I am not sure that I can even claim that this is tappering time as I took off most of last week and some other long stretches...so I am gearing up for Sunday's Half Marathon! Wahoo! Yesterday I did a 5 minute warm up, 30 minutes worth of intervals, and a 5 minute cool down. Nothing too spectacular but it felt good to run. 2.41 miles down! Today I rode the bike for a full 30 minutes and then did the eliptical for an extra 10. Again, nothing too impressive but starting to feel good for Sunday.
Count Down on...6 days left!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Last Week
Last week was a bit of blur. I ran for a half hour on Monday. Nothing too special but it was my first run since the Pear Blossom and it felt great. I was just a little stiff and sore the next day but nothing too bad. On Tuesday I rode the bike for half hour and then bounced over to the eliptical for a few minutes. Again, nothing too exciting but it still felt good. Wednesday was the rest day. I swam very briefly on Thursday, maybe only 10 minutes worth, for the first ever employee swim meet at Cascade Manor. I took the rest of the week off because we were up in Portland for Jeff and Laura's wedding...so beautiful and perfect! Only 7 days to go until the big race...wish me luck!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Pear Blossom Part 2
I have taken the first half of this week off to recover. Tomorrow is my first run since the 10 miler! I realized that I forgot to do a mile by mile breakdown so here it is:
Mile 1 came fast. I was pleased with our pace of 14 minute miles, a little faster than we usually do. The community cheers were awesome. The only bad thing was that my legs starting hurting right off the bat with the first interval. Thankfully, the pains and aches released a little as I warmed up. It was a cold start! We passed Black Bird.
Mile 2 also came pretty fast. The school that passed out water was awesome. The kids and parents were cheerleaders and it felt great. I was shocked that only water was being served. I thought for sure some sort of sports drink would be offered...good think I bought some gels just in case! We passed Roadhouse.
Mile 3 felt like a long reach. We were out of town and into the family ranches/farms with their owners cheering us on. We passed softball field that I have driven past so many times so it was fun to see that. Around mile three, the first place runner lapped us...he was on mile 7 while we were on mile 3! He was pure grace and I thought, "in my dreams, I am a Kenyan runner..." He was pure grace with equal determination. The guys in second was fighting for the win but came in about a minute later. Still, very impressive! Around this time we could see the runners ahead of us turn the bend, run the next straight away, and climb the hill.
Mile 4 was past the bend. So beautiful out in the country. We would have been able to see Mt. Mc. but the clouds were there. So beautiful. We were still keeping a pretty good pace. The bulk of the other runners passed us on mile 4. We were able to cheer on Tamika as we approached the hill. I thought the turn around was at the top of the hill...not the case. We had to go up and over the hill TWICE! I did feel encouraged when all the runners on both sides encouraged eachother to just keep going...one foot at a time.
Mile 5 felt like its own little victory. Half way. Awesome! And then there was the hill again. The second climb was terrible. I was starting to hurt and I just could not keep the run interval going. The sun did not help when it came out just for that one moment when I was trying to get up and over that darn hill...we walked some and then continued intervals.
Mile 6 was tough. My heartrate had not recovered from the hill and my hips were really starting to ache. My calves and shins really started to hurt but we powered through and continued our intervals and made it through the bend. I was definitely encouraged to see so many people behind us...just to make sure we would not come in last. I also realized that we could walk the rest and still meet the course time limit.
Mile 7 was the true start of more walking. We never walked a full mile but I was hurting so badly that I did feel like crying. All in all, mile 7 went pretty fast, all things considered.
Mile 8 felt good again. We can to the school and the students and parents helped to cheer us on. It's amazing how random strangers can pick your spirit up but it did not stop my from wanting to cry a little. My stomach was not feeling well so I decided to not get water so that I could get a banana and energy drink at the finish line...bad mistake!
Mile 9 came and we were almost there! I told Dan, "I know that this was my idea but why did you go along with it?" I just wanted it to be done. I wanted to cry. I wanted to just be done...anything to be done! As we started to approach the end, I felt a little re-energized. The best part was seeing Madison, Grant, Garret, and Kendra cheering us on with Shawna, Tamika, Kevin, and Dad! We started running to the finish for the last stint...until my leg cramped up. We walked for 25 yards and I pushed through the cramp and made it across the finish line with Grant and Madison running along us on the sidewalk...so cute!
Mile 10 felt great! The announcer read our time and names off as we crossed...we did it! I was overjoyed and wanted to die all at the same time. We were inundated with tons of hugs and cheers. The booths were already down so we did not get our finish bananas or sports drinks...should have grabbed water at mile 8! Dad walked us to the car and I fought off throwing up. My whole body ached and hurt, especially my calves, shins, and hips but we did it. We got back to the car and I stretched out and sipped on water. I even got some Cheeze Its in my stomach. Madison and Dad put their cold hands on the back of my neck which helps a ton! All in all, awesome!
