Last week was one of our "off" weeks in terms of mileage. Our longest run on the schedule was "only" 12 miles. Ha ha! I ran 5 miles on Thursday evening with the 10K class (they only had 2 on the schedule so we had to add an extra loop). Saturday morning was a quick 5 miles from my house down to the Bay and back.
Sunday was the Cold Turkey 10K race in South County. I've run this race for the past 3 years or so. It is usually cold, and typically a pretty day. This year was no exception. The difference is that I am normally not really trained up to 6 miles. As we were pulling up to the high school where the race begins and ends, I tweeted that it only seems reasonable to run a 10K race, finish, and run the course again when one is in marathon training. And that is what we did!
The race was actually about .2 miles short. Which explained why I was shocked to be averaging 10:30 minute miles doing Galloway at Mile 2. I slowed down a bit, but still was averaging just under 11:00 minute miles. I find it's pretty difficult for me to conciously slow myself down during a race. This could potentially be a problem during the Half-marathon portion of Goofy. I have one more race to work on this: the Celtic Solstice 5-miler in December. It's the first leg of our 22 mile day, so hopefully I'll be able to keep it slow and easy. We'll see.
Anyway, even with the short course, I averaged 10:50 minute miles for 6 miles. Yikes! We finished the race, grabbed some water and snacks, and headed back out on the course again. Luckily we waited long enough that everyone was pretty much finished by the time we headed back out. While I thought doing the course again would seem tedious, it really wasn't all that hard. We were much slower, of course, but mentally the out-and-back nature of this loop makes it pretty easy to handle. My legs were a little tired from running the first half quickly, but they persevered. It is a pretty hilly course, though! Thankfully, it was much easier than the 12 miles I struggled with a few weeks ago.
With this week being a holiday week, I'll be scrambling to get my runs in. Tonight, I'm going to attempt to get anywhere from 3-5 in, and then my Thursday and Saturday runs will be in South Carolina. I'm aiming to get 9 or 10 miles in total there. I'll be back Saturday night, and we have another 12-miler planned for Sunday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Showing posts with label Races. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Races. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Metric Marathon Race Report
As I wrote last week, my friend Lauren roped me into running a Metric Marathon this past Sunday. It was either that, or run the 13 miles we had on the schedule all by myself. This race traditionally has 0nly around 100 to 150 runners, most all of them fast. Well, considerably faster than me, that is. This year, I think there were around 200 or so...still mostly all faster than me!
By the time Saturday evening rolled around, I really didn't want to do this race. I was seriously afraid of coming in last, of having hip pain prevent me from continuing, and of just embarrassing myself. I figured if I ran my 13 and then walked the last 3.3 miles in, I would have accomplished what I needed to for the day. I made arrangements to pick Lauren up so that I couldn't chicken out. But, I kept hoping it would be rainy, or that maybe they wouldn't accept my registration, etc. No such luck. At 8:00 on a lovely and cool fall morning, I started running this dreaded race.
Since I was running Galloway (2/1 run walk), I ended up at the very end of the pack since, like a good Galloway follower, I started my first walk after 2 minutes. A little over a mile in, one of the support bikes came by to ask if I was ok. I have to say, I was a little offended that she thought I was going to have trouble because I was walking. I explained that I was doing the Galloway method, and she still looked at me strangely. I figured, "whatever" and kept going.
Earlier in the morning, I asked Lauren why she likes this race so much. She told me that the scenery is lovely. At the time, I didn't see how any scenery could be worth 16 miles of running, but she was right...it was gorgeous and a perfect morning for a run. I could see runners in front of me, and didn't think anyone was behind me. I was essentially alone on quiet roads. Strangely, it was really peaceful and made me wish that I lived out in the country and could have such pretty morning runs all of the time! My goal was to average 12 min miles doing 2/1 intervals. My first mile was 11:00, second was 11:15, and the third was 10:45. I told myself I needed to slow down, but I felt great! I figured I would go at my comfortably fast pace as long as possible, which might help me not finish last.
I picked off my first runner at mile 4. She was running without walking at a really slow pace. I was almost able to walk past her. At mile 6, I passed someone in front of me at the water stop who didn't think she could continue on. She had been running without stopping in front of me, as well. At mile 9, I made the final push past a man that had been in my sights for 4 miles. He had clearly gotten tired and was walking when he got tired, and then running again. We leapfrogged back and forth for about 5 run/walk cycles. I caught him on a hill with my fresher legs (thank you 1 minute walks!), and stayed in front for good. Then, I passed a friend of ours who was running 8 minute/2 minute intervals. Finally, at Mile 12, I caught up to another woman I know who was running straight out as well. We had started together, then when I stopped for my first walk she got ahead. I passed her on the nasty hill at Mile 14. Between 14 and 15, I passed 3 or 4 very in-shape looking people who were walking. I figured they must have been near the front at first, but had been walking for awhile.
