Snowflake In My Eye

Every day I cross off a run on the Pfitz program, I say to myself: "Is this really me? Am I really running long runs in the middle of the week? Am I really maintaining my pace on these runs? Am I really doing this??"

NO, I didn't want to go outside in the damp and cold and run a ten mile general aerobic run. NO, I didn't want to run 14 miles on a Tuesday because I couldn't finish it on Sunday. And, NO, NO, NO, I do not want to run 15 miles on Saturday because it will be a sweltering 21 degrees as opposed to the predicted 14 degrees on Sunday.

But did I? Will I? YES and YES.

I set my Garmin to only show the heartrate window this morning. I didn't look at my paces, only my heartrate. I tried to keep it above 155. I think it worked out ok. I finished in 1:41:xx -- about a minute over what I projected. I took a pretty long walk break to eat a gel and drink some water, but other than that, I have no excuses. I stopped the watch at most red lights, so I don't get a pass for that. I ran my usual hilly course and I do slow on the uphills. The last mile I did ten strides.

Speaking of elevation, the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon keeps updating their website. Recently, they added the course map and elevation chart. How can I resist entering a marathon with a flat elevation like this one and only two hours from home? Can you say "PR Potential?"

Best Laid Plans

I love to have a plan.

Today's plan was to run my 10 mile general aerobic run like this: 10:00 for three miles, 9:50 for three miles, 9:30 for three miles.

It didn't exactly work out like I planned, but the plan did keep me focused and motivated. Here is what really happened:

*Mile 4-5 involved a quick stop to remove my gloves, adjust my ipod, eat a gu, put gloves back on.

I realized right away that I was going faster than I had planned, but I decided to just go with it, as long as I didn't slow down. Now, before you are tempted to say something like "Natalie, you really should have gone a little slower because look how much you slowed down those last two miles," first take a look at this elavation chart:

Notice how the line at about 7.5 goes almost vertical and even more so at 8.75.
Now, let's hear the applause.

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

First Run of 2008

Today was a great start to the new year and to week 2 of the training plan. I ran 8.25 miles with 10x100 meter strides. I had a little bit of fun this morning setting up the Garmin to measure the strides. Um, how many tenths of a mile is 100 meters? I settled on .06-.07; can't remember which.

I entered my data on my new running log -- thank you Dave-O. It does everything except calculate the day I ovulate. Also, it rounds up, so maybe I'll hit 1500 in 2008 after all. According to the log, my average pace was 9:53. My avg. HR was 160 which is 81% of max.

This is the coldest day I've run so I dressed warmly. I can't believe I actually contemplated putting an ice cube in my water bottles. By the time I drank the Gatorade Endurance, it was like a slushy margharita. Big dry snow flurries are still coming down, but nothing is sticking.