Well, I am back, and another race down! Last Sunday (Oct 19th) I ran the Nike Women's 1/2 marathon in San Fran. I had an awesome time with my girls, and they all completed their first marathon!!!!
I found San Fran to be a bit chilly (a high of 55oC on race day!) and full of Hills!! Although the 1/2 marathon was tough, hilly course, I enjoyed every minute of it. It was amazing to be out there with 20,000 other runners (about 1000 were men, and 5000 were other TNT participants) all taking in the sites of San Fran during our morning run. We ran past Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Now it's only 1 week away until my BIG race....the NYC Marathon Nov 2nd. I am feeling good and ready to taper and load up on carbs! I'm thinking i need to make a pasta and sauce run!
I have posted some pictures that hopefully you can see here, on this site, or if not I provided the link for them (Pam's Pictures).
In addition, there is a second link to official photos from the race here (Official Race Photos)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Last Long RUN!
Well time is getting short. I am just shy of 3 weeks now until the NYC Marathon (Nov 2), and 5 day until the San Fran 1/2 marathon. Times are getting exciting!!
This past weekend I completed my last of the Really Long Runs. I did an 18-mile solo run. Solo runs are not nearly as enjoyable as those I do with my running girls, but it was a good time to reflect and focus on the races I will be running in the coming days and weeks. I was feeling really good the first 6 miles, and had to practice controlling myself and not getting too speedy. the next 8 miles went well too, I made sure I ate my Gu and drank my water. I choose to stay in Central Park to get use to a more hilly long run that I will experience in San Fran. It was a bit repetitive running 3 of the same loops, but I took the time to break down the loops into sections and focus on how to address different parts of it....the uphills, the downhills, the flats etc. By the time i reached mile 16, I was tired, my legs were heavy and I could feel them seizing up. (likely having to do with having a bit too much fun friday and saturday night)
However, I made it through my run feeling decent about it. More mentally happy with my long training runs over the past 3 weeks than how I physically felt after this 18-miler.
Now I am getting ready to head out to San Fran on wednesday and tackle the hills and 1/2 marathon. I plan on taking along a camera so hopefully I will get some shots of what I hear is an amazing view!
Thank you all so much for your support!!!!
This past weekend I completed my last of the Really Long Runs. I did an 18-mile solo run. Solo runs are not nearly as enjoyable as those I do with my running girls, but it was a good time to reflect and focus on the races I will be running in the coming days and weeks. I was feeling really good the first 6 miles, and had to practice controlling myself and not getting too speedy. the next 8 miles went well too, I made sure I ate my Gu and drank my water. I choose to stay in Central Park to get use to a more hilly long run that I will experience in San Fran. It was a bit repetitive running 3 of the same loops, but I took the time to break down the loops into sections and focus on how to address different parts of it....the uphills, the downhills, the flats etc. By the time i reached mile 16, I was tired, my legs were heavy and I could feel them seizing up. (likely having to do with having a bit too much fun friday and saturday night)
However, I made it through my run feeling decent about it. More mentally happy with my long training runs over the past 3 weeks than how I physically felt after this 18-miler.
Now I am getting ready to head out to San Fran on wednesday and tackle the hills and 1/2 marathon. I plan on taking along a camera so hopefully I will get some shots of what I hear is an amazing view!
Thank you all so much for your support!!!!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
20 miler!
It wasn't a great week of running for me, last week. Unfortunately, I didn't make it out for many runs since last Saturday's 19 miler. My busy schedule kept me from runs, making me a little nervous about Saturday's long run. I had miscalculated last week, running 19 when I wanted 20, and I wanted 20 this week. I needed it more to be mentally strong than physically, but was unsure how my legs would handle it after a week of not getting workouts in.
Yesterday, we headed out to NJ for our long run at a Park near Rutgers. Three others and myself rented a car. Yup, that's right, I drove a car! It's been a few months, but I managed to navigate the city streets, tunnels and highways without a hitch. The day was chilly and overcast, reminding me of my high school running days. I had enough gels on me for a 20 miler and a water bottle that could be filled up along the way. (Our fantastic coach had strategically placed water at the 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16 mile markers).
Despite the cold, I stripped down to my t-shirt and shorts, as i knew i would be sweating even in the chilly weather-and we headed out. It was an "out and back run"- 10miles out, 10 miles back. At mile 4, 6, and 8 I was feeling pretty good. Jessica and I were chatting away about everything and nothing. That's when I knew i would force myself to do the 20. So, we continued on to the 10 mile turn around point. The trail was beautiful, we were surrounded by a canal on one side and a reservoir on the other, as well as trees that were beginning to change color. Occasionally, we met other runners, walkers or bikers, but for the most part it was just us, and nice and peaceful.
The run was going well. We kept ourselves distracted from the running and spent 3 miles learning everything I could have ever wanted about football from Jessica and she learned all about baseball. Those 3 miles flew by, but I could feel my quads and calves beginning to burn by mile 17. The chatting began to wain and we both began to focus on moving our legs one in front of the other, waiting for the bridge to come, signifying the end of our run. Finally the bridge was in sight and we worked our way back to the parking lot and picnic tables, oh so happy to see the bathroom and the end to our run! We had made it our 20 miles!! Despite having a not-so-good week, the 20 miler built my confidence, and I am feeling good about my training.
Today, I was feeling a bit sore and tight from my hips to my ankles. I took it easy and treated myself to a 90 minute yoga class to stretch out my muscles and loosen up. While I am a little looser, there is still some tightness to work out.
2 weeks until SF 1/2 marathon and 4 until the NYC marathon. So I have begun my countdown and my excitement is growing ever day!
Yesterday, we headed out to NJ for our long run at a Park near Rutgers. Three others and myself rented a car. Yup, that's right, I drove a car! It's been a few months, but I managed to navigate the city streets, tunnels and highways without a hitch. The day was chilly and overcast, reminding me of my high school running days. I had enough gels on me for a 20 miler and a water bottle that could be filled up along the way. (Our fantastic coach had strategically placed water at the 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16 mile markers).
Despite the cold, I stripped down to my t-shirt and shorts, as i knew i would be sweating even in the chilly weather-and we headed out. It was an "out and back run"- 10miles out, 10 miles back. At mile 4, 6, and 8 I was feeling pretty good. Jessica and I were chatting away about everything and nothing. That's when I knew i would force myself to do the 20. So, we continued on to the 10 mile turn around point. The trail was beautiful, we were surrounded by a canal on one side and a reservoir on the other, as well as trees that were beginning to change color. Occasionally, we met other runners, walkers or bikers, but for the most part it was just us, and nice and peaceful.
The run was going well. We kept ourselves distracted from the running and spent 3 miles learning everything I could have ever wanted about football from Jessica and she learned all about baseball. Those 3 miles flew by, but I could feel my quads and calves beginning to burn by mile 17. The chatting began to wain and we both began to focus on moving our legs one in front of the other, waiting for the bridge to come, signifying the end of our run. Finally the bridge was in sight and we worked our way back to the parking lot and picnic tables, oh so happy to see the bathroom and the end to our run! We had made it our 20 miles!! Despite having a not-so-good week, the 20 miler built my confidence, and I am feeling good about my training.
Today, I was feeling a bit sore and tight from my hips to my ankles. I took it easy and treated myself to a 90 minute yoga class to stretch out my muscles and loosen up. While I am a little looser, there is still some tightness to work out.
2 weeks until SF 1/2 marathon and 4 until the NYC marathon. So I have begun my countdown and my excitement is growing ever day!
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