Better Than Chocolate

I am now convinced that Recovery Runs are better than Chocolate. Alright, maybe a close second but still right up there.

Boy, do I feel better today!

I was a little scared apprehensive about heading out on my first run after the 13.1 but I knew the soreness would not subside without it and after postponing on what was going to be 3 days Mr. Boyfriend finally pushed me out the door (Thank goodness for him!)

I started out slow, as I knew I should, but about a mile in my knee started to complain so I decided to set my Garmin for 5:1 Run:Walk Ratio. Afterall, it seemed to work very well for a group of people I was stalking pacing with on the run and I lost sight of them after mile 4. So I decided to give it a shot.

My pace was right on for a recovery run and I felt terrific afterward.

and now for a few pics from the race itself:




Had to do a little Photoshopping on them but I still think they came out great. I ended up purchasing my finish pic which I will add to my wall of accomplishments :)

Today is my Friday being that I start a 10 day long weekend, boy do I need this!

Happy Thursday!

Weekends are Exhausting

I think I need a day off from my weekend!

This weekend kept me exceptionally BUSY! As always I planned to do a lot and ended up wanting to do more! Yes, I'm an over achiever ... it's a character flaw :)

So the plan was:

Planned: Cross training: A little P90x, challenges and all over workout!
Did: THE WHOLE WORKOUT! Finished it off! Did great!

Planned: A 4m Tempo Run for Saturday
Did: A 5 mile Run (used the Galloway 3:1 Ratio) WITHOUT MUSIC. Ended up with a 4.8 MPH run ... not great but not terrible.

Planned: A 7m Run on Sunday
Did: A 7 mile Run (used the Galloway 4:1 Ratio) WITHOUT MUSIC. Ended up with a 5.04 MPH run ... improving!

I wonder if the music would have helped? My earphone died like week so I have been Music Free for my last 3 runs ... during which I am noting a downturn on speed :(

I do like the Galloway Run:Walk Ratio because it makes the task of long runs so much less daunting but I'm wondering if that's not just me giving in to my own weakness :\

I mean, I am using a running ratio for much higher than I'm supposed to. I should be using the 2:1 or 2:30:1 ratio. But yet, I use the 4:1.

Maybe I should give the 2:1 ratio a try.

But the reality is that I have run 7 miles all the way through before. I CAN do it ... but I am giving in to the walking breaks.

I think I have developed a fear of long runs. I keep flip flopping between excitement and terror every time I realize I SIGNED UP FOR A MARATHON!?! .

Oh, and an added distraction, the Fall urge has stuck and I started knitting again.

I've decided that for this fall I will be making a replica of Lafayette's Afghan from True Blood.

True Blood is raffling off the real one but it's too late to enter :\ but someone was nice enough to write up the pattern so anyone can make up their own.

I'll post pictures when I'm done :)

In Review - Week of September 21st:

Half Marathon Training Week 5 of 12: Entering Phase 2

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
On the Run	25.68 Miles	5.02	5
On the Bike	0 Miles	N/A	0
In The Water	0 Meters	N/A	0
Strength Training	90 minutes	N/A	2

Total Running Time: 4:38:47
Total Training Time: 8:18:37

On Deck For This Evening:
I would like to spend a little time on my bike today. Just a couple of laps around the block and, of course I have my Cross Training and a catch up with Dexter, my favorite local serial killer :)

Happy Monday!

Weekending

Yesterday, on my co-worker run, I decided to test out the Jeff Galloway Run/Walk System. I had planed a 3 mile Easy Run so I figured what did I have to loose?

According to the chart, I should be Running 3 minutes and Walking 1 minute.

My first mile wasn't half bad (considering I was walking for 3 or so minutes of it). I followed the 3:1 ratio and did still managed to stay in the elevens range (if you recall yesterday: I ran the whole way and got about the same time :\ go figure!)

11:44.2

My second mile was less impressive. I tired to get smart and tried a 2:2 ratio, and then a 2:1 ratio ... which I don't think worked as well.

12:43.6

Then, I hit the hill. I ran it a bit slow but IT FELT AWESOME!

I forgot how much I like running hills ... they make you feel all tough and hard core :)

I was feeling good BUT then I passed my co-worker and she wanted me to walk with her for a bit. I looked at my watch and had 1 minute of walking ... OH BOY! What did I do that for!?! ... I never got started again.

17:13.8
07:35.8

DOH!

Afterwards, I made a new running buddy and am hoping for a Buddy run soon!

On Deck For This Weekend:

• Cross training this evening: A little P90x, challenges and all over workout!
  
• A 4m Tempo Run for Saturday
• A 7m Run on Sunday
  

I may switch Saturday and Sunday around and do my 7m run followed by an easy 4m. I read somewhere that after a long(ish) run you should do a shorter run the next day to loosen up the mus-ckles!

We'll see!

Happy Weekend!