Somerset Stampede Half Marathon Results

This was my second time running this race. I completely forgot how difficult this course truly is! Picture 13.1 miles of never ending rolling hills and you've got the Somerset Stampede half. Although, it is difficult, it's one of my favorites! It is a smaller race as I think most run the 5K.

I earned a new half marathon PR. It's nothing to write home about, but a PR nonetheless. I was 3 seconds away from breaking 1:40 too. oh well, I am not beating myself up over it. My time last year on this course was 1:46 and some change!! So to run this over 6 minute faster, I'll take it.

Finish Time: 1:40:02
Pace: 7:38
2nd out of 12 in my age group
3rd female overall
21st out of 134 overall

They actually had people out on the course taking pictures this year. I look forward to their web site being updated with them so I can score a couple and add them to this post.

Completed; Week 12 of Chicago Marathon Training

Another great week! I really owe a huge thank you to my blog friends and my dad. You have all had a hand in helping me get my head and my training where it needs to be. Thank you!

This was cut back week, so after running over 44 miles last week, I was only scheduled to do 36.

Here is how the weeks training went....

Monday Scheduled: 5 mile run
Monday Actual: 5 mile run, 40:05 8:01 pace

Tuesday Scheduled: 5 mile run
Tuesday Actual: 5.41 mile run 41:36 7:42 pace, P90X legs, P90X ab ripper X

Wednesday Scheduled: 5 mile run
Wednesday Actual: 5 mile run, 41:44 8:20 pace, core work, push ups 2 x 15

Thursday Scheduled: Rest
Thursday Actual: 8.11 mile run, 1:04:21 7:56 pace, upper body weights

Friday Scheduled: 8 mile pace run
Friday Actual: Rest

Saturday Scheduled: 13 mile run
Saturday Actual: Somerset Stampede Half Marathon, 1:40:02 7:38 pace

Sunday Scheduled: cross train
Sunday Actual: 30 minute stationary bike, weights for back, core work

Scheduled Miles: 36 miles
Actual Mileage: 36.64 miles
Weight: 122lbs

Completed; Week 11 of Chicago Marathon Training

Well, after having a small pity party I ended up having an awesome 18 mile run! It was not the pace, but how I felt mentally that made it go great. What an awesome way to finish off the week. 11 weeks down, 7 more to go. Bring it on!!

Monday Scheduled: 5 mile run
Monday Actual: 8 mile run 1:09:59 8:36 pace

Tuesday Scheduled: 8 mile run
Tuesday Actual: 5 mile run 40:48 8:11 pace, upper body lifting

Wednesday Scheduled: 5 mile run
Wednesday Actual: 8.12 mile run 1:05:51 8:07 pace, push ups 1 x 20

Thursday Scheduled: Rest
Thursday Actual: 5 mile run 41:08 8:13 pace, push ups 3 x 15

Friday Scheduled: 8 mile pace run
Friday Actual: Rest

Saturday Scheduled: 18 mile run
Saturday Actual: 18.12 mile run 2:34:01 8:30 pace - the strongest I felt (mentally) in a long time! I ignored my pace and paid attention to how I felt. I truly enjoyed this long run! and it rained which was an added bonus!

Sunday Scheduled: cross train
Sunday Actual: upper body lifting, push ups 3 x 15, core work

Scheduled Mileage: 44 miles
Actual Mileage: 44.24 miles
Weight: ?

Thank you blog friends!

After having a small pity party last week, I just want to thank you all for your words of encouragement and advice. After reading your responses and having a long conversation with my dad, I am ready to put everything to use and tackle these next 7 weeks of training! I had a wonderful 18 mile run on Saturday. I made sure to pay attention to slowing down my pace and focusing on how I feel rather then how fast I was running.

I am going to use the McMillian running calculator to base some of my speed work times and going to hit the track! Hopefully these changes will help me meet my goal and stay positive for the rest of my marathon training.

