Half Marathon

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Monday Goals & I’m on Break!

Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 23 miles. I did   23 miles! Yay!
I won a giveaway – an iPod Shuffle

This week’s schedule: (off all week)
Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Wed – tennis party
Thurs – movie w/friend
Fri – tennis, New year’s eve in LG
Sat – New Year’s in LG

Monday am - 14" snow

This week’s running:
Tues– 4 miles 
Wed – 5 miles 
Fri – 4  miles 
Sun – 12 miles?? New Month & New Year!

Weekly Running Goal = 25 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running! Did you get any snow??

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Why does it get harder?

Two weeks ago, I ran 10 miles – my first non-stop long run.  It took me about 1 hr 50 minutes – 11 min pace.  It was sunny & 40 degrees. I felt great afterwards.

Today, I went for a 11 mile run and it was horrible – it felt like 26.2!!! I was dragging… I felt like I would die!  It took me about 2 hrs 20 minutes…everything ached!! It was cloudy, 19 degrees & windy! I was wearing my new sneakers.

What gives?

My half marathon is in 3 weeks so that means 1 more long run and then taper.

I know I can walk & finish the half but you have to complete it in 2:45 in order to get a finisher medal – that’s 12:35 pace.

Today’s run won’t do!!

On a brighter note:

Christmas was good.  My hubby & I went to the movies Christmas Eve.  We saw True Grit – the remake was pretty good.

True Grit

I spent Christmas  morning with my mentee & her son exchanging gifts.

Richard & his new race car set

Then we went to Lake George in the afternoon. We had dinner, watched old movies, played pool…always a fun time!

 
dinner with the lg gang

 
me & my hubby

Our gifts were supposed to be our trip to Florida – my hubby visiting his sister & me to Naples for the HM. But he didn’t listen, he got me:

It’s the Garmin Forerunner 110.  If I were to get one, I would get the Forerunner 205 (or 305 or 405). He isn’t a runner and had no idea.  I’m going to return it.  It’s the thought that counts!!!

Happy Running! Hope your Christmas was Merry!

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Racing Advice

Lesley from Racing It Off was recently a featured runner on Run, Courtney, Run’s blog.  This piece of advice will hopefully help me complete my first half marathon.

She was asked: What is the best piece of running advice you ever received?

She responded: If you don’t think you can go that far, then slow down.  With many of my friends that start, it seems they are sometimes afraid of being too slow.  Being able to maintain a 13 or 14 min/mile for 3 miles is way more satisfying ultimately than only being able to get through ½ mile at 11 or 12 min/mile..

So today when I was running on the dreaded treadmill, every time, I wanted to quit, I just slowed it down for a while and then sped up and continued.  So it took me 50 minutes to run 4 miles…better than only 2 miles at a faster pace.

Now I know that during a 5k race, this won’t happen.  I am too competitive.  But during my first Half Marathon, a distance that I don’t know if I can complete, I will run SLOW and walk OFTEN.  My pace won’t matter.  I WANT TO FINISH!!

Finishing=Winning!

On another note, today is my last day of work until Jan. 3, 2011!!! I am home blogging because we have a power failure won’t open til noon!!! YAY!!!

I plan to run outside (if possible) and continue my Half Marathon training, play tennis, read, go to the movies, shop….(Pretend that I am retired!!!)

Happy Running! Today is the last day for my giveaway!!!

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Brain Exchange #23 & Monday Goals

This week’s question:  Write a poem (any kind works) that sums up your 2010 year of racing. 

Answer:

There once was a runner named Darlene
     Who at every 5k race could be seen.
            Then she started to wonder
     If at longer runs she would blunder.
            So she signed up for a 10k
     But that day she did not feel ok.
Give up, she did not
And PRed at a Turkey Trot.
Now her goal for 2011:
Run a Half at age 57!!

Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 22 miles. I did   22 miles! Yay!
I ran a 5K. (under 30 minutes!)

This week’s schedule:
Mon – tennis
Tues – tennis
Thurs – off from work
Fri – off from work, tennis, mah jongg
Sat – Xmas in LG

This week’s running:
Wed – 4 miles  after work
Thurs – 4 miles
Fri – 4 miles 
Sun – 11 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 23 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

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Gift & Card Exchange and Half Marathon Training Updates

I got this charm in the mail.  I assume it’s from my secret buddy on Run with Jill’s Blogger Gift Exchange.  I don’t who it is…but a sincere THANK YOU.  I love it!!

My secret buddy will get hers soon.  I promise to mail it tomorrow!!

