highs and lows of running

On Sunday I ran 10 miles - I was particularly excited about this PDR because 10 is just a cool number.

It also took me only 3 minutes longer than my 9 mile run last weekend. Mostly because I started out running with my younger brother who is super fit and training for the army. He finished the 10 miles as I started on mile 7...not cool! But I managed to maintain almost race pace for the full 10 miles and that was without all the adrenaline from race day. I'm now secretly hoping to finish in 2 and a half hours, whereas last week I was happy with under 2:45!

Today however, my 5 mile run was anything but joyous. I had new workout clothes (new running tights and a new dry-fit top) but not even they got me going. My training schedule wanted 12 minute miles, but I averaged 12:13 including 3 walking breaks. I just couldn't get into it and it was really disheartening.

Now, with a couple hours hindsight I've recalled all the reasons why, and they're all significant so I need to stop beating myself up about it!
1) I had a crappy dinner last night of chicken patties and bagels
2) I drank very little water yesterday and none before or during this morning's run
3) I decided against a pre-run snack because it was before 6am
4) My ipod appears to have died so I was music-less

The ipod is a MASSIVE factor, because I never run without music and a full hour of running with no music is probably too much to expect. So I'm going to put aside that today was a crappy running day (it wasn't even that crappy! I need to stop beating myself up about it!) and just consider that my 4 mile run later this week will be fabulous!!

- CJ

Another PDR

This morning's long run? 9 miles!

9 MILES!

And I didn't walk once - although I did have to stop at a couple roads to wait for a break in traffic, but living in central london that can't be helped.

After forking out BIG money for my very own Garmin - I've since discoverd that I actually keep perfect pace all by myself. Go figure!

My 5 mile run on Tuesday was supposed to be at an average of 12 minute miles according to runners world. Since I've been obsessing about paces ever since I bought the pesky Garmin, I decided this week I'd only check my pace once and only when my ipod said I was halfway done time-wise. I did the same thing on today's 9 mile run and here are my results.

5 mile run on Tuesday
Expected: 12 minute mile average
Actual: 11:52 minute mile average

9 mile run on Sunday
Expected: 12:30 minute mile average
Actual: 12:24 minute mile average

How close are those averages? And even cooler? I was faster!

My 7 mile run almost a month ago, I did 13:23 minute mile averages...so I can't even believe that I'm running miles a minute faster even when I'm running 2 extra miles...craziness!

And the part of my body that hurts the most? My toes! My two big toes are not happy - I just hope my toenails stay put. I've heard running horror stories about big toenails!

- CJ

Mental preparation

My training schedule wants me to run a 10k tomorrow with a 1 mile warm up and a 1 mile cooldown.

Overall, that will be 8.2 miles...ANOTHER PDR.

I need to get used to that since next week is an 8 mile run, the one after is 9 miles, after that I have 10 miles, and so on until 13 miles, just two weeks before my half-marathon race day!

Lots of PDR's to be had in the next couple of months!!

This evening I am spending time psyching myself up to run 8.2 miles...and hoping that the rain stops!

Wish me luck!

-CJ