Last Pei Half Marathon Saturday Long Run

Today was my last long run before the race on Sunday. I chose the causeway in Colchester because although it's not very hilly it can be windy and today it was definitely windy! Out on the causeway there were gusts up to 20 mph. I figure it's good training in case Sunday is windy. 😀 I did 11 1/2 miles and now we start to taper, stretch, fuel, rest and relax.

The eleventh week...week of "lasts"

This week is week 11 of my 12 week training period. My midweek runs started out with nice short distances around 3 miles and each day had its own focus. Tuesdays were my just go out and see how you feel, Wednesdays were either hill or speed workouts, and Thursdays were an easy 3 mile jog. The runs averaged anywhere from 3 to 5 miles each day.

This week I ran 5, 3 (speed) and 3 (easy jog). Tomorrow will be my recovery/day off. Saturday will be my last long run (between 8 and 10) and Sunday will be an easy 3.

Today is the last day of my "peak" training and now I get to start to taper. All those early morning training runs during the week are past me. I have to admit there were days when I really had to push myself to get out of bed and work through it. Even today I tried to convince myself I only needed to do 2 miles and then all of a sudden, I was already at 2.25 and only had 3/4 of a mile to go.

This is great lesson for me...sometimes you want to quit but when you've put the time and energy into something and the commitment, you CAN finish and you CAN work through it.

Early morning runs

The only way I can get my mid-week runs done for training is by doing them in the morning...EARLY! I have to say this past summer it hasn't been bad since it's been a dry summer and it's been light out. Now that it's October, sunrise isn't until 6:53. So when I get up at 5:20 and throw on my stuff (that I've laid out the night before), have a quick sip of "Joe", and a banana, I'm out the door for my run usually by 5:30 or 5:45 a.m. and it's dark!

This week has been comfortable temperature wise (around 50 55) without much wind or rain. As I get close to week 12, I am really having to convince myself I need to get these runs in, how much I love to run (which I do) and how cool running in the morning is! Obviously at that hour, it's quiet. I love being able to watch the sky turn from black transitioning over to the sunrise and then blue or gray skies depending on the day. It's time for me...to think, to plan, or to just listen to music and enjoy my time. Many people enjoy group runs and they are fun but over the years, I have learned that running is my solace.

Soon these early morning runs will be a "choice". I won't have to run and I hope that I continue my exercise regiment and either run or go to the gym at least 5 days a week. I have a good feeling after 3 rounds of training for 1/2 marathons, I've built a good routine and have a good idea I'll be able to continue with these early morning times.

13 days to go

Mondays are rest days. It took me  really long time to build these into training. Most of the time I'm thankful since I can remind myself my body and muscles are recovering and rebuilding and when I do go out for a run the next day, it reminds me how good it feels!

Let's see how tomorrow goes! 

Two Weeks and Counting

I can't believe the race is just two weeks away and I feel so ready for it!

Last Sunday, I ran my 10K at the Island Vines 10K in South Hero Vermont at Snow Farm Vineyard. Talk about a gorgeous venue! I ended up setting a PR of 1:14:23 and ended up passing two people with about a 10th of a mile left. 

Yesterday, I went out to Airport Park to run an 11 mile long run which I had ran with my good friend Liz last March. Not sure if having such a hilly course for the 10k made me stronger for this long run but I felt great. Rather than focusing on "miles", I decided to look at the run in "time" knowing that I would run somewhere 2:15 and 2:30. At every major mile, I was amazed at how fast I was going and realizing maybe this mindset is working. Time for me right now is easier to equate than miles since I always convert miles to time anyway. After I finished my 11 miles, I decided to go at an easy jog and saw my friend Priscilla on her 20 mile run. Inspired, I said "Hell, I can run another 13 minutes, 1 mile" and I did. 

Couple of notes about the run...I wore the pink compression socks and they hurt my toes. Not sure if they're too tight with my shoes so I won't wear them again for a long run. Pandora's Salt and Pepper radio was a nice change from my long run playlist.

Today I did 5 miles in the clouds, a little wind and some rain around by Fort Ethan Allen and Saint Mikes. Beginning to realize with tapering, I only have a few more 5 milers (maybe 1?) left. Seems interesting when I thought a 4 mile run was wicked long. Not so much anymore.