One of those days.....

Yesterday was one of those days... You know, one of those days that you wish you had every time you ran. I was due to run a tempo run this week and had not done it as of Friday. I knew I wouldn't be able to run on Sunday, so I just took off yesterday with no plan other than to get 7 miles in. The first mile slid by at an easy 9:08 pace and I felt like kicking it in a little and the next thing I knew I was running negative splits through mile 5 with only a slight letup on mile 6 and then I picked it back up for the last mile. I topped out with a 7:54 pace on mile 5. It felt great. No cramps, no pain, no anything but a great run.

I rested today because I start my heavy work for the next 3 weeks getting ready for 2/14. The next three Sundays consist of an 18 and two 20 mile runs before the taper. I'm getting a little nervous about it, but I'm sure they will go fine. I need to actually map out the runs though because I don't want to do double or triple loops unless I have too. I also need to buy some Powerade after I finish the Gatorade I have because Powerade is what will be available on the course. I haven't found out if they will have GU or anything, so I am going to take my own.

This week is pretty light for me until Sunday (6, 8 & 5 miles). I hope to get back to Yoga on Tuesday, I know I will need it with the long runs coming up.

2008 Race Results....

Here are the results of my races in 2008. Lots of room for improvement this year... Especially in the 10K department.

Distance	Race	Date	Time	Pace
2 Mile	BMW	9/19	14:44:00	7:22
5K	Reedy River Run	3/1	29:16:00	9:26:27
	Shamrock Run	3/15	27:33:00	8:53:14
	Race for the Inlet	3/29	24:32:00	7:54:50
	GHS 5K	5/9	25:56:00	8:21:56
	Easley Lions Club	5/17	24:05:00	7:46:08
	Stars and Stripes	8/30	23:43:00	7:39:02
	Furman XC 5K	10/11	25:01:00	8:04:12
	Lungs 4 Life	11/8	23:14:00	7:29:41
	Taylors Turkey Trot	11/26	24:04:00	7:45:48
8K	Sunrise Run	6/14	42:00:00	8:27:03
	Harborwalk	6/28	41:31:00	8:21:12
10K	Pickens Count Y2Y	6/7	52:49:00	8:31:08
	Midnight Flight	8/29	52:02:00	8:23:33
Half	Spinx	10/25	1:54:14	0:08:43

Slow but steady....

Today was supposed to be a tempo run, but I really didn't feel like picking it up after my first mile. I went ahead and took it easy knowing that tomorrow would be three days in a row I was running. I felt better after mile four but decided to just keep it pretty steady even though I did run negative splits on two of my last three miles.

I think I have decided to 'run' the Green Valley 10 Miler the week before my marathon. I didn't run that race last year and it looks to be a pretty fun event. Plus, I want to get my points for the GTC running series. I don't think I will have any trouble pulling back and running at an easy pace. Long races are easier for me to ease up on because the pack tends to spread out and you don't constantly feel the need to pass someone (or avoid being passed).

I'm also going to sign up for Reedy River Run 10K as well. Hopefully it will be a good recovery race for me after the marathon. I ran the 5K last year as my first race. I will probably avoid the 5K in the future because of the huge numbers of walkers that feel the need to start in the front half of the pack and walk five wide.... I have nothing against walkers, but I wish the races would have a designated 'walker only' group line behind the runners. The 10K is pretty competitive since it is the state championship so I will definately be starting in the back of the pack for that one. The after race party is awesome and really the highlight of the day.

Ummm... Just a tad windy today.

Wow, that was some wind I ran in today. I felt like I was standing still when I was running into the wind. I wasn't cold but I am glad I wore my long sleeve compression shirt. This is the first time I have run in wind that was strong enough to move me while I was running. I got knocked sideways a couple of times.

It felt good to get back on the pavement, well after about 3 miles it did. As I was running, I started thinking about all the races I ran in 2008 and I struggled to name them all. I am going to make a list and post it soon. I have all my times recorded on a spreadsheet, so should be able to get the list together pretty easily.

I know I ran the following distances in races at least once: 2 Mile, 5K, 8K, 10K and Half Marathon. This year I hope to repeat them and add in a one miler and the full marathon.

OK, Now I am behind....

The server ended up taking all of yesterday as well and I didn't get my run in. Things are looking good for today, so I hope to get back out and start catching up. As it stands now, I could run today, tomorrow and Friday and be back on schedule. I was hoping to get back to yoga on Friday, but I think that will have to wait until next week.

