Friday, April 27, 2012

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Ran 3 miles. Still a little sore. Time: 31:06. Pace: 10:22.

As of today, I have 99 miles for the month.  If my last run for the month goes as planned, I will have 125.2 miles for April. 

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

My legs were a little sore from "hurrying" yesterday.  I would like to say I took it easy, but it wasn't easy.  Time: 38:57. Pace: 9:44.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

I didn't run Monday, because I didn't like the weather.  The temp was around 60, and it was windy.  I had planned on running Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, to have two days off before the marathon.  Now, it looks like I will be running Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

I ran 5 miles - kind of in a hurry, because of the threat of rain.  Time: 43:27.  Pace: 8:41.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Last long run before the big day.  Funny how 10 miles doesn't seem that far a week after running a 20 miler.  That's a lie!  10 miles is a long way no matter when! 

After a warm March, in which some temperature records were broken, April has been somewhat cool.  Today's high was to be around 60-65, but we had some things to do in the afternoon.  I was running at 8:00 am.  It was 47 degrees with a 90% chance of rain.  It was windy!  Weatherman said 10 mph winds; it seemed double that to me.  I can't complain about the wind, though.  God held the rain back, so I finished before a single drop fell. 

I ran 10 miles in 1:36:35.  A 9:39 pace.  Each mile's time varied quite a bit.  I would have preferred a more consistent pace this being the Saturday before the marathon.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Ran 5 miles.  Felt some effects from yesterday.  Tried to push some.  Time: 44:23. Pace: 8:53.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Today, I had 8 miles scheduled, but since I missed Monday's 5 miler, I ran 13.  It was sunny and 70 degrees when I started, but felt cooler in the shade.  It was even cooler once the sun went down.  There was a breeze, but I won't complain about it today.  The temp had dropped to 58 by the time I had finished. 

I didn't run Monday, because we went to the funeral home after work.  I had several opportunities to run Tuesday - after dentist and before funeral, then all evening after funeral - I just didn't do it, mainly because it was a dreary day.  The temperature was to reach a high of 70, but it only got to 62 at our house.  And it was cloudy all day. 

I ran the 13 miles in 2:04:22.  Pace of 9:34.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Saturday, April 14, 2012 --- 20 Miles!

Saturday.  What a day. 

I was up at 7:00 am, but wasn't sure if I would have time to complete a 20 mile run/walk and have enough time to get ready for church directory pictures.  I had essentially talked myself out of even trying it, when Sherri said I would have enough time to get in a run that would probably take 4 hours.  I downed a quick cup of coffee, had a few gummie-like pieces of candy, and drank a little PowerAde.  Then I was out the door by 7:30.  I left a pack of gummies and the rest of the PowerAde at my truck in the driveway.  I was to run four 5 mile laps, and the fuel would be there.  I planned on needing it, because I didn't really fuel up beforehand.

It was 57 degrees and cloudy when I started.  It also looked like rain may be moving in, but the weatherman had said nothing about that.  After the first lap, I did not stop for a drink.  I just turned around and kept going.  About Mile 7, the sun finally won the battle and beamed through the clouds.  What kept this from being perfect?  The increasing wind speed.  However, every time I was about to really get mad at the wind, it would die down.  It had reached 71 degrees by the time I finished.  So, it was really almost perfect weather (to me). 

At Mile 10, I made a quick pit stop.  I ate about 5 gummies and drank a little PowerAde.  I also wrote down my time in case something went wrong.  (I was using my cell phone to keep track of the mile splits.  My watch is still "dead", and the last time I used my iPod, sweat-moisture got into the armband and has affected the on/off button.  I do not want to risk damaging it any further.)  And something did go wrong, I closed my phone - I have an old school phone that flips open - and when I did, I lost all my per mile times.  After 10 miles, my time was 1:36:46, a pace of 9:41.

After 15 miles, I made another quick stop for a few more gummies and a little bit too much PowerAde, because it sloshed around in my stomach for a little while.  I also wrote down my time, and it was getting faster.  My total time was now 2:23:25 for a 9:34 pace. 

