So this week was a low mileage week due to uncontrollable circumstances...but I still had a real good 5 miler that I pounded out a mgp and a sub mgp by 20 seconds for the mile. I wasn't going to let mother nature slow me down too much! Anyway, it was also a week that had me thinking. Today I was chatting with my coach and helped boost my confidence again (thanks Mickey).
When I first started running I was not this addicted, this competitive, nor did I have the desire to run Boston until after my second marathon. Then I looked into it and saw that I have to run a marathon at a 8:35 pace. I doubted but felt somewhere inside me that I should push with all I've got and go for it. I've had my up days and my down days. I've had days in a row where I couldn't run do to me being sick, kids being sick, or me studying my arse off for classes. Well, this summer I wanted to get a lot of training in and so far I am doing much better but I still get that self doubt sometimes. The self doubt that maybe I can't hit that mgp for the distance. The doubt that maybe I just don't have what it takes. I feel that doubt when I do a run that when my legs are tired they can't get below a 9:30 pace. I know they need to have that stamina come race day and to have the stamina to go even faster. But then there are those days that I hit my mark and hit it good and in the middle of my run I think about my qualifying race the last few miles coming up and over Diamond Head, and then I get tears in my eyes. I remember the feeling of accomplishment just to cross and finish and how wonderful it was. I want to have the feeling of crossing the finish with that 3:45 finish time. It seems impossible to me right now but I want to do it. My coach reminded me today that what you want is not always easy to get and you have to be willing to work hard and sacrifice. I have to use every available minute to my advantage. Which for me means to wake my butt up on time and get out the door to get my miles in. I have also failed on my nutrition a little the past few weeks by eating more bread/pasta than I should be. I know they are empty carbs. So why the heck am I letting myself eat it instead of energy efficient fuel??
I have to overcome my self doubt. I have to turn that energy around and put it into my run. I have to push my body and make it work harder. I was thinking today of my marathon last year and what my body was going through. After taking medicine for two days prior to the race, no matter how much I rehydrated, it wasn't enough. I ran from mile 8 to the finish line severely dehydrated. Wondering at mile 13 if I was even going to be able to finish safely, at mile 16 coming to the turn around point and playing the mental game, at mile 18 getting recharged and getting back to a 9:30 pace, at mile 19 hitting my 9 mile pace, at mile 23, hitting a 8:30 pace. Running simply to get to each aid station to guzzle 16oz of water. I finished with a 25 minute PR. If I can do that with my body then I have to be able to do this right? I cannot let obstacles hold me back. I have to overcome them, at least the ones that just involve me and not my family.
I have a dream of running Boston. I don't do things for myself. I just pray for the chance to run Boston and this next April is going to be my best hope. After that I will be searching for medical schools and once I'm in that program all my energy has to be devoted to learning to take care of others so running will still be a part of me but I won't have the time or availability to run Boston. The opportunity for me to qualify is at my front door. What happens with that opportunity is now up to me.
My heart wants it. I just want that one moment of personal victory.
I live. I dream. I run.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Training week 2
This week was by far my most successful week EVER in training!! I logged a total of 69 miles, 38 of them running in a 4 day period. Never before have my legs been able to endure those miles in that short time frame. The most in 4 days was 28 miles. I can't believe it! I had two cross-training days where I did a hour on the cycle and worked my legs over on the weight machines. I've been trying to increase strength particularly in my hamstrings after some serious soreness last week. This week? Just fatigue on the legs, no major soreness. I've also been adding yoga to my daily routine and swimming if my day allows it. I also added a couple new core exercises that left me sore for about 3 days, lol! But they are good.
