Week 20 Training - Only 46 days Until the Marathon

This week I've done some creative maneuvering with my training schedule. I decided to skip Monday's one hour walk since I needed to rest after Sunday's 12 miler. Since I walked for about an hour on Saturday, I applied that to Monday's training and then got back on track today. It was a 45 minute walk with 8, 2 minute sessions of intensity. The temperature was in the 40's, so the 5 minutes I took to warm up really should have been longer. I ran for 2 minutes with one minute breaks in between, 8 times, finishing with a 15 minute leisurely walk around the lake. I will follow the rest of the week's schedule now, making tomorrow a rest day and Thursday a training day in preparation for our 14 mile walk/run on Saturday.

12 Miles

Since this weekend's training was supposed to be 12 miles, and because of wimping out at the Great Adventure Race, I decided I needed to get my mileage in. Kathy hadn't done her mileage either, so we agreed to meet this morning at 6:30am and do a 12 mile walk. It was a bit different going out and not being under pressure to finish in time for the weekly seminar. We decided to do the route in reverse, going through the park first and then making our circle around First Colony. It was really humid and the walk was a tough one, but we persevered and after 3 and a half hours, made it back to our cars. When I got home I submerged myself in the cold spa (68 degrees) for 15 minutes in hopes that it would eliminate some of the aches and pains. I usually start hydrating two days before the week's long walk/run and watch what I eat on those days, but with Thanksgiving and leftovers, that didn't happen. It's amazing what a difference it made in how I felt today.

The Great Adventure Race

Since it was Thanksgiving weekend, there was no official run/walk this morning. However, there was a Great Adventure Race and pot luck breakfast scheduled for any one who was willing to meet at Brazos Bend Park this morning. It was raining, thundering and lightening and I secretly hoped the race would be called off. Jacque and I ventured out at 6:00am and were among the first of what would be approximately 30 people to show up.

Coach Bob was in charge of the race and worked really hard along with Kevin and Jerry to make sure everything was just right. When we started out, it was pouring down rain, and after about a mile and a half of slipping and sliding, first Coach Randy, and then I threw in the towel. All the others, including Jacque, stuck it out a had a great time on their scavenger hunt/race.

Being dripping wet in the cold rain was not my idea of a good time.

Since I only got in about 3 miles, Kathy and I are going to walk approximately 12 miles in the morning.

Turkey Trot

Me, Early On (Photo by Karen Thibodeaux)

It's Thanksgiving Day and the annual Sugar Land Turkey Trot sponsored by Finish Line Sports. I decided to participate in the Trot's 5 mile race since today was a training day and the mileage would be fairly close. It was a beautiful morning for a race - cool and crisp in the high 50's and low 60's. Over 800 participated in the run through Sugar Creek. By running most of the course, taking 1 minute walk breaks and running for as long as I could for anywhere from 1.5 to 4 minutes at a time I was able to finish in 62 minutes, 30 seconds. My average was a 12.31 minute mile, a personal record. I certainly don't expect to be able to keep this kind of pace for the longer races, but I am hopeful that I will be able to finish the 30K on December 11th with an official time, keeping my pace under 13.45.

45 8x2:00

The weather was beautiful again this morning. It was crisp and clear and in the mid 40's. After warming up for 5 minutes with a brisk walk, I ran for 2 minutes at a time, taking a one minute break in between, 8 times. The session went pretty quickly and the running was not too hard.

Tomorrow is an off day, but considering how much I have been eating this week, I think I might go ahead a take an hour walk in the morning for good measure.

Week 19 Training - Only 55 days Until the Marathon

The "Hills" of Sugar Land

It was really cool and crisp this morning. Once again I feared that the fashion police might arrest me, but I was warm and comfortable so I didn't care. Since the 60 minute walk that was on the schedule didn't satisfy my need this morning for more intensity, I decided to run as much as possible and to also try some hills. Since there is no surplus of hills in the area, the gently elevated pavement and sidewalks of the Mercer Stadium parking lot were my substitute - not quite hills, but definitely steeper than the sidewalks.

10 Miles

Today's walk was only 10 miles. Although it seems like we are going backwards- down to 10 miles after doing 15.5 - there is wisdom in the scheduling. Many people, myself included, have had a tough time recovering from last Sunday's race, so the 10 mile route today was not as easy as it would have seemed.

Kathy and I left at 5:00am and made it back in 2 hours and 45 minutes. We decided that we didn't have to push ourselves if we didn't feel like it and I for one did not feel like it, choosing to walk rather than run. I have entered the Turkey Trot 5 mile race on Thanksgiving Day. My reasoning is two-fold - I have to train on Thursday, anyway, and I'll get to eat Thanksgiving Dinner guilt-free!

10-40-10 Back Outside

I decided to train today so as to have a rest day before Saturday's 10 mile walk/run. The weather was beautiful, although a little on the cool side, which made walking outdoors enjoyable. After warming up for 10 minutes, I ran for a minute with a minute break in between about 4 times and then decided that I needed to take it easy since I was training for 3 days in a row without a break. I walked briskly for the balance of the 40 minutes and then did a 10 minute cool down. Tomorrow will be a rest day. Saturday's walk/run is a step down from last week's 25K, a temporary break before we start building up in preparation of the 30K on December 11th.