I mailed cards to my 3 matches in Finishing is Winning’s  Blogger Card Exchange.  So far, I have received one.

Update:

wk 1 – 18 miles – long run – 8
wk 2 – 21 miles – long run – 9
wk 3 – 11 miles – long run – 8 (strained quads)
wk 4 – 12 miles – long run – 3 (on vacation)
wk 5 – 18 miles – long run – 8.5
wk 6 – 21 miles – long run – 9
wk 7 – 21 miles – long run – 10 * (without stopping)
wk 8 – 22 miles – long run – 9 * (without stopping)

Today’s long run was after a 5k race last nite.  I was tired.  The first 4.5 were fine but then I was dragging & walked off and on during  the last 4.5.

So……FOUR WEEKS TO GO!!! 

Happy Running! Don’t forget my giveaway that ends 12/22!

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Brain Exchange #22 and Monday Goals

This week’s question: Tell readers about your 2010 Best and Worst races.  What made them so great or not so great?

Answer:

Best race(s)- There are several.  My Thankgiving Turkey Trot was one because it was a 5k PR – 27:12 and it was so unexpected!! Another favorite was the Freihofer Race for Women because I was part of a group of 1st time racers and it was so exciting to train with them and see them do the race. I also enjoyed the Silks & Satins 5K because I met fellow bloggert, AJH. Of course, I loved winning lst place in my age group at the Veteran’s Day 5k. Lastly, the Home Run 5k because I met Mary who I’ve raced with several times since and has become my biggest fan & she mine.

Worst race(s) – Of course, there was the Great Pumpkin 10K that didn’t happen because I got sick & ended up in the ER. It was going to be my first long distance race. Most of my races have been good experiences in some way, even if I didn’t do my best.



Recap of  last week:
My weekly goal was 21 miles. I did   21 miles! Yay!
I ran 10 miles which is my longest EVER!
I am hosting my first GIVEAWAY!!

This week’s schedule:
Mon – lights in the park w/A & R
Tues – tennis
Wed – b-day dinner w/bf
Thurs – hair appt
Fri  –mah jongg
Sat – R’s b-day party

This week’s running:
Mon– 3 miles before work
Wed – 3 miles before work
Thurs – 4 miles before work
Sat– 5K race (5pm)
Sun – 9 miles

Weekly Running Goal = 22 miles
December Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a 5k race, half marathon training schedule

Yearly Running Goal = 300 miles ( I passed it, New Goal is 600 and I passed it too!!!!)

Happy Running!

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My First (Marathon) Giveaway

Training for a Half  Marathon is so overwhelming that I am sure I will not run a Marathon ever!!  So…

Instead I am hosting my FIRST (Marathon) Giveaway!

One lucky blogger will win:

this BONDI BAND

this LIFT YOUR SOLE Necklace

3 packages of GU

this TRAINING TAG-ALONG

this RACES2REMEMBER Grace Band

To win all of the above, here’s what to do:

Mandatory-

  • Subscribe by Email or Follow the Feed to my My First 5K  Blog (+1 comment)
  • Tell me why you want to win this giveaway. (+1 comment)

Extra Credit –

  • Like  My First 5K in FaceBook (+1 comment)
  • List my blog on your Blogroll (+1 comment)
  • Like BondiBand on FaceBook (+1 comment)
  • Like Gu on FB (+1 comment)
  • Like Lift Your Soul on FB  (+1 comment)
  • Like  Races2Remember on FB (+1 comment)
  • Share this giveaway on your blog, Twitter and/or FaceBook (+1 comment for each)

Deadline is Dec. 22. Winner will be announced on Dec 23. 

Happy Running and Good Luck!

 

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This Week’s Lucky Number is 21!

Amanda turns 21

If you’ve read my blog, you know that I mentor a young mom named Amanda. She’ll dealing with a lot of issues related to her job, her  family, money, etc but last night I tried to make her 21st birthday special and took her out to dinner at The Melting Pot.

Amanda, me & Hannah enjoying our chocolate fondue dessert

This week I ran

21 miles!

3 miles on Monday, 4 miles on Tuesday, 4 miles on Thursday and

10 miles today!!

In addition to being the farthest I’ve ever run, it’s the first of my long weekend runs that I’ve done without stopping in the middle.

This week has been extremely cold.  During Thursday’s after work run, it was 15 degrees (0 with the wind chill) and even with my layers, I was freezing for the first half (my fingers were numb!)

Today it was sunny & a balmy 40 degrees.  I wore my cheap Walmarts compression socks under tights, a turtleneck, fleece, hat, and was too warm to wear my gloves. I drank water before I left and carried gummy bears in my pocket so I would not have to stop.