Dan definitely holds up better than I do. He was able to keep a better pace, never hurt, never complained, and never had an upset stomach. Could I have a better running partner?! I think not! We went to Dad and Shawna's to take showers, clean up a little, and get ready for the post-race party that lasted until 6ish. I drank so much water, probably close to a gallon before I had a beer. Dan fully took a two hour nap in the middle of the party...he was pretty cute. Afterwards, Mika got her nap in. I tried three time but was never able to fall asleep. I did finally fall asleep for my nap around 8:20 but woke up only because I knew I had to. If I stayed asleep, I would be watching six children as the adults went out to the bars. I rallied because the bars sounded like less work...! We had a fun even though we could not find a dancing place...sad, really, sad...yes, that is sarcasm! I can't wait to wrap up the Eugene Half Marathon and decide on the next goal...maybe the Women's Half Marathon in early Sept? Guess I will see how I hold up in the Eugene Half first.
Mile 1 came fast. I was pleased with our pace of 14 minute miles, a little faster than we usually do. The community cheers were awesome. The only bad thing was that my legs starting hurting right off the bat with the first interval. Thankfully, the pains and aches released a little as I warmed up. It was a cold start! We passed Black Bird.
Mile 2 also came pretty fast. The school that passed out water was awesome. The kids and parents were cheerleaders and it felt great. I was shocked that only water was being served. I thought for sure some sort of sports drink would be offered...good think I bought some gels just in case! We passed Roadhouse.
Mile 3 felt like a long reach. We were out of town and into the family ranches/farms with their owners cheering us on. We passed softball field that I have driven past so many times so it was fun to see that. Around mile three, the first place runner lapped us...he was on mile 7 while we were on mile 3! He was pure grace and I thought, "in my dreams, I am a Kenyan runner..." He was pure grace with equal determination. The guys in second was fighting for the win but came in about a minute later. Still, very impressive! Around this time we could see the runners ahead of us turn the bend, run the next straight away, and climb the hill.
Mile 4 was past the bend. So beautiful out in the country. We would have been able to see Mt. Mc. but the clouds were there. So beautiful. We were still keeping a pretty good pace. The bulk of the other runners passed us on mile 4. We were able to cheer on Tamika as we approached the hill. I thought the turn around was at the top of the hill...not the case. We had to go up and over the hill TWICE! I did feel encouraged when all the runners on both sides encouraged eachother to just keep going...one foot at a time.
Mile 5 felt like its own little victory. Half way. Awesome! And then there was the hill again. The second climb was terrible. I was starting to hurt and I just could not keep the run interval going. The sun did not help when it came out just for that one moment when I was trying to get up and over that darn hill...we walked some and then continued intervals.
Mile 6 was tough. My heartrate had not recovered from the hill and my hips were really starting to ache. My calves and shins really started to hurt but we powered through and continued our intervals and made it through the bend. I was definitely encouraged to see so many people behind us...just to make sure we would not come in last. I also realized that we could walk the rest and still meet the course time limit.
Mile 7 was the true start of more walking. We never walked a full mile but I was hurting so badly that I did feel like crying. All in all, mile 7 went pretty fast, all things considered.
Mile 8 felt good again. We can to the school and the students and parents helped to cheer us on. It's amazing how random strangers can pick your spirit up but it did not stop my from wanting to cry a little. My stomach was not feeling well so I decided to not get water so that I could get a banana and energy drink at the finish line...bad mistake!
Mile 9 came and we were almost there! I told Dan, "I know that this was my idea but why did you go along with it?" I just wanted it to be done. I wanted to cry. I wanted to just be done...anything to be done! As we started to approach the end, I felt a little re-energized. The best part was seeing Madison, Grant, Garret, and Kendra cheering us on with Shawna, Tamika, Kevin, and Dad! We started running to the finish for the last stint...until my leg cramped up. We walked for 25 yards and I pushed through the cramp and made it across the finish line with Grant and Madison running along us on the sidewalk...so cute!
Mile 10 felt great! The announcer read our time and names off as we crossed...we did it! I was overjoyed and wanted to die all at the same time. We were inundated with tons of hugs and cheers. The booths were already down so we did not get our finish bananas or sports drinks...should have grabbed water at mile 8! Dad walked us to the car and I fought off throwing up. My whole body ached and hurt, especially my calves, shins, and hips but we did it. We got back to the car and I stretched out and sipped on water. I even got some Cheeze Its in my stomach. Madison and Dad put their cold hands on the back of my neck which helps a ton! All in all, awesome!
