Long Run - 14 Miler

Marissa and I were the only ones braving the run today. The group has dwindled down to only a handful, but still enjoying the running group. With only two weeks away from the Marathon, the mileage was pulled back to fourteen miles. Todd was with us the entire time; he was riding alongside us throughout the two hour run.

I struggled the past two weeks with my left hip giving me some issues. Earlier in the year, I had the same challenges with it causing me to do my runs in the pool. The last thing I want to happen is an injury so close to the big day, therefore, I headed back to the pool on Thursday for an hour in the deep end.

I was worried on how my hip was going to feel today, but things went well. I imagined we averaged around an 8:40 pace on the trail. I am ready to keep the distance at a minimal for the next two weeks.

Mentally, I am ready for the 26.2; now I have to be ready physically.

Track Workout

As we hit the track last night, we were able to enjoy running in the rain. The objective of the night was to run our 5K and 10K pace; both of which we will not be doing in the Marathon. I enjoy running 400s; must be from my days playing football. The problem I seem to always face is how excited I get to only run a hard 400. I was jumping out of my shoes on the 400's; really defeating the purpose of pacing.

2 Mile WU Run
4 x 400's @ 1:50 pace
4 x 400's @ 1:45 pace
.5 Mile Cool Down

15 Miler

I have been struggling with my Saturday runs, but this one took the cake. I do not know if it was the lack of sleep the past week or the poor dieting, but I could not get out of bed for the run. I slept in rather than meet up at Cadence for my usual long run. I did not feel as bad knowing that there were only going to be two of us taking the plunge for the 20 miles. As I checked my email in the late morning, I received a message from one of our coaches the night before preparing us for the run. Lisa talked about the loop she had planned with water, Gatorade, and gels strategically placed on the course. Wow, know I am feeling terrible about not showing up. For the past six or seven weeks, I kept wondering why I paid so much money for this class and they cannot even put out water or Gatorade on these long runs. The day I do not go is the day they pick it up.
Anyway, it became time to suck it up and get on the road for a long run. I am not the biggest fan of stuff; especially when I am running. Well today, I felt like the bag lady. I had the Ipod, the belt holding my keys and gels, and a water bottle in hand. I have enough problems taking the weight off; I do not need any extra STUFF weighing me down.
I ran the Williamstown Bike Path which allowed me to cover 11.5 miles. I felt average at the start of the run; 8:50 to 9:00 pace. Then really found my pace at a consistent 8:40 pace for the next eight or nine miles. On such a beautiful afternoon, I was again the only runner on the path. I was looking for inspiration and motivation from others, but could only find it on my Ipod. I try to keep the music very light to keep myself relaxed during my runs. I will begin to make my playlist for the Philly Marathon which will consist of U2, OAR, Dave Matthews, and etc. Of course, the run will end with a classic, Neil Young's "Keep on Rocking In The Free World."

I was able to finish the bike path run then quickly talked myself out of another loop. I ran over to the HS track for another 3.5 miles. I did the last two miles in a 8:00 pace. This was a small victory to the major let down of not completing the 20 miles. I will be pulling back my mileage in order to get my legs back in time for the Philly. It is exactly three weeks away and I am going to need every minute of it to get healthy.