Last Run Before the Big Day

As usual, I did not run my full week's schedule. I was to run 3 yesterday and walk 3 today. I missed yesterday, so I ran 3 today. My lower legs were quite sore for some reason, which has me worrying about Saturday. I am NOT ready. I think I can finish, but not like I want to finish. I know I will be telling myself, "Next time I will be more prepared." I usually do this during a race and/or after it. I get excited about a future race, but then I never train like I wanted to. Well, it's too late to worry about it now.

My total time was 28:46. Pace: 9:35. Heart rates: 158 average, 180 max, 54 resting. Recovery from 162 to 118.

Shane called and may ride with me Saturday. He thinks I will need help getting home. I believe it, too, but hate to ask someone to go sit all day when they could be doing something they would rather be doing.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Ran 5 miles. It was sunny with a threat of storms. Time 52:01; Pace 10:24. Heart Rates: 150 avg, 170 max, 56 rest. Recovery 162 to 125. Did not exert myself.

Next Saturday...

Next Saturday I am to be running the streets of Nashville. Well, trying to run the streets of Nashville.

I missed two of my runs this week. I ran 10 miles this morning. I wasn't really prepared to run this morning. I had steak and quite a few rolls last night. This morning I had a cup of coffee, a Pop Tart, and some PowerAde. Sherri and I were taking Lainey to see the Easter bunny and do a little shopping, so I didn't have time to fuel up and hydrate. I was out the door just after 7:30. I wasn't sure what to expect of this run, but was hoping the Pop Tart would give me some fuel and the PowerAde would offset the caffeine.

The first 4 miles were over 10 minutes - 10:02, 10:07, 10:14, and 10:35. Then, for some reason, I went crazy. The last 6 miles were all under 10 minutes each. I pushed a little, but had no idea. A couple of weeks ago, I felt like I ran a few miles in under 10:00, but when I looked at my watch they were closer to 10:30. I was expecting slower times and more pain, but felt good. The last 6 miles - 9:31, 9:13, 9:06, 9:03, 9:56, and 9:07. I almost lost the mark during Mile 9. My total time was 1:36:54, for a pace of 9:41. Heart Rates: 169 avg, 192 max, 54 rest. Recovery from 190 to 140.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

This run was supposed to be yesterday. I was still feeling the effects of Saturday's 14 miler. I took it easy, except for part of the last mile. Overall time: 51:01; Pace: 10:12. Heart Rates: 160 avg, 184 max, 62 rest. Recovery from 182 to 134.

(Sarcastic Tone) Thanks A Lot, Todd

Today was a day that I would have skipped running. Even though I have ran when it was 16 degrees, every since I had a beautiful day to run in February, I have been refusing to run when the temperature has been below 50. It was 49 degrees. Another reason I would not have run on a day like this is the wind. I hate the wind! (See some previous posts). The wind gusts were so extreme at times I was lucky to keep my balance. I also don't know how I can turn 180 degrees and still be heading directly into the wind. The third reason I would have avoided this run was the threat of rain. Luckily, the rain never came.

My cousin, Todd Seay, had called me and urged me to run 14 miles. I have ran a few 10 milers and ran/walked a 12-miler about two months ago. Mostly, I have avoided running due to weather, other obligations, and laziness. I was weary of adding 4 miles at once. I followed his advice of walking some at every mile. Something my brother, Shane Sykes, told me he read about doing. I usually don't drink anything during training runs, but I do drink during races. I try to drink on the run through the water stations. Once I begin walking, I just want to walk. I didn't start the waking until Mile 5. Then it was more like 20 to 30 seconds rather than 10. Considering I was mad at the weather and trying to stretch to 14 miles, I actually felt pretty good during the run. Don't get me wrong, I was tired and hurting. It just wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Total time: 2:32:12. Pace: 10:52.
Heart rate: 162 average 180 max 62 resting
Recovery 175 to 143.

Another Week Falls by the Wayside

Well, I let a week go by without running. I'm really get worried if I will be able to complete the marathon. I ran another 10 miler today. It was a nice, sunny 76 degrees. The first half went like this: 9:20, 9:56, 10:14, 10:21, 10:10, for a total time of 50:02. I wanted to break the 50:00 mark on the second half. It didn't happen! On miles 6 thru 9, I thought I pushed hard enough to break the 10:00 on each mile, but instead I saw the following: 10:18, 10:18, 10:18, 10:14. I thought I was running faster, but was slower. At least the pace was consistent. By Mile 10, I knew I couldn't finish at a 10:00 or lower pace, so you can see that I had given up as Mile 10 was 10:50. My total time 1:41:58, pace 10:12. Heart Rates: 170 avg, 190 max, 62 min. Recovery from 187 to 145.

Back-to-Back 10's

I am trying to make some progress, so I ran another 10 miler today. It went a lot slower than yesterday. My legs were tired and sore. My best mile was Mile 1 at 9:40; my worst was Mile 9 at 14:53 - mainly because I had to walk about half of it. That did help make Mile 10 my second fastest mile at 10:38. Since my times were so horrific, I wasn't going to list them, but here they are - 9:49, 11:54, 11:18, 11:40, 11:25, 11:36, 12:12, 12:26, 14:53, 10:38. Total time: 1:57:51. Pace: 11:47. Avg HR - 155, Max - 178, Rest - 70. Recovery 169 to 121.

Shane made contact...

Absent for 14 Days!

Well, this is my first run in 14 days! I have 23 left until the Country Music Marathon. I should run 20 Saturday, but 10 is where I am at. It is not looking good. I haven't been running, because I got a taste of nice weather. I refused to run when it was below 60 degrees and/or the wind was blowing like crazy. I guess I was trying to show the wind a thing or two, but I guess the wind will show me on April 30.

I did get in 10 miles on this sunny, 72 degree day. Even though the wind was stiff at time, I could live with it. My best mile was Mile 1 at 9:16; my worst was Mile 10 at 11:23. My total time was 1:43:09, a pace of 10:19. Heart rates: 171 average, 185 max, 69 resting. Recovery 167 to 151. Believe it or not, but these are not my worst recovery numbers. My worst "To" is 171; my least "Difference" is 5.

I guess I need to put another APB out on Shane - he has disappeared again!