Your longest run since when???

Wow, 2 posts in one day. I am on a roll!

Tomorrow morning is supposed to be 36 degrees. That is like a heat wave! Since it will be so warm (for us Michiganders) I plan on taking advantage of that. I have mapped out my longest run since the marathon on October 18th, 2009.

I will be running 10.10 miles.

Am I worried? Nope. Not at all. Excited? Absolutely! Seeing that I have not had any long runs since October, it makes me disappointed in myself. I am so glad my racing season is about to start. Running will be my #1 priority! And long distance running won't be a thing of the past.

Slow and steady, or crawling?

Not sure which to use on last nights first 2.5 miles of my 6.10 mile run.

The husband decided he wanted to run with me. Great!! I had a reason to run at a slower pace then I would had I went out on my own. I was actually looking forward to 'slacking off'. That is, until we got out on the pavement. OMG, seriously? This slow? I let the husband pace us since we both know I am the faster runner. He hates when we run together and I just take off. Staying with him for 2.5 miles was torture. I tried to be sympathetic since I knew his shins were bothering him, but I still ended up going ahead of him and then slowing back down for him to catch up. At 2.5 miles he cut it short and headed home and I continued on at a much faster pace for another 3.5 miles.

I start half marathon training on the 1st. I am using the intermediate program and super excited about it. I will make sure that the husband is only allowed to come with me on easy run days!!!

5 refreshing miles!

That sums up my run last night. I have been, what you could call, a baby when it comes to the cold. I have not run outdoors since November 26th. All of my running has been indoors on the track or treadmill at the stuffy gym. That is, until last night. I headed out right after work and boy am I ever glad that I did. it felt great to have the cool air on my skin and in my lungs. I carried my mace with me, just in case. I am not a big fan of running outside in the dark by myself. but last night I could have kept going, and going, and going! I stopped at 5 miles though. I didn't pace myself, but I know by looking at the clock before heading out and when I returned, I had an estimated 8 minute mile.

I can't wait to head back outside for a run tomorrow and Saturday morning!

Weekly Exercise

I am so happy I have this running log. It proves that although I've been active almost daily, my running has not been my top priority. So starting this week, I will be increasing my mileage and putting strength training back to the number 2 position.

Here is how the week went.

Monday: abs on balance ball, push ups
Tuesday: 35 mins AMT intervals at 20% and 5%, weights for shoulders, push ups
Wednesday: 6 mile run; 4 on TM, 2 on track
Thursday: 3 mile run on TM, leg exercises
Friday: rest day
Saturday: weights for biceps & triceps, abs, 1.5 mile run on track
Sunday: weights for shoulders & back, 2 mile run on track

Total Mileage: 12.5
Weight: 119.8lbs (I gained 1lb since last Sundays weigh in)

Du Review!

I decided that I am going to train for a duathlon that takes place on May 2nd. My dad is going to let me borrow his old racing bike since he has a brand new one. Today I went to the gym and had my own mini duathlon to see what it feels like. I ran 2 miles on the track, biked 8 miles on the stationary bike and ran 2 miles on the track. I felt good and really enjoyed the work out. I did end up having some knee pain though when transitioning from the bike to the run. I don't think it was caused from the bike though. I have experienced this pain over the past couple weeks when I run. I am going to see a sport medicine doctor about it since I soon begin training for my first trail half marathon. I won't stop with my running, but I may need to slow down the pace in the meantime.

Here is this weeks exercise results (it's much easier to keep track now that I have my daily running & exercise log book):

Monday: rest day
Tuesday: 5.5 mile run; 4 miles on TM, 1.5 miles on track
Wednesday: weights for shoulders, 35 minutes AMT intervals at 18% and 4%
Thursday: 5.5 mile run on TM
Friday: weights for chest, back & shoulders, 30 minutes stationary bike
Saturday: weights for biceps & triceps, abs, 3 mile run on track
Sunday: mini duathlon; 2 mile run on track, 8 miles on stationary bike, 2 mile run on track

Total Mileage: 18 miles
Weight: 118.6 lbs

2010 Races

February 7th: Riverview Winter Fest 4 mile race
April 25th: Trail half marathon
May: Willow Duathlon
June: ? hopefully a half marathon
July: ? hopefully a half marathon or possibly Clark lake Du if I enjoy the May one
August 1st: Chicago Rock & Roll Half
August 21st: Somerset Stampede Half
September: ?
October 10th: Chicago marahton?
October 17th: Detroit Half
November 25th: Detroit Turkey Trot 10K

Not to marathon is the answer.

I am just not mentally prepared to take on marathon training for a May marathon. I have my first trail half on April 25th and my first Duathlon on May 1st. I will find a half to run in June, July and have plans to run the Rock & Roll half in Chicago on August 1st and the Chicago marathon in October. That gives me until June to mentally prepare myself to take on marathon training and plenty of halfs to work on speed.