Day 1 of my four day running stint was a 10 miler and a nice one at that. I ran the first 5 for pace control and a 9:30 and the last 5 I let my legs go and I was at a 9 or below the whole time. :) Day 2, another 10 miler but a little easier. Day 3, I was scheduled for another 10 but made it 14 since hubby was going to have to be working that night and wouldn't be home until around 8:30-9am the next day. So I ran my 14 and it was tough but I hung in there. Pace stayed around 9:45 most of the time but I was okay when I was at a 10pace. I woke up knowing it was going to be a bugger of a run so pace was not my goal. The night of day 3 I gave my quads an ice massage, put ice under my hamstrings and used a tennis ball to massage my feet. I also rubbed in Hammer balm into my quads about 10 minutes each before I fell asleep. Day 4, I woke up, at some oatmeal and went for a short run when hubby got home at 8:30. It was VERY hot and sunny the whole time. My legs surprised me though. I held between 9 and 9:30 and went for 4 miles. I could have done another 2 but the heat was bad so I had to stop for safety reasons.
I am very proud of myself this week. My cross-training and nutrition and care for my legs has shown with the miles I put on them in 4 days. I'm getting stronger and soon I will be getting faster and these runs will be getting easier.
Monday is a rest day for me but I'm sure I will still squeeze in some laps at the pool and my yoga. I am very grateful to God for giving my legs the power this week. I look forward to the weeks to come!
To succeed, you must believe. (and I do!)
Day 1 of my four day running stint was a 10 miler and a nice one at that. I ran the first 5 for pace control and a 9:30 and the last 5 I let my legs go and I was at a 9 or below the whole time. :) Day 2, another 10 miler but a little easier. Day 3, I was scheduled for another 10 but made it 14 since hubby was going to have to be working that night and wouldn't be home until around 8:30-9am the next day. So I ran my 14 and it was tough but I hung in there. Pace stayed around 9:45 most of the time but I was okay when I was at a 10pace. I woke up knowing it was going to be a bugger of a run so pace was not my goal. The night of day 3 I gave my quads an ice massage, put ice under my hamstrings and used a tennis ball to massage my feet. I also rubbed in Hammer balm into my quads about 10 minutes each before I fell asleep. Day 4, I woke up, at some oatmeal and went for a short run when hubby got home at 8:30. It was VERY hot and sunny the whole time. My legs surprised me though. I held between 9 and 9:30 and went for 4 miles. I could have done another 2 but the heat was bad so I had to stop for safety reasons.
I am very proud of myself this week. My cross-training and nutrition and care for my legs has shown with the miles I put on them in 4 days. I'm getting stronger and soon I will be getting faster and these runs will be getting easier.
Monday is a rest day for me but I'm sure I will still squeeze in some laps at the pool and my yoga. I am very grateful to God for giving my legs the power this week. I look forward to the weeks to come!
To succeed, you must believe. (and I do!)
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Summer training week 1
Well, I've finally gotten into a groove with my summer training after a week of a stomach virus that kept me down. But...this week I logged a total of 49 miles, 14 were cycling miles. I swam, I ran, I cycled, I did weights, I did yoga. I felt great and I can see the improvement that the crosstraining has given me. My schedule is challenging with Rick's work schedule but I juggle it pretty good now that I found a gym where my kids can have a play area while I exercise. They are troopers too! I had a total of a hour and a half in the gym one day last week so I was able to do a hour on the treadmill and a half hour with weights. Then I come home, eat lunch and take them to the pool while I do laps. It all works out great and I'm loving it all!
Yesterday I did a 9.5 mile run and it was my fastest so far. I averaged a pace of 9:03 and I think if my warm up lap would have been faster I would have been sub 9. I was below a 9 pace 95% of my run and even went below my mgp of 8:35 and hit an average of 8:31 on mile 8.
Today's run was not as fast because my hamstrings were sore from yesterday but still a good run. I think I had at least 2 miles sub 9, 99% of the time but then I got tuckered out in my legs so I eased up.
It was a very successful week and I am happy with my results. It's weeks like these and runs like yesterday's that encourage me and help me believe in myself. I always think of what I have to do to qualify for Boston while I run and it helps me. All I can do is my best in training with what time and opportunity I have available to me.
It is a challenge for me but this is one week down and successful!
I live. I dream. I run.
Yesterday I did a 9.5 mile run and it was my fastest so far. I averaged a pace of 9:03 and I think if my warm up lap would have been faster I would have been sub 9. I was below a 9 pace 95% of my run and even went below my mgp of 8:35 and hit an average of 8:31 on mile 8.