60 8x 2:00 on the Treadmill

This morning when I got up at 5:30 it was hard to tell whether or not the skies had cleared after last night's rains. So, for the first time since I have started running, I decided to do my training on the treadmill at the gym. The nice part about it was that it was easier to check my timing. Also, the temperature was pleasant and the machine could be adjusted for incline. I found it more difficult to run on the treadmill and it was boring compared to being outside. Since my schedule is off this week, I'm trying to decide between training tomorrow or waiting until Friday. I guess I'll see how I feel in the morning.

45 Minutes

I moved yesterday's walk over to today. It was a lot easier than my attempt yesterday. I took it pretty easy and just ran a few times for a minute or so at a time and then walked briskly for the rest of the period. Sunday's 25K took a pretty big toll on me, but I am bouncing back.

Week 18 Training

Monday's training was a 45 minute walk. Once I started walking, my right knee started to hurt and then a light bulb went off in my head. I was following the walker's training which reflected the Walker's 25K on Saturday. I called Stan from my cell phone and had him check the red group's training, and sure enough, Monday was an off day. I turned back around, came back in and got in the spa. The temperature was 73 degrees and after the initial shock, it felt really good. I stayed in for 15 minutes and my aches had eased some by the time I got out.

25K The Second of the Warm Up Series

Me Coming in and ready to bonk

Unbelievable. 15.5 miles! There were some really good things about this race and some really bad things. My true goal was to finish with an official time (while the chip timer was still up). Everything from the race brochures to the internet site said that the course would close at 3 hours and 30 minutes, so that is what I was striving for. Before the race began, Beverly, Jannelle, Jenn and I walked around the block a few times so that we could warm up. This way we would be able to start out faster. The start line was on the north side of the Wortham Center. Most of the runners were under the "bridge" part and the din of their talking was so loud you could barely hear the gun go off. Jannelle and Jenn, who are in the red runners group, and I crossed the start line 1 minute and 3 seconds into the race. We started out at a pretty good pace, running up hill past the Aquarium facility on Memorial Drive. My pace for the first mile was a 12.5 minute mile by the gun, which meant 11.5 minutes. When I heard the time called out, I realized that I had started way too fast, but I figured I would try to keep it up and bank my time. Jenn passed us early on, and then I wound up passing both of them and spent the rest of the race by myself. I kept catching up with Jacque until the last loop, when she left me in the dust. I kept up a good pace for the first two loops (the course was a 3 loop course, from downtown to Shepherd to downtown 3 times).On the third loop, I took a potty break (there were porta-cans along the way), and although I was in and out pretty fast, it did impact my time. It got really hot on the last loop and by mile 14 it was clear that there was no way I would make it in by 3 hours and 30 minutes. That last mile and a half was the toughest thing I have ever done (with the exception of child birth). I kept asking myself if I was crazy for being out here- questioning whether or not I could really do the Marathon in January. I kept thinking how easy it would be to just stop where I was and wait for someone to come along and pick me up. But I kept going, figuring I would get in when I got in. As I came over the bridge to downtown, I saw that the finish line was still up and the mat was still down. I picked up my speed as best as I could and made it over the mat at 3 hours and 38 minutes (my chip time was actually 1 minute and 3 seconds less). Stan was at the finish line. You can see by the photo that I was ready to collapse. Thank goodness he was there. Jacque and husband Mike were there, too, to welcome me in. After I rehydrated and ate something, I started to feel better, but knew I wouldn't be able to drive home for a while. I thought about getting Stan to drive us back and then coming later to retrieve the other car, but I was able to get a massage from Wes in fairly short time, and that got me back on my feet, literally and figuratively.

What was bad about the race? It was not walker/slow runner friendly; the signage along the route was really confusing, so it was hard to tell how far you had actually gone; on the last loop the pace callers were not calling out the right numbers, and there were some music stations along the way that were blasting music so loudly that it hurt your ears and head when you passed by (I'll have to remember to bring ear plugs next race). There were a number of people who finished the race, but did not get an official time because they rolled the mats in after 3 hours and 40 minutes. So, what was good about the race? I finished with a PR (personal record) of a 14.05 minute mile (my pace was 14.33 at the 20K) and an official time. I had no pain (just overall exhaustion). The places that had been hurting me during other races (my piriformis and my right knee) did not hurt at all. I attribute this to a massage on Friday, 2 Advils at the beginning of the race and the warm-up before the race. I learned a few things that will help with the next race and the Marathon - warming up BEFORE the race makes a big difference; starting out too fast is not a good thing (I guess the old adage "slow and steady wins the race" has some validity); since there will be small hills on the Marathon course, I need to train for them. During the race, I had 3 Hammergels, one every hour. I'm sure they helped, but I need to find something else in addition, that will be more sustaining. I need to have a better hydration system since I ran out of water at mile 13 (luckily the water station at mile 15 was still open) and I need to do some more visualization work to keep me strong at the end.

