Well heading into September

We are 7 weeks 4 days away from the Chicago Marathon. I can't believe it. The long runs are getting longer. DH and I are training and are determined to finish in the time allotted by our coach.

I did 2.3 miles today straight through. I couldn't do the entire 3 due to time, but I am happy that I was able to run 29:52 without stopping. Well, I stopped for a second, just to see how far I'd gone. I was going for 30 minutes, so I'll take this time.

My pace was 12:59 min/mile. The weather was great. Nice and cool.

Some things are out of our control...

Well Saturday was DH's birthday. And we had another 15 miler scheduled. My dear friend came over again and babysat our kiddos for us in the wee hours. (When we got back, she said she was able to sleep pretty much the whole time. For that I'm glad). We got to the park right around 6 am. It was already raining pretty hard. We did see a teammate's car, so we were encouraged. We went the opposite way of the course so we could meet them along the way. By the time we got to the 1 mile mark of where we started, we say them. Apparently both B. and R. had gotten there around 5 am since they were finishing their first lap. They're fast... :) It was R's birthday too, so we greeted one another with Happy Birthday wishes in the rain.

It continued to rain and thunder for about 11 of the 15 miles. Yes, we were running in the rain for close to 3 hours. We did see another set of teammates working it out. I guess, we all figured that we just have to suck it up and keep going. There were more people in the park than I expected. A huge group from the Team in Training.

By the time it was over, we were both drenched, but we finished. And shaved off 3 minutes from out last outing.

So 15 miles. 3:27:25 (13:49 min/mile pace).

Next week is either 16 or 17. Eithe way it's long. Prayerfully, no rain. Or at least not a downpour. A nice intermittent drizzle is ok. :)

Right in my own back yard

Well, I have not done anything since last Thursday. Yesterday, I slept in and had intentions of going out in the evening. I'm kinda getting a little burned out, but keep remembering that the marathon is only 9 weeks away. This has to be normal...

So today I decided to have a little change of scenery. I am fortunate to work next to one of the greatest monuments in the US. So I ran around the perimeter of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. We call it The Arch. What a thrill. I see the Arch just about everyday. But the only time I get up close is when we have visitors. Today, I wanted to get a glimpse myself and what a view. The park is well shaded with trees so not too much sun until you get right along side the Arch itself. I only did one lap. That's a little over a mile. And I ran about 0.5 miles from the parking garage to the Arch. So I think I did about 2 miles today. I don't have a pace or anything. I just know that I needed to be at my desk by a certain time. We have showers in our building's gym so that's where I freshened up. The whole process took me an hour. So whenever I am in need of a change of pace, that is definitely an option.

A turning point

Well today, I was able to get out at 6:00 am. I set my watch to run 15 minutes straight. As the beep sounded, I had already completed a mile and just kept going. I ran TWO MILES STRAIGHT THROUGH TODAY. At a slow pace, but straight through. I just couldn't believe it, but then again, I kept hearing my DH's voice saying, "You've been doing this for four months now."

The first two miles were done in 26 minutes. I only took two walk breaks to complete the third mile and finished at 40:21.

Two miles straight through: (26:51) 13:25 min/mile pace

Overall 3 miles (40:21) 13:27 min/mile pace

I'm a 0.5 Marathoner...

Well, by grace, we completed the 15 miler. That was my first time going past the 12 mile mark, since I dropped out on our 14 miler a few weeks back. We are both sore and were walking like Frakenstein yesterday as we climbed steps, but with rest and some cold compresses we will be fine.

First off, I am just thankful to have dear friends. My friend came over to babysit the kids while we went out. She rang our doorbell at 5:30 AM. Yes, AM. She slept at our place until the boys woke up. So for that I am grateful to the max.

We did a few things different this time. We drank gatorade and water ALOT. The goal was to finish 20 oz. of fluids every 6 miles. We also had Clif Bars and Sports Beans on us to eat. We ate even when we didn't feel like it. With the goal of something every 45 minutes. That helped me out a whole lot. I didn't feel weak and primarily ran and walked as my intervals prescribed.

By the first two laps we were on pace, and I was really excited about that.

But what was also cool, were the other people at the park who were some high mileage like us. Everyone was so encouraging. If that is a glimpse of Chicago, then we are in for a pleasant surprise.

For the first 12 miles our time was 2:41 13.25 min/mile pace.

But then the last 3 miles came, and those were not pretty. We slowed down a lot. I guess we were knocking on the wall.

But we finished in 3:30:18. That's a long time to be running/walking.
The overall pace was 14:01 min/mile.

The weather was perfect and overall the mission was accomplished.

Status Before the 15 Miler

Well got in 2 miles before I picked up the boys on yesterday. I tried to run 20 minutes straight through, and got to 13:37 and had to stop. Next week I need to just concentrate on 15 minutes and work my way up.

So overall my time was 26:23.

13:11 min/mile.

The 15 Miler is tomorrow. 6:00 am. So I am going to start my carb loading for lunch. Yummy pasta..

Something from Heaven to cool me off...

Well, this is what is going on. My BIL is out of town fullfilling best man duties for a dear friend. He won't be back until next week. So morning and evening runs are squashed due to babysitting. The only way I can run is before I pick the boys up after work. I didn't get out there on Tuesday. But yesterday, I was determined to at least get in one mile before I picked up the boys.

I first stopped off at the college campus to run around the track, but the entrance was closed.

I finally went back to my park. I felt the drizzle as I got out of the car. I've got to at least get one mile in or else, it's not good. Something was pulling me out of the car to get moving.

With each trot, the rain came down harder and harder. Dripping in my eyes. Covering my glasses. Drenching me as I breathed in and out. But I ran. And as I heard the thunder, I was reminded of what I tell the boys. "Thunder is God clapping his hands." Maybe God was saying, "Way to go girl. I know you can do it. Keep going." So I ran. I stopped for a brief second, just so I could see. Then I got to my car to go home and quickly dry off before picking up the boys.

It was a good day.

1 mile 11:15

Sunday Night Live...

Well, before last night, my shoes were in the closet since last Tuesday. DH wanted to go out early Sunday morning before church, but I didn't think we would be done in time so we waited until 8:30 pm. While riding in the car, the temperature was announced to be 95 degrees downtown. Great. Another hot one. But it's summer time so what do you expect. We needed to do 10 miles and did not necesarily want to come to our car until we were done. With that in mind, DH recommended that we do a couple of mini-loops within the park to make up the additional 4 miles and still just to one lap. Not a bad idea. At least we thought. :)

I really don't know how many miles we did. I do know that it was more than six and less than 11. We also had a lot of stops and walking. It's to the point now where I can not make any excuses. I just need to walk when it's time to walk and run when it's time to run. Period.

On thing though was that I was kinda feeling weak. So I do need to carry food with me to munch on. It's good that I'm really learning this now instead of 11 weeks from now.

So here's our time with possible paces.

2:06:17

8 miles = 15:40 min/mile
9 miles = 13:55 min/mile
10 miles = 12:32 min/mile

So, only God knows our actual mileage, but I'll take the 9 miles since it's the median. :)

Have a good one.

A little under the weather

Well got on the treadmill at the gym in our office. I ran the first mile straight through at 13.38. I then walked/ran as much as I could. My time was limited as I had to leave to pick up the boys. So only got in 1.5 miles total.

Was going out this morning and I was sick. I had to call into work and I slept until about 3:30 pm. The only thing that tasted right was gatorade. I barely ate dinner and just drinking is all I can really do. So no running today.

It's still hot as it is in the entire country. Hang in there and stay hydrated...