I had a GREAT run this morning, and boy, did I ever need that!
I've been feeling so burnt out on running lately (two back-to-back marathon training plans will do that, I guess), that I've been dreading my runs. Today, I had six miles on the schedule, and I really didn't want to do it. The treadmill would have been the best option for my knee, but I just couldn't stand the thought of running on it today.
It was freezing cold out this morning (in the high 30's!) so I wore my Under Armour Cold Gear running tights for the first time this season. I also wore a long-sleeved tech shirt. I decided that my main goal for today's run would be to run a consistent pace by feel (without looking at my Garmin). I didn't care whether my pace was fast or slow, I just wanted it to be consistent.
So I pressed the start button on my Garmin and didn't look at it again until I arrived back at my house over six miles later. When I started running, I just tried to take the focus off of running and let my mind wander, and hopefully forget I was running. I was listening to the Half Size Me podcast, and I ran on the shoulder of a pretty busy road.
I normally look at my Garmin every mile, when it beeps to signal a mile-split. Then I either speed up or slow down to try and hit my target pace. You can usually see the ups and downs on my pace chart. Today, I was tempted to sneak a peek, but I never did. I also usually pick up my pace the last half-mile or so, to finish strong. Today, I could feel myself trying to do that, but I was really trying to focus on NOT doing it. It was hard!
Before looking at my Garmin, I decided to try and guess what my overall average pace was--I guessed it was about a 10:35/mi pace. I was surprised to see that I was actually running a 10:09/mi pace, so I was running faster than I thought I was (I will have to be careful about this during the marathon, so I don't go out too fast).
Even more surprising to me were my splits--they were VERY consistent!
I went a little too fast on the last mile, but it was hard not to. Other than that, I did awesome at maintaining a consistent pace!
The best part about today's run, however, was how good it FELT. My legs felt good, my lungs felt good, I wasn't tired or achy or anything like that. I just felt really, really good. I am hoping and praying that I feel like that on the 21st!
I don't have a specific time goal for the marathon, but I really want to finish in under five hours.
That would be a pace of 11:27/mi. Since I've been training at a 10:30/mi pace, the only reason I would have any problem with a sub-5:00 time would be if I have serious problems with my knee or stomach issues, or something like that.
If I happen to be feeling good, and decided to try and run my training pace of 10:30/mi, my time would look like this:
A finish time of 4:35:00. I highly doubt I'm going to want to run that pace, however. I'm SUPER excited to run with Rik, and I would much rather run slowly and be able to chat than run faster to get a better finish time. I just want to enjoy it, because I'll never be doing this distance again ;)
A couple of people have asked me recently what I wear to run in when it's cold outside. I've mentioned my Under Armour Cold Gear compression tights (there is a link on my Favorite Things page). When it's cold, but not freezing cold (like in the high 30's, and 40's), I wear a long-sleeved tech shirt (I have a couple of long-sleeved race shirts). If it's really cold, like low 30's and below, I wear a tech shirt with a fleece jacket over it, plus those cheap $1 knit gloves and a headband for my ears.
With the exception of my Under Armour compression bottoms (capris or pants), I'm not picky about brands. Any old brand will do.
I got my Halloween costume finished today. I'm not thrilled with it, but it will work. At least I hope so, because I put a lot of work into it today! I went to Hobby Lobby to pick up something for my costume, and I saw Renee in there--she was also picking up something for her costume! I'm excited for Winers on Friday--it's been a long time since I went to a Winers meeting.
I've been feeling so burnt out on running lately (two back-to-back marathon training plans will do that, I guess), that I've been dreading my runs. Today, I had six miles on the schedule, and I really didn't want to do it. The treadmill would have been the best option for my knee, but I just couldn't stand the thought of running on it today.
It was freezing cold out this morning (in the high 30's!) so I wore my Under Armour Cold Gear running tights for the first time this season. I also wore a long-sleeved tech shirt. I decided that my main goal for today's run would be to run a consistent pace by feel (without looking at my Garmin). I didn't care whether my pace was fast or slow, I just wanted it to be consistent.
So I pressed the start button on my Garmin and didn't look at it again until I arrived back at my house over six miles later. When I started running, I just tried to take the focus off of running and let my mind wander, and hopefully forget I was running. I was listening to the Half Size Me podcast, and I ran on the shoulder of a pretty busy road.
I normally look at my Garmin every mile, when it beeps to signal a mile-split. Then I either speed up or slow down to try and hit my target pace. You can usually see the ups and downs on my pace chart. Today, I was tempted to sneak a peek, but I never did. I also usually pick up my pace the last half-mile or so, to finish strong. Today, I could feel myself trying to do that, but I was really trying to focus on NOT doing it. It was hard!
Before looking at my Garmin, I decided to try and guess what my overall average pace was--I guessed it was about a 10:35/mi pace. I was surprised to see that I was actually running a 10:09/mi pace, so I was running faster than I thought I was (I will have to be careful about this during the marathon, so I don't go out too fast).
Even more surprising to me were my splits--they were VERY consistent!
The best part about today's run, however, was how good it FELT. My legs felt good, my lungs felt good, I wasn't tired or achy or anything like that. I just felt really, really good. I am hoping and praying that I feel like that on the 21st!
I don't have a specific time goal for the marathon, but I really want to finish in under five hours.
If I happen to be feeling good, and decided to try and run my training pace of 10:30/mi, my time would look like this:
A couple of people have asked me recently what I wear to run in when it's cold outside. I've mentioned my Under Armour Cold Gear compression tights (there is a link on my Favorite Things page). When it's cold, but not freezing cold (like in the high 30's, and 40's), I wear a long-sleeved tech shirt (I have a couple of long-sleeved race shirts). If it's really cold, like low 30's and below, I wear a tech shirt with a fleece jacket over it, plus those cheap $1 knit gloves and a headband for my ears.
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| Under Armour Cold Gear compression tights, long-sleeved tech shirt plus fleece jacket, ear warmer and (I did have) gloves |
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| My favorite part about running in the cold--no need for a hydration belt! |
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| When it's cold, but not UBER cold, I wear my compression capris or pants, plus a long-sleeved tech shirt, and possibly a headband (I'm pointing at bird poop, in case you're wondering) |
With the exception of my Under Armour compression bottoms (capris or pants), I'm not picky about brands. Any old brand will do.
I got my Halloween costume finished today. I'm not thrilled with it, but it will work. At least I hope so, because I put a lot of work into it today! I went to Hobby Lobby to pick up something for my costume, and I saw Renee in there--she was also picking up something for her costume! I'm excited for Winers on Friday--it's been a long time since I went to a Winers meeting.
