Thankful Thursday

Well, Yesterday's Tempo Run was less than stellar but I'll take it.

I ended up fiddling with my Garmin, as I always do when I run at the 1 Mile Loops park, no matter how much I promise myself I won't.

Run	Warm-Up	0:13:00	Target 12:28mm
Run	Mile 1	0:12:05	Target 10:49mm
Run	Mile 2	0:11:28	Target 10:49mm
Walk	Cool-Down	0:15:00	Target 12:28mm

I didn't hit my target once, but I'm still glad I got out there. And I think my Garmin is finally close to perfect (at least for now :)

On to Thankful Thursday:

I am thankful for care packages (i.e. killer race training kit) which I won for being a reader of Fair Weather Runner's blog.

It contained: Nike Running Socks (used a pair yesterday, FABULOUS!), Cliff Shot Gel (she sent me awesome sounding flavors, but does anyone have any tips on how to make these not feel like SNOT!?!, Cliff Shot Blox (I heart them! and may I say cutting them up into 4 is GENIUS!?!?), Nathan Hand Held Bottle (for my longer runs), Body Glide (Which I will be using this weekend) and Gatorade Powder (which I recently rediscovered after multiple expensive attempts with other stuff!)

I am thankful for family and friends even though I have been taking a little bit of me, I want to be alone, Mr. Demille, time.

I am thankful for The Southern Vampire Mysteries (i.e. The True Blood Series) ... seriously, I'm totally hooked!

I am thankful for My IPOD. I've been trying to run more without it but some days it's the only thing that gets me out the door!

I am thankful for Bloggie Peeps like Discom-BOB-ulated Running, Chocolate Shoestrings, Fair Weather Runner, Run on Sentence, Mel Tries To Run who keep me motivates, give great advice and keep me informed on running tips and information :) Thanks to all of you!

On deck is an Easy 4 mi @ 12:28mm (Really liking that Runner's World: Smart Coach, Thanks again Discom-BOB-ulated Running)

Thankfully Thursday!

Easy Peasey

I've been playing with Runner's World: Smart Coach, as recommend by B.O.B. in her post There's more than porn on the internet, (I love that title!) a bit and my last two runs have been designated as Easy Runs.

I think it was just what I needed.

SmartCoach recommended an Easy 4 miler and got no complaint from me. I would normally be doing cross training but wasn't really feeling it.

It would be a kind of recovery run, after my less than stellar 9 miler on Sunday. I was hoping for a little redemption.

Mile 1	0:11:19
Mile 2	0:11:31
Mile 3	0:11:38
Mile 4	0:11:28
Extra	0:03:00

I kept it slow and easy. My legs were tired. It went ok. Kept pace and that is all I could as for.

Then Tuesday, as I started to run, I kept having to put the breaks on. I felt like I was running slow and easy but when I looked at my Garmin I found I couldn't slow down enough so I just kept it going, as long as it felt slow and easy it shouldn't be a problem, I figured.

Mile 1	0:10:57
Mile 2	0:10:48
Mile 3	0:11:03
Mile 4	0:11:09
Extra	0:02:17

I couldn't believe.

It was an excellent run.

That totally skyrocketed my motivation!

Today's schedule calls for a Tempo Run. I haven't entirely figured out how to get those done right but I'll give it the Ol' college try. :)

Going to the park and may see the Slender Running Man again!

Happy Hump Day!

Panic Manic Monday

Yesterday, I had my first 10 mile run.

Now, I wish I could say that I set out with the right mind set but the truth is I had been postponing it since Saturday morning and skipped the corresponding 5 mile run that went with it to push it even further.

The truth is I was afraid.

To add insult to injury, I was highly demoralized by the fact that I have been eating terribly since Friday night. Chocolate Cake, McDonald's Breakfast, Boston Market ... the list goes on!

Also, for some reason I find it very difficult to hydrate properly during weekends ... and it's not because I am drinking anything else really ... I just don't drink on weekends.

I don't get it.

I have 19 days to the Half-marathon and I am getting a little freaked out!

Yesterday's run didn't go well.

I set out for 10 miles but only finished about 9.5.

Still a PDR but not what I needed to do!