I actually finished the race in 3:06. My 12 minute mile pace would have had me finish at 3:16. I managed to average an 11:25 pace for the whole race! That was surprising, and has certainly given me some more confidence for our Goofy Training. I won't be running that fast for that long (especially since I'm a bit sore today), but to know I could maintain that pace for 16 hilly miles (in perfect weather conditions) is definitely confidence-boosting. And, I apparently proved that there is something to that Galloway method jargon...you can stay stronger for longer with walk breaks! At no point during the race did I think "Gosh, I'm so tired and in pain, I'm just gonna walk for awhile". You truly can do just about anything for 2 minutes!
I don't know that I would do this race again unless I needed the mileage for training. It was gorgeous scenery and well-supported with water stops, but it is definitely not slower-runner friendly. While I was walking during the race on scheduled walk breaks, at least 3 people asked if I was ok or needed help or transport back to the start. I appreciate them looking out for runners, and I realize that usually when someone is walking it means they are struggling, but this is a race put on by a running club that has a big Galloway contingent. When I talked to some runners slower than me who have run this race in the past, they relayed similar experiences. I at least felt vindicated in my running strategy when I started picking people off! I would recommend this race to anyone who averages around a 10 minute mile or faster over a long distance. You'll be in the pack and enjoy yourself. If you are slower, be prepared to spend a lot of time by yourself on the course unless you have a running buddy with you to start. I enjoyed the time by myself (I've been so busy lately it was nice to "slow down" and have a little commune with God time), but not everyone would enjoy it so much.
By the time Saturday evening rolled around, I really didn't want to do this race. I was seriously afraid of coming in last, of having hip pain prevent me from continuing, and of just embarrassing myself. I figured if I ran my 13 and then walked the last 3.3 miles in, I would have accomplished what I needed to for the day. I made arrangements to pick Lauren up so that I couldn't chicken out. But, I kept hoping it would be rainy, or that maybe they wouldn't accept my registration, etc. No such luck. At 8:00 on a lovely and cool fall morning, I started running this dreaded race.
Since I was running Galloway (2/1 run walk), I ended up at the very end of the pack since, like a good Galloway follower, I started my first walk after 2 minutes. A little over a mile in, one of the support bikes came by to ask if I was ok. I have to say, I was a little offended that she thought I was going to have trouble because I was walking. I explained that I was doing the Galloway method, and she still looked at me strangely. I figured, "whatever" and kept going.
Earlier in the morning, I asked Lauren why she likes this race so much. She told me that the scenery is lovely. At the time, I didn't see how any scenery could be worth 16 miles of running, but she was right...it was gorgeous and a perfect morning for a run. I could see runners in front of me, and didn't think anyone was behind me. I was essentially alone on quiet roads. Strangely, it was really peaceful and made me wish that I lived out in the country and could have such pretty morning runs all of the time! My goal was to average 12 min miles doing 2/1 intervals. My first mile was 11:00, second was 11:15, and the third was 10:45. I told myself I needed to slow down, but I felt great! I figured I would go at my comfortably fast pace as long as possible, which might help me not finish last.
I picked off my first runner at mile 4. She was running without walking at a really slow pace. I was almost able to walk past her. At mile 6, I passed someone in front of me at the water stop who didn't think she could continue on. She had been running without stopping in front of me, as well. At mile 9, I made the final push past a man that had been in my sights for 4 miles. He had clearly gotten tired and was walking when he got tired, and then running again. We leapfrogged back and forth for about 5 run/walk cycles. I caught him on a hill with my fresher legs (thank you 1 minute walks!), and stayed in front for good. Then, I passed a friend of ours who was running 8 minute/2 minute intervals. Finally, at Mile 12, I caught up to another woman I know who was running straight out as well. We had started together, then when I stopped for my first walk she got ahead. I passed her on the nasty hill at Mile 14. Between 14 and 15, I passed 3 or 4 very in-shape looking people who were walking. I figured they must have been near the front at first, but had been walking for awhile.
I actually finished the race in 3:06. My 12 minute mile pace would have had me finish at 3:16. I managed to average an 11:25 pace for the whole race! That was surprising, and has certainly given me some more confidence for our Goofy Training. I won't be running that fast for that long (especially since I'm a bit sore today), but to know I could maintain that pace for 16 hilly miles (in perfect weather conditions) is definitely confidence-boosting. And, I apparently proved that there is something to that Galloway method jargon...you can stay stronger for longer with walk breaks! At no point during the race did I think "Gosh, I'm so tired and in pain, I'm just gonna walk for awhile". You truly can do just about anything for 2 minutes!