As I headed into my last lap, I had two things I wanted to accomplish: 1. No walking; 2. Finish with a pace of 10:00 or less.  No walking would most likely be a "mind over matter" dilemma.  Finishing in under 10:00, would be "no walking".  I could run it slow - I just had to keep running.  I am proud to say I did both.  It was very difficult, though.  It took all I had just to run downhill.  My final time was 3:17:16, for a pace of 9:52. 

As I sat on the porch, finishing off the PowerAde and savoring my accomplishment, my heart and mind felt ecstatic to the brink of exploding.  The rest of my body begged to differ; it was on the verge of imploding.  Seriously, though, my body felt pretty good for having run 20 miles!  I went upstairs to shower, when all of a sudden, I found myself in the floor hugging the commode.  I gagged a little, but never got anything up.  I think I would have felt better if I did, but not eating anything left my stomach empty, I guess.  It wasn't too long before the feeling went away, though. 

We went and had the pictures done.  Then we went to Houston County.  Sherri went with her sister to carry some food to a family that had a recent death.  Lainey and I went to my mom's.  I was tired and could have taken a nap, but I wasn't really sore.  When Sherri returned, we went to the high school to eat hamburger steaks.  (The baseball team had a dinner to raise money.)  I ate my hamburger steak, about half of Lainey's, my roll, half of Lainey's roll, was able to obtain another roll, and a big cinnamon roll for desert.  I was starved.  Other than the gummies, I only had a Fudge Round at mom's all day.  I had 3 Dr. Pepper's, a Pepsi, and some chocolate milk after the meal until bedtime.  By Sunday morning, I had only lost 1 pound!

I thought I would be sore Sunday.  Not so.  I don't know if it was all the chocolate milk (I've read it helps keep down soreness) or if I was still on a high knowing that I ran 20 miles.  I talked to Shane (a former runner - LOL) Sunday afternoon.  He said the soreness usually hits him the second day.  So far, so good. 

I believe this 20 mile run is the best run in my life!

Friday, April 13, 2012

Thurdsday, April 12, 2012

I only ran 8 of the planned 10.  It was 62 degrees, but I wore pants, long sleeves, and a skull cap, like I did yesterday when it was about 8 degrees cooler.  It was sunny and a little windy.  The wind didn't seem as bad as yesterday, mostly because it was warmer.  The wind did pick up the longer I ran, so I cut it 2 miles short.  Now, I'm 5 miles behind for the week with 99.9% chance of not making it up.  Last week, I finished 8 miles short.  I always seem to begin missing runs within a month of the marathon.  Last March, I ran 58 miles and should have logged around 136, with a long run of 18 miles. My long run was 12 (I also ran two 10's).  Last April, I put in 67 miles (not including the marathon) of 92 training miles.  My long run should have been 20; I did 14 (and four 10's).  This year, even though I'm still ill-prepared, I hope to be in better shape.  This March I ran 95 miles (only about 41 miles short versus 78 last year).  I had longer long runs, including a 15, 14, half marathon, and a 10. Although I've already missed a few April runs and 2 weeks is not up yet, I have gotten in 39 miles.  Hopefully, I will surpass last April's mark.  My long run has been 16, so I'm already 2 miles ahead of last year's longest.  I hope to do 18-20 Saturday.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

This was my first run since Saturday's 16 miler.  I didn't run Monday, because I had other stuff to do.  I didn't run Tuesday, because it was kind of windy and cool.  Today was to be an 8 mile run.  I'm already behind since missing Monday's 5 miler.  I thought I would run 10.  It was 54 degrees and sunny.  I dressed appropriately, but the wind was more than I could take.  I only ran 5 miles.  Time 46:02. Pace: 9:12.

Monday, April 9, 2012

April 7, 2012 - 16 Miles

I was on the run at 7:45 am. It was 39 degrees and sunny. The high was to reach 73 today, but it didn't warm up as quickly as I expected.  When I finished about 2 hours and 40 minutes later, it was only 57 degrees.  What has happened to the above average temps we've been having?  I broke a sweat in the sun and froze in the shade.  The wind was just strong enough to really tick me off.  Of course, it was strongest in my longest in-sun stretch.  If it wasn't for the wind, I think I could have enjoyed this run.  My body felt pretty good.  I was tempted to walk a few times, not because I needed to, but because my mind kept telling me I was "doing 16 miles" and I needed to "save up".