I am trying to refocus but am finding it difficult between my increasing freak outs!

At least I did do well overall during the week, here's a re-cap:

In Review - Week of October 5th:

Half Marathon Training Week 10 of 12:
(Full Marathon Training Week 5 of 18:)

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
	25.03 Miles	5.24	4
	0 Miles	N/A	0
	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 06:52:03
Total Running Time: 04:52:03

19 days till the Half-Marathon!
96 days till the Full-Marathon!

Have a great day!

Moving Right Along

Last night, I ended up doing my run at the park near my mom's house where I was hoping to do 4 of my planned 6 miles.

When I got there the weather seemed foreboding. It wanted to rain but was holding back it's fury. Further backing me to shorten my run.

I stretched for a minute, not paying much attention to the small slender man stretching next to me and finished quickly and started off.

I heard a mumble and took out my Ipod to listen.

The slender man had asked me how many I would be doing today.

"Six" I blurted, surprising myself!

My frontal lobe had no intention of doing six miles but I guess my subconscious had other plans.

"Then I should run with you" he laughed a bit.

I smiled and moved right along into my 1/4 mile warm up. The park is a full mile loop so when I reached my starting mark, I shot off.

Did my first mile in 10:32. On target, but once I finished it I had to walk for a bit. I pushed a little harder than I should right off the bat but then again, I always do. I walked about a 1/10 of a mile before getting started again during with the slender man passed me and waved to get me going. Next mile was 13:16 because of it and the fact that my ipod died in the middle of it (I am getting more used to running without it but some days you just need it to get you going!). Then I picked it up again for mile 3, in my head it would be my last mile so I figured what the heck and I finished it at 10:35.

But then as I finished my 3rd mile, the slender man caught up with me and started talking so I started jogging easily with him. He had finished his planned four miles and asked me what mile I was on. I told him I needed 3 more and he nodded a small nod and kept on with me.

We got to talking and it turns out he is signed up for the ING Miami too. He was surprised when I told him I was running only 10 miles this weekend but I told him it would grow quickly which seemed to releave his concern a bit. Then he asked why I was running my longish run so close to my long-long run (That's runner's terminology I swear :). I was sad to admit the week had gotten away from me and I had moved my planned runs around to accommodate.

Then he proceed to tell me I had run my first mile a little too fast and how I should space my runs and do a shorter run before my long-long run and all sorts of other advice that you can only get from someone that's been there before!

It was wonderful!

We finished off the last 3 miles and I did finish my 6 mile run all with my marathon pace and while talking and not noticing. Also, I didn't need to stop and drink water, which surprised me and reinforced that I need to drink water throughout the day (it obviously worked!)

Afterward, we stretched a bit and SUDDENLY, in an instant, the sky opened up and it was a FULL ON RAIN STORM!

I hastily waved "good bye" and told him it was great to run with him as we ducked into my cars to escape the SUDDEN DOWNPOUR!

You gotta love South Florida!

Afterward, I went to Mom's and had dinner and we pulled out the old photo boxes :)

Here's Mom tying my shoe before I head off running :)

Today I'm going to take it easy and do some upper body/core work and am listening to 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days -- and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!

Just to note: We are 22 days away from my first half marathon and the full has now gone into double digits at 99 days away!

Happy Friday!

Busy Busy Busy

The week picked up it pace and it moving along rather quickly now.

Last night's run went well.

Mile 1	0:10:23	5.78
Mile 2	0:11:07	5.40
Mile 3	0:11:08	5.39
Mile 4	0:11:18	5.31
Extra	0:01:57	5.23

On or above pace which always makes me happy :)

Today, I have a 4 Mile tempo run on deck but I am still majorly sore and my week is kinda wacky so I may cut it down a little bit or I may just take it as a rest day.

Also started working on my NaNoWriMo Project:
Currently looking on creating a loose plot theme.

So thankful it's Thursday!

Strengthing and Goals

Last night's Strength Session was the best I've had in a while. It did take a little longer than I expected, 2:30 hours instead of my usual 2:00 hours but I did add some exercises so I guess it SHOULD have been expected.

Today, the scale and I are not friends.

