Talladega 21000 (half marathon) training - Week 1, Day 1

Today (6/23/13) was my 1st training run for my half marathon training for the Talladega 21000 (9/22/13).

I got off to a later start than I had planned (8:00 am), but I decided I couldn't wait until this evening (family was visiting so I know if I waited until later, later would become never).

The smartphone app (MapMyRun) I was using started off working good.  I looked periodically at the app on my smartphone so I knew how far I had jogged.  About half way through the run (around 2.93 m), I noticed the app had zero'd out.  I apparently touched the screen by accident which caused the app to stop recording - which really frustrated me.  Fortunately I was always wearing my heart monitor watch so I could keep up with my time. 

I was thinking about cutting my run short (hot, cloudy, legs were mushy, breathing wheezy, hot, very muggy), but with each mile I decided to keep going.  When I got to the end of my run (2nd go-round on my app - 3.23 mi), the same time happened the 1st time - the app zero'd out.  I don't think it was the app - it was the operator (LOL).

It certainly wasn't my best run (6.16 mi, 1:40:16, pace - 16:16/mi).  I hadn't worked out since Wednesday; had been eating bad over the weekend (fried chicken, tacos, etc.); slacked up on my water intake about mid-week.

After the jog, I went to the gym and did about 25 min of stretching and slow walking.

Mercedes Benz Cotton Row 2013

Today I ran the Mercedes Benz Cotton Row 10K.  It was not my best finish, but I didn't finish last. (Whew!)  For at least the first 3 miles or so, the police was right up on my rear.  And that certainly was not a good feeling.  There was a handful of runners slightly ahead of me and as long as I kept them in my sight, I felt I could have a good finish. I started feeling good about the race when, after I recovered from the 'monster' hill at mile 3, I got my 2nd wind.  Miles 3 and 4 were relatively level and mile 4 was shady for most of the span.  About half-way into mile 4, I past 2 of the runners (they were older than me -  60+ - which made me feel a little guilty about feeling good about passing them.  I made good momentum going downhill into mile 5.  About halfway into mile 5, I passed the last runner I had been 'chasing' the whole race. I don't think this lady liked this because she made certain that she crossed the finish line before I did.

Official time - 1:33:41 (pace - 15:06/mil)

My mobile phone GPS app registered my distance a little farther than the actual course (I did short it about 30 sec before crossing the start line).

My knees didn't pain me much during the race and as along as I was moving (thanks to 2 Advils before).  But once I sat down fro awhile, my knees did get stiff.  I definitely will take a long soak tonight. (LOL).

I can, I ran, I FINISHED! 2012 Peachtree Road Race 10K

This was my 3rd year in a row running THE PEACHTREE.  And it was probably by far the hardest Peachtree I've ran!  Not only because of the unusually high temperatures, but also the limited training I did.  I didn't run for about a month before the race and it showed (1:37:21).  Certainly not the ideal scenario to run a race.  Since I was resigned to the fact that this wouldn't be a PR for me, I deliberately paced myself because I wanted to FINISH.  A good finish is always better than a bad run, because there is always tomorrow.

2012 Peachtree Road Race Training - week 1 (3/19 - 3/25/12)

Not sure if I'll make the Peachtree lottery this year - but I'm starting my training anyway.  Start with the end in mind - finishing STRONG!

Week #1 (3/19 - 3/25/12)
Mon (3/19/12): 3 mi easy
Tues (3/20/12): Cross-training
Wed (3/21/12): 3 mi easy
Thurs (3/22/12): Cross training
Fri (3/23/12): 4 mi easy
Sat (3/24/12): Cross-training or Free Run (maybe 5K)
Sun (3/25/12): 4 mi easy

(Easy pace - can talk comfortably while running)

No Country Music? No Worries? New Race to Train For!

Well, I'm not making Country Music this year after all.  I had my hopes (and expectations) set high for the Country Music Half.  But this one is not in the cards for me.  No worries - I've set my sights on ATL this summer - the Peachtree Road Race 10K!  Yeah, I registered for the lottery again this year!  Hopefully I'll make again this year - if I do, 2012 will be 3 years in a row!

RNR New Orleans Marathon training - week 5(?) recap

I guess this past week was week 5 of my training (although I've lost track since planning this fundraiser).  Anyway, the week in review:* Thursday, 11//24/2011 (Thanksgiving Day)
My annual 'turkey trot' event (Sam Lapidus Montclair 10K) - 1:31:00
* Saturday, 11/26/2011
Ran 4.17 mi (1:05:00) with a couple of Team in Training pals (I'm also prepping for the Country Music Half in Nashville in Apr. 12 - call me CRAZY).

Surprisingly, my knees didn't feel too bad on Saturday having just ran a 10K just 2 days before.

HOPE YOUR TURKEY DAY WAS A GOOD ONE!

While you were stuffing your belly, hope you stuffed your feet in your sneakers for a mile or two.

I did - ran the Montclair Run 10K yesterday - finished in 1:31:00 - not my best performance, but I crossed the finish line!

Stylin and profilin for ACS!

Turkey Trots - Thanksgiving Day Runs

Feel guilty about stuffing yourself with stuffing this Thanksgiving Day?  Well, get out and exercise before craving up that turkey.  I ran a 10K this morning (Montclair Run) - it was just a gorgeous day not to run.  Also, I had several friends to run a half-marathon (the 13.1 series) in Atlanta.  Check out some of my links (active.com is a very good one) to find runs in your area.

And if you don't do a run, at least move.  You'll feel so much better about yourself for doing it!

Running Friends

Today at the Vulcan Run 10K, I had the good fortune of running into (almost literally) 2 gracious ladies.  I call them gracious because they helped motivate me during the race - when my legs and my breathing got heavy, they urged me on.

This community is a good one - of course, you have your elitists (they deserve it - they've earned it).  But for the most part, everyone I've met on this journey has been great.

Running is not about competition with others, just with myself.  And every time I meet another 'not-so-fast' runner, I'm glad I run (even on a cold morning like today - BRRRR!

In the picture below are me and my 2 new friends, Audra and Darci, at the finish line.