I ran with my iPod.  I didn't listen to any music.  I used the stop watch on it.  The first 9 miles were under 10:00 each; the last 7 miles were all over 10:00.  My fastest was Mile 8 at 9:09.  Why 8?  I don't know.  My slowest was 16, of course, at 10:53.  Total time: 2:37:59.  Pace:  9:52.  I can live with that.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

I did not run Monday, which I should have.  The half didn't affect me that much.  I ran 10 miles today, instead of the scheduled 5, because I probably won't get to run Wednesday's 8.  I'm planning on another 10 Thursday. 

As I was lacing up my shoes, I push the button to go from the time to the running display.  The screen went blank.  No numbers had shown up before I was ready to head out, so I got the time from my truck's clock to be sure I had some idea of how long it took me.  Before I reached Mile 1, the numbers were beginning to fade in.  I thought it was coming back.  I pushed the button at Mile 1.  The screen went blank, as it has been for the last few runs, before appearing again.  The same thing happened for 3 miles.  I never saw a number after that.  The watch would beep like always indicating the next lap for the next few  miles.  When I pushed it for Mile 9, it seemed like it beeped twice (as if I had punched it twice).  I held it up to my ear.  There was a low, constant shrill.  It lasted for a minute.  Now, my watch is totally dead.

According to my truck clock, it took me 1:38:??.  A pace of 9:48.  I also wished I had my heart rate monitor on.  My heart seemed to go a little haywire for moment.  Of course, the watch would never have connected to it.

4th Annual Clarksville Half Marathon

Well, the final results were finally posted either late last night or this early this morning that was run on Saturday, March 31, so now I can blog all the details you want to know about.  :)

Other than some wind issues, it was a beautiful day.  Some runners probably appreciated the wind, but you know me.  I bet we had to run into it for three-quarters of the race.  It wasn't strong; it was just enough to get on my nerves.  It was mostly sunny with temperature around 60 degrees at the start and around 70 when I finished. 

My GPS is not working, so I am having to manually push the button for my miles.  When I saw painted on the road "1 Mile", I pushed the lap button and saw Mile 1 was under 6 minutes.  I knew that was wrong for sure.  I had not been running hard.  I had even gotten behind a row of runners that was really slow - they were too busy talking.  Then I remembered that the course starting line had been moved from the first two years.  Later on, I saw the real Mile 1 marker.  My time was 8:20.  I thought I would wait until the Mile 2 marker to push the button to get the lap count back on track.  I missed the Mile 2 marker, so I pushed the button twice at Mile 3.  After 3 miles, my time was 25:05.  These were my best miles.  I did manage to keep the first 5 miles under a 9:00 pace, and 8 of the first 9 miles.  Miles 10 thru 13 were all over 9:00, with Mile 13 being a disappointing 9:42!  The hills hit about the same time as the "wall".  My total time was 1:56:15, for a pace of 8:52. 

This was my sixth half marathon.  As I was running, I felt like this was one of the best two feelings I had while running half's.  My time didn't show it.  The time for this was 4th best of the sixth.  It is only followed by my very first two races.  Not counting the first year, I'm getting slower on this course: 2010 - 1:46:38, 2011 - 1:52:47, 2012 - 1:56:15.

Before I left the parking lot, I checked to see where I stood.  I was last in the 40-44 age group.  I didn't see anybody I knew, so I left.  I didn't think I would actually be last in my age group.  And I wasn't.  I was 4th of 11.  I was only 1 minute and 19 seconds behind the guy that finished third.  I blame the wind.  Overall, I was 48th out of 133.

The change from October to March did not help the event.  In 2009, there were 884 finishers.  It has been declining every since.  When they thought 2010 would break the 1,000 barrier, there were only 493 finishers.  It dropped to 183 in 2011, and to just 133 this year.  I fear it is on the way out.  The first year we received a bag full of goodies.  Last year, the expo was a disgrace.  It was just a hotel lobby with the necessities - shirt, number, timing chip, and safety pins in a bag.  The bag.  Well, it was just one of those small trash bags that are used in hotel rooms.  I called Sherri after picking up my "race packet" to tell her, "This year we didn't even get the bag."