Run Around Austrailia

Please add 5.0 miles for Wed 9/24 and 5.0 miles for today.  Love those intervals.

wrm - glad I took the time to check in again before picking son up from XC practice.  Your training did not go to waste by any means - think of the great shape you are in and the inspiration/motivation you have given those of us who are new to the sport of running.  Think of those who went to the Olympic Trials who didn't make it - not because they weren't great runners; it just wasn't their day when it was needed to count.  Be disappointed for a bit - but then focus on the things you learned about the conditions and yourself through the run.  And you had the determination to gut it out at the end when you saw you could at least finish in sub 3:30.  That takes digging deep and literally just willing yourself forward - I know - that's where I was at mile 24 in my race, with the clock at 5:03:00 (three minutes past my goal time) - I couldn't finish in my goal time, so it was sub 5:30, here I come, come hell or high water - whatever it takes! 

Thanks for sharing your journey - I would certainly recommend others train for and complete a marathon.  I learned a lot about myself both through the training and the race itself.  We can endure much more than we think we can.

Just found this group. I've fallen in love with running and will be running my 1st 5k this Sat, 10/18. A charity fun run/walk with project I am working on. Then on Sun 10/26, my 62nd bday, I'll be running first "real" 5k with local running club. I finished the C25K a few weeks back and am still finding it hard to believe I've fallen in love with running!

Ok - mileage - ran 3.6 mi Sunday 10/12.

3.5 mi this morn

Last run prior to Sat 5k. I tried to do a 4 mi long run at the gym. The roads were wet and rain threatened. I didn't want to get my new kicks muddy so off to the treadmill. Didn't pay attention when I got on it - no fans blowingmy way, and it was warm and muggy. Well I labored like crazy. After warm up walk of 2 minutes at 3.5 mph, I did maintain 4.9 mph, 12:14 pace for a full 3.1 mi or 5k distance. But that was it! I was spent. Spritzing like crazy even. I maintained my target hr of 106-108 through out. That is clearly my endurance running level. I didn't try to raise it today. Will do a tempo run next Tue then Thur long run b4 Sun 5K. Tomorrow is a rest day - have to take E to the airport in the morning. Will prob do strength training on Fri and/or short walk to stay loose.

Wrm, first of all, let me say that I always love to read your race reports.  They are thoughtful and detailed, and it makes me feel like I was there, cheering you on.  I'm glad to hear that you're not beating yourself up too much, considering we all know that running is a hit or miss sport.  Everyone has bad days and there just isn't anything you can do about it.  However, I seem to remember that you had another race (I think it was a 50K but I can't remember clearly) where you felt great at the beginning and pushed too hard, only to peter out at the end.  I do this too, on almost every race, because at the start my adrenaline is so high I just can't help but run all out, and then slow it down towards the end.  Perhaps this is something you can focus on in your training?  Simulate race conditions and hold back for the first few miles?  I'm just thinking out loud here.  At any rate, even just completing a marathon blows the rest of us away, so you're still tops in our books!

Bobev, welcome to our group!  Sounds like you were bitten by the running bug like the rest of us, so you'll fit right in!

26 miles for the week ending 14 October.

You have a good memory, Jenka. I totally went out too hard on that spring 50K about six weeks before my first marathon. Not only did I fade, I ended up dropping out after about 21 miles (finished 2 of the 3 loops in the race). I was pretty demoralized about it for a couple of days. The only thing that saved me was that I knew I had a 26.2 mile race coming up in six weeks and that I need to get back out there.

Yes, pacing is definitely an issue for me. I seem to have it under control in the HM distance, but I'm still working on it at the other extremes (races 10K and shorter and the marathon). I had a plan in place for the marathon, but I failed to execute it completely. I was not supposed to speed up to GMP until at least mile 3; instead, it automatically went there during mile 2. I should have concentrated on keeping a 7:37-7:40 pace for a bit longer. In fact, given the temps that morning I probably should have kept it there the entire time. Something to keep in mind for the next marathon.

In terms of future training, I should consider making my long runs "progression type," where you run your early miles at slower than your goal average pace and speed up as your continue your run, so that your final miles are your strongest. A couple of my online training buddies on RW-online swear by this method.

I'll post a little later today with some mileage.

18.75 miles last running week.  EERrrgg...we had the most horrible virus run through our family last week.  It really impacted training.  With 24 days before the race it looks like I have about 2 weeks of effective training and about 2 weeks of taper.  I did get my new shoes yesterday and am excited about breaking them in (just in time).

wrm: again it is not "if" but "when" on the qualifier.  You rock man and I appreciate your focus and training.  It has help me to actually become a runner rather than a couch potato.

Hi everyone, 5.3 miles today.

katieruns and bobev - welcome!  This is a great group to hang with!

3.5 miles for me for yesterday, followed by another killer bootcamp class - the muscles are really talking to me today!

3.5 miles for today - 2 laps around the park, followed by hill repeats.  This weather is heavenly - it's all about to change tomorrow. 

First run since marathon on Sunday.  Count me in for 3.1 miles.

Second track session for triathlon last night. I lost count of laps a bit but I think I did 5.5 miles.

4 lap warmup = 1 mile
3 mins at 5k pace, 90 secs jog recovery (x6) (I think this was 12 or 13 laps so around 4 miles)
300 m sprint, 100m jog recovery (x3) =0.75 mile
2 laps cool down = 0.5 mile

Wrm, I call that a tempo run.  Start out slower than even your slow pace, and at regular intervals, slowly build up to fastest race pace.  Of course, when I do it I usually only do, like, 5 miles.  Heh.

Happy Friday everyone!  It's finally fall-like down here in da South.  Might get below 70!  Yikes!  I'll have to get out my winter running clothes. Heh.

Another 5.25 miles of intervals yesterday.  A little drained of energy going in, so it was hard work keeping close to my pace of late, but I got er done.

Hi, 5.3 miles today. Feeling a little bit of a head cold over the past couple of days, so I'm keeping it really easy. Meanwhile, I'm almost certain that I will try yet again for my BQ in December (St. Jude Memphis on 12/6). I have already brought it up to my better half, so if he agrees to it, I'll sign up in the next few days. I'll still have enough time to continue my three week recovery period, a two week build up in mileage where I'll get one more 20-miler done, and a three week taper leading up to the race.

4.5 cool miles this morning.  I have been fighting some kind of stomach bug and was totally depleted this morning.  I am hopeful for Sunday.  I am going for my first 20 mile long run.  We should have great conditions cool and wet.

wrm: I am impressed, another go around for December.  I think that the soonest I am considering for another full is sometime in March.  Thinking St. Patricks Day. 

5 miles for Thursday, 10/16 - 4 were intervals, followed by a "let's see how fast I can run a mile sprint" on the treadmill after bootcamp.  Made it in 9:30 - will keep working on my speed.

4 lovely easy miles around the park today.  Weather is really cooling off.  Son made another 5K PR at his race on Thursday.  His coach is excited about my willingness to take on an elementary XC team. 

wrm - Hope all works out and you'll be able to go.  I know the BQ is something you really want to do.

Hi, another 5.3 miles today. Temps were nice and cool this morning. Where the heck was this weather when I wanted it last Sunday??

3.1 miles this morning, Race for the Cure 5K.  I finished with an unexpected PR.  It was very cool with intermittent light rain.  In other words perfect running conditions.  I am looking forward to the long run tomorrow morning.

3.1 miles this morning, project charity for kids race. A bit of a struggle since it turned out to be cross country which I haven't trained on. Finished in 40:18, a 13:00 pace. And here I thought this would be my "race training' run in prep for next Sunday's "real race" with a local runners club! Go figure!