it won't affect me negatively. I will be fine in the swim, and the bike, but the run? I am positively panicked about the heat at that point.

My marathon training has been going pretty well so far. I have been keeping true to my miles for the most part. I am running my 3,5,3, 5 and whatever the long run will be. Last week, although I didn't go to Sportsbacker Stadium, I did go to the gym for my 8 miler. I have to say I was actually looking forward to it. I had had such success with my shorter runs that week, I was doing negative splits, finishing faster then when I started, and actually doing the last mile or so sub 9:00. Today's run, I did the last 1/2 mile at 8:24. I did one 3 mile run this week with a 2 minute walking warm up, followed by the 3 miles in under 29 minutes. It felt soooo good to be running a little faster again even if it was just on a treadmill. I miss being at 8:30 miles. I liked that pace. I liked feeling faster then my snail-y old self. I think I have my medicine figured out. I don't take it unless my blood pressure creeps over 120/80, which it hasn't been in awhile. Getting faster is prepping for those blasted cul-de-sac 5ks coming up. I PR'd my 5k at the last one last year, I don't know if that will happen this year, hopefully I may come close....hopefully. But to get back to my 8 miler, I ran the whole thing, it took an hour and twenty minutes, so it was pretty freaking long, but I felt GREAT! Really, really great. I wasn't breathless, I wasn't tired, I felt good. I feel like it was a good omen for the rest of my long runs. I am actually not afraid of them. So we'll see how they go. I am getting my legs underneath me again so to speak. Here's hoping they stay strong. I have a picked a massage therapist I really like at my favorite massage place and have warned her as my mileage ramps up, so will my appointments for her to work my legs.

I will keep everyone posted on how the Tavern goes. The bike has me a little worried, but I know the course, know when to pop out of the saddle to handle that hill there at the end of Manakin Ferry, and am hoping my legs will feel strong enough for the run to run faster then I did last year. If I could survive the hell of the last few weeks, I can live through the hell of 27 minutes of running right?

No comments: