I had the most amazing track workout on Wednesday night - really, I've had an amazing week of running.
I opted to sleep in Wednesday and go to night track. I prefer running in the AM, mostly because of the heat but also because I have such a solid group of running friends. I was extremely tired all of Tuesday and even though I went to bed early that night, I decided that I didn't want to spend the rest of my week exhausted, so I slept in.
The track workout Wednesday night was: 1200 6x400 1200
Goal Times: 4:54 - 95 - 4:54
We were told not to push the 400's since we only received a minute of rest after each 400. Also, we were to hit or exceed whatever time we ran the first 1200 in.
My times - 4:49 95 93 94 94 94 94 4:41
I felt so good that I was able to finish strong!! Love when that happens!!
Rest of the Week -
Monday (lunch)- 7 easy at 8:43 pace
Tuesday (AM) - 5 easy at 8:08 pace
Wednesday (PM)- Track
Thursday (AM) - 5 easy at 8:41 pace
Tomorrow, I'm heading back to the trails!! :)
Friday, May 20, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Miles for Moffit 5 miler: RR
I could make this very short and simple and summarize my race in one sentence: 5 milers are hard!!
But, I'll give you a little more fo a run down on how it went . . .
After babysitting my favorite little FL baby on Friday night, I got about 5 hours of sleep. I woke up and had less than 15 minutes to get ready. UGH! I hate being rushed. I quickly got dressed and ready and met some friends to carpool with to the race.
We warmed up for nearly 2 miles and got ready to run. My only race goal was to start around 7:15's and try to hold on. I really didn't want to start too fast. Knowing my half pace is 7:20, I thought I could aim for a little faster, but I still have this terrible fear of starting too fast!!
Jen and I started off together - which was the plan! We were going to start together and see what happened. We came across mile 1 in 6:59. We laughed at the fact that we were talking and running sub 7:00 minute miles. Mile 2 was a little harder, but we kept pace: 6:56
Somewhere around mile 2.5, I dropped back off of Jen. I couldn't keep up with her and my biggest fear had suddenly come true. I had in fact started too quickly! 2.5 more miles of running is hard on tired lungs and legs! :) I let her go, but kept her in sight. I tried to stay positive and tried not to let anyone pass me. I just wanted to hold on and not completely die. I crossed mile 3 with a split of 7:15.
Funny enough, there were rolling hills. We kept going up and down them on the last two miles. I told myself when I had two miles left that I could run 8:20's and finish under 38 minutes. I was okay with this ... or, well I tricked myself expecting this, so I was elated when I hit mile 4 in 7:16.
My saving grace was a short little out and back section that they added around mile 3.5-4ish. I like out and back's in short races because you can distract yourself and count the runners ahead of you! I wanted to see how Jen was doing and I wanted to see how many females were ahead of me. I was surprised to only count 6 females in front of Jen. There were two girls in between us (but they were close and I knew I'd get them).
I kept trying to pick up the pace, but I couldn't. The two girls were merely inches in front of me but I couldn't muster up enough energy to pass them. They were older and I knew they weren't in my age group. Then, something happened. With about half a mile left, I started yelling at myself! I kept telling myself that I'd be so upset if I didn't pass them. It was going to hurt either way and I just needed to push a little harder. So, I did. I picked up the pace and pushed pass them!! Mile 5: 7:11
Of course, there were quite a few turns and I don't always run the best tangents, so my final home stretch sprint - :21 (.06 miles) - 5:40 pace.
I crossed the finish line completely exhausted. I looked at my Garmin and in complete disbelief, it said: 36:00:94 I told everyone that I ran a 35:59 and prayed that I stopped it a little late. Sadly, the final results had me at just that: 36:00. I wish it would have read 36:01 or 35:59. 36:00 just sounds too approximate. Oh well.
Garmin Results:
5.06 miles: 36:00
7:07 pace
Official Results
5.0 miles: 36:00
7:12 pace
2/85 - age group
8/556 - females
7:12 pace
But, I'll give you a little more fo a run down on how it went . . .
After babysitting my favorite little FL baby on Friday night, I got about 5 hours of sleep. I woke up and had less than 15 minutes to get ready. UGH! I hate being rushed. I quickly got dressed and ready and met some friends to carpool with to the race.