But my head is on other things.

Today I received an email reminding me that I need to start preparing for NaNoWriMo.

This is the first year I will be able to do it!

I even have an unexpected week off right in the middle of it!

This year if I complete my challenge, I will give myself the Prize of buying some NaNoWriMo Merchandise like this but only if I complete the challenge :)

I will be exchanging this for my Education Goal this quarter and leave the GRE for the Spring. I am making great progress on my quarterly goals which is always motivating.

ARTISTIC: Make an Afghan

ATTITUDE: Make a conscious effort to be more positive.

CAREER:

EDUCATION: Take GRE NANOWRIMO (November)

FAMILY: Reconnect with my Cousins

FINANCIAL:

• Pay off Small Credit Card
• Create an Emergency Savings Plan

PHYSICAL:

• Oct - Run 100; Bike 10; Cross 12
• Nov - Run 120; Bike 15; Cross 12
• Dec - Run 140; Bike 20; Cross 12
• Run a Sub 10 Minute Mile DONE
  
• Run a Sub 33 5K
  

PUBLIC SERVICE:

I still need a Public Service Goal and Career Goal for this quarter but I'm sure they will come to me :)

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday Kick In The Butt

I will begin with Runner's World Daily Kick In The Butt:

Nonrunners cannot see how they can afford the time to run every day. But runners cannot imagine getting through a single day without it.
~ Kevin Nelson, The Runner's Book of Daily Inspiration

So fitting!

--

I am so glad I ran yesterday.

I had to option to either do a cross training day or do a 5 mile run and when I got home it was a toss up but I finally decided to go for the 5 miler.

It would be more of a recovery run than anything else. I did a 7 miler on Saturday and a 4 miler yesterday. But I had been toying with the Marathon Pace Wristband Creator throughout the day and decided to run it at my Half Marathon pace.

I didn't print it out but rather decided to run sub-11 minute miles all the way through since the math would be easier!

I ran my usual route but rather than take the west side of the Street, I ran it on the east side of the street and it felt like I was running a completely different course.

Mile 1	0:10:27	0:10:27
Mile 2	0:11:07	0:21:51
Mile 3	0:11:45	0:34:10
Mile 4	0:11:00	0:45:02
Mile 5	0:11:43	0:57:05
.36 Mile	0:03:51	1:00:56

I was able to stay on pace the whole time with no real discomfort. Now the challenge is to maintain it on my 10 Mile long run this weekend!

In other news, I have discovered that my hip pain is actually caused by my hamstrings being weak. First it was my quads causing knee pain and now it's my Hamstrings causing Hip pain.

Geesh!

Today I am hitting the Cross training and adding some Hamstring focused exercises!

Happy Tuesday!

A Place to Live Inside My Head, Rent Free

Yesterday I had a easy 4 mile run in the cold.

Ok, so it wasn't COLD it was just chilly. It was 70.0 °F with 41% Humidity. That is chilly to me.

This little cold front should be over by tomorrow but I still ordered a pair of arm warmers for future runs. I was actually quite comfortable except my arms got chilly during the run. But otherwise a very enjoyable run!

So that ends my recovery week and I am slated to begin the last four week phase of training before the Half-Marathon.

I am excited and scared all at once.

I am scared because I have never run more than 8.2 miles in my life. This weekends run is a 10 miler.

I am excited because I AM GOING TO RUN A MARATHON ... but first the HALF MARATHON!

I would have never thought!

But still I worry.

• I worry because my new shoes need to be worn in.
• I have recently developed a new kind of pain after my runs which focuses on my hip.
• I worry because the distances are adding up!
  

The thought of quitting has crossed my mind but I have been able to skoot that lil' sucker out of my head. I am not giving him a place to live in my head rent free! That little voice inside my head has been evicted!

In Review - Week of October 5th:

Half Marathon Training Week 9 of 12:
(Full Marathon Training Week 4 of 18:)

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
	21.87 Miles	5.26	4
	2.03 Miles	N/A	1
	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 05:16:31
Total Running Time: 04:11:31

26 days till the Half-Marathon!
103 days till the Full-Marathon!

Happy Monday!

Eliza Vs. Thirst in Four Rounds

I feel like a day was randomly inserted into this week. Today certainly feels like it should be Friday! (Am I right?)

Last nights run required every once of strength in my body. I set out at 5:55pm and was hoping for the completion of 6 miles but I wasn't going to be disappointed if I got only 5. This is my 'rest' week when I'm supposed to run a little less than normal so either would have been fine.

The run played out like a Boxing Match! Eliza Vs. THIRST in four rounds!

Round 1: I started out ok. Nice and slow but then I started to feel tired an above all thirsty. I looked at my Garmin and saw I had only run 1.67M. So I stopped my Garmin as it hit 20:00min. Popped the Gu Shot I was carrying and started over.

Round 2: I felt a little better. Still thirsty. I ran for another 20 minutes and FINALLY reached my 4 mile turn left and run home point. I had run a little better than before, 1.69M. But if I turned now that would leave me with barely 4 miles. I wanted a little more than that. I stoped my Garmin again and I ran straight forward and kept going!

Round 3: I couldn't take it any longer. After about a half mile I ventured on to the golf course and took a couple swigs of water from one of the Gatorade containers (like the ones at foot ball games). I don't like doing this because I'm not a member of the Golf Course and I don't want to be chased down for steeling water .... I doubt it will happen but I'm paranoid like that. I felt so much better, a little guilty but AS thirsty! For the sake uniformity, I stopped my Garmin at 20:00 min again and noted I had run 1.69 again ... at least I'm consistent. :)

Round 4: After running only .5m into this round I was facing the turn-and-go-home point again. By this time thirst was winning. I contemplated venturing on to the Golf Course again but I knew I didn't ABSOLUTELY need to. My forefoot was aching and I just wanted to go home. But I wanted to finish even more. I pushed through and moved forward. I was running slower and even reached my walking pace at moments so I took some walking breaks. I ended up doing 1.54 M at the end of the 20:00min.

I did find it to be a rather well rounded run and I did learn from it.

• Never leave home without a hydration plan!
  

Once I got home, My legs were sore, my hip had a pinch and my feet ached!

I did some Yoga for Runners to get the kinks out and did a cool water bath for my leg soreness but didn't think the foot aching would last.

I was wrong!

Today my forefeet hurt like the dickens and my right arch is sore.

I am taking today as a rest day and massaging it with a Gel ball (really meant for your hands) and it's feeling better but it needs to be rested.

This Saturday I am hoping to meet up with the Miami Runner's Club for a Long Run.

Hope to be better by then.

Happy ALMOST Friday!

A Week of Rest

I was able to get my run in during the afternoon yesterday.

For some reason waking up has not been a problem but rather getting out of bed has been the issue keeping me from my morning runs this week. I won't be trying to wake up tomorrow or Friday morning but rather will leave my next attempt for Saturday being that since I run today and tomorrow in the afternoon I really won't have adequate recovery time between runs.

Last nights run was pretty darned good.

I am noticing my run time is decreasing. I am so stoked. I am quickly reaching an 10mm (minutes per mile) average pace. I almost got all 4 of my miles into the 10mm pace.

Run	1.00	0:10:19	5.82
Run	1.00	0:10:57	5.48
Run	1.00	0:11:04	5.42
Run	1.00	0:11:07	5.40
Run	0.20	0:02:03	5.85

This week is considered my rest week (i.e. the week where you run about 25% less than you usually do) but since I BOMBED last weekend I have upped this weeks totals a little bit.

Today I have a 5 to 6 miler on deck for this evening. I am hoping to run about an hour but once I run 5miles I may be tempted to finish off the 6th. :)

We'll see!

Wishing everyone a happy hump day!

Well, there went the weekend!

Well talk about a bomb.
I totally bombed my Sunday Long Run.

It was supposed to be my first 9 Miler.

I didn't go run at all!

I woke up at 6am to go run but turned over and went back to sleep. Then the afternoon got away from me. Then when I was faced with the choice of going on my run or going to hang out with friends ... of course, I bailed on the run.

I don't feel to great about it.

I made a billion excuses. "I feel low energy", "I need to rest", "I feel run down", "It's going to take too long" ... GEESH!