I need to map out my 18 and 20 mile runs. I am tired of doing my normal loop 2 or 3 times to get the miles in, so I am going to try and come up with a long 15 mile or so loop I can throw in with some of my normal routes. Other than some wind issues, it looks like we have some good running days coming up in the short term. I hope to take advantage of them!

I have decided that compression shirts and shorts are my new best friend, so I am on a mission to find them on sale. I wore both on the half last Saturday and it made a big difference in how I felt afterward and I had no issues with 'chub rub'. :)

Rainy run today....

I just got back home from fixing a server that was giving me a problem all day and night.  Yesterday would have been a great day to run, but I guess I'll have to settle for a rainy day run.  At least it isn't cold.  I don't mind a little rain as long as it isn't cold too.

This is when I am glad I have kept a couple of older pairs of running shoes.  They still have enough life left in them for the occasional 'rain run' and it won't matter if it takes them three days to dry out....

Less than 40 days!!!

Really?  Less than 40 days to my first (will it be my only?) marathon?  It rained for 40 days and nights in the Bible when God flooded the earth, God gave those in Nineveh 40 days to repent and now I have a tad less than 40 days to get final prep work in...  I feel kind of like the Ninevites knowing that judgement day is coming in 40 days.

But seriously, I have a lot to do.  This week is the last light week on the training schedule until I taper, so I am going to enjoy it.  I don't feel any effects from the half marathon other than a little tightness in my calves today.  I'll stretch them out on an easy 7 miler later on.

I also have to get back on the weight watchers wagon full speed.  From Thanksgiving to New Years, I added some pounds back on and I want them off.  Lee and I took a big first step by cleaning out the excess Chex Mix yesterday.  Now that I am back on a normal schedule, I expect the weight to fall back off as well.  The good thing is that I have plenty of motivation since I got rid of all my clothes that were too big after I lost weight!  

I ordered some lightweight running tights from Sierra Trading Post and was real happy with them.  I got them for $10.  It looks like a great site to keep an eye on when looking for bargains.

Final wrap on the half....

The official results were finally posted and I ended up with a 1:55:09.  It was a bout 45 seconds off my first half last October and I wasn't running this one for a PR.  It gave me a lot of confidence to finish this race and feel as good as I did.

Now, I need to figure out whether or not to run the Green Valley 10 Miler the week before my marathon...  Any advice would be appreciated.  My training plan has me on an 8 miler that weekend already...

Resolution Run Half Marathon....

First of all, congrats to my wife Lee for winning overall 1st place in the women's masters division of the 5K!  That was a great accomplishment.

As for my half marathon, it went a little faster than planned but was probably what I needed to run.  I look at it as kind of like a long tempo run where my body practices running a little faster than race pace for the marathon in February.  My coach Allan and friend Jeff both ran with me and kept me going.  The start was a little interesting.  I forgot my Garmin, so it was definitely up to Allan to keep our pace up.  He made a last minute dash to the porta potty that was conveniently located right next to the starting line.  Well, the guy starting the race said 'Are y'all ready? Go!' and we were off, except for Allan.  He started his watch while he was doing his business and Jeff and I went on knowing that Allan would catch us (he is working on a 7:30 pace for the Houston Marathon in two weeks).  He caught up with us before we got too far and then we were together the rest of the way.

I liked the course.  It mostly avoided main roads and had great volunteers and police at any intersection that might be busy.  We ran a nice path through Furman as well.  The last 3 miles included 2 miles on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

I felt good for the whole run and my heel was barely noticeable.  We finished pretty strong and I am still waiting on my official time, but it should be under 1:56.  Considering I was originally looking at a 2:10 or so, I am very happy with it.

I would recommend this race to anyone that is in the area next year.  The parking was a little far away from the packet pickup, but other than that it was a great event.

First run of the year....

Well, winter showed back up as we rang in the new year.  It was a crisp 34 when I went out for my run today.  I got to use my new running tights and they were great.  The cold did not bother me at all.  Unfortunately, a little PF in my left heel bothered me all day, though not too much on the run.  I wonder if my hike yesterday stretched my foot out in an unusual way?  Well, Yoga starts back Tuesday and I hope that will clear it up as it has in the past.

Hopefully it will subside enough for me to get through the half marathon on Saturday without much trouble.  The new Nikes really covered it up pretty well during the run.  It bothered me much more just walking around during the day.

I am going to do my best to hydrate well tomorrow.  I think that was a key to my first half marathon, good hydration prior to the race.  I also need to pick up some GU.

I also ate my collard greens and black eyed peas today.  I hope good financial luck follows the traditional meal....