8 miles

It was another informal long run/walk of 8 miles. As we get closer to the Marathon, our distance tapers down. The weather was great and the crowd was bigger than I had expected. Kathy and I left at 6:00am, a little later than most of the walkers. I had wanted to sleep in, but as luck would have it, I woke up early anyway. We finished in 2 hours and were pleased with our time.

The excitement, as well as the tension, is mounting. We are all like racehorses chomping at the bit, ready to be let out of the gate with only 15 days to go until Marathon.

10-30-10 Only 17 Days to Marathon

I had an early appointment this morning so I went out at 5:30am. It was chilly but I decided to brave the weather and wore only a jacket made of dri-fit material plus gloves in addition to leggings and a tank top. After a 10 minute warm up, I walked very fast for 30 minutes straight and then did a 10 minute cool down. This was the first time that I had not run during the middle part of this workout. As I mentioned in previous posts, since I am not going to be running any of the marathon, I thought it best to restrict the balance of training to walking only.

18 Days to Go

Today is a rest day, but since folks have been asking me about the Marathon route, I thought it would be fun to post the link to the course map. Spectators and cheering squads are welcome along the way. The race starts at 7:00am and the course is secure until 1:00pm. Many of the walkers, including myself, will be leaving at 5:00am. Kathy, my walking buddy and I are anticipating making it in within 7 hours, or by noon. The farthest we have walked is 18.6 miles. On the map, that puts us just west of 610 Loop at Woodway. The finish is "just" 7.6 miles east - a walk in the park - Memorial Park that is!


The Marathon Route

45 5 x 2:00 with 19 days until the Marathon

I can't believe that the countdown to Marathon Day is in the teens. It will be here before I know it. Today's training was a simple 45 minute walk with 5, 2 minute sets of intensity. I walked those sets for the first time in a long time. It's amazing how different the muscles feel when you are walking instead of running. Giving up the running until after the Marathon is hard, but makes the most sense.

Week 24 - Only 20 days to go

It was another really cold morning, but the air was clear and crisp. A 60 minute walk was on the schedule, and that's exactly what I did. I decided that I wasn't going to include much running in my final weeks of training. I don't want to injure myself and since I'll be walking the entire Marathon I think it will better to follow the training to a "T".

10 Miles in Sugar Creek

Today was an unofficial run/walk. Those who were available left from Finish Line Sports and did 10 or 12 miles, on one or more of three routes. Kathy and I left at 5:00am and did two loops of 5 miles, reversing the second loop. It was fun to pass everyone going the opposite direction. The weather was great, a little humid, but not too hot and not too cold. There was a nice breeze which made the workout an easy one. We finished with a pace just under a 15 minute mile.

This afternoon I went back through my blog, reading my early entries and was amazed at how far I have come. To think that now, 10 miles seems like a piece of cake, when early on 4 miles was a major accomplishment. I owe so much to Fort Bend Fit and my friends and coaches there. I could not have progressed to this point without them.

It's hard to believe the Marathon is just 22 days away, but I am ready and looking forward to it!

10-40-10

It was really cold this morning with frost covering most of the roofs in the neighborhood. I added 5 minutes of intense walking to the 10 minute warm-up before I started running. Then I just played games - running from one corner to the next, walking for a minute or two, running between fire hydrants, etc. I did this for 40 minutes and then completed the session with a 10 minute cool down. This Saturday is a 10 mile walk/run, part of the tapering down before the Marathon which is just 24 days away.

45 5 x 2:00

I had planned to do my workout at 5:00am this morning before my meetings and appointments, but things did not work out that way. Instead, I wound up going out in the late afternoon, just after it rained. It was cold and nasty and very difficult (I forgot to mention that I had a big lunch at 1:00pm). Originally I thought the workout would be easy, but it turned out to be really hard, even though it was only for 45 minutes with 5 sets of 2 minute intensity.

Week 23 - 27 days to the Marathon

Me, Susie and the Chronicle Photographer

This morning's training was a 45 minute walk. It was in the high 30's at 6:00am and although running would have probably warmed me up faster, I chose to walk swiftly with only a few runs for brief periods. Later this morning, at 8:30am, I met Susie at Oyster Creek Park so that a Houston Chronicle photographer could take our photos for an article that's being run in the paper sometime in the next few weeks. The Houston Marathon organization has been actively promoting the telling of inspirational stories and decided to highlight mine in the local edition. They are also going to have a feature story about several people who have lost over 100 pounds each, and I am hopeful that Gray Bob and his tale will be included as well.

10 Miles in the Rain and Cold

Today was a 21 mile race sponsored by Houston Fit. It started at the ball fields in Memorial Park and wove through the neighborhoods north of Memorial drive and over to Allen Parkway, over Sabine Pass and down Memorial Drive back to the park. Kathy, Jacque and I braved the weather and completed most of the 11.5 mile Walker's route after lopping off a 1.5 mile jog in the course. It was cold and drizzling when we started out at 5:00am, but we warmed up after a short while so the weather didn't seem to be an issue. That was until we got to the bayou and it started raining really hard. The paths were muddy and slippery and we kept questioning our sanity. Our consistent answers to one another were either, "Yes, we are crazy." or "This is really good training for us in case it rains on Marathon Day."

I managed to stay dry from my knees up. The inexpensive waterproof jacket I bought at Walmart kept me warm and dry. Kathy and Jacque on the other hand were quite drenched. Their jackets starting absorbing the heavier rain. We dangled the carrot of dry socks and shoes as a motivator to help us finish and get back to the car. We were quite a sight trying to change into dry clothes in the confines of my car, but we did it. We headed home, teeth chattering most of the way, even though the heat was turned up as high as it would go.