I think I was scared of it. I know I can do it but I think I was afraid of actually doing it ... go figure!

It totally killed my stats:

In Review - Week of October 5th:

Half Marathon Training Week 7 of 12:
(Full Marathon Training Week 1 of 18:)

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
	15.76 Miles	5.54	4
	0 Miles	N/A	0
	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 04:18:59
Total Running Time: 02:48:59

33 days till the Half-Marathon!
110 days till the Full-Marathon!

I've recalibrated my run schedule and although I'm bummed about missing the 9 miler I know I need to push forward.

On deck for today is cross training. I want to run but I know I need to stick to my plan.

Happy Monday!

If the shoe fits ...

... run with it!

So today I met up with my mom and had a total Girls Day Out. We had lunch, talked about how her 6 miler went today, shopped for fancy German sugar for tea and ended up at the New Balance store where I got my first pair of "Running" Shoes.

Now that might seem odd to you especially since I've been running "seriously" for over 6 months now. But it turns out that I've never really gone to a specialty store for running shoes ... until today!

I picked up a pair of NB WR1063WB.

They fit terrific!

We also hit Bloomingdale's a got some new Wacoal Sports Bars ... may I say, I am a well endowed girl and they kept everything in the right places without need for a second sports bar on top! A first for me!

I was so stoked when I got home I was glad Mr. Boyfriend wasn't home for our special dinner yet so I grabbed my new gear along with my favorite CW-X Women's Stabilyx 3/4 Tights and my You look funny with your head like that t-shirt and hit the road!

I knew I shouldn't run my scheduled 5 miler because I was starting later than usual AND I was running with new and un-tested gear but I was so excited as soon as I started I knew I was running faster. It felt great but it felt like my feet wanted to move faster than my body could manage.

Run	Mile 1	0:09:25	6.37
Run	Mile 2	0:12:07	4.95
Run	Mile 3	0:11:19	5.30
Run	Mile 4	0:11:01	5.45
Run	Extra	0:03:13	5.41

My first mile I shot out. Second I had to walk a little to catch my breath and then I started running again. I felt like it was easier to keep my pace. It felt good.

I do need to remember I need to take hydration for runs over 3 miles though. I had to stop at the end of mile 3 to grab a drink.

I could have finished but it was much to late and I am hoping to squeeze a 9 miler in tomorrow morning ... if not I will make it up in the afternoon so no worries :)


Now back to your regularly scheduled weekend!

Have a good one!

Low Energy Run

Well, yesterday I was still feeling run-down. It was going on 3 days.

I had made plans but bailed on half of them and rearranged my run time. First I'd plan an AM Run at 6:10am, didn't happen. Then I scooted it to right after work at 5:00pm. Then I pushed it further to 6:00pm ... that's when I knew it was now or never!

The run started out well. I always run the first ~.10 faster than normal then I have to wait at the only congested street light I really have to cross on my route and then I usually catch my pace. I did good for the first mile but I started to feel a cramp on the left side of my abs (which is unusual as I don't usually cramp) but I trudged along. I walked for a bit then started running again. I through the next .86m and I had to stop. I NEEDED WATER. I normally don't like to cross over into the golf course but I needed water so I asked one of the golfers and he very nicely told me where there was a water cooler. I WAS SO GRATEFUL! I felt well enough to continue walking (in my head I was going to finish my 3rd mile and call it quits when my Garmin beeped announcing 3 miles down and POOF, I was off running again. I lost my concentration and slowed down for a bit but I was still running and on the turn home I picked it up again. Before I knew it my Garmin beeped that I had run 5 miles. At this point I walked for a bit then picked it up again ( I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD IT IN ME!) and I ran the last little bit.

Run	0.12	0:01:09	6.26
Run	1.00	0:10:38	5.64
Walked	0.15	0:03:01	2.99
Run	0.86	0:09:32	5.41
Walked	1.00	0:17:09	3.50
Run	0.42	0:04:55	5.13
Walked	0.58	0:08:18	4.19
Run	1.00	0:11:19	5.30
Walked	0.10	0:01:58	3.05
Run	0.27	0:03:11	5.08

I was completly spent!