Thanks again everyone!!

Completed; Week 10 of Chicago Marathon training

I am obviously behind on updating my weekly work outs. Unfortunately, I am almost embarrassed to document my times. I am not sure what is going on with me, but I feel like I am stuck in a rut that I can't seem to get out of. My pace has been so slow and it's really taking a toll on my mentally. I am not sure what I can do differently to A. make my long runs faster and B. stop the pity party and start telling myself I can do this. Any advice would be appreciated.

Here is how last weeks training went.

Monday Scheduled: 4 mile run
Monday Actual: 4.5 mile run 35:48 7:57 pace, P90X Core Synergesistics & Ab Ripper

Tuesday Scheduled: 8 mile run
Tuesday Actual: 8.06 mile run 1:05:34 8:06 pace

Wednesday Scheduled: 4 mile run
Wednesday Actual: 4 mile run 32:45 8:11 pace, P90X shoulders/chest/triceps

Thursday Scheduled: Rest
Thursday Actual: 8.07 mile run 1:07:42 8:23 pace - an awful run; heavy legs and stomach issues

Friday Scheduled: 8 mile pace run
Friday Actual: Rest

Saturday Scheduled: 17 mile run
Saturday Actual: 17 mile run 2:28:06 8:43 pace - again, another awful run. it was slow and painful and I lost my fuel belt gel flask :-( It's paces like this that I really getting me down.

Sunday Scheduled: cross train
Sunday Actual: lots of walking and stair climbing at the Nascar race

Scheduled Mileage: 41 miles
Actual Mileage: 41.67 miles
Weight: 121lbs

A Touching Event

I know it's months away, but I am really looking forward to running this race. All proceeds will be donated to Dolores & Harrison Hensley to purchase a wheel chair assessable minivan for Dolores.

Dolores is my aunt. My great aunt to be exact. My dad's aunt and uncle.

Unc (that is what we call him) used to run races almost every weekend, sometimes 2! Not only that, he put on the famous Run Thru Hell in Pinckney, MI which lasted many, many years. That is, until my aunt Dolores had a stroke. Now it's been 2 years since the last Run Thru Hell and it's been over a year since my Unc has ran. This is a man in his late 70's, ran numerous marathons including Boston, etc...

After 2 years of not having this famous race, someone decided to take this on and make it a one time event to help out two of some of the most dedicated people involved in the Michigan running community.

I really, really look forward to this. And I am hoping they have a turn out better then any of the Run Thru Hell races Unc put on!

http://www.runningfoundation.com/Run_Thru_Hell_Halloween.html
If you have been a runner in Michigan for the last several years then you
undoubtedly know or have seen Dolores and Harrison Hensley. They put on
the Run Thru Hell Race for many years which was a quality event that
thousand of runners competed in. They would also travel to races every
weekend and even go to mid week races. Dolores would help with
registration and work the finish chute and Harrison would take with him entry
forms from hundreds of races so runners could look through them and take
the forms home. They were very active and important people in the Michigan
running community. This all came to end in November of 2008 when Dolores
suffered a stroke. Now these once active and vibrant people are confined to
their house. They miss seeing all the runners every weekend and we miss
seeing their smiles and all the help they brought to the race.
This race is for them. This is a one time race that will not be held again. The
entire entry fee will go to the purchase of a wheelchair assessable minivan
so Dolores and Harrison can once again go to the races.

Run Clark Lake 12K Results

Saturday I ran my first 12K race. I've ran this distance many times but I have never raced it. We had perfect weather! Sunny, yet some what cool and no humidity! The course was a loop around beautiful Clark Lake. It took you on to roads, down dirt roads and through the neighborhood surrounding the lake. It had some large hills, which I was not expecting at all, but was a bonus as I like tackling them for a good work out.