I don't know that I would do this race again unless I needed the mileage for training. It was gorgeous scenery and well-supported with water stops, but it is definitely not slower-runner friendly. While I was walking during the race on scheduled walk breaks, at least 3 people asked if I was ok or needed help or transport back to the start. I appreciate them looking out for runners, and I realize that usually when someone is walking it means they are struggling, but this is a race put on by a running club that has a big Galloway contingent. When I talked to some runners slower than me who have run this race in the past, they relayed similar experiences. I at least felt vindicated in my running strategy when I started picking people off! I would recommend this race to anyone who averages around a 10 minute mile or faster over a long distance. You'll be in the pack and enjoy yourself. If you are slower, be prepared to spend a lot of time by yourself on the course unless you have a running buddy with you to start. I enjoyed the time by myself (I've been so busy lately it was nice to "slow down" and have a little commune with God time), but not everyone would enjoy it so much.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Weekly Training Update
I haven't really gotten as many miles in this week as I had planned. Our weekend long run was 10 miles on Sunday morning. We ran the BWI Loop and started at 10 AM. I foolishly had a 7 course dinner with wine pairings on Saturday night. Seriously...I have never felt so heavy on a run in my life! It also was a little on the warm side by the time we ran. Originally, the forecast called for a high of 70, but I think it was more like 78 by the time we finished around noon.
I skipped the Tuesday run, but will hopefully get 3 or 4 miles in tonight. Last week's mileage was 13, this week's will hopefully be around 19. Here is an inaccurate Nike+ log of my run...
I really need to get that thing calibrated. The real distance was 10.6 miles or so. I walked the last .6... I think I'll make calibration tonight's post-run goal.
Up this weekend is the Metric Marathon on Sunday morning. I got roped into running this race since my Goofy partner runs it every year. It's either run 16.3 miles (26K) with the possibility of being around other people, or run 13 miles by myself. We have 13 on the schedule, and were supposed to do 6 on Saturday, but are compromising with the Metric Marathon. Ick. Only about 100 people run this race (it's long and hilly), and they are all fast. Looking at last year's finish times, it's likely I will finish dead last. Oh well, at least I'll get the training in! Saturday's run is out because we are tailgating at and going to the Navy vs. Airforce football game. I will have to hold back on the heavy food this time...
I skipped the Tuesday run, but will hopefully get 3 or 4 miles in tonight. Last week's mileage was 13, this week's will hopefully be around 19. Here is an inaccurate Nike+ log of my run...
I really need to get that thing calibrated. The real distance was 10.6 miles or so. I walked the last .6... I think I'll make calibration tonight's post-run goal.
Up this weekend is the Metric Marathon on Sunday morning. I got roped into running this race since my Goofy partner runs it every year. It's either run 16.3 miles (26K) with the possibility of being around other people, or run 13 miles by myself. We have 13 on the schedule, and were supposed to do 6 on Saturday, but are compromising with the Metric Marathon. Ick. Only about 100 people run this race (it's long and hilly), and they are all fast. Looking at last year's finish times, it's likely I will finish dead last. Oh well, at least I'll get the training in! Saturday's run is out because we are tailgating at and going to the Navy vs. Airforce football game. I will have to hold back on the heavy food this time...
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Race Report- Disney's Princess Half Marathon
This was a great race! It was, of course, mostly women (7300 women, 200 men) and a lot of first-time half marathoners, at that. I trained pretty well for the race, but did not follow the rules before a race of staying off your feet, resting, and hydrating. On Friday and Saturday, I spent the time wandering all over the Disney parks. But, it's Disney...who cares about the race! :)The Expo was pretty good...other than waiting in line 20 minutes to pick up my bib and chip. The tech shirt was pretty and pink, and my bib was pink (I chose Sleeping Beauty as my favorite princess). We also got a nice drawstring bag, and a pink sharpie!
The one drawback to the Disney races is the early start due to the heat. The race began at 7 AM, and the last bus picks up at the race hotels at 5 AM. So, we were up at 3:45 AM! And, it was the Daylight Savings Time change morning, so it was really 2:45 AM. Eek! I made it, though.
I wore my pink dress, a blue princess skirt, a tiara, and blue and pink ribbons in my hair. I was Sleeping Beauty, for real!
It was cold standing around waiting for the race to begin. I wish I'd brought a "throw-away" long sleeved t-shirt or something. Somehow, I ended up in Corral A. Not sure how that happened...except that a lot of the runners were very slow (I finished in the first half of the finishers....and I did a 2/1 run/walk).