I got home and did some stretching and found that my blister wrapping hadn't worked ... I should have listened to Julia about the duct tape (gonna try it next time, Julia! :) and one of my toe nails it looking a little shadey (I am going for new shoes tonight!) but overall still an ok run.

Finished up my run in 1:11:10 (not terrible considering I walked ... ALOT!)

I'm feeling better now mostly because I got out and ran. I think running recharges my batteries!

Also, a shout out to all the bloggy peeps at the CHICAGO MARATHON! Wishing all of you the best!

Wishing everyone a Happy Friday!

Wednesday

Yesterday, I had strength training.

It went OK.

I was only able to get through 3 out of 5 sets which was disappointing but I took it in stride.

Today, I was able to wake up in the A.M. and get out at the right time.

I had speed work scheduled 8 x 400m but ended up running 10 X 200m instead.

I really suck at speed work.

Granted I don't do it NEARLY enough! I have really got to get some more in there.

I've been feeling run down the last couple of days ... wonder if I'm catching a cold. Planning on taking some Airborne and hope to be out of this funk by tomorrow morning for an AM 5 Miler.

Also, may I say, I am loving having my evenings free. I am able to catch up on my Stories (i.e. used to be True Blood over the summer, now it's Dexter, Fringe, NCIS and Bones) and I've even been able to get some reading in (I'm already 3/4 done with Charlene Harris' Dead as a Doornail ... highly recommend the Southern Vampire Series) and even noticing some on progress on my Lafayette (from True Blood) Inspired Afghan.

As for the running, I will trust my training and keep on trudging along. I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED! :)

Wishing everyone a Happy Hump day!

Self-Imposed Long Weekend

Everyone should indulge in one every once in a while!

Thursday night, Mr. Boyfriend and I hit the Metallica concert and may I say "It was AWESOME!"

Rock On!

Great seats!

It was explosive!

I'm not a huge fan but it was still a lot of fun!

Friday, I did my afternoon run in a decent time. I stopped using the Galloway method and my time has improved considerably.

Mile 1	0:10:32
Mile 2	0:11:21
Mile 3	0:11:20
Mile 4	0:11:24
Mile 5	0:10:59
Extra .33	0:03:31

Saturday was the first day I was able to wake up and get a morning run and may I say, I LOVED IT! I am definitely hooked. I am also running IPOD free. I really does allow you to concentrate better on RUNNING and breathing and all the mechanics. It's not easy but it is so worth the sacrifice.

Mile 1	0:10:50
Mile 2	0:11:18
Mile 3	0:11:24
Extra .74	0:08:23

Mr. Boyfriend was still sleeping so I slipped out and got a couple of rounds out on the Bicycle.

Can I say, FINALLY!

It took me twice around just to get my footing back. Then I was in full swing. I did another 6 loops before the sun got to me and I had to head inside. I must do that again!

Sunday was my long run. I woke up at the same time but being that my run was much longer I ended my run and the heat was starting to get bad.

Mile 1	0:10:32
Mile 2	0:10:45
Mile 3	0:11:37
Mile 4	0:11:19
Mile 5	0:11:35
Mile 6	0:11:21
Mile 7	0:11:17
Mile 8	0:11:19
Extra .01	0:00:05

I'm pretty stoked that I made my race pace without really trying too hard and I think I kept it pretty consistent. I did have to take a few walking breaks but I kept them to 1 per mile and always between 45-60 sec.

In the future I'm going to have to wake up earlier as my runs get longer.

Also, I need to be more careful on my long runs. I got 5 blisters. Two on the arch of my right foot, two more on my toes of the same foot and one more on the toe of my left foot. I know it's because I used the wrong sneaker for the run. It was my only lapse.

Everything else worked out pretty well!

• Half a Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cliff Bar before the run. I didn't feel hungry at all.
  
• 20oz of Half Water/Half Gatorade (I could have used another 4oz though)
  
• 1 Zym hydration tab after the run and 1 cup milk (also after the run)

Overall still a great run!