Today's run was not as fast because my hamstrings were sore from yesterday but still a good run. I think I had at least 2 miles sub 9, 99% of the time but then I got tuckered out in my legs so I eased up.
It was a very successful week and I am happy with my results. It's weeks like these and runs like yesterday's that encourage me and help me believe in myself. I always think of what I have to do to qualify for Boston while I run and it helps me. All I can do is my best in training with what time and opportunity I have available to me.
It is a challenge for me but this is one week down and successful!
I live. I dream. I run.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Summer training
So my summer training has started off a little slow but it getting into a groove now. My first day back from taking 2 weeks off to study and take my finals was filled with adrenaline and then some serious soreness for the next few days. I did too much my first day back and had some bad groin soreness and I was scared that I had injured myself again. I had tried to run 3 days after doing my first run and first cycling after 2 weeks and I couldn't take 3 strides. I had to stop. Luckily it was just soreness and I am back to 100% again. I took it easy this past week to heal and do some cross training in the pool.
Due to hubby's crazy and ever changing work schedule I have to go with the flow and adjust my outdoor run days as I can. I'm starting cycling and swimming as my cross training. The swimming part I absolutely love because if I can't get to the olympic size pool on base then I can take my kids here to our community pool and they play while I do laps. I've been getting in a good hour and half with and without fins and speed intervals. I also tow the kids occassionally too to that adds to my strength and they get a kick out of it. I'm getting back into my core/strength routine as well. I've had to lower my sets to 3 until after this next week then I will resume my 6 sets.
I'm excited to see how my summer training goes and excited to do some new things. Trying to qualify for Boston in December is a big challenge for me. I still have a long way to go on maintaining my speed and that is very tough for me. All I can do is my best and pray. The fall will be tough for me because I will be in class again and getting ready for a big move. We will be moving close to Christmas time. Lots on my schedule of accomplishments and must do's for this year. Pray and hope it is my time.
Due to hubby's crazy and ever changing work schedule I have to go with the flow and adjust my outdoor run days as I can. I'm starting cycling and swimming as my cross training. The swimming part I absolutely love because if I can't get to the olympic size pool on base then I can take my kids here to our community pool and they play while I do laps. I've been getting in a good hour and half with and without fins and speed intervals. I also tow the kids occassionally too to that adds to my strength and they get a kick out of it. I'm getting back into my core/strength routine as well. I've had to lower my sets to 3 until after this next week then I will resume my 6 sets.
I'm excited to see how my summer training goes and excited to do some new things. Trying to qualify for Boston in December is a big challenge for me. I still have a long way to go on maintaining my speed and that is very tough for me. All I can do is my best and pray. The fall will be tough for me because I will be in class again and getting ready for a big move. We will be moving close to Christmas time. Lots on my schedule of accomplishments and must do's for this year. Pray and hope it is my time.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Successful week
Well, I've had a great week. I've learned that my migraine trigger is caffeine so now that I have eliminated any source of caffeine in my diet I have had a week 100% migraine free! Not even a hint! What a great feeling that is!
Anyway, on to my actual training...I did well this week and had an extra motivator of Boston being held this past Monday. On Tuesday I found out I can try and qualify here at the Honolulu marathon. I think it may be a little tricky being a "tourist" marathon but I'm going to give it a go. I've been consistent with my strength training because I see the results in my speed and being able to maintain it more each time I run. I've amped it up to 6 reps of 8 on all leg exercises and finally hit my plank goal of 3 minutes and even hitting a few seconds beyond that. My weekly miles are not where I want them to be so I have to work on getting out the door by 5:25 to be running by 5:30. I can get 6-7 miles in a hour and that is what I need with an occassional 8 and then my weekend long run. This week I got my first long run in since about 3-4 weeks and I think I did pretty good. I need to do better but that's work in progress, baby steps. I was scheduled to do 12 but the route I planned out came out to be 13 and I ran a PR of 2 hours. Last year I ran 13 in 2:04. Now to work on getting that down to 1:51. Today's run was an avg of 9:13 pace. I actually did mile 7 in 8:05 if I remember correctly, mile 6 was 8:30ish. I tuckered myself out by doing that but it felt great and I'm glad I did it. My marathon goal pace is 8:35. All week I've been running nice and fast once I've warmed up my legs. I feel wonderful and hope to get better over the next 7 months. Time's a tickin!
