Sometimes I feel a bit obsessed. It is hard not to think about running all the time. I am constantly thinking about how far my next run needs to be; where I want to complete my next run; what I need to have ready for the run; what I am going to wear; what the weather will be like; what my pace should be on the run; what I should eat before and after the run....etc. It is often hard to focus on other things going on in my life because I feel like I have to constantly think about training for the half. I wonder if long time runners who have completed multiple half and or full marathons always have running on the brain. Does is become second nature so that you don't think about it so much or are you always waiting for that next opportunity to get out and run?
I haven't been making time for the full yoga routine every week for my "stretch and strengthen" night, but I do try to do some stretches when I think about it. I also haven't consistantly been completing strenght training on the "run + strength" day, but I have completed all of my run distances. I also have made my long runs longer than the long runs on the beginner plans. I really kind of created my own plan that combines the commonalities between several different beginner and intermediate plans. I feel that it is working well because I usually feel pretty good while I am running, and I'm feeling healthy overall. Also, my pace is continually increasing without overstressing my body. I have started to have sore legs quite often. I have begun to ice my legs (especially my shins) after long runs and then even the day after. My legs feel restless at times. Last night I had cramping in my upper leg, which hasn't happened before. I ran 10 miles, which is not a new distance, but there were many hills and I did not eat a banana yesterday. I had a banana with breakfast today so the potassium will hopefully help.
This weeks runs were good overall. Monday was my slowest run of the week. I ran after school and it was 91 degrees at that point. I found I felt okay in the shade and when running downhill, but I had a really slow mile when I was running uphill in the sun. I drank the amount of water I usually drink on my 8-12 mile runs on just a 4.65 mile run. My pace was only 11:19 overall because I ended up walking quite a ways when I was uphill in the sun.
Wednesday I ran 4.7 miles at an average pace of 10:09. The temp was in the upper 60's and there was a cool wind and cloudy skies. It was a big difference from Monday's run. It really shows how much the weather can influence performance. Wednesday was actually even after dinner because it had been raining after school so I was waiting for the rain to stop. Once it stopped raining I went out to run. This is a good pace for an after dinner run, too.
Thursday is my short run of the week. This week my short run increased from 2 to 3 miles. I ran 3.01 miles at an average pace of 9:49. With the exception of my last race, this is the longest I have maintained a pace below 10. I was happy with this. I would love to be able to maintain a pace below 10 for my next 10K, but I'm not sure if I will be able to do it. The 10K is just 2 weeks away.
Saturday, after getting up at 6:15 to go out to yard sales all morning and going to yard sales until lunch time (we actually went to yard sales until after 1:00 when we finally stopped for lunch), I wasn't sure how great my long run would be. My sis was with me and she wanted to get in a 6 mile run, which would be her longest run yet. I wanted to run about 10 miles. We originally planned to go run at Creve Couer where there is a nice flat trail, but since it was about 3:30 by the time we were finally getting out the door to go run, we decided we needed to stay a little closer to home. Instead of a nice flat course, we ended up with a very hilly course. I think it's good, though, because the more I train on hills the more prepared I will be for the hilly half marathon in downtown St. Louis. Also, when I do get to run on a flatter course, like the 10K at The Mills, I should really be able to have an excellent pace. Anyway, I ended up having an average pace of 10:42, which I think is the best pace I've maintained on a run of this length. I wanted to maintain a good pace, but also I had to stay within a certain range of my sister and try to keep her close to the distance and pace she needed. I would run ahead and then double back sometimes, which seemed to work out. She ran 6.3 miles and then walked about 1.7 miles as a recovery and to get back to the car. We both accomplished the distances we wanted to, even after a busy day.
Now it's a rainy Sunday and I have laundry and grading to do. I was hoping to get out and go bike riding, but I really do need to get the laundry and grading finished, so it's a good thing it is raining. Until next time, happy running!
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