I decided to chunk my run into four 2.5 mile segments so it wouldn’t seem so daunting. Also my Ipod/Nike plus seems to die after 3 miles.

It worked well. I left my car at work and ran my usual route (on the sidewalks) that it is flat.  At 2mi, I took a right turn and this was the worst part.  It was very hilly and steep hills (so I walked here) but eventually I turned right and it was flat again for the rest of the way.

I ran past the park (where there was the tulip fest in May) where I’ll be racing next Sat. and then turned left where there was a  race earlier (see photo below) and a crafts fest (Winter WonderLARK on Lark Street).

Santa Speed Sprint this am

Darn!  I should have left my house earlier.  I stopped and turned around at 5 miles and headed back the same way.


They were offering free trolley rides today around the city. When I saw it,  I was tempted .

Again, the street with the hills slowed me down and I switched from the sidewalks to the road during the last 2 miles.  (That concrete is hard on the feet!)

 And I survived…it took me roughly 1 hr 50 but I didn’t stop my ipod when waiting to cross the street.  That’s a 11 mile pace which is my target for my first half marathon..

5 weeks from tomorrow!!!

Happy Running!

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3 Things Thursday

  1.           I found this quote in the December FleetFeet newsletter:

    2. “You’ve got to have goals in life or you wither away.
    It’s no disgrace to fail, only not to try.”  – — Jon Mendes Age 90, on his plan to run/walk the 2010 NYC Marathon

    Need I say more…

  2. I definitely HATE the treadmill.  It’s so stuffy in the gym and I run so slow, it takes forever.  I also am not motivated to not walk when I get tired.  SO my plan is to get up early and run outside before work.  But if I can’t (or it rains like yesteray), I’ll have to do the dreadmill after work.
  3. Tomorrow is a rest day because I have a 5K on Saturday – the Jingle Bell Run which I did last year.  It’s The Happy Runner’s return to running after having a baby – YAY!  The problem is that I signed up before I was training for a half.  What do I do?  Do the 5k and then add 6 more miles??

Happy Running! It’s snowing on my Blog!

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Hanukkah & the Half

As I said in my previous post, this was my Hanukkah present to myself.  I used my USAir miles to book a flight into Ft Myers, Fla. after work on Jan 14.  I booked a motel near the race. (They even gave me $10 off per night when I mentioned I was running the race.)

My hubby’s sister now lives in Florida and he’s never visited her.  A former co-worker of his lives there  and one of our LG friends will be there at that time.  I always go on vacations and my hubby never does.  He doesn’t complain because he prefers to stay home & relax.  I, on the other hand, am always on the go and LOVE to TRAVEL.

For his Xmas gift, I booked him a flight to Florida on Jan 10 and rented him a car. He will visit his sister & friends, go deep sea fishing, etc and then pick me up at the airport on Jan 14. 

We will stay in Naples together until Jan 18 (I have Jan 17 off).  He can watch me in the  race and I can show him around my favorite spots in Naples (where I been 7x).

CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!

I’ve cheated a little.  I’ve actually been secretly training.  I am on week 6 of the schedule below.  I started the day after my 10K fiasco.  It may sound crazy that I’ve never run more than a 5k race and I’m training for 13.1 miles.  So be it!

I am making changes as needed.  I have to fit running in around tennis, work, and other activities.  So I am trying to run 3x a week plus one long run on the weekend. Cross-training will probably be tennis or walking.

HALF MARATHON TRAINING
 Week MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN Total
1 3 Cross
Train		 3 3 Cross Train 7 REST 16
2 3 Cross
Train		 4 4 Cross
Train		 7 REST 18
3 3 Cross
Train		 4 3 Cross
Train		 8 REST 18
4 3 Cross
Train		 4 4 Cross
Train		 8 REST 19
5 3 Cross
Train		 4 4 Cross
Train		 9 REST 20
6 3 Cross
Train		 5 4 Cross
Train		 9 REST 21
7 3 Cross
Train		 5 4 Cross-Train 10 REST 22
8 3 Cross
Train		 5 4 Cross
Train		 11 REST 23
9 3 Cross
Train		 5 4 Cross
Train		 12 REST 24
10 3 Cross
Train		 6 4 Cross
Train		 13 REST 26
11 3 Cross
Train		 6 4 Cross
Train		 8 REST 21
12 3 Cross-Train Rest 3 Cross
Train		 Rest RACE DAY!  

I’ve gotten some good tips from this site:  http://www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html

Happy Running! Happy Hanukkah!