Overall, great week and got at least 36 miles in. I would like to be doing 40-45 a week before peak training starts. I've also got to work on my endurance again so maybe I will concentrate on that over speed for the next couple months on my long runs.
Now to see what I can do this next week.
I live. I dream. I run.
Anyway, on to my actual training...I did well this week and had an extra motivator of Boston being held this past Monday. On Tuesday I found out I can try and qualify here at the Honolulu marathon. I think it may be a little tricky being a "tourist" marathon but I'm going to give it a go. I've been consistent with my strength training because I see the results in my speed and being able to maintain it more each time I run. I've amped it up to 6 reps of 8 on all leg exercises and finally hit my plank goal of 3 minutes and even hitting a few seconds beyond that. My weekly miles are not where I want them to be so I have to work on getting out the door by 5:25 to be running by 5:30. I can get 6-7 miles in a hour and that is what I need with an occassional 8 and then my weekend long run. This week I got my first long run in since about 3-4 weeks and I think I did pretty good. I need to do better but that's work in progress, baby steps. I was scheduled to do 12 but the route I planned out came out to be 13 and I ran a PR of 2 hours. Last year I ran 13 in 2:04. Now to work on getting that down to 1:51. Today's run was an avg of 9:13 pace. I actually did mile 7 in 8:05 if I remember correctly, mile 6 was 8:30ish. I tuckered myself out by doing that but it felt great and I'm glad I did it. My marathon goal pace is 8:35. All week I've been running nice and fast once I've warmed up my legs. I feel wonderful and hope to get better over the next 7 months. Time's a tickin!
Overall, great week and got at least 36 miles in. I would like to be doing 40-45 a week before peak training starts. I've also got to work on my endurance again so maybe I will concentrate on that over speed for the next couple months on my long runs.
Now to see what I can do this next week.
I live. I dream. I run.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
My exciting news of a BQ right here in Hawaii!
So I was casually looking for a BQ for 2011 in CA since that is where we will be moving to in January and guess what I found? The Honolulu marathon is a BQ! I got so excited I was all giddy and then started to sweat.... ANYWAY, I told my trainer and he got all excited for me as well and it's a go. I am going to try and qualify this December!! I still have a lot of work to do but I'm feeling confident. I've done up to 6.7 miles at around a 8:30-8:45 pace minus my warm up mile that is, so I still have 20 miles to go and I know it will be tough. I have an advantage, I know the course already and where I know I will have to push instead of slacking off. Diamond Head. Not so much the beginning as the end at mile 24. I have to believe in myself and have faith in God to help me accomplish this dream.
The past couple weeks have been trivial with migraines and sinus infection AND sore throat, but I have still been able to hold that pace and it feels good. I have increase the reps and weight to my strength training and I finally hit my goal plank time of 3 minutes. Today I surpassed it by 10 seconds. I am very encouraged at this point and I am maintaining my discipline to get strength training in at least 5 days a week. I feel my two days off are essential to my training just as the running itself. It keeps me from feeling bogged down with college, the kids, kids activities, housework, errands, and running. It gets a bit crazy and tiring. This summer I will have off from college so I should be able to get good solid training time in and hopefully I can hold it through the fall semester.
I'm very excited and have a new sense of motivation because I will actually have the chance to qualify this year. I was thinking about it earlier today and I thought to myself that other than the birth of my two children, this would be my biggest accomplishment. My heart and spirit want it now I have to train my body to take it.
My destiny awaits in December 2010.
