Yesterday was the much anticipated Pikes Peek. Saturday night I didn't sleep very well, tossing and turning throughout the night. It thunderstormed Saturday and I was really dreading the possibility of running in the rain. Sunday morning was cold and dreary but luckily it didn't rain a single drop on us. It was definitely better than blazing hot sun. I had to stop once to re-tie my shoes (I did run in the new ones)and I stopped to get a drink at one of the water stops. Other than that, I ran the whole way not stopping to walk at all. The last half mile or so is all downnhill and knowing this, I had planned to increase my speed for a great finish. When the road started going down and I could make out the balloons, I sprinted to the finish. I have seriously never run that fast before in my life! I was breathing hard and zooming past the other runners left and right. It was amazing! And the verdict? I ran 2 1/2 minutes faster than I did 2 years ago for a net time of 1:04:11. That's a 10:20 mile. 2 years ago I finished in 1:06:45 and ran a 10:45 mile. My main goal was to beat my previous time which I did, so I'm thrilled. My goal for next year is to finish in under an hour.
I did experience some shin pain during the race but afterwards felt fine. I hope I'll be able to continue my training for the Army ten-miler in October. When I hit the 5 mile mark yesterday I was glad to know I only had about 1 mile left, but then I thought, "holy crap, I would only be half way done if this were a 10-miler!" It's a good thing I have 6 more months of training.
I'm going to give my muscles a rest today and tomorrow just do the bike and/or elliptical. I'll probably run easy on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday and start back with my normal running schedule next week. I'll continue to post how it goes and I have many more races scheduled for the summer that I'll definitely write about!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Week 11
Where did I leave off?? I've been so busy with work that I haven't taken the time to update my progress. Oh, and in the meantime I did learn how to ride a motorcycle! I took the Basic Rider Course through the community college and I'm now licensed to ride! It's very exciting and I've been very busy, but I've managed to continue my runs.
Last Sunday I ran 7 miles but I did split it up into a 4 mile run in the morning and a 3 mile run in the afternoon. I also got a new pair of running shoes on Saturday so I've been working hard to break them in. I was fitted at Fleet Feet (great store) and was amazed at the process. I ended up with a pair of Nikes a half size smaller than I would have even considered along with shoe inserts. I never thought I would need shoe inserts, but they're amazing! I'm still getting used to the shoes and I'm only supposed to wear them every other run until they're broken in. Hopefully they'll be ready by next Sunday for my 10K. I'm also hoping to sign up for a training program this summer and, are you ready for this.....I signed up for the Army 10-miler! It's not until October, but I'm very excited! I'm hopeful and confident that this is the summer I have a breakthrough. The last 2 summers I've trained for various races and ended up injured and had to stop running for a significant period of time. I think there's a lot to be said for the fact that I've managed to start back up both times but I don't want to have to go through it a 3rd time. I'm going to do everything I can to not let it happen again. One thing I'm doing differently this year is cross training. I used to run 3 or 4 times a week and that was it. Now I go to the gym almost every day but on non-running days I use the bike or elliptical. It gives my body a break from running while working different muscles.
Tuesday I did my speed intervals and I was running faster than ever! When I do speed intervals, I run at normal pace for .20 miles and run faster for .30 miles. I do this about 5 times. This past week I was running 6 miles per hour during the faster intervals! My normal pace is 4.8 miles per hour. I'm generally a slow runner so it felt great to be able to complete the workout at a faster pace than normal. My everyday "easy" run pace has also gotten a little faster. I feel like I'm actually making progress and it feels good!
I hope this is a good enough update to make up for not getting one out last week. I'll try to get something out next week before the race, but if not I'll definitely let you know how it went!
Last Sunday I ran 7 miles but I did split it up into a 4 mile run in the morning and a 3 mile run in the afternoon. I also got a new pair of running shoes on Saturday so I've been working hard to break them in. I was fitted at Fleet Feet (great store) and was amazed at the process. I ended up with a pair of Nikes a half size smaller than I would have even considered along with shoe inserts. I never thought I would need shoe inserts, but they're amazing! I'm still getting used to the shoes and I'm only supposed to wear them every other run until they're broken in. Hopefully they'll be ready by next Sunday for my 10K. I'm also hoping to sign up for a training program this summer and, are you ready for this.....I signed up for the Army 10-miler! It's not until October, but I'm very excited! I'm hopeful and confident that this is the summer I have a breakthrough. The last 2 summers I've trained for various races and ended up injured and had to stop running for a significant period of time. I think there's a lot to be said for the fact that I've managed to start back up both times but I don't want to have to go through it a 3rd time. I'm going to do everything I can to not let it happen again. One thing I'm doing differently this year is cross training. I used to run 3 or 4 times a week and that was it. Now I go to the gym almost every day but on non-running days I use the bike or elliptical. It gives my body a break from running while working different muscles.
Tuesday I did my speed intervals and I was running faster than ever! When I do speed intervals, I run at normal pace for .20 miles and run faster for .30 miles. I do this about 5 times. This past week I was running 6 miles per hour during the faster intervals! My normal pace is 4.8 miles per hour. I'm generally a slow runner so it felt great to be able to complete the workout at a faster pace than normal. My everyday "easy" run pace has also gotten a little faster. I feel like I'm actually making progress and it feels good!
I hope this is a good enough update to make up for not getting one out last week. I'll try to get something out next week before the race, but if not I'll definitely let you know how it went!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Week 9
I had another great week last week. I went to the gym 5 days and ran 6 miles on Sunday!! It took me 78 minutes and this week I'll run 6 again. Next week I'll attempt 7, go back down to 5, and then it'll be time to run my 10K! I feel great and I'm working out more than I ever have before. I'm not pushing myself running too much (3-4 days per week; I don't want to risk injury) but on days I don't run I at least do a half hour on the elliptical or bike. I've even been getting up early on the days I work both my jobs and don't get home until 10. It's crazy!! I'm definitely getting stronger and it's an awesome feeling to run continuously for an hour. I'm just nervous because the last 2 summers I tried starting up a routine and did great, but both years I had to stop due to shin splints. I've been trying to train for a 10-miler and so far it just hasn't happened. I'm going to get better running shoes and hopefully that'll help. I don't want to go through it again this year!
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