18 miles. I've run this distance only a handful of times in the build up for the marathon. Usually feeling broken down and exhausted by the end, starting to hunch over as my form gave in, and watching the watch closely waiting for it to hit the mark so I could stop. Thinking about the fact there would be another 8.2 miles to make it to the marathon finish line.
That is worlds away from how I felt today.
I didn't know how I would feel after Fridays weight lifting and monster bike ride, I actually woke up this morning feeling some heaviness in my legs that has been lacking for a while.
Last week was an eye opener; I wasn't allowed to wear my heart rate monitor, and even though I was running through a hail/rain/snow storm, It was so freeing just to run, with no pace, HR or distance in mind. This week I had a HR monitor and a ceiling, so I just set my watch to Alert me if I hit 175 bpm set it on a screen that told me nothing of importance and just ran.
The sun was out (a rarity in Scotland), I had zero expectations on pace or distance and took it nice and easy to start. I felt so relaxed, just smiling to myself that it was a beautiful day and everything felt smooth and efficient in my body. Its so easy to get tied up in numbers and expectations, putting more stress and pressure on yourself to perform. While structure is needed, and you cant always run nice and easy if you want to race fast, its nice just to have that run where its all about how you feel and enjoying just being out there.
I let my body dictate this run completely. I started out easy, in zone 1 for the first bit, built up to zone 2. I let my effort ebb and flow, pushing a bit when it felt right and backing it off when I felt like it. Smiling to myself as everything was feeling good, no tightness, no soreness, I've never run this distance without feeling like something was breaking down before today.
Even better, once I got home and uploaded the data, I ran the same course I did last week, with an extra 2 miles and more hills at 7:46/mile pace, compared to 7:53 last week. I cant believe some of the numbers I'm seeing, my Half Marathon PR was at 8:00 min pace!
I love seeing the improvements each week, but even better how good I've felt doing it. Between training at MAF, and incorporating strength training I have a foundation that can now be built off of. I don't remember the last time I've had an ache or pain, that I just assumed was part of running before.
Off to visit my friend the foam roller, and focus on recovery so I'm ready for some intensity next week. One thing I'm looking forward to is a Retul Bike Fit on Monday. Time to get some free speed by fine tuning my bike fit.
Run with a smile!
Carpe Diem
Showing posts with label half marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label half marathon. Show all posts
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Friday, May 18, 2012
Welcome to my blog! I'm new to blogging, new to triathlon, just bubbling over with inexperience and enthusiasm.
A bit about me: I'm a former seriously unathletic, overweight and uncoordinated person, turned running obsessed wanna be triathlete. This first one is a bit of my life story, triathlon training, thoughts and many many questions will be in posts to follow.
I was overweight working an office job, when I finally saw some unsightly strech marks and decided something had to change! I had always been competitive in nature...I just wasnt very good at competing... I tried sports in school, badminton, wrestling, but never won. I had drive and determination, just no skill or coordination. So I joined the marching band... Anyways, my clothing size was increasing, but it was the dreaded stretch marks where I had enough. I went to the gym near my office that day, and guess what, they had a competition to get into shape! 1st prize was a trip to Vegas, so my competitive nature took over. 2 months I lost 30lbs through cleaning up my diet and weight training with a personal trainer (no starvation diets here, I like food too much). This put me in a healthy weight range, unfortunately I got second overall in the province...(oh yea I'm Canadian, Alberta grown, eh!). My weight was up and down for a few years, periods of lots of beer and pool, and then back to the gym.
Things changed from being in ok shape to great shape when I moved to Texas (work in oilfield services...suprise). Alberta is the Texas of Canada so it wasn't a huge culture shock, with the benefit of the weather! I had some time before my work authorization came through, so I got started with P90X, followed by Insanity. I found if I kept myself interested I would stay in shape instead of the yo-yo working out and weight I had before. So I was hungry for a new challenge. Now for the record, I HATED running, I avoided it at all costs, my husband used to run in the mornings and I thought he was insane. However I was looking for a new challenge, and I must have seen an ad for a marathon or something, but I decided I was going to do a half marathon.