The race began near Epcot, and we ran on Disney roads to the Magic Kingdom. There were some bands and some music along the way. My feet and calves began to hurt after mile 4, so I knew it was goingo be a long race! I took a quick 1 minute potty break at mile 5, and then we hit the Magic Kingdom! This was by far my favorite part of the race. We ran up Main St. with hundreds of people cheering...through Tomorrowland and by Space Mountain, and finally ran through Cinderella's Castle. Trumpets were playing as we went through the castle...it was great! By mile 9...I was struggling. Not hydrating and staying off my feet was beginning to catch up with me! I was running a pretty fast Galloway for me...averaging around 11:45 min miles (my marathon Galloway was 12:30 min miles). By mile 11, I was ready to walk it in...but managed to keep running somehow (those are the times when I realize how determined I really am...). We finished up at Epcot, and I managed to finish strong.The medal was all worth it...a jeweled tiara medal!
I finished with a chip time of 2:33.15. My watch was at 2:31.51 (I stopped it for my potty break). My place was 2300 out of 6000 finishers, and I was 493 out of 1047 in my age group. So...a pretty slow half-marathon! It was a ton of fun, though. I would highly recommend this race. I won't run it next year because I'm heading down to Disney in January for the Goofy Challenge...but watch out in 2011...:)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Race Report: Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon
Yes! I finished! I'm an Iron Girl! I even finished under my "ultimate" goal time. I am one of those "set multiple goal" types in order to avoid complete failure. Goal #1- Finish alive. Goal #2- Finish under 3 hours. Goal #3- Finish under 2:45. Ultimate Goal- Finish under 2:30. My total time was 2:27:07. Not bad for the first triathlon of a lazy runner. :)
Here are my complete stats:
Here are my complete stats:
- Total time: 2:27:07
- Swim time: 27:48 (.62 miles)
- Transition #1: 4:41
- Bike: 1:11:58 (17.5 miles)
- Transition #2: 2:49
- Run: 39:52 (3.4 miles)
The morning started off early. I think my alarm went off at 4:00 AM. I was at my friend's house by 4:45 to carpool over to Columbia. We arrived at about 5:30 AM. I started setting up my transition area (I had stuffed most of it into a bucket), got some air in my bike tires, and left the transition area by 6:45 when the first wave of Elite racers headed out for their swim wave (I think the first Elite was done with the swim in 9 minutes. Yikes!). We walked over to the swim start barefoot (lesson for next year: bring a pair of throw-away flip-flops!). My swim wave was next to last and did not start until 8:17 AM. At about 7:45, I realized I needed to visit the port-a-potty. Barefoot. Hence the throw-away flip flops for next year!
My swim wave went off at 8:17...to the strange noise of the AFLAC duck. A funny and endearing touch, but still odd. We treaded water in the lake for about 5 minutes before the start, so I recalled a lot of my old life-saving classes. I started at the back of the pack. During the swim, I got kicked and knocked around, so it took awhile to get into my swimming rhythm. I should have started at the front because I was a stronger swimmer than half of the swimmers in my age-group. One girl kept backstroking diagonally in front of me. I couldn't get away from her! Every time I would breaststroke to get away from her and get into a freestyle rhythm, she would come back across and run into me! I also thought the swim went further down the lake than it did...and suddenly I looked up and we were already at the finish chute! I had been conserving energy with my stroke, so I increased my turnover and hauled myself in.
The first transition was ok- I took some time to rinse my feet off, put on socks, throw on a gel-pack and grabbed my bike. I jogged in and out of the transition area...it was during those points that I actually felt like a triathlete! Once I got on the bike, my legs were pretty much ready to go. The swim really didn't tire me out at all. As soon as I got on the bike I passed about 5 people, especially on the downhills. My new bike made a big difference, I think. The course was VERY hilly, with some hills that seemed as if they would never end! My one complaint was the traffic on the road- since it wasn't closed to cars, there were a few spots near the park where I had to slow down to avoid hitting a car. My ride in Acadia Nat'l Park really made a difference. I think the ride would have demoralized me too much had I not already experienced some tough hills.
After I got off my bike and through the transition to the run, my legs felt ok. I ran for about 5 minutes until my lungs gave out. I took a hit of my inhaler during Transition #2, but it didn't kick in until halfway through the run (lesson for next year: hit inhaler with 15 min to go in the bike). I walked for 5 minutes to catch my breath. My pattern for the rest of the run was a modified run/walk...basically I walked up hills, sprinted down them, and jogged the flat areas. It worked...I averaged a decent pace for me- about 11:30 minute miles. I imagine I could have run faster if it was cooler and less hilly...oh, and if I hadn't just swam .62 miles and biked 17.5! I did have enough to push it the last half mile or so, especially when I realized that I was going to finish under 2:30!
I felt great at the finish line! They gave out medals, and I found my friends to rehash the race. We all had somewhat similar experiences, and all of us loved doing the triathlon. A few friends had a cookout later in the afternoon to celebrate. All in all, I would highly recommend this triathlon, and plan on doing it again next year! My ultimate goal for next year: 2:20...by shaving 2 minutes off the swim, 1 minute off each transition, 2 minutes off the bike, and 1-2 minutes off of the run. I'll keep you posted...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