The past couple weeks have been trivial with migraines and sinus infection AND sore throat, but I have still been able to hold that pace and it feels good. I have increase the reps and weight to my strength training and I finally hit my goal plank time of 3 minutes. Today I surpassed it by 10 seconds. I am very encouraged at this point and I am maintaining my discipline to get strength training in at least 5 days a week. I feel my two days off are essential to my training just as the running itself. It keeps me from feeling bogged down with college, the kids, kids activities, housework, errands, and running. It gets a bit crazy and tiring. This summer I will have off from college so I should be able to get good solid training time in and hopefully I can hold it through the fall semester.
I'm very excited and have a new sense of motivation because I will actually have the chance to qualify this year. I was thinking about it earlier today and I thought to myself that other than the birth of my two children, this would be my biggest accomplishment. My heart and spirit want it now I have to train my body to take it.
My destiny awaits in December 2010.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Ford Island Bridge 10k race 2010
Well, I had two goals in mind today and I knew I would meet at least one of them. Keep my pace under 9, preferrable between 8:30-8:45, and/or run it in 52:30. Well, I met the goal pace but missed my goal time. That's okay though because I know I did my best today.
I woke up at 5am with finally a full 8.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. The past two nights I've been woken up every couple of hours by the kids for some reason or another so last night I went to bed at 8:30 and was fast asleep in a matter of minutes. I woke up with a positive mindset and refreshed. It was rainy and a little cool out before the race started but the rained stopped and the weather was beautiful but a little windy. Before I got out of the car I prayed for strength, endurance, and courage to fight and push myself.
I started up in the front of the pack with the elites just to find my own road and I did and it was great! I stayed focused and ran my own race. I held my 8:30-8:45 pace for 98% of the run. I got slowed a little when we hit the runway due to wind but not too much, only to about a 9:09 but I got myself back under that in no time. I lost time again going back across the bridge from wind and pushing up the hill and slowed to a 9:44 at one point. I was not happy about that at all but made sure to pick the pace back up once I got to the top and had some downhill slope. Once I rounded the turn for the finish line I just went as fast as I could trying to avoid any dips or holes in the ground.
Garmin time was 53:55, not sure of chip time yet. I bet my time from last year by 2 minutes 51 seconds. It was a good day and a good race. Next up for me in a 5k in May then a half marathon in June.
My overall pace was 30 seconds faster than last year. Training is paying off! Now to train harder.
Lap 1: 8:37
Lap 2: 8:35
Lap 3: 8:42
Lap 4: 8:46(wind runway)
Lap 5: 8:51
Lap 6: 9:02 (bridge/wind)
Lap 7: .2 miles 7:53
I live. I dream. I run.
I woke up at 5am with finally a full 8.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. The past two nights I've been woken up every couple of hours by the kids for some reason or another so last night I went to bed at 8:30 and was fast asleep in a matter of minutes. I woke up with a positive mindset and refreshed. It was rainy and a little cool out before the race started but the rained stopped and the weather was beautiful but a little windy. Before I got out of the car I prayed for strength, endurance, and courage to fight and push myself.
I started up in the front of the pack with the elites just to find my own road and I did and it was great! I stayed focused and ran my own race. I held my 8:30-8:45 pace for 98% of the run. I got slowed a little when we hit the runway due to wind but not too much, only to about a 9:09 but I got myself back under that in no time. I lost time again going back across the bridge from wind and pushing up the hill and slowed to a 9:44 at one point. I was not happy about that at all but made sure to pick the pace back up once I got to the top and had some downhill slope. Once I rounded the turn for the finish line I just went as fast as I could trying to avoid any dips or holes in the ground.
Garmin time was 53:55, not sure of chip time yet. I bet my time from last year by 2 minutes 51 seconds. It was a good day and a good race. Next up for me in a 5k in May then a half marathon in June.
My overall pace was 30 seconds faster than last year. Training is paying off! Now to train harder.
Lap 1: 8:37
Lap 2: 8:35
Lap 3: 8:42
Lap 4: 8:46(wind runway)
Lap 5: 8:51
Lap 6: 9:02 (bridge/wind)
Lap 7: .2 miles 7:53
I live. I dream. I run.
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