Seems like a great idea right? I tend to be a little all over the place, and need to be kept entertained. Sitting quietly is a nightmare for me. I will read a book, while listening to music, while cooking dinner and stretching. So the idea of running around in circles for hours had zero appeal for me, not to mention I could not run a mile without stopping to save my life!
Well I figured I better work on that and joined a running club. I have to say its doubtful I would be here if it werent for that amazing group of people. The first time I ran 3 miles (or 1 mile) without stopping was chatting with people on the club run. Their enthusiasm got me excited, well that and the fact that it turns out there are RACES! Queue competitive juices. I ran my first 5k a few weeks later, ended up winning 1st female overall and I was hooked. I ended up running a half marathon 2.5 months later and got 3rd female overall and decided marathon here I come!
So last year I went from not able to run a mile, to training 65 miles a week for a marathon...in 3 months...which resulted in a pelvic stress fracture. 5 months later I was able to start doing low impact work biking (on a stationary) and swimming-ish (never had swim lessons so I'm going to call it swimming but experts may disagree)...well that got me thinking triathlon. Now I'm able to run again, finally got a bicycle, and can make it across the pool without drowning. Triathlon is my new obsession, and I've got an Ironman 70.3 in my sights. Should be interesting!
A bit about me: I'm a former seriously unathletic, overweight and uncoordinated person, turned running obsessed wanna be triathlete. This first one is a bit of my life story, triathlon training, thoughts and many many questions will be in posts to follow.
I was overweight working an office job, when I finally saw some unsightly strech marks and decided something had to change! I had always been competitive in nature...I just wasnt very good at competing... I tried sports in school, badminton, wrestling, but never won. I had drive and determination, just no skill or coordination. So I joined the marching band... Anyways, my clothing size was increasing, but it was the dreaded stretch marks where I had enough. I went to the gym near my office that day, and guess what, they had a competition to get into shape! 1st prize was a trip to Vegas, so my competitive nature took over. 2 months I lost 30lbs through cleaning up my diet and weight training with a personal trainer (no starvation diets here, I like food too much). This put me in a healthy weight range, unfortunately I got second overall in the province...(oh yea I'm Canadian, Alberta grown, eh!). My weight was up and down for a few years, periods of lots of beer and pool, and then back to the gym.
Things changed from being in ok shape to great shape when I moved to Texas (work in oilfield services...suprise). Alberta is the Texas of Canada so it wasn't a huge culture shock, with the benefit of the weather! I had some time before my work authorization came through, so I got started with P90X, followed by Insanity. I found if I kept myself interested I would stay in shape instead of the yo-yo working out and weight I had before. So I was hungry for a new challenge. Now for the record, I HATED running, I avoided it at all costs, my husband used to run in the mornings and I thought he was insane. However I was looking for a new challenge, and I must have seen an ad for a marathon or something, but I decided I was going to do a half marathon.
Seems like a great idea right? I tend to be a little all over the place, and need to be kept entertained. Sitting quietly is a nightmare for me. I will read a book, while listening to music, while cooking dinner and stretching. So the idea of running around in circles for hours had zero appeal for me, not to mention I could not run a mile without stopping to save my life!
Well I figured I better work on that and joined a running club. I have to say its doubtful I would be here if it werent for that amazing group of people. The first time I ran 3 miles (or 1 mile) without stopping was chatting with people on the club run. Their enthusiasm got me excited, well that and the fact that it turns out there are RACES! Queue competitive juices. I ran my first 5k a few weeks later, ended up winning 1st female overall and I was hooked. I ended up running a half marathon 2.5 months later and got 3rd female overall and decided marathon here I come!
(First 5K right before finish..I must have had more to give I'm still smiling)
Before and Afters...before kept me motivated!
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