Wk in Review

Tuesday I was supposed to run with TNT in the park and do a 5k at effort level 4 to see which long run group you're placed in. i think the strategy is a bit complacent however, because if I race at 9:50/mile speed I think tempo runs should be faster, not slower which is where TNT will place you. At that race speed the long run speed group is 11:30. I already run in teh 11 min pace group and want to move up to 10:30 to be aggressive in terms of training and what I need to get done.

4:20 is my ultimate marathon goal. 4:30 I will still be ESCTATIC about and 4:40 is my real goal.

Tonight is Urban Athletics running. I don't really feel up to it but I have to remember running is more mental than not and I need to hang in. I did really well last Thursday so I am excited to see if I do OK tonight when the humidity is down a bit. I don't know what the workout is which is a bit nervewracking but I know they did tempo on Tuesday as did TNT so it won't be that again (at least I hope not because I will die). I hope its dustbowl sprints (1000s repeats) or strides. Or reservoir. All of those I am OK with. Just not tempo please!!!

Tomorrow I need to get my butt out of bed in teh am and head to the gym for arms and abs. I havent done nearly enough this week. In fact I havent done them since Sunday since I've been feeling a bit under the weather. I'm not sure what exactly is wrong but I feel liek I need to spend the weekend in bed. Unfortunately it wont be this weekend either!!!!

really good wk

I had a really good week last week. Monday I did Gregg Cook's spin class. I slogged through a very humid practice at TNT on Tuesday (5m loop w sprints). Wed I took off. Thursday I did Urban's class and felt (and apparently looked) strong. Friday I did arms and abs in the am and then yoga in the pm. Sat I ran the CPC race is 39:36 which I was happy with given the heat and I felt in control. In fact it even crossed my mind that 'hey i think I could do this as marathon pace!!!' Sunday I made it to the gym for arms and abs in the am. Today I managed another spin class. Finally settling into a routine that I think works. It's a lot but it works. So far at least. Week 3 here we go!

first TNT run of the season

so of course my first TNT run of the season was a Tuesday, post 4th of July, 18 weeks before Marathon day. It was also 102 degrees out. The heat was a thick wall of nastiness let me tell you.

I actually wanted to bail but both my mentor and go to coach talked me out of it. I left my desk at 6:30 and lo and behold, when I went into the bathroom to change I realized I had not packed shorts. A quick trip to nike and I was on my way, late, like usual.

I speedwalked (sped walked?) the 1.5m to cherry hill (why not just call it the fountain where the JPMCC ends???) and then found out our workout was to be a 4 m loop (intermediate) with whatever effort level you could muster. I had had 2 glasses of wine Monday night (Rombauer- not worth it for Chardonnay) so i think that made me a bit more dehydrated in combination with my allergy pill for Tuesday. Halfway through the run I had to take a breather and I did walk a lot of the East side of the park, mainly bc I was goosebumpy.

We shall see. No real headache today (slight this am) so I'm on top of that at least.

I joined Urban Athletics for speed training Thursday nights. We shall see.

I havent been here...

...because I haven't been running. I decided to take a break through July 4th and give my legs some time to rest. I've had some issues with over worked quads (aka chicken cutlets) which I attribute to lifting, spinning, hilly races and the like.

I did sign up for NYC again. I don't know what I'm thinking. I don't even know if I want to run. I want to have a better time in my look back. I am not satisfied with a 4:59 marathon. I want a 4:30 marathon. But I guess the problem is, once I get to 4:30 will I want a sub 4?

To be honest, I don't know. I feel alone in this challenge. I feel like everyone of my family in friends isn't supportive merely because, let's be frank, I've done this before. I've already proven I can do this. In fact, I've already run the exact course I will run again in 18 weeks.

To run a 4:30 marathon I essentially have to run 10 min miles. I don't know if I can. If I run 4:45 will I be happy? Or will I be disappointed?

fathers day 5 m run

i signed up for yet another race on a seemingly unstoppable quest to race 9 races this year even though i've already promised myself it's my last marathon. why struggle to qualify for next year then? is it a good option to have? i don't quite know.

anyway the race was sun am, always a wkd killer. i am terrible at having a glass of wine and waking up early feeling spiffy.

it was 80 at the start and pretty humid so needless to say it was a hot race.

52:48 was my time and i did have to work to get there in that time. Not a too terrible pace esp give my quad (which did feel stressed after) and the JPM challenge wednesday.

My splits for JPMCC were as follows:
mile1- 9:55
mile2- 10:03
mile3- 11:27 (WHAT?!)
mile3-3.5- 4:51

it was a clockwise loop starting at w76th street coming back around to 72nd street transverse

My splits for the Fathers Day race were as followS:
mile1-10:42
mile2- 10:21
mile3- 11:04
mile4-10:38
mile5-10:03

It was a clockwise loop from w68th lower 5 m loop.

san diego race report

I had my race in SD. It wasnt great but it wasnt bad. My leg acted up so I didnt finish until 2:31 which is my worst time to date but it's ok. I walked when I had to because of my leg and did an 11 m pace otherwise which was whatever.

It was not a good winter for me in terms of training. I was sick with swine flu which really compromised my lungs for quite some time. THen between losing my job and having to find another running took a backseat. I also was coming off literally a year of marathon training so I'll be damned if I am upset :)

I had a great time in San Diego and enjoyed myself and the scenery immensely which was fun.

Next race is this wkd- 5 m and the wkd after as well- same deal.

I am pretty sure I am doing NYC. The marathon that is. SCARY.

race day coming up

My race is Sunday. I am packed and ready to go although my training has been paltry at best. I ran a tempo run this week but havent run for weeks prior. I hurt my quad (strained or tore who knows its healing!) so things were hairy for a while.

I am more excited for the trip post race than the race but i'm hoping I will be pleasantly surprised!

See you in 10 days with a race report.