Talking to the future

As I have said before, when I ran my first marathon in 2006, I didn't keep any journal, or blog or anything.  And now I have almost zero memory of it.  I remember getting PFS and going to a physical therapist.  I remember seeing the Fred's Team kids on First Avenue, seeing my then 6 year old daughter too.  But I don't remember the training, the race or really much about it.  So, to make sure I don't forget this one...a training update.

Two weeks ago I ran my long run on the beach at Kiawah Island.   Even though I started early (7 a.m.), it was  already 79 degrees, and humidity was about 90 percent (I looked on yahoo weather.)  The dew point was 74 degrees.  That was sticky hot.  A gorgeous run (pic above) but, man, after about 8 miles, I was dead on my legs.  I crashed, couldn't keep the pace.  Ended up averaging about 9:28 over 12 miles with a crazy high heart rate.  Combination of running on sand and the heat/humidity.  Garmin also suffered...it crashed and lost my data for the run...airgh...I just wanted my heart rate data to see the stress.  And I did see wild Bobcat tracks on the beach.  Very cool.  But I remember most the crash and burn.  I was really ready for the end of the run.

This last week I ran in the Long Training Run in the Park. Last year, I volunteered to pace a group at 9/min per mile.  After mile 13 or so, I cracked (I had planned on stopping at 11, GI issues, no food or water, etc.), but this year I just wanted to run.  MUCH easier not pacing.  The 9/min pace seemed really slow, but just about perfect training pace. Heart rate in line, not much trouble holding the pace, and felt good.  And the results showed.  A strong training run!  I split from the group to only run 15, so at mile 13 I peeled off and ran last 2 solo.  And faster also, both around 8/min.  Very successful run.  Very sore the next day too, but 48 hours later, not bad.

Been running during the week on the treadmill.  I have been trying to loosely follow the program of 3 "quality" runs per week -- one long, one tempo, one speed.  Speed I have slacked off of...it has caused aggravation in my calf and hamstring.  But the tempo runs.,..1/4/1 (one warmup, 4 at 10K pace, one cool down)  are a kick in pants too.  Two weeks ago I had a super strong 5mile race in Central Park at 7:36 pace, so been using that as temp pace.  That is a challenge for sure.

And the other challenge is losing weight while training.  Watching calorie intake, trying to fuel workouts and recover.  I have been successful so far, but it is another stress point.  But running is much easier lighter.

On tap this weekend: 14 hilly miles around my neighborhood.  Already thinking about it, planning it.

Hope your summer has been great!