Tuesday, October 19, 2010

If Johnny jumped off a bridge, would you too?

WOW, a girl goes away for a few days and it takes me nearly a full day to half-ass catch up in blog land.  There's been a lot going on out there.  Thanks to those who missed me and sent me messages. :)

Congrats to everyone who ran races this weekend.  So many great race reports out there!

What another beautiful weekend.  The weather was perfect.  I love these fall days when there is no rain and the temperature is crisp. 

On Saturday I went out for an "easy" 5 mile run.  My plan was to keep the pace between about 9:30 to 10:00 miles/min.  The first mile was about 9:20 and I figured I would probably slow down a bit after that.  But by mile 2, I had picked it up and had an average pace of 9:10.  I kept trying to slow it down, but apparently my legs were having none of it.  I ended up with an average pace of 9:06 ... 45:36.  At least it felt easy so I won't complain.

Sunday I had planned to run at least 10 miles.  As I said in my last post, I haven't run double digits since April.  I say I planned at least 10 miles because in the back of my mind I kind of wanted to up that to 11. 

We were in Penticton, home of Ironman Canada, and I had planned to run part of the Ironman run course along the east side of Skaha Lake.  I have never been down that road before and I've heard it's quite scenic.  However, with me and my issues I knew I needed access to a washroom at some point within the first 3 miles so I had to take a slightly different route.  Really, no matter where you run in Penticton it's beautiful.

On the drive up there my friend called and said that since I was going to run 11 miles this weekend, she was going to sign up for a half marathon at home.  Keep in mind this is my friend who is just back to running and ran her first 5K back 3 weeks ago, and her first 10K back last week.  She's a crazy woman!  However, she has the mental side of running nailed down and knows to take it easy so she doesn't end up hurt.  She finished in 2:23, pretty impressive if you ask me.

Well, I'm not one to leave that on the plate ... so I too decided to run the half marathon distance!  I'm horribly competitive - hahaha.

It was done carefully, and I didn't "race" it.  After the first mile I stopped and had a 2 minute stretch break to loosen things up.  My legs felt horribly heavy and I needed it.  Then at mile 3 was a potty break for me and at mile 4 was a potty break for the hubs.

Mile 8-10 were the hardest.  Thankfully it was also the most scenic.  We were running right along the lake on a winding road.  Pretty!  At 8.5 miles we turned around and did take a 30 sec break.  We were feeling DONE.  However, after that break I started to feel a bit better.

Mile 11-13.1 was run along the main road in town.  Boring, boring, boring.  For a regular run it might be OK, but at that distance my mind needed something interesting.  My parents drove by at Mile 12 and I had to dig a bit deep to not jump into their car and call it a day.

In the end our running time was 2:02:41 (9:21 pace), this was not including stretch & potty breaks.  Hubby says this is not a fair way to calculate time, but for training runs I have always done it that way.  I know during a race the clock does not stop, but in a race I don't typically stop either.  It works for me.

That evening my whole legs were pretty achy.  Not sore in any particular spot, but achy - like you feel when you have the flu.  Twice during the night my husband actually massaged and stretched my legs.  Awww!  He's really quite sweet for that.  However, I did get up around 4AM and took a tylenol.  After that the ache resided and I felt comfortable for the rest of the day.

I'm actually REALLY happy that I challenged this 13.1 miles now.  I'm one who likes to run a full distance before a race.  And with my half coming up mid November, this is good for me mentally.  I now know I can do it, and unless something goes wrong, I should be able to finish under 2 hours.

18 miles in 2 days ... yup, I like it.

Keep Active!

Heidi
♥♥♥♥♥

11 comments:

Marlene said...

Wow, nothing like a little impromptu half marathon. Great time!!! (I pause my Garmin for pit stops during training runs too!)

Teamarcia said...

Nice half! Love the spontaneity!

Julie said...

Congrats on a fantastic half marathon Heidi! Actually fora virtual training run you kicked butt:) I love that picture of you in the last post! Keeping it real...I love it!

ajh said...

Sounds like you will rock the half marathon!

kimert said...

Great job on the half distance!!! I train the same way you do...count the time actually spent running, not potty breaks and stretching...glad to know I am not the only one, but I do feel (for myself) that it is an unfair number but still like you said races(for me) don't have stretch breaks and rarely if ever a potty break. Anyway, keep up the running, you are VERY inspiring!!!

Syl said...

look like someone is rubbing off on someone else...you know that wild and crazy thing that I have...you know picking up and just doing a practice half marathon for the hell of it...ha ha loved it!!!

You are gonna kill that half marathon, I think I will be away while you run it but I can't wait to see the recap! and I know that I am always with you on important runs ;-)

Angela said...

Great job on the impromptu half! A scenic route definitely helps. Sounds like you're in a good place for your upcoming race!

Jennifer said...

Great job!!!! You are so inspring to me. thank you for that.

Jennifer
http://wecanlosethepounds.blogspot.com/

Fran said...

You rock that you went for that half distance too and a great time too (also for your friend).

I'm like you I want to run a full distance first too if only to see what time I can expect to finish in.

And about the green onions :) I think Syl and I should both use the white and the green :lol: going to try it next week when I have to use them in a recipe.

Marcelle said...

I think I have a girl crush on you :)
Hero worship!!!
Whatever you want to call it.
Can I come back to this world and be like YOU!!!

hehehe

FANTASTIC TIME...WOW AM SO FREAKING IMPRESSED YOU HAVE NO IDEA..

Anonymous said...

YAY! This post made me smile. I am so proud of you Heidi! I love that you just went for the half marathon and knew you could do it. And speedily I might add! :) Thanks for all your sweet comments on all my posts - jeeze. I was blogging up a storm this weekend. You are going to be so ready for November!