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 . . .

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!!!

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!

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!!

One Mile Work Race: RR

6:30AM - Got to sleep in because I didn't have to run before work! :) Woke up after 7 hours of sleep and three glasses of wine. TIRED.

8:00AM - COFFEE!!!!

10:00AM - Water and Clif Bar

11:30AM - Water and 1/2 Clif Bar

12:00PM - 1/2 mile warm up jog and lots of stretching

12:15PM - My coach arrives!! We talk and he stretches me. It's 86 degrees out and so HOT!!!! I feel good and after yesterday, I knew exactly what that 89-91 pace/lap felt like. I also had a lot more confidence after completing the workout yesterday that my competitors would not be able to hang at that pace. :)

12:30PM - We begin. Andrew takes off immediately and I don't stay with him. Adam stays right on my heels, almost tripping me twice. Adam and I exchange a few words during the first 200m. I tell him if he's going to pace off of me that he can't trip me. At the 200m, I feel great and we are at 41 seconds. Andrew is 3 seconds at least ahead of me. I decide to slow down knowing that he will die in due time.

I hit the first lap in 88 seconds. I feel great and I can see Andrew slowing down. As I hit the 500m-ish mark, I pass Andrew like he's standing still :) All the meanwhile, Adam is still right on me.

We hit lap two in 3:01. I can hear Adam breathing heavily. While tired, I know I can hold the pace. I'm just being patient waiting for Adam to fall off.

On the home stretch to completing lap three, I feel Adam backing off a little. He's backing off and I still have energy left. Silly boys! I come across the 1200m mark in 4:35. I'm guessing I've got three seconds on Adam at this point but I'm not worried - not even the slightest!

I continue running never looking back! I don't need to know where he is; I need to focus on my own race. As I round the last corner, I can see through the corner of my eyes that I have about 100m on Adam. I stride it out - never sprinting, yet still picking up the pace slightly. I cross the finish line in 6:06.

Adam crossed 41 seconds later in 6:47. He had a rough last lap. :(

We chat and congratulate each other and see Andrew walking with over 200m left. He continues to walk until the home stretch and finally finishes in 9:14.

That 6:06 felt good and left me hungry for digging deep and training for speed. Especially, since I was basically running solo and in the 86 degree heat. I'm itching to break 6:00 and I know I have it in me! :)

9:30PM - Packing. Leaving for JAX with Penny at 7AM!! Our shirts: "Jaime's tying the knot .... So, BUY us a SHOT!!!"

Weekend Recap w/Pictures next!!

XOXO

400m repeats

I LOVE the 400m distance. I was a sprinter back in my high school days and everytime that we run 400's, it bring backs fond memories of the 400m dash!

Wednesday morning's workout: 10x 400 w/a 1:15 rest in between.

Expected time: 91

With 90% humidity a the craziest wind for the entire home stretch, I didn't have too many factors on my side, but I still managed:

91 91 90 90 90 91 90 90 89 87

My quads hated me for the last 3.

Today is the one mile challenge. I'll keep you posted! :)

So excited!!

Monday - Check

Tuesday - Check

Wednesday - Looking forward to track :)

Thursday - One Mile Challenge

Friday - 8AM - Leaving for Jacksonville for my Bachelorette Party Weekend :) Need I say more?!

Getting excited!!!!

Beach Running + Partying w/the girls + Fun in the Sun (minus the boy)! ;)