And Life Takes Over

So I have been running very little the last few weeks, as you may have already noticed. Mostly due to my personal life getting in the way. I have decided to drop to a half marathon distance and complete that for the Seattle Marathon instead of the full. Mostly as I haven't been all that great at my training routine as late, and feel that I need a bit more before I go ahead and do this. I am excited to do the half-marathon though, and plan on continuing my training to to a full marathon next October in Portland....which is better for first time marathoners anyway.

Training - Week 14 Day 1

Today was a slow run. I have been slacking off a bit lately and needed to get started again. Today was an 8 miler. I averaged nearly 11:30 the entire run. It seemed very long today, and it rained for the later half of the run. I am feeling a bit better now though.

Stats:
HR - 157/165
Mile 1 - 11:15/5.3
Mile 2 - 11:12/5.4
Mile 3 - 11:28/5.2
Mile 4 - 11:30/5.2
Mile 5 - 11:38/5.1
Mile 6 - 11:54/5.0
Mile 7 - 11:38/5.2
Mile 8 - 11:36/5.2
Mile 8.05 - 0:36/3.5
Weight - 180
Pain - None

Training - Week 13 Day 2

Sprints today. It was very cold this morning. As I didn't realize just how cold it was until after I started my run, I decided to do a short run and sprint a bit. My hands were hurting it was so cold. Ill dress warmer tomorrow. As a result, I only ran 2 miles. But I ran them very fast.....for me.

Stats:
HR - 154/169
Mile 1 - 10:23/5.8
Mile 2 - 8:56/6.9
Mile 2.02 - 0:17/4.1
Weight - 180
Pain - Hands hurt due to cold....Brrr.

Training - Week 13 Day 1

Easy 5 Miler scheduled for today. I had no issues with the run. I had a little ache in my right ankle early on, but when I got warmed up it was no issue. I ran about 11:00/mile today, although it wasn't as hard as a tempo probably should have been. I needed a bit of a recovery run after the long run this weekend. I am just glad my knee pain went away before today's run.

My Stats:
HR - 153/166
Mile 1 - 11:05/5.4
Mile 2 - 10:46/5.6
Mile 3 - 11:00/5.4
Mile 4 - 10:52/5.6
Mile 5 - 10:54/5.5
Mile 5.1 - 1:16/3.5
Weight - 182
Pain - None

Training - Week 12 Day 2 - Long Run

I was sick most of this week, so I didn't do all my runs. The good news is that I got back to my long run this weekend. I ran 16 miles today. A distance record for me for sure. I even sustained a good pace considering the distance. I took 2 brief breaks (Mile 7 and 12) to down some Gu and refill my water. Of course, after the run my legs were burning. I believe I am definitely challenging my lactic acid threshold a bit these days, as I was about limping when I got in to my house after the run. A 15 minute ice bath did the trick though, and my legs feel much better. Total run time was 3:07:30.

At this pace, I should finish the Seattle Marathon in about 5 to 5.5 hours. Not that I care, as finishing it without my legs falling off is my main goal.

Stats:
HR - 156/169
Mile 1 - 11:08/5.4
Mile 2 - 10:52/5.5
Mile 3 - 10:52/5.5
Mile 4 - 10:54/5.5
Mile 5 - 11:08/5.4
Mile 6 - 11:12/5.3
Mile 7 - 12:08/4.9
Mile 8 - 11:14/5.3
Mile 9 - 11:14/5.4
Mile 10 - 11:24/5.3
Mile 11 - 11:28/5.3
Mile 12 - 13:32/5.2
Mile 13 - 11:20/5.3
Mile 14 - 11:28/5.2
Mile 15 - 11:36/5.2
Mile 16 - 11:20/5.3
Mile 16.25 - 4:48/3.2
Weight - 180
Pain - None

Training - Week 12 Day 1

Had to miss my long run this weekend again. My oldest boy couldn't come up to visit me, but my youngest one did. As my youngest one is not old enough to stay by himself, and I didn't have a babysitter handy, I couldn't go running Saturday or Sunday morning. When I got home Sunday evening from my day's activities, it was a bit too late to do a 3 hour run. I will do it this weekend, though. the full 16 miles.

Suffice it to say, I did my short run this morning. I picked up the pace a bit too. It was a 5 mile run today, and I made decent time. I finished the whole run in 55 minutes, including cool down. I am feeling pretty good afterwards as well.

Stats:
HR - 155/168
Mile 1 - 10:44/5.6
Mile 2 - 10:34/5.6
Mile 3 - 10:54/5.5
Mile 4 - 10:40/5.6
Mile 5 - 10:14/5.8
Mile 5.12 - 2:07/3.4
Weight - 180
Pain - None

Training - Week 11 Day 3

I had an Easy run again today. Supposed to be 4 miles, but as I felt pretty good I ran an extra mile for a total of 5. I did that in about an hour, my normal pace. I was lost in thought again during the run, and time passed amazingly quickly. And as usual, I am feeling great after the short run.

My Stats:
HR - 152/162
Mile 1 - 11:03/5.4
Mile 2 - 11:10/5.4
Mile 3 - 11:26/5.2
Mile 4 - 11:32/5.2
Mile 5 - 11:22/5.2
Mile 5.1 - 1:54/3.1
Weight - 176
No pain

Training - Week 11 Day 2

6 miles scheduled for today. I had a little trouble motivating myself this morning, but got out nonetheless. I was focused during my run, but not really on running. I spent most of the run lost in thought. Either way, I went out pretty slow today, not trying to push it too much, and enjoyed today's run thoroughly.

Stats:
HR - 153/166
Mile 1 - 11:05/5.4
Mile 2 - 11:16/5.4
Mile 3 - 11:10/5.4
Mile 4 - 11:18/5.3
Mile 5 - 11:30/5.2
Mile 6 - 11:34/5.2
Mile 6.1 - 1:30/3.4
Weight - 179
Pain - None

Training - Week 11 Day 1

I needed a bit of recovery last week, so I took some time off to rest. I only ended up running twice last week, including missing my long run. Now I know it isn't going to kill me and probably will help me that I did so, but the guilt is there nonetheless. Suffice it to say, I did go out this morning and did a tempo run. I ran 4 miles under a 10:15 pace. I know today's run will be an energizing one and I will likely feel terrific the rest of the day. That is why I just love the short runs. I finished up today in 44 minutes, including the cool down. I plan on running my normal schedule this week, including the 14 mile run Saturday.

Stats:
HR - 158/176
Mile 1 - 10:09/5.9
Mile 2 - 9:44/6.1
Mile 3 - 10:10/5.9
Mile 4 - 10:16/5.8
Mile 4.2 - 3:41/3.1
Weight - 180
Pain - None

Training - Week 10 Day 2

I headed out to the trail this morning and decided to do a tempo run today. I have been running quite slow the last few weeks, and figured I needed to pick things up a bit. Especially as I missed one of my runs this week.

I ran 4 miles in about 41 minutes, averaging just about 10:30 a mile. I met another jogger along the way and jogged with him having a pleasant chat for about half a mile, but he was running a bit faster than even I felt comfortable doing for an extended period, so our conversation was brief. All in all, it was a great workout and I now feel energized for the day.

Stats:
HR - 156/167
Mile 1 - 10:40/5.6
Mile 2 - 10:12/5.8
Mile 3 - 10:40/5.7
Mile 4 - 10:08/5.9
Mile 4.1 - 1:55/3.4
Weight- 181
Pain - None