Because I ran 8 miles Monday and 7 miles yesterday, I decided to make today a rest day. Then tomorrow and Saturday would also be rest days before the 10-K race on Sunday, giving me 3 whole days off! However, I was reading my new Runner's World magazine this morning, and it said that when tapering for a 10-K, you should do one last interval run when you are 3 days out from the race. Since I am 3 days out, I figured I should just do it. Then truly rest Friday and Saturday.
The magazine said I should do 2-3 800m repeats with 400m-800m recovery in-between (which means run 1/2 mile at race pace--for me, that means about 8:50/mile--then jog lightly for 1/4 mile... and repeat this 1-2 more times). I decided to do 3 repeats, and add on a warm-up and cool-down.
I have no idea why, but I was SO nervous! I felt nervous like I was going to race or something. I ran very lightly for 1/4 mile, then fast for the first 1/2 mile interval--turns out it was too fast. I kept glancing at the Garmin and seeing 7:xx/mi, and I needed to be seeing 8:50ish per mile. I find it so hard to find and maintain a steady pace. I either go too fast or too slow. Anyway, when all was said and done, my "fast" interval times were:
*4:03 (8:06/mi pace)
*4:12 (8:25/mi pace)
*4:13 (8:27/mi pace)
I'm happy with those, because in order to PR on Sunday, I just have to do faster than 8:50/mile. However, I know that I cannot run that fast for 6.2 miles! I'm going to really have to focus on Sunday to go at a steady, sustainable pace.
I'm a total nervous wreck about this stupid race. I've been working so hard for 10 weeks to see if all the training really does pay off in the end. And I'm just so skeptical. I've been doing most of my running at a 10:xx/mi pace. I've never trained this way before--I've always just tried to go fast, all the time. I'm seriously thinking about just running slowly for enjoyment rather than to PR--because I'll be so disappointed if I don't PR.
I swear, between this race and the upcoming flight, I am beginning to wonder if one can die from anxiety?!
I've been meaning to post this for a while, and I keep forgetting... some of you have been asking about the Garmin and where it is now. First, it went to New York. Then it went to Quebec, Canada. And now it's on the way to Tennessee. Linda, from Frickin' Fabulous at 40, was first--and she wrote a review to share with you:
Make sure you check out Linda's blog, too! She just turned 40, and has lost over 80 pounds--seriously looking fabulous! ;)
My food log from yesterday:
Breakfast- oatmeal with banana and brown sugar; coffee
Lunch- leftover Baked Ziti
Dinner- Kielbasa and Corn Hash
Snacks- pistachios, Dove Promise, dried fruit, Ezekiel bread with almond butter
TOTAL: 1,406 calories
The magazine said I should do 2-3 800m repeats with 400m-800m recovery in-between (which means run 1/2 mile at race pace--for me, that means about 8:50/mile--then jog lightly for 1/4 mile... and repeat this 1-2 more times). I decided to do 3 repeats, and add on a warm-up and cool-down.
I have no idea why, but I was SO nervous! I felt nervous like I was going to race or something. I ran very lightly for 1/4 mile, then fast for the first 1/2 mile interval--turns out it was too fast. I kept glancing at the Garmin and seeing 7:xx/mi, and I needed to be seeing 8:50ish per mile. I find it so hard to find and maintain a steady pace. I either go too fast or too slow. Anyway, when all was said and done, my "fast" interval times were:
*4:03 (8:06/mi pace)
*4:12 (8:25/mi pace)
*4:13 (8:27/mi pace)
I'm happy with those, because in order to PR on Sunday, I just have to do faster than 8:50/mile. However, I know that I cannot run that fast for 6.2 miles! I'm going to really have to focus on Sunday to go at a steady, sustainable pace.
I'm a total nervous wreck about this stupid race. I've been working so hard for 10 weeks to see if all the training really does pay off in the end. And I'm just so skeptical. I've been doing most of my running at a 10:xx/mi pace. I've never trained this way before--I've always just tried to go fast, all the time. I'm seriously thinking about just running slowly for enjoyment rather than to PR--because I'll be so disappointed if I don't PR.
I swear, between this race and the upcoming flight, I am beginning to wonder if one can die from anxiety?!
I've been meaning to post this for a while, and I keep forgetting... some of you have been asking about the Garmin and where it is now. First, it went to New York. Then it went to Quebec, Canada. And now it's on the way to Tennessee. Linda, from Frickin' Fabulous at 40, was first--and she wrote a review to share with you:
"I was lucky enough to receive Katie's Garmin as a loaner for two weeks and I loved it right off the bat. I read over the instructions that Katie spent time writing up (brought them to the track with me) and figured things out soon enough. I did have to wait a little while for the watch to locate a satellite, but that's the only negative thing I have to say about it. Katie had it set up to monitor pace, calories, distance and time, so I left well enough alone!'G' came with me to the track, on walks with the little ones I babysit and even to see the Atlantic Ocean from Smith Point! Keeping track of my distance and pace really helped keep me motivated and it somehow made the run or walk more enjoyable. I seem to be fascinated with numbers lately, so this was right up my alley. I could walk farther or faster because of the input I was getting from the Garmin. It was so enjoyable that I decided that was going to be my 40th birthday present and so I went and bought the Forerunner 110 last week. I'm so glad I did because I wore it in the 10k I did this weekend and it totally helped me to beat the goal I had in mind! I highly recommend these gadgets to anyone looking to boost their training by increasing speed or distance. Thank you Katie for the loaner!"
 |
| 'G' on the beach in New York :) |
Make sure you check out Linda's blog, too! She just turned 40, and has lost over 80 pounds--seriously looking fabulous! ;)
My food log from yesterday:
Breakfast- oatmeal with banana and brown sugar; coffee
Lunch- leftover Baked Ziti
Dinner- Kielbasa and Corn Hash
Snacks- pistachios, Dove Promise, dried fruit, Ezekiel bread with almond butter
TOTAL: 1,406 calories