We warmed up for nearly 2 miles and got ready to run. My only race goal was to start around 7:15's and try to hold on. I really didn't want to start too fast. Knowing my half pace is 7:20, I thought I could aim for a little faster, but I still have this terrible fear of starting too fast!!
Jen and I started off together - which was the plan! We were going to start together and see what happened. We came across mile 1 in 6:59. We laughed at the fact that we were talking and running sub 7:00 minute miles. Mile 2 was a little harder, but we kept pace: 6:56
Somewhere around mile 2.5, I dropped back off of Jen. I couldn't keep up with her and my biggest fear had suddenly come true. I had in fact started too quickly! 2.5 more miles of running is hard on tired lungs and legs! :) I let her go, but kept her in sight. I tried to stay positive and tried not to let anyone pass me. I just wanted to hold on and not completely die. I crossed mile 3 with a split of 7:15.
Funny enough, there were rolling hills. We kept going up and down them on the last two miles. I told myself when I had two miles left that I could run 8:20's and finish under 38 minutes. I was okay with this ... or, well I tricked myself expecting this, so I was elated when I hit mile 4 in 7:16.
My saving grace was a short little out and back section that they added around mile 3.5-4ish. I like out and back's in short races because you can distract yourself and count the runners ahead of you! I wanted to see how Jen was doing and I wanted to see how many females were ahead of me. I was surprised to only count 6 females in front of Jen. There were two girls in between us (but they were close and I knew I'd get them).
I kept trying to pick up the pace, but I couldn't. The two girls were merely inches in front of me but I couldn't muster up enough energy to pass them. They were older and I knew they weren't in my age group. Then, something happened. With about half a mile left, I started yelling at myself! I kept telling myself that I'd be so upset if I didn't pass them. It was going to hurt either way and I just needed to push a little harder. So, I did. I picked up the pace and pushed pass them!! Mile 5: 7:11
Of course, there were quite a few turns and I don't always run the best tangents, so my final home stretch sprint - :21 (.06 miles) - 5:40 pace.
I crossed the finish line completely exhausted. I looked at my Garmin and in complete disbelief, it said: 36:00:94 I told everyone that I ran a 35:59 and prayed that I stopped it a little late. Sadly, the final results had me at just that: 36:00. I wish it would have read 36:01 or 35:59. 36:00 just sounds too approximate. Oh well.
Garmin Results:
5.06 miles: 36:00
7:07 pace
Official Results
5.0 miles: 36:00
7:12 pace
2/85 - age group
8/556 - females
7:12 pace
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Reality Check!
I am tired. I missed my run this morning due to sleeping in. But, it was worth it. It wasn't easy and it was a lot different than what I am used to after work, but last night I babysat Charlotte while my friends, Emily and Justin, went to a concert. We had her from 6:30-11:30. Since, I'm usually without child and in bed by 10PM, this was an adjustment. But, I can see why it's so worth it.
David was so sweet when he got home around 8:30PM. He let me take a bath and wouldn't let me make his dinner plate. He was so helpful and stayed awake with me and Charlotte the entire time. When Charlotte got fussy, he held her and rocked her. So sweet. Makes me fall even more in love . . .
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Redemption Track
I almost didn't wake up this morning! I was so tired and my fiance finally got back after being away for work since Friday morning. The bed was so warm and it was just screaming for me to stay in. Yesterday's "easy" 5 miler (8:35, 8:22, 8:18, 8:11, 7:44) was tough. My legs were still tired from the trails and it was not even the slightest bit easy. I tried reasoning with myself that I am racing a 5 miler on Saturday and that could count as my speed workout for the week. Afterall, track on tired legs is not any fun at all. But, something inside of me knew I'd be so upset with myself for the rest of the day. So, I did what any good runner would do . . . I got out of bed!
4:45AM is so early. It never becomes normal. Some mornings it is easier to wake up than other mornings, but it's still early!
I got to track not sure how my legs would feel and did a little warm up mile. Felt okay! :) When, I went to check the workout, this is what I saw: (800m - 1 minute rest - 800m) 2 minute rest x 3 times
In English: 800m - 1 minute rest - 800m - 2 minutes rest - 800m - 1 minute rest - 800m - 2 minutes rest - 800m - 1 minute rest - 800m
Goal Times: 3:18, 3:14, 3:18, 3:14, 3:18, 3:14
No matter how fast we ran the first, we had to run the second 800m of that set 4 seconds faster. The goal was to pace the first and then learn to pick it up after only one minute rest.
