November brought yet another BQ for Casey (becoming sooo cliche, how he does it with apparent ease...) - way to GO! I'm happy to report December's arrival comes with a BQ for me! It was miserable. But it's done.
Funny thing about these goals of ours...most times, achieving goals comes with great satisfaction for me. With this goal achieved, I don't FEEL I've passed some great milestone (that sounds even more painful than passing a gall- or bladder- or kidney stone!) - just another event in life.
What do we do with these goals once achieved? Sometimes, having achieved something seems harder than actually working for it - it gives a measure of stability in our lives to always have something to work for. So it's time for a new goal...what will it be? (And don't say it's to run a fast Boston Marathon...I'm thinking about 5 hours - the pain is still too fresh.)
Happy winter running, everyone! Remember - running is an exothermic activity, so your production should actually go up! (It's one of the laws of the universe...)
I'm in Boston 2008!!!
FRIENDS - THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for being here and sharing.
Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to read the advice, but I must've felt your vibes...Casey, I hit the salt pills early, middle, and late in the run - 6 total Endurolytes, and I know that it made a difference. Geoff, I actually tried to negative split those miles, but was not successful - there's a pretty good hill from 15-18. However, putting out a little extra effort did make the difference in having enough of a cushion to hold on for the BQ!!!
My general approach: I needed to average 7:17 per mile. I felt good the first 5 at about a 7:05 pace, so I went with it. I figured if I felt GREAT, I could maybe go for 3:00; if I didn't, I'd have a little cushion to help me hold on for 3:10. The latter is what ended up happening...
Perfect weather, great course for me (some hills, but not too bodacious - I don't do as well on the flat courses). P-diddy also suggested that I should feel GREAT at 10 miles. That was an important metric - and I did feel great, so I felt like things were on track. That was important mentally. I started feeling mentally worn down about mile 22 - that's when I faded in Chicago in 2005 for an eventual 3:22. But I pressed on. Here are the splits:
1-2: 14:07
3: 7:23
4: 7:03
5: 7:07
6: 6:53 (I think a few mile markers were a little off)
7: 7:07
8: 6:59
9: 6:59
10: 7:14
11: 7:05
12: 7:07
13: 7:04
14: 7:16
15: 7:03
16: 7:20
17: 7:14
18: 7:20
19-20: 14:30
21: 7:15
22: 7:21
23: 7:22
24: 7:46
25: 7:45
26.2: 9:34 (7:58 pace - ouch)
Good little fade (thankful that it was 'little') that left me a total time of 3:09:55. I LOVE the fact I came in just under 3:10, because I wouldn't want to have used the asterisked extra 59 seconds. If I'd finished in 3:10:59, though - I'd be singing a different tune, for sure, and would think that was the greatest idea ever.
I was in GREAT pain at the finish, but only my body and mind really hurt.
Goal achieved. I think that might be the first time I can really say that.
Looking forward to life back to normal (?) for a while...and I WILL be in Boston 2008!
confirmation word is 'readiness.'
Congratulations, Dyron!!! Those last few miles do seem long, don't they? But hey, you had 64 seconds to spare. Your next goal is obvious: requalify for Boston at Boston.
Atta boy!
Set goal...work hard...achieve goal!
Nice work and CONGRATS!!!
thanks, gents. to celebrate, ran 4.7 today. 342:15/mile (or so). no, it was probably a 9-10 minute mile. i chose to not care about time at all.
everything felt fine, except for my g**ch. (Marria doesn't want me to say it, and I'm not sure what the anatomically correct term is...)
Casey, I LOVE that goal. so let it be written. I must embrace the challenge.
Nice job D, but I still think your a sub 3 hour guy just waiting to bust out. Instead of g...ch you could try the ABC. Call for Acronym information.
Ran, lifted in morning
Ran fartlek in evening
ran 4.7 again. no rest for the weary/fat...
confirmation word is 'hobbling'
Wednesday, went to the soccor fields and ran around the perimeter, it was nice to get on some grass. There is nothing like good cross country running you have, "grass, LSD, and Speed" it is what we all need once in a while. At lease those soccer fields come in handy for something, It is such a waste of good tax dollars. anyway, Thursday morning, hit the spin class at 0530 hrs. It is a tough workout if you follow the instructors lead. Feeling a little spunky this morning, itching for a good fist fight or wrestling match.
I so tired of skirt wearing men in this world. If I hear another, "that makes me feel uncomfortable" ................
spinning class, Heart rate well into lactate zone most of the class, exhausting. LOVED IT.
forget to say, 0530 hrs class, fun
4.7 again, about 9:30 pace. turning it on starting monday, got the plan from coach p-diddy.
WOW! I was so excited to receive your BQ text message. I can't imagine maintaining y'all's speed for 26.2. I ran a 7:03 this year, but it was a 2-miler :-) You're the bomb, baby. I liked your reflection on goals. That's what I like about having running in my life. There are so many twists and turns in goal-setting. You will always have a new time to beat or an attitude to defeat--it's never ending! Bought Dad a Road ID for his running shoes with a true, true inscription that I thought he'd like: "There is no finish line." Sums it all up, doesn't it? The image word I have to type in order to post is "distance." Spooky.
monday- fartlek--40 degrees and drizzle--beautiful perfect running weather, Tuesday, spin class, man it kicks my butt.
Since I started keeping track last Dec 15, I have run 1,506.6 miles. Interesting how a handful of short weeks will drag those 35-40+ weeks down to a 28.973076 average. Still, probably my highest mileage year.
Trying to get Simon (14) in better shape. He about gave himself an aneurysm running one mile in 9:27 the other day on the treadmill. Last night, he started a mile at 6.1 mph, then had to drop it to 5.7. It's very hard for me to not push him harder. If I do, he'll completely rebel. He asks me how come I'm so fast. Well...
Key word: inexhaustible :). We'll see about that...speedwork tonight.
Oh, and my next goal: 3:20 marathon. Sorry Dyron, but it will be here in Charlottesville 4/19. Becky is THINKING about it, too. Keep qualifying and we'll do Boston together some other time.
ran 4.7, swam 3,200.
yes. i swam.
not starting the p-diddy pain program 'til after the first of the year.
1.5 hours of hoops. always good to give the body a little abuse to keep it honest...
i buffet my body at least weekly...
finally feeling like i might be mentally ready to train again
although i am in the midst of several repiratory infections
gotta work on the physical
key word is shakes
which obviously refers to my withdrawal symptoms
hmph
still havent picked my bike up from imfl
lazy lazy lazy
That's OK, Carm, my bike is in the garage from my Olympic tri. In September, when I wanted to throw it off a cliff, remember? Upcoming events: New Year's Day 10K, Frostbite 15K 1/28 I'm still training at least . . . Casey mentioned a Valentine's Day couples' run which intrigues me. Hoping I can get another commitment from Ty :-) Casey, about running with kids: my entire class, of 25 fifth graders (some with weight issues), runs 3 one-mile timed runs every week with me. I have a lot of great youth incentive ideas if you're interested. Even the kids who dreaded it at the beginning of the school year are now hounding me, "Are we going to run today, Mrs. Elsea?!?!" Key word is weak. I haven't time for that today!
I am interested, Shannon. I'll talk to you on Sunday.
With the Williamsburg conference, I didn't put in my long run and I didn't run at all 3 days in a row. Cracks in the wall? It's 18 degrees this morning.
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