After I got home, I showered and we went out for Brunch. When we got home after eating, I crashed. I took a nap and stayed in bed for most of the day.

What's amazing is that things always seem easier in retrospect. I guess I just need to remember that when I hit any tough spots, whether it be in training or life in general.

Hallelujah!(Photo by Karen Thibodeaux)

A Great 10-40-10

Since 4 of the "non-skip" players that I have purchased and returned either skipped or didn't play at all during run times I've decided to get an MP3 player. I haven't made that purchase yet, so this morning's workout was without music. The time went pretty fast, anyway, and I was pain free. Yesterday's rest, the ice and the Advil seems to have worked.

I warmed up for 10 minutes and then ran for 1 to 3 minutes at a time taking one to 2 minute breaks in between, depending on how I felt. I listened closely to my body and things went fine. When I got back I went ahead and iced my knee just for good measure.

Saturday morning is the 25K for Fort Bend Fit Walkers. I've decided to volunteer at this walk as I am doing the 25K downtown on Sunday.

Not Quite the 60 10x2:00

The schedule for today was a 60 minute session with 10 rounds of 2 minute intensity. After 6 minutes of warm up, I started running. I ran for 2 minutes with a two minute break, 8 times. After about 45 minutes, I couldn't do anymore. My right knee started to hurt badly. I thought it would be better to stop than to persist. I got home and iced it for about 20 minutes and took 2 Advil.

This afternoon I went to the chiropractor. I was way out of adjustment. After my appointment, my knee quit hurting and felt a lot better. I still plan to ice it this evening and tomorrow. Thank goodness Wednesday is a rest day. I'm still planning on doing the 25K on Sunday and want to be ready.

Week 17 Training

This morning I decided to do my one hour at Oyster Creek Park. Since the trails are marked by quarter mile I thought it would make it easier to calculate my timing.
It was really humid, but the fog helped to make it feel cool.

After warming up for 10 minutes, I started running and walking for the first mile. My time worked out to a 12.5 minute mile. My hip didn't hurt too much but I didn't want to push things, so I continued to walk/run for the next half hour at a slower pace and then just walked. Although I know it's unrealistic to expect to keep the 12.5 minute mile pace up for an extended amount of time (like 3.5 hours during the next race), I was happy to know that I could trim my time down.

13 Miles

Wow. This was our longest distance to date. Kathy and I left at 4:30am and finished in 3 hours and 17 minutes (including a 3 -4 minute potty break).We ran every so often with no particular system. The time worked out to be just under a 15 minute mile. The weather was pleasant, although a little humid at times. I had intermittent pain in my hip/buttocks which seemed to ease up during the times I ran. I've been trying to identify the problem. From what I can tell it may be my Piriformis muscle. I've read contradicting information. Some articles say stretching helps and others say it doesn't. I'll have to look into it more.

Next week in the 25K. Fort Bend Fit is having a special 25K race for the walkers. Since I've already paid my entry fee for the Houston race, I'm pretty sure I'm going to do the one downtown. The bad thing is the race is not walker friendly - they close the course down after 3.5 hours. I've computed that I need to do a 13.5 minute mile which is 1 minute a mile better than what I did at the 20K. I'm going to work towards achieving that with more running this week. I'll decide what I am going to do on Thursday.

10-40-10

I had an early appointment on Thursday and wasn't able to do my training until this morning. I tried to run as much as possible during the 40 minute session - for the most part 1.5 to 2 minutes with a 1 minute break between runs. It got easier as the time went by. I finished up running 3.5 minutes straight at the end of the 40 minutes, then cooled down during the last 10 minutes.

Tomorrow's walk/run is 13 miles, ever so close to a half-marathon.

Texans Field Day

Last night Stan and I attended Texans Field Day at Reliant Stadium. As one of 50 winners of a Reliant Energy contest, we got to tour the stadium, listen to a talk by Coach Kibbie Brown, meet a few cheerleaders and run scrimmages with some Texans in the "bubble." It was a fun evening. Here are some photos of us on the field.

Stan Getting Ready to Intercept

Me Trying to Recover a Fumble

Me Attempting to Kick a Field Goal

Stan Trying to Kick a Field Goal

Jan Hitting the Yellow Flag

60 8x2:00 in the Cold, Again

It was really chilly this morning, although the sun was shining. I wore long pants, a sleeveless tank, sweatshirt, gloves and ear muffs. I must have been quite a sight, but I was comfortable. That is until about 15 minutes into my hour when I got really warm. So I did most of my workout without the sweatshirt. This time I ran for a full 2 minutes, 8 times every 2 to 3 minutes. I used a Hammergel about 30 minutes into the session and felt really good when I was done.

Saturday's walk/run will be 13 miles. It will be my longest walk/run to date.

Me Running From the Fashion Police