Dan definitely holds up better than I do. He was able to keep a better pace, never hurt, never complained, and never had an upset stomach. Could I have a better running partner?! I think not! We went to Dad and Shawna's to take showers, clean up a little, and get ready for the post-race party that lasted until 6ish. I drank so much water, probably close to a gallon before I had a beer. Dan fully took a two hour nap in the middle of the party...he was pretty cute. Afterwards, Mika got her nap in. I tried three time but was never able to fall asleep. I did finally fall asleep for my nap around 8:20 but woke up only because I knew I had to. If I stayed asleep, I would be watching six children as the adults went out to the bars. I rallied because the bars sounded like less work...! We had a fun even though we could not find a dancing place...sad, really, sad...yes, that is sarcasm! I can't wait to wrap up the Eugene Half Marathon and decide on the next goal...maybe the Women's Half Marathon in early Sept? Guess I will see how I hold up in the Eugene Half first.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Pear Blossom Run
We did it! Slow but steady...and not last! On Saturday, Dan and I ran the 10 mile Pear Blossom Run in Medford, OR. The course was beautiful, the community support was awesome, and the weather was ideal. We did our 3 minute run/2 minute walk intervals through most of it. I knew there was a hill involved but thought that the top was the turn around so I was not mentally prepared to go up and over the darn thing twice. The second up was the killer. My heart rate skyrocketed, my legs cramped up, my hips hurt so we started walking a bit more. We kept an ambitious 14 minute pace in the begining and finished with a 15 minute pace in the end. Still, not too shabby! The course was a there and back. We saw the leaders around mile marker three (7 for them!)...amazing! I saw the winner lap us and thought, "In my dreams, I am a Kenyan runner..." He ran with such determination and grace...just beautiful! I definitely feel more prepped for the Eugene Half Marathon now that I have a practice race under my belt!
I had several things that I was pretty worried about with the outcome, including:
1. Not even starting...we started!
2. Not finishing...we finished!
3. Not finishing in the 2:55 time limit...rough finishing time of 2:34!
4. Being last...there were at least 100 people behind us!
5. Legs feeling hurt...well, that one happened...can't win the all!
6. Throwing up afterwards...I did not lose it!
So 10 miles in roughly 2 hours and 34 minutes. I'll take it!
I had several things that I was pretty worried about with the outcome, including:
1. Not even starting...we started!
2. Not finishing...we finished!
3. Not finishing in the 2:55 time limit...rough finishing time of 2:34!
4. Being last...there were at least 100 people behind us!
5. Legs feeling hurt...well, that one happened...can't win the all!
6. Throwing up afterwards...I did not lose it!
So 10 miles in roughly 2 hours and 34 minutes. I'll take it!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Big Day Tomorrow
I swam on Tuesday morning which felt good. Nothing too special to note other than I still am not a morning person...but it did feel good.
We leave for Medford tonight and will pick up our Pear Blossom Run race packets tonight. Keep your fingers crossed that my legs can make it ten miles within the time limit...
We leave for Medford tonight and will pick up our Pear Blossom Run race packets tonight. Keep your fingers crossed that my legs can make it ten miles within the time limit...
Monday, April 5, 2010
Scared Stiff! Yikes!
We had our best run to date on March 28. Last week, I took Monday off to recover from the great run. I swam on Tuesday. Wednesday was a rest day. I ran, sort of, on Thursday. I went to go on a run in the neighborhood, made it about .75 of a mile and my poor legs were still very stiff and sore so I went home. I did not give up though, I ran the stairs and in the house and then out on the deck...looked funny, I am sure, but I did not give up. Friday was a swim day but my swim buddy was not around so Friday was a rest day. We did not do a long run on the weekend...too much was going on!
So today, I ran for 20 minutes and did 1.45 miles. My legs were so stiff and sore, especially along my shin and in the back of my calf, that I had to stop. I made the switch over to the treadmill for 20 minutes, distance .45...I think it lies! But, I still did not give up. Now I am scared, scared stiff, with the Pear Blossom Run on Saturday morning. My legs have got to recover, and fast, for it! I signed up and paid for Dan and I to run it so...yikes!
So today, I ran for 20 minutes and did 1.45 miles. My legs were so stiff and sore, especially along my shin and in the back of my calf, that I had to stop. I made the switch over to the treadmill for 20 minutes, distance .45...I think it lies! But, I still did not give up. Now I am scared, scared stiff, with the Pear Blossom Run on Saturday morning. My legs have got to recover, and fast, for it! I signed up and paid for Dan and I to run it so...yikes!
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