For today's run, I calculated the time I needed to get up to be at work by 8am and I guess I got a little carried away. I headed out at 6:10am to find:

It was PITCH BLACK! It felt like it was Midnight, eerie and spooky. I tried to do once around the block but it was too much. I checked and Sunrise is at 7:15am.

I started to fiddle on the computer and lost track of time and ended up heading out late ... GEESH!

I had planned to do a 5 miler but time and the fact that this would be my 4th run in a row caused me to reconsider.

I ended up doing 3.47 instead. I was able to keep my race pace ... but BARELY! By the end my blisters were aching a little and my legs felt like I had no gas in them ... I was running by shear will alone!

Tomorrow is a rest for my legs day ... I do strength for my core and arms.

Wow! What a weekend :)

In Review - Week of September 28st:

Half Marathon Training Week 6 of 12:
(Full Marathon Training Week 1 of 18:)

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
	25.14 Miles	5.34	5
	2 Miles	N/A	1
	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 06:12:39
Total Running Time: 04:42:39

040:09:28:02 till the Half-Marathon!
117:09:46:39 till the Full-Marathon!

I leave you with a video of clips from the concert!


Happy Monday!

IRONMAN: MIAMI!

I think this is a sign!?!

World Triathlon Corporation officially announces that Miami, Florida will serve as the host city for the newest Ironman 70.3 event. Taking place on October 30, 2010, Ironman 70.3 Miami will consist of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. Because Miami offers a variety of great architecture and a wide diversity of cultures, Ironman 70.3 Miami will quickly establish itself as a destination event and is expected to sell out quickly.The inaugural event will reach capacity at 2,000 athletes. There will be 50 qualifying slots available to the 2011 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in addition to a prize purse of $36,000 for distribution among the top male and female professional finishers. Registration for this event is now available at www.ironmanmiami.com.

The Tempo Run That Wasn't

If you hadn't noticed, I had been a little bit underwhelmed with my running the last 2 weeks or so.

I had started to REALLY SLOW DOWN. I felt like I had been showing promise, improving and getting better but then WHAM! SLOWY-MAC-SLOW-POKE showed up!

I was feeling quite demoralized and it took me almost two hours of Hmmm-ing and Haw-ing and Mr. Boyfriend pushing me out the door with his BOOT to get me out there! (I owe him one!)

Yes, I know I shouldn't let a little slow down demoralize me! Yes, I know that if I push through it I will get over and beyond it! But JEESH, it wreaks havoc on your motivation!

What's worse is I am running IPOD free ... IT AIN'T EASY I TELL YOU! Music helps SO VERY MUCH! But, the 13.1 Fort Lauderdale doesn't allow MP3 players and my ear phones crapped out on me conveniently so I took it as a sign to train with race like conditions.

But then, as I thought there was no hope, I finally saw a bit of light.

Sure, I don't run very fast but this is faster than I've run in a couple of weeks.

Mile 1: 9:42
Mile 2: 11:21
Mile 3: 11:05
Mile 4: 10:58
Extra .06: 0:41

I hadn't run a sub-10 in a couple of weeks. A fully on-marathon pace run! It felt G.R.E.A.T!

I know that's not how a Tempo Run is 'posed to go ... but I'm happy with it!

In Review - Month of September:

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
	77.45 Miles	5.17 ↑.12	18
	0 Miles	N/A	0
	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 27:09:20
Total Running Time: 15:09:20

I didn't quite achieved my September 80+ Miles Challenge :\ but I know that was because I lost a couple of training days due to a mondo-migraine so I'm not too disappointed. I am disappointed that I didn't Bike or Swim at all in September but there's always next month. I am glad that although I sucked-wind for two weeks my monthly average is still up. Yay!

My Goal for October is 100+ miles so that I can reach my goal of 900 in 2009. I may seem like a big jump especially since I didn't make my 80+ in September but my marathon training is getting more heated so I do expect that it will get done. I am also setting goals for 120+ in November and 140+ in December which will complete my goal.

Well, today is equal to my Friday! I'm going to METALLICA and then I have tomorrow off.

I had a 5 miler penciled in before I realized I won't have time to do it before the concert :\ but I do have tomorrow open to work it in.

WISHING EVERYONE A TERRIFIC DAY!