10-30-10

I went out while it was still dark this morning. It was pretty chilly. After a 10 minute warm-up, I mixed up the 30 minutes of intensity. I would run for as long as I felt comfortable and then walk at a quick pace in between. On my 10 minute cool down I walked by the lake and barely managed to evade the really aggressive geese that started honking and running after me. It was an interesting way to end my workout.

60 10 x 2:00

It was raining pretty hard this morning so I decided to workout in the gym. 10 intervals of 2:00 minutes each was a pretty big step up from yesterday's leisurely 30 minute walk, but I did it, running on the two's and walking in between. I just can't get used to running on the treadmill, but I wasn't ready to get soaked, either.

Week 22 - Only 33 days til the Marathon

This morning's training was a welcome step back - a 30 minute walk, just enough to loosen my stiff legs without overdoing it. After Sunday's 30K, I was so sore I could barely move, but Monday morning's massage made a world of difference and got me going again. This week is a bit off schedule since yesterday was a rest day, so I'll be training on Wednesday and Thursday, too.

Houstonian Lite 30K -18.6 miles!

Me and Kathy starting our 2nd loop

Another milestone. Today was the Houstonian Lite 30K, an 18.6 mile race through First Colony with a triple loop around Palm Royale Blvd. The race started at 7:00am, but over a dozen walkers, including myself, started at 5:00am. It was really cold - in the low 40's, but once the sun came out it started to warm up. My Mickey Mouse ear muffs not only kept my ears warm, but were quite a hit with all the racers.

Kathy and I walked together, along with a women named Andrea from the Woodlands who didn't know anyone in the race. Just after the 15 mile marker, Kathy got a burst of energy and left us in the dust. Our goal was to finish the race in under 5 hours and we did. My time was 4 hours, 51 minutes and 34 seconds. It worked out to be a 15.64 minute mile, but that wasn't too bad considering that I did not run at all (except through the finish line) and took three potty breaks. At that pace we should finish the marathon in under 7 hours.

10-40-10 in the COLD!

I really resisted going out this morning since it was FREEZING outside, but I did and I'm glad. I dressed in layers and never took anything off except for the muffler I had around my neck and face. I figured I had better prepare myself in case the weather on Sunday is as cold as today. I warmed up for the first 10 minutes, walked as fast as I could for the next 10 minutes and then ran on and off for the balance of the 40 minutes. I was amazed that I was able to run for up to 4 and 5 minutes at a time, something I had never been able do in the heat. It made me wonder if I had made the right decision about walking versus running on Sunday. But I am committed to leave early and will walk the 30K.

45 6 x 2:00

It was really cold again this morning, but it took no time to warm up. I had an epiphany while I was doing my 6 sets of 2 minute intensity. I have been obsessing about whether or not to walk or run/walk the 30K race this weekend. It struck me this morning that I needed to focus on my original goal, and that was to finish the marathon in January. That included keeping up with my training and finishing every race I entered. Somewhere along the way I diverted off my path - perhaps in hopes of becoming a runner - setting higher bars that included finishing within the race times that were established for runners. Running is something I do want to pursue, and will work towards that goal next season. But for now, rather than push myself with the risk of injury, I will do complete the 30K, and the Marathon as a walker. So this Sunday, I will leave early with Kathy, without a chip, and complete the race before the course closes. I feel a lot better now that I have gotten back on my original track!

Week 21 Only 41 Days til the Marathon

It was REALLY cold this morning - in the high 30's. A 40 minute walk was on the schedule for today, and I was glad. My knee hurt me on Saturday and yesterday I woke up with the first migraine headache I had had since July. It was either from the Chinese food I had Saturday night or from not wearing my TMJ device when I went to bed. Whatever the cause, I was jolted into remembering how horrible it is to have a migraine and don't intend to experience another anytime soon.

So the 40 minute walk was a welcome relief. I wasn't going to run at all, but after warming up for 15 minutes, I decided to run for about 3 minutes at a time, 3 different times. It was just enough to loosen me up without overdoing it.

I am still undecided about my strategy for Sunday's 30K. I'm almost positive that I will leave with the "pack" at 7:00 am and try to make it in within the 4 hours and 15 minute time span. I just know that if I left at 4:00 am with the walkers and could have finished with an official time, I would be very disappointed. I have 6 more days to decide.

14 Miles

This morning's long walk/run was 14 miles. Kathy had a tennis tournament today and would not be walking with me, so I was anticipating a solo walk. Much to my delight, Bob and I wound up walking together. We started out at a pretty good pace, running every once in awhile, but as time progressed, we both got a bit sluggish and wound up finishing with a slow time of 3 hours and 45 minutes (16 minute mile). But at least we made it in before 8:00am (it helps when you leave at 4:00am) and got to hear the speaker, Houston Marathon director, Steve Karpas.

Since this morning's time was so slow, and my right knee started hurting, I'm still debating as to whether or not I want to start the 30K at 4:00am with the walkers or take a chance on not finishing and leave with everyone else at 7:00am next Sunday. I still have time to decide - I'll see how things go this week.

10-40-10

It was a bit warmer this morning, but still cooler than mornings past, with a little bit of drizzle. After a warm-up walk of 10 minutes, I ran on and off for 40 minutes, letting my body tell me how long to run and how long to make my breaks. For the most part I ran for 2 minutes at a time, but on a few occasions I made it to 3 minutes. Most of my breaks were for 30 seconds to 1 minute. I finished with a 10 minute warm down and felt pretty good at the end.