My immediate thoughts - AAHHH! Though I love 800's, I know that the one minute in between flies. We usually get two minutes between all. We did this workout not even two months ago and it was my first track fail in a while.
So, I decided I would not run repeats 1, 3 and 5 any faster than I needed. I thought of it as pacing and tried to convice myself that 3:18 was easy! It worked. Here's how I did:
3:18 3:10 3:17 3:10 3:16 3:07
Redemption sure is nice.
So glad I didn't sleep in!!!
4:45AM is so early. It never becomes normal. Some mornings it is easier to wake up than other mornings, but it's still early!
I got to track not sure how my legs would feel and did a little warm up mile. Felt okay! :) When, I went to check the workout, this is what I saw: (800m - 1 minute rest - 800m) 2 minute rest x 3 times
In English: 800m - 1 minute rest - 800m - 2 minutes rest - 800m - 1 minute rest - 800m - 2 minutes rest - 800m - 1 minute rest - 800m
Goal Times: 3:18, 3:14, 3:18, 3:14, 3:18, 3:14
No matter how fast we ran the first, we had to run the second 800m of that set 4 seconds faster. The goal was to pace the first and then learn to pick it up after only one minute rest.
My immediate thoughts - AAHHH! Though I love 800's, I know that the one minute in between flies. We usually get two minutes between all. We did this workout not even two months ago and it was my first track fail in a while.
So, I decided I would not run repeats 1, 3 and 5 any faster than I needed. I thought of it as pacing and tried to convice myself that 3:18 was easy! It worked. Here's how I did:
3:18 3:10 3:17 3:10 3:16 3:07
Redemption sure is nice.
So glad I didn't sleep in!!!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Trails x 2 - My Kind of Weekend
With the boy out of town for nearly 5 days, what's a girl to do?! I was in desperate need of some me time and some good running!! Probably not your average thought, but my idea of a good weekend was back to back trail runs with friends.
I haven't run trails since I moved to FL (Jan. '10). It's been a while to say the least and I had forgotten how much I missed it. To say the least, it reminds me of home in Western North Carolina. It's basically where I learned to run!
The trails are just so serene; so peaceful. There is something about running as the sun rises and hearing woodpeckers and birds chirp. The trails were narrow at times; sometimes rooty, sometimes sandy. The water was along side the trail for a lot of the run. So beautiful! We even saw two rather large white tailed deer this morning! I really can't describe it, but when I reflect back on it, I simply smile! I want to go back!
Yesterday, we ran a 9.23 mile loop. This morning, we ran 7.65 miles. The times were slower and much more relaxed but I was reminded of my love for running this weekend. It was nice to run through the woods at my own pace, on my own time! It was nice to take everything in and enjoy the company of great friends. I have a feeling that the trails will be visited much more often in my future!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Movin' On Up
I thought last week was a fluke, but apparently my 6:06 mile now means that I have to continue to run with Group 4 at track. I've been in Group 4B for a little while now, so this means I'm movin' on up! This also means that I have to run even faster . . .
This morning's workout was a tough one! 600 600 800 800 1000 1000
After the 600's and 1000's, we did a slow 200m jog as our recovery. After the 800's, we received 2 minutes rest.
Expected times - 93 seconds per lap - 6:12 pace
My times -
2:21
2:21
3:05
3:06
4:00
4:00
Those 1000's were supposed to be in 3:52. They were tough!! But, if I exceeded my times on my first try than I would be ready to move up again. This group will definitely provide a challenge and I'm going to have to work for it, but I'm ready :)
I still owe you a Bachelorette Party Post. I hope to have that up by the end of the week!!
This morning's workout was a tough one! 600 600 800 800 1000 1000
After the 600's and 1000's, we did a slow 200m jog as our recovery. After the 800's, we received 2 minutes rest.
Expected times - 93 seconds per lap - 6:12 pace
My times -
2:21
2:21
3:05
3:06
4:00
4:00
Those 1000's were supposed to be in 3:52. They were tough!! But, if I exceeded my times on my first try than I would be ready to move up again. This group will definitely provide a challenge and I'm going to have to work for it, but I'm ready :)
I still owe you a Bachelorette Party Post. I hope to have that up by the end of the week!!
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