Running Yoga Mom

This was a TOUGH run. I felt tons better on my 20-miler than this run, but it could be attributed to the fact that we climbed 600 ft (net) in the first six miles before we turned around and ran home. I really felt that climb. Fought a side stitch the whole way home so the downhill wasn't even fun. 

Funny how 7 miles often feels better than 4. I felt great this morning. Kept up a 9:14 pace.

Great run—9:13 pace—but I definitely need a run today.

Tempo run

1600: 9:30, 7:49, 7:46, 7:51, 9:01

I now have a really tight, sore spot in my left calf. Not sure what happened there.  

9:19/mile

9:15/mile; ran with Ben and felt pretty good. My legs were tired at the end.

@ 9:20

@ 9:17

Trying to balance rest with keeping a strong pace. 

Speedwork: 1 mile warm up; 2x1600 @ 7:18 w/800 m @ 9:15; 1x1600 @ 7:13 w/800 m @ 9:15.

@ 9:13. My final run before the marathon!

This was an awesome, painful race! :)

I headed into it with realistic expectations of breaking 4 hours. I really wanted to hit 3:55 or lower. It would have been a dream to finish in 3:50, but I knew that was probably unlikely. I started out wanting to keep my miles between 8:45 and 9:00 and did pretty well at that. I definitely spent too much time in the first three aid stations—I need to work on my techniques there. It didn't help that their cups were huge, so the water/gatorade just wanted to slosh all over me.

By the halfway point, I was at 1:57:30, exactly what I'd need (if I could maintain my pace) to finish in 3:50. I accepted that an equal or even negative split was unlikely on this course, though.

When I hit mile 18, my legs started to cramp significantly. I'd been keeping a cramp in my hamstring at bay since mile 6, but it started to kick in at mile 18. My legs kept getting progressively worse as the miles wore on. By mile 24, I knew I had slowed considerably an my legs HURT! I have never felt so much pain in my legs. Everything felt cramped, but I wanted to get under that 3:55 so badly that I pushed with everything I had. I was close to breaking down into tears a couple of times (one being when I saw my parents and kids cheering for me—sweet, but not helpful in the tears department).

The finish line was such a welcome sight (even though it seemed much further away then it ought to have been at that point)! I tried to pick up the pace but didn't much succeed until I saw a blue shirt come up on my right. I dug deep and found enough to stay ahead for that last 20 yards.

It was so exhilarating/painful/exhausting/joyful that I broke down in the runners' corral and cried. By the time my husband and family found me, I think I'd pulled myself together, although my legs still were killing me until I got a massage. 

The course was harder than I expected, so I'm especially grateful for that time. I do wish, at this point, that I'd registered for St. George. I wonder what I could do with that much downhill. Good news? By Monday, my legs were feeling pretty good. Those 60 mpw paid off big time in the recovery department. 

Another note: my previous marathon times are 4:18 for 2008 St. George and 4:33 for 2010 St. George. So, I PR'd by 25 minutes and beat my most recent marathon time by 40 minutes! I'm happy. :)

I ran 3.5 with my running partner then 3 with my daughter. Nice, easy miles. My legs felt great.

I seriously considered running 13 with the running group, but after staying up late rock climbing, I decided to take a break and just run 5 with my daughter. It was an easy morning.

I'm working to keep my miles up. I may have to drop them soon due to medical treatment, but I'd like to keep it up while I can. Averaged 9:00/mile today.

Ran with Ben, so I pushed to keep a pace that would be beneficial for him, too. I felt pretty strong until the last mile when I slowed somewhat. Averaged 8:54 over the run.

Followed up with an intense leg workout. Now I have sore, achey legs. :) 

Ouch! Legs hurt! Fortunately, it didn't affect my ability to run (although I might give them a break tomorrow). Beautiful, cool morning! Had a great run with Rachelle and a nice run with my daughter. She's up to 4-5 miles with no walking.