Newton Hills

This weekends long run was one of the best I have had in a really long time, and dare I even say ever? I am not really sure what got into me.  There are some physical factors that I could add it....

I was wearing my running shoes that I love....and not my pair that are not really good for running! When I bought my first pair I didn't really know what I was doing. Luckily I won a second pair on Fit Foodie Finds from Under Armor that I love. The shoes make the world of a difference!

I was running comm ave.  What motivation! There were so many people running and all different ages... so awesome.  This is part of the Boston Marathon route, and known to be one of the hardest parts and hardest marathons. I ran the Newton Hills to Boston College. When I started running I noticed that people volunteer their time to had out water, and sports drinks to runners training for their races. Like how awesome is that? This is the group that was doing it. Anyway... Thank you!! It saved me when I thought I couldn't go any further!!

My running path was pretty much clear.... no side walks really needed for Comm Ave. Its a one way street that goes along with comm ave.

I ate before I ran, like woke up 2 hours early just to eat! I had a 1/2 whole wheat bagel, low fat cream cheese and banana. I think it really helped!! I think equally as important to what you eat before a run is when you eat, I think that was one of my problems.




Also It was SOOOOOOOOOOOO nice out on Saturday.  Almost perfect running conditions. My Garmin says it was 46 and sunny, yeah perfection.


Newton Hills.

The Stats.

Mile 1: 9:02

Mile 2: 8:11 * I saw this after mile 2 and was like crap! That was fast! I was worried I wasted a lot of energy 

Mile 3: 8:28 

Mile 4: 8:39 

Mile 5: 8:19

Mile 6: 8:38 

Mile 7: 9:16 *Side stitch returns. I feel like this is going to be my "hit the wall mile". 

Mile 8: 8:30 

Mile 9: 8:47 

Mile 10: 8:50

Mile 11(.10): 10:00 

I am not really sure I understand the elevation charts but here it is.. Elevation gain: 428ft

So yeah, a lot better then I have been doing! This Saturday I have a 10k. I hope to get a personal record. This weekend I set a PR for 10k my running it in 53.12. I been hoping to break the 55 mark for awhile now. I am not sure If I will be able to beat that, but always can try right? I also beat my personal record of a 5K with this run, and ran 5k in 26:09. 

Goals: PR in 10K and get under 26 minutes in a 5K. 

Revised Training...

I am not really sure I what I was thinking when I put that plan together ha-ha... That would be WAY to hard to maintain. I think when I put it together... I was thinking... When am I going to swim? So I had to include it in there... weirdo.

I revised my training plan a bit and here it is....

Its its basically what the Hal Higdon Training program recommends here and here. I just made two modifications. One I really like my body sculpt class in the morning so I am keeping that on Thursday and Sunday mornings! I decided I can swim some Saturdays instead of my class and some Wednesdays instead of my run if I feel like it.

I am also going to need to be flexible. If the weather calls for a beautiful Saturday and a like -2 degree Sunday I am going to flip my long run to Saturday and do a swim on Sunday instead. I also changed what I would for a run on Thursdays. Doing a 5 mile run after already working out that day seems a bit extreme. When I was training for my 10k I would do a small run after I got home from work and it really fit in well! :)

So I hope it works. I would be really nervous only running 10 miles as my longest run before the race... although I am sure it would be fine. If I can run 10 miles then I probably could run 13.2! :) So I decided the plan increasing per mile by week would be best. I am also a little nervous only running over 3 miles one other day of the week. BUT if the increasing the miles each weak becomes harder then I will revisit.

I just need to trust the training! I remember while the 10k training hurt at times my body always felt ready for the next step. :)

So so far this is it.... until I change my mind again!

Only Half Crazy (for now)

So…

My friend Kensie (who I ran the Tufts Healthcare Plan for Women 10K with) signed up for a Half Marathon on April 6th. I am extremely nervous, excited and feeling good about this. 

My worries? I am thinking how am I going to train for this? The majority of my training is going be dark and cold (New England Winter). I am going to need some outdoor flashy running gear and I hope I don't wimp out training because of the weather.  My Christmas wish is quit long with outdoor running gear ;)

Then I think to myself... what is the worst that can happen? You are going to PR because it’s your first half marathon... so any time is your best. Also it’s okay if I cannot RUN it all.... I can walk. I just have to listen to my body and if I need to stop I need to stop. 

As for training programs I think I have settled on this one….

My plan is to be flexible during the weekends, which may mean sometimes missing my favorite fitness class. L BUT if the weather is going to be ridiculously better Saturday, I will do my long run Saturday… but either way it’s going to be a cold one!

Average Temperatures in Boston

January:

·        Average High: 36 Degrees

·        Average Low:  22 Degrees

February

·        Average High: 39 Degrees

·        Average Low:  25 Degrees

March

·        Average High: 45 Degrees

·        Average Low:  31 Degrees

I am excited for March. I think that is going to be one of my favorite times to run, which will be good because I have so long ass runs planned! 10, 11 and 12 miles. I have never ran longer than 6 for my 10k so this will be interesting! 

BUT I like this... and just have to keep this in mind...