Saturday, September 02, 2006

It's only 15K, it can't be that bad....

Besides, I ran 10 miles last weekend. I should be able to do 9.3 miles ok. I knew that since it was a long run distance for me, I would need to conserve to make the entire distance.

The weather was, well, typical for Central Florida in early September. It was about 78 degrees at 80% humidity. By the end of the race it was over 80 degrees - with the humidity it was forecast to feel like 87. Not a great temperature for running. Now I know why I like getting up in the dark to run. On my own long runs, if I got home after 8 or 8:30 am, I was whipped. This was no different. The race started a little after 7 am. I finished officially in 1:52:27 (net) - that would put me at the finish around 9 am - and those last 2 miles were in the sun and HOT! I finished with an average pace of 12:04, which is pretty good considering the heat. My first mile was about 10:30 but lengthened to over 12 min/mile in the second half of the race. 12 min/mile is really my long distance pace, as it turns out, so I did ok.

Jim ran with me for the first 4 or 5 miles, but I go too slow for his long, running legs. I hate the fact that I train and train, and he runs every now and then, and he beats me! But I am happy that he is out there and feeling good. He had a really good race, coming in around 5 minutes ahead of me. After Jim sped on ahead of me, I tuned into one of my favorite podcasts, Phelipidations, where Steve Runner was talking on the topic of the Long Slow Run....just what I needed :-). it did take my mind off the race for a good 40 minutes. Then I put some 155 bpm music and tried to cruise the last 2 or 3 miles. Sounds good anyway!

So now I am home, blogging with an ice pack under my heel. I am hoping that the heal pain will diminish as my body adjusts to the new lift in my left shoe. If not, I will need to find another solution. I am getting to a critical point in my training and can't afford to lose time off for heel pain! :-)

Later folks!

So a good race - another one under my belt! Now a few weeks of focused training until the next 5K.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey sister, I'm so sorry that I haven't blogged lately, I keep forgetting my password. Well, I'm so happy you were able to finish that 15K, great time. keep up the good work, it's again not about the time, but that you finished. I know that Jim doesn't train, don't feel bad, it's just your bodies are different. He is taller plus, he might have more white muscle mass than you. Hank kind of explained the differnce between the white and red. People with White muscle usually have more stamina and last alot longer than people with red muscle fiber or mass or what ever it's called. Hank use to be a personal trainer so it's always good to ask him. My foot has been really bothering me, I think the running for me is finished. I loved it miss it dearly, but the my foot doesn't like it even when I walk. Well sister, keep up the good work. The weather will probably be nice and cool when you run that marathon. Just think of the advantage you'll have. Well love ya sis, talk to ya soon.

MarathonChris said...

Good advice from Hank. I will have to keep him in mind when looking for some advice. For you, we just need to find a better event. Perhaps you can take up cycling or swimming and the we can do a tag team triathalon. I can't swim to save my life :-)

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