9.5 miles was a difficult mile marker for me. I made my first attempt at it just over a week ago. It was brutal. The sun was shining down on me, the temp was warm and somehow or other I kept running into the recycle trucks and garbage trucks. There's nothing quite like following the garbage truck on a warm day. Peee ewww...
My legs were feeling very tired from the get go and my heart rate was way up there. I was unable to maintain my pace and had to walk off and on. It was a struggle and it left me discouraged, tired and sore.
I was determined to do the run again before moving on to 10 miles. So this Friday I headed back out to retrace my route. I'd rearranged my workout schedule so that I was doing lower body weights earlier in the week this time. This way my legs were rested when I headed out.
Thankfully the day dawned cloudy and stayed that way. That also kept the temperature at a cooler level. Miraculously I even managed to avoid the garbage and recycle trucks. My heart rate was decent and my legs kept going. I ran for the whole distance and felt pretty darn good.
Of course maybe my brand new iriver clix mp3 player helped too. *g* Gotta love new technology.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Race for Literacy 8k
Sunday was my first ever 8k race. It was the Union Tribune Race for Literacy which started in Balboa Park and ended downtown by Pantoja Park. For those that are metric challenged the 8k is just under 5 miles.
Now I've done 5 mile runs on a regular basis so I knew the distance would not be a problem for me. I was still nervous about race day though and did not sleep so great the night before. Alex and I were up 'bright' and early Sunday morning to head off to the race. Since it was a short race the start time was 8am which was a relief for Alex. He's not so keen on those 7am starts.
I lined up at the start shortly before 8am and waited for the race to start. For the timing of the race they were using the ever so scientific method of pulling a coded tag off of the bibs at the end of the race. Seeing as they timed it all from the gun start and not from when each runner went over the start line the accuracy was pretty much nil. I had my trusty heart rate monitor on so I was able to record my own time.
The race went well for me. There's something about the crowd that makes me run a little faster so my heart rate was definately up there. The neatest part of the race was running on the 163. It was very scenic and pretty. The only bad part of the race was the stingy hydration stops. There were only 2 on the whole course. It was not enough for me. By mile 3.5 I was about ready to steal or beg water from somebody. I made it to the next watering hole at the 4 mile mark and doubled up. That was enough to get me through to the end.
I crossed the finish line in 51:28. My pace was 10:21 which is a personal best for me at that distance.
Once again, thanks Honey for taking me there and bringing me home!!
Now I've done 5 mile runs on a regular basis so I knew the distance would not be a problem for me. I was still nervous about race day though and did not sleep so great the night before. Alex and I were up 'bright' and early Sunday morning to head off to the race. Since it was a short race the start time was 8am which was a relief for Alex. He's not so keen on those 7am starts.
I lined up at the start shortly before 8am and waited for the race to start. For the timing of the race they were using the ever so scientific method of pulling a coded tag off of the bibs at the end of the race. Seeing as they timed it all from the gun start and not from when each runner went over the start line the accuracy was pretty much nil. I had my trusty heart rate monitor on so I was able to record my own time.
The race went well for me. There's something about the crowd that makes me run a little faster so my heart rate was definately up there. The neatest part of the race was running on the 163. It was very scenic and pretty. The only bad part of the race was the stingy hydration stops. There were only 2 on the whole course. It was not enough for me. By mile 3.5 I was about ready to steal or beg water from somebody. I made it to the next watering hole at the 4 mile mark and doubled up. That was enough to get me through to the end.
I crossed the finish line in 51:28. My pace was 10:21 which is a personal best for me at that distance.Once again, thanks Honey for taking me there and bringing me home!!
Friday, May 05, 2006
What a Difference a Week Makes
I started off the week with a really painful 4 mile slog. I'd planned to run 6 miles but when I woke up I just wasn't up for it. I amended my goal to 5 miles. When I actually hit the road and started running I realized the 5 miles wasn't happening.
I don't know whether I was still a bit worn out from Friday's 8 miler or what exactly the cause was. I just know that it was a slog not a joyous carefree run.
On Wednesday I was feeling better. I stuck with a 4.3 mile route and felt pretty good throughout. My heart rate was reasonable. It gave me good hopes for Sunday's 8k race.
Today I went out and ran a 3 miler and recorded my fastest time ever. I did it in 30:55! My pace was 10:18! I was very pleased. And to make it even better my heart rate was great throughout. I had an average hr of 159. So I'm psyched for Sunday. It should be a good run. Tomorrow I will be resting in anticipation.
I don't know whether I was still a bit worn out from Friday's 8 miler or what exactly the cause was. I just know that it was a slog not a joyous carefree run.
On Wednesday I was feeling better. I stuck with a 4.3 mile route and felt pretty good throughout. My heart rate was reasonable. It gave me good hopes for Sunday's 8k race.
Today I went out and ran a 3 miler and recorded my fastest time ever. I did it in 30:55! My pace was 10:18! I was very pleased. And to make it even better my heart rate was great throughout. I had an average hr of 159. So I'm psyched for Sunday. It should be a good run. Tomorrow I will be resting in anticipation.
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