I ended up finishing in 3rd place in my age group! I really think I could have finished quicker as I still had some gas left in the tank. I was good about not pushing myself too hard at this race. I wanted to run this race hard but make sure to keep focus on form & breathing. Now I wish I would have pushed a little but harder. Oh well, I am still satisfied with my time.

DH ran the 5K race at this event. This was his first race he has ever run. He finished the 5K in 24:08 with a 7:47 pace!! He placed 4th out of 12 in his age group! He's now thinking of another 5K he can run. He won't make it a habit though. He said he will run two 5K's each summer but refuses to take his focus off weight training/ body building.

There were some really fast runners at this event! Several course records were broke, the MSU track & field team were there, there was a girl who will be at the Olympic trials for the marathon event and there was a guy who set a course record & won his age group who had a small piece on him in the newest addition of RW!!

Here are a couple pictures of me with my award!





Official Results-

Finish Time: 56:05
Pace: 7:31
Age Group Place: 3/15
Overall Place: ?

Completed; Week 9 of Chicago Marathon Training

This week, I learned that I enjoy getting my training runs in before work. So I started waking up at 5am to run. It's nice having my evenings free or using that extra time for strength training and core work!

Monday Scheduled: 4 mile run
Monday Actual: cross train; 40 minutes elliptical intervals, weights for back

Tuesday Scheduled: 5 mile run
Tuesday Actual: 4.78 mile run 37:07 7:46 pace, P90X Ab Ripper

Wednesday Scheduled: 4 mile run
Wednesday Actual: 6 mile run 49:05 8:10 pace, P90X Shoulders & Arms

Thursday Scheduled: Rest
Thursday Actual: 7 mile run 58:15 8:19 pace, push ups 3 x 20

Friday Scheduled: 7 mile pace run
Friday Actual: Rest

Saturday Scheduled: 11 mile run
Saturday Actual: 12K (7.46 miles) race 56:05 7:31 pace, 3rd out of 15 in age group

Sunday Scheduled: cross train
Sunday Actual: 6.10 mile run 50:35 8:17 pace

Scheduled Mileage: 31 miles
Actual Mileage: 31.34 miles
Weight: ?

Giving Back!

After 3 years of running races, I have yet to volunteer at one. That is about to change.

Exactly 1 week to the day after I run the Chicago Marathon, I will be volunteering at the Detroit Marathon. Not only that, but my job is the coolest. I get to stand at the finish line handing out finishers medals! I am really excited to do this. Not only will I be seeing the winner cross the finish line, but I get to congratulate all those that put in the hard work, dedication and training it takes to run 26.2 miles. I have a feeling it will be a very emotional experience.

http://www.freepmarathon.com/

Completed: Week 8 of Chicago Marathon Training

Last week was pretty hectic. I was traveling for work 4 days and had to squeeze in my running when not at our work convention or dinners. Thankfully, I was able to meet my required mileage for the week!

Monday Scheduled: 4 mile run
Monday Actual: 6 mile run on the treadmill, 49:00 8:10 pace

Tuesday Scheduled: 7 mile run
Tuesday Actual: P90X Ab Ripper, push ups 2 x 15

Wednesday Scheduled: 4 mile run
Wednesday Actual: 5.34 mile run in downtown Charlotte, 44:00 8:14 pace - WOW is it humid and hot in Charlotte, NC!!

Thursday Scheduled: Rest
Thursday Actual: 6.16 mile run in downtown Charlotte, 53:12 8:38 pace

Friday Scheduled: 7 mile pace run
Friday Actual: None-rest day, traveled home from NC

Saturday Scheduled: 15 mile run
Saturday Actual: 5 mile run on treadmill, push ups 3 x 15, upper body lifting

Sunday Scheduled: cross train
Sunday Actual: 15.26 mile run 2:09:46 8:30 pace - not happy with my pace at all! I was shooting for 8:20 or better.

Scheduled Mileage: 37 miles
Actual Mileage: 37.76 miles
Weight: 121lbs